Enact Holdings, Inc. (ACT)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > SIC Major Group 64 > SIC 6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1823529. Latest filing source: 0001823529-26-000060.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read ACT's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read ACT's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,235,827,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Net income | 674,244,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Assets | 6,893,466,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-27. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001823529.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 978,853,000 | 1,106,459,000 | 1,117,855,000 | 1,095,046,000 | 1,153,686,000 | 1,201,774,000 | 1,235,827,000 | |
| Net income | 677,628,000 | 370,421,000 | 546,685,000 | 665,511,000 | 688,068,000 | 674,244,000 | ||
| Diluted EPS | 4.16 | 2.27 | 3.36 | 4.31 | 4.11 | 4.37 | 4.52 | |
| Operating cash flow | 500,020,000 | 704,350,000 | 572,110,000 | 560,510,000 | 632,038,000 | 686,262,000 | 724,519,000 | |
| Dividends paid | 250,000,000 | 437,353,000 | 200,294,000 | 250,776,000 | 212,964,000 | 111,719,000 | 120,833,000 | |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,532,000 | 87,762,000 | 243,968,000 | 382,399,000 | ||
| Assets | 5,652,710,000 | 5,865,773,000 | 5,709,149,000 | 6,190,473,000 | 6,521,531,000 | 6,893,466,000 | ||
| Liabilities | 1,770,899,000 | 1,760,250,000 | 1,608,241,000 | 1,558,126,000 | 1,525,435,000 | 1,538,285,000 | ||
| Stockholders' equity | 3,273,739,000 | 3,827,075,000 | 3,881,811,000 | 4,105,523,000 | 4,100,908,000 | 4,632,347,000 | 4,996,096,000 | 5,355,181,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 452,794,000 | 425,828,000 | 513,775,000 | 615,683,000 | 599,432,000 | 582,493,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 69.23% | 33.48% | 48.90% | 57.69% | 57.25% | 54.56% | ||
| Return on equity | 17.71% | 9.54% | 13.32% | 14.37% | 13.77% | 12.59% | ||
| Return on assets | 6.55% | 9.32% | 10.75% | 10.55% | 9.78% | |||
| Liabilities / equity | 0.46 | 0.43 | 0.39 | 0.34 | 0.31 | 0.29 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001823529-26-000060; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001823529.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 1.25 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 1.17 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 1.08 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 277,522,000 | 168,020,000 | 1.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 299,035,000 | 164,195,000 | 1.02 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 296,190,000 | 157,308,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 291,576,000 | 160,988,000 | 1.01 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 298,834,000 | 183,673,000 | 1.16 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 309,588,000 | 180,669,000 | 1.15 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 301,776,000 | 162,738,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 306,776,000 | 165,778,000 | 1.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 304,890,000 | 167,808,000 | 1.11 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 311,455,000 | 163,497,000 | 1.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 312,706,000 | 177,161,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 312,069,000 | 167,772,000 | 1.18 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001823529-26-000109; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001823529-26-000109; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001823529-26-000109; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001823529-26-000109.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 (the “Annual Report”).
In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward-looking statements or other statements were made. Future results could differ significantly from the historical results presented in this section. References to “EHI,” “Enact,” “Enact Holdings,” the “Company,” “we” or “our” herein are, unless the context otherwise requires, to EHI on a consolidated basis.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
There have been no material changes to the factors affecting our results, as compared to those disclosed in the Annual Report, other than the impact of items as discussed below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
Trends and Conditions
Macroeconomic environment. During the first quarter of 2026, the United States economy continued to be subject to significant volatility and uncertainty, largely related to geopolitical tensions including the Iran conflict, changing economic policies, and continued inflationary pressure. The ancillary effects of these factors on the domestic and global economies could materially impact the United States housing markets and our business.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in March 2026 that Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) inflation was 3.3% year-over-year compared to 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025 while the unemployment rate has fallen slightly to 4.3% in March 2026 from 4.4% in December 2025. Elevated inflation remains a challenge for the Federal Open Market Committee as it navigates heightened uncertainty.
U.S. mortgage rates were especially volatile during the first quarter of 2026. Lower rates earlier in the quarter drove higher refinance volume in the market, while the mortgage origination market remained relatively slow, particularly as rates rose later in the quarter. Over the past few years, housing affordability has deteriorated as elevated mortgage rates and home price appreciation outpaced median family income according to the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index. Despite slowing of house price growth nationally according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) Monthly Purchase-Only House Price Index (Seasonally Adjusted), affordability remains challenged.
Regulatory developments. Private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size are affected in part by actions that impact housing or housing finance policy taken by the GSEs and the U.S. government, including but not limited to, the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and the FHFA. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, including changes to the GSEs’ automated underwriting systems, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees, loan limits and alternative products.
In July 2025, the FHFA announced that it will implement the acceptance of VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The GSEs have since released preliminary
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implementation details and timelines, but the full impact of this initiative on our business, processes and financial results remains uncertain.
Competitive environment. The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Our market share is influenced by the execution of our go to market strategy, including but not limited to, pricing competitiveness relative to our peers and our selective participation in forward commitment transactions. We continue to manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which are modified from time to time when circumstances warrant. We see the market and underwriting conditions, including the pricing environment, as being within our risk-adjusted return appetite enabling us to write new business at attractive returns. Ultimately, we expect our new insurance written with its strong credit profile and attractive pricing to positively contribute to our future profitability and return on equity.
Our portfolio. New insurance written (“NIW”) of $12.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026 increased 30% compared to the first quarter of 2025. The increase is largely driven by refinance volume in the first quarter. Changes in NIW are primarily impacted by the size of the mortgage insurance market and our market share. Our primary persistency rate was 80% during the first quarter of 2026 and 84% for the first quarter of 2025. The persistency rate decreased largely due to lapse, driven by mortgage rate volatility and increased refinance activity.
Net earned premiums decreased modestly in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 primarily as a result of higher ceded premiums and lapse-driven rate decline partially offset by insurance in-force and assumed premium growth.
Loss experience. Our loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2026, was 15% as compared to 12% for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Both periods were impacted by favorable reserve development. In the first quarter of 2026, we released $39 million of reserves, driven by cure performance and loss mitigation activities. This compares to the first quarter of 2025, where we recorded a $47 million reserve release driven by cure performance and loss mitigation activities.
New delinquencies in the first quarter of 2026 increased compared to the first quarter of 2025 due to the normal loss development pattern on newer books. Current period primary delinquencies of 13,559 contributed $76 million of loss expense in the first quarter of 2026. This compares to $75 million of loss expense from 12,237 primary delinquencies that were reported in the first quarter of 2025. In determining the loss expense estimate, considerations were given to recent cure and claim experience and the prevailing and prospective economic conditions.
The severity of loss on loans that go to claim may be negatively impacted by extended forbearance and foreclosure timelines, the associated elevated expenses and the higher loan amount of the recent new delinquencies. These negative influences on loss severity could be mitigated, in part, by embedded home price appreciation. The majority of our mortgage insurance policies limit the number of months of unpaid interest and associated expenses that are included in the mortgage insurance claim amount to a maximum of 36 months.
Capital requirements and ratings. As of March 31, 2026, EMICO’s estimated risk-to-capital ratio under North Carolina law and enforced by the North Carolina Department of Insurance (“NCDOI”), EMICO’s domestic insurance regulator, was 10.0:1, compared with risk-to-capital ratios of 10.1:1 and 10.5:1 as of December 31, 2025, and March 31, 2025, respectively. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio remains below the NCDOI’s maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25:1. North Carolina’s calculation of risk-to-capital excludes the risk in-force for delinquent loans given the established loss reserves against all delinquencies. EMICO’s ongoing risk-to-capital ratio will depend principally on the magnitude of future losses incurred by EMICO, the effectiveness of ongoing loss mitigation activities, new business volume and profitability, the impact of quota share reinsurance, the amount of policy lapses and the amount of additional capital that is generated or distributed by the business.
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Under PMIERs, we are subject to operational and financial requirements that private mortgage insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans that are purchased by the GSEs. As of March 31, 2026, we had estimated available assets of $5,016 million against $3,097 million net required assets under PMIERs compared to available assets of $5,015 million against $3,096 million net required assets as of December 31, 2025. The sufficiency ratio as of March 31, 2026, was 162%, or $1,919 million, above the PMIERs requirements, compared to 162%, or $1,919 million, above the PMIERs requirements as of December 31, 2025. Our PMIERs required assets benefited from a reinsurance credit of $1,944 million and $1,932 million related to third-party reinsurance as of March 31, 2026, and December 31, 2025, respectively.
On August 21, 2024, the GSEs and the FHFA released updated PMIERs requirements phasing in a revision to available asset standards between March 31, 2025, and September 30, 2026. The updated standards differentiate between bonds based on credit quality and liquidity. The updates also establish limits for assets backed by residential mortgages or commercial real estate to mitigate the impact if such assets lose value during periods of housing stress. We expect to hold capital sufficiency well in excess of these requirements and do not expect the impact of these updates to be material to our sufficiency.
Recent transactions. None
Capital returns. In March 2026, our primary mortgage insurance operating company, EMICO, paid a dividend to EHI that supports our ability to return capital to shareholders. We paid a dividend of $0.185 per common share during the first quarter of 2025. In April 2025, we announced an increase of our dividend to $0.21 per common share which was paid quarterly through March 2026. In May 2026, we announced the increase of our quarterly dividend from $0.21 to $0.24 per common share, payable in June 2026. Future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our Board of Directors and Genworth and will be targeted to be paid in the third month of each quarter.
On May 1, 2024, we announced the authorization of a share repurchase program that allowed for the repurchase of up to $250 million of EHI’s common stock. The Company completed the repurchase of shares under this authorization in the second quarter of 2025. On April 30, 2025, we announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program that allowed for the repurchase of up to an additional $350 million of EHI’s common stock. The Company completed the repurchase of shares under this authorization during the first quarter of 2026. On February 3, 2026, we announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to an additional $500 million of EHI’s common stock. Under the programs, share repurchases may be made at our discretion from time to time in open market transactions in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. In support, Enact has entered into an agreement with Genworth Holdings, Inc. to repurchase its Enact shares as part of the program to maintain Genworth’s current ownership interest in Enact. We expect the timing and amount of any future share repurchases will be opportunistic and will depend on a variety of factors, including EHI’s share price, capital availabilit
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. For factors that could cause such differences refer to the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” 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. Future results could differ significantly from the historical results presented in this section. References to EHI, the “Company,” “we” or “our” herein are, unless the context otherwise requires, to EHI on a consolidated basis.
Overview of Business
We are a leading private mortgage insurance company, having served the United States housing finance market since 1981, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mortgage insurance products provide credit protection to mortgage lenders, covering a portion of the unpaid principal balance of Low Down Payment Loans in the event of a default. Our business objective is to leverage our competitive strengths to drive market share, maintain our strong capitalization and strong earnings profile and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders. We also offer mortgage and credit-related insurance and reinsurance through our other subsidiaries, including our wholly owned Bermuda-based subsidiary, Enact Re.
We primarily generate revenues by providing mortgage credit protection to our customers in exchange for premiums, which we set based on our evaluation of the underlying risk we insure. Once the premium rate is established and coverage is activated, the premium rate remains unchanged for the first ten years of the policy; thereafter the premium rate resets to a lower rate used for the remaining life of the policy. In general, we can only cancel coverage for a failure to pay premiums or at servicer direction when the borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity. Our premium rate is applied predominantly to the original loan balance to determine either a monthly payment that the lender adds to the borrower’s monthly loan payment or a single upfront payment made by either the borrower or lender at loan closing. The amount of premiums earned from our insurance portfolio and the timing of premium recognition are also affected by persistency rate, which we measure as the percentage of loans that remain on our books based on the annualized cancellations for the period.
We also employ a CRT program to transfer a portion of our risk through traditional XOL and quota share reinsurance arrangements and the issuance of ILNs. In exchange, we cede a negotiated amount of our premiums to the reinsurers and ILN investors that participate in our CRT transactions. Importantly, our CRT program helps to manage risk in our operating model and spread the risk of loss across our counterparties while also providing capital relief.
We also invest our premiums in high quality, predominantly fixed income assets with the primary business objectives of preserving capital, generating investment income and maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover our operating expenses and pay future claims. The investment income generated through our investment portfolio is another significant source of our revenues.
We generate profits through collection of premiums and investment income less losses, operating expenses, interest expense and taxes. Our mortgage insurance coverage protects lenders against loss in the event of a borrower default by covering a portion of the outstanding principal balance of a loan. In the event of a borrower default, our coverage reduces and, in certain instances eliminates, losses to the insured by transferring the covered portion of the economic loss to us. Borrower defaults are first reported to us as new delinquencies when the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage
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payments. Incurred losses are our estimate of future claims on these new delinquencies as well as any change in the prior estimates for previously existing delinquencies. In addition, incurred losses include estimates of future claims on IBNR delinquencies. Our incurred losses are based on estimates of both the rate at which delinquencies will go to claim (i.e., claim rate) and the ultimate claim amount (i.e., claim severity). Claim frequency and severity estimates are established based on historical experience focusing on certain delinquency and loan attributes that influence the probability and amount of ultimate claim. Our estimates of ultimate claim amounts for each delinquency include loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) that are costs incurred in the settlement of the claim process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Incurred losses are generally affected by macroeconomic conditions, borrower credit quality, certain loan attributes, underwriting quality and our loss mitigation efforts among other factors detailed below.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
Our financial position and results of operations depend to a significant extent on the following factors, as noted below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
Mortgage Origination Volume
The level of mortgage origination volume is a key driver of our future revenues. The overall mortgage origination market is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the rate of economic growth, the unemployment rate, interest rates, home affordability, household savings rates, the inventory of unsold homes, demographics of potential homebuyers and credit availability. The mortgage origination market is also influenced by various legislative and regulatory actions and GSE programs and policies that impact the housing and mortgage finance industries.
Penetration
The penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is mainly influenced by the competitiveness of private mortgage insurance compared to alternative products for Low Down Payment Loans provided by government agencies (principally the FHA and the VA), portfolio lenders that self-insure, reinsurers and capital market transactions designed to mitigate risk. In addition, the private mortgage insurance industry’s penetration rate is driven by the relative percentage of purchase mortgage originations versus refinances. Private mortgage insurance penetration tends to be significantly higher on new mortgages for purchased homes than on the refinance of existing mortgages, because average LTV ratios are typically higher on home purchases and therefore are more likely to require mortgage insurance. Lastly, we believe the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is influenced by other factors, including lender preference, FHA competitiveness and risk appetite, loan limits, contractual terms including cancellability and loss mitigation practices.
Credit and Regulatory Environment
The level of private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size is affected in part by actions taken by the GSEs and the United States government, including the FHA, the FHFA and Congress, that impact housing or housing finance policy. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees and loan limits, as well as low down payment programs available through the FHA or GSEs.
Competition and Market Share
Competitors include other private mortgage insurers that are eligible to write business for the GSEs. We compete with other private mortgage insurers based on pricing, underwriting guidelines, customer relationships, service levels, policy terms, loss mitigation practices, perceived financial strength (including comparative credit ratings), reputation, strength of management, product features and technology ease-of-use. We also compete with governmental agencies (principally the FHA and the VA) primarily based on price and underwriting guidelines.
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Pricing is highly competitive in the mortgage insurance industry, with industry participants competing for market share, customer relationships and overall value. Pricing trends have introduced an increasing number of loan, borrower, lender and property attributes, resulting in expanded granularity in pricing regimes in order to better align price and risk. Our proprietary risk-based pricing model evaluates returns and volatility under multiple capital frameworks, which are sensitive to economic cycles and current housing market conditions. The model assesses the performance of new business under expected and stress scenarios on an individualized loan basis, which is used to determine pricing and inform our risk selection strategy that optimizes economic value by balancing return and volatility.
Seasonality
Consistent with the seasonality of home sales, purchase mortgage origination volumes typically increase in late spring and peak during summer months, leading to a rise in NIW volume during the second and third quarters of a given year. Refinancing volume, however, does not follow a similar seasonal trend and instead is primarily influenced by interest rates, which can overwhelm typical seasonal trends. Delinquency performance (new delinquency formation and cure behavior) is generally favorable in the first and second quarters of the year. Therefore, we typically experience lower levels of losses resulting from favorable delinquency activity in the first and second quarters, as compared to the third and fourth quarters.
The following table presents our NIW, number of cures and new delinquencies for primary policies, excluding our run-off business, for the periods indicated:
| Seasonality | Three months ended | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Mar 31, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2024 | Mar 31, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | ||||||||
| NIW | $10,526 | $13,619 | $13,591 | $13,266 | $9,818 | $13,254 | $14,048 | $14,386 | ||||||||
| % Change | 0.7% | 29.4% | (0.2)% | (2.4)% | (26.0)% | 35.0% | 6.0% | 2.4% | ||||||||
| Cure Counts | 12,160 | 10,731 | 10,749 | 10,971 | 13,263 | 11,574 | 11,467 | 11,883 | ||||||||
| % Change | 17.9% | (11.8)% | 0.2% | 2.1% | 20.9% | (12.7)% | (0.9)% | 3.6% | ||||||||
| New Delinquency Count | 11,395 | 10,461 | 12,964 | 13,717 | 12,237 | 11,567 | 12,998 | 13,679 | ||||||||
| % Change | (2.7)% | (8.2)% | 23.9% | 5.8% | (10.8)% | (5.5)% | 12.4% | 5.2% |
NIW
NIW occurs when a lender activates mortgage insurance coverage on a closed mortgage loan. NIW increases our IIF, premiums written and premiums earned. NIW is affected by the overall size of the mortgage origination market, the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance into the overall mortgage origination market and our market share of the private mortgage insurance market.
Pricing
Our pricing strategy is designed to charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan we insure. Our proprietary platform provides us with a more flexible, granular and analytical approach to selecting and pricing risk. Using our platform, we can quickly change price to modify our risk selection levels, respond to industry pricing trends or adjust to changing economic conditions.
IIF
IIF at the time of origination is used to determine premiums as the premium rate is expressed as a percentage of IIF. IIF is one of the primary drivers of our future earned premium. Based on the composition of our insurance portfolio, with monthly premium policies comprising a larger proportion of our total portfolio than single premium policies, an increase or decrease in IIF generally has a corresponding impact on premiums earned. Cancellations of our insurance policies as a result of prepayments and other reductions of IIF, such as rescissions of coverage and claims paid, generally have a negative effect on premiums earned.
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Persistency Rate and Business Mix
The percentage of our IIF that remains insured after taking into account annualized cancellations for the period presented is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher or lower persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability. Recent elevated interest rates have increased persistency in the portfolio, but this impact is partially offset by lower NIW.
Loan prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Assuming all other factors remain constant over the life of the policies, prepayment speeds have an inverse impact on IIF and the expected premium from our monthly policies. Slower prepayment speeds, demonstrated by a higher persistency rate, result in IIF remaining in place, providing increased premium from monthly policies over time as premium payments continue. Earlier than anticipated prepayments, demonstrated by a lower persistency rate, reduce IIF and the premium from our monthly policies.
The following table presents the weighted average mortgage interest rate on outstanding primary IIF as of December 31, 2025, excluding our run-off business. Prepayment speeds may be affected by changes in interest rates, among other factors. An increasing interest rate environment generally will reduce refinancing activity and result in lower prepayments. A declining interest rate environment generally will increase refinancing activity and increase prepayments.
| Policy Year | Weightedaveragerate (1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | 5.36 | % | |
| 2009-2017 | 4.02 | % | |
| 2018 | 4.86 | % | |
| 2019 | 4.24 | % | |
| 2020 | 3.26 | % | |
| 2021 | 3.12 | % | |
| 2022 | 4.89 | % | |
| 2023 | 6.59 | % | |
| 2024 | 6.67 | % | |
| 2025 | 6.57 | % | |
| Total portfolio | 5.21 | % |
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(1)Average Annual Mortgage Interest Rate weighted by IIF.
In contrast to monthly premium policies, when single premium policies are cancelled by the insured because the loan has been paid off or otherwise, any remaining unearned premiums are earned at cancellation. Although these cancellations reduce IIF, assuming all other factors remain constant, the profitability of our single premium business increases when persistency rates are lower. Our concentration of single premium policies has declined in recent years, as a result of elevated interest rates. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, single premium policies comprised 9% and 9% of primary IIF, respectively.
Credit Quality
Improved analytics, stronger loan origination quality controls and regulatory developments have resulted in a significant improvement in the credit quality for loans originated in the private mortgage insurance market over time. Additionally, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards over the past decade, with average FICO scores for NIW persisting at levels significantly
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above historical averages. As a result, the industry is insuring loans from borrowers who should be better positioned to meet their mortgage obligations.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is determined primarily by the invested assets held and the average yield on our overall investment portfolio.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on such factors as market opportunities, our capital profile and overall market cycles that impact the timing of selling securities.
Losses Incurred
Losses incurred represent current payments and changes in the estimated future payments on claims that result from delinquent loans. We estimate an expense only for delinquent loans as explained in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Incurred losses depend to a significant extent on the following factors:
•deterioration of regional or national economic conditions leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments;
•legislative, regulatory, FHFA or GSE action, or executive orders permitting or mandating forbearance or a moratorium on foreclosures or evictions due to events such as natural disasters or a pandemic;
•a drop in housing values that could expose us to greater loss on resale of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings and an adverse change in the effectiveness of loss mitigation actions that could result in an increase in the frequency of expected claim rates;
•a drop in housing values that negatively impacts a borrower’s willingness to continue mortgage payments, potentially leading to higher delinquencies and ultimately claims;
•if the foreclosure occurs in a state that imposes judicial process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed, which impacts severity of the claim;
•the credit characteristics in our in-force portfolio, as loans with higher risk characteristics generally result in more delinquencies and claims;
•the size of loans we insure, as loans with relatively higher average loan amounts generally result in higher incurred losses;
•the coverage percentage on insured loans, as loans with higher percentages of insurance coverage generally correlate with higher incurred losses;
•the level and amount of reinsurance coverage maintained with third parties; and
•the distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after origination have relatively low claims, with claims increasing for several years subsequently and then declining. However, persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices and other factors can affect this pattern.
Credit Risk Transfer
We use CRT transactions to transfer a portion of our risk to third parties, through traditional XOL and quota share reinsurance and the issuance of ILNs. Our CRT program reduces the volatility of our in-force
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portfolio and provides capital relief under PMIERs. When we enter into a CRT transaction, the reinsurer receives a premium and, in exchange, insures an agreed upon portion of incurred losses. These arrangements have the impact of reducing our earned premiums and incurred losses, but also provide capital relief under PMIERs.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include costs related to the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of our insurance contracts, including sales, underwriting and general operating costs. Acquisition expenses are influenced by the amount of our NIW. Acquisition costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new insurance policies, such as underwriting expenses, are deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying insurance policies. These deferred acquisition costs are referred to as “DAC.” The ongoing maintenance expenses of our insurance contracts are generally fixed in nature and include costs such as information technology, finance and legal, among others, including costs allocated from Genworth for certain activities on our behalf. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements regarding our related party transactions.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting estimates (including sensitivities) discussed in this section are those that we consider to be particularly critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on our ability to judge the effect of inherently uncertain matters on our financial results. The sensitivities included in this section involve matters that are also inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment in selecting the factors and amounts used in the sensitivities. Small changes in the amounts used in the sensitivities or the use of different factors could result in materially different outcomes from those reflected in the sensitivities. For all of these accounting estimates, we caution that future events seldom develop as estimated and management’s best estimates often require adjustment.
Loss Reserves
Loss reserves represent the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the end of the respective reporting period. The estimated liability includes requirements for future payments of: (a) losses that have been reported to the insurer; (b) losses related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated; and (c) LAE. LAE include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not in default or believed to be in default.
Estimates and actuarial assumptions used for establishing loss reserves involve the exercise of significant judgment, and changes in assumptions or deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have material impacts on our loss reserves and net income (loss). Because these assumptions relate to factors that are not known in advance, change over time, are difficult to accurately predict and are inherently uncertain, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The sources of uncertainty affecting the estimates are numerous and include factors internal and external to us. Internal factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the mix of exposures, loss mitigation activities and claim settlement practices. Significant external influences include changes in home prices, unemployment, government housing policies, state foreclosure timeline, general economic conditions, interest rates, tax policy, credit availability and mortgage products. Small changes in assumptions or small deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have, and in the past have had, material impacts on our reserves, results of operations and financial condition.
We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and LAE related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. Loss reserves are established by estimating the number of loans in our inventory
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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. The estimates are determined using a factor-based approach, in which assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim are calculated using traditional actuarial techniques. Over time, as the status of the underlying delinquent loans moves toward foreclosure and the likelihood of the associated claim loss increases, the amount of the loss reserves associated with the potential claims may also increase.
