Essent Group Ltd. - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the period ended June 30, 2021

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-36157

ESSENT GROUP LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Bermuda						Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

Clarendon House

2 Church Street

Hamilton HM11, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(441) 297-9901

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $0.015 par value	ESNT	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232-405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files.) Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of the registrant’s common shares outstanding as of August 2, 2021 was 111,872,180.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q

Index


PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	1

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	1

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)	1

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)	2

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	4

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	5

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	46

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	46

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION	47

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	47

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	47

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	47



Item 6.	Exhibits	48

SIGNATURES		49

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Unless the context otherwise indicates or requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “Essent,” and the “Company,” as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, refer to Essent Group Ltd. and its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries, including our primary operating subsidiaries, Essent Guaranty, Inc. and Essent Reinsurance Ltd., as a combined entity, except where otherwise stated or where it is clear that the terms mean only Essent Group Ltd. exclusive of its subsidiaries.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, includes forward-looking statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts or present facts or conditions, such as statements regarding our future financial condition or results of operations, our prospects and strategies for future growth, the introduction of new products and services, and the implementation of our marketing and branding strategies. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report reflect our views as of the date of this Quarterly Report about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause events or our actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those factors described below, in Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report, and in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include, without limitation, the following:

•the duration, spread and severity of the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"), which is currently ongoing and still evolving; the actions taken to contain the virus or treat its impact, including government and GSE actions to mitigate the economic impact of the outbreak; the nature and extent of the forbearance and modification options available to borrowers affected by the outbreak on mortgages we insure; reserve and other accounting estimates relating to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak; borrower behavior in response to the outbreak and its economic impact; how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume, including whether any future outbreaks interrupt economic recovery; how quickly and to what extent affected borrowers can recover from the negative economic impact of the outbreak; and whether and to what extent the outbreak and related economic conditions will exacerbate other risks and uncertainties facing our business, financial condition and business strategy;

•changes in or to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which we refer to collectively as the GSEs, whether through Federal legislation, restructurings or a shift in business practices;

•failure to continue to meet the mortgage insurer eligibility requirements of the GSEs;

•competition for our customers or the loss of a significant customer;

•lenders or investors seeking alternatives to private mortgage insurance;

•increase in the number of loans insured through Federal government mortgage insurance programs, including those offered by the Federal Housing Administration;

•decline in the volume of low down payment mortgage originations;

•uncertainty of loss reserve estimates;

•decrease in the length of time our insurance policies are in force;

•deteriorating economic conditions;

•recently enacted U.S. Federal tax reform and its impact on us, our shareholders and our operations;

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•the definition of “Qualified Mortgage” reducing the size of the mortgage origination market or creating incentives to use government mortgage insurance programs;

•the definition of “Qualified Residential Mortgage” reducing the number of low down payment loans or lenders and investors seeking alternatives to private mortgage insurance;

•the implementation of the Basel III Capital Accord, which may discourage the use of private mortgage insurance;

•management of risk in our investment portfolio;

•fluctuations in interest rates;

•inadequacy of the premiums we charge to compensate for our losses incurred;

•dependence on management team and qualified personnel;

•disturbance to our information technology systems;

•change in our customers’ capital requirements discouraging the use of mortgage insurance;

•declines in the value of borrowers’ homes;

•limited availability of capital or reinsurance;

•unanticipated claims arise under and risks associated with our contract underwriting program;

•industry practice that loss reserves are established only upon a loan default;

•disruption in mortgage loan servicing, as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise;

•risk of future legal proceedings;

•customers’ technological demands;

•our non-U.S. operations becoming subject to U.S. Federal income taxation;

•becoming considered a passive foreign investment company for U.S. Federal income tax purposes; and

•potential restrictions on the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends.

Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements we have included in this Quarterly Report are based on information available to us on the date of this Quarterly Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

iii

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)


	June 30,		December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020
Assets
Investments
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2021 — $4,253,267; 2020 — $3,677,815)	$	4,374,008	$	3,838,513
Short-term investments available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2021 — $372,318; 2020 — $726,875)	372,320		726,860
Total investments available for sale	4,746,328		4,565,373
Other invested assets	145,310		88,904
Total investments	4,891,638		4,654,277
Cash	142,140		102,830
Accrued investment income	24,468		19,948
Accounts receivable	53,127		50,140
Deferred policy acquisition costs	14,070		17,005
Property and equipment (at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $62,690 in 2021 and $60,967 in 2020)	12,989		15,095
Prepaid federal income tax	332,886		302,636
Other assets	50,471		40,793
Total assets	$	5,521,789	$	5,202,724

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and LAE	$	421,872	$	374,941
Unearned premium reserve	220,580		250,436
Net deferred tax liability	343,098		305,109
Credit facility borrowings (at carrying value, less unamortized deferred costs of $2,684 in 2021 and $3,280 in 2020)	322,316		321,720
Other accrued liabilities	129,095		87,885
Total liabilities	1,436,961		1,340,091
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 7)
Stockholders’ Equity
Common shares, $0.015 par value:
Authorized - 233,333; issued and outstanding - 112,481 shares in 2021 and 112,423 shares in 2020	1,687		1,686
Additional paid-in capital	1,558,142		1,571,163
Accumulated other comprehensive income	115,431		138,274
Retained earnings	2,409,568		2,151,510
Total stockholders’ equity	4,084,828		3,862,633
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,521,789	$	5,202,724

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Revenues:
Net premiums written	$	202,287	$	205,904	$	406,648	$	397,647
Decrease in unearned premiums	15,150		5,567		29,856		20,320
Net premiums earned	217,437		211,471		436,504		417,967
Net investment income	21,743		19,866		43,531		40,499
Realized investment (losses) gains, net	(253)		(1,269)		388		1,866
Other income	4,334		6,009		7,635		4,585
Total revenues	243,261		236,077		488,058		464,917

Losses and expenses:
Provision for losses and LAE	9,651		175,877		41,973		183,940
Other underwriting and operating expenses	41,114		38,819		83,353		80,766
Interest expense	2,073		2,566		4,124		4,698
Total losses and expenses	52,838		217,262		129,450		269,404

Income before income taxes	190,423		18,815		358,608		195,513
Income tax expense	30,628		3,435		63,165		30,610
Net income	$	159,795	$	15,380	$	295,443	$	164,903

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.43	$	0.15	$	2.64	$	1.65
Diluted	1.42		0.15		2.63		1.64

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	112,118		102,500		112,067		100,224
Diluted	112,454		102,605		112,416		100,466

Net income	$	159,795	$	15,380	$	295,443	$	164,903

Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $7,856 and $17,592 in the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 and ($2,345) and $10,613 in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020	36,360		74,285		(22,843)		64,211
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	36,360		74,285		(22,843)		64,211
Comprehensive income	$	196,155	$	89,665	$	272,600	$	229,114

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Common Shares
Balance, beginning of period	$	1,693	$	1,479	$	1,686	$	1,476
Issuance of common shares	—		207		—		207
Issuance of management incentive shares	1		—		9		5
Cancellation of treasury stock	(7)		—		(8)		(2)
Balance, end of period	1,687		1,686		1,687		1,686

Additional Paid-In Capital
Balance, beginning of period	1,571,134		1,117,286		1,571,163		1,118,655
Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs of $18,875 in 2020	—		439,768		—		439,768
Dividends and dividend equivalents declared	193		163		369		323
Issuance of management incentive shares	(1)		—		(9)		(5)
Stock-based compensation expense	5,385		4,568		10,564		9,348
Cancellation of treasury stock	(18,569)		(48)		(23,945)		(6,352)
Balance, end of period	1,558,142		1,561,737		1,558,142		1,561,737

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, beginning of period	79,071		46,113		138,274		56,187
Other comprehensive income (loss)	36,360		74,285		(22,843)		64,211
Balance, end of period	115,431		120,398		115,431		120,398

Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of period	2,269,039		1,942,196		2,151,510		1,808,527
Net income	159,795		15,380		295,443		164,903
Dividends and dividend equivalents declared	(19,266)		(18,068)		(37,385)		(33,922)
Balance, end of period	2,409,568		1,939,508		2,409,568		1,939,508

Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning of period	—		—		—		—
Treasury stock acquired	(18,576)		(48)		(23,953)		(6,354)
Cancellation of treasury stock	18,576		48		23,953		6,354
Balance, end of period	—		—		—		—

Total Stockholders' Equity	$	4,084,828	$	3,623,329	$	4,084,828	$	3,623,329

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020
Operating Activities
Net income	$	295,443	$	164,903
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on the sale of investments, net	(388)		(1,866)
Equity in net (income) loss of other invested assets	(647)		(228)
Distribution of income from other invested assets	593		794
Depreciation and amortization	1,723		1,735
Stock-based compensation expense	10,564		9,348
Amortization of premium on investment securities	15,761		11,548
Deferred income tax provision	40,334		12,513
Change in:
Accrued investment income	(4,520)		(176)
Accounts receivable	3,467		1,238
Deferred policy acquisition costs	2,935		(151)
Prepaid federal income tax	(30,250)		(17,251)
Other assets	(8,498)		(7,622)
Reserve for losses and LAE	46,931		181,528
Unearned premium reserve	(29,856)		(20,320)
Other accrued liabilities	(3,797)		9,792
Net cash provided by operating activities	339,795		345,785

Investing Activities
Net change in short-term investments	354,540		(815,592)
Purchase of investments available for sale	(971,873)		(541,193)
Proceeds from maturity of investments available for sale	107,564		113,217
Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale	312,618		299,149
Purchase of other invested assets	(49,978)		(6,618)
Return of investment from other invested assets	8,378		7,078
Purchase of property and equipment	(765)		(934)
Net cash used in investing activities	(239,516)		(944,893)

Financing Activities
Issuance of common shares, net of costs	—		440,498
Credit facility borrowings	25,000		200,000
Credit facility repayments	(25,000)		—
Treasury stock acquired	(23,953)		(6,354)

Dividends paid	(37,016)		(33,599)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(60,969)		600,545

Net increase in cash	39,310		1,437
Cash at beginning of year	102,830		71,350
Cash at end of period	$	142,140	$	72,787

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Income tax payments	$	(20,000)	$	(10,000)
Interest payments	(3,575)		(4,283)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

In these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, “Essent”, “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Essent Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Essent Group Ltd. (“Essent Group”) is a Bermuda-based holding company, which, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, offers private mortgage insurance and reinsurance for mortgages secured by residential properties located in the United States. Mortgage insurance facilitates the sale of low down payment (generally less than 20%) mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage market, primarily to two government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The primary mortgage insurance operations are conducted through Essent Guaranty, Inc. (“Essent Guaranty”), a wholly-owned subsidiary approved as a qualified mortgage insurer by the GSEs and is licensed to write mortgage insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Essent Guaranty reinsures new insurance written ("NIW") to Essent Reinsurance Ltd. (“Essent Re”), an affiliated Bermuda domiciled Class 3A Insurer licensed pursuant to Section 4 of the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 that provides insurance and reinsurance coverage of mortgage credit risk. In April 2021, Essent Guaranty and Essent Re agreed to increase the quota share reinsurance coverage of Essent Guaranty’s NIW provided by Essent Re from 25% to 35% effective January 1, 2021. The quota share reinsurance coverage provided by Essent Re for Essent Guaranty’s NIW prior to January 1, 2021 will continue to be 25%, the quota share percentage in effect at the time NIW was first ceded. Essent Re also provides insurance and reinsurance to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. In 2016, Essent Re formed Essent Agency (Bermuda) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, which provides underwriting consulting services to third-party reinsurers. In accordance with certain state law requirements then in effect, Essent Guaranty also reinsures that portion of the risk that is in excess of 25% of the mortgage balance with respect to loans insured prior to April 1, 2019, after consideration of other reinsurance, to Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. (“Essent PA”), an affiliate.

In addition to offering mortgage insurance, we provide contract underwriting services on a limited basis through CUW Solutions, LLC ("CUW Solutions"), a Delaware limited liability company, that provides, among other things, mortgage contract underwriting services to lenders and mortgage insurance underwriting services to affiliates.

We have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the statements include all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) required for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, including Note 1 and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which discloses the principles of consolidation and a summary of significant accounting policies. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. We evaluated the need to recognize or disclose events that occurred subsequent to June 30, 2021 prior to the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in this update provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform. It provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. This standard may be elected and applied prospectively over time from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 as reference rate reform activities occur. The adoption of, and future elections under, this ASU are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as the ASU will ease, if warranted, the requirements for accounting for the future effects of the rate reform. We continue to monitor the impact the discontinuance of LIBOR or another reference rate will have on our contracts and other transactions.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 3. Investments

Investments available for sale consist of the following:


June 30, 2021 (In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	284,834	$	5,892	$	(765)	$	289,961
U.S. agency securities	16,026		62		—		16,088
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	989,948		22,041		(5,334)		1,006,655
Municipal debt securities (1)	544,993		36,175		(274)		580,894
Non-U.S. government securities	78,203		4,273		(948)		81,528
Corporate debt securities (2)	1,506,723		51,311		(6,322)		1,551,712
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	449,798		15,075		(2,888)		461,985
Asset-backed securities	453,624		2,837		(392)		456,069
Money market funds	301,436		—		—		301,436
Total investments available for sale	$	4,625,585	$	137,666	$	(16,923)	$	4,746,328


December 31, 2020 (In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	259,378	$	9,088	$	(22)	$	268,444
U.S. agency securities	17,930		155		—		18,085
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	963,670		33,205		(970)		995,905
Municipal debt securities (1)	513,870		37,662		(15)		551,517
Non-U.S. government securities	56,045		5,562		—		61,607
Corporate debt securities (2)	1,070,027		56,864		(379)		1,126,512
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	391,921		18,641		(1,280)		409,282
Asset-backed securities	452,527		3,246		(1,056)		454,717
Money market funds	679,322		—		(18)		679,304
Total investments available for sale	$	4,404,690	$	164,423	$	(3,740)	$	4,565,373


	June 30,		December 31,
(1) The following table summarizes municipal debt securities as of :	2021		2020
Special revenue bonds	77.1	%	76.8	%
General obligation bonds	20.2		20.3
Certificate of participation bonds	2.1		2.3
Tax allocation bonds	0.6		0.6

Total	100.0	%	100.0	%


	June 30,		December 31,
(2) The following table summarizes corporate debt securities as of :	2021		2020
Financial	34.3	%	34.9	%
Consumer, non-cyclical	18.7		19.1
Communications	11.6		9.3
Industrial	7.3		5.3
Consumer, cyclical	7.0		8.0
Energy	6.1		8.2
Technology	5.9		6.1
Utilities	5.3		5.9
Basic materials	3.6		3.1
Government	0.2		0.1
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The amortized cost and fair value of investments available for sale at June 30, 2021, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because most U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, residential and commercial mortgage securities and asset-backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in separate categories.


