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MGIC INVESTMENT CORP - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

 

FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2015
o
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 1-10816
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN
 
39-1486475
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
250 E. KILBOURN AVENUE
 
53202
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
 
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
(414) 347-6480
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 x
NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES x
NO o

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

Large accelerated filer  x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company  o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES o
NO x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

CLASS OF STOCK
 
PAR VALUE
 
DATE
 
NUMBER OF SHARES
Common stock
 
$1.00
 
October 30, 2015
 
339,656,530
 



Forward Looking and Other Statements

All statements in this report that address events, developments or results that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future are “forward looking statements.” Forward looking statements consist of statements that relate to matters other than historical fact. In most cases, forward looking statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “anticipate” or “expect,” or words of similar import. The risk factors referred to in “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors – Location of Risk Factors” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below, may cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements that we may make. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make 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. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



3


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
(In thousands)
Investment Portfolio (notes 7 and 8):
 
 
 
Securities, available-for-sale, at fair value:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities (amortized cost, 2015 - $4,598,347; 2014 - $4,602,514)
$
4,588,331

 
$
4,609,614

Equity securities
5,634

 
3,055

Total investment portfolio
4,593,965

 
4,612,669

Cash and cash equivalents
384,536

 
197,882

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (note 1)

 
17,212

Accrued investment income
36,861

 
30,518

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
187

 
47,623

Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves
38,748

 
57,841

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
4,275

 
6,424

Premiums receivable
51,579

 
57,442

Home office and equipment, net
29,265

 
28,693

Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
14,997

 
12,240

Profit commission receivable (note 4)

 
91,500

Deferred income taxes, net (note 11)
758,851

 

Other assets
94,886

 
106,390

Total assets
$
6,008,150

 
$
5,266,434

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Loss reserves (note 12)
$
1,979,943

 
$
2,396,807

Premium deficiency reserve (note 13)

 
23,751

Unearned premiums
265,119

 
203,414

Senior notes (note 3)
61,953

 
61,918

Convertible senior notes (note 3)
845,000

 
845,000

Convertible junior debentures (note 3)
389,522

 
389,522

Other liabilities
318,094

 
309,119

Total liabilities
3,859,631

 
4,229,531

Contingencies (note 5)


 


Shareholders' equity (note 14):
 
 
 
Common stock (one dollar par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; shares issued 2015 - 340,091; 2014 - 340,047; shares outstanding 2015 - 339,651; 2014 - 338,560)
340,091

 
340,047

Paid-in capital
1,667,307

 
1,663,592

Treasury stock (shares at cost 2015 - 440; 2014 - 1,487)
(3,362
)
 
(32,937
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (note 9)
(43,147
)
 
(81,341
)
Retained earnings (deficit)
187,630

 
(852,458
)
Total shareholders' equity
2,148,519

 
1,036,903

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
6,008,150

 
$
5,266,434

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
$
273,803

 
$
255,041

 
$
800,619

 
$
740,479

Assumed
285

 
400

 
931

 
1,281

Ceded (note 4)
43,897

 
(32,536
)
 
(22,334
)
 
(87,450
)
Net premiums written
317,985

 
222,905

 
779,216

 
654,310

Increase in unearned premiums, net
(78,751
)
 
(13,870
)
 
(109,186
)
 
(23,528
)
Net premiums earned
239,234

 
209,035

 
670,030

 
630,782

Investment income, net of expenses
25,939

 
22,355

 
75,815

 
63,691

Net realized investment gains (losses):


 


 


 


Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

Portion of losses recognized in comprehensive income, before taxes

 

 

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

Other realized investment gains
640

 
632

 
27,133

 
923

Net realized investment gains
640

 
632

 
27,133

 
923

Other revenue
3,698

 
3,093

 
9,877

 
6,037

Total revenues
269,511

 
235,115

 
782,855

 
701,433

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses incurred, net (note 12)
76,458

 
115,254

 
248,481

 
379,003

Change in premium deficiency reserve (note 13)

 
(6,744
)
 
(23,751
)
 
(19,750
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
2,368

 
2,096

 
6,191

 
5,191

Other underwriting and operating expenses, net
46,075

 
34,882

 
121,152

 
105,101

Interest expense
17,362

 
17,361

 
52,097

 
52,274

Total losses and expenses
142,263

 
162,849

 
404,170

 
521,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before tax
127,248

 
72,266

 
378,685

 
179,614

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes (note 11)
(695,604
)
 
249

 
(690,897
)
 
2,093

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
822,852

 
$
72,017

 
$
1,069,582

 
$
177,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share (note 6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
2.42

 
$
0.21

 
$
3.15

 
$
0.52

Diluted
$
1.78

 
$
0.18

 
$
2.35

 
$
0.45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (note 6)
339,701

 
338,626

 
339,504

 
338,488

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (note 6)
468,149

 
413,576

 
468,097

 
413,473


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Net income
$
822,852

 
$
72,017

 
$
1,069,582

 
$
177,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (note 9):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses (note 7)
95,295

 
(17,301
)
 
51,212

 
66,798

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit plan adjustments
(7,355
)
 
(1,732
)
 
(8,447
)
 
(5,198
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(2,947
)
 
(2,490
)
 
(4,571
)
 
(650
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
84,993

 
(21,523
)
 
38,194

 
60,950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income
$
907,845

 
$
50,494

 
$
1,107,776

 
$
238,471


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

6


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Common stock
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
340,047

 
$
340,047

Net common stock issued under share-based compensation plans
44

 

Balance, end of period
340,091

 
340,047

 
 
 
 
Paid-in capital
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
1,663,592

 
1,661,269

Net common stock issued under share-based compensation plans
(446
)
 

Reissuance of treasury stock, net
(6,894
)
 
(6,680
)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation
2,113

 

Equity compensation
8,942

 
6,472

Balance, end of period
1,667,307

 
1,661,061

 
 
 
 
Treasury stock
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
(32,937
)
 
(64,435
)
Reissuance of treasury stock, net
29,575

 
31,498

Balance, end of period
(3,362
)
 
(32,937
)
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
(81,341
)
 
(117,726
)
Other comprehensive income
38,194

 
60,950

Balance, end of period
(43,147
)
 
(56,776
)
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings (deficit)
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
(852,458
)
 
(1,074,617
)
Net income
1,069,582

 
177,521

Reissuance of treasury stock, net
(29,494
)
 
(29,791
)
Balance, end of period
187,630

 
(926,887
)
 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity
$
2,148,519

 
$
984,508


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,069,582

 
$
177,521

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
38,361

 
38,229

Deferred tax (benefit) expense
(698,177
)
 
336

Realized investment gains, net
(27,133
)
 
(923
)
Loss on repurchases of senior notes

 
837

Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
(2,113
)
 

Other
(21,795
)
 
19,845

Change in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued investment income
(6,343
)
 
1,177

Prepaid insurance premium
47,436

 
(7,987
)
Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves
19,093

 
6,187

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
2,149

 
3,975

Premium receivable
5,863

 
1,971

Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
(2,757
)
 
(1,929
)
Profit commission receivable
91,500

 
(66,584
)
Real estate
2,574

 
(3,285
)
Loss reserves
(416,864
)
 
(533,819
)
Premium deficiency reserve
(23,751
)
 
(19,750
)
Unearned premiums
61,705

 
31,513

Return premium accrual
(6,400
)
 
16,200

Income taxes payable - current
2,101

 
(1,180
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
135,031

 
(337,666
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
(1,970,402
)
 
(1,549,883
)
Equity securities
(2,593
)
 
(59
)
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
1,527,680

 
902,660

Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities
432,328

 
914,465

Net increase in payable for securities
48,120

 
7,245

Net decrease in restricted cash
17,212

 
233

Additions to property and equipment
(2,835
)
 
(3,998
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
49,510

 
270,663

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repayment of long-term debt

 
(21,767
)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation
2,113

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
2,113

 
(21,767
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
186,654

 
(88,770
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
197,882

 
332,692

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
384,536

 
$
243,922

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

8



MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2015
(Unaudited)

Note 1 – Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

MGIC Investment Corporation is a holding company which, through Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation ("MGIC"), MGIC Indemnity Corporation (“MIC”) and several other subsidiaries, is principally engaged in the mortgage insurance business.  We provide mortgage insurance to lenders throughout the United States and to government sponsored entities to protect against loss from defaults on low down payment residential mortgage loans.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of MGIC Investment Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and do not include all of the other information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. As used below, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations or to MGIC Investment Corporation, as the context requires.

In the opinion of management the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary to fairly state our financial position and results of operations for the periods indicated. The results of operations for the interim period may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.

Capital - GSEs

Since 2008, substantially all of our insurance written has been for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “GSEs”). In April 2015, the GSEs each released revised private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements (the “PMIERs”) that become effective December 31, 2015. The PMIERs include revised financial requirements for mortgage insurers under which a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) must meet or exceed “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, we expect that MGIC will be in compliance with the PMIERs when they become effective. This expectation reflects, among other things, that the GSEs have allowed full credit under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our restructured quota share reinsurance transaction. In the third quarter of 2015, the restructured transaction became effective after being approved by each of the GSEs and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”). The GSEs’ ongoing approval of the transaction is subject to several conditions and the transaction will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually by the GSEs.

We expect to increase our Available Assets in the future by repatriating to MGIC certain assets of MGIC's MIC subsidiary. If additional Available Assets are required in the future, we believe that a portion of our holding company’s cash and investments may be available for future contribution to MGIC.

Factors that may negatively impact MGIC’s ability to comply with the PMIERs after their effective date include the following:

The GSEs may reduce the amount of credit they allow under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transaction.
We may not obtain regulatory authorization to repatriate assets from MIC to MGIC to the extent we are assuming because regulators project higher losses than we project or require a level of capital be maintained in MIC higher than we are assuming.
MGIC may not receive additional capital contributions from our holding company due to competing demands on the holding company resources, including for repayment of debt.
Our future operating results may be negatively impacted by the matters discussed in the rest of these footnotes. Such matters could decrease our revenues, increase our losses or require the use of assets, thereby creating a shortfall in

9



Available Assets.

There can be no assurance that the GSEs will not make the PMIERs more onerous in the future; in this regard, the PMIERs provide that the tables of factors that determine Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs will provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of table updates. In addition, the GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time. If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings.

While on an overall basis, the amount of Available Assets we must hold in order to continue to insure GSE loans has increased under the PMIERs over what state regulation currently provides, our reinsurance transaction mitigates the negative effect of the PMIERs on our returns. In this regard, see the first bullet point above.

See additional disclosure regarding statutory capital in Note 16 – “Statutory Capital.”

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the accompanying financial statements to 2014 amounts to conform to 2015 presentation. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 cash used for additions to property and equipment was previously presented as “Other” within cash flows from operating activities and is presented separately as “Additions to property and equipment” within cash flows from investing activities as of September 30, 2015. This revision is not material to amounts reported or disclosed by us in prior periods.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

During the second quarter of 2013, approximately $60.3 million was placed in escrow in connection with the two agreements we entered into to resolve our dispute with Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (“CHL”) and its affiliate, Bank of America, N.A., as successor to Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (“BANA” and collectively with CHL, “Countrywide”) regarding rescissions. In the fourth quarter of 2013, approximately $42.9 million was released from escrow in connection with the BANA agreement. In the first quarter of 2015, the remaining escrow funds were disbursed to us pursuant to the amended and restated settlement agreement and release entered into with CHL on March 2, 2015.  See additional discussion of these settlement agreements in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

Subsequent events

We have considered subsequent events through the date of this filing. As discussed in Note 3 – "Debt" we have repaid our Senior Notes that matured on November 1, 2015 in the amount of $61.9 million.

Note 2 – New Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. While insurance contracts are not within the scope of this updated guidance, our fee income related to contract underwriting and other fee-based services provided to lenders will be subject to this guidance. The updated guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue as performance obligations are met, in order to reflect the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity is entitled to receive for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this update, but it is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the FASB amended existing guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new standard requires the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts

10




In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring expanded disclosures for insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts. The expanded disclosures are designed to provide additional insight into an insurance entity's ability to underwrite and anticipate costs associated with claims. The disclosures include information about incurred and paid claims development by accident year, on a net of reinsurance basis, for the number of years claims incurred typically remain outstanding, not to exceed ten years. Each period presented in the disclosure about claims development that precedes the current reporting periods is considered supplementary information. The expanded disclosures also include more transparent information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to estimate claims, and the timing, frequency, and severity of claims. The disclosures required by this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016, and is to be applied retrospectively. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of the new disclosure requirements.

Note 3 – Debt

Long-term debt as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consists of the following obligations.
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In millions)
Senior Notes, interest at 5.375% per annum, due November 2015
$
61.9

 
$
61.9

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 5% per annum, due May 2017 (1)
345.0

 
345.0

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 2% per annum, due April 2020 (2) (3)
500.0

 
500.0

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures, interest at 9% per annum, due April 2063 (4)
389.5

 
389.5

Total debt
1,296.4

 
1,296.4

Less current portion of debt
(61.9
)
 
(61.9
)
Total long-term debt
$
1,234.5

 
$
1,234.5


(1)
Convertible at any time prior to maturity at the holder's option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.4186 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $13.44 per share.

(2)
Prior to January 1, 2020, the 2% Convertible Senior Notes are convertible only upon satisfaction of one or more conditions. One such condition is that during any calendar quarter commencing after March 31, 2014, the last reported sale price of our common stock for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter be greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price on each applicable trading day. The 2% Notes are convertible at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 143.8332 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $6.95 per share. 130% of such conversion price is $9.03. On or after January 1, 2020, holders may convert their notes irrespective of satisfaction of the conditions. Our common stock price was greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, September 30, 2015.

(3)
Prior to April 10, 2017, the notes will not be redeemable. On any business day on or after April 10, 2017 we may redeem for cash all or part of the notes, at our option, at a redemption rate equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds 130% of the then prevailing conversion price of the notes for each of at least 20 of the 30 consecutive trading days preceding notice of the redemption.

(4)
Convertible at any time prior to maturity at the holder's option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.0741 shares per $1,000 principal amount, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share. If a holder elects to convert their debentures, deferred interest owed on the debentures being converted is also converted into shares of our common stock. The conversion rate for any deferred interest is based on the average price that our shares traded at during a 5-day period immediately prior to the election to convert. In lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion of the debentures, we may, at our option, make a cash payment to converting holders for all or some of the shares of our common stock otherwise issuable upon conversion.

Interest payments on our existing debt obligations appear below.

11



 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Senior Notes, interest at 5.375% per annum, due November 2015
$
1.7

 
$
1.7

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 5% per annum, due May 2017
8.6

 
8.6

Convertible Senior Notes, interest at 2% per annum, due April 2020
5.0

 
5.0

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures, interest at 9% per annum, due April 2063
17.5

 
17.5

Total interest payments
$
32.8

 
$
32.8


The Senior Notes, Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries. We repaid our Senior Notes on November 2, 2015 in the amount of $61.9 million with MGIC Investment Corporation cash on hand. The repayment of our Senior Notes had no significant impact on our liquidity or financial position. As of September 30, 2015, we had approximately $469 million in cash and investments at our holding company. The net unrealized losses on our holding company investment portfolio were approximately $0.4 million as of September 30, 2015. The modified duration of the holding company investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, was 2.9 years at September 30, 2015.

Note 4 – Reinsurance

Effective July 1, 2015, we settled our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement ("2013 QSR Transaction") by commutation. The settlement included any premiums, losses, and profit commission. The commutation resulted in an increase in net premiums written and earned of $69.4 million and $11.6 million, respectively, and a decrease in ceding commissions of $11.6 million in the third quarter of 2015. Receipt of our profit commission of $142.5 million, in addition to other premium and loss amounts, was also completed as part of the settlement.

Effective July 1, 2015, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement ("2015 QSR Transaction") with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers that are the same as our 2013 QSR Transaction. Each of the reinsurers has an insurer financial strength rating of A- or better by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services, A.M. Best or both. The 2015 QSR Transaction will provide coverage on policies that were in the 2013 QSR Transaction with some exclusions; additional qualifying in force policies as of the agreement effective date which either had no history of defaults, or where a single default has been cured for twelve or more months at the agreement effective date; and all qualifying new insurance written through December 31, 2016. The agreement will provide coverage on losses incurred on or after the effective date with renewal premium through December 31, 2024, at which time the agreement expires. The 2015 QSR Transaction increases the amount of our insurance in force covered by reinsurance and will result in an increase in the amount of premiums and losses ceded. Early termination of the agreement can be elected by us effective December 31, 2018 for a fee, or under specified scenarios for no fee upon prior written notice. Further, at our sole discretion we may elect to terminate the agreement if we will receive less than 90% of the full PMIERs credit amount for the risk ceded under the 2015 QSR Transaction in any required calculation period. The structure of the 2015 QSR Transaction is a 30% quota share for all policies covered, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. Generally, under the 2015 QSR Transaction, we will receive a profit commission provided that the loss ratio on the loans covered under the agreement remains below 60%.

A summary of our quota share reinsurance agreements, excluding captive agreements, appears below.
 