Management monitors actual experience, and where circumstances warrant, will revise its assumptions. Our liability for loss reserves is reviewed regularly, with changes in our estimates of future claims recorded through net income. Estimation of losses is based on historical claim and cure experience and covered exposures and is inherently judgmental. Future developments may result in losses greater or less than the liability for loss reserves provided.
Loss reserves as of December 31, 2025, were $572 million, an increase of $48 million since December 31, 2024. In considering the potential sensitivity of the factors underlying management’s best estimate of our loss reserve, it is possible that even a relatively small change in the estimated claim and severity rates could have a significant impact on loss reserves and, correspondingly, on results of operations. For example, based on our actual experience during the three-year period immediately preceding December 31, 2025, a change of 4 percentage points, or 15%, in the average claim rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $79 million. Likewise, a change of 3 percentage points, or a change of 3%, in the average severity rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $16 million.
Investments
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was valued at $6,051 million as of December 31, 2025, an increase of $426 million from December 31, 2024.
The methodologies, estimates and assumptions used in valuing our fixed maturity securities evolve over time and are subject to different interpretations, all of which can lead to materially different estimates of fair value. Additionally, because the valuation is based on market conditions at a specific point in time, the period-to-period changes in fair value may vary significantly due to changing interest rates, external macroeconomic and credit market conditions. For example, widening credit spreads will generally result in a decrease, while tightening of credit spreads will generally result in an increase in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities. Also, during periods of increasing interest rates, the market values of lower-yielding assets will decline. See “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on our investments portfolio.
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities comprises primarily investment grade securities, which are carried at fair value. Estimates of fair values for fixed maturity securities are obtained primarily from industry-standard pricing methodologies utilizing market observable inputs. For our less liquid securities, such as our privately placed securities, we utilize independent market data to employ alternative valuation methods commonly used in the financial services industry to estimate fair value. Based on the market observability of the inputs used in estimating the fair value, the pricing level is assigned.
See Notes 2, 3 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the valuation of fixed maturity securities and a description of the fair value measurement estimates and level assignments.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-For-Sale Securities
As of each balance sheet date, we evaluate fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for changes to the allowance for credit losses. Determining the value of the unrealized losses is dependent
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on the same methodologies and assumptions used in our valuation of fixed maturity securities. We also consider all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. There is no recorded allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2025.
See Notes 2 and 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our insurance contracts have recurring monthly premiums. We recognize recurring premiums over the terms of the related insurance policy on a pro-rata basis. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the policy life. A portion of the revenue from single premium policies is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion remains deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies are cancelled and the premium is non-refundable, then the remaining unearned premium related to each cancelled policy is recognized to earned premiums upon notification of the cancellation. For borrower-paid mortgage insurance, coverage ceases at the earlier of prepayment, or when the original principal is amortized to a 78% loan-to-value ratio in accordance with HOPA. Variation in cancellation rates and projected losses are inputs into our premium recognition models, causing uncertainty within our estimates.
We periodically review our premium earnings recognition models with any adjustments to the estimates reflected as a cumulative adjustment on a retrospective basis in current period net income. These reviews include the consideration of recent and projected loss and policy cancellation experience, and adjustments to the estimated earnings patterns are made, if warranted.
Unearned premiums were $92 million as of December 31, 2025, a decrease of $23 million compared to December 31, 2024. Changes in market conditions could cause a decline in mortgage originations, mortgage insurance penetration rates, persistency and our market share, all of which could impact new insurance written. For example, a decline in primary new insurance written of $1.0 billion would result in a reduction in earned premiums of approximately $3 million in the first full year. Likewise, if primary persistency rates declined on our existing insurance in-force by 10%, earned premiums would decline by approximately $95 million during the first full year, partially offset by higher policy cancellations in our single premium products. These reductions in earned premiums could be potentially offset by lower reserves due to policies no longer being in-force.
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Trends and Conditions
Macroeconomic environment. Throughout 2025, the United States economy was subject to significant volatility and uncertainty, largely related to changing economic policies, including new and variable tariffs, continued inflationary pressure, the government shutdown and certain domestic and geopolitical tensions. The ancillary effects of these factors on the domestic and global economies could materially impact the United States housing markets and our business.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in December 2025 that Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) inflation was 2.7% year-over-year compared to 2.9% year-over-year in December 2024, while the unemployment rate has risen to 4.4% in December 2025 from 4.1% in December 2024. Elevated inflation remains a challenge for the Federal Open Market Committee as it navigates heightened uncertainty.
The U.S. purchase mortgage originations remained relatively slow in response to elevated mortgage rates. Over the past few years, housing affordability has deteriorated as elevated mortgage rates and home price appreciation outpaced median family income according to the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index. Affordability pressures eased slightly during the end of 2025 as mortgage rates began to decline and national house price growth has slowed according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) Monthly Purchase-Only House Price Index (Seasonally Adjusted).
Regulatory developments. Private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size are affected in part by actions that impact housing or housing finance policy taken by the GSEs and the U.S. government, including but not limited to, the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and the FHFA. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, including changes to the GSEs’ automated underwriting systems, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees, loan limits and alternative products.
In July 2025, the FHFA announced that it will implement the acceptance of VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The GSEs have not yet released implementation details and timelines, and the full impact of this initiative on our business, processes and financial results remains uncertain.
Competitive environment. The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Our market share is influenced by the execution of our go to market strategy, including but not limited to, pricing competitiveness relative to our peers and our selective participation in forward commitment transactions. We continue to manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which are modified from time to time when circumstances warrant. We see the market and underwriting conditions, including the pricing environment, as being within our risk-adjusted return appetite enabling us to write new business at attractive returns. Ultimately, we expect our new insurance written with its strong credit profile and attractive pricing to positively contribute to our future profitability and return on equity.
Our portfolio. New insurance written of $51.5 billion in 2025 increased 1% compared to 2024. Changes in NIW are primarily impacted by the size of the mortgage insurance market and our market share. Our primary persistency rate decreased to 82% during 2025 compared to 83% during 2024. Persistency remains slightly elevated due to high interest rates but decreased in 2025 due to rate volatility throughout the year. Elevated persistency and modest new insurance written growth has led to an increase in primary insurance in-force of $4.3 billion or 2% since December 31, 2024.
Net earned premiums increased marginally in 2025 compared to 2024 as higher average IIF and higher assumed premiums were mostly offset by higher ceded premiums and slightly lower average premium rates.
Our largest customer accounted for 12%, 11% and 10% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This customer also accounted for 22%, 20% and 19% of our total NIW during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. No other
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customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues or NIW for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 or 2023.
Loss experience. Our loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2025, was 11% as compared to 4% for the year ended December 31, 2024. Both periods were impacted by favorable reserve adjustments due to strong cure performance and loss mitigation efforts. In 2025, we recorded a net reserve release of $200 million. A majority of the reserve adjustments related to prior period delinquencies but a portion of the release also related to 2025 delinquencies as we reduced the expected claim rates as a result of sustained favorable cure performance and our current market expectations. In 2024, we recorded a reserve release of $252 million, primarily on prior accident year reserves.
New delinquencies in 2025 increased compared to 2024 primarily due to the normal loss development pattern on newer books. Current period primary delinquencies of 50,481 contributed $299 million of loss expense in 2025. We incurred $287 million of losses from 48,537 current period delinquencies in 2024. In determining the loss expense estimate, considerations were given to recent cure and claim experience and the prevailing and prospective economic conditions.
The severity of loss on loans that go to claim may be negatively impacted by extended forbearance and foreclosure timelines, the associated elevated expenses and the higher loan amount of the recent new delinquencies. These negative influences on loss severity could be mitigated, in part, by embedded home price appreciation. The majority of our mortgage insurance policies limit the number of months of unpaid interest and associated expenses that are included in the mortgage insurance claim amount to a maximum of 36 months.
Capital requirements and ratings. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio under the current regulatory framework as established under North Carolina law and enforced by the NCDOI, EMICO’s domestic insurance regulator, was approximately 10.1:1 as of December 31, 2025, and 10.5:1 as of December 31, 2024. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio remains below the NCDOI’s maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25:1. North Carolina’s calculation of risk-to-capital excludes the risk-in-force for delinquent loans given the established loss reserves against all delinquencies. EMICO’s ongoing risk-to-capital ratio will depend principally on the magnitude of future losses incurred by EMICO, the effectiveness of ongoing loss mitigation activities, new business volume and profitability, the impact of quota share reinsurance, the amount of policy lapses and the amount of additional capital that is generated or distributed by the business.
As of December 31, 2025, we had estimated available assets of $5,015 million against $3,096 million net required assets under PMIERs compared to available assets of $5,095 million against $3,043 million net required assets as of December 31, 2024. The sufficiency ratio as of December 31, 2025, was 162% or $1,919 million above the PMIERs requirements, compared to 167% or $2,052 million above the PMIERs requirements as of December 31, 2024. Our PMIERs required assets also benefited from a reinsurance credit of $1,932 million and $1,885 million related to third-party reinsurance as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our PMIERs required assets as of December 31, 2024, benefited $28 million from the application of a 0.30 multiplier applied to the risk-based required asset amount factor for certain non-performing loans as defined under PMIERs. Use of the multiplier was discontinued effective March 31, 2025.
On January 17, 2025, Fitch upgraded the long-term financial strength and issuer credit ratings of EMICO from A- to A.
On August 6, 2025, Moody’s upgraded the insurance financial strength rating of EMICO from A3 to A2.
Recent transactions. On January 24, 2025, we entered into two excess-of-loss reinsurance transactions that cover a portion of expected new insurance written from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, and provide reinsurance coverage of approximately $225 million and $260 million, respectively.
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On September 23, 2025, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement with a panel of reinsurers. Under the agreement, EMICO will cede approximately 34% of a portion of its expected new insurance written for the period from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
On September 30, 2025, we entered into a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2025 Revolving Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of lenders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $435 million, which replaces the previous $200 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility may be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility remains undrawn as of December 31, 2025.
On October 27, 2025, we entered into an excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction that covers a portion of expected new insurance written from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, and provides reinsurance coverage of approximately $170 million.
Capital returns. In March, June, September and December 2025, our primary mortgage insurance operating company, EMICO, paid dividends to EHI that support our ability to return capital to shareholders. We paid a dividend of $0.185 per common share during the first quarter of 2025. In April 2025, we announced an increase of our quarterly dividend to $0.21 per common share which was paid in June, September and December 2025. Future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our Board of Directors and Genworth and will be targeted to be paid in the third month of each quarter.
On May 1, 2024, we announced the authorization of a share repurchase program that allowed for the repurchase of up to $250 million of EHI’s common stock. The Company completed the repurchase of shares under this authorization in the second quarter of 2025. On April 30, 2025, we announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to an additional $350 million of EHI’s common stock. Under the programs, share repurchases may be made at our discretion from time to time in open market transactions in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. In support, Enact has entered into an agreement with Genworth Holdings, Inc. to repurchase its Enact shares as part of the program to maintain Genworth’s ownership interest in Enact. We expect the timing and amount of any future share repurchases will be opportunistic and will depend on a variety of factors, including EHI’s share price, capital availability, business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and debt covenant restrictions. The programs do not obligate EHI to acquire any amount of common stock, may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion without prior notice, and do not have a specified expiration date.
Subsequent to year end, on February 3, 2026, we announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to an additional $500 million of EHI’s common stock.
Returning capital to shareholders, balanced with our growth and risk management priorities, remains a key commitment as we look to drive shareholder value through time. Future return of capital will be shaped by our capital prioritization framework, which sets the following priorities: supporting our existing policyholders, growing our mortgage insurance business, funding attractive new business opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. Our total return of capital will also be based on our view of the prevailing and prospective macroeconomic conditions, regulatory landscape and business performance.
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Results of Operations and Key Metrics
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated results for the periods indicated:
| Year ended December 31, | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 980,505 | $ | 980,104 | $ | 957,075 | $ | 401 | — | % | $ | 23,029 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Net investment income | 266,153 | 240,564 | 207,369 | 25,589 | 11 | % | 33,195 | 16 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (16,276) | (22,807) | (14,022) | 6,531 | 29 | % | (8,785) | (63) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 5,445 | 3,913 | 3,264 | 1,532 | 39 | % | 649 | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,235,827 | 1,201,774 | 1,153,686 | 34,053 | 3 | % | 48,088 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Losses and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred | 109,526 | 38,657 | 27,165 | 70,869 | 183 | % | 11,492 | 42 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals | 208,326 | 213,310 | 212,491 | (4,984) | (2) | % | 819 | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles | 9,189 | 9,659 | 10,654 | (470) | (5) | % | (995) | (9) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 49,949 | 51,157 | 51,867 | (1,208) | (2) | % | (710) | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 10,930 | — | (10,930) | NM(4) | 10,930 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 376,990 | 323,713 | 302,177 | 53,277 | 16 | % | 21,536 | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 858,837 | 878,061 | 851,509 | (19,224) | (2) | % | 26,552 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 184,593 | 189,993 | 185,998 | (5,400) | (3) | % | 3,995 | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 674,244 | $ | 688,068 | $ | 665,511 | $ | (13,824) | (2) | % | $ | 22,557 | 3 | % | |||||||||||
| Loss ratio (1) | 11 | % | 4 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 22 | % | 23 | % | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premium rate (3) | 0.35 | % | 0.36 | % | 0.37 | % |
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(1)Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses incurred by net earned premiums.
(2)Expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, plus amortization of DAC and intangibles by net earned premiums.
(3)Net earned premium rate is calculated by dividing direct earned premium less ceded premium, by average primary IIF.
(4)We define “NM” as not meaningful for increases or decreases greater than 300%.
Detailed discussions of our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, including the year-over-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023, that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025.
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024
Revenues
Premiums increased marginally, attributable to higher average IIF and higher assumed premiums, partially offset by higher ceded premiums and slightly lower average premium rates. The net earned premium rate was 35 basis points, down slightly from 36 basis points in 2024.
Net investment income increased primarily due to higher investment yields coupled with higher average invested assets.
Net investment losses during 2025 and 2024 were primarily driven by realized losses on the sale of fixed maturity securities as part of our yield optimization strategy that allows us to reinvest sales proceeds
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and recoup higher investment income. Our yield optimization strategy enables opportunistic security sales based on current and changing market conditions. We had fewer losses on sales in 2025 than 2024.
Other income includes underwriting fee revenue, equity method investment income and other revenue.
Losses and expenses
Losses incurred in 2025 and 2024 were impacted by favorable reserve adjustments due to strong cure performance and loss mitigation efforts. In 2025, we recorded a net reserve release of $200 million. A majority of the reserve adjustments related to prior period delinquencies but a portion of the release also related to 2025 delinquencies as we reduced the expected claim rates as a result of sustained favorable cure performance and our current market expectations. During 2024, we recorded $252 million of reserve releases.
New primary delinquencies were 50,481 in 2025 compared to 48,537 in 2024, resulting in $299 million and $287 million of losses, respectively.
The following table shows incurred losses related to current and prior accident years for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losses and LAE incurred related to current accident year | $ | 280,143 | $ | 289,482 | $ | 275,418 | ||||
| Losses and LAE incurred related to prior accident years | (188,739) | (258,180) | (248,214) | |||||||
| Total incurred (1) | $ | 91,404 | $ | 31,302 | $ | 27,204 |
_______________
(1)Excludes run-off business.
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, decreased slightly driven primarily by prudent expense management coupled with severance expenses as a part of restructuring activities in 2024.
Amortization of DAC and intangibles declined slightly due to lower DAC amortization as a result of elevated persistency, driven by high mortgage rates and lower software amortization.
The expense ratio decreased slightly due to a small decrease in expenses and flat premium growth.
The loss on debt extinguishment relates to the expenses incurred associated with the redemption of our 2025 Notes in 2024.
Interest expense for 2025 primarily relates to our 2029 Notes while interest expense for 2024 relates primarily to our 2025 and 2029 Notes. For additional details see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.
Provision for income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.5% and 21.6% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, consistent with the United States corporate federal income tax rate.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use a non-U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP”) financial measure entitled “adjusted operating income.” This non-GAAP financial measure is additionally evaluated by both management and our Board of Directors. Management also uses adjusted operating income (loss) as a basis for determining awards and compensation for senior management and to evaluate performance on a basis comparable to that used by analysts. This measure has been established in order to increase transparency for the purposes of evaluating our core operating trends and enabling more meaningful comparisons with our peers. Although
72
“adjusted operating income” is a non-GAAP financial measure, for the reasons discussed above we believe this measure aids in understanding the underlying performance of our operations.
“Adjusted operating income” is defined as U.S. GAAP net income excluding the effects of (i) net investment gains (losses) (ii) reorganization or restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items and (iii) gains (losses) on the extinguishment of debt. .
(i)Net investment gains (losses)—The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on the timing of individual securities sales due to such factors as market opportunities or exposure management. Trends in the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these realized gains and losses. We do not view them as indicative of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, these items are excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income.
(ii)Reorganization or restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items are also excluded from adjusted operating income if, in our opinion, they are not indicative of overall operating trends.
(iii)Gains (losses) on the extinguishment of debt are also excluded from adjusted operating income, as we do not view them as indicative of overall operating trends.
In reporting non-GAAP measures in the future, we may make other adjustments for expenses and gains we do not consider reflective of core operating performance in a particular period. We may disclose other non-GAAP operating measures if we believe that such a presentation would be helpful for investors to evaluate our operating condition by including additional information.
Adjusted operating income is not a measure of total profitability, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income. Our definition of adjusted operating income may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies, including our peers.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to adjusted operating income assume a 21% tax rate (unless otherwise indicated).
The following table includes a reconciliation of net income to adjusted operating income for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 674,244 | $ | 688,068 | $ | 665,511 | ||||
| Adjustments to net income: | ||||||||||
| Net investment (gains) losses | 16,276 | 22,807 | 14,022 | |||||||
| Costs associated with reorganization | 820 | 4,652 | (131) | |||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 10,930 | — | |||||||
| Taxes on adjustments | (3,590) | (8,061) | (2,917) | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 687,750 | $ | 718,396 | $ | 676,485 |
Adjusted operating income decreased in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to higher losses, partially offset by higher net investment income and lower expenses.
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Key Metrics
Management reviews the key metrics included within this section when analyzing the performance of our business. The metrics provided in this section are on a direct basis and exclude activity related to our run-off business, which is immaterial to our consolidated results of operations.
The following table sets forth selected operating performance measures on a primary basis as of or for the years ended December 31:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New insurance written | $51,506 | $51,002 | $53,081 | |||||
| Primary insurance in-force (1) | $273,147 | $268,825 | $262,937 | |||||
| Primary risk in-force | $71,363 | $69,985 | $67,529 | |||||
| Persistency rate | 82 | % | 83 | % | 85 | % | ||
| Primary policies in-force (count) | 950,670 | 962,849 | 974,516 | |||||
| Delinquent loans (count) | 24,885 | 23,566 | 20,432 | |||||
| Delinquency rate | 2.62 | % | 2.45 | % | 2.10 | % |
_______________
(1)Represents the aggregate unpaid principal balance for loans we insure.
New insurance written
NIW for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased 1% compared to 2024. Changes in NIW are primarily impacted by the size of the mortgage insurance market and our market share. We manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which we modify from time to time as circumstances warrant.
The following table presents NIW by product for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by underlying type of mortgage for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases | $ | 46,192 | 90 | % | $ | 47,693 | 94 | % | $ | 51,723 | 97 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances | 5,314 | 10 | 3,309 | 6 | 1,358 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by policy payment type for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $ | 49,320 | 96 | % | $ | 48,830 | 96 | % | $ | 51,869 | 98 | % | ||||||||
| Single | 2,116 | 4 | 2,102 | 4 | 1,114 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 70 | — | 70 | — | 98 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % |
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The following table presents primary NIW by FICO score for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 26,339 | 51 | % | $ | 24,843 | 49 | % | $ | 24,680 | 46 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 8,477 | 16 | 8,096 | 16 | 8,994 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 6,278 | 12 | 6,768 | 13 | 7,220 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 4,523 | 9 | 4,932 | 10 | 5,214 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 2,967 | 6 | 3,237 | 6 | 3,652 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 1,729 | 3 | 1,759 | 3 | 2,086 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 835 | 2 | 972 | 2 | 952 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 335 | 1 | 369 | 1 | 268 | — | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 23 | — | 26 | — | 15 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the original loan amount, excluding financed premium, by the property’s acquisition value or fair market value at the time of origination. The following table presents primary NIW by LTV ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 9,580 | 19 | % | $ | 10,129 | 20 | % | $ | 9,295 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 18,835 | 36 | 19,270 | 38 | 19,861 | 37 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 15,435 | 30 | 15,609 | 30 | 17,200 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 7,656 | 15 | 5,994 | 12 | 6,725 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by DTI ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 15,186 | 30 | % | $ | 14,545 | 28 | % | $ | 15,600 | 29 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 18,670 | 36 | 18,711 | 37 | 18,906 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 17,650 | 34 | 17,746 | 35 | 18,575 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,506 | 100 | % | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % |
Insurance in-force and Risk in-force
IIF increased largely from NIW and elevated persistency in the current year, partially offset by lapses and cancellations. Primary persistency rate was 82% and 83% for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. RIF increased primarily as a result of higher IIF.
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The following table sets forth IIF and RIF as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary IIF | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool IIF | 331 | — | 379 | — | 436 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 273,478 | 100 | % | $ | 269,204 | 100 | % | $ | 263,373 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Primary RIF | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool RIF | 51 | — | 57 | — | 69 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 71,414 | 100 | % | $ | 70,042 | 100 | % | $ | 67,598 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases IIF | $ | 249,902 | 91 | % | $ | 243,730 | 91 | % | $ | 231,526 | 88 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances IIF | 23,245 | 9 | 25,095 | 9 | 31,411 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Purchases RIF | $ | 65,890 | 92 | % | $ | 64,031 | 91 | % | $ | 60,497 | 90 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances RIF | 5,473 | 8 | 5,954 | 9 | 7,032 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by product as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly IIF | $ | 247,776 | 91 | % | $ | 241,785 | 90 | % | $ | 233,651 | 89 | % | ||||||||
| Single IIF | 23,844 | 9 | 25,301 | 9 | 27,353 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Other IIF | 1,527 | — | 1,739 | 1 | 1,933 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Monthly RIF | $ | 65,836 | 92 | % | $ | 64,078 | 91 | % | $ | 61,083 | 90 | % | ||||||||
| Single RIF | 5,135 | 7 | 5,466 | 8 | 5,957 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Other RIF | 392 | 1 | 441 | 1 | 489 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % |
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 4,219 | 2 | % | $ | 4,860 | 2 | % | $ | 5,621 | 2 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2017 | 6,503 | 2 | 9,045 | 3 | 13,363 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 3,917 | 1 | 4,790 | 2 | 5,750 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 9,539 | 4 | 11,415 | 4 | 13,773 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 28,074 | 10 | 34,940 | 13 | 44,486 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 45,945 | 17 | 57,266 | 21 | 70,045 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 46,173 | 17 | 53,063 | 20 | 59,267 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 38,250 | 14 | 45,208 | 17 | 50,632 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 42,043 | 15 | 48,238 | 18 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 48,484 | 18 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 1,092 | 2 | % | $ | 1,256 | 2 | % | $ | 1,449 | 2 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2017 | 1,680 | 2 | 2,368 | 3 | 3,532 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 1,010 | 1 | 1,233 | 2 | 1,476 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2,499 | 4 | 2,984 | 4 | 3,544 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 7,739 | 11 | 9,553 | 14 | 11,697 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 12,482 | 17 | 15,043 | 21 | 17,846 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 11,884 | 17 | 13,476 | 19 | 14,907 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 9,967 | 14 | 11,719 | 17 | 13,078 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 10,812 | 15 | 12,353 | 18 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 12,198 | 17 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % |
The following table presents the development of primary IIF for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $ | 268,825 | $ | 262,937 | $ | 248,262 | ||||
| NIW | 51,506 | 51,002 | 53,081 | |||||||
| Cancellations, principal repayments and other reductions (1) | (47,184) | (45,114) | (38,406) | |||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 273,147 | $ | 268,825 | $ | 262,937 |
_____________
(1)Includes the estimated amortization of unpaid principal balance of covered loans.