(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities:
Due in 1 year	$	59,791	$	59,912
Due after 1 but within 5 years	175,112		177,726
Due after 5 but within 10 years	48,946		51,289
Due after 10 years	985		1,034
Subtotal	284,834		289,961
U.S. agency securities:
Due in 1 year	12,527		12,588
Due after 1 but within 5 years	3,499		3,500
Subtotal	16,026		16,088
Municipal debt securities:
Due in 1 year	10,070		10,090
Due after 1 but within 5 years	108,315		113,451
Due after 5 but within 10 years	223,197		240,230
Due after 10 years	203,411		217,123
Subtotal	544,993		580,894
Non-U.S. government securities:
Due in 1 year	4,365		4,457
Due after 1 but within 5 years	24,298		26,044
Due after 5 but within 10 years	20,996		23,221
Due after 10 years	28,544		27,806
Subtotal	78,203		81,528
Corporate debt securities:
Due in 1 year	208,044		209,574
Due after 1 but within 5 years	645,345		664,310
Due after 5 but within 10 years	401,811		417,599
Due after 10 years	251,523		260,229
Subtotal	1,506,723		1,551,712
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	989,948		1,006,655
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	449,798		461,985
Asset-backed securities	453,624		456,069
Money market funds	301,436		301,436
Total investments available for sale	$	4,625,585	$	4,746,328

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Gross gains and losses realized on the sale of investments available for sale were as follows:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Realized gross gains	$	18	$	1,263	$	768	$	4,525
Realized gross losses	271		2,103		380		2,230

The fair value of investments available for sale in an unrealized loss position and the related unrealized losses for which no allowance for credit loss has been recorded were as follows:


	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
June 30, 2021 (In thousands)	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	103,733	$	(765)	$	—	$	—	$	103,733	$	(765)

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	408,237		(5,274)		2,164		(60)		410,401		(5,334)
Municipal debt securities	39,481		(274)		—		—		39,481		(274)
Non-U.S. government securities	23,538		(948)		—		—		23,538		(948)
Corporate debt securities	413,837		(6,322)		—		—		413,837		(6,322)
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	152,475		(2,308)		18,054		(580)		170,529		(2,888)
Asset-backed securities	112,292		(193)		21,148		(199)		133,440		(392)

Total	$	1,253,593	$	(16,084)	$	41,366	$	(839)	$	1,294,959	$	(16,923)


	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
December 31, 2020 (In thousands)	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	28,776	$	(22)	$	—	$	—	$	28,776	$	(22)

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	152,671		(924)		3,007		(46)		155,678		(970)
Municipal debt securities	3,838		(15)		—		—		3,838		(15)

Corporate debt securities	141,803		(379)		—		—		141,803		(379)
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	63,203		(777)		9,516		(503)		72,719		(1,280)
Asset-backed securities	124,165		(483)		65,897		(573)		190,062		(1,056)
Money market funds	99,995		(18)		—		—		99,995		(18)
Total	$	614,451	$	(2,618)	$	78,420	$	(1,122)	$	692,871	$	(3,740)

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we held 648 and 363 individual investment securities, respectively, that were in an unrealized loss position. We assess our intent to sell these securities and whether we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis when determining whether to record an impairment on the securities in an unrealized loss position. In assessing whether the decline in the fair value at June 30, 2021 of any of these securities resulted from a credit loss or other factors, we made inquiries of our investment managers to determine that each issuer was current on its scheduled interest and principal payments. We reviewed the credit rating of these securities noting that over 98% of the securities at June 30, 2021 had investment-grade ratings. We concluded that gross unrealized losses noted above are principally associated with the changes in interest rates subsequent to purchase rather than due to credit impairment. There were no impairments in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and we recorded impairments of $0.4 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

The Company's other invested assets at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 totaled $145.3 million and $88.9 million, respectively. Other invested assets are principally comprised of limited partnership interests which are generally accounted for under the equity method of accounting with the Company's proportionate share of the net income or loss of these

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

entities reported in other income. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.

The fair value of investments deposited with insurance regulatory authorities to meet statutory requirements was $9.8 million at June 30, 2021 and $9.7 million at December 31, 2020. In connection with its insurance and reinsurance activities, Essent Re is required to maintain assets in trusts for the benefit of its contractual counterparties. The fair value of the investments on deposit in these trusts was $903.9 million at June 30, 2021 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2020. Essent Guaranty is required to maintain assets on deposit in connection with its fully collateralized reinsurance agreements (see Note 4). The fair value of the assets on deposit was $8.5 million at June 30, 2021 and $8.5 million at December 31, 2020. Essent Guaranty is also required to maintain assets on deposit for the benefit of the sponsor of a fixed income investment commitment. The fair value of the assets on deposit was $9.0 million at June 30, 2021 and $12.0 million at December 31, 2020.

Net investment income consists of:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Fixed maturities	$	23,012	$	20,569	$	46,036	$	41,183
Short-term investments	47		358		128		1,480
Gross investment income	23,059		20,927		46,164		42,663
Investment expenses	(1,316)		(1,061)		(2,633)		(2,164)
Net investment income	$	21,743	$	19,866	$	43,531	$	40,499

Note 4. Reinsurance

In the ordinary course of business, our insurance subsidiaries may use reinsurance to provide protection against adverse loss experience and to expand our capital sources. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets and included in other assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, predicated on a reinsurer's ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, our insurance subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts.

The effect of reinsurance on net premiums written and earned is as follows:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net premiums written:
Direct	$	228,949	$	228,044	$	464,206	$	434,024
Ceded (1)	(26,662)		(22,140)		(57,558)		(36,377)
Net premiums written	$	202,287	$	205,904	$	406,648	$	397,647

Net premiums earned:
Direct	$	244,099	$	233,611	$	494,062	$	454,344
Ceded (1)	(26,662)		(22,140)		(57,558)		(36,377)
Net premiums earned	$	217,437	$	211,471	$	436,504	$	417,967

(1)Net of profit commission.

Quota Share Reinsurance

Effective September 1, 2019, Essent Guaranty entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement with a panel of third-party reinsurers (the "QSR Agreement"). Each of the third-party reinsurers has an insurer financial strength rating of A or better by S&P Global Ratings, A.M. Best or both. Under the QSR Agreement, Essent Guaranty will cede premiums earned related to 40% of risk on eligible single premium policies and 20% of risk on all other eligible policies written September 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020, in exchange for reimbursement of ceded claims and claims expenses on covered policies, a 20% ceding

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

commission, and a profit commission of up to 60% that varies directly and inversely with ceded claims. The QSR Agreement is scheduled to terminate on December 31, 2030. Essent Guaranty has certain termination rights under the QSR Agreement, including the option to terminate the QSR Agreement with no termination fee on December 31, 2021, and the option, subject to a termination fee, to terminate the QSR Agreement on December 31, 2022, or annually thereafter. Should Essent Guaranty not exercise its option to terminate the QSR Agreement on December 31, 2021, the maximum profit commission that Essent Guaranty could earn would increase to 63% in 2022 and thereafter. RIF ceded under the QSR Agreement was $5.5 billion as of June 30, 2021.

Excess of Loss Reinsurance

Essent Guaranty has entered into fully collateralized reinsurance agreements ("Radnor Re Transactions") with unaffiliated special purpose insurers domiciled in Bermuda. For the reinsurance coverage periods, Essent Guaranty and its affiliates retain the first layer of the respective aggregate losses, and a Radnor Re special purpose insurer will then provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. Essent Guaranty and its affiliates retain losses in excess of the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. The reinsurance premium due to each Radnor Re special purpose insurer is calculated by multiplying the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount at the beginning of a period by a coupon rate, which is the sum of one-month LIBOR or SOFR plus a risk margin, and then subtracting actual investment income collected on the assets in the related reinsurance trust during that period. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage decreases over a ten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize. Essent Guaranty has rights to terminate the Radnor Re Transactions. The Radnor Re entities collateralized the coverage by issuing mortgage insurance-linked notes ("ILNs") in an aggregate amount equal to the initial coverage to unaffiliated investors. The notes have ten-year legal maturities and are non-recourse to any assets of Essent Guaranty or its affiliates. The proceeds of the notes were deposited into reinsurance trusts for the benefit of Essent Guaranty and will be the source of reinsurance claim payments to Essent Guaranty and principal repayments on the ILNs.

Essent Guaranty has also entered into reinsurance agreements with panels of reinsurers that provide aggregate excess of loss coverage immediately above or pari-passu to the coverage provided by the Radnor Re Transactions. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage decreases over a ten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize. Essent Guaranty has rights to terminate these reinsurance agreements.

The following table summarizes Essent Guaranty's excess of loss reinsurance agreements as of June 30, 2021:

Vintage Year

Reinsurer

Effective Date

Optional Termination Date

2015 & 2016

Radnor Re 2019-2 Ltd.

June 20, 2019

June 25, 2024

2017

Radnor Re 2018-1 Ltd.

March 22, 2018

March 25, 2023

(1)

2017

Panel of Reinsurers

November 1, 2018

October 1, 2023

(2)

2018

Radnor Re 2019-1 Ltd.

February 28, 2019

February 25, 2026

2018

Panel of Reinsurers

February 28, 2019

February 25, 2026

2019

Radnor Re 2020-1 Ltd.

January 30, 2020

January 25, 2027

2019

Panel of Reinsurers

January 30, 2020

January 25, 2027

2019 & 2020

Radnor Re 2020-2 Ltd.

October 8, 2020

October 25, 2027

2020 & 2021

Radnor Re 2021-1 Ltd.

June 23, 2021

June 26, 2028

(1)If the reinsurance agreement is not terminated at the optional termination date, the risk margin component of the reinsurance premium increases by 50%.

(2)If the reinsurance agreement is not terminated at the optional termination date, the reinsurance premium increases by 50%.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following table summarizes Essent Guaranty's excess of loss reinsurance coverages and retentions as of June 30, 2021:


(In thousands)					Remaining Reinsurance in Force
Vintage Year	Remaining Insurance in Force		Remaining Risk in Force		ILN		Other Reinsurance			Total		Remaining First Layer Retention
2015 & 2016	$	12,018,660	$	3,243,956	$	216,480	$	—		$	216,480	$	207,359
2017	11,155,879		2,865,141		242,123		165,167		(6)	407,290		217,930
2018	12,752,743		3,245,746		325,537		76,144		(7)	401,681		249,912
2019 (3)	15,581,172		3,979,796		495,889		55,102		(8)	550,991		215,282
2019 & 2020 (4)	39,400,549		9,903,301		313,772		—			313,772		465,690
2020 & 2021 (5)	56,303,818		13,658,801		557,911		—			557,911		278,956
Total	$	147,212,821	$	36,896,741	$	2,151,712	$	296,413		$	2,448,125	$	1,635,129

(3)Reinsurance coverage on new insurance written from January 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019.

(4)Reinsurance coverage on new insurance written from September 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020.

(5)Reinsurance coverage on new insurance written from August 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021.

(6)Coverage provided immediately above the coverage provided by Radnor Re 2018-1 Ltd.

(7)Coverage provided pari-passu to the coverage provided by Radnor Re 2019-1 Ltd.

(8)Coverage provided pari-passu to the coverage provided by Radnor Re 2020-1 Ltd.

Based on the level of delinquencies reported to us, the ILN transactions entered into prior to March 31, 2020 became subject to a "trigger event" as of June 25, 2020. The amortization of principal of the notes issued by the unaffiliated special purpose insurers in connection with the ILNs is suspended and the aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage will not amortize during the continuation of a trigger event.

The amount of monthly reinsurance premium ceded to the Radnor Re entities will fluctuate due to changes in one-month LIBOR or SOFR and changes in money market rates that affect investment income collected on the assets in the reinsurance trusts. As the reinsurance premium will vary based on changes in these rates, we concluded that the Radnor Re Transactions contain embedded derivatives that will be accounted for separately like freestanding derivatives.

In connection with the Radnor Re Transactions, we concluded that the risk transfer requirements for reinsurance accounting were met as each Radnor Re entity is assuming significant insurance risk and a reasonable possibility of a significant loss. In addition, we assessed whether each Radnor Re entity was a variable interest entity ("VIE") and the appropriate accounting for the Radnor Re entities if they were VIEs. A VIE is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in the gains and losses of the entity. A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. While also considering these factors, the consolidation conclusion depends on the breadth of the decision-making ability and ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE. We concluded that the Radnor Re entities are VIEs. However, given that Essent Guaranty (1) does not have the unilateral power to direct the activities that most significantly affect their economic performance and (2) does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to these entities, the Radnor Re entities are not consolidated in these financial statements.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following table presents total assets of each Radnor Re special purpose insurer as well as our maximum exposure to loss associated with each Radnor Re entity, representing the fair value of the embedded derivative, using observable inputs in active markets (Level 2), included in other assets (other accrued liabilities) on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and the estimated net present value of investment earnings on the assets in the reinsurance trust, each as of June 30, 2021:


			Maximum Exposure to Loss
(In thousands)	Total VIE Assets		On - Balance Sheet		Off - Balance Sheet		Total
Radnor Re 2018-1 Ltd.	$	242,123	$	494	$	42	$	536
Radnor Re 2019-1 Ltd.	325,537		(1,999)		64		(1,935)
Radnor Re 2019-2 Ltd.	216,480		(1,484)		28		(1,456)
Radnor Re 2020-1 Ltd.	495,889		(686)		139		(547)
Radnor Re 2020-2 Ltd.	313,772		(326)		80		(246)
Radnor Re 2021-1 Ltd.	557,911		—		220		220
Total	$	2,151,712	$	(4,001)	$	573	$	(3,428)

Note 5. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for the six months ended June 30:


(In thousands)	2021		2020
Reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period	$	374,941	$	69,362
Less: Reinsurance recoverables	19,061		71
Net reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period	355,880		69,291
Add provision for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, occurring in:
Current period	72,600		197,195
Prior years	(30,627)		(13,255)
Net incurred losses and LAE during the current period	41,973		183,940
Deduct payments for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, occurring in:
Current period	128		289
Prior years	3,139		9,813
Net loss and LAE payments during the current period	3,267		10,102
Net reserve for losses and LAE at end of period	394,586		243,129
Plus: Reinsurance recoverables	27,286		7,761
Reserve for losses and LAE at end of period	$	421,872	$	250,890

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, $3.1 million was paid for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years. There has been a $30.6 million favorable prior year development during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Reserves remaining as of June 30, 2021 for prior years are $322.1 million as a result of re-estimation of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, $9.8 million was paid for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years. There was a $13.3 million favorable prior year development during the six months ended June 30, 2020. Reserves remaining as of June 30, 2020 for prior years were $46.2 million as a result of re-estimation of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. In both periods, the favorable prior years' loss development was the result of a re-estimation of amounts ultimately to be paid on prior year defaults in the default inventory, including the impact of previously identified defaults that cured. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims.