2013 QSR Transaction
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015 (1)
 
2014
 
2015 (1)
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Ceded premiums written, net of profit commission
$
(69,410
)
 
$
27,725

 
$
(11,355
)
 
$
72,414

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded premiums earned, net of profit commission
(11,568
)
 
23,736

 
35,999

 
64,330

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded losses incurred

 
4,689

 
6,060

 
10,347

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

12



Ceding commissions (2)
(11,568
)
 
9,922

 
10,235

 
27,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded unearned premiums

 
39,946

 

 
43,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit commission
11,568

 
21,887

 
62,525

 
66,584


(1) The three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 include the non-recurring impact of commuting our 2013 QSR Transaction in the third quarter. The commutation had no impact on ceded losses incurred.
(2) Ceding commissions are reported within Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
 
2015 QSR Transaction
 
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Ceded premiums written, net of profit commission (1)
$
22,626

 
 
Ceded premiums earned, net of profit commission (1)
22,626

 
 
Ceded losses incurred
4,236

 
 
Ceding commissions (2)
9,195

 
 
Profit commission
23,347


(1) As of July 1, 2015 premiums are ceded on an earned and received basis as defined in our 2015 QSR Transaction.
(2) Ceding commissions are reported within Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of
operations.

Under the terms of 2015 QSR Transaction, reinsurance premiums, ceding commission and profit commission are settled net on a quarterly basis. The reinsurance premium due after deducting the related ceding commission and profit commission is reported within "Other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheet. For periods ending June 30, 2015 and prior, the profit commission accrued has been reported separately on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2014, we had accrued a profit commission receivable of $91.5 million.

In the past, MGIC also obtained captive reinsurance. In a captive reinsurance arrangement, the reinsurer is affiliated with the lender for whom MGIC provides mortgage insurance. As part of our settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) in 2013 and with the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) in June 2015, discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” MGIC has agreed to not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years subsequent to the respective settlements. In accordance with the CFPB settlement, all of our active captive arrangements were placed into run-off. In addition, at the time PMIERs become effective on December 31, 2015 the GSEs will not approve any future reinsurance or risk sharing transaction with a mortgage enterprise or an affiliate of a mortgage enterprise.

Captive agreements were generally written on an annual book of business and each captive reinsurer is required to maintain a separate trust account to support its combined reinsured risk on all annual books. MGIC is the sole beneficiary of the trusts, and the trust accounts are made up of capital deposits by the captive reinsurers, premium deposits by MGIC, and investment income earned.  These amounts are held in the trust account and are available to pay reinsured losses. The reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to captive agreements was $34 million at September 30, 2015 which was supported by $159 million of trust assets, while at December 31, 2014, the reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to captive agreements was $45 million, which was supported by $198 million of trust assets.

13




Note 5 – Litigation and Contingencies

Before paying a claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. All of our insurance policies provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy, including the requirement to mitigate our loss by performing reasonable loss mitigation efforts or, for example, diligently pursuing a foreclosure or bankruptcy relief in a timely manner. We call such reduction of claims submitted to us “curtailments.” In 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 6.7% and 7.0%, respectively. After we pay a claim, servicers and insureds sometimes object to our curtailments and other adjustments. We review these objections if they are sent to us within 90 days after the claim was paid.

When reviewing the loan file associated with a claim, we may determine that we have the right to rescind coverage on the loan. (In our SEC reports, we refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims collectively as "rescissions" and variations of that term.) In recent quarters, approximately 5% of claims received in a quarter have been resolved by rescissions, down from the peak of approximately 28% in the first half of 2009. We estimate rescissions mitigated our incurred losses by approximately $2.5 billion in 2009 and $0.2 billion in 2010 and have not significantly mitigated our incurred losses since then. Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions and reversals of rescissions. Historically, reversals of rescissions have been immaterial. A variance between ultimate actual rescission and reversal rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.

If the insured disputes our right to rescind coverage, we generally engage in discussions in an attempt to settle the dispute. As part of those discussions, we may voluntarily suspend rescissions we believe may be part of a settlement. Certain settlements require GSE approval. The GSEs consented to two settlement agreements we entered into with Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (“CHL”) and its affiliate, Bank of America, N.A., as successor to Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (“BANA” and collectively with CHL, “Countrywide”), but there is no guarantee they will approve others. We have reached and implemented settlement agreements that do not require GSE approval, but they have not been material in the aggregate.

If we are unable to reach a settlement, the outcome of a dispute ultimately would be determined by legal proceedings. Under our policies in effect prior to October 1, 2014, legal proceedings disputing our right to rescind coverage may be brought up to three years after the lender has obtained title to the property (typically through a foreclosure) or the property was sold in a sale that we approved, whichever is applicable, and under our master policy effective October 1, 2014, such proceedings may be brought up to two years from the date of the notice of rescission. In a few jurisdictions there is a longer time to bring such proceedings.

Until a liability associated with a settlement agreement or litigation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated, we consider our claim payment or rescission resolved for financial reporting purposes even though discussions and legal proceedings may have been initiated and are ongoing. Under ASC 450-20, an estimated loss from such discussions and proceedings is accrued for only if we determine that the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated.

In December 2009, we entered into legal proceedings with Countrywide in which Countrywide alleged that MGIC denied valid mortgage insurance claims. In April 2013, MGIC entered into separate settlement agreements with CHL and BANA, pursuant to which the parties agreed to settle the Countrywide litigation as it relates to MGIC’s rescission practices (as amended from time to time, the “Agreements”). The Agreement with BANA covers loans purchased by the GSEs. That original Agreement was implemented beginning in November 2013 and we resolved all related suspended rescissions in November and December 2013 by paying the associated claim or processing the rescission.

On March 2, 2015, the parties to the Agreement with CHL amended and restated that Agreement. The Agreement with CHL covers loans that were purchased by non-GSE investors, including securitization trusts. The original Agreement addressed rescission and denial rights; the amended and restated Agreement also addressed curtailment rights. Implementation of that Agreement occurred in June 2015 with respect to loans for which consent to the Agreement was received.

The estimated impact of the Agreements has been recorded in our financial statements. The pending arbitration proceedings concerning the loans covered by the Agreements have been dismissed, the mutual releases regarding loans for which consent was received have become effective and the litigation between the parties regarding loans covered by the Agreements has been dismissed. Consent was received for approximately 89% of the dollar amount of exposure on loans covered by the Agreement with CHL; the holders of loans that did not consent retain their rights to assert claims with respect to such loans.

The estimated impact that we have recorded for probable settlements, including those that have been implemented, is our best estimate of our loss from these matters. We estimate that as of September 30, 2015, the maximum exposure above the best estimate

14



provision we recorded is $124.9 million. If we are not able to implement settlements we consider probable that have not yet been implemented, we intend to defend MGIC vigorously against any related legal proceedings.

The flow policies at issue with Countrywide are in the same form as the flow policies that we used with all of our customers during the period covered by the Agreements, and the bulk policies at issue vary from one another, but are generally similar to those used in the majority of our Wall Street bulk transactions.

In addition to the discussions and/or proceedings for which we have recorded a loss, we are involved in other discussions and/or proceedings with insureds with respect to our claims paying practices. In addition, holders of loans covered by our previously disclosed and implemented settlement agreement with CHL that did not consent to that agreement (approximately 11% of the dollar amount of exposure under that agreement) may bring legal proceedings against MGIC with respect to such loans. Although it is reasonably possible that when these matters are resolved we will not prevail in all cases, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability. We estimate the maximum exposure associated with these matters to be approximately $202.5 million, although we believe we will ultimately resolve these matters for significantly less than this amount.

The estimates of our maximum exposure referred to above do not include interest or consequential or exemplary damages.

Consumers continue to bring lawsuits against home mortgage lenders and settlement service providers. Mortgage insurers, including MGIC, have been involved in litigation alleging violations of the anti-referral fee provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is commonly known as RESPA, and the notice provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is commonly known as FCRA. MGIC’s settlement of class action litigation against it under RESPA became final in October 2003. MGIC settled the named plaintiffs’ claims in litigation against it under FCRA in December 2004, following denial of class certification in June 2004. Since December 2006, class action litigation has been brought against a number of large lenders alleging that their captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements violated RESPA. Beginning in December 2011, MGIC, together with various mortgage lenders and other mortgage insurers, was named as a defendant in twelve lawsuits, alleged to be class actions, filed in various U.S. District Courts. The complaints in all of the cases alleged various causes of action related to the captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements of the mortgage lenders, including that the lenders’ captive reinsurers received excessive premiums in relation to the risk assumed by those captives, thereby violating RESPA. As of the end of the first quarter of 2015, MGIC has been dismissed from all twelve cases. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to further litigation under RESPA (or FCRA) or that the outcome of any such litigation would not have a material adverse effect on us.

In 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida approved a settlement with the CFPB that resolved a federal investigation of MGIC’s participation in captive reinsurance arrangements in the mortgage insurance industry. The settlement concluded the investigation with respect to MGIC without the CFPB or the court making any findings of wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, MGIC agreed that it would not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years. MGIC had voluntarily suspended most of its captive arrangements in 2008 in response to market conditions and GSE requests. In connection with the settlement, MGIC paid a civil penalty of $2.65 million and the court issued an injunction prohibiting MGIC from violating any provisions of RESPA.

We received requests from the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) beginning in February 2006 regarding captive mortgage reinsurance and certain other matters in response to which MGIC provided information on several occasions. In June 2015, MGIC executed a Consent Order with the MN Department that resolved the MN Department’s investigation of captive reinsurance matters without making any findings of wrongdoing. The Consent Order provided, among other things, that MGIC is prohibited from entering into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsuring any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years.

We also received a request in June 2005 from the New York Department of Financial Services for information regarding captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements and other types of arrangements in which lenders receive compensation.

Various regulators, including the CFPB, state insurance commissioners and state attorneys general may bring actions seeking various forms of relief in connection with alleged violations of RESPA. The insurance law provisions of many states prohibit paying for the referral of insurance business and provide various mechanisms to enforce this prohibition. While we believe our practices are in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, it is not possible to predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of any such reviews or investigations nor is it possible to predict their effect on us or the mortgage insurance industry.

In December 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office released a report that calls for federal standards and oversight for mortgage insurers to be developed and implemented. It is uncertain what form the standards and oversight will take and when they will become effective.


15



In addition to the matters described above, we are involved in other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, based on the facts known at this time, the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Through a non-insurance subsidiary, we utilize our underwriting skills to provide an outsourced underwriting service to our customers known as contract underwriting. As part of the contract underwriting activities, that subsidiary is responsible for the quality of the underwriting decisions in accordance with the terms of the contract underwriting agreements with customers. That subsidiary may be required to provide certain remedies to its customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed. Beginning in the second half of 2009, our subsidiary experienced an increase in claims for contract underwriting remedies, which continued throughout 2012. The underwriting remedy expense for 2014 and the first nine months of 2015 was approximately $4 million and $1 million, respectively, but may increase in the future.

See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a description of federal income tax contingencies.

Note 6 – Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS includes the components of basic EPS and also gives effect to dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the reporting period. We calculate diluted EPS using the treasury stock method for unvested restricted stock, and the if-converted method for convertible debt instruments. For unvested restricted stock, assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method would include unamortized compensation expense and windfall tax benefits or shortfalls. The determination of potentially issuable shares from our convertible debt instruments does not consider satisfaction of the conversion requirements and the shares are included in the determination of diluted EPS as of the beginning of the period, if dilutive. In addition, interest expense, net of tax, related to dilutive convertible debt instruments is added back to earnings in calculating diluted EPS.

The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used to calculate basic and diluted EPS and also indicates the number of antidilutive securities.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands, except per share data and as otherwise noted)
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
822,852

 
$
72,017

 
$
1,069,582

 
$
177,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
339,701

 
338,626

 
339,504

 
338,488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic income per share
$
2.42

 
$
0.21

 
$
3.15

 
$
0.52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
822,852

 
$
72,017

 
$
1,069,582

 
$
177,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of tax (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
1,982

 
3,049

 
5,946

 
9,148

5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
3,050

 

 
9,150

 

9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063
5,697

 

 
17,090

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income available to common shareholders
$
833,581

 
$
75,066

 
$
1,101,768

 
$
186,669

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

16



Weighted average shares - basic
339,701

 
338,626

 
339,504

 
338,488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unvested restricted stock units
1,983

 
3,008

 
2,128

 
3,043

2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
71,942

 
71,942

 
71,942

 
71,942

5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
25,670

 

 
25,670

 

9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2063
28,853

 

 
28,853

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares - diluted
468,149

 
413,576

 
468,097

 
413,473

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income per share
$
1.78

 
$
0.18

 
$
2.35

 
$
0.45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Antidilutive securities (in millions)

 
54.5

 

 
54.5

(1) Due to the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not tax effected. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 have been tax effected at a rate of 35%.

Note 7 – Investments

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of the investment portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are shown below.
September 30, 2015
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
 Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses (1)
 
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
104,419

 
$
2,287

 
$
(1,740
)
 
$
104,966

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
1,595,458

 
24,306

 
(7,243
)
 
1,612,521

Corporate debt securities
2,142,500

 
7,722

 
(29,650
)
 
2,120,572

Asset-backed securities
132,271

 
346

 
(80
)
 
132,537

Residential mortgage-backed securities
278,737

 
275

 
(7,541
)
 
271,471

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
253,143

 
1,048

 
(1,504
)
 
252,687

Collateralized loan obligations
61,342

 

 
(1,056
)
 
60,286

Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
30,477

 
2,876

 
(62
)
 
33,291

Total debt securities
4,598,347

 
38,860

 
(48,876
)
 
4,588,331

Equity securities
5,595

 
52

 
(13
)
 
5,634

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investment portfolio
$
4,603,942

 
$
38,912

 
$
(48,889
)
 
$
4,593,965



17



December 31, 2014
Amortized
 Cost
 
Gross
 Unrealized
 Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
 Losses (1)
 
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
349,153

 
$
2,752

 
$
(5,130
)
 
$
346,775

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
844,942

 
12,961

 
(2,761
)
 
855,142

Corporate debt securities
2,418,991

 
16,325

 
(10,035
)
 
2,425,281

Asset-backed securities
286,260

 
535

 
(140
)
 
286,655

Residential mortgage-backed securities
329,983

 
254

 
(9,000
)
 
321,237

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
276,215

 
1,221

 
(2,158
)
 
275,278

Collateralized loan obligations
61,340

 

 
(1,264
)
 
60,076

Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
35,630

 
3,540

 

 
39,170

Total debt securities
4,602,514

 
37,588

 
(30,488
)
 
4,609,614

Equity securities
3,003

 
61

 
(9
)
 
3,055

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investment portfolio
$
4,605,517

 
$
37,649

 
$
(30,497
)
 
$
4,612,669


(1)
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in other comprehensive income.

Our foreign investments primarily consist of the investment portfolio supporting our Australian domiciled subsidiary. This portfolio is comprised of Australian government and semi government securities, representing 86% of the market value of our foreign investments with the remainder invested in corporate securities and cash equivalents with allocations of 10% and 4%, respectively. Eighty-seven percent of the Australian portfolio is rated AAA or its equivalent, by one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, and the remaining 13% is rated AA or its equivalent.

The amortized cost and fair values of debt securities at September 30, 2015, 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 asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in separate categories.

September 30, 2015
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
191,371

 
$
192,007

Due after one year through five years
1,611,819

 
1,622,178

Due after five years through ten years
1,130,625

 
1,113,217

Due after ten years
939,039

 
943,948

 
 
 
 
 
$
3,872,854

 
$
3,871,350

 
 
 
 
Asset-backed securities
132,271

 
132,537

Residential mortgage-backed securities
278,737

 
271,471

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
253,143

 
252,687

Collateralized loan obligations
61,342

 
60,286

 
 
 
 
Total at September 30, 2015
$
4,598,347

 
$
4,588,331

 
At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the investment portfolio had gross unrealized losses of $48.9 million and $30.5 million, respectively.  For those securities in an unrealized loss position, the length of time the securities were in such a position, as measured by their month-end fair values, is as follows:

18



 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
September 30, 2015
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
25,781

 
$
295

 
$
15,534

 
$
1,445

 
$
41,315

 
$
1,740

Obligations of U.S. states and political   subdivisions
231,647

 
6,626

 
43,865

 
617

 
275,512

 
7,243

Corporate debt securities
1,045,477

 
27,190

 
140,995

 
2,460

 
1,186,472

 
29,650

Asset-backed securities
36,920

 
64

 
5,567

 
16

 
42,487

 
80

Residential mortgage-backed securities
39,870

 
414

 
201,435

 
7,127

 
241,305

 
7,541

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
74,403

 
698

 
79,411

 
806

 
153,814

 
1,504

Collateralized loan obligations

 

 
60,286

 
1,056

 
60,286

 
1,056

Foreign government securities
2,177

 
62

 

 

 
2,177

 
62

Equity securities
319

 
4

 
173

 
9

 
492

 
13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
1,456,594

 
$
35,353

 
$
547,266

 
$
13,536

 
$
2,003,860

 
$
48,889


 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
December 31, 2014
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
 Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
 Losses
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
58,166

 
$
138

 
$
232,351

 
$
4,992

 
$
290,517

 
$
5,130

Obligations of U.S. states and political   subdivisions
166,408

 
1,066

 
114,465

 
1,695

 
280,873

 
2,761

Corporate debt securities
816,555

 
5,259

 
243,208

 
4,776

 
1,059,763

 
10,035

Asset-backed securities
54,491

 
80

 
11,895

 
60

 
66,386

 
140

Residential mortgage-backed securities
24,168

 
34

 
263,002

 
8,966

 
287,170

 
9,000

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
89,301

 
810

 
110,652

 
1,348

 
199,953

 
2,158

Collateralized loan obligations

 

 
60,076

 
1,264

 
60,076

 
1,264

Equity securities
167

 
1

 
235

 
8

 
402

 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
1,209,256

 
$
7,388

 
$
1,035,884

 
$
23,109

 
$
2,245,140

 
$
30,497


The unrealized losses in all categories of our investments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were primarily caused by the difference in interest rates at each respective period, compared to interest rates at the time of purchase. There were 369 and 423 securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

During each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 there were no other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized.   The net realized investment gains (losses) on the investment portfolio are as follows:

19



 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses) on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
$
638

 
$
629

 
$
27,123

 
$
755

Equity securities
2

 
3

 
10

 
168

Net realized investment gains
$
640

 
$
632

 
$
27,133

 
$
923


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses) on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales
$
720

 
$
1,161

 
$
28,711

 
$
3,273

Losses on sales
(80
)
 
(529
)
 
(1,578
)
 
(2,350
)
Net realized investment gains
$
640

 
$
632

 
$
27,133

 
$
923


Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with fair value guidance, we applied the following fair value hierarchy in order to measure fair value for assets and liabilities:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that we can access. Financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, equity securities, and Australian government and semi government securities.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable in the marketplace for the financial instrument. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value of the financial instruments. Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs primarily include obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies and certain municipal and corporate bonds.