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 54,221 | 20 | % | $ | 50,318 | 18 | % | $ | 44,955 | 17 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 114,315 | 42 | 112,362 | 42 | 109,227 | 41 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 78,746 | 29 | 79,932 | 30 | 77,887 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 25,865 | 9 | 26,213 | 10 | 30,868 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 15,608 | 22 | % | $ | 14,428 | 21 | % | $ | 12,878 | 19 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 33,260 | 47 | 32,686 | 47 | 31,781 | 47 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 19,410 | 27 | 19,729 | 28 | 19,163 | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 3,085 | 4 | 3,142 | 4 | 3,707 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 120,093 | 44 | % | $ | 115,554 | 43 | % | $ | 110,635 | 42 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 44,898 | 16 | 43,955 | 17 | 43,053 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 37,897 | 14 | 37,717 | 14 | 37,020 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 29,486 | 11 | 29,819 | 11 | 29,766 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 20,773 | 8 | 21,355 | 8 | 21,835 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 11,091 | 4 | 11,245 | 4 | 11,357 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 5,988 | 2 | 6,147 | 2 | 6,137 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 2,398 | 1 | 2,461 | 1 | 2,504 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 523 | — | 572 | — | 630 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
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The following table sets forth primary RIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 31,186 | 44 | % | $ | 29,985 | 43 | % | $ | 28,363 | 42 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 11,765 | 16 | 11,494 | 17 | 11,096 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 10,049 | 14 | 9,949 | 14 | 9,621 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 7,727 | 11 | 7,746 | 11 | 7,623 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 5,412 | 8 | 5,523 | 8 | 5,557 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,913 | 4 | 2,924 | 4 | 2,908 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 1,564 | 2 | 1,589 | 2 | 1,565 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 615 | 1 | 629 | 1 | 635 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 132 | — | 146 | — | 161 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
The following table sets forth primary IIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 65,275 | 24 | % | $ | 59,864 | 22 | % | $ | 53,440 | 20 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 99,748 | 36 | 97,361 | 36 | 93,871 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 108,124 | 40 | 111,600 | 42 | 115,626 | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 273,147 | 100 | % | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 17,150 | 24 | % | $ | 15,674 | 22 | % | $ | 13,830 | 20 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 25,893 | 36 | 25,226 | 36 | 24,072 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 28,320 | 40 | 29,085 | 42 | 29,627 | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 71,363 | 100 | % | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % |
Delinquent loans and claims
Our delinquency management process begins with notification by the loan servicer of a delinquency on an insured loan. “Delinquency” is defined in our master policies as the borrower’s failure to pay when due an amount equal to the scheduled monthly mortgage payment under the terms of the mortgage. Generally, our master policies require an insured to notify us of a delinquency if the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments prior to the due date of the next mortgage payment. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness/death, inability to manage credit, falling home prices and interest rate levels. Borrowers may cure delinquencies by making all of the delinquent loan payments, agreeing to a loan modification, or by selling the property in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In most cases, delinquencies that are not cured result in a claim under our policy.
79
The following table shows a roll forward of the number of primary loans in default for the years ended December 31:
| (Loan count) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of delinquencies, beginning of period | 23,566 | 20,432 | 19,943 | ||||
| New defaults | 50,481 | 48,537 | 41,617 | ||||
| Cures | (48,187) | (44,611) | (40,475) | ||||
| Claims paid | (937) | (743) | (615) | ||||
| Rescissions and claim denials | (38) | (49) | (38) | ||||
| Number of delinquencies, end of period | 24,885 | 23,566 | 20,432 |
The following table sets forth changes in our direct primary case loss reserves for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) (1) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss reserves, beginning of period | $ | 472,110 | $ | 476,709 | $ | 479,343 | ||||
| Claims paid | (52,374) | (30,550) | (23,357) | |||||||
| Increase in reserves | 95,390 | 25,951 | 20,723 | |||||||
| Loss reserves, end of period | $ | 515,126 | $ | 472,110 | $ | 476,709 |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The following tables set forth primary delinquencies, direct primary case reserves and RIF by aged missed payment status as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 12,647 | $ | 104 | $ | 867 | 12 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 8,591 | 206 | 641 | 32 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 3,647 | 205 | 270 | 76 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 24,885 | $ | 515 | $ | 1,778 | 29 | % |
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 12,712 | $ | 108 | $ | 849 | 13 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 7,701 | 191 | 545 | 35 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 3,153 | 173 | 213 | 81 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 23,566 | $ | 472 | $ | 1,607 | 29 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
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| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 10,166 | $ | 88 | $ | 629 | 14 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 6,934 | 205 | 469 | 44 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 3,332 | 184 | 200 | 92 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 20,432 | $ | 477 | $ | 1,298 | 37 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The total reserves as a percentage of RIF as of December 31, 2025, was flat compared to December 31, 2024.
The ratio of the claim paid to the current risk in-force for a loan is referred to as “claim severity.” The current risk in-force is equal to the unpaid principal amount multiplied by the coverage percentage. The main determinants of claim severity are the age of the mortgage loan, the value of the underlying property, accrued interest on the loan, expenses advanced by the insured and foreclosure expenses. These amounts depend partly upon the time required to complete foreclosure, which varies depending upon state laws. Pre-foreclosure sales, acquisitions and other early workout and claim administration actions help to reduce overall claim severity. Our average primary mortgage insurance claim severity was 96%, 99% and 97% for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average claim severities have been impacted by low claim volumes and lifetime home price appreciation. These figures do not include the effects of agreements on non-performing loans.
Primary insurance delinquency rates differ from region to region in the United States at any one time depending upon economic conditions and cyclical growth patterns. Delinquency rates are shown by region based upon the location of the underlying property, rather than the location of the lender. The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2025:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 12 | % | 13 | % | 2.84 | % | ||
| Texas | 9 | 9 | 2.81 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 13 | 3.35 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 9 | 3.38 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 4 | 5 | 3.15 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 4 | 2.78 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 2.33 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 4 | 3.33 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 2.07 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 3 | 2.29 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 35 | 2.32 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.62 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2024:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 12 | % | 12 | % | 2.53 | % | ||
| Texas | 9 | 9 | 2.64 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 12 | 3.67 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 10 | 3.30 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 4 | 6 | 2.96 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 3 | 2.35 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 2.14 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 4 | 3.02 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 2.14 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 3 | 2.17 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 36 | 2.10 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.45 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2023:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 13 | % | 12 | % | 2.22 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 2.22 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 9 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 12 | 3.05 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 4 | 6 | 2.61 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 3 | 1.93 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 1.94 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 2.23 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 1.56 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 2 | 1.77 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 40 | 1.93 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2025:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | % | 3 | % | 2.85 | % | ||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | 4 | 3.31 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 3 | 3 | 3.59 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 2.49 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.54 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 2 | 5 | 3.70 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.62 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.53 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 3 | 3.26 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.85 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.49 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.62 | % |
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2024:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | % | 3 | % | 2.41 | % | ||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | 4 | 3.29 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 3 | 3 | 3.02 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 2 | 6 | 3.53 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.58 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 2.38 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.03 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.25 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.65 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.38 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.35 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.45 | % |
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2023:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | % | 2 | % | 2.01 | % | ||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | 4 | 2.88 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 3 | 3 | 2.40 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 2 | 7 | 3.60 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.01 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.67 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.83 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.12 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.01 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % |
The number of delinquencies often does not correlate directly with the number of claims received because delinquencies may cure. The rate at which delinquencies cure is influenced by borrowers’ financial resources and circumstances and regional economic differences. Whether a delinquency leads to a claim correlates highly with the borrower’s equity at the time of delinquency, as it influences the borrower’s willingness to continue to make payments, the borrower’s or the insured’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage loan, and the borrower’s financial ability to continue making payments. When we receive notice of a delinquency, we use our proprietary model to determine whether a delinquent loan is a candidate for a modification. When our model identifies such a candidate, our loan workout specialists prioritize cases for loss mitigation based upon the likelihood that the loan will result in a claim. Loss mitigation actions include loan modification, extension of credit to bring a loan current, foreclosure forbearance, pre-foreclosure sale and deed-in-lieu. These loss mitigation efforts often are an effective way to reduce our claim exposure and ultimate payouts.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2025:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 2 | % | 8 | % | 7.96 | % | 5.55 | % | |||
| 2009-2017 | 2 | 7 | 5.08 | % | 0.59 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 1 | 4 | 5.31 | % | 0.95 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 4 | 5 | 3.45 | % | 0.84 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 11 | 11 | 2.41 | % | 0.91 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 17 | 19 | 2.63 | % | 1.52 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 17 | 22 | 2.98 | % | 2.45 | % | |||||
| 2023 | 14 | 15 | 2.75 | % | 2.23 | % | |||||
| 2024 | 15 | 8 | 1.73 | % | 1.52 | % | |||||
| 2025 | 17 | 1 | 0.32 | % | 0.30 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.62 | % | 4.13 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2024:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 2 | % | 10 | % | 8.17 | % | 5.55 | % | |||
| 2009-2016 | 2 | 6 | 4.75 | % | 0.60 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 1 | 4 | 4.37 | % | 0.84 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 2 | 5 | 4.66 | % | 0.96 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 4 | 8 | 3.31 | % | 0.89 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 14 | 14 | 2.14 | % | 0.94 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 21 | 21 | 2.25 | % | 1.51 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 19 | 20 | 2.50 | % | 2.18 | % | |||||
| 2023 | 17 | 10 | 1.83 | % | 1.64 | % | |||||
| 2024 | 18 | 2 | 0.49 | % | 0.47 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.45 | % | 4.17 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2023:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 2 | % | 18 | % | 8.61 | % | 5.56 | % | |||
| 2009-2015 | 1 | 4 | 4.55 | % | 0.63 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 2 | 4 | 3.20 | % | 0.67 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 2 | 5 | 3.59 | % | 0.87 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 2 | 6 | 4.42 | % | 1.02 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 5 | 8 | 2.77 | % | 0.85 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 17 | 15 | 1.70 | % | 0.90 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 27 | 21 | 1.65 | % | 1.29 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 22 | 16 | 1.57 | % | 1.46 | % | |||||
| 2023 | 20 | 3 | 0.47 | % | 0.46 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % | 4.19 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
Loss reserves in policy years 2008 and prior are outsized compared to their representation of RIF. The size of these policy years at origination, particularly 2005 through 2008, combined with the significant decline in home prices led to significant losses in policy years prior to 2009. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we will experience on these policy years, they have become a smaller percentage of our total mortgage insurance portfolio. Loss reserves have shifted to newer book years in line with changes in RIF. As of December 31, 2025, our 2018 and newer policy years represented approximately 96% of our primary RIF and 85% of our total direct primary case reserves.
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is affected by factors described below, each of which in turn may be affected by current macroeconomic conditions as noted above in “—Trends and Conditions.” The investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries are directed by the Enact Investment Committee, a management-level committee, with Genworth serving as the primary investment manager. The investment portfolio of EHI is directed by a separate management-level EHI Investment Committee with a third-party investment manager. These parties, with oversight from our Board of Directors and our senior management team, are responsible for the execution of our investment strategy. Our investment portfolio is an important component of our consolidated financial results and represents our primary source of claims paying resources. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of a diverse mix of highly rated fixed maturity securities and is designed to achieve the following objectives:
•Meet policyholder obligations through maintenance of sufficient liquidity;
•Preserve capital;
•Generate investment income;
•Maximize statutory capital; and
•Increase shareholder value, among other objectives.
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To achieve our portfolio objectives, our investment strategy focuses primarily on:
•Our business outlook, including current and expected future investment conditions;
•Investment selection based on fundamental, research-driven strategies;
•Diversification across a mix of fixed income, low-volatility investments while actively pursuing strategies to enhance yield;
•Regular evaluation and optimization of our asset class mix;
•Continuous monitoring of investment quality, duration and liquidity;
•Regulatory capital requirements; and
•Restriction of investments correlated to the residential mortgage market.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale
The following table presents the fair value of our fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, agencies and GSEs | $ | 257,307 | 4.2 | % | $ | 277,363 | 4.9 | % | $ | 195,129 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||
| State and political subdivisions | 478,972 | 7.9 | 467,476 | 8.3 | 438,214 | 8.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. government | 185,462 | 3.1 | 83,802 | 1.5 | 11,467 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. corporate | 2,810,727 | 46.5 | 2,825,679 | 50.2 | 2,723,730 | 51.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. corporate | 783,056 | 12.9 | 772,624 | 13.7 | 689,663 | 13.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | 349,333 | 5.8 | 8,364 | 0.2 | 10,755 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed | 129,562 | 2.1 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed | 1,056,123 | 17.5 | 1,189,465 | 21.2 | 1,197,183 | 22.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 6,050,542 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,624,773 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,266,141 | 100.0 | % |
Our investment portfolio did not include any direct residential real estate or whole mortgage loans as of December 31, 2025, December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023. We have no derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, 99%, 99% and 98% of our investment portfolio was rated investment grade, respectively. The following table presents the security ratings of our fixed maturity securities as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | 8 | % | 11 | % | 10 | % | ||
| AA | 28 | 22 | 20 | |||||
| A | 30 | 31 | 33 | |||||
| BBB | 33 | 35 | 35 | |||||
| BB & below | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below presents the effective duration and investment yield on our investments available-for-sale, excluding cash and cash equivalents:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (in years) | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.5 | |||||
| Pre-tax yield (% of average investment portfolio assets) | 4.4 | % | 4.0 | % | 3.6 | % |
We manage credit risk by analyzing issuers, transaction structures and any associated collateral. We also manage credit risk through country, industry, sector and issuer diversification and prudent asset allocation practices.
We primarily mitigate interest rate risk by employing a buy and hold investment philosophy that seeks to match fixed income maturities with expected liability cash flows in modestly adverse economic scenarios.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 724,519 | $ | 686,262 | $ | 632,038 | ||||
| Investing activities | (226,381) | (320,514) | (229,404) | |||||||
| Financing activities | (515,077) | (381,999) | (300,726) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (16,939) | $ | (16,251) | $ | 101,908 |
Our most significant source of operating cash flows is from premiums received from our insurance policies, while our most significant uses of operating cash flows are generally for claims paid on our insured policies and our operating expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities increased largely due to higher net investment income and lower expenses. Cash flows from operations were also impacted by changes in reserves and unearned premiums.
Investing activities are primarily related to purchases, sales and maturities of our investment portfolio. Net cash used in investing activities was a result of purchases of fixed maturity securities outpacing maturities and sales in the current year due to the deployment of operating cash flows.
Financing activities for 2025 included dividends paid of $121 million and share repurchases of $382 million. The amount and timing of future dividends is discussed within “—Trends and Conditions” as well as below. In 2024, our cash flows from financing activities included the issuance of our 2029 Notes and the redemption of our 2025 Notes. During 2024 and 2023, our cash flows used in financing activities included dividends paid of $112 million and $213 million, respectively, and share repurchases of $244 million and $88 million, respectively.
Capital Resources and Financing Activities
We issued our 2029 Notes in the second quarter of 2024 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November of each year. The 2029 Notes mature on May 28, 2029. We may redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 28, 2029, at our option, by paying an additional premium. At any time on or after April 28, 2029, we may redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2029 Notes contain customary events of default which, subject to certain notice and cure conditions, can result in the
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acceleration of the principal and accrued interest on the outstanding notes if we breach the terms of the indenture.
The proceeds from our 2029 Notes, along with other available cash, were used to redeem our 2025 Notes during the second quarter of 2024.
On September 30, 2025, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders that provides for a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2025 Revolving Credit Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of $435 million, which replaces the previous $200 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility matures in September 2030, but under certain conditions EHI may need to repay any outstanding amounts and terminate the 2025 Revolving Credit Facility earlier than the maturity date. We may use borrowings under the 2025 Revolving Credit Facility for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility contains several covenants, including financial covenants relating to minimum net worth, maximum debt to capitalization level and PMIERs compliance. We are in compliance with all covenants of the 2025 Revolving Credit Facility and the 2025 Revolving Credit Facility has remained undrawn through December 31, 2025.
We continually evaluate opportunities based upon market conditions to further increase our financial flexibility including through raising additional capital, restructuring or refinancing some or all of our outstanding debt or pursuing other options such as reinsurance or credit risk transfer transactions. There can be no guarantee that any such opportunities will be available on favorable terms or at all.
Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
The ability of our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and distributions to us is restricted by certain provisions of North Carolina insurance laws. Our insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends only from unassigned surplus; payments made from sources other than unassigned surplus, such as paid-in and contributed surplus, are categorized as distributions. Notice of all dividends must be submitted to the Commissioner of the NCDOI (the “Commissioner”) within 5 business days after declaration of the dividend, and at least 30 days before payment thereof. No dividend may be paid until 30 days after the Commissioner has received notice of the declaration thereof and (i) has not within that period disapproved the payment or (ii) has approved the payment within the 30-day period. Any distribution, regardless of amount, requires that same 30-day notice to the Commissioner, but also requires the Commissioner’s affirmative approval before being paid. Based on our estimated statutory results and in accordance with applicable dividend restrictions, our insurance subsidiaries have the capacity to pay dividends of $3 million from unassigned surplus as of December 31, 2025, with 30-day advance notice to the Commissioner of the intent to pay. In addition to dividends and distributions, alternative mechanisms, such as share repurchases, subject to any requisite regulatory approvals, may be utilized from time to time to upstream surplus.
In addition, we review multiple other considerations in parallel to determine a prospective dividend strategy for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries. Given the regulatory focus on the reasonableness of an insurer’s surplus in relation to its outstanding liabilities and the adequacy of its surplus relative to its financial needs for any dividend, our insurance subsidiaries consider the minimum amount of policyholder surplus after giving effect to any contemplated future dividends. Regulatory minimum policyholder surplus is not codified in North Carolina law and limitations may vary based on prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to, the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. We estimate regulators would require a minimum policyholder surplus of approximately $300 million to meet their threshold standard. We are subject to statutory accounting requirements that establish a contingency reserve of at least 50% of net earned premiums annually for ten years, after which time it is released into policyholder surplus. While we began 10-year contingency reserve releases during 2024, minimum policyholder surplus could be a limitation on the future dividends of our regulated operating subsidiaries.
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Another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Under PMIERs, EMICO is subject to operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.
Our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries are also subject to statutory RTC requirements that affect the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries. EMICO’s domiciliary regulator, the NCDOI, requires the maintenance of a statutory RTC ratio not to exceed 25:1. See “—Risk-to-Capital Ratio” for additional RTC trend analysis.
We consider potential future dividends compared to the prior year statutory net income in the evaluation of dividend strategies for our regulated operating subsidiaries. We also consider the dividend payout ratio, or the ratio of potential future dividends compared to the estimated U.S. GAAP net income, in the evaluation of our dividend strategies. In either case, we do not have prescribed target or maximum thresholds, but we do evaluate the reasonableness of a potential dividend relative to the actual or estimated income generated in the proceeding or preceding calendar year after giving consideration to prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. In addition, the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries are made in consultation with Genworth.
In 2025, EMICO completed distributions of approximately $610 million that supported our ability to pay cash dividends. We intend to use future EMICO distributions to fund the quarterly dividend as well as to bolster our financial flexibility at EHI and return additional capital to shareholders.
The revolving credit agreement requires EHI to maintain the following financial covenants: a minimum consolidated net worth equal to the sum of (i) $3,729,000,000, (ii) 50% of cumulative consolidated net income of the Company for each fiscal quarter of the Company (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025) for which consolidated net income is positive, and (iii) 50% of any increase in the consolidated net worth of the Company after September 30, 2025 resulting from the issuance of capital stock by or capital contributions to, in each case, the Company or any of its subsidiaries; a maximum debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 0.35 to 1.00; and compliance with all applicable financial requirements under the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements published by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association. For purposes of determining EHI’s compliance with the foregoing financial covenants, the consolidated net worth metric and debt-to-capitalization ratio (including, in each case, any component thereof) are each calculated as set forth in the credit agreement.
In addition to the restrictions described above, all dividends from EHI are subject to Genworth consent and EHI Board of Directors approval.
Risk-to-Capital Ratio
We compute our RTC ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The RTC ratio is net RIF divided by policyholders’ surplus plus statutory contingency reserve. Our net RIF represents RIF, net of reinsurance ceded, and excludes risk on policies that are currently delinquent and for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet.
Certain states have insurance laws or regulations that require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital (including the statutory contingency reserve) relative to its level of RIF in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. While formulations of minimum capital vary in certain states, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1.
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The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our combined mortgage insurance subsidiaries as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 806 | $ | 887 | $ | 1,085 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 4,513 | 4,336 | 3,960 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 5,319 | $ | 5,223 | $ | 5,045 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 53,893 | $ | 55,001 | $ | 58,277 | ||||
| Combined risk-to-capital ratio | 10.1 | 10.5 | 11.6 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating combined statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our principal insurance company, EMICO, as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 768 | $ | 850 | $ | 1,026 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 4,498 | 4,325 | 3,953 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 5,266 | $ | 5,175 | $ | 4,979 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 53,206 | $ | 54,418 | $ | 57,788 | ||||
| EMICO risk-to-capital ratio | 10.1 | 10.5 | 11.6 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating EMICO statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2025, we maintained liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents of $582 million compared to $599 million as of December 31, 2024, and we also held significant levels of investment-grade fixed maturity securities that can be monetized should our cash and cash equivalents be insufficient to meet our obligations.
On September 30, 2025, we entered into a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $435 million. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility matures in September 2030, but under certain conditions EHI may need to repay any outstanding amounts and terminate the 2025 Revolving Credit Facility earlier than the maturity date. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility may be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The 2025 Revolving Credit Facility has remained undrawn through December 31, 2025.
The principal sources of liquidity in our business currently include insurance premiums, net investment income and cash flows from investment sales and maturities. We believe that the operating cash flows generated by our mortgage insurance subsidiary will provide the funds necessary to satisfy our claim payments, operating expenses and taxes in both the short-term and long-term. However, our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory and other capital restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. We currently have no material financing commitments, such as lines of credit or guarantees, that are expected to affect our liquidity, other than the 2029 Notes and the Revolving Credit Facility.
Financial Strength Ratings
Ratings with respect to the financial strength of operating subsidiaries are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings are important to maintaining public
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confidence in us and our ability to market our products. Rating organizations review the financial performance and condition of most insurers and provide opinions regarding financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders.
The financial strength ratings of our operating companies are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to our stockholders. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to us from any future disruptions in the credit markets or downgrades by one or more of the rating agencies of the financial strength ratings of our insurance company subsidiaries and/or the credit ratings of our holding company. We also cannot predict the impact on our ratings or future ratings of actions taken with respect to Genworth.
The following EMICO financial strength ratings have been independently assigned by third-party rating organizations and represent our current ratings, which are subject to change.
| Name of Agency | Rating | Outlook | Change | Date of Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. | A2 | Stable | Upgrade | August 6, 2025 |
| Fitch Ratings, Inc. | A | Stable | Upgrade | January 17, 2025 |
| S&P Global Ratings | A- | Positive | Affirm | January 15, 2026 |
| A.M. Best | A- | Positive | Affirm | September 18, 2025 |
Enact Re is currently assigned a rating of A- by A.M. Best and a rating of A- by S&P Global Ratings.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into agreements and other relationships with third parties in the ordinary course of our operations. However, we do not believe that our cash flow requirements can be assessed based upon analysis of these obligations, as the funding of these future cash obligations will be from future cash flows from premiums and investment income. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon our future needs. Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. An example of obligations that are fixed include future lease payments. An example of obligations that will vary include insurance liabilities that depend on losses incurred. Refer to Note 3, Note 7 and Note 12 of our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of borrowings and commitments and contingencies.
The liability for loss reserves as of December 31, 2025, represents our current best estimate; however, there may be future adjustments to this estimate and related assumptions. Such adjustments, reflecting any variety of new and adverse trends, could possibly be significant, and result in future increases to reserves by amounts that could be material to our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Refer to Note 5 in our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of our loss reserves.
Refer to Note 2 in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 for a discussion of recently adopted and not yet adopted accounting standards.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001823529-25-000070.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. For factors that could cause such differences refer to the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” 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. Future results could differ significantly from the historical results presented in this section. References to EHI, the “Company,” “we” or “our” herein are, unless the context otherwise requires, to EHI on a consolidated basis.
Overview of Business
We are a leading private mortgage insurance company, having served the United States housing finance market since 1981, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mortgage insurance products provide credit protection to mortgage lenders, covering a portion of the unpaid principal balance of Low Down Payment Loans in the event of a default. Our business objective is to leverage our competitive strengths to drive market share, maintain our strong capitalization and strong earnings profile and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders. We also offer mortgage-related insurance and reinsurance through our wholly owned Bermuda-based subsidiary, Enact Re.
We primarily generate revenues by providing mortgage credit protection to our customers in exchange for premiums, which we set based on our evaluation of the underlying risk we insure. Once the premium rate is established and coverage is activated, the premium rate remains unchanged for the first ten years of the policy; thereafter the premium rate resets to a lower rate used for the remaining life of the policy. In general, we can only cancel coverage for a failure to pay premiums or at servicer direction when the borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity. Our premium rate is applied predominantly to the original loan balance to determine either a monthly payment that the lender adds to the borrower’s monthly loan payment or a single upfront payment made by either the borrower or lender at loan closing. The amount of premiums earned from our insurance portfolio and the timing of premium recognition are also affected by persistency rate, which we measure as the percentage of loans that remain on our books based on the annualized cancellations for the period.