Due to business restrictions, stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions initially implemented in March 2020 as a result of COVID-19, unemployment in the United States increased significantly in the second quarter of 2020 and remained elevated at June 30, 2021. As unemployment is one of the most common reasons for borrowers to default on their mortgage, the increase in unemployment has increased the number of delinquencies on the mortgages that we insure and has the potential to increase

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

claim frequencies on defaults. As of June 30, 2021, insured loans in default totaled 23,504 and included 21,648 defaults classified as COVID-19 defaults. For borrowers that have the ability to begin to pay their mortgage at the end of the forbearance period, we expect that mortgage servicers will work with them to modify their loans at which time the mortgage will be removed from delinquency status. We believe that the forbearance process could have a favorable effect on the frequency of claims that we ultimately pay. Based on the forbearance programs in place and the credit characteristics of the defaulted loans, we expect the ultimate number of COVID-19-related defaults notices received in April 2020 through September 2020 ("Early COVID Defaults") that result in claims will be less than our historical default-to-claim experience. Accordingly, we recorded a reserve equal to approximately 7% of the risk in force for the Early COVID Defaults. We have not adjusted the loss reserves associated with the Early COVID Defaults as we continue to believe that these reserves represent the best estimate of the ultimate loss. The credit characteristics of defaults reported in October 2020 through June 2021 have trended towards those of the pre-pandemic periods and we have observed the normalization of other default patterns during this period. In addition, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020 we observed a normalization of the proportion of unemployment claims related to permanent layoffs as compared to a higher proportion of temporary layoffs during the second and third quarters of 2020. We believe that while defaults in October 2020 through June 2021 were impacted by the pandemic's effect on the economy, the underlying credit performance of these defaults may not be the same as the expected performance for the Early COVID Defaults that occurred following the onset of the pandemic and defaults after September 30, 2020 are more likely to transition like pre-pandemic defaults. Accordingly, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, we resumed establishing reserves for defaults reported after September 30, 2020 using our normal reserve methodology. The reserve for losses and LAE on COVID-19 defaults was $380.7 million at June 30, 2021 and includes $244.0 million of reserves for Early COVID Defaults. It is reasonably possible that our estimate of the losses for the COVID-19 defaults could change in the near term as a result of the continued impact of the pandemic on the economic environment, the results of existing and future governmental programs designed to assist individuals and businesses impacted by the virus and the performance of the COVID-19 defaults in the forbearance programs. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in the reserve rate applied to Early COVID Defaults would result in a corresponding increase or decrease in our reserve for losses and LAE of approximately $35 million as of June 30, 2021. The impact on our reserves in future periods will be dependent upon the amount of delinquent notices received from loan servicers, the performance of COVID-19 defaults and our expectations for the amount of ultimate losses on these delinquencies.

Note 6. Debt Obligations

Credit Facility

Essent Group and its subsidiaries, Essent Irish Intermediate Holdings Limited and Essent US Holdings, Inc. (collectively, the "Borrowers"), are parties to a secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with committed capacity of $625 million. The Credit Facility provides for a $300 million revolving credit facility and $325 million of term loans. The Credit Facility also provides an option to increase the capacity to $775 million. Borrowings under the Credit Facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, capital contributions to Essent’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Borrowings accrue interest at a floating rate tied to a standard short-term borrowing index, selected at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin. A commitment fee is due quarterly on the average daily amount of the undrawn revolving commitment. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are based on the senior unsecured debt rating or long-term issuer rating of Essent Group to the extent available, or the insurer financial strength rating of Essent Guaranty. The annual commitment fee rate at June 30, 2021 was 0.35%. The obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by certain assets of the Borrowers, excluding the stock and assets of its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. The Credit Facility contains several covenants, including financial covenants relating to minimum net worth, capital and liquidity levels, maximum debt to capitalization level and Essent Guaranty's compliance with the PMIERs (see Note 14). The borrowings under the Credit Facility contractually mature on October 16, 2023. As of June 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the covenants and $325 million had been borrowed under the Credit Facility with a weighted average interest rate of 2.13%. As of December 31, 2020, $325 million had been borrowed with a weighted average interest rate of 2.19%.

Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies

Obligations under Guarantees

Under the terms of CUW Solutions' contract underwriting agreements with lenders and subject to contractual limitations on liability, we agree to indemnify certain lenders against losses incurred in the event that we make an error in determining whether loans processed meet specified underwriting criteria, to the extent that such error materially restricts or impairs the salability of such loan, results in a material reduction in the value of such loan or results in the lender repurchasing

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

the loan. The indemnification may be in the form of monetary or other remedies. We paid less than $0.1 million related to remedies for each of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. As of June 30, 2021, management believes any potential claims for indemnification related to contract underwriting services through June 30, 2021 are not material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In addition to the indemnifications discussed above, in the normal course of business, we enter into agreements or other relationships with third parties pursuant to which we may be obligated under specified circumstances to indemnify the counterparties with respect to certain matters. Our contractual indemnification obligations typically arise in the context of agreements entered into by us to, among other things, purchase or sell services, finance our business and business transactions, lease real property and license intellectual property. The agreements we enter into in the normal course of business generally require us to pay certain amounts to the other party associated with claims or losses if they result from our breach of the agreement, including the inaccuracy of representations or warranties. The agreements we enter into may also contain other indemnification provisions that obligate us to pay amounts upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the negligence or willful misconduct of our employees, infringement of third-party intellectual property rights or claims that performance of the agreement constitutes a violation of law. Generally, payment by us under an indemnification provision is conditioned upon the other party making a claim, and typically we can challenge the other party’s claims. Further, our indemnification obligations may be limited in time and/or amount, and in some instances, we may have recourse against third parties for certain payments made by us under an indemnification agreement or obligation. As of June 30, 2021, contingencies triggering material indemnification obligations or payments have not occurred historically and are not expected to occur. The nature of the indemnification provisions in the various types of agreements and relationships described above are believed to be low risk and pervasive, and we consider them to have a remote risk of loss or payment. We have not recorded any provisions on the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to indemnifications.

Note 8. Capital Stock

Our authorized share capital consists of 233.3 million shares of a single class of common shares. The common shares have no pre-emptive rights or other rights to subscribe for additional shares, and no rights of redemption, conversion or exchange. Under certain circumstances and subject to the provisions of Bermuda law and our bye-laws, we may be required to make an offer to repurchase shares held by members. The common shares rank pari-passu with one another in all respects as to rights of payment and distribution. In general, holders of common shares will have one vote for each common share held by them and will be entitled to vote, on a non-cumulative basis, at all meetings of shareholders. In the event that a shareholder is considered a 9.5% Shareholder under our bye-laws, such shareholder's votes will be reduced by whatever amount is necessary so that after any such reduction the votes of such shareholder will not result in any other person being treated as a 9.5% Shareholder with respect to the vote on such matter. Under these provisions certain shareholders may have their voting rights limited to less than one vote per share, while other shareholders may have voting rights in excess of one vote per share.

Dividends

The following table presents the amounts declared and paid per common share each quarter:


Quarter Ended	2020
March 31	$	0.16
June 30	0.16
September 30	0.16
December 31	0.16

Total dividends per common share declared and paid	$	0.64

Quarter Ended	2021
March 31	$	0.16
June 30	0.17



Total dividends per common share declared and paid	$	0.33

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

In August 2021, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per common share payable on September 10, 2021, to shareholders of record on September 1, 2021.

Share Repurchase Plan

In May 2021, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase plan that authorized the Company to repurchase $250 million of its common shares in the open market by the end of 2022. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company repurchased 391,316 common shares at a cost of $18.4 million leaving $231.6 million remaining unused under the authorized repurchase plan as of June 30, 2021. The shares repurchased were recorded at cost and included in treasury stock. All treasury stock has been cancelled as of June 30, 2021.

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

In connection with the IPO in 2013, Essent Group's Board of Directors adopted, and Essent Group's shareholders approved, the Essent Group Ltd. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "2013 Plan"), which was effective upon completion of the initial public offering. The types of awards available under the 2013 Plan include nonvested shares, nonvested share units, non-qualified share options, incentive stock options, share appreciation rights, and other share-based or cash-based awards. Nonvested shares and nonvested share units granted under the 2013 Plan have rights to dividends, which entitle holders to the same dividend value per share as holders of common shares in the form of dividend equivalent units ("DEUs"). DEUs are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding nonvested shares and nonvested share units. DEUs vest when the underlying shares or share units vest and are forfeited if the underlying share or share units forfeit prior to vesting.

The following table summarizes nonvested common share, nonvested common share unit and DEU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2021:


	Time and Performance- Based Share Awards			Time-Based Share Awards			Share Units			DEUs
(Shares in thousands)	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Share Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Dividend Equivalent Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year	363	$	47.09	153	$	46.34	492	$	46.59	21	$	37.66
Granted	281	15.64		93	43.67		162	47.55		8	45.51
Vested	(113)	45.02		(82)	45.30		(208)	43.83		(9)	38.34
Forfeited	(11)	26.01		(4)	46.01		(6)	50.54		—	37.93
Outstanding at June 30, 2021	520	$	30.99	160	$	45.33	440	$	48.18	20	$	40.54

In February 2021, certain members of senior management were granted nonvested common shares under the Essent Group Ltd. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2013 Plan") that were subject to time-based and performance-based vesting. The time-based share awards granted in February 2021 vest in three equal installments on March 1, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The performance-based share awards granted in February 2021 vest based upon our compounded annual book value per share growth percentage and relative total shareholder return during a three-year performance period that commenced on January 1, 2021 and vest on March 1, 2024. Shares were issued at the maximum 200% of target. The portion of these nonvested performance-based share awards that will be earned is as follows:

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


		Relative Total Shareholder Return vs. S&P 1500 Financial Services Index
		≤25th percentile		50th percentile "Target"		≥75th percentile
Three-Year Book Value Per Share CAGR	14% "Target"	100	%	150	%	200	%
	12%	75	%	125	%	175	%
	10%	50	%	100	%	150	%
	8%	25	%	75	%	125	%
	6%	0	%	50	%	100	%

In the event that the compounded annual book value per share growth or the relative total shareholder return falls between the performance levels shown above, the nonvested common shares earned will be determined on a straight-line basis between the respective levels shown.

In connection with our incentive program covering bonus awards for performance year 2020, in February 2021, time-based share units were issued to certain employees that vest in three equal installments on March 1, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Quoted market prices are used for the valuation of common shares granted that do not contain a market condition under ASC 718. The performance-based share awards granted in February 2021 contain a market condition and were valued based on analysis provided by a third-party valuation firm using a risk neutral simulation taking into effect the vesting conditions of the grant.

In February 2021, the performance-based share awards granted in 2019 and 2020 to certain members of senior management were amended to provide that such awards will no longer be subject to the achievement of the compounded annual book value per share growth metrics and will be subject to only service-based vesting. As a result, the unvested shares subject to the amended 2019 and 2020 awards will vest on March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023, respectively, subject to the continued service requirements and other terms and conditions set forth in the applicable award agreements, without taking into consideration any performance metrics. Total incremental compensation expense related to amending these awards is $4.0 million. As of June 30, 2021, there was $2.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to amending these awards and we expect to recognize the expense over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

The total fair value on the vesting date of nonvested shares, share units or DEUs that vested was $18.4 million and $18.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, there was $32.8 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested shares or share units outstanding at June 30, 2021 and we expect to recognize the expense over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

Employees have the option to tender shares to Essent Group to pay the minimum employee statutory withholding taxes associated with shares upon vesting. Common shares tendered by employees to pay employee withholding taxes totaled 126,025 in the six months ended June 30, 2021. The tendered shares were recorded at cost and included in treasury stock. All treasury stock has been cancelled as of June 30, 2021.

Compensation expense, net of forfeitures, and related tax effects recognized in connection with nonvested shares was as follows:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Compensation expense	$	5,385	$	4,568	$	10,564	$	9,348
Income tax benefit	1,034		868		2,045		1,786

Note 10. Dividends Restrictions

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain capital and dividend rules and regulations as prescribed by jurisdictions in which they are authorized to operate. Under the insurance laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Essent Guaranty and Essent PA may pay dividends during any 12-month period in an amount equal to the greater of (i) 10% of the preceding year-end statutory policyholders' surplus or (ii) the preceding year's statutory net income. For 2021, Essent Guaranty

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

has dividend capacity of $312.1 million and Essent PA has dividend capacity of $5.4 million. The Pennsylvania statute also specifies that dividends and other distributions can be paid out of positive unassigned surplus without prior approval. At June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty had unassigned surplus of approximately $343.0 million and Essent PA had unassigned surplus of approximately $16.4 million. Under PMIERs guidance issued by the GSEs effective June 30, 2020 through June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty was required to obtain GSE written approval before paying a dividend. In May 2021, Essent Guaranty paid a dividend of $100 million to its parent, Essent US Holdings, Inc. Essent Guaranty did not pay dividends to Essent Group or any intermediate holding companies in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Essent PA did not pay a dividend in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 or 2020. As a result of PMIERs guidance issued by the GSEs on June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty may pay a dividend without prior GSE approval in the three months ended September 30, 2021 as long as the dividend payment would not cause its Available Assets to fall below 150% of its Minimum Required Assets. In addition, the guidance specifies that Essent Guaranty and may pay a dividend without prior GSE approval in the three months ended December 31, 2021 as long as the dividend payment would not cause its Available Assets to fall below 115% of its Minimum Required Assets.