Level 3 – Valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable or are par values for equity securities restricted in their ability to be redeemed or sold. Level 3 inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs primarily include equity securities that can only be redeemed or sold at their par value and only to the security issuer and certain state premium tax credit investments. The state premium tax credit investments have an average maturity of less than 3 years, credit ratings of AA+ or higher, and their balance reflects their remaining scheduled payments discounted at an average annual rate of 7.2%. Our non-financial assets that are classified as Level 3 securities consist of real estate acquired through claim settlement. The fair value of real estate acquired is the lower of our acquisition cost or a percentage of the appraised value. The percentage applied to the appraised value is based upon our historical sales experience adjusted for current trends.

To determine the fair value of securities available-for-sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, independent pricing sources have been utilized. One price is provided per security based on observable market data. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources 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. A variety of inputs are utilized by the independent pricing sources including benchmark yields, reported trades, non-binding broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including data published in market research publications. Inputs may be weighted differently for any security, and not all inputs are used for each security evaluation. Market indicators, industry and economic events are also considered. This information is evaluated using a multidimensional pricing model.  Quality controls are performed by the independent pricing sources throughout this process, which include reviewing tolerance reports, trading information and data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. This model combines all inputs to arrive at a value assigned to each security.  In addition, on a quarterly basis, we perform quality controls over values

20



received from the pricing sources which include reviewing tolerance reports, trading information and data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from the independent pricing sources.

Fair value measurements for assets measured at fair value included the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

September 30, 2015
Total Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
 in Active
 Markets for
 Identical
Assets
 (Level 1)
 
Significant
 Other
 Observable
 Inputs
 (Level 2)
 
Significant
 Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and  agencies
$
104,966

 
$
18,418

 
$
86,548

 
$

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
1,612,521

 

 
1,611,134

 
1,387

Corporate debt securities
2,120,572

 

 
2,120,572

 

Asset-backed securities
132,537

 

 
132,537

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities
271,471

 

 
271,471

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
252,687

 

 
252,687

 

Collateralized loan obligations
60,286

 

 
60,286

 

Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
33,291

 
33,291

 

 

Total debt securities
4,588,331

 
51,709

 
4,535,235

 
1,387

Equity securities (1)
5,634

 
2,778

 

 
2,856

Total investment portfolio
$
4,593,965

 
$
54,487

 
$
4,535,235

 
$
4,243

Real estate acquired (2)
$
10,084

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,084

December 31, 2014
Total Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
 (Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
(In thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations  of U.S. government corporations and   agencies
$
346,775

 
$
188,824

 
$
157,951

 
$

Obligations of U.S. states and political  subdivisions
855,142

 

 
853,296

 
1,846

Corporate debt securities
2,425,281

 

 
2,425,281

 

Asset-backed securities
286,655

 

 
286,655

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities
321,237

 

 
321,237

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
275,278

 

 
275,278

 

Collateralized loan obligations
60,076

 

 
60,076

 

Debt securities issued by foreign  sovereign governments
39,170

 
39,170

 

 

Total debt securities
4,609,614

 
227,994

 
4,379,774

 
1,846

Equity securities (1)
3,055

 
2,734

 

 
321

Total investment portfolio
$
4,612,669

 
$
230,728

 
$
4,379,774

 
$
2,167

Real estate acquired (2)
$
12,658

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,658


(1)
Equity securities in Level 3 are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
(2)
Real estate acquired through claim settlement, which is held for sale, is reported in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.


21



There were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2 during the first nine months of 2015.

For assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
 
Debt
 Securities
 
Equity
 Securities
 
Total
Investments
 
Real Estate
 Acquired
 
(In thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2015
$
1,634

 
$
321

 
$
1,955

 
$
7,995

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net

 

 

 
(1,031
)
Purchases

 
2,535

 
2,535

 
9,632

Sales
(247
)
 

 
(247
)
 
(6,512
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2015
$
1,387

 
$
2,856

 
$
4,243

 
$
10,084

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2015 attributable to the change in  unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2015
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


 
Debt
 Securities
 
Equity
 Securities
 
Total
Investments
 
Real Estate
Acquired
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
1,846

 
$
321

 
$
2,167

 
$
12,658

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net

 

 

 
(1,503
)
Purchases
7

 
2,535

 
2,542

 
26,346

Sales
(466
)
 

 
(466
)
 
(27,417
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2015
$
1,387

 
$
2,856

 
$
4,243

 
$
10,084

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2015
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


 
Debt
 Securities
 
Equity
Securities
 
Total
Investments
 
Real Estate
Acquired
 
(In thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2014
$
2,231

 
$
321

 
$
2,552

 
$
10,804

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net

 

 

 
(2,062
)
Purchases

 

 

 
14,107

Sales
(237
)
 

 
(237
)
 
(6,284
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014
$
1,994

 
$
321

 
$
2,315

 
$
16,565

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2014 attributable to the change in  unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2014
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


22




 
Debt
 Securities
 
Equity
Securities
 
Total
Investments
 
Real Estate
Acquired
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
2,423

 
$
321

 
$
2,744

 
$
13,280

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net

 

 

 
(4,378
)
Purchases
30

 

 
30

 
33,484

Sales
(459
)
 

 
(459
)
 
(25,821
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014
$
1,994

 
$
321

 
$
2,315

 
$
16,565

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2014
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


Authoritative guidance over disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments requires additional disclosure for financial instruments not measured at fair value. Certain financial instruments, including insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair value disclosure requirements. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents (Level 1) and accrued investment income (Level 2) approximated their fair values.

Additional fair value disclosures related to our investment portfolio are included in Note 7 – “Investments.”

We incur financial liabilities in the normal course of our business. The following tables present the carrying value and fair value of our financial liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the level within the fair value hierarchy at which such liabilities are measured on a recurring basis.
September 30, 2015
Par
 Value
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
 (Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
 (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
(In thousands)
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes
$
61,953

 
$
62,027

 
$

 
$
62,027

 
$

Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
345,000

 
366,749

 

 
366,749

 

Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
500,000

 
719,375

 

 
719,375

 

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
389,522

 
485,648

 

 
485,648

 

Total Debt
$
1,296,475

 
$
1,633,799

 
$

 
$
1,633,799

 
$



23



December 31, 2014
Par
 Value
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
 (Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
 Inputs
 (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
 (Level 3)
 
(In thousands)
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes
$
61,953

 
$
63,618

 
$

 
$
63,618

 
$

Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
345,000

 
387,997

 

 
387,997

 

Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
500,000

 
735,075

 

 
735,075

 

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
389,522

 
500,201

 

 
500,201

 

Total Debt
$
1,296,475

 
$
1,686,891

 
$

 
$
1,686,891

 
$


The fair values of our Senior Notes, Convertible Senior Notes and Debentures were determined using available pricing for these notes or debentures and are considered Level 2 securities.

Note 9 – Other Comprehensive Income

The pretax components of our other comprehensive income (loss) and the related income tax (expense) benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are included in the tables below.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
$
27,271

 
$
(17,377
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(9,531
)
 
6,069

Valuation allowance (1)
77,555

 
(5,993
)
Net of taxes
95,295

 
(17,301
)
 
 
 
 
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations
(546
)
 
(1,732
)
Income tax benefit
192

 
606

Valuation allowance (1)
(7,001
)
 
(606
)
Net of taxes
(7,355
)
 
(1,732
)
 
 
 
 
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
(3,724
)
 
(3,835
)
Income tax benefit
1,306

 
1,345

Valuation allowance (1)
(529
)
 

Net of taxes
(2,947
)
 
(2,490
)
 
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
23,001

 
(22,944
)
Total income tax benefit, net of valuation allowance
61,992

 
1,421

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
$
84,993

 
$
(21,523
)


24



 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Net unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period
$
(17,126
)
 
$
67,102

Income tax benefit (expense)
5,955

 
(23,436
)
Valuation allowance (1)
62,383

 
23,132

Net of taxes
51,212

 
66,798

 
 
 
 
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations
(1,638
)
 
(5,198
)
Income tax benefit
574

 
1,819

Valuation allowance (1)
(7,383
)
 
(1,819
)
Net of taxes
(8,447
)
 
(5,198
)
 
 
 
 
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
(6,228
)
 
(1,000
)
Income tax benefit
2,186

 
350

Valuation allowance (1)
(529
)
 

Net of taxes
(4,571
)
 
(650
)
 
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
(24,992
)
 
60,904

Total income tax benefit, net of valuation allowance
63,186

 
46

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
$
38,194

 
$
60,950


(1) See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a discussion of the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets.

The pretax and related income tax (expense) benefit components of the amounts reclassified from our accumulated other comprehensive loss to our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are included in the tables below.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains (losses) included in net income
$
(1,120
)
 
$
(840
)
Income tax benefit
395

 
299

Valuation allowance
(413
)
 
(330
)
Net of taxes
(1,138
)
 
(871
)
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to benefit plan assets and obligations
546

 
1,732

Income tax expense
(192
)
 
(606
)
Valuation allowance
192

 
606

Net of taxes
546

 
1,732

 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications
(574
)
 
892

Total income tax expense, net of valuation allowance
(18
)
 
(31
)
Total reclassifications, net of tax
$
(592
)
 
$
861



25



 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains (losses) included in net income (1)
$
10,591

 
$
(5,725
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(3,697
)
 
2,014

Valuation allowance
3,635

 
(2,075
)
Net of taxes
10,529

 
(5,786
)
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to benefit plan assets and obligations
1,638

 
5,198

Income tax expense
(574
)
 
(1,819
)
Valuation allowance
574

 
1,819

Net of taxes
1,638

 
5,198

 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications
12,229

 
(527
)
Total income tax expense, net of valuation allowance
(62
)
 
(61
)
Total reclassifications, net of tax
$
12,167

 
$
(588
)

(1)
The reclassification adjustment for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 has been recast to conform to the 2015 method for determining amounts included in net income. This revision had no impact to our consolidated financial statements and is not material to amounts disclosed by us in prior periods.

Changes in our accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”), including amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss), for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are included in the table below.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Unrealized
gains and
losses on
available-for-
sale
securities
 
 
Defined
benefit plans
 
 
Foreign
currency
translation
 
Total
accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014, net of tax
$
(57,551
)
 
 
$
(28,938
)
 
 
$
5,148

 
$
(81,341
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
61,741

 
 
(6,809
)
 
 
(4,571
)
 
50,361

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Amounts reclassified from AOCL
10,529

(1)
 
1,638

(2)
 

 
12,167

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2015, net of tax
$
(6,339
)
 
 
$
(37,385
)
 
 
$
577

 
$
(43,147
)

(1)
Increases Net realized investment gains on the consolidated statements of operations.
(2)
Decreases Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

Note 10 – Benefit Plans

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension, supplemental executive retirement and other postretirement benefit plans:


26



 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Pension and Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Service cost
$
2,564

 
$
2,142

 
$
208

 
$
165

Interest cost
3,962

 
3,997

 
174

 
164

Expected return on plan assets
(5,278
)
 
(5,258
)
 
(1,248
)
 
(1,162
)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
1,372

 
271

 
(44
)
 
(109
)
Amortization of prior service cost
(211
)
 
(233
)
 
(1,661
)
 
(1,663
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)
$
2,409

 
$
919

 
$
(2,571
)
 
$
(2,605
)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Pension and Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Service cost
$
7,692

 
$
6,425

 
$
624

 
$
494

Interest cost
11,886

 
11,991

 
523

 
491

Expected return on plan assets
(15,832
)
 
(15,773
)
 
(3,743
)
 
(3,486
)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
4,114

 
812

 
(132
)
 
(326
)
Amortization of prior service cost
(633
)
 
(698
)
 
(4,986
)
 
(4,988
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)
$
7,227

 
$
2,757

 
$
(7,714
)
 
$
(7,815
)

We have made payments totaling $17 million in connection with our qualified pension and supplemental executive retirement plans, completing our annual funding for 2015.

Note 11 – Income Taxes

Valuation Allowance

We review the need to maintain the deferred tax asset valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. We analyze many factors, among which are the severity and frequency of operating losses, our capacity for the carryback or carryforward of any losses, the existence and current level of taxable operating income, operating results on a three year cumulative basis, the expected occurrence of future income or loss, the expiration dates of the loss carryforwards, the cyclical nature of our operating results, and available tax planning strategies. Based on our analysis, we reduced our benefit from income tax through the recognition of a valuation allowance from the first quarter of 2009 through the second quarter of 2015.

In the third quarter of 2015, based on our analysis, as described more fully below, we concluded that it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets would be fully realizable and that the valuation allowance was no longer necessary. Therefore, we reversed the valuation allowance under the applicable accounting rules for a reversal in an interim period. Specifically, the portion of the valuation allowance release related to the deferred tax asset that is expected to be realized in the current year is included in the computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate. This amount, which totaled $124.4 million and $25.3 million for the first three quarters and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively, is or will be applied to net income through a reduction of the tax provision. The portion of the valuation allowance release related to deferred tax assets that are expected to be realized in future years, totaling $758.9 million, is treated as a discrete period item and is recognized as a component of the tax provision in continuing operations in the period of the release. Furthermore, in determining the discrete period impact from the release, we removed the prior period disproportionate tax effects that had arisen in other comprehensive income because of the valuation allowance. This reduced the amount of tax benefit included in net income and resulted in an allocation of tax benefit of $60.8 million to components of other comprehensive income.

For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the reversal of our valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets resulted in a $698.1 million benefit in our provision for income taxes. In addition, we reversed $41.2 million and $124.4

27



million of our valuation allowance and reduced our tax provision on income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The change in valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $70.0 million and $54.5 million, respectively. The total valuation allowance as of December 31, 2014 was $902.3 million.

The following table provides a roll forward of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and period then ended
 
(In millions)
Beginning Balance December 31, 2014
$
902.3

 
 
Reduction in tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2015
(124.4
)
Reduction in tax provision allocated to the three months ended December 31, 2015
(25.3
)
Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015
6.3

Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in the current year
(143.4
)
 
 
Amounts related to the release of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance recorded in the three months ending September 30, 2015
 
Reduction in tax provision for amounts to be realized in future years
(698.1
)
Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income to be realized in future years
(60.8
)
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets realizable in future years
(758.9
)
 
 
Ending Balance September 30, 2015
$


In our analysis we evaluated both subjective and objective evidence and assigned a weight to each one. Significant weight was given to our most recent operating results and our ability to sustain them. We have experienced a significant reduction in losses incurred as our level of default notices received and in inventory has declined, as the effects of the financial crisis continue to ebb. New insurance written in recent years has been of high quality and is expected to be profitable well into the future. Historically, the results of mortgage insurers have been cyclical, where periods of operating losses have been followed by significant amounts of income. All of these factors have had a positive effect on operating results. Our level of income for each of the first three quarters of 2015 exceeded $100 million. We viewed the recurring nature of our income as very important, objectively verifiable evidence and gave it great weight in our analysis. Based on the above, we believe that we will have significant sources of income which will allow for utilization of our deferred tax assets.