We also employ a CRT program to transfer a portion of our risk through traditional XOL and quota share reinsurance arrangements and the issuance of ILNs. In exchange, we cede a negotiated amount of our premiums to the reinsurers and ILN investors that participate in our CRT transactions. Our net premiums earned (i.e., materially, the gross premiums charged less premiums ceded as part of our CRT program) represent the largest source of our revenues. Importantly, our CRT program helps to manage risk in our operating model and spread the risk of loss across our counterparties while also providing capital relief.
We also invest our premiums in high quality, predominantly fixed income assets with the primary business objectives of preserving capital, generating investment income and maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover our operating expenses and pay future claims. The investment income generated through our investment portfolio is another significant source of our revenues.
We generate profits through collection of premiums and investment income less losses, operating expenses, interest expense and taxes. Our mortgage insurance coverage protects lenders against loss in the event of a borrower default by covering a portion of the outstanding principal balance of a loan. In the event of a borrower default, our coverage reduces and, in certain instances eliminates, losses to the insured by transferring the covered portion of the economic loss to us. Borrower defaults are first reported
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to us as new delinquencies when the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments. Incurred losses are our estimate of future claims on these new delinquencies as well as any change in the prior estimates for previously existing delinquencies. In addition, incurred losses include estimates of future claims on IBNR delinquencies. Our incurred losses are based on estimates of both the rate at which delinquencies will go to claim (i.e., claim rate) and the ultimate claim amount (i.e., claim severity). Claim frequency and severity estimates are established based on historical experience focusing on certain delinquency and loan attributes that influence the probability and amount of ultimate claim. Our estimates of ultimate claim amounts for each delinquency include loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) that are costs incurred in the settlement of the claim process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Incurred losses are generally affected by macroeconomic conditions, borrower credit quality, certain loan attributes, underwriting quality and our loss mitigation efforts among other factors detailed below.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
Our financial position and results of operations depend to a significant extent on the following factors, as noted below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
Mortgage Origination Volume
The level of mortgage origination volume is a key driver of our future revenues. The overall mortgage origination market is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the rate of economic growth, the unemployment rate, interest rates, home affordability, household savings rates, the inventory of unsold homes, demographics of potential homebuyers and credit availability. The mortgage origination market is also influenced by various legislative and regulatory actions and GSE programs and policies that impact the housing and mortgage finance industries.
Penetration
The penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is mainly influenced by the competitiveness of private mortgage insurance compared to alternative products for Low Down Payment Loans provided by government agencies (principally the FHA and the VA), portfolio lenders that self-insure, reinsurers and capital market transactions designed to mitigate risk. In addition, the private mortgage insurance industry’s penetration rate is driven by the relative percentage of purchase mortgage originations versus refinances. Private mortgage insurance penetration tends to be significantly higher on new mortgages for purchased homes than on the refinance of existing mortgages, because average LTV ratios are typically higher on home purchases and therefore are more likely to require mortgage insurance. Lastly, we believe the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is influenced by other factors, including lender preference, FHA competitiveness and risk appetite, loan limits, contractual terms including cancellability and loss mitigation practices.
Credit and Regulatory Environment
The level of private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size is affected in part by actions taken by the GSEs and the United States government, including the FHA, the FHFA and Congress, that impact housing or housing finance policy. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees and loan limits, as well as low down payment programs available through the FHA or GSEs.
Competition and Market Share
Competitors include other private mortgage insurers that are eligible to write business for the GSEs. We compete with other private mortgage insurers based on pricing, underwriting guidelines, customer relationships, service levels, policy terms, loss mitigation practices, perceived financial strength (including comparative credit ratings), reputation, strength of management, product features and technology ease-
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of-use. We also compete with governmental agencies (principally the FHA and the VA) primarily based on price and underwriting guidelines.
Pricing is highly competitive in the mortgage insurance industry, with industry participants competing for market share, customer relationships and overall value. Pricing trends have introduced an increasing number of loan, borrower, lender and property attributes, resulting in expanded granularity in pricing regimes in order to better align price and risk. Our proprietary risk-based pricing engine evaluates returns and volatility under both the PMIERs capital framework and our internal economic capital framework, which is sensitive to economic cycles and current housing market conditions. The model assesses the performance of new business under expected and stress scenarios on an individualized loan basis, which is used to determine pricing and inform our risk selection strategy that optimizes economic value by balancing return and volatility.
Seasonality
Consistent with the seasonality of home sales, purchase mortgage origination volumes typically increase in late spring and peak during summer months, leading to a rise in NIW volume during the second and third quarters of a given year. Refinancing volume, however, does not follow a similar seasonal trend and instead is primarily influenced by interest rates, which can overwhelm typical seasonal trends. Delinquency performance (new delinquency formation and cure behavior) is generally favorable in the first and second quarters of the year. Therefore, we typically experience lower levels of losses resulting from favorable delinquency activity in the first and second quarters, as compared to the third and fourth quarters.
The following table presents our NIW, number of cures and new delinquencies for primary policies, excluding our run-off insurance block with reference properties in Mexico, for the periods indicated:
| Seasonality | Three months ended | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Mar 31, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 | Mar 31, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2024 | ||||
| NIW | $13,154 | $15,083 | $14,391 | $10,453 | $10,526 | $13,619 | $13,591 | $13,266 | ||||
| % Change | (13.1)% | 14.7% | (4.6)% | (27.4)% | 0.7% | 29.4% | (0.2)% | (2.4)% | ||||
| Cure Counts | 10,771 | 9,609 | 9,778 | 10,317 | 12,160 | 10,731 | 10,749 | 10,971 | ||||
| % Change | 19.4% | (10.8)% | 1.8% | 5.5% | 17.9% | (11.8)% | 0.2% | 2.1% | ||||
| New Delinquency Count | 9,599 | 9,205 | 11,107 | 11,706 | 11,395 | 10,461 | 12,964 | 13,717 | ||||
| % Change | (6.8)% | (4.1)% | 20.7% | 5.4% | (2.7)% | (8.2)% | 23.9% | 5.8% |
NIW
NIW occurs when a lender activates mortgage insurance coverage on a closed mortgage loan. NIW increases our IIF, premiums written and premiums earned. NIW is affected by the overall size of the mortgage origination market, the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance into the overall mortgage origination market and our market share of the private mortgage insurance market.
Pricing
Our pricing strategy is designed to charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan we insure. Our proprietary platform provides us with a more flexible, granular and analytical approach to selecting and pricing risk. Using our platform, we can quickly change price to modify our risk selection levels, respond to industry pricing trends or adjust to changing economic conditions. We believe that our platform, powered by our proprietary risk model and our understanding of mortgage risk volatility, provides us with a highly sophisticated pricing regime that improves our risk selection and is designed to yield attractive risk adjusted returns through credit cycles.
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IIF
IIF at the time of origination is used to determine premiums as the premium rate is expressed as a percentage of IIF. IIF is one of the primary drivers of our future earned premium. Based on the composition of our insurance portfolio, with monthly premium policies comprising a larger proportion of our total portfolio than single premium policies, an increase or decrease in IIF generally has a corresponding impact on premiums earned. Cancellations of our insurance policies as a result of prepayments and other reductions of IIF, such as rescissions of coverage and claims paid, generally have a negative effect on premiums earned.
Persistency Rate and Business Mix
The percentage of our IIF that remains insured after taking into account annualized cancellations for the period presented is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher or lower persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability. Recent elevated interest rates have increased persistency in the portfolio, but this impact is partially offset by lower NIW.
Loan prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Assuming all other factors remain constant over the life of the policies, prepayment speeds have an inverse impact on IIF and the expected premium from our monthly policies. Slower prepayment speeds, demonstrated by a higher persistency rate, result in IIF remaining in place, providing increased premium from monthly policies over time as premium payments continue. Earlier than anticipated prepayments, demonstrated by a lower persistency rate, reduce IIF and the premium from our monthly policies.
The following table presents the weighted average mortgage interest rate on outstanding primary IIF as of December 31, 2024, excluding our run-off business. Prepayment speeds may be affected by changes in interest rates, among other factors. An increasing interest rate environment generally will reduce refinancing activity and result in lower prepayments. A declining interest rate environment generally will increase refinancing activity and increase prepayments.
| Policy Year | Weightedaveragerate (1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | 5.33 | % | |
| 2009-2016 | 4.00 | % | |
| 2017 | 4.32 | % | |
| 2018 | 4.83 | % | |
| 2019 | 4.23 | % | |
| 2020 | 3.26 | % | |
| 2021 | 3.11 | % | |
| 2022 | 4.88 | % | |
| 2023 | 6.62 | % | |
| 2024 | 6.70 | % | |
| Total portfolio | 4.88 | % |
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(1)Average Annual Mortgage Interest Rate weighted by IIF.
In contrast to monthly premium policies, when single premium policies are cancelled by the insured because the loan has been paid off or otherwise, any remaining unearned premiums are earned at cancellation. Although these cancellations reduce IIF, assuming all other factors remain constant, the profitability of our single premium business increases when persistency rates are lower. Our concentration of single premium policies has declined in recent years, as a result of elevated interest
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rates. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, single premium policies comprised 9% and 10% of primary IIF, respectively.
Credit Quality
Improved analytics, stronger loan origination quality controls and the regulatory developments have resulted in a significant improvement in the credit quality for loans originated in the private mortgage insurance market over time. Additionally, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards over the past decade, with average FICO scores for NIW persisting at levels significantly above historical averages. As a result, the industry is insuring loans from borrowers who should be better positioned to meet their mortgage obligations.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is determined primarily by the invested assets held and the average yield on our overall investment portfolio.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on such factors as market opportunities, our capital profile and overall market cycles that impact the timing of selling securities.
Losses Incurred
Losses incurred represent current payments and changes in the estimated future payments on claims that result from delinquent loans. We estimate an expense only for delinquent loans as explained in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Incurred losses depend to a significant extent on the following factors:
•deterioration of regional or national economic conditions leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments;
•legislative, regulatory, FHFA or GSE action, or executive orders permitting or mandating forbearance or a moratorium on foreclosures or evictions due to events such as natural disasters or a pandemic (e.g. COVID-19);
•a drop in housing values that could expose us to greater loss on resale of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings and an adverse change in the effectiveness of loss mitigation actions that could result in an increase in the frequency of expected claim rates;
•a drop in housing values that negatively impacts a borrower’s willingness to continue mortgage payments, potentially leading to higher delinquencies and ultimately claims;
•if the foreclosure occurs in a state that imposes judicial process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed, which impacts severity of the claim;
•the credit characteristics in our in-force portfolio, as loans with higher risk characteristics generally result in more delinquencies and claims;
•the size of loans we insure, as loans with relatively higher average loan amounts generally result in higher incurred losses;
•the coverage percentage on insured loans, as loans with higher percentages of insurance coverage generally correlate with higher incurred losses;
•the level and amount of reinsurance coverage maintained with third parties; and
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•the distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after origination have relatively low claims, with claims increasing for several years subsequently and then declining. However, persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices and other factors can affect this pattern.
Credit Risk Transfer
We use CRT transactions to transfer a portion of our risk to third parties, through traditional XOL and quota share reinsurance and the issuance of ILNs. Our CRT program reduces the volatility of our in-force portfolio and provides capital relief under PMIERs. When we enter into a CRT transaction, the reinsurer receives a premium and, in exchange, insures an agreed upon portion of incurred losses. These arrangements have the impact of reducing our earned premiums and incurred losses, but also provide capital relief under PMIERs.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include costs related to the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of our insurance contracts, including sales, underwriting and general operating costs. Acquisition expenses are influenced by the amount of our NIW. Acquisition costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new insurance policies, such as underwriting expenses, are deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying insurance policies. These deferred acquisition costs are referred to as “DAC.” The ongoing maintenance expenses of our insurance contracts are generally fixed in nature and include costs such as information technology, finance and legal, among others, including costs allocated from Genworth for certain activities on our behalf. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements regarding our related party transactions.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting estimates (including sensitivities) discussed in this section are those that we consider to be particularly critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on our ability to judge the effect of inherently uncertain matters on our financial results. The sensitivities included in this section involve matters that are also inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment in selecting the factors and amounts used in the sensitivities. Small changes in the amounts used in the sensitivities or the use of different factors could result in materially different outcomes from those reflected in the sensitivities. For all of these accounting estimates, we caution that future events seldom develop as estimated and management’s best estimates often require adjustment.
Loss Reserves
Loss reserves represent the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the end of the respective reporting period. The estimated liability includes requirements for future payments of: (a) losses that have been reported to the insurer; (b) losses related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated; and (c) LAE. Loss adjustment expenses include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not in default or believed to be in default.
Estimates and actuarial assumptions used for establishing loss reserves involve the exercise of significant judgment, and changes in assumptions or deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have material impacts on our loss reserves and net income (loss). Because these assumptions relate to factors that are not known in advance, change over time, are difficult to accurately predict and are inherently uncertain, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The sources of uncertainty affecting the estimates are numerous and include factors internal and external to us. Internal factors include, but are not limited to, changes in
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the mix of exposures, loss mitigation activities and claim settlement practices. Significant external influences include changes in home prices, unemployment, government housing policies, state foreclosure timeline, general economic conditions, interest rates, tax policy, credit availability and mortgage products. Small changes in assumptions or small deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have, and in the past have had, material impacts on our reserves, results of operations and financial condition.
We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and 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. The estimates are determined using a factor-based approach, in which assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim are calculated using traditional actuarial techniques. Over time, as the status of the underlying delinquent loans moves toward foreclosure and the likelihood of the associated claim loss increases, the amount of the loss reserves associated with the potential claims may also increase.
Management monitors actual experience, and where circumstances warrant, will revise its assumptions. Our liability for loss reserves is reviewed regularly, with changes in our estimates of future claims recorded through net income. Estimation of losses is based on historical claim and cure experience and covered exposures and is inherently judgmental. Future developments may result in losses greater or less than the liability for loss reserves provided.
Loss reserves as of December 31, 2024, were $525 million, an increase of $7 million since December 31, 2023. In considering the potential sensitivity of the factors underlying management’s best estimate of our loss reserve, it is possible that even a relatively small change in the estimated claim and severity rates could have a significant impact on loss reserves and, correspondingly, on results of operations. For example, based on our actual experience during the three-year period immediately preceding December 31, 2024, a change of 4 percentage points, or 15%, in the average claim rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $72 million. Likewise, a change of 3 percentage points, or a change of 3%, in the average severity rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $15 million.
Investments
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was valued at $5,625 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $359 million from December 31, 2023.
The methodologies, estimates and assumptions used in valuing our fixed maturity securities evolve over time and are subject to different interpretations, all of which can lead to materially different estimates of fair value. Additionally, because the valuation is based on market conditions at a specific point in time, the period-to-period changes in fair value may vary significantly due to changing interest rates, external macroeconomic and credit market conditions. For example, widening credit spreads will generally result in a decrease, while tightening of credit spreads will generally result in an increase in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities. Also, during periods of increasing interest rates, the market values of lower-yielding assets will decline. See “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on our investments portfolio.
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities comprises primarily investment grade securities, which are carried at fair value. Estimates of fair values for fixed maturity securities are obtained primarily from industry-standard pricing methodologies utilizing market observable inputs. For our less liquid securities, such as our privately placed securities, we utilize independent market data to employ alternative valuation methods commonly used in the financial services industry to estimate fair value. Based on the market observability of the inputs used in estimating the fair value, the pricing level is assigned.
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See Notes 2, 3 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the valuation of fixed maturity securities and a description of the fair value measurement estimates and level assignments.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-For-Sale Securities
As of each balance sheet date, we evaluate fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for changes to the allowance for credit losses. Determining the value of the unrealized losses is dependent on the same methodologies and assumptions used in our valuation of fixed maturity securities. We also consider all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. There is no recorded allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2024.
See Notes 2 and 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our insurance contracts have recurring monthly premiums. We recognize recurring premiums over the terms of the related insurance policy on a pro-rata basis. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the policy life. A portion of the revenue from single premium policies is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies are cancelled and the premium is non-refundable, then the remaining unearned premium related to each cancelled policy is recognized to earned premiums upon notification of the cancellation. For borrower-paid mortgage insurance, coverage ceases at the earlier of prepayment, or when the original principal is amortized to a 78% loan-to-value ratio in accordance with HOPA. Variation in cancellation rates and projected losses are inputs into our premium recognition models, causing uncertainty within our estimates.
We periodically review our premium earnings recognition models with any adjustments to the estimates reflected as a cumulative adjustment on a retrospective basis in current period net income. These reviews include the consideration of recent and projected loss and policy cancellation experience, and adjustments to the estimated earnings patterns are made, if warranted.
Unearned premiums were $115 million as of December 31, 2024, a decrease of $35 million compared to December 31, 2023. Changes in market conditions could cause a decline in mortgage originations, mortgage insurance penetration rates, persistency and our market share, all of which could impact new insurance written. For example, a decline in primary new insurance written of $1.0 billion would result in a reduction in earned premiums of approximately $4 million in the first full year. Likewise, if primary persistency rates declined on our existing insurance in-force by 10%, earned premiums would decline by approximately $95 million during the first full year, partially offset by higher policy cancellations in our single premium products. These reductions in earned premiums could be potentially offset by lower reserves due to policies no longer being in-force.
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Trends and Conditions
Macroeconomic environment. During 2024, the United States economy continued to show positive signs, but faced lingering uncertainty due to inflationary pressure, the geopolitical environment and other macroeconomic concerns.
Inflationary pressures moderated in 2024, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting in December that Consumer Price Index inflation was 2.9% year-over-year. The Federal Reserve took an aggressive approach towards addressing inflation with policy rates reaching a cyclical peak in July 2023. The Federal Open Market Committee began to lower policy rates in September 2024 with additional reductions in November and December 2024. Mortgage rates remain elevated but have declined compared to highs in late 2023.
Mortgage origination activity increased modestly in 2024 but remained relatively slow in response to elevated mortgage rates and sustained low housing supply. Over the past few years, housing affordability deteriorated as elevated mortgage rates and home price appreciation outpaced median family income according to the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index. National house prices continued to rise in 2024 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) Monthly Purchase-Only House Price Index.
The unemployment rate was 4.1% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 3.7% in December 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the number of unemployed Americans was approximately 6.9 million and the number of long term unemployed over 26 weeks was approximately 1.6 million.
Forbearance and loss mitigation programs. Borrowers’ ability to utilize extended forbearance timelines permitted through the CARES Act and GSE COVID-19 servicing-related policies ended in 2023. Borrowers that meet general hardship and program guidelines continue to have access to standard forbearance policies as a loss mitigation option. Additionally, in March 2023, the GSEs announced new loss mitigation programs that allow six-month payment deferrals for borrowers facing financial hardship.
Although it is difficult to predict the future level of reported forbearance and how many of the policies in a forbearance plan that remain current on their monthly mortgage payment will go delinquent, servicer-reported forbearances have generally declined. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 1.1%, or 10,943, of our active primary policies were reported in a forbearance plan, of which approximately 34% were reported as delinquent. Approximately 9% of our primary new delinquencies in 2024 were subject to a forbearance plan as compared to 13% in 2023.
Regulatory developments. Private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size are affected in part by actions that impact housing or housing finance policy taken by the GSEs and the U.S. government, including but not limited to, the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and the FHFA. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, including changes to the GSEs’ automated underwriting systems, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees, loan limits and alternative products.
On October 24, 2022, the FHFA announced the validation and approval of both the FICO 10T credit score model and the VantageScore 4.0 credit score model for anticipated use by the GSEs as well as proposing to change the requirement that lenders provide credit reports from all three nationwide consumer reporting agencies and instead only requiring credit reports from two of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies. The validation of the new credit scores is currently expected to require lenders to deliver both credit scores for each loan sold to the GSEs. Implementation, which has been delayed beyond 2025, will require system and process updates along with coordination across stakeholders of the industry.
On August 21, 2024, the GSEs and the FHFA released updated PMIERs requirements phasing in a revision to the available assets standards between March 31, 2025, and September 30, 2026. The updated standards differentiate between bonds based on credit quality and liquidity. The updates also
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establish limits for assets backed by residential mortgages or commercial real estate to mitigate the impact if such assets lose value during periods of housing stress. We expect to hold capital sufficiency well in excess of these requirements and do not expect the impact of these updates to be material to our sufficiency. The ultimate impact of the PMIERs changes will be influenced by investment portfolio maturities, dispositions, reinvestments, and overall business and economic performance between today and the phase-in dates.
Competitive environment. The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Our market share is influenced by the execution of our go to market strategy, including but not limited to, pricing competitiveness relative to our peers and our selective participation in forward commitment transactions. We continue to manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which are modified from time to time when circumstances warrant. We see the market and underwriting conditions, including the pricing environment, as being within our risk-adjusted return appetite enabling us to write new business at attractive returns. Ultimately, we expect our new insurance written with its strong credit profile and attractive pricing to positively contribute to our future profitability and return on equity.
Our portfolio. New insurance written of $51.0 billion in 2024 decreased 4% compared to 2023. Changes in NIW are primarily impacted by the size of the mortgage insurance market and our market share. Our primary persistency rate decreased to 83% during 2024 compared to 85% during 2023. Persistency remains elevated due to high interest rates but decreased in 2024 due to rate volatility throughout the year. Elevated persistency has continued to offset the decline in new insurance written, leading to an increase in primary insurance in-force of $5.9 billion or 2% since December 31, 2023.
Net earned premiums increased $23 million in 2024 compared to 2023 as a result of higher average IIF and higher assumed premiums, consisting primarily of Enact Re’s GSE credit risk transfer participation and multifamily reinsurance. This was partially offset by higher ceded premium.
Our largest customer accounted for 11% and 10% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This customer also accounted for 20%, 19% and 18% of our total NIW during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues or NIW for the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023. No customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues and no other customer accounted for more than 10% of NIW for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Loss experience. Our loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2024, was 4% as compared to 3% for the year ended December 31, 2023. Both periods were impacted by favorable reserve adjustments. In 2024, we recorded a reserve release of $252 million, primarily on prior accident year reserves as a result of strong cure performance and loss mitigation efforts. As part of the 2024 reserve adjustments, we decreased our claim rate assumptions for new and existing delinquencies as a result of sustained favorable cure performance and lessening uncertainty in the economic environment, which impacted reserves from current and prior accident years. During 2023, we released reserves of $241 million primarily due to better than expected cure experience on delinquencies from 2022 and earlier, including a portion of those related to the emergence of COVID-19.
The severity of loss on loans that go to claim may be negatively impacted by the extended forbearance and foreclosure timelines, the associated elevated expenses and the higher loan amount of the recent new delinquencies. These negative influences on loss severity could be mitigated, in part, by embedded home price appreciation. For loans insured on or after October 1, 2014, our mortgage insurance policies limit the number of months of unpaid interest and associated expenses that are included in the mortgage insurance claim amount to a maximum of 36 months.
New delinquencies in 2024 increased compared to 2023 primarily due to the aging of large, newer books of business. Current period primary delinquencies of 48,537 contributed $287 million of loss expense in 2024. We incurred $265 million of losses from 41,617 current period delinquencies in 2023. In
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determining the loss expense estimate, considerations were given to recent cure and claim experience and the prevailing and prospective economic conditions.
Capital requirements and ratings. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio under the current regulatory framework as established under North Carolina law and enforced by the NCDOI, EMICO’s domestic insurance regulator, was approximately 10.5:1 as of December 31, 2024, and 11.6:1 as of December 31, 2023. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio remains below the NCDOI’s maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25:1. North Carolina’s calculation of risk-to-capital excludes the risk-in-force for delinquent loans given the established loss reserves against all delinquencies. EMICO’s ongoing risk-to-capital ratio will depend principally on the magnitude of future losses incurred by EMICO, the effectiveness of ongoing loss mitigation activities, new business volume and profitability, the impact of quota share reinsurance, the amount of policy lapses and the amount of additional capital that is generated or distributed by the business.
As of December 31, 2024, we had estimated available assets of $5,095 million against $3,043 million net required assets under PMIERs compared to available assets of $5,006 million against $3,119 million net required assets as of December 31, 2023. The sufficiency ratio as of December 31, 2024, was 167% or $2,052 million above the PMIERs requirements, compared to 161% or $1,887 million above the PMIERs requirements as of December 31, 2023. Our PMIERs required assets benefited from the application of a 0.30 multiplier applied to the risk-based required asset amount factor for certain non-performing loans as defined under PMIERs. The application of the 0.30 multiplier to all eligible delinquencies provided $28 million of benefit to our December 31, 2024, PMIERs required assets compared to $73 million of benefit as of December 31, 2023. Our PMIERs required assets also benefited from a reinsurance credit of $1,885 million and $1,714 million related to third-party reinsurance as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts are gross of any incremental reinsurance benefit from the elimination of the 0.30 multiplier. Per guidance released by the GSEs in the third quarter of 2024, use of the multiplier will be discontinued effective March 31, 2025.