Essent Re is subject to certain dividend restrictions as prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and under certain agreements with counterparties. In connection with the quota share reinsurance agreement with Essent Guaranty, Essent Re has agreed to maintain a minimum total equity of $100 million. As of June 30, 2021, Essent Re had total equity of $1.2 billion.

At June 30, 2021, our insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with these rules, regulations and agreements.

Note 11. Earnings per Share (EPS)

The following table reconciles the net income and the weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Net income	$	159,795	$	15,380	$	295,443	$	164,903

Basic weighted average shares outstanding	112,118		102,500		112,067		100,224
Dilutive effect of nonvested shares	336		105		349		242
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	112,454		102,605		112,416		100,466

Basic earnings per share	$	1.43	$	0.15	$	2.64	$	1.65
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.42	$	0.15	$	2.63	$	1.64

There were 159,568 and 578,659 antidilutive shares for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and 255,562 and 465,945 antidilutive shares for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The nonvested performance-based share awards are considered contingently issuable for purposes of the EPS calculation. Based on the compounded annual book value per share growth and relative total shareholder return as of June 30, 2021, the 2021 performance-based share awards would be issuable at 100% of target under the terms of the arrangements if June 30, 2021 was the end of the contingency period, which is 50% of the shares issued.

Based on the compounded annual book value per share growth as of June 30, 2020, the following percentages of the performance-based share awards would have been issuable under the terms of the arrangements if June 30, 2020 was the end of the contingency period:


2018 Performance-Based Grants	100	%
2019 Performance-Based Grants	100	%
2020 Performance-Based Grants	—	%

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:


	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
(In thousands)	Before Tax		Tax Effect		Net of Tax		Before Tax		Tax Effect		Net of Tax
Balance at beginning of period	$	98,920	$	(19,849)	$	79,071	$	52,348	$	(6,235)	$	46,113
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period	43,963		(7,826)		36,137		90,608		(17,344)		73,264
Less: Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (1)	253		(30)		223		1,269		(248)		1,021
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	44,216		(7,856)		36,360		91,877		(17,592)		74,285
Other comprehensive income	44,216		(7,856)		36,360		91,877		(17,592)		74,285
Balance at end of period	$	143,136	$	(27,705)	$	115,431	$	144,225	$	(23,827)	$	120,398

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021						2020
(In thousands)	Before Tax		Tax Effect		Net of Tax		Before Tax		Tax Effect		Net of Tax
Balance at beginning of year	$	168,324	$	(30,050)	$	138,274	$	69,401	$	(13,214)	$	56,187
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period	(24,800)		2,375		(22,425)		76,690		(10,941)		65,749
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1)	(388)		(30)		(418)		(1,866)		328		(1,538)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments	(25,188)		2,345		(22,843)		74,824		(10,613)		64,211
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(25,188)		2,345		(22,843)		74,824		(10,613)		64,211
Balance at end of period	$	143,136	$	(27,705)	$	115,431	$	144,225	$	(23,827)	$	120,398

(1)Included in net realized investment gains (losses) on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Note 13. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We carry certain of our financial instruments at fair value. We define fair value as the current amount that would be exchanged to sell an asset or transfer a liability, other than in a forced liquidation.

Fair Value Hierarchy

ASC No. 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. The level within the fair value hierarchy to measure the financial instrument shall be determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

•Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets accessible at the measurement date.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

•Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets. Inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

•Level 3 — Valuations derived from one or more significant inputs that are unobservable.

Determination of Fair Value

When available, we generally use quoted market prices to determine fair value and classify the financial instrument in Level 1. In cases where quoted market prices for similar financial instruments are available, we utilize these inputs for valuation techniques and classify the financial instrument in Level 2. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flows, present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates and estimates of future cash flows and we classify the financial instrument in Level 3. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values of financial instruments:

•Investments available for sale — Investments available for sale are valued using quoted market prices in active markets, when available, and those investments are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 investments available for sale include investments such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market funds. Investments available for sale are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy if quoted market prices are not available and fair values are estimated using quoted prices of similar securities or recently executed transactions for the securities. U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, municipal debt securities, non-U.S. government securities, corporate debt securities, residential and commercial mortgage securities and asset-backed securities are classified as Level 2 investments.

We use independent pricing sources to determine the fair value of securities available for sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We use one primary pricing service to provide individual security pricing based on observable market data and receive one quote per security. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing service and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, municipal debt securities, non-U.S. government securities and corporate debt securities are valued by our primary vendor using recently executed transactions and proprietary models based on observable inputs, such as interest rate spreads, yield curves and credit risk. Residential and commercial mortgage securities and asset-backed securities are valued by our primary vendor using proprietary models based on observable inputs, such as interest rate spreads, prepayment speeds and credit risk. As part of our evaluation of investment prices provided by our primary pricing service, we obtained and reviewed their pricing methodologies which include a description of how each security type is evaluated and priced. We review the reasonableness of prices received from our primary pricing service by comparison to prices obtained from additional pricing sources. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from our primary pricing service.

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Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

All assets measured at fair value are categorized in the table below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations. All fair value measurements at the reporting date were on a recurring basis.


June 30, 2021 (In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Recurring fair value measurements
Financial Assets:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	289,961	$	—	$	—	$	289,961
U.S. agency securities	—		16,088		—		16,088
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—		1,006,655		—		1,006,655
Municipal debt securities	—		580,894		—		580,894
Non-U.S. government securities	—		81,528		—		81,528
Corporate debt securities	—		1,551,712		—		1,551,712
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	—		461,985		—		461,985
Asset-backed securities	—		456,069		—		456,069
Money market funds	301,436		—		—		301,436
Total assets at fair value (1)	$	591,397	$	4,154,931	$	—	$	4,746,328


December 31, 2020 (In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Recurring fair value measurements
Financial Assets:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	268,444	$	—	$	—	$	268,444
U.S. agency securities	—		18,085		—		18,085
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—		995,905		—		995,905
Municipal debt securities	—		551,517		—		551,517
Non-U.S. government securities	—		61,607		—		61,607
Corporate debt securities	—		1,126,512		—		1,126,512
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	—		409,282		—		409,282
Asset-backed securities	—		454,717		—		454,717
Money market funds	679,304		—		—		679,304
Total assets at fair value (1)	$	947,748	$	3,617,625	$	—	$	4,565,373

(1)Does not include the fair value of embedded derivatives, which we have accounted for separately as freestanding derivatives and included in other assets or other accrued liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 4 for more information.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 14. Statutory Accounting

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries prepare statutory-basis financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by their respective state’s department of insurance, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP. We did not use any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices (individually or in the aggregate) that resulted in reported statutory surplus or capital that was significantly different from the statutory surplus or capital that would have been reported had National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ statutory accounting practices been followed. The following table presents Essent Guaranty’s and Essent PA’s statutory net income, statutory surplus and contingency reserve liability as of and for the six months ended June 30:


(In thousands)	2021		2020
Essent Guaranty
Statutory net income	$	234,354	$	120,883
Statutory surplus	1,048,335		1,003,812
Contingency reserve liability	1,648,384		1,345,263

Essent PA
Statutory net income	$	1,919	$	2,258
Statutory surplus	55,374		53,432
Contingency reserve liability	56,919		54,685

Net income determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices differs from GAAP. In 2021 and 2020, the more significant differences between net income determined under statutory accounting practices and GAAP for Essent Guaranty and Essent PA relate to policy acquisition costs and income taxes. Under statutory accounting practices, policy acquisition costs are expensed as incurred while such costs are capitalized and amortized to expense over the life of the policy under GAAP. We are eligible for a tax deduction, subject to certain limitations for amounts required by state law or regulation to be set aside in statutory contingency reserves when we purchase non-interest-bearing United States Mortgage Guaranty Tax and Loss Bonds (“T&L Bonds”) issued by the Treasury Department. Under statutory accounting practices, this deduction reduces the tax provision recorded by Essent Guaranty and Essent PA and, as a result, increases statutory net income and surplus as compared to net income and equity determined in accordance with GAAP.

At June 30, 2021 and 2020, the statutory capital of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries, which is defined as the total of statutory surplus and contingency reserves, was in excess of the statutory capital necessary to satisfy their regulatory requirements.

Effective December 31, 2015, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, at the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, implemented new coordinated Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements, which we refer to as the "PMIERs." The PMIERs represent the standards by which private mortgage insurers are eligible to provide mortgage insurance on loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The PMIERs include financial strength requirements incorporating a risk-based framework that require approved insurers to have a sufficient level of liquid assets from which to pay claims. The PMIERs also include enhanced operational performance expectations and define remedial actions that apply should an approved insurer fail to comply with these requirements. In 2018, the GSEs released revised PMIERs framework ("PMIERs 2.0") which became effective on March 31, 2019. As of June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty, our GSE-approved mortgage insurance company, was in compliance with PMIERs 2.0.

Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 58, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance, requires mortgage insurers to establish a special contingency reserve for statutory accounting purposes included in total liabilities equal to 50% of earned premium for that year. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty increased its contingency reserve by $148.6 million and Essent PA increased its contingency reserve by $0.9 million. This reserve is required to be maintained for a period of 120 months to protect against the effects of adverse economic cycles. After 120 months, the reserve is released to unassigned funds. In the event an insurer’s loss ratio in any calendar year exceeds 35%, however, the insurer may, after regulatory approval, release from its contingency reserves an amount equal to the excess portion of such losses. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty and Essent PA released contingency reserves of $0.9 million and $0.1 million,

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

respectively, to unassigned funds upon completion of the 120 month holding period. Essent Guaranty and Essent PA did not release any amounts from their contingency reserves in the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Under The Insurance Act 1978, as amended, and related regulations of Bermuda (the "Insurance Act"), Essent Re is required to annually prepare statutory financial statements and a statutory financial return in accordance with the financial reporting provisions of the Insurance Act, which is a basis other than GAAP. The Insurance Act also requires that Essent Re maintain minimum share capital of $1 million and must ensure that the value of its general business assets exceeds the amount of its general business liabilities by an amount greater than the prescribed minimum solvency margins and enhanced capital requirement pertaining to its general business. At December 31, 2020, all such requirements were met.

Essent Re's statutory capital and surplus was $1.2 billion as of June 30, 2021 and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2020. Essent Re's statutory net income was $104.4 million and $59.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and statutory net income in the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices were not significantly different than the amounts determined under GAAP.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read together with the “Selected Financial Data” and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and referred to herein as the “Annual Report,” and our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which we refer to as the “Quarterly Report.” In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward-looking statements or other statements were made.

Overview

We are an established and growing private mortgage insurance company. Essent Guaranty, Inc., our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary which we refer to as "Essent Guaranty," is licensed to write coverage in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The financial strength ratings of Essent Guaranty are A3 with a stable outlook by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody's”), BBB+ with a stable outlook by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) and A (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best.

Our holding company is domiciled in Bermuda and our U.S. insurance business is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania. We operate additional underwriting and service centers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Irvine, California. We have a highly experienced, talented team with 372 employees as of June 30, 2021. We generated new insurance written, or NIW, of approximately $25.0 billion and $44.3 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to approximately $28.2 billion and $41.7 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, we had approximately $203.6 billion of insurance in force, due to our NIW which was offset by cancellations as the persistency rate on our portfolio was 58.3% at June 30, 2021 compared to 60.1% at December 31, 2020.

We also offer mortgage-related insurance and reinsurance through our wholly-owned Bermuda-based subsidiary, Essent Reinsurance Ltd., which we refer to as "Essent Re." As of June 30, 2021, Essent Re provided insurance or reinsurance relating to GSE risk share and other reinsurance transactions covering approximately $1.5 billion of risk. Essent Re also reinsures Essent Guaranty’s NIW under a quota share reinsurance agreement. In April 2021, Essent Guaranty and Essent Re agreed to increase the quota share reinsurance coverage of Essent Guaranty’s NIW provided by Essent Re from 25% to 35% effective January 1, 2021. The quota share reinsurance coverage provided by Essent Re for Essent Guaranty’s NIW prior to January 1, 2021 will continue to be 25%, the quota share percentage in effect at the time NIW was first ceded. The insurer financial strength rating of Essent Re is BBB+ with a stable outlook by S&P and A (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best.

COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, we experienced a significant increase in the amount of new defaults reported, especially during the second and third quarters of 2020. We segmented these two quarters’ defaults as specifically COVID-19 related (“Early COVID Defaults”) and provided losses for these two cohorts differently as compared to our normal loss reserving methodology. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, the credit characteristics of new defaults trended towards those of the pre-pandemic periods. As a result, for new defaults reported after September 30, 2020, we have reverted to our normal loss reserving methodology. It is our belief that the default-to-claim transition patterns of the Early COVID Defaults will be different as compared to our historical defaults. We believe that the borrowers associated with the Early COVID Defaults will be able to take advantage of foreclosure moratoriums and mortgage forbearance programs instituted by Federal legislation along with actions taken by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (collectively the “GSEs”) which may extend traditional default-to-claim timelines. As a result of these programs, along with Federal stimulus, these borrowers associated with the Early COVID Defaults will have more resources and an extended time period to address the issues that triggered the default, resulting in a higher cure rate, and correspondingly lower claim payments than historical defaults.

Over 90% of loans insured by Essent are federally backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a mortgage loan in forbearance is considered delinquent, we will provide loss reserves as loans in forbearance are reported to us as delinquent once

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the borrower has missed two consecutive payments. However, we believe providing borrowers time to recover from the adverse financial impact of the COVID-19 event may allow some families to be able to remain in their homes and avoid foreclosure. For borrowers that have the ability to begin to pay their mortgage at the end of the forbearance period, we expect that mortgage servicers will work with them to modify their loans at which time the mortgage will be removed from delinquency status.

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, new defaults remained elevated although at lower levels than those reported in the second through fourth quarters of 2020. The impact on our reserves in future periods will be dependent upon the amount of delinquent notices received from loan servicers and our expectations for the amount of ultimate losses on these delinquencies. As noted in “— Liquidity and Capital Resources,” Essent had substantial liquidity and had Available Assets in excess of Minimum Required Assets under PMIERs 2.0 as of June 30, 2021. In order to maintain continuous MI coverage, mortgage servicers are required to advance MI premiums to us even if borrowers are in a forbearance plan. Future increases in defaults may result in an increase in our provisions for loss and loss adjustment expenses compared to prior periods, reduced profit commission under our quota share reinsurance agreement with a panel of third-party reinsurers ("the QSR Agreement") and an increase in our Minimum Required Assets.