Generally, a significant component of any analysis for the recognition of deferred tax assets includes the objective observation of operating results for a period of time. In this regard, we considered the level of cumulative operating income, as adjusted for any permanent tax differences. There is no specific requirement that indicates the time span for this evaluation. In our evaluation, we used a three year period, which, based on our investigation, is commonly used by many publicly held entities. Prior to the third quarter of 2015, this three year cumulative total had been materially negative for an extended period of time, which we considered to be objective, negative evidence which would not support the release of the valuation allowance. In the third quarter, this amount became positive and totaled $194.1 million, which we believe provided additional objective evidence which supports the release of the valuation allowance.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, our net operating loss carryforward (“NOL”) for U.S. federal regular income tax purposes reached $2.6 billion, which was the highest amount it attained. As of September 30, 2015, the estimated remaining NOLs total $2.1 billion, a reduction of approximately $500 million in less than two years. At this rate, and without taking into account any improvement in earnings, we would utilize the NOL in approximately seven years. In addition to this history of the utilization of our NOLs, we considered that the amount of income that we have been generating has been increasing over time. In the first three quarters of 2015, we reduced our NOLs by an average of $120.4 million per quarter, whereas in 2014 that amount was $52.2 million per quarter. At the 2015 rate, we would utilize the NOLs on our return by the end of 2020. The earliest current expiration date for our NOLs is 2029. This recent history of positive earnings trends indicates that it is more likely than not that the NOLs would be utilized well before they expire. Further, we currently have no limitations under the change in control provisions of Internal

28



Revenue Code Section 382, which would reduce our ability to utilize our NOLs. We have taken steps, primarily through our Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, to attempt to prevent any change in control which would limit the utilization of our NOLs.

The effect of the change in valuation allowance on the provision for income taxes was as follows:
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Provision for income tax
$
43,694

 
$
25,030

 
$
131,568

 
$
65,322

Change in valuation allowance
(739,298
)
 
(24,781
)
 
(822,465
)
 
(63,229
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
$
(695,604
)
 
$
249

 
$
(690,897
)
 
$
2,093


The change in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was a decrease of $70.0 million and an increase of $6.6 million, respectively. The change in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was a decrease of $54.5 million and a decrease of $21.3 million, respectively.

We have approximately $2.1 billion of NOL carryforwards on a regular tax basis and $1.2 billion of NOL carryforwards for computing the alternative minimum tax as of September 30, 2015. Any unutilized carryforwards are scheduled to expire at the end of tax years 2029 through 2033. In future years with taxable income and until such time as our NOL carryforwards are exhausted or expired, our provision for income tax would likely exceed the amount of cash tax payments.

Tax Contingencies

As previously disclosed, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued proposed assessments for taxes, interest and penalties related to our treatment of the flow-through income and loss from an investment in a portfolio of residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”). The IRS indicated that it did not believe that, for various reasons, we had established sufficient tax basis in the REMIC residual interests to deduct the losses from taxable income. We appealed these assessments within the IRS and in August 2010, we reached a tentative settlement agreement with the IRS which was not finalized.

On September 10, 2014, we received Notices of Deficiency (commonly referred to as “90 day letters”) covering the 2000-2007 tax years. The Notices of Deficiency reflect taxes and penalties related to the REMIC matters of $197.5 million and at September 30, 2015, there would also be interest related to these matters of approximately $179.2 million. In 2007, we made a payment of $65.2 million to the United States Department of the Treasury which will reduce any amounts we would ultimately owe. The Notices of Deficiency also reflect additional amounts due of $261.4 million, which are primarily associated with the disallowance of the carryback of the 2009 net operating loss to the 2004-2007 tax years. We believe the IRS included the carryback adjustments as a precaution to keep open the statute of limitations on collection of the tax that was refunded when this loss was carried back, and not because the IRS actually intends to disallow the carryback permanently.

We filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting most of the IRS' proposed adjustments reflected in the Notices of Deficiency and the IRS has filed an answer to our petition which continues to assert their claim. Litigation to resolve our dispute with the IRS could be lengthy and costly in terms of legal fees and related expenses. We can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of any such litigation or whether a compromised settlement with the IRS will ultimately be reached and finalized. Depending on the outcome of this matter, additional state income taxes and state interest may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of September 30, 2015, those state taxes and interest would approximate $48.4 million. In addition, there could also be state tax penalties. Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2015 is $106.9 million, which represents the tax benefits generated by the REMIC portfolio included in our tax returns that we have not taken benefit for in our financial statements, including any related interest. We continue to believe that our previously recorded tax provisions and liabilities are appropriate. However, we would need to make appropriate adjustments, which could be material, to our tax provision and liabilities if our view of the probability of success in this matter changes, and the ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material negative impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows, available assets and statutory capital. In this regard, see Note 1 – “Nature of Business – Capital-GSEs.”


29



In October 2014, we received a Revenue Agent’s Report from the IRS related to the examination of our federal income tax returns for the years 2011 and 2012.  The result of the examination had no material effect on the financial statements.

The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits, related to our aforementioned REMIC issue that would affect our effective tax rate is $93.7 million. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had accrued $27.6 million and $26.9 million, respectively, for the payment of interest.

Note 12 – Loss Reserves

We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. Loss reserves are established by estimating the number of loans in our inventory of delinquent loans that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity.

Estimation of losses is inherently judgmental. The conditions that affect the claim rate and claim severity include the current and future state of the domestic economy, including unemployment, and the current and future strength of local housing markets. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrower income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values which may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Changes to our estimates could result in a material impact to our results of operations and capital position, even in a stable economic environment.

The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Reserve at beginning of period
$
2,396,807

 
$
3,061,401

Less reinsurance recoverable
57,841

 
64,085

Net reserve at beginning of period
2,338,966

 
2,997,316

 
 
 
 
Losses incurred:
 
 
 
Losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices related to:
 
 
 
Current year
338,611

 
454,390

Prior years (1)
(90,130
)
 
(75,387
)
Subtotal
248,481

 
379,003

 
 
 
 
Losses paid:
 
 
 
Losses and LAE paid in respect of default notices related to:
 
 
 
Current year
9,227

 
11,574

Prior years
652,465

 
895,061

Reinsurance terminations (2)
(15,440
)
 

Subtotal
646,252

 
906,635

 
 
 
 
Net reserve at end of period
1,941,195

 
2,469,684

Plus reinsurance recoverables
38,748

 
57,898

 
 
 
 
Reserve at end of period
$
1,979,943

 
$
2,527,582



30



(1)
A negative number for prior year losses incurred indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves and a positive number for prior year losses incurred indicates a deficiency of prior year loss reserves.
(2)
In a termination or commutation, the reinsurance agreement is cancelled, with no future premium ceded and funds for any incurred but unpaid losses transferred to us. The transferred funds result in an increase in our investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents) and a decrease in net losses paid (reduction in losses incurred). In addition, there is an offsetting decrease in the reinsurance recoverable (increase in losses incurred), and thus there is no net impact to losses incurred.

The “Losses incurred” section of the table above shows losses incurred on default notices received in the current year and in prior years.  The amount of losses incurred relating to default notices received in the current year represents the estimated amount to be ultimately paid on such default notices.  The amount of losses incurred relating to default notices received in prior years represents the actual claim rate and severity associated with those default notices resolved in the current year differing from the estimated liability at the prior year-end, as well as a re-estimation of amounts to be ultimately paid on defaults remaining in inventory from the end of the prior year.  This re-estimation of the estimated claim rate and estimated severity is the result of our review of current trends in the default inventory, such as percentages of defaults that have resulted in a claim, the amount of the claims, changes in the relative level of defaults by geography and changes in average loan exposure.

Losses incurred on default notices received in the current year decreased in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to a decrease in the number of new default notices received, net of related cures, as well as a decrease in the estimated claim rate on new delinquencies.

The prior year development of the reserves in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 is reflected in the table below.
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Decrease in estimated claim rate on primary defaults
$
(95
)
 
$
(38
)
Increase in estimated severity on primary defaults
12

 
(20
)
Change in estimates related to pool reserves, LAE reserves and reinsurance
(7
)
 
(17
)
Total prior year loss development (1)
$
(90
)
 
$
(75
)

(1)
A negative number for prior year loss development indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves, and a positive number indicates a deficiency of prior year loss reserves.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 we experienced favorable prior year loss reserve development. This development was primarily due to a lower claim rate on the approximately 52% and 50% of prior year default inventory that was resolved during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  In addition, during the first nine months of 2015, the claim rate development was favorably impacted by $21 million due to re-estimation of previously recorded reserves relating to disputes on our claims paying practices and adjustments to incurred but not reported losses (IBNR).  This favorable development was offset, in part, by an increase in the claim rate and severity on prior year defaults remaining in the delinquent inventory.

The “Losses paid” section of the table above shows the breakdown between claims paid on default notices received in the current year and claims paid on default notices received in prior years. Until a few years ago, it took, on average, approximately twelve months for a default that is not cured to develop into a paid claim. Over the past several years, the average time it takes to receive a claim associated with a default has increased. This is, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. It is difficult to estimate how long it may take for current and future defaults that do not cure to develop into paid claims.

The liability associated with our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected claim payments is accrued for separately at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and approximated $105 million and $115 million, respectively. Separate components of this liability are included in “Other liabilities” and, for December 31, 2014, “Premium deficiency reserve” on our consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the liability affect premiums written and earned and change in premium deficiency reserve.

A rollforward of our primary default inventory for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 appears in the table below. The information concerning new notices and cures is compiled from monthly reports received from loan servicers.

31



The level of new notice and cure activity reported in a particular month can be influenced by, among other things, the date on which a servicer generates its report, the number of business days in a month and transfers of servicing between loan servicers.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Default inventory at beginning of period
66,357

 
85,416

 
79,901

 
103,328

New notices
19,509

 
22,927

 
55,856

 
67,451

Cures
(17,036
)
 
(19,582
)
 
(56,700
)
 
(68,082
)
Paids (including those charged to a deductible or captive)
(3,958
)
 
(5,288
)
 
(12,671
)
 
(18,420
)
Rescissions and denials
(230
)
 
(319
)
 
(623
)
 
(1,123
)
Items removed from inventory resulting from the Countrywide settlement on GSE loans

 

 
(1,121
)
 

Default inventory at end of period
64,642

 
83,154

 
64,642

 
83,154


Pool insurance notice inventory was 2,950 at September 30, 2015 and 4,525 at September 30, 2014.

The decrease in the primary default inventory experienced during 2015 and 2014 was generally across all markets and primarily in book years 2008 and prior. As of September 30, 2015 the percentage of loans in the inventory that have been in default for 12 or more consecutive months has declined compared with the prior year end and one year prior, as shown in the table below. Historically as a default ages it becomes more likely to result in a claim. The percentage of loans that have been in default for 12 or more consecutive months and the number of loans in our primary claims received inventory have been affected by our suspended rescissions and the resolution of certain of those rescissions discussed below and in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Consecutive months in default
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 months or less
13,991

 
22
%
 
15,319

 
19
%
 
16,209

 
19
%
4 - 11 months
14,703

 
23
%
 
19,710

 
25
%
 
18,890

 
23
%
12 months or more
35,948

 
55
%
 
44,872

 
56
%
 
48,055

 
58
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total primary default inventory
64,642

 
100
%
 
79,901

 
100
%
 
83,154

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary claims received inventory included in ending default inventory (1)
2,982

 
5
%
 
4,746

 
6
%
 
5,194

 
6
%

(1)
Our claims received inventory includes suspended rescissions, as we have voluntarily suspended rescissions of coverage related to loans that we believed would be included in a potential resolution. As of September 30, 2015, rescissions of coverage on approximately 430 loans had been voluntarily suspended compared to 1,425 at December 31, 2014 and 1,575 at September 30, 2014.

The number of months a loan is in the default inventory can differ from the number of payments that the borrower has not made or is considered delinquent. These differences typically result from a borrower making monthly payments that do not result in the loan becoming fully current. The number of payments that a borrower is delinquent is shown in the table below.
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Number of payments delinquent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 payments or less
20,637

 
32
%
 
23,253

 
29
%
 
23,769

 
28
%
4 - 11 payments
14,890

 
23
%
 
19,427

 
24
%
 
18,985

 
23
%
12 payments or more
29,115

 
45
%
 
37,221

 
47
%
 
40,400

 
49
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total primary default inventory
64,642

 
100
%
 
79,901

 
100
%
 
83,154

 
100
%


32



Claims paying practices

Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions. A variance between ultimate actual rescission rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.

The liability associated with our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected future rescissions is accrued for separately. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 the estimate of this liability totaled $7 million and $28 million, respectively. Separate components of this liability are included in “Other liabilities” and, for December 31, 2014, “Premium deficiency reserve” on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the liability affect premiums written and earned and change in premium deficiency reserve.

For information about discussions and legal proceedings with customers with respect to our claims paying practices, including settlements that we believe are probable, as defined in ASC 450-20, see Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

Note 13 – Premium Deficiency Reserve

The premium deficiency reserve reflects the present value of expected future losses and expenses that exceed the present value of expected future premiums and established loss reserves. Each quarter, we re-estimate the premium deficiency reserve on the remaining Wall Street bulk insurance in force. As of September 30, 2015, no premium deficiency was required, consistent with the period ended June 30, 2015.  The decrease in the premium deficiency reserve for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $24 million, and the decrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $6 million and $19 million, respectively.

Note 14 – Shareholders’ Equity

Our Shareholders Rights Agreement dated July 25, 2012, which was approved by shareholders, was amended and restated on July 23, 2015 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement seeks to diminish the risk that our ability to use our net operating losses (“NOLs”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited and to deter certain abusive takeover practices. The benefit of the NOLs would be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the NOLs could be substantially delayed, if we were to experience an “ownership change” as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Under the Agreement each outstanding share of our Common Stock is accompanied by one Right. The Distribution Date occurs on the earlier of ten days after a public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person, or ten business days after a person announces or begins a tender offer in which consummation of such offer would result in a person becoming an Acquiring Person. An Acquiring Person is any person that becomes, by itself or together with its affiliates and associates, a beneficial owner of 5% or more of the shares of our Common Stock then outstanding, but excludes, among others, certain exempt and grandfathered persons as defined in the Agreement. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. Each Right will initially entitle shareholders to buy one-tenth of one share of our Common Stock at a Purchase Price of $45 per full share (equivalent to $4.50 for each one-tenth share), subject to adjustment. Each exercisable Right (subject to certain limitations) will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Rights’ then-current Purchase Price, a number of our shares of Common Stock (or if after the Shares Acquisition Date, we are acquired in a business combination, common shares of the acquiror) having a market value at the time equal to twice the Purchase Price. The Rights will expire on August 1, 2018, or earlier as described in the Agreement. The Rights are redeemable at a price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time a person becomes an Acquiring Person. Other than certain amendments, the Board of Directors may amend the Rights in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights.

Note 15 – Stock-Based Compensation

We have an incentive stock plan under which restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were granted to employees. Our annual grant of share-based compensation to employees takes place during the first quarter of each fiscal year. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period which generally corresponds to the vesting period. Awards under our incentive plan generally vest over periods ranging from one to three years. The number of shares granted to employees and the weighted average fair value per share during the periods presented were (shares in thousands):

33



 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Shares
Granted
 
Weighted
Average
Share Fair
Value
 
Shares
Granted
 
Weighted
Average
Share Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RSUs subject to performance conditions
1,144

 
$
9.04

 
1,372

 
$
8.43

RSUs subject only to service conditions
410

 
8.99

 
409

 
8.43


Note 16 – Statutory Capital

Statutory Capital Requirements

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements” and, together with the GSE Financial Requirements, the “Financial Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.

At September 30, 2015, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 12.3 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $1.1 billion above the required MPP of $1.1 billionIn calculating our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP, we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our reinsurance transaction with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance agreement, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, you should read the rest of these financial statement footnotes for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

At September 30, 2015, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes reinsurance affiliates) was 13.6 to 1. Reinsurance agreements with affiliates permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.  A higher risk-to-capital ratio on a combined basis may indicate that, in order for MGIC to continue to utilize reinsurance agreements with its affiliates, unless a waiver of the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin continues to be effective, additional capital contributions to the reinsurance affiliates could be needed.

The NAIC previously announced that it plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. A working group of state regulators is drafting the revisions, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to such requirements. Depending on the scope of revisions made by the NAIC, MGIC may be prevented from writing new business in the jurisdictions adopting such revisions.

If MGIC fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin and is unable to obtain a waiver of them from the OCI, MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in all jurisdictions. If MGIC fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of a jurisdiction other than Wisconsin and is unable to obtain a waiver of them, MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in that particular jurisdiction. It is possible that regulatory action by one or more jurisdictions, including those that do not have specific State Capital Requirements, may prevent MGIC from continuing to write new insurance in such jurisdictions.

If we are unable to write business in all jurisdictions, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere. In addition, a lender’s assessment of the future ability of our insurance operations to meet the Financial Requirements may affect its willingness to procure insurance from us. A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the Financial Requirements will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, you should read the rest of these financial statement footnotes for information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.


34



Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 101 (“SSAP No. 101”) became effective January 1, 2012 and prescribed new standards for determining the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized as admitted assets for determining statutory capital. Under a permitted practice effective September 30, 2012 the OCI approved MGIC to report its net deferred tax asset as an admitted asset in an amount not to exceed 10% of adjusted surplus as regards policyholders, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of SSAP No. 101. Net deferred tax assets of $138 million were included in MGIC’s statutory capital at December 31, 2014. Due to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance reversal as of September 30, 2015, MGIC no longer relies on the permitted practice and the deferred tax asset is admitted according to the stated provisions of SSAP No. 101. Under the stated provisions of SSAP No. 101, the admitted net deferred tax asset is 15% of adjusted surplus as regards policyholders. Net deferred tax assets of $211 million were included in MGIC's statutory capital as of September 30, 2015.