On January 8, 2024, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the long-term financial strength and issuer credit ratings of EMICO from BBB+ to A-.
Subsequent to year end on January 17, 2025, Fitch upgraded the long-term financial strength and issuer credit ratings of EMICO from A- to A.
Recent transactions. In November 2023, we contributed $250 million into Enact Re, our wholly owned Bermuda-based subsidiary. This contribution supported the increase to the ceding percentage of our previously announced affiliate quota share agreements from 7.5% to 12.5% during the first quarter of 2024, and a new quota share reinsurance agreement that cedes 12.5% of EMICO’s 2024 new insurance written. The contribution also supports new business opportunities, which primarily includes the continued execution of GSE credit risk transfer.
On January 3, 2024, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement with a panel of third-party reinsurers. Under the agreement, EMICO will cede approximately 21% of a portion of its new insurance written from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
On January 30, 2024, we executed an excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which, following an amendment in December 2024, provides up to $270 million of reinsurance coverage on a portion of current and expected new insurance written for the 2024 book year, effective January 1, 2024.
On May 28, 2024, we issued our 2029 Notes for an aggregate principal amount of $750 million. We used the proceeds from the issuance to redeem our 2025 Notes.
On June 25, 2024, we executed an excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which provides approximately $90 million of reinsurance coverage on a portion of existing mortgage insurance written from July 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, effective June 1, 2024.
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On November 26, 2024, we entered into two quota share reinsurance transactions with a panel of reinsurers. Under the agreements, and subject to certain conditions, EMICO will cede approximately 27% of a portion of expected new insurance written for the period from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, and will cede approximately 27% of a portion of expected new insurance written for the period from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
Subsequent to year end, in January 2025, we entered into two excess-of-loss reinsurance transactions that cover a portion of expected new insurance written from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, and provide reinsurance coverage of approximately $225 million and $260 million, respectively.
Capital returns. On April 26, 2022, our Board of Directors approved the initiation of a dividend program under which the Company intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend, subject to approval by our Board of Directors each quarter. We paid quarterly dividends of $0.14 per share in March of 2023 and May, September and December of 2022. We paid quarterly dividends of $0.16 per share in June, September and December 2023 and March 2024. On May 1, 2024, we also announced an increase to our quarterly dividend to $0.185 per share which was paid in June, September and December 2024. In November 2024 EMICO completed a distribution to EHI that supports our ability to pay a quarterly dividend. Future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our Board of Directors and Genworth and will be targeted to be paid in the third month of each quarter.
On May 1, 2024, we announced the authorization of a share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to $250 million of EHI’s common stock. Under this program, share repurchases may be made at our discretion from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including through Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 trading plans. In conjunction with this authorization, we have entered into an agreement with Genworth Holdings, Inc. to repurchase its EHI shares on a pro rata basis as part of the program. The share repurchase program is not expected to change Genworth’s ownership interest in Enact post-completion. We expect the timing and amount of any future share repurchases will be opportunistic and will depend on a variety of factors, including EHI’s share price, capital availability, business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and debt covenant restrictions. The program does not obligate EHI to acquire any amount of common stock, it may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion without prior notice, and it does not have a specified expiration date.
Returning capital to shareholders, balanced with our growth and risk management priorities, remains a key commitment as we look to drive shareholder value through time. Future return of capital will be shaped by our capital prioritization framework: supporting our existing policyholders, growing our mortgage insurance business, funding attractive new business opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. Our total return of capital will also be based on our view of the prevailing and prospective macroeconomic conditions, regulatory landscape and business performance.
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Results of Operations and Key Metrics
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated results for the periods indicated:
| Year ended December 31, | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 980,104 | $ | 957,075 | $ | 939,462 | $ | 23,029 | 2 | % | $ | 17,613 | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Net investment income | 240,564 | 207,369 | 155,311 | 33,195 | 16 | % | 52,058 | 34 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (22,807) | (14,022) | (2,036) | (8,785) | 63 | % | (11,986) | NM | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 3,913 | 3,264 | 2,309 | 649 | 20 | % | 955 | 41 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,201,774 | 1,153,686 | 1,095,046 | 48,088 | 4 | % | 58,640 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Losses and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred | 38,657 | 27,165 | (94,221) | 11,492 | 42 | % | 121,386 | (129) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals | 213,310 | 212,491 | 226,941 | 819 | — | % | (14,450) | (6) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles | 9,659 | 10,654 | 12,405 | (995) | (9) | % | (1,751) | (14) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 51,157 | 51,867 | 51,699 | (710) | (1) | % | 168 | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | 10,930 | — | — | 10,930 | NM(4) | — | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 323,713 | 302,177 | 196,824 | 10,606 | 4 | % | 105,353 | 54 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 878,061 | 851,509 | 898,222 | 26,552 | 3 | % | (46,713) | (5) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 189,993 | 185,998 | 194,065 | 3,995 | 2 | % | (8,067) | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 688,068 | $ | 665,511 | $ | 704,157 | $ | 22,557 | 3 | % | $ | (38,646) | (5) | % | |||||||||||
| Loss ratio (1) | 4 | % | 3 | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 23 | % | 23 | % | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premium rate (3) | 0.36 | % | 0.37 | % | 0.40 | % |
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(1)Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses incurred by net earned premiums.
(2)Expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, plus amortization of DAC and intangibles by net earned premiums.
(3)Net earned premium rate is calculated by dividing direct earned premium less ceded premium, by average primary IIF.
(4)We define “NM” as not meaningful for increases or decreases greater than 300%.
Detailed discussions of our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, including the year-over-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022, that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023
Revenues
Premiums increased mainly attributable to higher average IIF and higher assumed premiums, consisting primarily of Enact Re’s GSE credit risk transfer participation and multifamily reinsurance. This was partially offset by higher ceded premium. The net earned premium rate was 36 basis points, relatively consistent with 2023.
Net investment income increased primarily due to higher investment yields due to elevated interest rates coupled with higher average invested assets.
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Net investment losses during 2024 and 2023 were primarily driven by realized losses on the sale of fixed maturity securities as part of our yield optimization strategy that allows us to reinvest sales proceeds and recoup higher investment income. Our yield optimization strategy enables opportunistic security sales based on current and changing market conditions. We had more sales in 2024 than 2023.
Other income includes underwriting fee revenue, equity method investment income and other revenue.
Losses and expenses
Losses incurred in 2024 and 2023 were impacted by favorable reserve adjustments. During 2024, we released reserves of $252 million primarily on prior accident year reserves as a result of strong cure performance and loss mitigation efforts. During 2023, we recorded $241 million of reserve releases.
New primary delinquencies were 48,537 in 2024 compared to 41,617 in 2023, resulting in $287 million and $265 million of losses, respectively.
The following table shows incurred losses related to current and prior accident years for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losses and LAE incurred related to current accident year | $ | 289,482 | $ | 275,418 | $ | 219,461 | ||||
| Losses and LAE incurred related to prior accident years | (258,180) | (248,214) | (313,652) | |||||||
| Total incurred (1) | $ | 31,302 | $ | 27,204 | $ | (94,191) |
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(1)Excludes run-off business.
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, increased primarily attributable to the impact of our restructuring initiatives.
Amortization of DAC and intangibles declined due to lower DAC amortization as a result of elevated persistency, driven by high mortgage rates and lower software amortization.
The expense ratio was consistent due to growth in and premiums and expenses.
The loss on debt extinguishment relates to the expenses incurred associated with the redemption of our 2025 Notes.
Interest expense primarily relates to our 2025 Notes and 2029 Notes. For additional details see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.
Provision for income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.6% and 21.8% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, consistent with the United States corporate federal income tax rate.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use a non-U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP”) financial measure entitled “adjusted operating income.” This non-GAAP financial measure is additionally evaluated by both management and our Board of Directors. Management also uses adjusted operating income (loss) as a basis for determining awards and compensation for senior management and to evaluate performance on a basis comparable to that used by analysts. This measure has been established in order to increase transparency for the purposes of evaluating our core operating trends and enabling more meaningful comparisons with our peers. Although “adjusted operating income” is a non-GAAP financial measure, for the reasons discussed above we believe this measure aids in understanding the underlying performance of our operations.
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“Adjusted operating income” is defined as U.S. GAAP net income excluding the effects of (i) net investment gains (losses) and (ii) restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items.
(i)Net investment gains (losses)—The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on the timing of individual securities sales due to such factors as market opportunities or exposure management. Trends in the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these realized gains and losses. We do not view them to be indicative of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, these items are excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income.
(ii)Restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items are also excluded from adjusted operating income if, in our opinion, they are not indicative of overall operating trends.
(iii)Gains (losses) on the extinguishment of debt are also excluded from adjusted operating income, as they are not indicative of overall operating trends.
In reporting non-GAAP measures in the future, we may make other adjustments for expenses and gains we do not consider reflective of core operating performance in a particular period. We may disclose other non-GAAP operating measures if we believe that such a presentation would be helpful for investors to evaluate our operating condition by including additional information.
Adjusted operating income is not a measure of total profitability, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income. Our definition of adjusted operating income may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies, including our peers.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to adjusted operating income assume a 21% tax rate (unless otherwise indicated).
The following table includes a reconciliation of net income to adjusted operating income for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 688,068 | $ | 665,511 | $ | 704,157 | ||||
| Adjustments to net income: | ||||||||||
| Net investment (gains) losses | 22,807 | 14,022 | 2,036 | |||||||
| Costs associated with reorganization | 4,652 | (131) | 3,461 | |||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | 10,930 | — | — | |||||||
| Taxes on adjustments | (8,061) | (2,917) | (1,155) | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 718,396 | $ | 676,485 | $ | 708,499 |
Adjusted operating income increased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to higher premiums and net investment income, partially offset by higher losses.
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Key Metrics
Management reviews the key metrics included within this section when analyzing the performance of our business. The metrics provided in this section are on a direct basis and exclude activity related to our run-off business, which is immaterial to our consolidated results of operations.
The following table sets forth selected operating performance measures on a primary basis as of or for the years ended December 31:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New insurance written | $51,002 | $53,081 | $66,485 | |||||
| Primary insurance in-force (1) | $268,825 | $262,937 | $248,262 | |||||
| Primary risk in-force | $69,985 | $67,529 | $62,791 | |||||
| Persistency rate | 83 | % | 85 | % | 80 | % | ||
| Primary policies in-force (count) | 962,849 | 974,516 | 960,306 | |||||
| Delinquent loans (count) | 23,566 | 20,432 | 19,943 | |||||
| Delinquency rate | 2.45 | % | 2.10 | % | 2.08 | % |
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(1)Represents the aggregate unpaid principal balance for loans we insure.
New insurance written
NIW for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased 4% compared to 2023. Changes in NIW are primarily impacted by the size of the mortgage insurance market and our market share. We manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which we modify from time to time as circumstances warrant.
The following table presents NIW by product for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by underlying type of mortgage for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases | $ | 47,693 | 94 | % | $ | 51,723 | 97 | % | $ | 63,506 | 96 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances | 3,309 | 6 | 1,358 | 3 | 2,979 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by policy payment type for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $ | 48,830 | 96 | % | $ | 51,869 | 98 | % | $ | 61,123 | 92 | % | ||||||||
| Single | 2,102 | 4 | 1,114 | 2 | 5,166 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 70 | — | 98 | — | 196 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % |
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The following table presents primary NIW by FICO score for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 24,843 | 49 | % | $ | 24,680 | 46 | % | $ | 30,239 | 45 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 8,096 | 16 | 8,994 | 17 | 11,264 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 6,768 | 13 | 7,220 | 14 | 9,377 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 4,932 | 10 | 5,214 | 10 | 6,889 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 3,237 | 6 | 3,652 | 7 | 4,535 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 1,759 | 3 | 2,086 | 4 | 2,534 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 972 | 2 | 952 | 2 | 1,206 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 369 | 1 | 268 | — | 424 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 26 | — | 15 | — | 17 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % |
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(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the original loan amount, excluding financed premium, by the property’s acquisition value or fair market value at the time of origination. The following table presents primary NIW by LTV ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 10,129 | 20 | % | $ | 9,295 | 18 | % | $ | 9,487 | 14 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 19,270 | 38 | 19,861 | 37 | 26,008 | 39 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 15,609 | 30 | 17,200 | 32 | 20,892 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 5,994 | 12 | 6,725 | 13 | 10,098 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by DTI ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 14,545 | 28 | % | $ | 15,600 | 29 | % | $ | 16,541 | 25 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 18,711 | 37 | 18,906 | 36 | 23,996 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 17,746 | 35 | 18,575 | 35 | 25,948 | 39 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 51,002 | 100 | % | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % |
We have continued to see a greater concentration of loans with higher DTI ratios. This is in line with market trends as elevated mortgage rates and recent home price appreciation have put pressure on affordability. We believe the levels are in line with our current risk appetite as we consider layered risk across multiple risk attributes, pricing and our portfolio credit mix.
Insurance in-force and Risk in-force
IIF increased largely from NIW and elevated persistency in the current year, partially offset by lapses and cancellations. Primary persistency rate was 83% and 85% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. RIF increased primarily as a result of higher IIF.
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The following table sets forth IIF and RIF as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary IIF | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool IIF | 379 | — | 436 | — | 505 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 269,204 | 100 | % | $ | 263,373 | 100 | % | $ | 248,767 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Primary RIF | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool RIF | 57 | — | 69 | — | 79 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 70,042 | 100 | % | $ | 67,598 | 100 | % | $ | 62,870 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases IIF | $ | 243,730 | 91 | % | $ | 231,526 | 88 | % | $ | 207,827 | 84 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances IIF | 25,095 | 9 | 31,411 | 12 | 40,435 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Purchases RIF | $ | 64,031 | 91 | % | $ | 60,497 | 90 | % | $ | 54,165 | 86 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances RIF | 5,954 | 9 | 7,032 | 10 | 8,626 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by product as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly IIF | $ | 241,785 | 90 | % | $ | 233,651 | 89 | % | $ | 216,831 | 87 | % | ||||||||
| Single IIF | 25,301 | 9 | 27,353 | 10 | 29,275 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Other IIF | 1,739 | 1 | 1,933 | 1 | 2,156 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Monthly RIF | $ | 64,078 | 91 | % | $ | 61,083 | 90 | % | $ | 55,879 | 89 | % | ||||||||
| Single RIF | 5,466 | 8 | 5,957 | 9 | 6,370 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Other RIF | 441 | 1 | 489 | 1 | 542 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % |
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 4,860 | 2 | % | $ | 5,621 | 2 | % | $ | 6,596 | 3 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2016 | 5,138 | 2 | 8,042 | 3 | 11,321 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 3,907 | 1 | 5,321 | 2 | 6,495 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 4,790 | 2 | 5,750 | 2 | 6,839 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 11,415 | 4 | 13,773 | 5 | 16,352 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 34,940 | 13 | 44,486 | 17 | 55,358 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 57,266 | 21 | 70,045 | 27 | 81,724 | 33 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 53,063 | 20 | 59,267 | 23 | 63,577 | 25 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 45,208 | 17 | 50,632 | 19 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 48,238 | 18 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 1,256 | 2 | % | $ | 1,449 | 2 | % | $ | 1,699 | 3 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2016 | 1,332 | 2 | 2,129 | 3 | 3,022 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 1,036 | 1 | 1,403 | 2 | 1,708 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 1,233 | 2 | 1,476 | 2 | 1,736 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2,984 | 4 | 3,544 | 5 | 4,143 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 9,553 | 14 | 11,697 | 17 | 14,158 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 15,043 | 21 | 17,846 | 27 | 20,418 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 13,476 | 19 | 14,907 | 22 | 15,907 | 25 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 11,719 | 17 | 13,078 | 20 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 12,353 | 18 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % |
The following table presents the development of primary IIF for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $ | 262,937 | $ | 248,262 | $ | 226,514 | ||||
| NIW | 51,002 | 53,081 | 66,485 | |||||||
| Cancellations, principal repayments and other reductions (1) | (45,114) | (38,406) | (44,737) | |||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 268,825 | $ | 262,937 | $ | 248,262 |
_____________
(1)Includes the estimated amortization of unpaid principal balance of covered loans.
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 50,318 | 18 | % | $ | 44,955 | 17 | % | $ | 39,509 | 16 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 112,362 | 42 | 109,227 | 41 | 103,618 | 42 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 79,932 | 30 | 77,887 | 30 | 72,132 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 26,213 | 10 | 30,868 | 12 | 33,003 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 14,428 | 21 | % | $ | 12,878 | 19 | % | $ | 11,136 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 32,686 | 47 | 31,781 | 47 | 30,079 | 48 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 19,729 | 28 | 19,163 | 28 | 17,621 | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 3,142 | 4 | 3,707 | 6 | 3,955 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 115,554 | 43 | % | $ | 110,635 | 42 | % | $ | 102,467 | 41 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 43,955 | 17 | 43,053 | 17 | 40,097 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 37,717 | 14 | 37,020 | 14 | 34,916 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 29,819 | 11 | 29,766 | 11 | 28,867 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 21,355 | 8 | 21,835 | 8 | 21,554 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 11,245 | 4 | 11,357 | 4 | 10,926 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 6,147 | 2 | 6,137 | 3 | 6,095 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 2,461 | 1 | 2,504 | 1 | 2,630 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 572 | — | 630 | — | 710 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
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The following table sets forth primary RIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 29,985 | 43 | % | $ | 28,363 | 42 | % | $ | 25,807 | 41 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 11,494 | 17 | 11,096 | 17 | 10,154 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 9,949 | 14 | 9,621 | 14 | 8,931 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 7,746 | 11 | 7,623 | 11 | 7,317 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 5,523 | 8 | 5,557 | 8 | 5,428 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,924 | 4 | 2,908 | 4 | 2,767 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 1,589 | 2 | 1,565 | 3 | 1,540 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 629 | 1 | 635 | 1 | 665 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 146 | — | 161 | — | 182 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
The following table sets forth primary IIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 59,864 | 22 | % | $ | 53,440 | 20 | % | $ | 43,831 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 97,361 | 36 | 93,871 | 36 | 87,816 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 111,600 | 42 | 115,626 | 44 | 116,615 | 47 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 268,825 | 100 | % | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 15,674 | 22 | % | $ | 13,830 | 20 | % | $ | 11,176 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 25,226 | 36 | 24,072 | 36 | 22,268 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 29,085 | 42 | 29,627 | 44 | 29,347 | 47 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 69,985 | 100 | % | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % |
Delinquent loans and claims
Our delinquency management process begins with notification by the loan servicer of a delinquency on an insured loan. “Delinquency” is defined in our master policies as the borrower’s failure to pay when due an amount equal to the scheduled monthly mortgage payment under the terms of the mortgage. Generally, our master policies require an insured to notify us of a delinquency if the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments prior to the due date of the next mortgage payment. We generally consider a loan to be delinquent and establish required reserves after the insured notifies us that the borrower has failed to make two scheduled mortgage payments. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness/death, inability to manage credit, falling home prices and interest rate levels. Borrowers may cure delinquencies by making all of the delinquent loan payments, agreeing to a loan modification, or by selling the property in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In most cases, delinquencies that are not cured result in a claim under our policy.
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The following table shows a roll forward of the number of primary loans in default for the years ended December 31:
| (Loan count) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of delinquencies, beginning of period | 20,432 | 19,943 | 24,820 | ||||
| New defaults | 48,537 | 41,617 | 35,996 | ||||
| Cures | (44,611) | (40,475) | (40,278) | ||||
| Claims paid | (743) | (615) | (574) | ||||
| Rescissions and claim denials | (49) | (38) | (21) | ||||
| Number of delinquencies, end of period | 23,566 | 20,432 | 19,943 |
The following table sets forth changes in our direct primary case loss reserves for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) (1) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss reserves, beginning of period | $ | 476,709 | $ | 479,343 | $ | 606,102 | ||||
| Claims paid | (30,550) | (23,357) | (28,123) | |||||||
| Increase in reserves | 25,951 | 20,723 | (98,636) | |||||||
| Loss reserves, end of period | $ | 472,110 | $ | 476,709 | $ | 479,343 |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The following tables set forth primary delinquencies, direct primary case reserves and RIF by aged missed payment status as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 12,712 | $ | 108 | $ | 849 | 13 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 7,701 | 191 | 545 | 35 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 3,153 | 173 | 213 | 81 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 23,566 | $ | 472 | $ | 1,607 | 29 | % |
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 10,166 | $ | 88 | $ | 629 | 14 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 6,934 | 205 | 469 | 44 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 3,332 | 184 | 200 | 92 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 20,432 | $ | 477 | $ | 1,298 | 37 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
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| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 8,920 | $ | 69 | $ | 509 | 14 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 6,466 | 166 | 390 | 43 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 4,557 | 244 | 248 | 98 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 19,943 | $ | 479 | $ | 1,147 | 42 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The total reserves as a percentage of RIF declined as of December 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023 as we have experienced cures among long-term delinquencies with higher reserves and have reduced the expected claim rates on new delinquencies.
The ratio of the claim paid to the current risk in-force for a loan is referred to as “claim severity.” The current risk in-force is equal to the unpaid principal amount multiplied by the coverage percentage. The main determinants of claim severity are the age of the mortgage loan, the value of the underlying property, accrued interest on the loan, expenses advanced by the insured and foreclosure expenses. These amounts depend partly upon the time required to complete foreclosure, which varies depending upon state laws. Pre-foreclosure sales, acquisitions and other early workout and claim administration actions help to reduce overall claim severity. Our average primary mortgage insurance claim severity was 99%, 97% and 94% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The average claim severities have been impacted by low claim volumes and lifetime home price appreciation. These figures do not include the effects of agreements on non-performing loans.
Primary insurance delinquency rates differ from region to region in the United States at any one time depending upon economic conditions and cyclical growth patterns. Delinquency rates are shown by region based upon the location of the underlying property, rather than the location of the lender. The table
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below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2024:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 12 | % | 12 | % | 2.53 | % | ||
| Texas | 9 | 9 | 2.64 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 12 | 3.67 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 10 | 3.30 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 4 | 6 | 2.96 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 3 | 2.35 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 2.14 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 4 | 3.02 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 2.14 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 3 | 2.17 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 36 | 2.10 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.45 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2023:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 13 | % | 12 | % | 2.22 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 2.22 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 9 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 12 | 3.05 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 4 | 6 | 2.61 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 3 | 1.93 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 1.94 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 2.23 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 1.56 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 2 | 1.77 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 40 | 1.93 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2022:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 12 | % | 10 | % | 2.09 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 7 | 2.12 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 8 | 2.54 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 13 | 2.95 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 2.54 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 2 | 1.78 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 1.79 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | 1.59 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 2.23 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 3 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 42 | 1.94 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2024:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | % | 3 | % | 2.41 | % | ||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | 4 | 3.29 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 3 | 3 | 3.02 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 2 | 6 | 3.53 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.58 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 2.38 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.03 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.25 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.65 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.38 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.35 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.45 | % |
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2023:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | % | 2 | % | 2.01 | % | ||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | 4 | 2.88 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 3 | 3 | 2.40 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 2 | 7 | 3.60 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.01 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.67 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.83 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.12 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.01 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % |
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2022:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 5 | % | 2.84 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 1.83 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 3.75 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.42 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 1.85 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.60 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 1 | 1.86 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.12 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.00 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % |
The number of delinquencies often does not correlate directly with the number of claims received because delinquencies may cure. The rate at which delinquencies cure is influenced by borrowers’ financial resources and circumstances and regional economic differences. Whether a delinquency leads to a claim correlates highly with the borrower’s equity at the time of delinquency, as it influences the borrower’s willingness to continue to make payments, the borrower’s or the insured’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage loan, and the borrower’s financial ability to continue making payments. When we receive notice of a delinquency, we use our proprietary model to determine whether a delinquent loan is a candidate for a modification. When our model identifies such a candidate, our loan workout specialists prioritize cases for loss mitigation based upon the likelihood that the loan will result in a claim. Loss mitigation actions include loan modification,
87
extension of credit to bring a loan current, foreclosure forbearance, pre-foreclosure sale and deed-in-lieu. These loss mitigation efforts often are an effective way to reduce our claim exposure and ultimate payouts.