Legislative and Regulatory Developments

Our results are significantly impacted by, and our future success may be affected by, legislative and regulatory developments affecting the housing finance industry. See Part I, Item 1 “Business—Regulation” and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Legislative and Regulatory Developments” in our Annual Report for a discussion of the laws and regulations to which we are subject as well as legislative and regulatory developments affecting the housing finance industry.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service and Department of the Treasury published both final and newly proposed regulations in January 2021 relating to the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). The final regulations provide guidance on various PFIC rules, including changes resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In addition, the Company is evaluating the potential impact of the newly proposed PFIC regulations to its shareholders and business operations. The newly proposed regulations, among other provisions, set a limit on the amount of assets that may be deemed “good assets” within the PFIC asset test of a foreign holding company.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Net Premiums Written and Earned

Premiums associated with our U.S. mortgage insurance business are based on insurance in force ("IIF") during all or a portion of a period. A change in the average IIF during a period causes premiums to increase or decrease as compared to prior periods. Average net premium rates in effect during a given period will also cause premiums to differ when compared to earlier periods. IIF at the end of a reporting period is a function of the IIF at the beginning of such reporting period plus NIW less policy cancellations (including claims paid) during the period. As a result, premiums are generally influenced by:

•NIW, which is the aggregate principal amount of the new mortgages that are insured during a period. Many factors affect NIW, including, among others, the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations, the competition to provide credit enhancement on those mortgages, the number of customers who have approved us to provide mortgage insurance and changes in our NIW from certain customers;

•Cancellations of our insurance policies, which are impacted by payments on mortgages, home price appreciation, or refinancings, which in turn are affected by mortgage interest rates. Cancellations are also impacted by the levels of claim payments and rescissions;

•Premium rates, which represent the amount of the premium due as a percentage of IIF. Premium rates are based on the risk characteristics of the loans insured, the percentage of coverage on the loans, competition from other mortgage insurers and general industry conditions; and

•Premiums ceded or assumed under reinsurance arrangements. See Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Premiums are paid either on a monthly installment basis (“monthly premiums”), in a single payment at origination (“single premiums”), or in some cases as an annual premium. For monthly premiums, we receive a monthly premium payment which is recorded as net premiums earned in the month the coverage is provided. Monthly premium payments are based on the

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original mortgage amount rather than the amortized loan balance. Net premiums written may be in excess of net premiums earned due to single premium policies. For single premiums, we receive a single premium payment at origination, which is recorded as “unearned premium” and earned over the estimated life of the policy, which ranges from 36 to 156 months depending on the term of the underlying mortgage and loan-to-value ratio at date of origination. If single premium policies are cancelled due to repayment of the underlying loan and the premium is non-refundable, the remaining unearned premium balance is immediately recognized as earned premium revenue. Substantially all of our single premium policies in force as of June 30, 2021 were non-refundable. Premiums collected on annual policies are recognized as net premiums earned on a straight-line basis over the year of coverage. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, monthly premium policies comprised 95% and 90% of our NIW, respectively.

Premiums associated with our GSE and other risk share transactions are based on the level of risk in force and premium rates on the transactions.

Persistency and Business Mix

The percentage of IIF that remains on our books after any 12-month period is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability. The persistency rate on our portfolio was 58.3% at June 30, 2021. Generally, higher prepayment speeds lead to lower persistency.

Prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Our premium rates include certain assumptions regarding repayment or prepayment speeds of the mortgages. Because premiums are paid at origination on single premium policies, assuming all other factors remain constant, if loans are prepaid earlier than expected, our profitability on these loans is likely to increase and, if loans are repaid slower than expected, our profitability on these loans is likely to decrease. By contrast, if monthly premium loans are repaid earlier than anticipated, our premium earned with respect to those loans and therefore our profitability declines. Currently, the expected return on single premium policies is less than the expected return on monthly policies.

Net Investment Income

Our investment portfolio was predominantly comprised of investment-grade fixed income securities and money market funds as of June 30, 2021. The principal factors that influence investment income are the size of the investment portfolio and the yield on individual securities. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair market value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of our investment portfolio is mainly a function of increases in capital and cash generated from or used in operations which is impacted by net premiums received, investment earnings, net claim payments and expenses. Realized gains and losses are a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of a security and the security’s amortized cost, as well as any provision for credit losses or impairments recognized in earnings. The amount received on the sale of fixed income securities is affected by the coupon rate of the security compared to the yield of comparable securities at the time of sale.

Other Income

Other income includes revenues associated with contract underwriting services and underwriting consulting services to third-party reinsurers. The level of contract underwriting revenue is dependent upon the number of customers who have engaged us for this service and the number of loans underwritten for these customers. Revenue from underwriting consulting services to third-party reinsurers is dependent upon the number of customers who have engaged us for this service and the level of premiums associated with the transactions underwritten for these customers.

In connection with the acquisition of our mortgage insurance platform, we entered into a services agreement with Triad Guaranty Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad Guaranty Insurance Corporation, which we refer to collectively as “Triad,” to provide certain information technology maintenance and development and customer support-related services. In return for these services, we receive a fee which is recorded in other income. The services agreement provides for a flat monthly fee through November 30, 2021. The services agreement provides for two subsequent one-year renewals at Triad's option.

As more fully described in Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, the premiums ceded under certain reinsurance contracts with unaffiliated third parties vary based on changes in market interest rates. Under GAAP, these contracts contain embedded derivatives that are accounted for separately as freestanding derivatives. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives is reported in earnings and included in other income.

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Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses reflects the current expense that is recorded within a particular period to reflect actual and estimated loss payments that we believe will ultimately be made as a result of insured loans that are in default.

Losses incurred are generally affected by:

•the overall state of the economy, which broadly affects the likelihood that borrowers may default on their loans and have the ability to cure such defaults;

•changes in housing values, which affect our ability to mitigate our losses through the sale of properties with loans in default as well as borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below or perceived to be below the mortgage balance;

•the product mix of IIF, with loans having higher risk characteristics generally resulting in higher defaults and claims;

•the size of loans insured, with higher average loan amounts tending to increase losses incurred;

•the loan-to-value ratio, with higher average loan-to-value ratios tending to increase losses incurred;

•the percentage of coverage on insured loans, with deeper average coverage tending to increase losses incurred;

•credit quality of borrowers, including higher debt-to-income ratios and lower FICO scores, which tend to increase incurred losses;

•the level and amount of reinsurance coverage maintained with third parties;

•the rate at which we rescind policies. Because of tighter underwriting standards generally in the mortgage lending industry and terms set forth in our master policy, we expect that our level of rescission activity will be lower than rescission activity seen in the mortgage insurance industry for vintages originated prior to the financial crisis; and

•the distribution of claims over the life of a book. As of June 30, 2021, 80% of our IIF relates to business written since January 1, 2019 and was less than three years old. As a result, based on historical industry performance, we expect the number of defaults and claims we experience, as well as our provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE"), to increase as our portfolio seasons. See “— Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle” below.

We establish loss reserves for delinquent loans when we are notified that a borrower has missed at least two consecutive monthly payments (“Case Reserves”), as well as estimated reserves for defaults that may have occurred but not yet been reported to us (“IBNR Reserves”). We also establish reserves for the associated loss adjustment expenses, consisting of the estimated cost of the claims administration process, including legal and other fees. Using both internal and external information, we establish our reserves based on the likelihood that a default will reach claim status and estimated claim severity. See Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report for further information.

Based upon our experience and industry data, claims incidence for mortgage insurance is generally highest in the third through sixth years after loan origination. Claims incidence for defaults associated with COVID-19 may not follow this pattern. As of June 30, 2021, 80% of our IIF relates to business written since January 1, 2019 and was less than three years old. Although the claims experience on new insurance written by us to date has been favorable, we expect incurred losses and claims to increase as a greater amount of this book of insurance reaches its anticipated period of highest claim frequency. The actual default rate and the average reserve per default that we experience as our portfolio matures is difficult to predict and is dependent on the specific characteristics of our current in-force book (including the credit score of the borrower, the loan-to-value ratio of the mortgage, geographic concentrations, etc.), as well as the profile of new business we write in the future. In addition, the default rate and the average reserve per default will be affected by future macroeconomic factors such as housing prices, interest rates and employment.

Due to business restrictions, stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions implemented in March 2020 as a result of COVID-19, unemployment in the United States increased significantly in the second quarter of 2020 and remained elevated at June 30, 2021. As unemployment is one of the most common reasons for borrowers to default on their mortgage, the increase in

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unemployment has increased the number of delinquencies on the mortgages we insure, and has the potential to increase claim frequencies on defaults. As of June 30, 2021, insured loans in default totaled 23,504 and included 21,648 defaults classified as COVID-19 defaults compared to 5,841 total defaults and no COVID-19 defaults as of March 31, 2020. For borrowers that have the ability to begin to pay their mortgage at the end of the forbearance period, we expect that mortgage servicers will work with them to modify their loans at which time the mortgage will be removed from delinquency status. We believe that the forbearance process could have a favorable effect on the frequency of claims that we ultimately pay. Based on the forbearance programs in place and the credit characteristics of the Early COVID Defaults, we expect the ultimate number of Early COVID Defaults that result in claims will be less than our historical default-to-claim experience. We applied a lower reserve rate to the Early COVID Defaults than the rate used for defaults that had missed a comparable number of payments as of March 31, 2020 due to the sudden impact on the economy following the onset of the pandemic. The credit characteristics of defaults reported in October 2020 through June 2021 have trended towards those of the pre-pandemic periods and we have observed the normalization of other default patterns during this period. In addition, the economic conditions beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020 have been different than those experienced in the second and third quarters of 2020. We believe that while defaults in October 2020 through June 2021 were impacted by the pandemic’s effect on the economy, the underlying credit performance of these defaults may not be the same as the expected performance for Early COVID Defaults that occurred following the onset of the pandemic and these defaults are more likely to transition like pre-pandemic defaults. Accordingly, although defaults reported in October 2020 through June 2021 are classified as COVID-19 defaults, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, we resumed establishing reserves for defaults reported after September 30, 2020 using our normal reserve methodology. It is reasonably possible that our estimate of the losses for the COVID-19 defaults could change in the near term as a result of the continued impact of the pandemic on the economic environment, the results of existing and future governmental programs designed to assist individuals and businesses impacted by the virus and the performance of the COVID-19 defaults in the forbearance programs. As more fully described in Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, at June 30, 2021, we had approximately $2.4 billion of excess of loss reinsurance covering NIW from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2021 and a quota share reinsurance transaction on a portion of our NIW effective September 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020. The impact on our reserves in future periods will be dependent upon the amount of delinquent notices received from loan servicers, the performance of COVID-19 defaults and our expectations for the amount of ultimate losses on these delinquencies.

Third-Party Reinsurance

We use third-party reinsurance to provide protection against adverse loss experience and to expand our capital sources. When we enter into a reinsurance agreement, the reinsurer receives a premium and, in exchange, agrees to insure an agreed upon portion of incurred losses. These arrangements have the impact of reducing our earned premiums, but also reduce our risk in force ("RIF"), which provides capital relief, and may include capital relief under the PMIERs financial strength requirements. Our incurred losses are reduced by any incurred losses ceded in accordance with the reinsurance agreement. For additional information regarding reinsurance, see Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Other Underwriting and Operating Expenses

Our other underwriting and operating expenses include components that are substantially fixed, as well as expenses that generally increase or decrease in line with the level of NIW.

Our most significant expense is compensation and benefits for our employees, which represented 62% and 60% of other underwriting and operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to 62% and 61% of other underwriting and operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Compensation and benefits expense includes base and incentive cash compensation, stock compensation expense, benefits and payroll taxes.

Underwriting and other expenses include legal, consulting, other professional fees, premium taxes, travel, entertainment, marketing, licensing, supplies, hardware, software, rent, utilities, depreciation and amortization and other expenses. We anticipate that as we continue to add new customers and increase our IIF, our expenses will also continue to increase.

Interest Expense

Interest expense is incurred as a result of borrowings under our secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Facility may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, capital contributions to Essent’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Borrowings accrue interest at a floating rate tied to a standard short-term borrowing index, selected at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin.

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Income Taxes

Income taxes are incurred based on the amount of earnings or losses generated in the jurisdictions in which we operate and the applicable tax rates and regulations in those jurisdictions. Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are generally not subject to income taxes in the states in which we operate; however, our non-insurance subsidiaries are subject to state income taxes. In lieu of state income taxes, our insurance subsidiaries pay premium taxes that are recorded in other underwriting and operating expenses.

Essent Group Ltd. ("Essent Group") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Essent Re, are domiciled in Bermuda, which does not have a corporate income tax. Under a quota share reinsurance agreement, Essent Re reinsures 25% of Essent Guaranty’s NIW through December 31, 2020 and 35% of Essent Guaranty’s NIW after December 31, 2020. Essent Re also provides insurance and reinsurance to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The amount of income tax expense or benefit recorded in future periods will be dependent on the jurisdictions in which we operate and the tax laws and regulations in effect.

Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle

In general, the majority of any underwriting profit (premium revenue minus losses) that a book generates occurs in the early years of the book, with the largest portion of any underwriting profit realized in the first year. Subsequent years of a book generally result in modest underwriting profit or underwriting losses. This pattern generally occurs because relatively few of the claims that a book will ultimately experience typically occur in the first few years of the book, when premium revenue is highest, while subsequent years are affected by declining premium revenues, as the number of insured loans decreases (primarily due to loan prepayments), and by increasing losses.

Key Performance Indicators

Insurance In Force

As discussed above, premiums we collect and earn are generated based on our IIF, which is a function of our NIW and cancellations. The following table includes a summary of the change in our IIF for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 for our U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio. In addition, this table includes RIF at the end of each period.