See Note 1 – “Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation – Capital” for additional information regarding the capital standards of the GSEs.


35



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

Overview

Through our subsidiaries MGIC and MIC, we are a leading provider of private mortgage insurance in the United States, as measured by $172.7 billion of primary insurance in force at September 30, 2015.

As used below, “we” and “our” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. We refer to this Discussion as the “10-K MD&A.” For additional information about such loans, see footnote (2) to the composition of primary default inventory table under “Results of Consolidated Operations-Losses-Losses incurred” below. The discussion of our business in this document generally does not apply to our Australian operations which have historically been immaterial. The results of our operations in Australia are included in the consolidated results disclosed. For additional information about our Australian operations, see our risk factor titled “Our Australian operations may suffer significant losses” and “Overview—Australia” in our 10-K MD&A.
 
Forward Looking and Other Statements

As discussed under “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors” below, actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements. 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. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

General Business Environment

As a provider of mortgage insurance, our results are subject to macroeconomic conditions and specific events that impact the mortgage origination environment and the credit performance of the underlying insured mortgages. The origination market through the first nine months of 2015 was strong in part because low residential mortgage interest rates led to a significant increase in refinancing activity and also supported a higher level of purchase activity. While lower residential mortgage interest rates increase loan activity, they may reduce the persistency rate of insurance in force as current rates would provide an incentive for homeowners who originated mortgages at higher rates to refinance their mortgages. Our level of incurred losses however, may be favorably impacted if homeowners with delinquent mortgages can cure their delinquency through a sale or modification. During the first three quarters of 2015, we experienced improved financial results compared to the first three quarters of 2014, due in part to a lower level of incurred losses as we received fewer notices of delinquencies and experienced a lower claim rate on these notices relative to the prior year and had favorable prior year loss development, in part due to a re-estimation of reserves relating to disputes regarding our claims paying practices. In addition to lower losses, our financial results for the first three quarters of 2015 benefited from realized gains on the sales of securities under favorable market conditions.

As of September 30, 2015, our insurance in force increased 6% compared to one year prior as a result of increasing market share in the second half of 2014 and a stronger mortgage origination market through the first nine months of 2015. We continue to experience an increasing level of application activity compared to the prior year that supports our expectation to increase our new insurance written in 2015 relative to 2014. As our post-2008 book years containing high-quality mortgages continue to become a more significant percentage of our insurance in force relative to our pre-2009 book years, we expect to continue to realize positive operating results.
  
For a number of years, substantially all of the loans we insured have been sold to the GSEs, which have been in conservatorship since late 2008.  When the conservatorship will end and what role, if any, the GSEs will play in the secondary mortgage market post-conservatorship will be determined by Congress.  The scope of the FHA’s large market presence may also change in connection with the determination of the future of the GSEs. See our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.”   While we strongly believe private mortgage insurance should be an integral part of credit enhancement in a future mortgage market, its role in that market cannot be predicted.

Capital

GSEs


36



In April 2015, the GSEs each released revised PMIERs that become effective December 31, 2015. The PMIERs include revised GSE Financial Requirements under which a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) must meet or exceed “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, we expect that MGIC will be in compliance with the PMIERs when they become effective. This expectation reflects, among other things, that the GSEs have allowed full credit under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our restructured quota share reinsurance transaction. In the third quarter of 2015, the restructured transaction became effective after being approved by each of the GSEs and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”). The GSEs’ ongoing approval of the transaction is subject to several conditions and the transaction will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually by the GSEs.
 
We expect to increase our Available Assets in the future by repatriating to MGIC certain assets of MGIC's MIC subsidiary. If additional Available Assets are required in the future, we believe that a portion of our holding company’s cash and investments may be available for future contribution to MGIC.

There can be no assurance that the GSEs will not make the PMIERs more onerous in the future; in this regard, the PMIERs provide that the tables of factors that determine Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs will provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of table updates. In addition, the GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time. If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings.

See our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility” for factors that may negatively impact MGIC’s ability to comply with the GSE Financial Requirements before their effective date.

State Regulations

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.

At September 30, 2015, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 12.3 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $1.1 billion above the required MPP of $1.1 billion. In calculating our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP, we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our reinsurance transaction with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance agreement, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, refer to our risk factor titled “State capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis” for more information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

GSE Reform

The FHFA is the conservator of the GSEs and has the authority to control and direct their operations. The increased role that the federal government has assumed in the residential housing finance system through the GSE conservatorship may increase the likelihood that the business practices of the GSEs change in ways that have a material adverse effect on us and that the charters of the GSEs are changed by new federal legislation. The financial reform legislation that was passed in July 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act” or “Dodd-Frank”) required the U.S. Department of the Treasury to report its recommendations regarding options for ending the conservatorship of the GSEs. This report did not provide any definitive timeline for GSE reform; however, it did recommend using a combination of federal housing policy changes to wind down the GSEs, shrink the government’s footprint in housing finance (including FHA insurance), and help bring private capital back to the mortgage market. Since then, Members of Congress introduced several bills intended to change the business practices of the GSEs and the FHA; however, no legislation has been enacted. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including

37



private mortgage insurance, will play in the residential housing finance system in the future or the impact of any such changes on our business. In addition, the timing of the impact of any resulting changes on our business is uncertain. Most meaningful changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when Congressional action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last.

Dodd-Frank requires lenders to consider a borrower’s ability to repay a home loan before extending credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) rule defining “Qualified Mortgage” (“QM”) for purposes of implementing the “ability to repay” law became effective in January 2014 and included a temporary category of QMs for mortgages that satisfy the general product feature requirements of QMs and meet the GSEs’ underwriting requirements (the “temporary category”). The temporary category will phase out when the GSEs’ conservatorship ends, or if sooner, on January 21, 2021.

Dodd-Frank requires a securitizer to retain at least 5% of the risk associated with mortgage loans that are securitized, and in some cases the retained risk may be allocated between the securitizer and the lender that originated the loan. The final rule implementing that requirement will become effective on December 24, 2015 for asset-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages. The final rule exempts securitizations of qualified residential mortgages (“QRMs”) from the risk retention requirement and generally aligns the QRM definition with that of QM. Because there is a temporary category of QMs for mortgages that satisfy the general product feature requirements of QMs and meet the GSEs’ underwriting requirements, lenders that originate loans that are sold to the GSEs while they are in conservatorship would not be required to retain risk associated with those loans. The final rule requires the agencies that implemented the rule to review the QRM definition no later than four years after its effective date and every five years thereafter, and allows each agency to request a review of the definition at any time.

We estimate that for our new risk written in 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, 83% and 85%, respectively, was for loans that would have met the CFPB’s general QM definition and, therefore, the QRM definition. We estimate that approximately 99% of our new risk written in each of 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, was for loans that would have met the temporary category in CFPB’s QM definition. Changes in the treatment of GSE-guaranteed mortgage loans in the regulations defining QM and QRM, or changes in the conservatorship or capital support provided to the GSEs by the U.S. Government, could impact the manner in which the risk-retention rules apply to GSE securitizations, originators who sell loans to GSEs and our business.

The GSEs have different loan purchase programs that allow different levels of mortgage insurance coverage. Under the “charter coverage” program, on certain loans lenders may choose a mortgage insurance coverage percentage that is less than the GSEs’ “standard coverage” and only the minimum required by the GSEs’ charters, with the GSEs paying a lower price for such loans. In 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, nearly all of our volume was on loans with GSE standard or higher coverage. We charge higher premium rates for higher coverage percentages. To the extent lenders selling loans to the GSEs in the future choose lower coverage for loans that we insure, our revenues would be reduced and we could experience other adverse effects.

For additional information about the business practices of the GSEs, see our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.”

Loan Modification and Other Similar Programs

Our operating results continue to be impacted by the Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”) and the GSEs’ Home Affordable Refinance Program (“HARP”). During the first nine months of each of 2015 and 2014, we were notified of modifications that cured delinquencies that had they become paid claims would have resulted in approximately $479 million and $620 million, respectively, of estimated claim payments. Based on information that is provided to us, most of the modifications resulted in reduced payments from interest rate and/or amortization period adjustments. Approximately 7% of the modifications resulted in principal forgiveness in each of the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In each of 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, approximately 16% of our primary cures were the result of modifications, with HAMP accounting for approximately 67% of the modifications in each of those periods. We are aware of approximately 5,150 loans in our primary delinquent inventory at September 30, 2015 for which the HAMP trial period has begun and which trial periods have not been reported to us as completed or cancelled. The HAMP program has been extended through December 2016, however we believe that we have realized the majority of the benefits from HAMP as the number of loans insured by us that we are aware are entering HAMP trial modification periods has decreased significantly.


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HARP, currently scheduled to expire December 31, 2016, allows borrowers who are not delinquent but who may not otherwise be able to refinance their loans under the current GSE underwriting standards, to refinance their loans. We allow HARP refinances on loans that we insure, regardless of whether the loan meets our current underwriting standards, and we account for the refinance as a loan modification (even where there is a new lender) rather than new insurance written. As of September 30, 2015, approximately 13% of our primary insurance in force had benefited from HARP and was still in force. We believe that we have realized the majority of the benefits from HARP because the number of loans insured by us that we are aware are entering HARP has decreased significantly.

As shown in the following table, as of September 30, 2015 approximately 24% of our primary risk in force has been modified.
Policy year
 
HARP (1)
Modifications
 
HAMP
Modifications
 
Other
Modifications
2003 and Prior
 
10.6
%
 
16.4
%
 
14.1
%
2004
 
17.1
%
 
16.3
%
 
12.4
%
2005
 
22.5
%
 
17.2
%
 
12.3
%
2006
 
25.9
%
 
19.0
%
 
12.8
%
2007
 
36.0
%
 
19.0
%
 
8.1
%
2008
 
50.0
%
 
11.3
%
 
4.0
%
2009
 
23.1
%
 
1.2
%
 
0.9
%
2010 - Q3 2015
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
13.1
%
 
6.7
%
 
3.7
%
 
(1)
Includes proprietary programs that are substantially the same as HARP.

As of September 30, 2015 based on loan count, the loans associated with 97.8% of HARP modifications, 77.5% of HAMP modifications and 71.5% of other modifications remaining in our inventory were current.

Eligibility under certain loan modification programs can adversely affect us by creating an incentive for borrowers who are able to make their mortgage payments to become delinquent in an attempt to obtain the benefits of a modification. New notices of delinquency increase our incurred losses.

Over the past several years, the average time it takes to receive a claim associated with a defaulted loan has increased. This is, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. Unless a loan is cured during a foreclosure delay, at the completion of the foreclosure, additional interest and expenses may be due to the lender from the borrower. In some circumstances, our paid claim amount may include some additional interest and expenses.
 
Factors Affecting Our Results

Our results of operations are affected by:

Premiums written and earned

Premiums written and earned in a year are influenced by:

New insurance written, which increases insurance in force, and is the aggregate principal amount of the mortgages that are insured during a period. Many factors affect new insurance written, including the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations and competition to provide credit enhancement on those mortgages, including competition from the FHA and VA, other mortgage insurers, GSE programs that may reduce or eliminate the demand for mortgage insurance and other alternatives to mortgage insurance. New insurance written does not include loans previously insured by us which are modified, such as loans modified under HARP.

Cancellations, which reduce insurance in force. Cancellations due to refinancings are affected by the level of current mortgage interest rates compared to the mortgage coupon rates throughout the in force book. Refinancings are also

39



affected by current home values compared to values when the loans in the in force book became insured and the terms on which mortgage credit is available. Cancellations also include rescissions, which require us to return any premiums received related to the rescinded policy, and policies cancelled due to claim payment, which require us to return any premium received from the date of default. Finally, cancellations are affected by home price appreciation, which can give homeowners the right to cancel the mortgage insurance on their loans.

Premium rates, which are affected by product type, competitive pressures, the risk characteristics of the loans insured and the percentage of coverage on the loans. The substantial majority of our monthly mortgage insurance premiums are under a premium plan in which, for the first ten years of the policy, the amount of premium is determined by multiplying the premium rate by the original loan balance; thereafter, the premium declines because a lower premium rate is used for the remaining life of the policy. However, for loans that have utilized HARP, the initial ten-year period was reset to begin as of the date of the HARP transaction. The remainder of our monthly premiums are under a premium plan in which premiums are determined by a fixed percentage of the loan’s amortizing balance over the life of the policy.

Premiums ceded, net of a profit commission, under reinsurance agreements.

Premiums are generated by the insurance that is in force during all or a portion of the period. A change in the average insurance in force in the current period compared to an earlier period is a factor that will increase (when the average in force is higher) or reduce (when it is lower) premiums written and earned in the current period, although this effect may be enhanced (or mitigated) by differences in the average premium rate between the two periods as well as by premiums that are returned or expected to be returned in connection with claim payments and rescissions, and premiums ceded under reinsurance agreements. Also, new insurance written and cancellations during a period will generally have a greater effect on premiums written and earned in subsequent periods than in the period in which these events occur.

Investment income

Our investment portfolio is comprised principally of investment grade fixed income securities. The principal factors that influence investment income are the size of the portfolio and its yield. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair market value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of the investment portfolio is mainly a function of cash generated from (or used in) operations, such as net premiums received, investment earnings, net claim payments and expenses, and cash provided by (or used for) non-operating activities, such as debt or stock issuances or repurchases. From time to time we may elect to realize gains on securities that are trading above our cost basis. 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 “other than temporary” 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.

Losses incurred

Losses incurred are the current expense that reflects estimated payments that will ultimately be made as a result of defaults on insured loans. As explained under “Critical Accounting Policies” in our 10-K MD&A, except in the case of a premium deficiency reserve, we recognize an estimate of this expense only for delinquent loans. Losses incurred are generally affected by:

The state of the economy, including unemployment and housing values, each of which affects the likelihood that loans will become delinquent and whether loans that are delinquent cure their delinquency. The level of new delinquencies has historically followed a seasonal pattern, with new delinquencies in the first part of the year lower than new delinquencies in the latter part of the year, though this pattern can be affected by the state of the economy and local housing markets.

The product mix of the in force book, with loans having higher risk characteristics generally resulting in higher delinquencies and claims.

The size of loans insured, with higher average loan amounts tending to increase losses incurred.

The percentage of coverage on insured loans, with deeper average coverage tending to increase incurred losses.

Changes in housing values, which affect our ability to mitigate our losses through sales of properties with defaulted mortgages as well as borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance.

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The rate at which we rescind policies. Our estimated loss reserves reflect mitigation from rescissions of policies and denials of claims. We collectively refer to such rescissions and denials as “rescissions” and variations of this term.

The distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after loans are originated are a period of relatively low claims, with claims increasing substantially for several years subsequent and then declining, although persistency (percentage of insurance remaining in force from one year prior), the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices, and other factors can affect this pattern. For example, a weak economy or housing price declines can lead to claims from older books increasing, continuing at stable levels or experiencing a lower rate of decline. See further information under “Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle” below.

Losses ceded under reinsurance agreements. See “Reinsurance agreements” below.

Changes in premium deficiency reserve

Each quarter, we re-estimate the premium deficiency reserve on the remaining Wall Street bulk insurance in force. The premium deficiency reserve primarily changes from quarter to quarter as a result of two factors.  First, it changes as the actual premiums, losses and expenses that were previously estimated are recognized. Each period such items are reflected in our financial statements as earned premium, losses incurred and expenses. The difference between the amount and timing of actual earned premiums, losses incurred and expenses and our previous estimates used to establish the premium deficiency reserve has an effect (either positive or negative) on that period’s results. Second, the premium deficiency reserve changes as our assumptions relating to the present value of expected future premiums, losses and expenses on the remaining Wall Street bulk insurance in force change. Changes to these assumptions also have an effect on that period’s results.

Underwriting and other expenses

The majority of our operating expenses are fixed, with some variability due to contract underwriting volume. Contract underwriting generates fee income included in “Other revenue.” Underwriting and other expenses are net of any ceding commission associated with our reinsurance agreements. See “Reinsurance agreements” below.
   
Interest expense

Interest expense reflects the interest associated with our outstanding debt obligations. The principal amount of our long-term debt obligations at September 30, 2015 is comprised of $61.9 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, $345 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017, $500 million of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 and $389.5 million of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063 (interest on these debentures accrues and compounds even if we defer the payment of interest), as discussed in Note 8 – “Debt” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle

In our industry, a “book” is the group of loans insured in a particular calendar year. 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 following the year the book was written. Subsequent years of a book generally result in modest underwriting profit or underwriting losses. This pattern of results typically 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 increasing losses.

Summary of 2015 Third Quarter Results

Our results of operations for the third quarter of 2015 were principally affected by the factors referred to below.
 
Net premiums written and earned

Net premiums written and earned during the third quarter of 2015 increased when compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was due to a commutation of our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement and higher average insurance in force.

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The reinsurance commutation resulted in a return to us of written premiums previously ceded to reinsurers and an increase in our profit commission due to a related return of ceding commissions to the reinsurers. In addition, premiums under our 2015 reinsurance transaction are ceded on an earned and received basis rather than on a written basis as required under our 2013 reinsurance transaction. Due to the implementation of the 2015 reinsurance transaction during the third quarter, the percentage of premiums ceded was below the level expected on a recurring basis in future periods as cash collection generally lags premiums written.