The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2024:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 2 | % | 10 | % | 8.17 | % | 5.55 | % | |||
| 2009-2016 | 2 | 6 | 4.75 | % | 0.60 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 1 | 4 | 4.37 | % | 0.84 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 2 | 5 | 4.66 | % | 0.96 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 4 | 8 | 3.31 | % | 0.89 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 14 | 14 | 2.14 | % | 0.94 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 21 | 21 | 2.25 | % | 1.51 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 19 | 20 | 2.50 | % | 2.18 | % | |||||
| 2023 | 17 | 10 | 1.83 | % | 1.64 | % | |||||
| 2024 | 18 | 2 | 0.49 | % | 0.47 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.45 | % | 4.17 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2023:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 2 | % | 18 | % | 8.61 | % | 5.56 | % | |||
| 2009-2015 | 1 | 4 | 4.55 | % | 0.63 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 2 | 4 | 3.20 | % | 0.67 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 2 | 5 | 3.59 | % | 0.87 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 2 | 6 | 4.42 | % | 1.02 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 5 | 8 | 2.77 | % | 0.85 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 17 | 15 | 1.70 | % | 0.90 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 27 | 21 | 1.65 | % | 1.29 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 22 | 16 | 1.57 | % | 1.46 | % | |||||
| 2023 | 20 | 3 | 0.47 | % | 0.46 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % | 4.19 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2022:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 3 | % | 26 | % | 9.61 | % | 5.57 | % | |||
| 2009-2014 | 1 | 4 | 5.01 | % | 0.69 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | 3.61 | % | 0.71 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 3 | 6 | 3.17 | % | 0.81 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 3 | 7 | 3.78 | % | 1.01 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 3 | 9 | 4.63 | % | 1.18 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 7 | 11 | 2.71 | % | 0.93 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 22 | 17 | 1.47 | % | 0.92 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 32 | 14 | 1.20 | % | 1.06 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 25 | 3 | 0.54 | % | 0.52 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % | 4.26 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
Loss reserves in policy years 2008 and prior are outsized compared to their representation of RIF. The size of these policy years at origination, particularly 2005 through 2008, combined with the significant decline in home prices led to significant losses in policy years prior to 2009. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we will experience on these policy years, they have become a smaller percentage of our total mortgage insurance portfolio. Loss reserves have shifted to newer book years in line with changes in RIF. As of December 31, 2024, our 2017 and newer policy years represented approximately 96% of our primary RIF and 84% of our total direct primary case reserves.
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is affected by factors described below, each of which in turn may be affected by current macroeconomic conditions as noted above in “—Trends and Conditions.” The investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries are directed by the Enact Investment Committee, a management-level committee, with Genworth serving as the primary investment manager. The investment portfolio of EHI is directed by a separate management-level EHI Investment Committee with a third-party investment manager. These parties, with oversight from our Board of Directors and our senior management team, are responsible for the execution of our investment strategy. Our investment portfolio is an important component of our consolidated financial results and represents our primary source of claims paying resources. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of a diverse mix of highly rated fixed maturity securities and is designed to achieve the following objectives:
•Meet policyholder obligations through maintenance of sufficient liquidity;
•Preserve capital;
•Generate investment income;
•Maximize statutory capital; and
•Increase shareholder value, among other objectives.
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To achieve our portfolio objectives, our investment strategy focuses primarily on:
•Our business outlook, including current and expected future investment conditions;
•Investment selection based on fundamental, research-driven strategies;
•Diversification across a mix of fixed income, low-volatility investments while actively pursuing strategies to enhance yield;
•Regular evaluation and optimization of our asset class mix;
•Continuous monitoring of investment quality, duration and liquidity;
•Regulatory capital requirements; and
•Restriction of investments correlated to the residential mortgage market.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale
The following table presents the fair value of our fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, agencies and GSEs | $ | 277,363 | 4.9 | % | $ | 195,129 | 3.7 | % | $ | 44,769 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||
| State and political subdivisions | 467,476 | 8.3 | 438,214 | 8.3 | 419,856 | 8.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. government | 83,802 | 1.5 | 11,467 | 0.2 | 9,349 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. corporate | 2,825,679 | 50.2 | 2,723,730 | 51.8 | 2,646,863 | 54.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. corporate | 772,624 | 13.7 | 689,663 | 13.1 | 652,844 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | 8,364 | 0.2 | 10,755 | 0.2 | 11,043 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed | 1,189,465 | 21.2 | 1,197,183 | 22.7 | 1,100,036 | 22.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 5,624,773 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,266,141 | 100.0 | % | $ | 4,884,760 | 100.0 | % |
Our investment portfolio did not include any direct residential real estate or whole mortgage loans as of December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022. We have no derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, 99%, 98% and 98% of our investment portfolio was rated investment grade, respectively. The following table presents the security ratings of our fixed maturity securities as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | 11 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | ||
| AA | 22 | 20 | 16 | |||||
| A | 31 | 33 | 34 | |||||
| BBB | 35 | 35 | 38 | |||||
| BB & below | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below presents the effective duration and investment yield on our investments available-for-sale, excluding cash and cash equivalents:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (in years) | 4.1 | 3.5 | 3.6 | |||||
| Pre-tax yield (% of average investment portfolio assets) | 4.0 | % | 3.6 | % | 3.1 | % |
We manage credit risk by analyzing issuers, transaction structures and any associated collateral. We also manage credit risk through country, industry, sector and issuer diversification and prudent asset allocation practices.
We primarily mitigate interest rate risk by employing a buy and hold investment philosophy that seeks to match fixed income maturities with expected liability cash flows in modestly adverse economic scenarios.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 686,262 | $ | 632,038 | $ | 560,510 | ||||
| Investing activities | (320,514) | (229,404) | (220,255) | |||||||
| Financing activities | (381,999) | (300,726) | (252,308) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (16,251) | $ | 101,908 | $ | 87,947 |
Our most significant source of operating cash flows is from premiums received from our insurance policies, while our most significant uses of operating cash flows are generally for claims paid on our insured policies and our operating expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities increased largely due to higher net investment income and premiums. Cash flows from operations were also impacted by changes in reserves and unearned premiums.
Investing activities are primarily related to purchases, sales and maturities of our investment portfolio. Net cash used in investing activities increased as a result of purchases of fixed maturity securities outpacing maturities and sales in the current year due to the deployment of operating cash flows.
In 2024, our cash flows from financing activities included the issuance of our 2029 Notes and the redemption of our 2025 Notes. Financing activities for 2024 also included dividends paid of $112 million and share repurchases of $244 million. The amount and timing of future dividends is discussed within “—Trends and Conditions” as well as below. During 2023 and 2022, our cash flows used in financing activities included dividends paid of $213 million and $251 million, respectively, and share repurchases of $88 million and $2 million, respectively.
Capital Resources and Financing Activities
We issued our 2029 Notes in the second quarter of 2024 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears in May and November of each year. The 2029 Notes mature on May 28, 2029. We may redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 28, 2029, at our option, by paying an additional premium. At any time on or after April 28, 2029, we may redeem the 2029 Notes, in whole or in part, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2029 Notes contain customary events of default which, subject to certain notice and cure conditions, can result in the
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acceleration of the principal and accrued interest on the outstanding notes if we breach the terms of the indenture.
The proceeds from our 2029 Notes, along with other available cash, were used to redeem our 2025 Notes during the second quarter of 2024.
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders that provides for a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. We may use borrowings under the Facility for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility contains several covenants, including financial covenants relating to minimum net worth, capital and liquidity levels, maximum debt to capitalization level and PMIERs compliance. We are in compliance with all covenants of the Facility and the Facility remained undrawn through December 31, 2024.
We continually evaluate opportunities based upon market conditions to further increase our financial flexibility including through raising additional capital, restructuring or refinancing some or all of our outstanding debt or pursuing other options such as reinsurance or credit risk transfer transactions. There can be no guarantee that any such opportunities will be available on favorable terms or at all.
Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
The ability of our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and distributions to us is restricted by certain provisions of North Carolina insurance laws. Our insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends only from unassigned surplus; payments made from sources other than unassigned surplus, such as paid-in and contributed surplus, are categorized as distributions. Notice of all dividends must be submitted to the Commissioner of the NCDOI (the “Commissioner”) within 5 business days after declaration of the dividend, and at least 30 days before payment thereof. No dividend may be paid until 30 days after the Commissioner has received notice of the declaration thereof and (i) has not within that period disapproved the payment or (ii) has approved the payment within the 30-day period. Any distribution, regardless of amount, requires that same 30-day notice to the Commissioner, but also requires the Commissioner’s affirmative approval before being paid. Based on our estimated statutory results and in accordance with applicable dividend restrictions, our insurance subsidiaries have the capacity to pay dividends of $153 million from unassigned surplus as of December 31, 2024, with 30-day advance notice to the Commissioner of the intent to pay. In addition to dividends and distributions, alternative mechanisms, such as share repurchases, subject to any requisite regulatory approvals, may be utilized from time to time to upstream surplus.
In addition, we review multiple other considerations in parallel to determine a prospective dividend strategy for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries. Given the regulatory focus on the reasonableness of an insurer’s surplus in relation to its outstanding liabilities and the adequacy of its surplus relative to its financial needs for any dividend, our insurance subsidiaries consider the minimum amount of policyholder surplus after giving effect to any contemplated future dividends. Regulatory minimum policyholder surplus is not codified in North Carolina law and limitations may vary based on prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to, the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. We estimate regulators would require a minimum policyholder surplus of approximately $300 million to meet their threshold standard. We are subject to statutory accounting requirements that establish a contingency reserve of at least 50% of net earned premiums annually for ten years, after which time it is released into policyholder surplus. While we began 10-year contingency reserve releases during 2024, minimum policyholder surplus could be a limitation on the future dividends of our regulated operating subsidiaries.
Another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Under PMIERs, EMICO is
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subject to operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.
Our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries are also subject to statutory RTC requirements that affect the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries. EMICO’s domiciliary regulator, the NCDOI, requires the maintenance of a statutory RTC ratio not to exceed 25:1. See “—Risk-to-Capital Ratio” for additional RTC trend analysis.
We consider potential future dividends compared to the prior year statutory net income in the evaluation of dividend strategies for our regulated operating subsidiaries. We also consider the dividend payout ratio, or the ratio of potential future dividends compared to the estimated U.S. GAAP net income, in the evaluation of our dividend strategies. In either case, we do not have prescribed target or maximum thresholds, but we do evaluate the reasonableness of a potential dividend relative to the actual or estimated income generated in the proceeding or preceding calendar year after giving consideration to prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. In addition, the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries are made in consultation with Genworth.
During 2024, EMICO completed distributions of approximately $270 million and $230 million in March and November, respectively, that supported our ability to pay cash dividends. We intend to use future EMICO distributions to fund the quarterly dividend as well as to bolster our financial flexibility at EHI and return additional capital to shareholders.
The credit agreement entered into in connection with the Facility contains customary restrictions on EHI’s ability to pay cash dividends. Under the credit agreement, EHI is permitted to make cash distributions (1) so long as no Default or Event of Default (as each are defined in the credit agreement) has occurred and is continuing and EHI is in pro forma compliance with its financial covenants as described below at the time of and after giving effect to such payment, (2) within 60 days of declaration of any cash dividend so long as the payment was permitted under the credit agreement at the time of such declaration and (3) other customary exceptions as more fully set forth in the credit agreement.
The credit agreement requires EHI to maintain the following financial covenants: a minimum consolidated net worth equal to the sum of (i) 72.5% of EHI’s consolidated net worth as of June 30, 2022 (“the Closing Date”), (ii) 50% of EHI’s positive consolidated net income for each fiscal quarter after the Closing Date and (iii) 50% of any increase in EHI’s consolidated net worth after the Closing Date resulting from equity issuances or capital contributions; in respect of EMICO, a minimum total adjusted capital amount equal to 72.5% of EMICO’s total adjusted capital as of the Closing Date; a maximum debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 0.35 to 1.00; a minimum liquidity level of $25,000,000; and compliance with all applicable financial requirements under the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements published by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association. For purposes of determining EHI’s compliance with the foregoing financial covenants, the consolidated net worth metric, total adjusted capital metric, debt-to-capitalization ratio and liquidity metric (including, in each case, any component thereof) are each calculated as set forth in the credit agreement.
In addition to the restrictions described above, all dividends from EHI are subject to Genworth consent and EHI Board of Directors approval.
Risk-to-Capital Ratio
We compute our RTC ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The RTC ratio is net RIF divided by policyholders’ surplus plus statutory contingency reserve. Our net RIF represents RIF, net of reinsurance ceded, and excludes risk on policies that are currently delinquent and for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet.
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Certain states have insurance laws or regulations that require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital (including the statutory contingency reserve) relative to its level of RIF in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. While formulations of minimum capital vary in certain states, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our combined mortgage insurance subsidiaries as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 887 | $ | 1,085 | $ | 1,136 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 4,336 | 3,960 | 3,551 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 5,223 | $ | 5,045 | $ | 4,687 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 55,001 | $ | 58,277 | $ | 60,061 | ||||
| Combined risk-to-capital ratio | 10.5 | 11.6 | 12.8 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating combined statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our principal insurance company, EMICO, as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 850 | $ | 1,026 | $ | 1,084 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 4,325 | 3,953 | 3,548 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 5,175 | $ | 4,979 | $ | 4,632 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 54,418 | $ | 57,788 | $ | 59,663 | ||||
| EMICO risk-to-capital ratio | 10.5 | 11.6 | 12.9 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating EMICO statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2024, we maintained liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents of $599 million compared to $616 million as of December 31, 2023, and we also held significant levels of investment-grade fixed maturity securities that can be monetized should our cash and cash equivalents be insufficient to meet our obligations.
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The Facility matures in June 2027, but under certain conditions EHI may need to repay any outstanding amounts and terminate the Facility earlier than the maturity date. The Facility may be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility has remained undrawn through December 31, 2024.
The principal sources of liquidity in our business currently include insurance premiums, net investment income and cash flows from investment sales and maturities. We believe that the operating cash flows generated by our mortgage insurance subsidiary will provide the funds necessary to satisfy our claim payments, operating expenses and taxes in both the short-term and long-term. However, our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory and other capital restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. We currently have no material financing commitments, such as lines of credit or guarantees, that are expected to affect our liquidity, other than the 2029 Notes and the Facility.
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Financial Strength Ratings
Ratings with respect to the financial strength of operating subsidiaries are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings are important to maintaining public confidence in us and our ability to market our products. Rating organizations review the financial performance and condition of most insurers and provide opinions regarding financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders.
The financial strength ratings of our operating companies are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to our stockholders. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to us from any future disruptions in the credit markets or downgrades by one or more of the rating agencies of the financial strength ratings of our insurance company subsidiaries and/or the credit ratings of our holding company. We also cannot predict the impact on our ratings or future ratings of actions taken with respect to Genworth.
The following EMICO financial strength ratings have been independently assigned by third-party rating organizations and represent our current ratings, which are subject to change.
| Name of Agency | Rating | Outlook | Change | Date of Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. | A3 | Positive | Affirm | March 27, 2024 |
| Fitch Ratings, Inc. | A | Stable | Upgrade | January 17, 2025 |
| S&P Global Ratings | A- | Stable | Upgrade | January 8, 2024 |
| A.M. Best | A- | Stable | Affirm | August 23, 2024 |
In August 2023, Enact Re was independently assigned a rating of A- by third-party rating organization A.M. Best. In August 2024, Enact Re was independently assigned a rating of A- by S&P Global Ratings.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into agreements and other relationships with third parties in the ordinary course of our operations. However, we do not believe that our cash flow requirements can be assessed based upon analysis of these obligations, as the funding of these future cash obligations will be from future cash flows from premiums and investment income. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon our future needs. Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. An example of obligations that are fixed include future lease payments. An example of obligations that will vary include insurance liabilities that depend on losses incurred. Refer to Note 3, Note 7 and Note 12 of our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of borrowings and commitments and contingencies.
The liability for loss reserves as of December 31, 2024, represents our current best estimate; however, there may be future adjustments to this estimate and related assumptions. Such adjustments, reflecting any variety of new and adverse trends, could possibly be significant, and result in future increases to reserves by amounts that could be material to our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Refer to Note 5 in our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of our loss reserves.
Refer to Note 2 in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 for a discussion of recently adopted and not yet adopted accounting standards.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001823529-24-000036.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. For factors that could cause such differences refer to the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” 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. Future results could differ significantly from the historical results presented in this section. References to EHI, the “Company,” “we” or “our” herein are, unless the context otherwise requires, to EHI on a consolidated basis.
Overview of Business
We are a leading private mortgage insurance company, having served the United States housing finance market since 1981, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mortgage insurance products provide credit protection to mortgage lenders, covering a portion of the unpaid principal balance of Low Down Payment Loans in the event of a default. We believe we have built a leading platform based on long-tenured customer relationships, underwriting excellence and prudent risk and capital management practices. Our business objective is to leverage our competitive strengths to drive market share, maintain our strong capitalization and strong earnings profile and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders.
We generate revenues by providing mortgage credit protection to our customers in exchange for premiums, which we set based on our evaluation of the underlying risk we insure. Once the premium rate is established and coverage is activated, the premium rate remains unchanged for the first ten years of the policy; thereafter the premium rate resets to a lower rate used for the remaining life of the policy. In general, we can only cancel coverage for a failure to pay premiums or at servicer direction when the borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity. Our premium rate is applied predominantly to the original loan balance to determine either a monthly payment that the lender adds to the borrower’s monthly loan payment or a single upfront payment made by either the borrower or lender at loan closing. The amount of premiums earned from our insurance portfolio and the timing of premium recognition are also affected by persistency rate, which we measure as the percentage of loans that remain on our books based on the annualized cancellations for the period.
We also employ a CRT program to transfer a portion of our risk through traditional XOL and quota share reinsurance arrangements and the issuance of ILNs. In exchange, we cede a negotiated amount of our premiums to the reinsurers and ILN investors that participate in our CRT transactions. Our net premiums earned (i.e., materially, the gross premiums charged less premiums ceded as part of our CRT program) represent the largest source of our revenues. Importantly, our CRT program helps to manage risk in our operating model and spread the risk of loss across our counterparties while also providing capital relief.
We also invest our premiums in high quality, predominantly fixed income assets with the primary business objectives of preserving capital, generating investment income and maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover our operating expenses and pay future claims. The investment income generated through our investment portfolio is another significant source of our revenues.
We generate profits through collection of premiums and investment income less losses, operating expenses, interest expense and taxes. Our mortgage insurance coverage protects lenders against loss in the event of a borrower default by covering a portion of the outstanding principal balance of a loan. In the event of a borrower default, our coverage reduces and, in certain instances eliminates, losses to the
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insured by transferring the covered portion of the economic loss to us. Borrower defaults are first reported to us as new delinquencies when the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments. Incurred losses are our estimate of future claims on these new delinquencies as well as any change in the prior estimates for previously existing delinquencies. In addition, incurred losses include estimates of future claims on IBNR delinquencies. Our incurred losses are based on estimates of both the rate at which delinquencies will go to claim (i.e., claim rate) and the ultimate claim amount (i.e., claim severity). Claim frequency and severity estimates are established based on historical experience focusing on certain delinquency and loan attributes that influence the probability and amount of ultimate claim. Our estimates of ultimate claim amounts for each delinquency include loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) that are costs incurred in the settlement of the claim process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Incurred losses are generally affected by macroeconomic conditions, borrower credit quality, certain loan attributes, underwriting quality and our loss mitigation efforts among other factors detailed below.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
Our financial position and results of operations depend to a significant extent on the following factors, as noted below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
Mortgage Origination Volume
The level of mortgage origination volume is a key driver of our future revenues. The overall mortgage origination market is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the rate of economic growth, the unemployment rate, interest rates, home affordability, household savings rates, the inventory of unsold homes, demographics of potential homebuyers and credit availability. The mortgage origination market is also influenced by various legislative and regulatory actions and GSE programs and policies that impact the housing and mortgage finance industries.
Penetration
The penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is mainly influenced by the competitiveness of private mortgage insurance compared to alternative products for Low Down Payment Loans provided by government agencies (principally the FHA and the VA), portfolio lenders that self-insure, reinsurers and capital market transactions designed to mitigate risk. In addition, the private mortgage insurance industry’s penetration rate is driven by the relative percentage of purchase mortgage originations versus refinances. Private mortgage insurance penetration tends to be significantly higher on new mortgages for purchased homes than on the refinance of existing mortgages, because average LTV ratios are typically higher on home purchases and therefore are more likely to require mortgage insurance. Lastly, we believe the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is influenced by other factors, including lender preference, FHA competitiveness and risk appetite, loan limits, contractual terms including cancellability and loss mitigation practices.
Credit and Regulatory Environment
The level of private mortgage insurance market penetration (“market penetration”) and eventual market size is affected in part by actions taken by the GSEs and the United States government, including the FHA, the FHFA and Congress, that impact housing or housing finance policy. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees and loan limits, as well as low down payment programs available through the FHA or GSEs.
Competition and Market Share
Competitors include other private mortgage insurers that are eligible to write business for the GSEs. We compete with other private mortgage insurers based on pricing, underwriting guidelines, customer relationships, service levels, policy terms, loss mitigation practices, perceived financial strength (including
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comparative credit ratings), reputation, strength of management, product features and technology ease-of-use. We also compete with governmental agencies (principally the FHA and the VA) primarily based on price and underwriting guidelines.
Pricing is highly competitive in the mortgage insurance industry, with industry participants competing for market share, customer relationships and overall value. Recent pricing trends have introduced an increasing number of loan, borrower, lender and property attributes, resulting in expanded granularity in pricing regimes and a shift from traditional published rate cards to dynamic pricing engines that better align price and risk. Our proprietary risk-based pricing engine evaluates returns and volatility under both the PMIERs capital framework and our internal economic capital framework, which is sensitive to economic cycles and current housing market conditions. The model assesses the performance of new business under expected and stress scenarios on an individualized loan basis, which is used to determine pricing and inform our risk selection strategy that optimizes economic value by balancing return and volatility.
Seasonality
Consistent with the seasonality of home sales, purchase mortgage origination volumes typically increase in late spring and peak during summer months, leading to a rise in NIW volume during the second and third quarters of a given year. Refinancing volume, however, does not follow a similar seasonal trend and instead is primarily influenced by interest rates, which can overwhelm typical seasonal trends. Delinquency performance (new delinquency formation and cure behavior) is generally favorable in the first and second quarters of the year. Therefore, we typically experience lower levels of losses resulting from favorable delinquency activity in the first and second quarters, as typically compared to the third and fourth quarters. As a result of delinquencies from COVID-19 and subsequent cure activity, including the impact of forbearance policies on delinquency recognition and performance recent trends may not follow traditional seasonality.
The following table presents our NIW, number of cures and new delinquencies for primary policies, excluding our run-off insurance block with reference properties in Mexico, for the periods indicated:
| Seasonality | Three months ended | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Mar 31, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Dec 31, 2022 | Mar 31, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Dec 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
| NIW | $18,823 | $17,448 | $15,069 | $15,145 | $13,154 | $15,083 | $14,391 | $10,453 | |||||||||||
| % Change | (12.2)% | (7.3)% | (13.6)% | 0.5% | (13.1)% | 14.7% | (4.6)% | (27.4)% | |||||||||||
| Cure Counts | 10,860 | 10,806 | 9,588 | 9,024 | 10,771 | 9,609 | 9,778 | 10,317 | |||||||||||
| % Change | (9.0)% | (0.5)% | (11.3)% | (5.9)% | 19.4% | (10.8)% | 1.8% | 5.5% | |||||||||||
| New Delinquency Count | 8,724 | 7,847 | 9,121 | 10,304 | 9,599 | 9,205 | 11,107 | 11,706 | |||||||||||
| % Change | 5.3% | (10.1)% | 16.2% | 13.0% | (6.8)% | (4.1)% | 20.7% | 5.4% |
NIW
NIW occurs when a lender activates mortgage insurance coverage on a closed mortgage loan. NIW increases our IIF, premiums written and premiums earned. NIW is affected by the overall size of the mortgage origination market, the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance into the overall mortgage origination market and our market share of the private mortgage insurance market.
Pricing
Our pricing strategy is designed to charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan we insure. Our proprietary platform provides us with a more flexible, granular and analytical approach to selecting and pricing risk. Using our platform, we can quickly change price to modify our risk selection levels, respond to industry pricing trends or adjust to changing economic conditions. We believe that our platform, powered by our proprietary risk model and our understanding of mortgage risk volatility, provides us with a highly sophisticated pricing regime that improves our risk selection and is designed to yield attractive risk adjusted returns through credit cycles.
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IIF
IIF at the time of origination is used to determine premiums as the premium rate is expressed as a percentage of IIF. IIF is one of the primary drivers of our future earned premium. Based on the composition of our insurance portfolio, with monthly premium policies comprising a larger proportion of our total portfolio than single premium policies, an increase or decrease in IIF generally has a corresponding impact on premiums earned. Cancellations of our insurance policies as a result of prepayments and other reductions of IIF, such as rescissions of coverage and claims paid, generally have a negative effect on premiums earned.
Persistency Rate and Business Mix
The percentage of our IIF that remains insured after taking into account annualized cancellations for the period presented is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher or lower persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability. The rise of interest rates throughout 2022 and 2023 has significantly increased persistency in the portfolio, but this impact is partially offset by lower NIW.