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
IIF, beginning of period	$	197,091,191	$	165,615,503	$	198,882,352	$	164,005,853
NIW - Flow	25,004,854		28,163,212		44,258,868		41,712,511
NIW - Bulk	—		—		—		151
Cancellations	(18,536,186)		(19,132,442)		(39,581,361)		(31,072,242)
IIF, end of period	$	203,559,859	$	174,646,273	$	203,559,859	$	174,646,273
Average IIF during the period	$	199,739,297	$	168,635,275	$	198,980,667	$	166,865,006
RIF, end of period	$	42,906,519	$	39,113,879	$	42,906,519	$	39,113,879

The following is a summary of our IIF at June 30, 2021 by vintage:


($ in thousands)	$		%
2021 (through June 30)	$	43,471,767	21.4	%
2020	91,202,454		44.8
2019	27,678,727		13.6
2018	12,993,723		6.4
2017	11,454,788		5.6
2016 and prior	16,758,400		8.2
	$	203,559,859	100.0	%

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Average Net Premium Rate

Our average net premium rate is dependent on a number of factors, including: (1) the risk characteristics and average coverage on the mortgages we insure; (2) the mix of monthly premiums compared to single premiums in our portfolio; (3) cancellations of non-refundable single premiums during the period; (4) changes to our pricing for NIW; and (5) premiums ceded under third-party reinsurance agreements. For each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, our average net premium rate was 0.41%, compared to 0.48% for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. We anticipate that the continued use of third-party reinsurance along with changes to the level of future cancellations of non-refundable single premium policies and mix of IIF will reduce our average net premium rate in future periods.

Persistency Rate

The measure for assessing the impact of policy cancellations on IIF is our persistency rate, defined as the percentage of IIF that remains on our books after any twelve-month period. See additional discussion regarding the impact of the persistency rate on our performance in “— Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations — Persistency and Business Mix.”

Risk-to-Capital

The risk-to-capital ratio has historically been used as a measure of capital adequacy in the U.S. mortgage insurance industry and is calculated as a ratio of net risk in force to statutory capital. Net risk in force represents total risk in force net of reinsurance ceded and net of exposures on policies for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital for our U.S. insurance companies is computed based on accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. See additional discussion in “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Insurance Company Capital.”

As of June 30, 2021, our combined net risk in force for our U.S. insurance companies was $29.6 billion and our combined statutory capital was $2.8 billion, resulting in a risk-to-capital ratio of 10.6 to 1. The amount of capital required varies in each jurisdiction in which we operate; however, generally, the maximum permitted risk-to-capital ratio is 25.0 to 1. State insurance regulators are currently examining their respective capital rules to determine whether, in light of the financial crisis, changes are needed to more accurately assess mortgage insurers’ ability to withstand stressful economic conditions. As a result, the capital metrics under which they assess and measure capital adequacy may change in the future. Independent of the state regulator and GSE capital requirements, management continually assesses the risk of our insurance portfolio and current market and economic conditions to determine the appropriate levels of capital to support our business.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated:


Summary of Operations	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Revenues:
Net premiums written	$	202,287	$	205,904	$	406,648	$	397,647
Decrease in unearned premiums	15,150		5,567		29,856		20,320
Net premiums earned	217,437		211,471		436,504		417,967
Net investment income	21,743		19,866		43,531		40,499
Realized investment (losses) gains, net	(253)		(1,269)		388		1,866
Other income	4,334		6,009		7,635		4,585
Total revenues	243,261		236,077		488,058		464,917

Losses and expenses:
Provision for losses and LAE	9,651		175,877		41,973		183,940
Other underwriting and operating expenses	41,114		38,819		83,353		80,766
Interest expense	2,073		2,566		4,124		4,698
Total losses and expenses	52,838		217,262		129,450		269,404
Income before income taxes	190,423		18,815		358,608		195,513
Income tax expense	30,628		3,435		63,165		30,610
Net income	$	159,795	$	15,380	$	295,443	$	164,903

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we reported net income of $159.8 million, compared to net income of $15.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we reported net income of $295.4 million, compared to net income of $164.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in our operating results in 2021 over the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to decreases in the provision for losses and LAE and increases in net premiums earned and net investment income, partially offset by increases in income tax expense.

Net Premiums Written and Earned

Net premiums earned increased in the three months ended June 30, 2021 by 3%, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to the increase in our average IIF from $168.6 billion at June 30, 2020 to $199.7 billion at June 30, 2021. Net premiums earned increased in the six months ended June 30, 2021 by 4% compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020 due to the increase in our average IIF from $166.9 billion at June 30, 2020 to $199.0 billion at June 30, 2021. The average net premium rate was 0.41% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 0.48% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the average net premium rate in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2021 was a result of an increase in ceded premiums, changes in the mix of mortgages we insure, in part due to lower persistency, changes in our pricing and a decrease in premiums earned on the cancellation of non-refundable single premium policies. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, ceded premiums increased to $26.7 million and $57.6 million, respectively, from $22.1 million and $36.4 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, due to additional risk ceded under our QSR Agreement and new third-party reinsurance agreements entered in 2020. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, premiums earned on the cancellation of non-refundable single premium policies decreased to $15.6 million and $35.4 million, respectively, from $26.7 million and $41.3 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, as a result of a decrease in existing borrowers refinancing their mortgages during the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Net premiums written decreased in the three months ended June 30, 2021 by 2%, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to an increase in premiums ceded under third-party reinsurance agreements, a decrease in new single premium policies written, changes in the mix of mortgages we insure and changes in our pricing, partially offset by the increase in average IIF in the respective period. Net premiums written increased in the six months ended June 30, 2021 by 2%, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily due to an increase in average IIF in the respective periods, partially

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offset by an increase in premiums ceded under third-party reinsurance agreements, a decrease in new single premium policies written, changes in the mix of mortgages we insure and changes in our pricing.

In the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, unearned premiums decreased by $15.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively. The change in unearned premiums was a result of net premiums written on single premium policies of $12.5 million and $36.8 million, respectively, which was offset by $27.7 million and $42.4 million, respectively, of unearned premium that was recognized in earnings during the periods. In the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, unearned premiums decreased by $29.9 million and $20.3 million, respectively. This was a result of net premiums written on single premium policies of $30.8 million and $52.9 million, respectively, which was offset by $60.7 million and $73.2 million, respectively, of unearned premium that was recognized in earnings during the periods.

Net Investment Income

Our net investment income was derived from the following sources for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Fixed maturities	$	23,012	$	20,569	$	46,036	$	41,183
Short-term investments	47		358		128		1,480
Gross investment income	23,059		20,927		46,164		42,663
Investment expenses	(1,316)		(1,061)		(2,633)		(2,164)
Net investment income	$	21,743	$	19,866	$	43,531	$	40,499

The increase in net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the same periods in 2020 was due to the increase in the weighted average balance of our investment portfolio partially offset by a decrease in the pre-tax investment income yield. The average cash and investment portfolio balance increased to $4.7 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2021 from $3.9 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The average cash and investment portfolio balance increased to $4.6 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $3.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in the average cash and investment portfolio was primarily due to investing cash flows from operations, proceeds from the public offering of common shares completed in June 2020 and increased borrowings under the Credit Facility. The pre-tax investment income yield decreased from 2.2% and 2.3% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, to 2.0% in each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to a general decline in investment yields due to declining interest rates and an increase in premium amortization on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The pre-tax investment income yields are calculated based on amortized cost and exclude investment expenses. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further details of our investment portfolio.

Other Income

Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $4.3 million as compared to $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $7.6 million compared to $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The changes in other income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the comparable periods of 2020 were primarily due to changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives contained in certain of our reinsurance agreements. In the three months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded a favorable increase in the fair value of these embedded derivatives of $1.0 million compared to a favorable increase in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of $2.5 million in the three months ended June 30, 2020. In the six months ended June 30, 2021 we recorded a net favorable increase in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of $0.3 million compared to a net unfavorable decrease of $1.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020. Other income also includes Triad service fee income, contract underwriting revenues and underwriting consulting services to third-party reinsurers.

Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The decrease in the provision for losses and LAE in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in new defaults reported and an increase in cure activity in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the comparable periods of 2020.

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The following table presents a rollforward of insured loans in default for our U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021	2020	2021	2020
Beginning default inventory	29,080	5,841	31,469	5,947
Plus: new defaults	4,934	37,357	12,356	41,290
Less: cures	(10,453)	(4,983)	(20,190)	(8,897)
Less: claims paid	(46)	(144)	(107)	(262)
Less: rescissions and denials, net	(11)	(3)	(24)	(10)
Ending default inventory	23,504	38,068	23,504	38,068

As of June 30, 2021, the ending default inventory included 21,648 defaults classified as COVID-19 defaults.

The following table includes additional information about our loans in default as of the dates indicated for our U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio:


	As of June 30,
	2021			2020
Case reserves (in thousands) (1)	$	387,690		$	227,786
Total reserves (in thousands) (1)	$	420,482		$	250,862
Ending default inventory	23,504			38,068
Average case reserve per default (in thousands)	$	16.5		$	6.0
Average total reserve per default (in thousands)	$	17.9		$	6.6
Default rate	2.96		%	5.19		%
Claims received included in ending default inventory	45			77

(1)The U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio reserves exclude reserves on GSE and other risk share risk in force at Essent Re of $1.4 million and $28 thousand as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The increase in the average case reserve per default was primarily due to cure activity for Early COVID Defaults. Based on the forbearance programs in place and the credit characteristics of the defaulted loans, we expect the ultimate number of Early COVID Defaults that result in claims will be less than our historical default-to-claim experience. Accordingly, we recorded a reserve equal to approximately 7% of the risk in force for the Early COVID Defaults. We have not adjusted the loss reserves associated with the Early COVID Defaults as we continue to believe that these reserves represent the best estimate of the ultimate loss. As a result of cure activity for the Early COVID Defaults during the six months ended June 30, 2021, the average reserve per Early COVID Default has increased from approximately 16% as of December 31, 2020 to approximately 24% as of June 30, 2021. The credit characteristics of defaults reported in October 2020 through June 2021 have trended towards those of the pre-pandemic periods and we have observed the normalization of other default patterns during this period. In addition, the economic conditions during the fourth quarter of 2020 through the second quarter of 2021 have been different than those experienced in the second and third quarters of 2020. We believe that while defaults in October 2020 through June 2021 were impacted by the pandemic’s effect on the economy, the underlying credit performance of these defaults may not be the same as the expected performance for the Early COVID Defaults that occurred following the onset of the pandemic and defaults after September 30, 2020 are more likely to transition like pre-pandemic defaults. Accordingly, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, we resumed establishing reserves for defaults reported after September 30, 2020 using our normal reserve methodology. The reserve for losses and LAE on COVID-19 defaults was $380.7 million at June 30, 2021 and includes $244.0 million of reserves for Early COVID Defaults.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and LAE:


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period	$	411,123	$	73,341	$	374,941	$	69,362
Less: Reinsurance recoverables	24,907		98		19,061		71
Net reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period	386,216		73,243		355,880		69,291
Add provision for losses and LAE occurring in:
Current period	24,611		181,776		72,600		197,195
Prior years	(14,960)		(5,899)		(30,627)		(13,255)
Incurred losses and LAE during the current period	9,651		175,877		41,973		183,940
Deduct payments for losses and LAE occurring in:
Current period	14		288		128		289
Prior years	1,267		5,703		3,139		9,813
Loss and LAE payments during the current period	1,281		5,991		3,267		10,102
Net reserve for losses and LAE at end of period	394,586		243,129		394,586		243,129
Plus: Reinsurance recoverables	27,286		7,761		27,286		7,761
Reserve for losses and LAE at end of period	$	421,872	$	250,890	$	421,872	$	250,890

The following tables provide a detail of reserves and defaulted RIF by the number of missed payments and pending claims for our U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio:


	As of June 30, 2021
($ in thousands)	Number of Policies in Default	Percentage of Policies in Default		Amount of Reserves		Percentage of Reserves		Defaulted RIF		Reserves as a Percentage of Defaulted RIF
Missed payments:
Three payments or less	3,926	17	%	$	25,915	7	%	$	234,604	11	%
Four to eleven payments	9,316	40		147,383		38		585,390		25
Twelve or more payments	10,217	43		212,634		55		680,733		31
Pending claims	45	—		1,758		—		2,139		82
Total case reserves (1)	23,504	100	%	387,690		100	%	$	1,502,866	26
IBNR				29,077
LAE				3,715
Total reserves for losses and LAE (1)				$	420,482

(1)The U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio reserves exclude reserves on GSE and other risk share risk in force at Essent Re of $1.4 million as of June 30, 2021.

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	As of June 30, 2020
($ in thousands)	Number of Policies in Default	Percentage of Policies in Default		Amount of Reserves		Percentage of Reserves		Defaulted RIF		Reserves as a Percentage of Defaulted RIF
Missed payments:
Three payments or less	33,514	88	%	$	166,897	73	%	$	2,233,678	7	%
Four to eleven payments	3,813	10		39,028		17		234,152		17
Twelve or more payments	664	2		18,590		8		36,694		51
Pending claims	77	—		3,271		2		3,846		85
Total case reserves (2)	38,068	100	%	227,786		100	%	$	2,508,370	9
IBNR				17,084
LAE				5,992
Total reserves for losses and LAE (2)				$	250,862

(2)The U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio reserves exclude reserves on GSE and other risk share risk in force at Essent Re of $28 thousand as of June 30, 2020.

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the provision for losses and LAE was $9.7 million, comprised of $24.6 million of current year losses partially offset by $15.0 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the provision for losses and LAE was $175.9 million, comprised of $181.8 million of current year losses partially offset by $5.9 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. In both periods, the prior years’ loss development was the result of a re-estimation of amounts ultimately to be paid on prior year defaults in the default inventory, including the impact of previously identified defaults that cured.

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the provision for losses and LAE was $42.0 million, comprised of $72.6 million of current year losses partially offset by $30.6 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the provision for losses and LAE was $183.9 million, comprised of $197.2 million of current year losses partially offset by $13.3 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. In both periods, the prior years’ loss development was the result of a re-estimation of amounts ultimately to be paid on prior year defaults in the default inventory, including the impact of previously identified defaults that cured.