Investment income

Investment income in the third quarter of 2015 was higher when compared to the same period in 2014 due to an increase in our average investment yield.

Realized gains (losses) and other-than-temporary impairments

Net realized gains for each of the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 were $0.6 million At September 30, 2015, the net unrealized losses in our investment portfolio were $10.0 million, which included $48.9 million of gross unrealized losses, offset by $38.9 million of gross unrealized gains.

Losses incurred 

Losses incurred for the third quarter of 2015 decreased compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to fewer new notices of default being received, a lower claim rate on new notices and an increase in favorable development on prior year loss reserves. There were 19,509 new notices received in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 22,927 new notices received in the third quarter of 2014.

Underwriting and other expenses

Underwriting and other expenses for the third quarter of 2015 increased when compared to the same period last year primarily due to a return of ceding commissions to reinsurers as a result of commuting our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement.

Interest expense

Interest expense was relatively constant period over period.

Provision for income taxes

We had a net (benefit) provision for income taxes of ($695.6) million and $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The (benefit) provision for income taxes reflects a decrease in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $739.3 million and $24.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Results of Consolidated Operations

New insurance written

The amount of our primary new insurance written during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Primary NIW (In billions)
$
12.4

 
$
10.4

 
$
33.2

 
$
23.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Refinance volume as a % of primary NIW
12.1
%
 
12.0
%
 
19.4
%
 
12.0
%


The increase in new insurance written in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period last year was due to a significant increase in mortgage origination volume, driven by a robust refinancing environment in the first half of 2015 and an

42



increasing level of purchase mortgage volume throughout 2015, which rose significantly relative to the first and second quarters of 2015. Generally, a significantly higher percentage of purchase mortgages than refinancing mortgages require mortgage insurance. Based on our current level of new insurance written and application and mortgage origination trends, we expect our 2015 new insurance written to be at its highest level since 2008.

The level of competition within the private mortgage industry remains intense, and is not expected to diminish. Further, changes in the FHA’s pricing, policies and procedures will continue to impact the amount of new insurance written by us. In the second quarter of 2015, the FHA accounted for 41.1% of all low down payment residential mortgages that were subject to FHA, VA or primary private mortgage insurance, up from 34.7% in the first quarter of 2015 and 31.8% in the fourth quarter of 2014. In the past ten years, the FHA’s share has been as low as 15.6% in 2006 and as high as 70.8% in 2009. Factors that influence the FHA’s market share include relative underwriting guidelines, loan limits, and rates and fees of the FHA, VA, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs; flexibility for the FHA to establish new products as a result of federal legislation and programs; returns obtained by lenders for Ginnie Mae securitization of FHA-insured loans compared to those obtained from selling loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for securitization; and differences in policy terms, such as the ability of a borrower to cancel insurance coverage under certain circumstances. We cannot predict how these factors or the FHA’s share of new insurance written will change in the future. In January 2015, the FHA significantly reduced its annual mortgage insurance premiums. Absent any other changes, the reduction in FHA premiums will make private mortgage insurance less competitive with the FHA for borrowers with certain credit characteristics. However, we believe our pricing continues to be more attractive than the FHA’s pricing for a substantial majority of borrowers with credit and loan characteristics similar to those whose loans we insured in 2014.

Price competition has been present for some time: in the third quarter of 2014, we reduced many of our standard lender-paid single premium rates to match competition; and in the fourth quarter of 2013, we reduced all of our standard borrower-paid monthly premium rates and most of our standard single premium rates to match competition. In 2014 and 2015, we have been seeing price competition in the form of lender-paid single premium programs customized for individual lenders by using a rate card’s authority to set premiums or adjust premiums on individual loans within a range of premiums. This has resulted in rates materially discounted from those on the standard rate card (i.e., one that does not use such authority). In June 2015, the OCI issued letters to mortgage insurers inquiring about their discounted lender-paid mortgage insurance practices. During most of 2013, when almost all of our lender-paid single premium rates were above those most commonly used in the market, lender-paid single premium policies were approximately 4% of our total new insurance written; they were approximately 11% in 2014; and 20%, 17% and 15% in the first, second and third quarters of 2015, respectively. The increases compared to 2014 were primarily a result of our selectively matching reduced rates. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2014, we did not use our rate card’s authority to adjust premiums to offer significant discounts from our standard lender-paid single premium policy rate card. The average discount from our rate card on lender-paid single premium policies was 5% in the fourth quarter of 2014, 13%, 11% and 11% in the first, second and third quarters of 2015, respectively. Given the current pricing environment, an increase in the percentage of business written as lender-paid single premium policies, all other things equal, will decrease our weighted average premium rates on new insurance written. In the third quarter of 2015, we also saw price competition in certain higher FICO segments of borrower-paid monthly premium plans through at least one competitor offering selected lenders customized rates lower than those on the standard rate card.

We monitor the competitive landscape and will make adjustments to our pricing and underwriting guidelines as warranted. We also make exceptions to our underwriting requirements on a loan-by-loan basis and for certain customer programs. Together, the number of loans for which exceptions were made accounted for fewer than 2% of the loans we insured in 2013 and 2014.

Cancellations, insurance in force and risk in force

New insurance written and cancellations of primary insurance in force during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:


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Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In billions)
NIW
$
12.4

 
$
10.4

 
$
33.2

 
$
23.9

Cancellations
(8.5
)
 
(7.3
)
 
(25.4
)
 
(20.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in primary insurance in force
$
3.9

 
$
3.1

 
$
7.8

 
$
3.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary insurance in force as of September 30,
$
172.7

 
$
162.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary risk in force as of September 30,
$
45.0

 
$
42.3

 
 
 
 

Cancellation activity has historically been affected by the level of mortgage interest rates and the level of home price appreciation. Cancellations generally move inversely to the change in the direction of interest rates, although they generally lag a change in direction. Cancellations also include rescissions and policies cancelled due to claim payment.

Our persistency rate was 80.0% at September 30, 2015 compared to 82.8% at December 31, 2014 and 82.8% at September 30, 2014. Our persistency rate is affected by the level of current mortgage interest rates compared to the mortgage interest rates on our insurance in force, which affects the vulnerability of the insurance in force to refinancing. From 2008 through 2012 mortgage interest rates declined annually and current mortgage interest rates remain at historically low levels. Refinancing activity contributed to the lower persistency rates on our 2009 – 2012 book years, which range from 70% to 75%. Since 2000, our year-end persistency ranged from a high of 84.7% at December 31, 2009 to a low of 47.1% at December 31, 2003.

Pool insurance

We have written no new pool insurance since 2009, however, for a variety of reasons, including responding to capital market alternatives to private mortgage insurance and customer demands, we may write pool risk in the future. Our direct pool risk in force was $697 million ($279 million on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $418 million on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at September 30, 2015 compared to $808 million ($303 million on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $505 million on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at December 31, 2014. If claim payments associated with a specific pool reach the aggregate loss limit, the remaining insurance in force within the pool would be cancelled and any remaining defaults under the pool would be removed from our default inventory.

Net premiums written and earned

Net premiums written and earned during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 increased when compared to the same periods in 2014. The increase was due to a commutation of our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement and higher average insurance in force. The reinsurance commutation resulted in a return to us of written premiums previously ceded to reinsurers and an increase in our profit commission due to a related return of ceding commissions to the reinsurers. In addition, premiums under our 2015 reinsurance transaction are ceded on an earned and received basis rather than on a written basis as required under our 2013 reinsurance transaction. Due to the implementation of the 2015 reinsurance transaction during the third quarter, the percentage of premiums ceded was below the level expected on a recurring basis in future periods as cash collection generally lags premiums written. The increase was offset in part by a reclassification of our premium refund estimate on claim payments and rescissions previously included in our premium deficiency reserve within Other liabilities.

Net premiums written and earned are influenced by our average insurance in force, which we expect to increase throughout the remainder of 2015, as well as by the loan-to-value, level of coverage, credit score and premium plan of new insurance written, changes to the premium rates on existing insurance in force, and reinsurance.

Although we expect that our insurance in force, and net premiums written and earned will increase in 2015 compared to 2014, the ratio of net premiums earned divided by the average primary insurance in force outstanding for the quarter or other reporting period (sometimes referred to as “premium rate/yield” or “effective premium rate/yield”) is likely to decline in the remainder of 2015 and at least into 2016. As discussed below, we see this occurring for two reasons.  First, the largest portion of the decline relates to the anticipated restructuring of our reinsurance transaction because it will cover insurance in force that was previously excluded, as well as certain new insurance written through 2016.  A modest amount of the decline relates to the premium

44



rates themselves: the books we wrote before 2009, which have a higher average premium rate than subsequent business, are expected to continue to decline as a percentage of the insurance in force; and the average premium rate on these books is also expected to decline as the premium rates reset to lower levels at the time the loans reach the ten-year anniversary of their initial coverage date.

Effect of reinsurance on premiums:

Our net premiums written and earned are net of amounts ceded to reinsurers who assume a portion of the risk under the insurance policies we write that are subject to reinsurance. A substantial portion of our business is covered by a quota share reinsurance agreement that became effective July 1, 2015 and that protects us against a fixed percentage of losses arising from policies covered by the agreement. Under that agreement, we cede to reinsurers 30% of earned and received premiums and losses incurred on the following: policies in the 2013 reinsurance transaction that was commuted, with some exclusions; additional qualifying in force policies as of the agreement effective date which either had no history of defaults, or where a single default has been cured for twelve or more months at the agreement effective date; as well as all qualifying new insurance written through December 31, 2016. The premiums we cede are reduced by a profit commission, which primarily varies by the level of losses we cede. The 2015 quota share reinsurance agreement increases the amount of our insurance in force covered by reinsurance and will result in an increase in the amount of premiums and losses ceded.

Our reinsurance affects premiums, underwriting expenses and losses incurred and should be analyzed by reviewing its total effect on our statement of operations, as discussed below under “Reinsurance agreements.”

Effect of changing premium rates:

The insurance in force associated with the 2008 and prior book years is approximately 39% of the primary insurance in force as of September 30, 2015. The business written after 2008 has a lower average premium rate because of its lower risk characteristics and, beginning in the second half of 2014, the increase in the business mix that is comprised of lender-paid single premium business, which has a lower average premium rate than borrower-paid monthly premium business (see “New insurance written” above). Persistency will affect the average premium rate on single premium policies because the premium is not generally refundable and is earned over the estimated life of the policy. If insurance on a single premium loan is cancelled, because the loan is repaid, the remaining unearned premium is earned immediately. When persistency is lower than the assumption used to set the estimated life, the average premium rate will increase; the opposite effect will occur when persistency is greater than such assumption.

The monthly premium program used for the substantial majority of loans we insured provides that, for the first ten years of the policy, the premium is determined by the product of the premium rate and the initial loan balance; thereafter, a lower premium rate is applied to the initial loan balance. The initial ten-year period is reset when the loan is refinanced under HARP. The premiums on many of the policies in our 2005 book that were not refinanced under HARP will reset in 2015. As of September 30, 2015, approximately 23%, 27%, 35%, and 50% of our insurance in force from 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 respectively, has been refinanced under HARP.

Reinsurance agreements

Our reinsurance affects various lines of our statement of operations and therefore we believe it should be analyzed by reviewing its effect on our net income, as described below.

We cede a fixed percentage of premiums on insurance covered by the agreement.

We receive the benefit of a profit commission through a reduction in the premiums we cede. The profit commission varies directly and inversely with the level of losses on a “dollar for dollar” basis and is eliminated at levels of losses that we do not expect to occur. This means that lower levels of losses result in a higher profit commission and less benefit from ceded losses; higher levels of losses result in more benefit from ceded loss and a lower profit commission (or for levels of losses we do not expect, its elimination).

We receive the benefit of a ceding commission through a reduction in underwriting expenses equal to 20% of premiums ceded (before the effect of the profit commission).

We cede a fixed percentage of losses incurred on insurance covered by the agreement.

The effects described above result in a net cost of the reinsurance, with respect to a covered loan, of 6% (but can be lower if losses are materially higher than we expect). This cost is derived by dividing the reduction in our pre-tax net income from such

45



loan with reinsurance by our direct (that is, without reinsurance) premiums from such loan. Although the net cost of the reinsurance is generally constant at 6%, the effect of the reinsurance on the various components of pre-tax income discussed above will vary from period to period, depending on the level of ceded losses. We expect that the 2015 reinsurance transaction will have the effect of reducing our premium yield for the remainder of 2015 and into 2016. Because more of our insurance in force is covered under the 2015 reinsurance transaction than was covered under the 2013 terminated transaction, the absolute dollar cost of the 2015 transaction will be modestly higher than the cost of the 2013 transaction.

At September 30, 2015, approximately 72% and 3% of our insurance in force was subject to quota share and captive reinsurance agreements, respectively, compared to approximately 54% and 5%, respectively, at September 30, 2014. Approximately 92% and 91% of our new insurance written was subject to quota share reinsurance agreements in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As part of the settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) in 2013 and the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) in June 2015, MGIC has agreed to not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreements or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years from the date of settlement. In addition, at the time PMIERs become effective on December 31, 2015 the GSEs will not approve any future reinsurance or risk sharing transaction with a mortgage enterprise or an affiliate of a mortgage enterprise. See our risk factor titled “We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future” for a discussion of the CFPB and MN Department investigations and requests or subpoenas for information regarding captive mortgage reinsurance agreements.

Investment income

Investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 increased compared to the same periods in 2014 due to an increase in our investment yield. The portfolio’s average pre-tax investment yield was 2.5% at September 30, 2015 and 2.1% at September 30, 2014. The portfolio’s average pre-tax investment yield was 2.2% at December 31, 2014.

Realized gains (losses) and other-than-temporary impairments

Net realized gains for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 were $0.6 million and $27.1 million, respectively, compared to $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, under favorable market conditions, we sold fixed maturity securities to realize gains. At September 30, 2015, the net unrealized losses in our investment portfolio were $10.0 million, which included $48.9 million of gross unrealized losses, offset by $38.9 million of gross unrealized gains.
 
Losses

As discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies” in our 10-K MD&A and consistent with industry practices, we establish loss reserves for future claims only for loans that are currently delinquent. The terms “delinquent” and “default” are used interchangeably by us. We consider a loan in default when it is two or more payments past due. Loss reserves are established based on estimating the number of loans in our default inventory that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity.

Estimation of losses is inherently judgmental. The conditions that affect the claim rate and claim severity include the current and future state of the domestic economy, including unemployment and the current and future strength of local housing markets. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values that could result in, among other things, greater losses on loans, and may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Our estimates are also affected by any agreements we enter into regarding our claims paying practices, such as the settlement agreements discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements. Changes to our estimates could result in a material impact to our results of operations, even in a stable economic environment.

Losses incurred

Losses incurred for the third quarter of 2015 decreased compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to fewer new notices of default being received and a lower claim rate on new notices. There were 19,509 new notices received in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 22,927 new notices received in the third quarter of 2014. Substantially all of the new notices received in recent quarters are comprised of loans insured in 2008 and prior. As a result of improving housing and economic conditions

46



over the last year the claim rate applied to new notices received has declined by approximately 2 percentage points. All other things equal, the claim rate that would be applied to new notices is expected to continue to decline over the next year at a rate approaching that experienced in the past year.
 
In the first nine months of 2015, net losses incurred were $248 million, reflecting $338 million of current year loss development partially offset by $90 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. In the first nine months of 2014, net losses incurred were $379 million, reflecting $454 million of current year loss development partially offset by $75 million of favorable prior years’ loss development.

Historically, losses incurred have followed a seasonal trend in which the second half of the year has weaker credit performance than the first half, with higher new notice activity and a lower cure rate.

See Note 12 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our losses incurred and claims paying practices.

Information about the composition of the primary default inventory at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 appears in the table below.

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Total loans delinquent
64,642

 
79,901

 
83,154

Percentage of loans delinquent (default rate)
6.54
%
 
8.25
%
 
8.65
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prime loans delinquent (1)
41,284

 
50,307

 
52,301

Percentage of prime loans delinquent (default rate)
4.61
%
 
5.82
%
 
6.13
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
A-minus loans delinquent (1)
10,764

 
13,021

 
13,474

Percentage of A-minus loans delinquent (default rate)
25.53
%
 
27.61
%
 
27.65
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subprime credit loans delinquent (1)
4,177

 
5,228

 
5,477

Percentage of subprime credit loans delinquent (default rate)
31.08
%
 
35.20
%
 
35.88
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reduced documentation loans delinquent (2)
8,417

 
11,345

 
11,902

Percentage of reduced documentation loans delinquent (default rate)
22.53
%
 
27.08
%
 
27.44
%
 
(1)
We define prime loans as those having FICO credit scores of 620 or greater, A-minus loans as those having FICO credit scores of 575-619, and subprime credit loans as those having FICO credit scores of less than 575, all as reported to us at the time a commitment to insure is issued. Most A-minus and subprime credit loans were written through the bulk channel. However, we classify all loans without complete documentation as “reduced documentation” loans regardless of FICO score rather than as a prime, “A-minus” or “subprime” loan; in the table above, such loans appear only in the reduced documentation category and they do not appear in any of the other categories. For the information presented, the FICO credit score for a loan with multiple borrowers is the lowest of the borrowers’ “decision FICO scores.” A borrower’s “decision FICO score” is determined as follows: if there are three FICO scores available, the middle FICO score is used; if two FICO scores are available, the lower of the two is used; if only one FICO score is available, it is used.