Loan prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Assuming all other factors remain constant over the life of the policies, prepayment speeds have an inverse impact on IIF and the expected premium from our monthly policies. Slower prepayment speeds, demonstrated by a higher persistency rate, result in IIF remaining in place, providing increased premium from monthly policies over time as premium payments continue. Earlier than anticipated prepayments, demonstrated by a lower persistency rate, reduce IIF and the premium from our monthly policies.
The following table presents the weighted average mortgage interest rate on outstanding primary IIF as of December 31, 2023, excluding our run-off business. Prepayment speeds may be affected by changes in interest rates, among other factors. An increasing interest rate environment generally will reduce refinancing activity and result in lower prepayments. A declining interest rate environment generally will increase refinancing activity and increase prepayments.
| Policy Year | Weightedaveragerate (1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | 5.74 | % | |
| 2009-2015 | 4.34 | % | |
| 2016 | 3.94 | % | |
| 2017 | 4.30 | % | |
| 2018 | 4.82 | % | |
| 2019 | 4.25 | % | |
| 2020 | 3.27 | % | |
| 2021 | 3.11 | % | |
| 2022 | 4.89 | % | |
| 2023 | 6.68 | % | |
| Total portfolio | 4.41 | % |
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(1)Average Annual Mortgage Interest Rate weighted by IIF.
In contrast to monthly premium policies, when single premium policies are cancelled by the insured because the loan has been paid off or otherwise, any remaining unearned premiums are earned at cancellation. Although these cancellations reduce IIF, assuming all other factors remain constant, the profitability of our single premium business increases when persistency rates are lower. As of
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December 31, 2023 and 2022, single premium policies comprised 10% and 12% of primary IIF, respectively.
Credit Quality
Improved analytics, stronger loan origination quality controls and the regulatory implementation of the QM Rule have resulted in a significant improvement in the credit quality for loans originated in the private mortgage insurance market over time. Additionally, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards over the past decade, with average FICO scores for NIW persisting at levels significantly above historical averages. As a result, the industry is insuring loans from borrowers who should be better positioned to meet their mortgage obligations. More recently, in response to FTHB demand, there has been modest credit expansion that accommodates LTV over 95% and higher DTI ratios. Even after this expansion, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards well above historical norms.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is determined primarily by the invested assets held and the average yield on our overall investment portfolio.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on such factors as market opportunities, our capital profile and overall market cycles that impact the timing of selling securities.
Losses Incurred
Losses incurred represent current payments and changes in the estimated future payments on claims that result from delinquent loans. We estimate an expense only for delinquent loans as explained in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Incurred losses depend to a significant extent on the following factors:
•deterioration of regional or national economic conditions leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments;
•legislative, regulatory, FHFA or GSE action, or executive orders permitting or mandating forbearance or a moratorium on foreclosures or evictions due to events such as natural disasters or COVID-19;
•a drop in housing values that could expose us to greater loss on resale of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings and an adverse change in the effectiveness of loss mitigation actions that could result in an increase in the frequency of expected claim rates;
•a drop in housing values that negatively impacts a borrower’s willingness to continue mortgage payments, potentially leading to higher delinquencies and ultimately claims;
•if the foreclosure occurs in a state that imposes judicial process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed, which impacts severity of the claim;
•the credit characteristics in our in-force portfolio, as loans with higher risk characteristics generally result in more delinquencies and claims;
•the size of loans we insure, as loans with relatively higher average loan amounts generally result in higher incurred losses;
•the coverage percentage on insured loans, as loans with higher percentages of insurance coverage generally correlate with higher incurred losses;
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•the level and amount of reinsurance coverage maintained with third parties; and
•the distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after origination have relatively low claims, with claims increasing for several years subsequently and then declining. However, persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices and other factors can affect this pattern.
Credit Risk Transfer
We use CRT transactions to transfer a portion of our risk to third parties, through traditional XOL and quota share reinsurance and the issuance of ILNs. Our CRT program reduces the volatility of our in-force portfolio and provides capital relief under PMIERs. When we enter into a CRT transaction, the reinsurer receives a premium and, in exchange, insures an agreed upon portion of incurred losses. These arrangements have the impact of reducing our earned premiums but also provide capital relief under PMIERs in exchange for a negotiated ceded premium rate. Under certain stress scenarios, our incurred losses are also reduced by any incurred losses ceded in accordance with our reinsurance agreements.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include costs related to the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of our insurance contracts, including sales, underwriting and general operating costs. Acquisition expenses are influenced by the amount of our NIW. Acquisition costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new insurance policies, such as underwriting expenses, are deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying insurance policies. These deferred acquisition costs are referred to as “DAC.” The ongoing maintenance expenses of our insurance contracts are generally fixed in nature and include costs such as information technology, finance and legal, among others, including costs allocated from Genworth for certain activities on our behalf. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements regarding our related party transactions.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting estimates (including sensitivities) discussed in this section are those that we consider to be particularly critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on our ability to judge the effect of inherently uncertain matters on our financial results. The sensitivities included in this section involve matters that are also inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment in selecting the factors and amounts used in the sensitivities. Small changes in the amounts used in the sensitivities or the use of different factors could result in materially different outcomes from those reflected in the sensitivities. For all of these accounting estimates, we caution that future events seldom develop as estimated and management’s best estimates often require adjustment.
Loss Reserves
Loss reserves represents the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the end of the respective reporting period. The estimated liability includes requirements for future payments of: (a) losses that have been reported to the insurer; (b) losses related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated; and (c) LAE. Loss adjustment expenses include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not in default or believed to be in default.
Estimates and actuarial assumptions used for establishing loss reserves involve the exercise of significant judgment, and changes in assumptions or deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have material impacts on our loss reserves and net income (loss). Because these assumptions relate to factors that are not known in advance, change over time, are difficult to accurately predict and are
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inherently uncertain, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The sources of uncertainty affecting the estimates are numerous and include factors internal and external to us. Internal factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the mix of exposures, loss mitigation activities and claim settlement practices. Significant external influences include changes in home prices, unemployment, government housing policies, state foreclosure timeline, general economic conditions, interest rates, tax policy, credit availability and mortgage products. Small changes in assumptions or small deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have, and in the past have had, material impacts on our reserves, results of operations and financial condition.
We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and 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. The estimates are determined using a factor-based approach, in which assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim are calculated using traditional actuarial techniques. Over time, as the status of the underlying delinquent loans moves toward foreclosure and the likelihood of the associated claim loss increases, the amount of the loss reserves associated with the potential claims may also increase.
Management monitors actual experience, and where circumstances warrant, will revise its assumptions. Our liability for loss reserves is reviewed regularly, with changes in our estimates of future claims recorded through net income. Estimation of losses is based on historical claim and cure experience and covered exposures and is inherently judgmental. Future developments may result in losses greater or less than the liability for loss reserves provided.
Loss reserves as of December 31, 2023, were $518 million, a decrease of $1 million since December 31, 2022. In considering the potential sensitivity of the factors underlying management’s best estimate of our loss reserve, it is possible that even a relatively small change in the estimated claim and severity rates could have a significant impact on loss reserves and, correspondingly, on results of operations. For example, based on our actual experience during the three-year period immediately preceding December 31, 2023, a change of 5 percentage points, or 15%, in the average claim rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $75 million. Likewise, a change of 4 percentage points, or a change of 4%, in the average severity rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $19 million.
Investments
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was valued at $5,266 million as of December 31, 2023, an increase of $381 million from December 31, 2022.
The methodologies, estimates and assumptions used in valuing our fixed maturity securities evolve over time and are subject to different interpretations, all of which can lead to materially different estimates of fair value. Additionally, because the valuation is based on market conditions at a specific point in time, the period-to-period changes in fair value may vary significantly due to changing interest rates, external macroeconomic and credit market conditions. For example, widening credit spreads will generally result in a decrease, while tightening of credit spreads will generally result in an increase in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities. Also, during periods of increasing interest rates, the market values of lower-yielding assets will decline. See “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on our investments portfolio.
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities comprises primarily investment grade securities, which are carried at fair value. Estimates of fair values for fixed maturity securities are obtained primarily from industry-standard pricing methodologies utilizing market observable inputs. For our less liquid securities,
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such as our privately placed securities, we utilize independent market data to employ alternative valuation methods commonly used in the financial services industry to estimate fair value. Based on the market observability of the inputs used in estimating the fair value, the pricing level is assigned.
See Notes 2, 3 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the valuation of fixed maturity securities and a description of the fair value measurement estimates and level assignments.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-For-Sale Securities
As of each balance sheet date, we evaluate fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for changes to the allowance for credit losses. Determining the value of the unrealized losses is dependent on the same methodologies and assumptions used in our valuation of fixed maturity securities. We also consider all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. There is no recorded allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2023.
See Note 2 and 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our insurance contracts have recurring monthly premiums. We recognize recurring premiums over the terms of the related insurance policy on a pro-rata basis. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the policy life. A portion of the revenue from single premium policies is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies are cancelled and the premium is non-refundable, then the remaining unearned premium related to each cancelled policy is recognized to earned premiums upon notification of the cancellation. For borrower-paid mortgage insurance, coverage ceases at the earlier of prepayment, or when the original principal is amortized to a 78% loan-to-value ratio in accordance with the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998. Variation in cancellation rates and projected losses are inputs into our premium recognition models, causing uncertainty within our estimates.
We periodically review our premium earnings recognition models with any adjustments to the estimates reflected as a cumulative adjustment on a retrospective basis in current period net income. These reviews include the consideration of recent and projected loss and policy cancellation experience, and adjustments to the estimated earnings patterns are made, if warranted.
Unearned premium was $149 million as of December 31, 2023, a decrease of $53 million compared to December 31, 2022. Changes in market conditions could cause a decline in mortgage originations, mortgage insurance penetration rates, persistency and our market share, all of which could impact new insurance written. For example, a decline in primary new insurance written of $1.0 billion would result in a reduction in earned premiums of approximately $4 million in the first full year. Likewise, if primary persistency rates declined on our existing insurance in-force by 10%, earned premiums would decline by approximately $96 million during the first full year, partially offset by higher policy cancellations in our single premium products. These reductions in earned premiums could be potentially offset by lower reserves due to policies no longer being in-force.
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Trends and Conditions
Macroeconomic environment. During 2023, the United States economy faced uncertainty due to continued but lessening inflationary pressure, the geopolitical environment and persistent concerns around a possible recession.
Inflationary pressures have moderated in 2023, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting in December that the Consumer Price Index was down to 3.4% year-over-year. The Federal Reserve has taken an aggressive approach towards addressing inflation through interest rate increases and a reduction of its balance sheet. The Federal Reserve raised rates four times in 2023 following seven interest rate increases in 2022. Mortgage rates continued to rise and reached more than 20-year highs during 2023.
Mortgage origination activity remained slow during 2023 in response to elevated mortgage rates and sustained low housing supply. Housing affordability continued to deteriorate due to high interest rates and elevated home prices, only marginally offset by rising median family income according to the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index. National housing prices rose modestly throughout 2023, according to the FHFA Monthly Purchase-Only House Price Index.
The unemployment rate was 3.7% as of December 2023 compared to 3.5% in December 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the number of unemployed Americans stands at approximately 6.3 million and the number of long term unemployed over 26 weeks was approximately 1.2 million. Both metrics remain relatively in line with February 2020 levels.
Forbearance and loss mitigation programs. For mortgages insured by the federal government, including those purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, COVID-19 forbearance allowed borrowers impacted by COVID-19 to temporarily suspend mortgage payments up to 18 months subject to certain limits. However, the Biden Administration ended the national emergency for COVID-19 in April 2023, so the deadline for requesting a COVID-19 related forbearance under the CARES Act ended in August of 2023. The GSEs retired their COVID-19 servicing-related policies including with respect to forbearance in November 2023 and reverted to standard forbearance policies as a loss mitigation option for borrowers that meet general hardship and program guidelines.
Further, in March 2023, the GSEs announced new loss mitigation programs that allow for six-month payment deferrals for borrowers facing financial hardship. Servicers were encouraged to start evaluating borrowers for the new mitigation programs as early as July 1, 2023, but no later than October 1, 2023. Even though most foreclosure moratoriums expired at the end of 2021, federal laws and regulations continue to require servicers to discuss loss mitigation options with borrowers before proceeding with foreclosures. These requirements could further extend foreclosure timelines, which could negatively impact the severity of loss on loans that go to claim.
Although it is difficult to predict the future level of reported forbearance and how many of the policies in a forbearance plan that remain current on their monthly mortgage payment will go delinquent, servicer-reported forbearances have generally declined. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 1.2%, or 11,536, of our active primary policies were reported in a forbearance plan, of which approximately 31% were reported as delinquent.
The full impact of COVID-19 and its ancillary economic effects on our future business results are difficult to predict. Given the maximum length of forbearance plans, the resolution of a delinquency in a plan still may not be known for several quarters or longer. We continue to monitor regulatory and government actions and the resolution of forbearance delinquencies. While the associated risks have moderated and delinquencies related to COVID-19 have declined, it is possible that ancillary economic effects of COVID-19 could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations and financial condition.
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Regulatory developments. The FHFA and the GSEs are focused on increasing the accessibility and affordability of homeownership, in particular for low- and moderate-income borrowers and underserved minority communities. In June 2022, the FHFA announced the release of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s respective Equitable Housing Finance Plans. In April 2023, FHFA announced updates to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s Equitable Housing Finance Plans which build upon the inaugural plans first announced in 2022 and make adjustments based on initial research and findings. The proposals included many initiatives, including language discussing potential changes that could impact the mortgage insurance industry. We will continue to work with the FHFA, the GSEs, and the broader housing finance industry as these proposals develop and to the extent they are implemented. We cannot predict whether or when any new practices or programs will be implemented under the GSEs’ Equitable Housing Finance Plans or other affordability initiatives, and if so in what form, nor can we predict what effect, if any, such practices or programs may have on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size are affected in part by actions that impact housing or housing finance policy taken by the GSEs and the U.S. government, including but not limited to, the Federal Housing Administration and the FHFA. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, including changes to the GSEs’ automated underwriting systems, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees, loan limits and alternative products.
On October 24, 2022, the FHFA announced two initiatives: 1) targeted changes to the GSEs’ guarantee fee pricing by eliminating upfront fees for certain borrowers and affordable mortgage products, while implementing targeted increases to the upfront fees for most cash-out refinance loans; and 2) the validation and approval of both the FICO 10T credit score model and the VantageScore 4.0 credit score model for use by the GSEs as well as changing the requirement that lenders provide credit reports from all three nationwide consumer reporting agencies and instead only requiring credit reports from two of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies.
The upfront fees were eliminated for certain first-time home buyers with income at or below area median income and certain other GSE affordable housing products. The fee reductions went into effect in the fourth quarter of 2022, while the new fees on cash-out refinance loans began on February 1, 2023. We have seen a limited impact from these price changes on the private mortgage insurance market. The validation of the new credit scores requires lenders to deliver both credit scores for each loan sold to the GSEs. The FHFA has announced preliminary implementation expectations, but this is expected to be a multiple year process that will require system and process updates along with coordination across stakeholders of the industry.
In January 2023, the FHFA announced additional updates to its upfront fee structure and a recalibration and reformatting of their entire pricing matrix. The changes marked the third iteration of the FHFA’s ongoing pricing review since early 2022 and impact purchase and rate-term refinance loans. Pricing grids are now broken out by loan purpose and are recalibrated to new credit score and loan-to-value ratio categories along with associated loan attributes. The new pricing matrix initially included new upfront fees for loans with debt to income ratios greater than 40%, but those fees were rescinded prior to implementation. The remaining changes became effective May 1, 2023.
On February 22, 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a 30 basis point reduction of the annual insurance premium charged to borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages. This action is designed to reduce the cost of borrowing for lower- and middle-class homebuyers who are eligible for the federal program. The price reduction, which went into effect on March 20, 2023, is expected to have a negative impact on the private mortgage insurance market but will be partially offset by the effects of the recent FHFA pricing changes referenced above. We do not believe this net impact has been or will be material.
Competitive environment. The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Our market share is influenced by the execution of our go to market strategy, including but not limited to,
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pricing competitiveness relative to our peers and our selective participation in forward commitment transactions. We continue to manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which are modified from time to time when circumstances warrant. We see the market and underwriting conditions, including the pricing environment, as being within our risk-adjusted return appetite enabling us to write new business at attractive returns. Ultimately, we expect our new insurance written with its strong credit profile and attractive pricing to positively contribute to our future profitability and return on equity.
Our portfolio. New insurance written of $53.1 billion in 2023 decreased 20% compared to 2022 primarily due to a smaller private mortgage insurance market in the current year as refinance and purchase originations were impacted by rising interest rates.
Our largest customer accounted for 19% of total NIW and 10% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of total revenues or NIW for the year ended December 31, 2023. This customer also accounted for 18% and 14% of our total NIW during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. No customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues and no other customer accounted for more than 10% of NIW for the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021.
Our primary persistency rate increased to 85% during 2023 compared to 80% during 2022. The increase in persistency was primarily driven by a decline in the percentage of our in-force policies with mortgage rates above current mortgage rates. Elevated persistency has continued to offset the decline in new insurance written, leading to an increase in primary insurance in-force of $14.7 billion or 6% since December 31, 2022.
Net earned premiums increased in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily as a result of insurance in-force growth, partially offset by the lapse of older, higher priced policies and a decrease in single premium cancellations. The total number of delinquent loans has declined from the COVID-19 peak in the second quarter of 2020 as forbearance exits continue and new forbearances decline. During this time and consistent with prior years, servicers continued the practice of remitting premiums during the early stages of default, and we refund the post-delinquent premiums to the insured party if the delinquent loan goes to claim. We record a liability and a reduction to net earned premiums for the post-delinquent premiums we expect to refund. The post-delinquent premium liability recorded since the beginning of COVID-19 in the second quarter of 2020 through the fourth quarter of 2023 was not significant to the change in earned premiums for those periods.
Loss experience. Our loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2023, was 3% as compared to (10)% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Both periods were impacted by favorable reserve adjustments. In 2023, we released $241 million of reserves primarily on delinquencies from prior years, related to favorable cure performance on delinquencies from 2022 and earlier, including a portion of those as a result of COVID-19. During the peak of COVID-19, we experienced elevated new delinquencies subject to forbearance plans. Those delinquencies have continued to cure at levels above our reserve expectations. Another component of the reserve release related to delinquencies from 2022, as uncertainty in the economic environment has not negatively impacted cure performance to the extent initially expected. This compares to 2022, where we recorded $314 million of reserve release primarily related to cure performance of 2020 delinquencies. Losses during 2022 were also impacted by $46 million of reserve strengthening related to current accident year delinquencies due to uncertainty in the economic environment.
Borrowers who have experienced a financial hardship including, but not limited to, the loss of income due to the closing of a business or the loss of a job, continue to take advantage of available loss mitigation options, including forbearance programs, payment deferral options and other modifications. Loss reserves recorded on these delinquencies have a high degree of estimation due to the level of uncertainty regarding whether delinquencies in forbearance will ultimately cure or result in claim payments, as well as the timing and severity of those payments.
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The severity of loss on loans that do go to claim may be negatively impacted by the extended forbearance and foreclosure timelines, the associated elevated expenses and the higher loan amount of the recent new delinquencies. These negative influences on loss severity could be mitigated, in part, by embedded home price appreciation. For loans insured on or after October 1, 2014, our mortgage insurance policies limit the number of months of unpaid interest and associated expenses that are included in the mortgage insurance claim amount to a maximum of 36 months.
New delinquencies in 2023 increased compared to 2022 primarily due to the aging of large, new books of business. Current period primary delinquencies of 41,617 contributed $265 million of loss expense in 2023. We incurred $171 million of losses from 35,996 current period delinquencies in 2022. In determining the loss expense estimate, considerations were given to recent cure and claim experience and the prevailing and prospective economic conditions. Approximately 13% of our primary new delinquencies in 2023 were subject to a forbearance plan as compared to 21% in 2022. Due to the declining number of new delinquencies in forbearance, we no longer differentiate the expected claim rates applied to new delinquencies in forbearance versus those not in forbearance.
Capital requirements and ratings. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio under the current regulatory framework as established under North Carolina law and enforced by the NCDOI, EMICO’s domestic insurance regulator, was approximately 11.6:1 as of December 31, 2023 and 12.9:1 as of December 31, 2022. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio remains below the NCDOI’s maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25:1. North Carolina’s calculation of risk-to-capital excludes the risk-in-force for delinquent loans given the established loss reserves against all delinquencies. EMICO’s ongoing risk-to-capital ratio will depend principally on the magnitude of future losses incurred by EMICO, the effectiveness of ongoing loss mitigation activities, new business volume and profitability, the impact of quota share reinsurance, the amount of policy lapses and the amount of additional capital that is generated or distributed by the business.
Under PMIERs, we are subject to operational and financial requirements that private mortgage insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans that are purchased by the GSEs. Additionally, in September 2020, subsequent to the issuance of our senior notes due in 2025, the GSEs imposed certain restrictions (the “GSE Restrictions”) with respect to capital on our business. In May 2021, in connection with their conditional approval of the then potential partial sale of EHI, the GSEs confirmed the GSE Restrictions would remain in effect until certain conditions (“GSE Conditions”) were met. These conditions were met as of December 31, 2022, and Enact is no longer subject to GSE Restrictions and Conditions.
As of December 31, 2023, we had estimated available assets of $5,006 million against $3,119 million net required assets under PMIERs compared to available assets of $5,206 million against $3,156 million net required assets as of December 31, 2022. The sufficiency ratio as of December 31, 2023, was 161% or $1,887 million above the PMIERs requirements, compared to 165% or $2,050 million above the published PMIERs requirements as of December 31, 2022. Our PMIERs required assets benefited from the application of a 0.30 multiplier applied to the risk-based required asset amount factor for certain non-performing loans as defined under PMIERs. The application of the 0.30 multiplier to all eligible delinquencies provided $73 million of benefit to our December 31, 2023, PMIERs required assets compared to $132 million of benefit as of December 31, 2022. These amounts are gross of any incremental reinsurance benefit from the elimination of the 0.30 multiplier. Our PMIERs required assets also benefited from a reinsurance credit of $1,714 million and $1,578 million related to third-party reinsurance as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
On February 16, 2023, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the long-term financial strength and issuer credit ratings of EMICO from BBB to BBB+. This rating was further upgraded to A- as of January 8, 2024. Moody’s Investors Service also upgraded the insurance financial strength rating of EMICO from Baa1 to A3 on March 1, 2023. On April 25, 2023, Fitch upgraded the insurance financial strength rating of EMICO
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from BBB+ to A-. These ratings reflect our continued strong performance including our credit profile, market position, profitability, capital adequacy and financial flexibility.
On August 1, 2023, A.M. Best initiated public ratings of EMICO and Enact Re. Both entities received A- ratings with stable outlooks.
Recent transactions. In May 2023, we contributed $250 million into Enact Re, our wholly owned Bermuda-based subsidiary. Through this contribution, Enact Re was able to participate in the assumption of excess-of-loss reinsurance relating to GSE credit risk transfer and reinsured EMICO’s new and existing insurance in-force under quota share reinsurance agreements. We contributed an additional $250 million in November 2023 which will support an increase to the ceding percentage of our previously announced affiliate quota share agreements from 7.5% to 12.5%, along with assumed new insurance written and new business opportunities, including the continued execution of GSE credit risk transfer.
On March 8, 2023, we executed an excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which provides up to $180 million of reinsurance coverage on a portion of current and expected new insurance written for the 2023 book year, effective January 1, 2023.
On June 30, 2023, we executed a quota share reinsurance contract with a panel of reinsurers. Following a 3% increase in our ceding percentage during the fourth quarter of 2023, we cede 16.125% of a portion of NIW written from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
On November 15, 2023, we obtained $248 million of fully collateralized excess-of-loss reinsurance coverage from Triangle Re 2023-1 Ltd. on a portfolio of existing mortgage insurance policies written from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Subsequent to year end, on January 3, 2024, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement with a panel of third-party reinsurers. Under the agreement, Enact will cede approximately 21% of a portion of its new insurance written from January 1, 2024, though December 31, 2024.
Subsequent to year end, on January 30, 2024, we executed an excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which provides up to $255 million of reinsurance coverage on a portion of current and expected new insurance written for the 2024 book year, effective January 1, 2024.