The following table includes additional information about our claims paid and claim severity for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2021			2020			2021			2020
Number of claims paid	46			144			107			262
Amount of claims paid	$	1,154		$	5,718		$	3,143		$	9,875
Claim severity	57		%	78		%	64		%	78		%

Other Underwriting and Operating Expenses

Following are the components of our other underwriting and operating expenses for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
($ in thousands)	$		%		$		%		$		%		$		%
Compensation and benefits	$	25,630	62	%	$	24,174	62	%	$	50,390	60	%	$	49,040	61	%
Premium taxes	4,550		11		4,963		13		9,052		11		9,396		12
Other	10,934		27		9,682		25		23,911		29		22,330		28
Total other underwriting and operating expenses	$	41,114	100	%	$	38,819	100	%	$	83,353	100	%	$	80,766	100	%

Number of employees at end of period											372				389

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The significant factors contributing to the change in other underwriting and operating expenses are:

•Compensation and benefits increased in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 due to an increase in salaries, wages and bonuses primarily due to an increase in stock compensation expense largely due to shares granted in 2020 and 2021. Compensation and benefits includes salaries, wages and bonus, stock compensation expense, benefits and payroll taxes.

•Premium taxes decreased primarily due to a decrease in our effective premium tax rate.

•Other expenses increased primarily as a result of an increase in professional fees partially offset by an increase in ceding commission earned under the QSR Agreement and lower travel expenses. Other expenses include professional fees, travel, marketing, hardware, software, rent, depreciation and amortization and other facilities expenses.

Interest Expense

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we incurred interest expense of $2.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, as compared to $2.6 million and $4.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. Interest expense decreased primarily due to a decrease in the average amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and a decrease in the weighted average interest rate for borrowings outstanding. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the average amount outstanding under the Credit Facility was $327.7 million and $326.4 million, respectively, as compared to $425.0 million and $330.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the borrowings under the Credit Facility had a weighted average interest rate of 2.29% and 2.30%, respectively, as compared to 2.30% and 2.61% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

Income Taxes

Our subsidiaries in the United States file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return. Our income tax expense was $30.6 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $63.2 million and $30.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was calculated using an estimated annual effective tax rate of 16.0%. The provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was based on the actual effective tax rate of 15.7% for the year to date period due to the uncertainty regarding the potential impacts of COVID-19 on our results of operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, income tax expense includes $5.7 million of discrete tax expense associated with an increase in the estimate of our beginning of the year deferred state income tax liability. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, income tax expense was reduced by excess tax benefits associated with the vesting of common shares and common share units of $0.6 million. The tax effects associated with the increase to our deferred state income tax liability is treated as a discrete item in the reporting period in which it occurs and is not considered in determining the 2021 annual effective tax rate above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our sources of funds consist primarily of:

•our investment portfolio and interest income on the portfolio;

•net premiums that we will receive from our existing IIF as well as policies that we write in the future;

•borrowings under our Credit Facility; and

•issuance of capital shares.

Our obligations consist primarily of:

•claim payments under our policies;

•interest payments and repayment of borrowings under our Credit Facility;

•the other costs and operating expenses of our business

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•the repurchase of common shares under the share repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors; and

•the payment of dividends on our common shares.

As of June 30, 2021, we had substantial liquidity with cash of $142.1 million, short-term investments of $372.3 million and fixed maturity investments of $4.4 billion. We also had $300 million available capacity under the revolving credit component of our Credit Facility, with $325 million of borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility contractually mature on October 16, 2023. At June 30, 2021, net cash and investments at the holding company were $509.8 million. In addition, Essent Guaranty is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (the “FHLBank”) and has access to secured borrowing capacity with the FHLBank to provide Essent Guaranty with supplemental liquidity. Essent Guaranty had no outstanding borrowings with the FHLBank at June 30, 2021.

Management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity available both at the holding company and in its insurance and other operating subsidiaries to meet its operating cash needs and obligations and committed capital expenditures for the next 12 months.

While the Company and all of its subsidiaries are expected to have sufficient liquidity to meet all their expected obligations, additional capital may be required to meet any new capital requirements that are adopted by regulatory authorities or the GSEs, to respond to changes in the business or economic environment related to COVID-19, to provide additional capital related to the growth of our risk in force in our mortgage insurance portfolio, or to fund new business initiatives. We regularly review potential investments and acquisitions, some of which may be material, that, if consummated, would expand our existing business or result in new lines of business, and at any given time we may be in discussions concerning possible transactions. We continually evaluate opportunities based upon market conditions to further increase our financial flexibility through the issuance of equity or debt, or other options including reinsurance or credit risk transfer transactions. There can be no guarantee that any such opportunities will be available on acceptable terms or at all.

At the operating subsidiary level, liquidity could be impacted by any one of the following factors:

•significant decline in the value of our investments;

•inability to sell investment assets to provide cash to fund operating needs;

•decline in expected revenues generated from operations;

•increase in expected claim payments related to our IIF; or

•increase in operating expenses.

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain capital and dividend rules and regulations prescribed by jurisdictions in which they are authorized to operate and the GSEs. Under the insurance laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends during any twelve-month period in an amount equal to the greater of (i) 10% of the preceding year-end statutory policyholders' surplus or (ii) the preceding year’s statutory net income. For 2021, Essent Guaranty has dividend capacity of $312.1 million and Essent PA has dividend capacity of $5.4 million. The Pennsylvania statute also requires that dividends and other distributions be paid out of positive unassigned surplus without prior approval. At June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty had unassigned surplus of approximately $343.0 million and Essent PA had unassigned surplus of approximately $16.4 million. As a result of PMIERs guidance issued by the GSEs, Essent Guaranty may pay a dividend without prior GSE approval in the three months ended September 30, 2021 as long as the dividend payment would not cause its Available Assets to fall below 150% of its Minimum Required Assets. In addition, the guidance specifies that Essent Guaranty and may pay a dividend without prior GSE approval in the three months ended December 31, 2021 as long as the dividend payment would not cause its Available Assets to fall below 115% of its Minimum Required Assets. Essent Re is subject to certain dividend restrictions as prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and under certain agreements with counterparties. In connection with a quota share reinsurance agreement with Essent Guaranty, Essent Re has agreed to maintain a minimum total equity of $100 million. As of June 30, 2021, Essent Re had total equity of $1.2 billion. In connection with its insurance and reinsurance activities, Essent Re is required to maintain assets in trusts for the benefit of its contractual counterparties. See Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. At June 30, 2021, our insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with these rules, regulations and agreements.

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Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:


	Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2021		2020
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	339,795	$	345,785
Net cash used in investing activities	(239,516)		(944,893)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(60,969)		600,545
Net increase in cash	$	39,310	$	1,437

Operating Activities

Cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $339.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $345.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in cash flow provided by operating activities was primarily due to an increase in income tax payments and higher T&L Bond purchases in 2021, largely offset by an increase in premiums collected.

Investing Activities

Cash flow used in investing activities totaled $239.5 million and $944.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In both periods, cash flow used in investing activities related to investing cash flows from operations. Additionally, in 2020 cash flow used in investing activities included investing $440 million of net proceeds from the completion of a public offering of common shares in June and $200 million of increased borrowings under the Credit Facility.

Financing Activities

Cash flow used in financing activities totaled $61.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily related to the quarterly cash dividends paid in March and June, repurchases of common stock as part of our share repurchase plan and treasury stock acquired from employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations. Cash flow provided by financing activities totaled $600.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily related to $440 million of net proceeds from the completion of a public offering of common shares in June and $200 million of increased borrowings under the Credit Facility, partially offset by the quarterly cash dividends paid in March and June and treasury stock acquired from employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations.

Insurance Company Capital

We compute a risk-to-capital ratio for our U.S. insurance companies on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The risk-to-capital ratio is our net risk in force divided by our statutory capital. Our net risk in force represents risk in force net of reinsurance ceded, if any, and net of exposures on policies for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet. A mortgage insurance company is required to make annual contributions to the contingency reserve of 50% of net premiums earned. These contributions must generally be maintained for a period of ten years. However, with regulatory approval, a mortgage insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net premiums earned in a calendar year.

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, no capital contributions were made to our U.S. insurance subsidiaries and Essent Guaranty paid a dividend to Essent US Holdings, Inc. of $100 million.

Essent Guaranty has entered into reinsurance agreements that provide excess of loss reinsurance coverage for new defaults on portfolios of mortgage insurance policies issued in 2015 through March 31, 2021. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverages decrease over a ten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize. Based on the level of delinquencies reported to us, the insurance-linked note transactions (the "ILNs") that Essent Guaranty has entered into prior to March 31, 2020 became subject to a "trigger event" as of June 25, 2020. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage will not amortize during the continuation of a trigger event. Effective September 1, 2019, Essent Guaranty entered into a quota share

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reinsurance agreement with a panel of third-party reinsurers (the "QSR Agreement"). Under the QSR Agreement, Essent Guaranty will cede premiums earned related to 40% of risk on eligible single premium policies and 20% of risk on all other eligible policies written September 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020, in exchange for reimbursement of ceded claims and claims expenses on covered policies, a 20% ceding commission, and a profit commission of up to 60% that varies directly and inversely with ceded claims. These reinsurance coverages also reduces net risk in force and PMIERs Minimum Required Assets. See Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Our combined risk-to-capital calculation for our U.S. insurance subsidiaries as of June 30, 2021 was as follows:


Combined statutory capital: ($ in thousands)
Policyholders’ surplus	$	1,103,784
Contingency reserves	1,705,303
Combined statutory capital	$	2,809,087
Combined net risk in force	$	29,646,042
Combined risk-to-capital ratio	10.6:1

For additional information regarding regulatory capital, see Note 14 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Our combined statutory capital equals the sum of statutory capital of Essent Guaranty plus Essent PA, after eliminating the impact of intercompany transactions. The combined risk-to-capital ratio equals the sum of the net risk in force of Essent Guaranty and Essent PA divided by combined statutory capital. The information above has been derived from the annual and quarterly statements of our insurance subsidiaries, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual. Such practices vary from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Essent Re has entered into GSE and other risk share transactions, including insurance and reinsurance transactions with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Under a quota share reinsurance agreement, Essent Re reinsures 25% of Essent Guaranty’s NIW through December 31, 2020 and 35% of Essent Guaranty’s NIW after December 31, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, Essent Re paid no dividends to Essent Group and Essent Group made no capital contributions to Essent Re. As of June 30, 2021, Essent Re had total stockholders’ equity of $1.2 billion and net risk in force of $14.3 billion.

Financial Strength Ratings

The insurer financial strength rating of Essent Guaranty, our principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, is rated A3 with a stable outlook by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody's”), BBB+ with a stable outlook by S&P and A (Excellent) with stable outlook by A.M. Best. The insurer financial strength rating of Essent Re is BBB+ with a stable outlook by S&P and A (Excellent) with stable outlook by A.M. Best.

Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements

Effective December 31, 2015, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, at the direction of the FHFA, implemented new coordinated Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements, which we refer to as the "PMIERs." The PMIERs represent the standards by which private mortgage insurers are eligible to provide mortgage insurance on loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The PMIERs include financial strength requirements incorporating a risk-based framework that require approved insurers to have a sufficient level of liquid assets from which to pay claims. This risk-based framework provides that an insurer must hold a substantially higher level of required assets for insured loans that are in default compared to a performing loan. The PMIERs also include enhanced operational performance expectations and define remedial actions that apply should an approved insurer fail to comply with these requirements. In 2018, the GSEs released revised PMIERs framework ("PMIERs 2.0") which became effective on March 31, 2019. As of June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty, our GSE-approved mortgage insurance company, was in compliance with PMIERs 2.0. As of June 30, 2021, Essent Guaranty's Available Assets were $3.02 billion and its Minimum Required Assets were $1.73 billion based on our interpretation of PMIERs 2.0.

Under PMIERs guidance issued by the GSEs effective June 30, 2020, Essent will apply a 0.30 multiplier to the risk-based required asset amount factor for each insured loan in default backed by a property located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Declared Major Disaster Area eligible for Individual Assistance and that either 1) is subject to a forbearance plan granted in response to a FEMA Declared Major Disaster, the terms of which are materially consistent with

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terms of forbearance plans, repayment plans or loan modification trial period offered by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or 2) has an initial missed payment occurring up to either (i) 30 days prior to the first day of the incident period specified in the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration or (ii) 90 days following the last day of the incident period specified in the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration, not to exceed 180 days from the first day of the incident period specified in the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration. In the case of the foregoing, the 0.30 multiplier shall be applied to the risk-based required asset amount factor for a non-performing primary mortgage guaranty insurance loan for no longer than three calendar months beginning with the month the loan becomes a non-performing primary mortgage guaranty insurance loan by reaching two missed monthly payments absent a forbearance plan described in 1) above. Further, under temporary provisions provided by the PMIERs guidance, Essent will apply a 0.30 multiplier to the risk-based required asset amount factor for each insured loan in default backed by a property that has an initial missed payment occurring on or after March 1, 2020 and prior to April 1, 2021 (COVID-19 Crisis Period). The 0.30 multiplier will be applicable for insured loans in default 1) subject to a forbearance plan granted in response to a financial hardship related to COVID-19 (which shall be assumed to be the case for any loan that has an initial missed payment occurring during the COVID-19 Crisis Period and is subject to a forbearance plan, repayment plan or loan modification trial period), the terms of which are materially consistent with terms offered by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or 2) for no longer than three calendar months beginning with the month the loan becomes a non-performing primary mortgage guaranty insurance loan by reaching two missed monthly payments. The 21,648 COVID-19 defaults included in our June 30, 2021 default inventory fall into categories 1) and 2) above and received the 0.30 multiplier in calculating the PMIERs required assets.

Financial Condition

Stockholders’ Equity

As of June 30, 2021, stockholders’ equity was $4.08 billion, compared to $3.86 billion as of December 31, 2020. Stockholders' equity increased primarily due to net income generated in 2021 partially offset by dividends paid, a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income related to a decrease in our net unrealized investment gains and the repurchase of common shares under our share repurchase plan.

Investments

As of June 30, 2021, investments totaled $4.9 billion compared to $4.7 billion as of December 31, 2020. In addition, our total cash was $142.1 million as of June 30, 2021, compared to $102.8 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase in investments was primarily due to investing net cash flows from operations during the six months ended June 30, 2021 partially offset by a decrease in our net unrealized investment gains.