(2)
In accordance with industry practice, loans approved by GSE and other automated underwriting (AU) systems under "doc waiver" programs that do not require verification of borrower income are classified by MGIC as "full documentation."   Based in part on information provided by the GSEs, we estimate full documentation loans of this type were approximately 4% of 2007 NIW. Information for other periods is not available. We understand these AU systems grant such doc waivers for loans they judge to have higher credit quality.  We also understand that the GSEs terminated their “doc waiver” programs, with respect to new commitments, in the second half of 2008.

The primary and pool loss reserves at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 appear in the table below.

47



Gross Reserves
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Primary:
 
 
 
 
 
Direct loss reserves (in millions)
$
1,877

 
$
2,246

 
$
2,362

Ending default inventory
64,642

 
79,901

 
83,154

Average direct reserve per default
$
29,032

 
$
28,107

 
$
28,404

 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
2,982

 
4,746

 
5,194

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pool (1):
 

 
 

 
 

Direct loss reserves (in millions):
 

 
 

 
 

With aggregate loss limits
$
40

 
$
53

 
$
54

Without aggregate loss limits
9

 
12

 
15

Reserve related to Freddie Mac Settlement (2)
52

 
84

 
94

Total pool direct loss reserves
$
101

 
$
149

 
$
163

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending default inventory:
 

 
 

 
 

With aggregate loss limits
2,282

 
3,020

 
3,686

Without aggregate loss limits
668

 
777

 
839

Total pool ending default inventory
2,950

 
3,797

 
4,525

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pool claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
75

 
99

 
86

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other gross reserves (in millions)
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
3


(1)
Since a number of our pool policies include aggregate loss limits and/or deductibles, we do not disclose an average direct reserve per default for our pool business.

(2)
See our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2012 for a discussion of our settlement with Freddie Mac regarding a pool policy.

The primary default inventory and primary loss reserves by region at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 appear in the table below.

Primary Default Inventory
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Region
 
 
 
 
 
Great Lakes
7,599

 
9,329

 
9,535

Mid-Atlantic
3,560

 
4,416

 
4,509

New England
3,476

 
4,117

 
4,235

North Central
6,777

 
8,499

 
8,882

Northeast
11,317

 
13,152

 
13,466

Pacific
4,795

 
6,242

 
6,638

Plains
2,075

 
2,427

 
2,460

South Central
7,454

 
9,045

 
9,259

Southeast
17,589

 
22,674

 
24,170

Total
64,642

 
79,901

 
83,154


48



Primary Loss Reserves (In millions)
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Region
 
 
 
 
 
Great Lakes
$
126

 
$
139

 
$
150

Mid-Atlantic
102

 
123

 
109

New England
132

 
125

 
123

North Central
163

 
222

 
233

Northeast
442

 
446

 
439

Pacific
195

 
250

 
280

Plains
30

 
35

 
35

South Central
88

 
133

 
150

Southeast
466

 
641

 
693

Total before IBNR and LAE
$
1,744

 
$
2,114

 
$
2,212

IBNR and LAE
133

 
132

 
150

Total
$
1,877

 
$
2,246

 
$
2,362


Regions contain the states as follows:
Great Lakes: IN, KY, MI, OH
Pacific: CA, HI, NV, OR, WA  
Mid-Atlantic: DC, DE, MD, VA, WV
Plains: IA, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD, WY
New England: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
South Central: AK, AZ, CO, LA, NM, OK, TX, UT
North Central: IL, MN, MO, WI
Southeast: AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN
Northeast: NJ, NY, PA
      

The average claim paid, as shown in the table below, can vary materially from period to period based upon a variety of factors, including the local market conditions, average loan amount, average coverage percentage, and our loss mitigation efforts on loans for which claims are paid.

The primary average claim paid for the top 5 states (based on 2015 paid claims) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 appears in the table below.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Primary average claim paid
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Florida
$
59,409

 
$
56,233

 
$
59,190

 
$
55,249

Illinois
52,077

 
46,767

 
50,860

 
47,478

Maryland
77,196

 
67,538

 
75,584

 
67,338

California
87,915

 
79,260

 
85,563

 
78,909

New Jersey
75,956

 
80,527

 
73,011

 
76,147

All other states
40,311

 
38,910

 
40,210

 
39,064

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All states
$
48,156

 
$
45,849

 
$
48,016

 
$
45,763


The primary average loan size of our insurance in force at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 appears in the table below.
Primary average loan size
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Total insurance in force
$
174,580

 
$
170,240

 
$
169,050

Prime (FICO 620 & >)
177,320

 
172,990

 
171,720

A-Minus (FICO 575 - 619)
127,330

 
126,420

 
126,810

Subprime (FICO < 575)
117,320

 
117,310

 
117,970

Reduced doc (All FICOs) (1)
182,680

 
181,480

 
182,020


49




(1)
In this report we classify loans without complete documentation as “reduced documentation” loans regardless of FICO credit score rather than as prime, “A-“ or “subprime” loans; in the table above, such loans appear only in the reduced documentation category and do not appear in other categories.

The primary average loan size of our insurance in force at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 for the top 5 states (based on 2015 paid claims) appears in the table below.
Primary average loan size
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Florida
$
183,316

 
$
177,981

 
$
176,829

Illinois
157,405

 
155,335

 
155,435

Maryland
243,101

 
239,875

 
239,113

California
284,809

 
283,228

 
283,117

New Jersey
244,078

 
240,846

 
240,371

All other states
164,772

 
160,314

 
159,065

 
Information about net paid claims during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 appears in the table below.
Net paid claims (In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Prime (FICO 620 & >)
$
123

 
$
168

 
$
400

 
$
587

A-Minus (FICO 575 - 619)
24

 
28

 
76

 
100

Subprime (FICO < 575)
9

 
9

 
30

 
30

Reduced doc (All FICOs) (1)
34

 
37

 
107

 
126

Pool (2)
17

 
20

 
52

 
68

Other

 
1

 

 
1

Direct losses paid
207

 
263

 
665

 
912

Reinsurance
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
(21
)
 
(27
)
Net losses paid
202

 
256

 
644

 
885

LAE
5

 
7

 
17

 
21

Net losses and LAE paid before terminations
207

 
263

 
661

 
906

Reinsurance terminations
(15
)
 

 
(15
)
 

Net losses and LAE paid
$
192

 
$
263

 
$
646

 
$
906

 
(1)
In this report we classify loans without complete documentation as “reduced documentation” loans regardless of FICO credit score rather than as prime, “A-“ or “subprime” loans; in the table above, such loans appear only in the reduced documentation category and do not appear in other categories.

(2)
The three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 each include $11 million and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 each include $32 million paid under the terms of the settlement with Freddie Mac.

Primary claims paid for the top 15 states (based on 2015 paid claims) and all other states for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 appears in the table below.

50



Paid claims by state (In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Florida
$
36

 
$
59

 
$
130

 
$
203

Illinois
12

 
20

 
48

 
70

Maryland
11

 
11

 
36

 
39

California
10

 
11

 
32

 
43

New Jersey
13

 
9

 
31

 
28

Pennsylvania
9

 
10

 
26

 
30

New York
8

 
5

 
22

 
19

Ohio
7

 
10

 
21

 
32

Washington
8

 
8

 
21

 
29

Georgia
4

 
6

 
15

 
23

Connecticut
4

 
4

 
14

 
14

Michigan
4

 
6

 
13

 
24

Virginia
5

 
4

 
13

 
15

Wisconsin
3

 
4

 
13

 
16

North Carolina
3

 
6

 
11

 
19

All other states
53

 
69

 
167

 
239

 
190

 
242

 
613

 
843

Other (Pool, LAE, Reinsurance)
2

 
21

 
33

 
63

Net losses and LAE paid
$
192

 
$
263

 
$
646

 
$
906

 
We believe paid claims will continue to decline in the remainder of 2015.

The primary default inventory for the top 15 states (based on 2015 paid claims) at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 appears in the table below.
Primary default inventory by state
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Florida
6,387

 
9,442

 
10,448

Illinois
3,519

 
4,481

 
4,777

Maryland
1,653

 
2,119

 
2,217

California
2,107

 
2,777

 
2,967

New Jersey
3,601

 
4,077

 
4,175

Pennsylvania
3,679

 
4,480

 
4,627

New York
4,037

 
4,595

 
4,664

Ohio
3,169

 
3,908

 
4,012

Washington
1,093

 
1,415

 
1,510

Georgia
2,255

 
2,726

 
2,831

Connecticut
895

 
1,095

 
1,162

Michigan
1,975

 
2,447

 
2,505

Virginia
1,086

 
1,355

 
1,349

Wisconsin
1,437

 
1,797

 
1,840

North Carolina
1,716

 
2,147

 
2,273

 
The primary default inventory by policy year at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 appears in the table below.

51



Primary default inventory by policy year
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Policy year:
 
 
 
 
 
2004 and prior
15,376

 
19,797

 
20,975

2005
8,283

 
10,630

 
11,083

2006
12,320

 
15,529

 
16,095

2007
20,619

 
25,232

 
26,245

2008
5,527

 
6,721

 
6,972

2009
529

 
648

 
660

2010
285

 
300

 
289

2011
245

 
260

 
259

2012
384

 
316

 
281

2013
530

 
335

 
246

2014
485

 
133

 
49

2015
59

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
64,642

 
79,901

 
83,154

 
Our results of operations continue to be negatively impacted by the mortgage insurance we wrote during 2005 through 2008 and uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we may experience on each of our other books of business as well.  As we continue to write new insurance on high-quality mortgages, the 2005-2008 books have become a smaller percentage of our total portfolio, representing approximately 34% of our total primary risk in force at September 30, 2015 compared to approximately 40% at December 31, 2014 and 42% at September 30, 2014.

On our primary business, the highest claim frequency years have typically been the third and fourth year after the year of loan origination. However, the pattern of claim frequency can be affected by many factors, including persistency and deteriorating economic conditions. Low persistency can accelerate the period in the life of a book during which the highest claim frequency occurs. Deteriorating economic conditions can result in increasing claims following a period of declining claims. As of September 30, 2015, 46% of our primary risk in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2012, 54% of our primary risk in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2011, and 57% of our primary risk in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2010.

Underwriting and other expenses

Underwriting and other expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 increased when compared to the same periods last year primarily due to a return of ceding commissions to reinsurers as a result of commuting our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement and an increase in employee costs.

Ratios

The table below presents our GAAP loss, expense and combined ratios for our combined insurance operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Loss ratio
32.0
%
 
55.1
%
 
37.1
%
 
60.1
%
Underwriting expense ratio
14.4
%
 
14.9
%
 
15.2
%
 
15.0
%
Combined ratio
46.4
%
 
70.0
%
 
52.3
%
 
75.1
%
 
The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the sum of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The loss ratio does not reflect any effects due to premium deficiency. The decrease in the loss ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, compared to the same periods in 2014, was primarily due to a decrease in losses incurred and also a higher level of premiums earned. The underwriting expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the underwriting expenses of our combined insurance operations (which excludes the cost of non-insurance operations) to net premiums written. The decrease in the expense ratio in the third quarter of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, was due to a an increase in

52



net premiums written, partially offset by an increase in underwriting expenses for our combined insurance operations primarily due to a decrease in ceding commissions. The increase in the expense ratio for the first nine months of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, was due to an increase in employee costs and a decrease in ceding commissions, offset in part by an increase in net premiums written. The decrease in ceding commissions and increase in net premiums written and earned for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were in large part due to the commutation of our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement in the third quarter of 2015. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 remained relatively constant compared to the same periods in 2014.

Income taxes

The effective tax rate on our pre-tax income was (182.4%) and 1.2% in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. During those periods, the provision for income taxes was reduced by the change in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our tax position.

Financial Condition
 
At September 30, 2015 the total fair value of our investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, was $4.6 billion. In addition, at September 30, 2015 our total assets included approximately $385 million of cash and cash equivalents as shown on our consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2015, all of our fixed maturity securities were investment grade securities. The composition of ratings at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 are shown in the table below.

Investment Portfolio Ratings
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
AAA
23
%
 
31
%
 
34
%
AA
24
%
 
17
%
 
17
%
A
36
%
 
35
%
 
32
%
BBB
17
%
 
17
%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below investment grade

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
The ratings above are provided by one or more of: Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. If three ratings are available the middle rating is utilized, otherwise the lowest rating is utilized.
 
Approximately 2% of our investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, is guaranteed by financial guarantors. We evaluate the credit risk of securities through analysis of the underlying fundamentals. The extent of our analysis depends on a variety of factors, including the issuer’s sector, scale, profitability, debt cover, ratings and the tenor of the investment.

We place our investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines; the policy also limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer and limit the types of eligible investments. At September 30, 2015, the modified duration of our fixed income investment portfolio was 4.7 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.7% in the fair value of our fixed income portfolio. For an upward shift in the yield curve, the fair value of our portfolio would decrease and for a downward shift in the yield curve, the fair value would increase. See Note 7 – “Investments” to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure surrounding our investment portfolio.

At September 30, 2015, we had outstanding $62 million, 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, with an approximate fair value of $62 million; $345 million principal amount of 5% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding due in 2017, with an

53



approximate fair value of $367 million; $500 million principal amount of 2% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding due in 2020, with an approximate fair value of $719 million; and $390 million principal amount of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063 outstanding, with an approximate fair value of $486 million. See Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure on our debt.
 
See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements for a description of our federal income tax contingencies.
 
Our principal exposure to loss is our obligation to pay claims under MGIC’s mortgage guaranty insurance policies. At September 30, 2015, MGIC’s direct (before any reinsurance) primary and pool risk in force, which is the unpaid principal balance of insured loans as reflected in our records multiplied by the coverage percentage, and taking account of any loss limit, was approximately $46 billion. In addition, as part of our contract underwriting activities provided through a non-insurance subsidiary, that subsidiary is responsible for the quality of the underwriting decisions in accordance with the terms of the contract underwriting agreements with customers. That subsidiary may be required to provide certain remedies to our customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed. The underwriting remedy expense for 2014 and the first nine months of 2015 was approximately $4 million and $1 million, respectively, but may increase in the future.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our sources of funds consist primarily of:

our investment portfolio (which is discussed in “Financial Condition” above), and interest income on the portfolio,

premiums, net of reinsurance, that we will receive from our existing insurance in force as well as policies that we write in the future and

amounts that we expect to recover from reinsurance agreements.

Our obligations consist primarily of:

claim payments under MGIC’s mortgage guaranty insurance policies,

$62 million in par value of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, with an annual interest cost of $3 million;

$345 million in par value of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017, with an annual interest cost of $17 million;

$500 million in par value of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020, with an annual interest cost of $10 million;

$390 million in par value of 9% Convertible Junior Debentures due in 2063, with an annual interest cost of $35 million, and

other costs and operating expenses of our business.

Subject to certain limitations and restrictions prescribed under the terms of their issuances, holders of each of the convertible debt issues may convert their notes into shares of our common stock at their option, in which case our corresponding obligation will be eliminated.

We experienced net cash inflow from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily due to the commutation of our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement executed in the third quarter of 2015. See Note 4 – "Reinsurance" to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure regarding our reinsurance commutation. Our principal liquidity demands include: (i) interest payments on our outstanding debt; (ii) payment of maturing debt obligations; (iii) and the payment of corporate expenses. When we experience cash shortfalls, we can fund them through sales of short-term investments and other investment portfolio securities, subject to insurance regulatory requirements regarding the payment of dividends to the extent funds were required by an entity other than the seller. In addition, we generally align the maturities of our investment portfolio with our estimate of future obligations. A significant portion of our investment portfolio securities are held by our insurance subsidiaries.

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

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Total cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
Operating activities
135,031

 
(337,666
)
Investing activities
49,510

 
270,663

Financing activities
2,113

 
(21,767
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
186,654

 
$
(88,770
)

Net cash flows provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2015 was primarily the result of commuting our 2013 quota share reinsurance agreement and corresponding settlement in which we received return payment for written premiums previously ceded by us and received payment of our profit commission accrued during the term of the agreement. Cash flows from operating activities also increased due to a lower level of losses paid and an increase in premiums collected as our mix of single premiums written and our insurance in force increased.

Net cash flows provided by investing activities in the first nine months of 2015 decreased primarily due to a decrease in proceeds, net of investment purchases, from available-for-sale securities, offset in part by an increase in amounts payable for securities and a decrease in restricted cash.

Net cash flows from financing activities reflect the tax benefits related to share-based compensation in the first nine months of 2015 and the repayment of debt in the first nine months of 2014.

Debt at Our Holding Company and Holding Company Capital Resources

The senior notes, convertible senior notes and convertible debentures are obligations of MGIC Investment Corporation and not of its subsidiaries. The payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, which other than investment income and raising capital in the public markets is the principal source of our holding company cash inflow, is restricted by insurance regulation. MGIC is the principal source of dividend-paying capacity.  Since 2008, MGIC has not paid any dividends to our holding company. Through 2015, MGIC cannot pay any dividends to our holding company without approval from the OCI.