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Investments Available for Sale by Asset Class


Asset Class	June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
($ in thousands)	Fair Value		Percent		Fair Value		Percent
U.S. Treasury securities	$	289,961	6.1	%	$	268,444	5.9	%
U.S. agency securities	16,088		0.4		18,085		0.4
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,006,655		21.2		995,905		21.8
Municipal debt securities(1)	580,894		12.2		551,517		12.1
Non-U.S. government securities	81,528		1.7		61,607		1.3
Corporate debt securities(2)	1,551,712		32.7		1,126,512		24.7
Residential and commercial mortgage securities	461,985		9.7		409,282		9.0
Asset-backed securities	456,069		9.6		454,717		9.9
Money market funds	301,436		6.4		679,304		14.9
Total Investments Available for Sale	$	4,746,328	100.0	%	$	4,565,373	100.0	%


	June 30,		December 31,
(1) The following table summarizes municipal debt securities as of :	2021		2020
Special revenue bonds	77.1	%	76.8	%
General obligation bonds	20.2		20.3
Certificate of participation bonds	2.1		2.3
Tax allocation bonds	0.6		0.6

Total	100.0	%	100.0	%


	June 30,		December 31,
(2) The following table summarizes corporate debt securities as of :	2021		2020
Financial	34.3	%	34.9	%
Consumer, non-cyclical	18.7		19.1
Communications	11.6		9.3
Industrial	7.3		5.3
Consumer, cyclical	7.0		8.0
Energy	6.1		8.2
Technology	5.9		6.1
Utilities	5.3		5.9
Basic materials	3.6		3.1
Government	0.2		0.1
Total	100.0	%	100.0	%

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Investments Available for Sale by Rating


Rating(1)	June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
($ in thousands)	Fair Value		Percent		Fair Value		Percent
Aaa	$	2,251,468	47.4	%	$	2,564,746	56.2	%
Aa1	105,851		2.2		133,100		2.9
Aa2	291,517		6.1		260,462		5.7
Aa3	226,011		4.8		204,917		4.5
A1	306,340		6.5		249,710		5.5
A2	477,726		10.1		401,175		8.8
A3	283,669		6.0		229,882		5.0
Baa1	314,072		6.6		260,602		5.7
Baa2	272,914		5.7		178,926		3.9
Baa3	150,425		3.2		48,199		1.1
Below Baa3	66,335		1.4		33,654		0.7

Total Investments Available for Sale	$	4,746,328	100.0	%	$	4,565,373	100.0	%

(1)Based on ratings issued by Moody’s, if available. S&P or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") rating utilized if Moody’s not available.

Investments Available for Sale by Effective Duration


Effective Duration	June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
($ in thousands)	Fair Value		Percent		Fair Value		Percent
< 1 Year	$	1,094,953	23.0	%	$	1,568,505	34.4	%
1 to < 2 Years	549,219		11.6		581,003		12.7
2 to < 3 Years	682,585		14.4		616,069		13.5
3 to < 4 Years	601,629		12.7		426,333		9.3
4 to < 5 Years	446,775		9.4		367,633		8.1
5 or more Years	1,371,167		28.9		1,005,830		22.0
Total Investments Available for Sale	$	4,746,328	100.0	%	$	4,565,373	100.0	%

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Top Ten Investments Available for Sale Holdings


	June 30, 2021
Rank ($ in thousands)	Security	Fair Value			Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gain (Loss)(1)		Credit Rating(2)
1	U.S. Treasury 0.250% 5/31/2025	$	25,190		$	25,570	$	(380)	Aaa
2	Fannie Mae 3.500% 1/1/2058	24,349			23,161		1,188		Aaa
3	U.S. Treasury 2.625% 6/30/2023	20,685			19,697		988		Aaa
4	U.S. Treasury 5.250% 11/15/2028	19,572			18,365		1,207		Aaa
5	U.S. Treasury 0.875% 6/30/2026	18,250			18,237		13		Aaa
6	U.S. Treasury 1.500% 8/15/2026	18,028			17,457		571		Aaa
7	Fannie Mae 2.000% 8/1/2050	17,624			18,002		(378)		Aaa
8	U.S. Treasury 0.125% 10/15/2023	17,551			17,601		(50)		Aaa
9	Freddie Mac 4.000% 11/1/2048	15,768			15,395		373		Aaa
10	Freddie Mac 2.500% 7/1/2050	15,464			15,643		(179)		Aaa
Total		$	192,481		$	189,128	$	3,353
Percent of Investments Available for Sale		4.1		%

(1)As of June 30, 2021, for securities in an unrealized loss position, management believes the declines in fair value are principally associated with the changes in the interest rate environment subsequent to its purchase. Also, see Note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, which summarizes the aggregate amount of gross unrealized losses by asset class in which the fair value of investments available for sale has been less than cost for less than 12 months and for 12 months or more.

(2)Based on ratings issued by Moody’s, if available. S&P or Fitch rating utilized if Moody’s not available.


Rank	December 31, 2020
($ in thousands)	Security	Fair Value
1	Fannie Mae 3.500% 1/1/2058	$	26,634
2	U.S. Treasury 0.250% 5/31/2025	25,558
3	U.S. Treasury 2.625% 6/30/2023	20,966
4	Fannie Mae 2.000% 8/1/2050	20,549
5	U.S. Treasury 5.250% 11/15/2028	20,540
6	Freddie Mac 4.000% 11/1/2048	20,371
7	U.S. Treasury 1.500% 8/15/2026	18,525
8	U.S. Treasury 0.125% 10/15/2023	17,611
9	Freddie Mac 2.500% 7/1/2050	17,063
10	U.S. Treasury 2.625% 7/15/2021	14,946
Total		$	202,763
Percent of Investments Available for Sale		4.4		%

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The following tables include municipal debt securities for states that represent more than 10% of the total municipal bond position as of June 30, 2021:


($ in thousands)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Credit Rating (1), (2)
Texas
North Texas Tollway System	$	9,298	$	8,892	A2
University of Houston	6,600		6,306		Aa2
Texas A&M University	6,260		5,785		Aaa
State of Texas	5,743		5,374		Aaa
City of Houston TX Combined Utility System Revenue	5,101		4,584		Aa2
LCRA Transmission Services Corp	3,146		3,025		A2
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport	3,120		3,005		A2
City of Austin TX Electric Utility Revenue	2,345		2,119		Aa3
Harris County-Houston Sports Authority	2,291		2,055		A2
City of Houston TX	2,236		2,069		Aa3
North Texas Municipal Water District	2,044		1,911		Aaa
Lifeschool of Dallas	1,845		1,847		Aaa
City of Dallas TX	1,845		1,648		Aa3
City of Houston TX Airport System Revenue	1,736		1,657		A1
Houston Community College System	1,622		1,665		Aaa
City of Fort Worth TX Water & Sewer System Revenue	1,517		1,436		Aa1
Tarrant Regional Water District Water Supply System Revenue	1,510		1,418		Aaa
City of San Antonio TX Airport System	1,285		1,177		A1
City of Corpus Christi TX Utility System Revenue	1,174		1,062		Aa3
Harris County Toll Road Authority	1,040		1,003		Aa1
Texas Tech University System	1,004		1,000		Aa1
Central Texas Turnpike System	989		938		Baa1
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Sales & Use Tax Revenue	931		910		Aaa
Denton Independent School District	895		895		Aaa
Frisco Independent School District	863		868		Aaa
County of Fort Bend TX	861		786		Aa1
Austin-Bergstrom Landhost Enterprises, Inc.	617		581		A3
San Jacinto Community College District	582		536		Aa3
City of Houston TX Reinvestment Zone No 16	353		332		A2
Austin Independent School District	297		296		Aaa
	$	69,150	$	65,180

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($ in thousands)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Credit Rating (1), (2)
New York
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue	$	12,963	$	12,099	Aa1
Metropolitan Transportation Authority	7,695		7,163		A3
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey	7,641		7,200		Aa3
State of New York Personal Income Tax Revenue	7,336		6,824		Aa2
City of New York NY	7,226		6,475		Aa2
New York City Water & Sewer System	6,627		6,415		Aa1
Long Island Power Authority	4,132		3,983		A2
The Research Foundation of State University of New York	3,338		3,020		A1
New York State Dormitory Authority	2,876		2,732		A1
TSASC, Inc.	2,509		2,164		A2
City of Yonkers NY	2,424		2,299		A3
County of Nassau NY	2,178		1,972		A2
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Building Aid Revenue	1,575		1,490		Aa3
Town of Oyster Bay NY	1,052		1,023		Aa2
Yankee Stadium LLC	851		797		A2
	$	70,423	$	65,656

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($ in thousands)	Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Credit Rating (1), (2)
California
State of California	$	7,630	$	6,828	Aa2
City of Carson CA	4,515		4,420		Aa3
San Jose Unified School District	4,045		4,090		Aa1
California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank	3,765		3,765		Aaa
City of Long Beach CA Harbor Revenue	3,478		3,211		Aa2
City of Los Angeles Department of Airports	3,261		3,020		Aa3
County of Kern CA	3,007		2,739		Baa2
City of San Francisco CA Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue	2,979		3,007		Aa2
County of Riverside CA	2,793		2,575		A2
Foothill-Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency	2,370		2,350		A2
Bay Area Toll Authority	2,126		2,124		Aa3
Compton Community College District	1,686		1,520		A1
Los Angeles Unified School District/CA	1,507		1,416		Aa3
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals	1,464		1,342		Aa3
University of California	1,363		1,303		Aa2
City of Los Angeles CA	1,347		1,197		Aa3
City of El Cajon CA	1,309		1,285		Aa2
Port of Oakland	1,293		1,286		A1
City of Torrance CA	1,274		1,250		Aa2
Pomona Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency	1,135		1,000		Aa2
Cathedral City Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency	1,130		1,049		Aa2
City of El Monte CA	1,053		1,000		Aa2
County of Sacramento CA	1,016		910		A3
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority	939		890		A3
County of San Bernardino CA	769		749		Aa3
California Independent System Operator Corp	732		725		A1
California County Tobacco Securitization Agency	521		484		A3
San Bernardino City Unified School District	376		375		A1
Oxnard Union High School District	248		250		Aa2
City of San Jose CA	204		205		Aa2
City of Riverside CA	159		155		Aa2
	$	59,494	$	56,520

(1)Certain of the above securities may include financial guaranty insurance or state enhancements. The above ratings include the effect of these credit enhancements, if applicable.

(2)Based on ratings issued by Moody’s, if available. S&P or Fitch rating utilized if Moody’s not available.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Essent Guaranty has entered into fully collateralized reinsurance agreements ("Radnor Re Transactions") with unaffiliated special purpose insurers domiciled in Bermuda. The Radnor Re special purpose insurers are special purpose variable interest entities that are not consolidated in our condensed consolidated financial statements because we do not have the unilateral power to direct those activities that are significant to their economic performance. As of June 30, 2021, our estimated off-balance sheet maximum exposure to loss from the Radnor Re entities was $0.6 million, representing the estimated net present value of investment earnings on the assets in the reinsurance trusts. See Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Critical Accounting Policies

As of the filing date of this report, there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies from those discussed in our 2020 Form 10-K. See Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for recently issued accounting standards adopted or under evaluation.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We own and manage a large investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. Investment income is one of our primary sources of cash flow supporting operations and claim payments. The assets within the investment portfolio are exposed to the same factors that affect overall financial market performance. While our investment portfolio is exposed to factors affecting markets worldwide, it is most sensitive to fluctuations in the drivers of U.S. markets.

We manage market risk via defined investment policy implemented by our treasury function with oversight from our board of directors and our senior management. Important drivers of our market risk exposure monitored and managed by us include but are not limited to:

•Changes to the level of interest rates. Increasing interest rates may reduce the value of certain fixed-rate bonds held in the investment portfolio. Higher rates may cause variable-rate assets to generate additional income. Decreasing rates will have the reverse impact. Significant changes in interest rates can also affect persistency and claim rates which may in turn require that the investment portfolio be restructured to better align it with future liabilities and claim payments. Such restructuring may cause investments to be liquidated when market conditions are adverse.

•Changes to the term structure of interest rates. Rising or falling rates typically change by different amounts along the yield curve. These changes may have unforeseen impacts on the value of certain assets.

•Market volatility/changes in the real or perceived credit quality of investments. Deterioration in the quality of investments, identified through changes to our own or third-party (e.g., rating agency) assessments, will reduce the value and potentially the liquidity of investments.

•Concentration Risk. If the investment portfolio is highly concentrated in one asset, or in multiple assets whose values are highly correlated, the value of the total portfolio may be greatly affected by the change in value of just one asset or a group of highly correlated assets.

•Prepayment Risk. Bonds may have call provisions that permit debtors to repay prior to maturity when it is to their advantage. This typically occurs when rates fall below the interest rate of the debt.

Market risk is measured for all investment assets at the individual security level. Market risks that are not fully captured by the quantitative analysis are highlighted. In addition, material market risk changes that occur from the last reporting period to the current are discussed. Changes to how risks are managed will also be identified and described.

At June 30, 2021, the effective duration of our investments available for sale was 4.0 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift (movement up or down) in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.0% in fair value of our investments available for sale. Excluding short-term investments, our investments available for sale effective duration was 4.3 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift (movement up or down) in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.3% in fair value of our investments available for sale.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2021, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During our most recent fiscal quarter, there has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risk factors that affect our business and financial results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Except as discussed below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report. You should carefully consider the risks described in our Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report, along with the disclosure below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be negatively affected.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Repurchases of Securities

The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common shares during the three months ended June 30, 2021.


Period ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
April 1 - April 30, 2021	—	N/A		—
May 1 - May 31, 2021	2,465	$	47.99	—
June 1 - June 30, 2021	391,316	$	46.98	391,316
Total	393,781			391,316	$	231,614

(1)As of June 30, 2021, the Company was authorized to purchase up to $250 million of its common shares, announced in May 2021, of which $18.4 million had been utilized. The remaining $231.6 million in the table represents the amount available to repurchase shares under the share repurchase plan as of June 30, 2021. In July 2021, the Company repurchased an additional 586 thousand shares at a total cost of $25.8 million. After the July repurchases, the amount remaining under the share repurchase plan was $205.8 million.

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits:


Exhibit No.						Description
31.1						Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2						Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1						Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101						The following financial information from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited); (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited); (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited); (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited); and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on the date indicated.


						ESSENT GROUP LTD.


Date: August 6, 2021						/s/ MARK A. CASALE
						Mark A. Casale
						President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)


Date: August 6, 2021						/s/ LAWRENCE E. MCALEE
						Lawrence E. McAlee
						Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)


Date: August 6, 2021						/s/ DAVID B. WEINSTOCK
						David B. Weinstock
						Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)