At September 30, 2015, we had approximately $469 million in cash and investments at our holding company.

As of September 30, 2015, our holding company’s debt obligations were $1,297 million in par value, as listed above.

See Note 8 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for additional information about this indebtedness, including restrictive covenants in our Senior Notes and our option to defer interest on our Convertible Junior Debentures. Any deferred interest compounds at the stated rate of 9%. The description in Note 8 - “Debt" to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes and debentures.

We may from time to time continue to seek to acquire our debt obligations through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities. We may do this in open market purchases, privately negotiated acquisitions or other transactions. The amounts involved may be material.

The remaining Senior Notes outstanding matured and were repaid on November 2, 2015 with cash on hand. The repayment of the Senior Notes had no significant impact on our liquidity or financial position.

Capital Contributions to Subsidiaries

In recent years our holding company has made material contributions to our insurance operations. Any further contributions to our insurance operations or non-insurance affiliates would further decrease our holding company cash and investments. See discussion of our non-insurance contract underwriting services under “Financial Condition” above and in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements.

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In April 2015, the GSEs each issued their revised private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements, PMIERs, which will become effective on December 31, 2015. The PMIERs replace the existing financial requirements under the current GSE eligibility requirements. Under the PMIERs’ financial requirements, we will be required to maintain “Available Assets” that meet or exceed “Minimum Required Assets” that are calculated based on our book of business and a variety of factors that are designed to measure credit quality of the insured loans.

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, we expect that MGIC will be in compliance with the PMIERs when they become effective. This expectation reflects, among other things, that the GSEs approved our restructured quota share reinsurance transaction that became effective in the third quarter of 2015, and have allowed full credit under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under that transaction. The GSEs’ ongoing approval of the transaction is subject to several conditions and the transaction will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually by the GSEs.

We expect to increase our Available Assets in the future by repatriating to MGIC certain assets of MGIC's MIC subsidiary. If additional Available Assets are required in the future, we believe that a portion of our holding company’s $469 million of cash and investments at September 30, 2015, may be available for future contribution to MGIC.

While we expect to meet the financial requirements under PMIERs prior to their effective date, our capital requirements under PMIERs may increase in the future because the GSEs have indicated that the tables of factors used to determine the Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs will provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of table updates. In addition, the GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time. We plan to continue to comply with the existing PMIERs through our operational activities or through the contribution of funds from our holding company, subject to demands on the holding company’s resources, as outlined above. In addition, we could seek non-dilutive debt capital to mitigate a capital shortfall under PMIERs.

See “Overview – Capital” above for further discussion of the GSE financial requirements and our capital position as of September 30, 2015, as well as the risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility” for factors that may negatively impact our compliance with the PMIERs.

Risk-to-Capital

We compute our risk-to-capital ratio 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 policyholders’ position. Our net risk in force includes both primary and pool risk in force, and excludes risk on policies that are currently in default and for which loss reserves have been established. The risk amount includes pools of loans or bulk deals with contractual aggregate loss limits and in some cases without these limits. Policyholders’ position 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 approximately 50% of net earned premiums. 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 earned premium in a calendar year.

The premium deficiency reserve discussed in Note 13 – “Premium Deficiency Reserve” to our consolidated financial statements is not recorded as a liability on the statutory balance sheet and is not a component of statutory net income. The present value of expected future premiums and already established loss reserves and statutory contingency reserves, exceeds the present value of expected future losses and expenses on our total in force book, so no deficiency is recorded on a statutory or GAAP basis as of September 30, 2015. On a GAAP basis, contingency loss reserves are not established and thus not considered when calculating premium deficiency reserve and policies are grouped based on how they are acquired, serviced and measured.

MGIC’s separate company risk-to-capital calculation appears in the table below.


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September 30, 2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In millions, except ratio)
Risk in force - net (1)
$
26,977

 
$
25,735

 
 
 
 
Statutory policyholders' surplus
$
1,618

 
$
1,518

Statutory contingency reserve
583

 
247

 
 
 
 
Statutory policyholders' position
$
2,201

 
$
1,765

 
 
 
 
Risk-to-capital
12.3:1

 
14.6:1


(1)
Risk in force – net, as shown in the table above is net of reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default for which loss reserves have been established.

Our combined insurance companies’ risk-to-capital calculation appears in the table below.
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(In millions, except ratio)
Risk in force - net (1)
$
32,735

 
$
31,272

 
 
 
 
Statutory policyholders' surplus
$
1,695

 
$
1,585

Statutory contingency reserve
704

 
318

 
 
 
 
Statutory policyholders' position
$
2,399

 
$
1,903

 
 
 
 
Risk-to-capital
13.6:1

 
16.4:1


(1)
Risk in force – net, as shown in the table above, is net of reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default ($3.3 billion at September 30, 2015 and $3.8 billion at December 31, 2014) for which loss reserves have been established.

Our risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk.

For additional information regarding regulatory capital see Note 1 – “Nature of Business – Capital - GSEs” and Note 16 – “Statutory Capital” to our consolidated financial statements as well as our risk factor titled “State Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.”

Financial Strength Ratings

The financial strength of MGIC, our principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, is rated Ba1 by Moody’s Investors Service with a positive outlook. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services’ insurer financial strength rating of MGIC is BB+ with a positive outlook. For further information about the importance of MGIC’s ratings, see our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or, or increase our losses.”

Contractual Obligations
 
At September 30, 2015, the approximate future payments under our contractual obligations of the type described in the table below are as follows:

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Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations (In millions)
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
Long-term debt obligations
$
3,065

 
$
126

 
$
452

 
$
590

 
$
1,897

Operating lease obligations
3

 
1

 
2

 
 
 
 
Tax obligations
19

 

 
19

 

 

Purchase obligations
3

 
2

 
1

 
 
 
 
Pension, SERP and other post-retirement plans
272

 
24

 
49

 
55

 
144

Other long-term liabilities
1,980

 
891

 
792

 
297

 

Total
$
5,342

 
$
1,044

 
$
1,315

 
$
942

 
$
2,041


Our long-term debt obligations at September 30, 2015 include, $61.9 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, $345.0 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017, $500 million 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 and $389.5 million in convertible debentures due in 2063, including related interest, as discussed in Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above. Our operating lease obligations include operating leases on certain office space, data processing equipment and autos, as discussed in Note 19 – “Leases” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Tax obligations primarily relate to our current dispute with the IRS, as discussed in Note 11 – “Income Taxes.” Purchase obligations consist primarily of agreements to purchase data processing hardware or services made in the normal course of business. See Note 13 – “Benefit Plans” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion of expected benefit payments under our benefit plans.

Our other long-term liabilities represent the loss reserves established to recognize the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. The timing of the future claim payments associated with the established loss reserves was determined primarily based on two key assumptions: the length of time it takes for a notice of default to develop into a received claim and the length of time it takes for a received claim to be ultimately paid. The future claim payment periods are estimated based on historical experience, and could emerge significantly different than this estimate. Due to the uncertainty regarding how certain factors, such as new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation process, will affect our future paid claims it remains difficult to estimate the amount and timing of future claim payments. See Note 12 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements. In accordance with GAAP for the mortgage insurance industry, we establish loss reserves only for loans in default. Because our reserving method does not take account of the impact of future losses that could occur from loans that are not delinquent, our obligation for ultimate losses that we expect to occur under our policies in force at any period end is not reflected in our financial statements or in the table above.

Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors

General:  Our revenues and losses could be affected by the risk factors referred to under “Location of Risk Factors” below. These risk factors are an integral part of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

These factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements that we may make. Forward looking statements consist of statements which relate to matters other than historical fact. Among others, statements that include words such as we “believe,” “anticipate” or “expect,” or words of similar import, are forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements we may make even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements were made. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Location of Risk Factors:  The risk factors are in Item 1 A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1 A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015 and by Part II, Item 1 A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The risk factors in the 10-K, as supplemented by these 10-Qs and through updating of various statistical and other information, are reproduced in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk


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At September 30, 2015, the derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio were immaterial. We place our investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines; the policy also limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer and limit the types of eligible investments. At September 30, 2015, the modified duration of our fixed income investment portfolio was 4.7 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.7% in the fair value of our fixed income portfolio. For an upward shift in the yield curve, the fair value of our portfolio would decrease and for a downward shift in the yield curve, the fair value would increase.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2015 that 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 A. Risk Factors

With the exception of the changes described and set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as supplemented by Part II, Item I A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015. The risk factors in the 10-K, as supplemented by that 10-Q and this 10-Q, and through updating of various statistical and other information, are reproduced in their entirety in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility.

Since 2008, substantially all of our insurance written has been for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “GSEs”). In April 2015, the GSEs each released revised private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements (the “PMIERs”) that become effective December 31, 2015. The PMIERs include revised financial requirements for mortgage insurers under which a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) must meet or exceed “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, we expect that MGIC will be in compliance with the PMIERs when they become effective. This expectation reflects, among other things, that the GSEs have allowed full credit under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our restructured quota share reinsurance transaction. In the third quarter of 2015, the restructured transaction became effective after being approved by each of the GSEs and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”). The GSEs’ ongoing approval of the transaction is subject to several conditions and the transaction will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually by the GSEs.

We expect to increase our Available Assets in the future by repatriating to MGIC certain assets of MGIC's MIC subsidiary. If additional Available Assets are required in the future, we believe that a portion of our holding company’s cash and investments may be available for future contribution to MGIC.

Factors that may negatively impact MGIC’s ability to comply with the PMIERs after their effective date include the following:
The GSEs may reduce the amount of credit they allow under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transaction.
We may not obtain regulatory authorization to repatriate assets from MIC to MGIC to the extent we are assuming because regulators project higher losses than we project or require a level of capital be maintained in MIC higher than we are assuming.
MGIC may not receive additional capital contributions from our holding company due to competing demands on the holding company resources, including for repayment of debt.
Our future operating results may be negatively impacted by the matters discussed in the rest of these risk factors. Such matters could decrease our revenues, increase our losses or require the use of assets, thereby creating a shortfall in Available Assets.

There can be no assurance that the GSEs will not make the PMIERs more onerous in the future; in this regard, the PMIERs provide that the tables of factors that determine Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs will provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of table updates. In addition, the GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time. If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings.

While on an overall basis, the amount of Available Assets we must hold in order to continue to insure GSE loans has increased under the PMIERs over what state regulation currently provides, our reinsurance transaction mitigates the negative effect of the PMIERs on our returns. In this regard, see the first bullet point above.


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Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or increase our losses.

Our private mortgage insurance competitors include:

Arch Mortgage Insurance Company,
Essent Guaranty, Inc.,
Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation,
National Mortgage Insurance Corporation,
Radian Guaranty Inc., and
United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company.

The level of competition within the private mortgage insurance industry is intense and is not expected to diminish. Price competition has been present for some time: in the third quarter of 2014, we reduced many of our standard lender-paid single premium rates to match competition; and in the fourth quarter of 2013, we reduced all of our standard borrower-paid monthly premium rates and most of our standard single premium rates to match competition. In 2014 and 2015, we have been seeing price competition in the form of lender-paid single premium programs customized for individual lenders by using a rate card’s authority to set premiums or adjust premiums on individual loans within a range of premiums. This has resulted in rates materially discounted from those on the standard rate card (i.e., one that does not use such authority). In June 2015, the OCI issued letters to mortgage insurers inquiring about their discounted lender-paid mortgage insurance practices. During most of 2013, when almost all of our lender-paid single premium rates were above those most commonly used in the market, lender-paid single premium policies were approximately 4% of our total new insurance written; they were approximately 11% in 2014; and 20%, 17% and 15% in the first, second and third quarters of 2015, respectively. The increases compared to 2014 were primarily a result of our selectively matching reduced rates. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2014, we did not use our rate card’s authority to adjust premiums to offer significant discounts from our standard lender-paid single premium policy rate card. The average discount from our rate card on lender-paid single premium policies was 5% in the fourth quarter of 2014, 13%, 11% and 11% in the first, second and third quarters of 2015, respectively. Given the current pricing environment, an increase in the percentage of business written as lender-paid single premium policies, all other things equal, will decrease our weighted average premium rates on new insurance written. In the third quarter of 2015, we also saw price competition in certain higher FICO segments of borrower-paid monthly premium plans through at least one competitor offering selected lenders customized rates lower than those on the standard rate card.

On June 30, 2015, the GSEs announced a modification to the PMIERs that will increase the Minimum Required Assets that must be maintained by a private mortgage insurer for loans dated on or after January 1, 2016, that are insured under lender-paid mortgage insurance policies or other policies that are not subject to automatic termination under the Homeowners Protection Act (“HPA”) or an automatic termination consistent with the HPA termination requirements for borrower-paid mortgage insurance. The modification may reduce our future returns because we will be required to maintain more Available Assets in connection with a portion of our business.

During 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, approximately 4% and 5%, respectively, of our new insurance written was for loans for which one lender was the original insured. Our relationships with our customers could be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including premium rates higher than can be obtained from competitors, tightening of and adherence to our underwriting requirements, which may result in our declining to insure some of the loans originated by our customers, and insurance rescissions that affect the customer. We have ongoing discussions with lenders who are significant customers regarding their objections to our rescissions.

In the past several years, we believe many lenders considered financial strength and compliance with the State Capital Requirements (discussed below) as important factors when selecting a mortgage insurer. Lenders may consider compliance with the PMIERs important when selecting a mortgage insurer in the future. As noted above, we expect MGIC to be in compliance with the PMIERs when they become effective and we expect MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements. However, we cannot assure you that we will comply with such requirements or that we will comply with any revised State Capital Requirements proposed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). For more information, see our risk factors titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility” and “State capital

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requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.”

We believe that financial strength ratings may be a significant consideration for participants seeking to secure credit enhancement in the non-GSE mortgage market, which includes most loans that are not “Qualified Mortgages” (for more information about “Qualified Mortgages,” see our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses”). While this market has been limited since the financial crisis, it may grow in the future. The financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries are lower than those of some competitors and below investment grade levels; therefore, we may be competitively disadvantaged with some market participants. For each of MGIC and MIC, the financial strength rating from Moody’s is Ba1 (with a positive outlook) and from Standard & Poor’s is BB+ (with a positive outlook). It is possible that MGIC’s and MIC’s financial strength ratings could decline from these levels. Our ability to participate in the non-GSE market could depend on our ability to secure investment grade ratings for our mortgage insurance subsidiaries.

If the GSEs no longer operate in their current capacities, for example, due to legislative or regulatory action, we may be forced to compete in a new marketplace in which financial strength ratings play a greater role. If we are unable to compete effectively in the current or any future markets as a result of the financial strength ratings assigned to our mortgage insurance subsidiaries, our future new insurance written could be negatively affected.

State capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.

At September 30, 2015, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 12.3 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $1.1 billion above the required MPP of $1.1 billion. In calculating our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP, we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our reinsurance transaction with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance agreement, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, you should read the rest of these risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

At September 30, 2015, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes reinsurance affiliates) was 13.6 to 1. Reinsurance transactions with affiliates permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements. A higher risk-to-capital ratio on a combined basis may indicate that, in order for MGIC to continue to utilize reinsurance arrangements with its affiliates, unless a waiver of the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin continues to be effective, additional capital contributions to the reinsurance affiliates could be needed.

The NAIC previously announced that it plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. A working group of state regulators is drafting the revisions, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to such requirements. Depending on the scope of revisions made by the NAIC, MGIC may be prevented from writing new business in the jurisdictions adopting such revisions.

If MGIC fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin and is unable to obtain a waiver of them from the OCI, MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in all jurisdictions. If MGIC fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of a jurisdiction other than Wisconsin and is unable to obtain a waiver of them, MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in that particular jurisdiction. It is possible that regulatory action by one or more jurisdictions, including those that do not have specific State Capital Requirements, may prevent MGIC from continuing to write new insurance in such jurisdictions. If we are unable to write business in all jurisdictions, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere. In addition, a lender’s assessment of the future ability of our insurance operations to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs may affect its willingness to procure insurance from us. In this regard, see our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our

62



relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or increase our losses.” A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, you should read the rest of these risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.



Item 6. Exhibits

The accompanying Index to Exhibits is incorporated by reference in answer to this portion of this Item, and except as otherwise indicated in the next sentence, the Exhibits listed in such Index are filed as part of this Form 10-Q. Exhibit 32 is not filed as part of this Form 10-Q but accompanies this Form 10-Q.

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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 November 6, 2015.

 
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
 
 
 
/s/ Timothy J. Mattke
 
Timothy J. Mattke
 
Executive Vice President and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
/s/ Julie K. Sperber
 
Julie K. Sperber
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(Part II, Item 6)
 
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
31.1
Certification of CEO under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
31.2
Certification of CFO under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32
Certification of CEO and CFO under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (as indicated in Item 6 of Part II, this Exhibit is not being "filed")
 
 
99
Risk Factors included in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, and through updating of various statistical and other information
 
 
101
The following financial information from MGIC Investment Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.





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