Capital returns. On April 26, 2022, our Board of Directors approved the initiation of a dividend program under which the Company intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend, subject to approval by our Board of Directors each quarter. We paid quarterly dividends of $0.14 per share in March of 2023 and May, September and December of 2022. On May 1, 2023, we announced an increase of our quarterly dividend to $0.16 per share which was paid in June, September and December 2023. In February of 2024, we announced our first quarter dividend of $0.16 per share. Future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our Board of Directors and Genworth and will be targeted to be paid in the third month of each subsequent quarter. In April and November 2023, our primary mortgage insurance operating company, EMICO, completed distributions to EHI that supported our ability to pay dividends in 2023. We intend to use these proceeds and future EMICO distributions to fund the quarterly dividend as well as to bolster our financial flexibility and potentially return additional capital to shareholders.
In December 2023, we paid a special cash dividend of $113 million, or $0.71 per share.
On August 1, 2023, we announced the authorization of a new share repurchase program which allows for the repurchase of up to an additional $100 million of EHI’s common stock. Under the program, share repurchases may be made at our discretion from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. In conjunction with this authorization, we have entered into an agreement with Genworth Holdings, Inc. to repurchase its EHI shares on a pro rata basis as part of the program. The share repurchase program is not expected to change Genworth’s ownership interest in Enact post-completion. We expect the timing and amount of any
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future share repurchases will be opportunistic and will depend on a variety of factors, including EHI’s share price, capital availability, business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and debt covenant restrictions. The program does not obligate EHI to acquire any amount of common stock, it may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion without prior notice, and it does not have a specified expiration date.
Returning capital to shareholders, balanced with our growth and risk management priorities, remains a key commitment as we look to drive shareholder value through time. Future return of capital will be shaped by our capital prioritization framework: supporting our existing policyholders, growing our mortgage insurance business, funding attractive new business opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. Our total return of capital will also be based on our view of the prevailing and prospective macroeconomic conditions, regulatory landscape and business performance.
Results of Operations and Key Metrics
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated results for the periods indicated:
| Year ended December 31, | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 957,075 | $ | 939,462 | $ | 974,949 | $ | 17,613 | 2 | % | $ | (35,487) | (4) | % | |||||||||||
| Net investment income | 207,369 | 155,311 | 141,189 | 52,058 | 34 | % | 14,122 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (14,022) | (2,036) | (2,124) | (11,986) | 589 | % | 88 | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 3,264 | 2,309 | 3,841 | 955 | 41 | % | (1,532) | (40) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,153,686 | 1,095,046 | 1,117,855 | 58,640 | 5 | % | (22,809) | (2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Losses and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred | 27,165 | (94,221) | 125,473 | 121,386 | (129) | % | (219,694) | (175) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals | 212,491 | 226,941 | 231,453 | (14,450) | (6) | % | (4,512) | (2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles | 10,654 | 12,405 | 14,704 | (1,751) | (14) | % | (2,299) | (16) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 51,867 | 51,699 | 51,009 | 168 | — | % | 690 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 302,177 | 196,824 | 422,639 | 105,353 | 54 | % | (225,815) | (53) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 851,509 | 898,222 | 695,216 | (46,713) | (5) | % | 203,006 | 29 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 185,998 | 194,065 | 148,531 | (8,067) | (4) | % | 45,534 | 31 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 665,511 | $ | 704,157 | $ | 546,685 | $ | (38,646) | (5) | % | $ | 157,472 | 29 | % | |||||||||||
| Loss ratio (1) | 3 | % | (10) | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 23 | % | 25 | % | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premium rate (3) | 0.37 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.45 | % |
_______________
(1)Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses incurred by net earned premiums.
(2)Expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, plus amortization of DAC and intangibles by net earned premiums.
(3)Net earned premium rate is calculated by dividing earned premium by average primary IIF.
Detailed discussions of our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, including the year-over-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021, that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2023.
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Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Revenues
Premiums increased mainly attributable to higher average IIF. This was partially offset by lapse of our in-force portfolio as older, higher priced policies lapsed, lower single premium cancellations and higher ceded premium. Earned premium rate decreased as a result of this lapse of higher priced policies and lower single premium cancellations.
Net investment income increased primarily due to higher investment yields due to interest rate increases during 2023 coupled with higher average invested assets.
Net investment losses during 2023 were primarily driven by the sale of fixed maturity securities as part of an investment strategy designed to optimize yield on our portfolio over time. Net investment losses in the prior year were largely from net realized losses from the sale of fixed maturity securities.
Other income includes underwriting fee revenue, equity method investment income and other revenue.
Losses and expenses
Losses incurred in 2023 and 2022 were impacted by favorable reserve adjustments. During 2023, we released reserves of $241 million primarily due to better than expected cure experience on delinquencies from 2022 and earlier, including a portion of those related to the emergence of COVID-19. A component of the reserve release also related to delinquencies from 2022, as uncertainty in the economic environment has not negatively impacted cure performance to the extent initially expected. During 2022, we recorded $314 million of reserve releases. Due to uncertainty in the economic environment, we increased the expected claim rate on new delinquencies in 2022 which contributed to reserve strengthening of $46 million on previous quarter delinquencies in 2022.
New primary delinquencies were 41,617 in 2023 compared to 35,996 in 2022, resulting in $265 million and $171 million of losses, respectively.
The following table shows incurred losses related to current and prior accident years for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losses and LAE incurred related to current accident year | $ | 275,418 | $ | 219,461 | $ | 141,225 | ||||
| Losses and LAE incurred related to prior accident years | (248,214) | (313,652) | (15,822) | |||||||
| Total incurred (1) | $ | 27,204 | $ | (94,191) | $ | 125,403 |
_______________
(1)Excludes run-off business.
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, decreased primarily attributable to the impact of our cost reduction initiatives, including the impact from our previously announced renegotiated shared services agreement with Genworth and our voluntary separation program executed in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Amortization of DAC and intangibles declined due to lower DAC amortization as a result of higher persistency, driven by rising mortgage rates.
The expense ratio decreased due to a decline in expenses and premium growth.
Interest expense was relatively flat in the current year and related primarily to our 2025 Senior Notes issued in August 2020. For additional details see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.
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Provision for income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.8% and 21.6% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, consistent with the United States corporate federal income tax rate.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use a non-U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP”) financial measure entitled “adjusted operating income.” This non-GAAP financial measure aligns with the way our business performance is evaluated by both management and our Board of Directors. This measure has been established in order to increase transparency for the purposes of evaluating our core operating trends and enabling more meaningful comparisons with our peers. Although “adjusted operating income” is a non-GAAP financial measure, for the reasons discussed above we believe this measure aids in understanding the underlying performance of our operations. Our senior management, including our chief operating decision maker (who is our Chief Executive Officer), use “adjusted operating income” as the primary measure to evaluate the fundamental financial performance of our business and to allocate resources.
“Adjusted operating income” is defined as U.S. GAAP net income excluding the effects of (i) net investment gains (losses) and (ii) restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items.
(i)Net investment gains (losses)—The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on the timing of individual securities sales due to such factors as market opportunities or exposure management. Trends in the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these realized gains and losses. We do not view them to be indicative of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, these items are excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income.
(ii)Restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items are also excluded from adjusted operating income if, in our opinion, they are not indicative of overall operating trends.
In reporting non-GAAP measures in the future, we may make other adjustments for expenses and gains we do not consider reflective of core operating performance in a particular period. We may disclose other non-GAAP operating measures if we believe that such a presentation would be helpful for investors to evaluate our operating condition by including additional information.
Adjusted operating income is not a measure of total profitability, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income. Our definition of adjusted operating income may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies, including our peers.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to adjusted operating income assume a 21% tax rate (unless otherwise indicated).
The following table includes a reconciliation of net income to adjusted operating income for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 665,511 | $ | 704,157 | $ | 546,685 | ||||
| Adjustments to net income: | ||||||||||
| Net investment (gains) losses | 14,022 | 2,036 | 2,124 | |||||||
| Costs associated with reorganization | (131) | 3,461 | 2,744 | |||||||
| Taxes on adjustments | (2,917) | (1,155) | (1,022) | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 676,485 | $ | 708,499 | $ | 550,531 |
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We recorded a pre-tax expense of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, related to restructuring costs as we evaluated and appropriately sized our organizational needs and expenses.
Adjusted operating income decreased in 2023 compared to 2022 due primarily due to the higher losses in 2023, including a larger reserve release in 2022, partially offset by higher revenues and lower operating expenses during 2023.
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Key Metrics
Management reviews the key metrics included within this section when analyzing the performance of our business. The metrics provided in this section are on a direct basis and exclude activity related to our run-off business, which is immaterial to our consolidated results of operations.
The following table sets forth selected operating performance measures on a primary basis as of or for the years ended December 31:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New insurance written | $53,081 | $66,485 | $97,004 | |||||
| Primary insurance in-force (1) | $262,937 | $248,262 | $226,514 | |||||
| Primary risk in-force | $67,529 | $62,791 | $56,881 | |||||
| Persistency rate | 85 | % | 80 | % | 62 | % | ||
| Primary policies in-force (count) | 974,516 | 960,306 | 937,350 | |||||
| Delinquent loans (count) | 20,432 | 19,943 | 24,820 | |||||
| Delinquency rate | 2.10 | % | 2.08 | % | 2.65 | % |
_______________
(1)Represents the aggregate unpaid principal balance for loans we insure.
New insurance written
NIW for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased 20% compared to 2022 primarily due to a smaller private mortgage insurance market as both refinancing and purchase originations were impacted by elevated mortgage rates. We manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which we modify from time to time as circumstances warrant.
The following table presents NIW by product for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by underlying type of mortgage for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases | $ | 51,723 | 97 | % | $ | 63,506 | 96 | % | $ | 76,915 | 79 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances | 1,358 | 3 | 2,979 | 4 | 20,089 | 21 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by policy payment type for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $ | 51,869 | 98 | % | $ | 61,123 | 92 | % | $ | 89,115 | 92 | % | ||||||||
| Single | 1,114 | 2 | 5,166 | 8 | 7,554 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 98 | — | 196 | — | 335 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % |
We have seen a decline in NIW on single policies as a result of a reduction in the market for single policies driven by higher mortgage rates.
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The following table presents primary NIW by FICO score for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 24,680 | 46 | % | $ | 30,239 | 45 | % | $ | 42,391 | 44 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 8,994 | 17 | 11,264 | 17 | 15,067 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 7,220 | 14 | 9,377 | 14 | 12,911 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 5,214 | 10 | 6,889 | 10 | 11,069 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 3,652 | 7 | 4,535 | 7 | 8,457 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,086 | 4 | 2,534 | 4 | 4,167 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 952 | 2 | 1,206 | 2 | 2,173 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 268 | — | 424 | 1 | 765 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 15 | — | 17 | — | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the original loan amount, excluding financed premium, by the property’s acquisition value or fair market value at the time of origination. The following table presents primary NIW by LTV ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 9,295 | 18 | % | $ | 9,487 | 14 | % | $ | 12,064 | 12 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 19,861 | 37 | 26,008 | 39 | 36,597 | 38 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 17,200 | 32 | 20,892 | 32 | 30,717 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 6,725 | 13 | 10,098 | 15 | 17,626 | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by DTI ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 15,600 | 29 | % | $ | 16,541 | 25 | % | $ | 14,979 | 15 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 18,906 | 36 | 23,996 | 36 | 32,946 | 34 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 18,575 | 35 | 25,948 | 39 | 49,079 | 51 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,081 | 100 | % | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % |
We have continued to see a greater concentration of loans with higher DTI ratios. This is in line with market trends as elevated mortgage rates and recent home price appreciation have put pressure on affordability. We believe the levels are in line with our current risk appetite as we consider layered risk across multiple risk attributes, pricing and our portfolio credit mix.
Insurance in-force and Risk in-force
IIF increased largely from NIW and increased persistency in the current year, partially offset by lapses and cancellations. Primary persistency rate was 85% and 80% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. RIF increased primarily as a result of higher IIF.
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The following table sets forth IIF and RIF as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary IIF | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool IIF | 436 | — | 505 | — | 641 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 263,373 | 100 | % | $ | 248,767 | 100 | % | $ | 227,155 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Primary RIF | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool RIF | 69 | — | 79 | — | 105 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 67,598 | 100 | % | $ | 62,870 | 100 | % | $ | 56,986 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases IIF | $ | 231,526 | 88 | % | $ | 207,827 | 84 | % | $ | 176,550 | 78 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances IIF | 31,411 | 12 | 40,435 | 16 | 49,964 | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Purchases RIF | $ | 60,497 | 90 | % | $ | 54,165 | 86 | % | $ | 46,470 | 82 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances RIF | 7,032 | 10 | 8,626 | 14 | 10,411 | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by product as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly IIF | $ | 233,651 | 89 | % | $ | 216,831 | 87 | % | $ | 194,826 | 86 | % | ||||||||
| Single IIF | 27,353 | 10 | 29,275 | 12 | 29,205 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Other IIF | 1,933 | 1 | 2,156 | 1 | 2,483 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Monthly RIF | $ | 61,083 | 90 | % | $ | 55,879 | 89 | % | $ | 49,614 | 87 | % | ||||||||
| Single RIF | 5,957 | 9 | 6,370 | 10 | 6,658 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Other RIF | 489 | 1 | 542 | 1 | 609 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % |
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 5,621 | 2 | % | $ | 6,596 | 3 | % | $ | 8,196 | 4 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2015 | 3,383 | 1 | 5,025 | 2 | 7,857 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 4,659 | 2 | 6,296 | 2 | 8,997 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 5,321 | 2 | 6,495 | 3 | 8,962 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 5,750 | 2 | 6,839 | 3 | 9,263 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 13,773 | 5 | 16,352 | 7 | 21,730 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 44,486 | 17 | 55,358 | 22 | 69,963 | 31 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 70,045 | 27 | 81,724 | 33 | 91,546 | 40 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 59,267 | 23 | 63,577 | 25 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 50,632 | 19 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 1,449 | 2 | % | $ | 1,699 | 3 | % | $ | 2,112 | 4 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2015 | 881 | 1 | 1,341 | 2 | 2,101 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 1,248 | 2 | 1,681 | 3 | 2,388 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 1,403 | 2 | 1,708 | 3 | 2,324 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 1,476 | 2 | 1,736 | 3 | 2,330 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 3,544 | 5 | 4,143 | 7 | 5,454 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 11,697 | 17 | 14,158 | 22 | 17,574 | 31 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 17,846 | 27 | 20,418 | 32 | 22,598 | 40 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 14,907 | 22 | 15,907 | 25 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 13,078 | 20 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % |
The following table presents the development of primary IIF for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $ | 248,262 | $ | 226,514 | $ | 207,947 | ||||
| NIW | 53,081 | 66,485 | 97,004 | |||||||
| Cancellations, principal repayments and other reductions (1) | (38,406) | (44,737) | (78,437) | |||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 262,937 | $ | 248,262 | $ | 226,514 |
_____________
(1)Includes the estimated amortization of unpaid principal balance of covered loans.
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 44,955 | 17 | % | $ | 39,509 | 16 | % | $ | 35,455 | 16 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 109,227 | 41 | 103,618 | 42 | 95,149 | 42 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 77,887 | 30 | 72,132 | 29 | 64,549 | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 30,868 | 12 | 33,003 | 13 | 31,361 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 12,878 | 19 | % | $ | 11,136 | 18 | % | $ | 9,907 | 17 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 31,781 | 47 | 30,079 | 48 | 27,608 | 49 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 19,163 | 28 | 17,621 | 28 | 15,644 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 3,707 | 6 | 3,955 | 6 | 3,722 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 110,635 | 42 | % | $ | 102,467 | 41 | % | $ | 89,982 | 40 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 43,053 | 17 | 40,097 | 16 | 35,874 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 37,020 | 14 | 34,916 | 14 | 31,730 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 29,766 | 11 | 28,867 | 12 | 27,359 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 21,835 | 8 | 21,554 | 9 | 21,270 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 11,357 | 4 | 10,926 | 4 | 10,549 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 6,137 | 3 | 6,095 | 3 | 6,124 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 2,504 | 1 | 2,630 | 1 | 2,783 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 630 | — | 710 | — | 843 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
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The following table sets forth primary RIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 28,363 | 42 | % | $ | 25,807 | 41 | % | $ | 22,489 | 40 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 11,096 | 17 | 10,154 | 16 | 9,009 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 9,621 | 14 | 8,931 | 14 | 8,055 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 7,623 | 11 | 7,317 | 12 | 6,907 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 5,557 | 8 | 5,428 | 9 | 5,334 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,908 | 4 | 2,767 | 5 | 2,638 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 1,565 | 3 | 1,540 | 2 | 1,530 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 635 | 1 | 665 | 1 | 702 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 161 | — | 182 | — | 217 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
The following table sets forth primary IIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 53,440 | 20 | % | $ | 43,831 | 18 | % | $ | 34,076 | 15 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 93,871 | 36 | 87,816 | 35 | 79,147 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 115,626 | 44 | 116,615 | 47 | 113,291 | 50 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 262,937 | 100 | % | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 13,830 | 20 | % | $ | 11,176 | 18 | % | $ | 8,631 | 15 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 24,072 | 36 | 22,268 | 35 | 19,974 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 29,627 | 44 | 29,347 | 47 | 28,276 | 50 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 67,529 | 100 | % | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % |
Delinquent loans and claims
Our delinquency management process begins with notification by the loan servicer of a delinquency on an insured loan. “Delinquency” is defined in our master policies as the borrower’s failure to pay when due an amount equal to the scheduled monthly mortgage payment under the terms of the mortgage. Generally, our master policies require an insured to notify us of a delinquency if the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments prior to the due date of the next mortgage payment. We generally consider a loan to be delinquent and establish required reserves after the insured notifies us that the borrower has failed to make two scheduled mortgage payments. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness/death, inability to manage credit, falling home prices and interest rate levels. Borrowers may cure delinquencies by making all of the delinquent loan payments, agreeing to a loan modification, or by selling the property in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In most cases, delinquencies that are not cured result in a claim under our policy.
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The following table shows a roll forward of the number of primary loans in default for the years ended December 31:
| (Loan count) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of delinquencies, beginning of period | 19,943 | 24,820 | 44,904 | ||||
| New defaults | 41,617 | 35,996 | 32,624 | ||||
| Cures | (40,475) | (40,278) | (51,626) | ||||
| Claims paid | (615) | (574) | (1,050) | ||||
| Rescissions and claim denials | (38) | (21) | (32) | ||||
| Number of delinquencies, end of period | 20,432 | 19,943 | 24,820 |
The following table sets forth changes in our direct primary case loss reserves for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) (1) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss reserves, beginning of period | $ | 479,343 | $ | 606,102 | $ | 516,863 | ||||
| Claims paid | (23,357) | (28,123) | (32,816) | |||||||
| Increase in reserves | 20,723 | (98,636) | 122,055 | |||||||
| Loss reserves, end of period | $ | 476,709 | $ | 479,343 | $ | 606,102 |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The following tables set forth primary delinquencies, direct primary case reserves and RIF by aged missed payment status as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 10,166 | $ | 88 | $ | 629 | 14 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 6,934 | 205 | 469 | 44 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 3,332 | 184 | 200 | 92 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 20,432 | $ | 477 | $ | 1,298 | 37 | % |
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 8,920 | $ | 69 | $ | 509 | 14 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 6,466 | 166 | 390 | 43 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 4,557 | 244 | 248 | 98 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 19,943 | $ | 479 | $ | 1,147 | 42 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
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| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct primary casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 6,586 | $ | 35 | $ | 340 | 10 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 7,360 | 111 | 426 | 26 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 10,874 | 460 | 643 | 72 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 24,820 | $ | 606 | $ | 1,409 | 43 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The total reserves as a percentage of RIF declined as of December 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022 as long-term delinquencies with higher reserves have continued to cure. The number of loans that are delinquent for 12 months or more has decreased to be more in line with pre-COVID-19 levels. Due to continued forbearance options, foreclosure moratoriums and the uncertainty around the lack of progression through the foreclosure process there is still uncertainty around the likelihood and timing of delinquencies going to claim.
The ratio of the claim paid to the current risk in-force for a loan is referred to as “claim severity.” The current risk in-force is equal to the unpaid principal amount multiplied by the coverage percentage. The main determinants of claim severity are the age of the mortgage loan, the value of the underlying property, accrued interest on the loan, expenses advanced by the insured and foreclosure expenses. These amounts depend partly upon the time required to complete foreclosure, which varies depending upon state laws. Pre-foreclosure sales, acquisitions and other early workout and claim administration actions help to reduce overall claim severity. Our average primary mortgage insurance claim severity was 97%, 94% and 103% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The 2023 average claim severity was impacted by low claim volumes and lifetime home price appreciation. These figures do not include the effects of agreements on non-performing loans.
Primary insurance delinquency rates differ from region to region in the United States at any one time depending upon economic conditions and cyclical growth patterns. Delinquency rates are shown by region based upon the location of the underlying property, rather than the location of the lender. The table
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below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2023:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 13 | % | 12 | % | 2.22 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 2.22 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 9 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 12 | 3.05 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 4 | 6 | 2.61 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 3 | 1.93 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 1.94 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 2.23 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 1.56 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 2 | 1.77 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 40 | 1.93 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2022:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 12 | % | 10 | % | 2.09 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 7 | 2.12 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 8 | 2.54 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 13 | 2.95 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 2.54 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 2 | 1.78 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 1.79 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | 1.59 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 2.23 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 3 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 42 | 1.94 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2021:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 11 | % | 12 | % | 3.17 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 7 | 9 | 2.97 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 12 | 3.80 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 3.09 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 2 | 1.87 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 2 | 2.31 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania (1) | 3 | 3 | 2.38 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 3 | 2.98 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 47 | 41 | 2.46 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2023:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | % | 2 | % | 2.01 | % | ||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | 4 | 2.88 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 3 | 3 | 2.40 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 2 | 7 | 3.60 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.01 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.67 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.39 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.83 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.12 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.01 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % |
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2022:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 5 | % | 2.84 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 1.83 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 3.75 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.42 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 1.85 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.60 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 1 | 1.86 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.12 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.00 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % |
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2021:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 4 | % | 3.68 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 2.36 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 5.32 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.28 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.96 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.61 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 3.42 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 3 | 3.95 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 2.31 | % | ||||
| Nassau County, NY MD | 2 | 4 | 5.55 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 67 | 2.44 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % |
The number of delinquencies often does not correlate directly with the number of claims received because delinquencies may cure. The rate at which delinquencies cure is influenced by borrowers’ financial resources and circumstances and regional economic differences. Whether a delinquency leads to a claim correlates highly with the borrower’s equity at the time of delinquency, as it influences the borrower’s willingness to continue to make payments, the borrower’s or the insured’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage loan, and the borrower’s financial ability to continue making payments. When we receive notice of a delinquency, we use our proprietary model to determine whether a delinquent loan is a candidate for a modification. When our model identifies such a candidate, our loan workout specialists prioritize cases for loss mitigation based upon the likelihood that the loan will result in a claim. Loss mitigation actions include loan modification, extension of credit to bring a loan current, foreclosure forbearance, pre-foreclosure sale and deed-in-lieu. These loss mitigation efforts often are an effective way to reduce our claim exposure and ultimate payouts.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2023:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 2 | % | 18 | % | 8.61 | % | 5.56 | % | |||
| 2009-2015 | 1 | 4 | 4.55 | % | 0.63 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 2 | 4 | 3.20 | % | 0.67 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 2 | 5 | 3.59 | % | 0.87 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 2 | 6 | 4.42 | % | 1.02 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 5 | 8 | 2.77 | % | 0.85 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 17 | 15 | 1.70 | % | 0.90 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 27 | 21 | 1.65 | % | 1.29 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 22 | 16 | 1.57 | % | 1.46 | % | |||||
| 2023 | 20 | 3 | 0.47 | % | 0.46 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.10 | % | 4.19 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2022:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 3 | % | 26 | % | 9.61 | % | 5.57 | % | |||
| 2009-2014 | 1 | 4 | 5.01 | % | 0.69 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | 3.61 | % | 0.71 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 3 | 6 | 3.17 | % | 0.81 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 3 | 7 | 3.78 | % | 1.01 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 3 | 9 | 4.63 | % | 1.18 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 7 | 11 | 2.71 | % | 0.93 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 22 | 17 | 1.47 | % | 0.92 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 32 | 14 | 1.20 | % | 1.06 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 25 | 3 | 0.54 | % | 0.52 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % | 4.26 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2021:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 3 | % | 24 | % | 10.54 | % | 5.59 | % | |||
| 2009-2013 | 1 | 2 | 5.54 | % | 0.74 | % | |||||
| 2014 | 1 | 3 | 5.51 | % | 0.99 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 2 | 5 | 4.24 | % | 1.04 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 4 | 8 | 3.69 | % | 1.16 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 4 | 10 | 4.78 | % | 1.56 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 4 | 13 | 5.93 | % | 1.88 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 10 | 19 | 3.89 | % | 1.68 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 31 | 14 | 1.50 | % | 1.14 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 40 | 2 | 0.37 | % | 0.36 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % | 4.42 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
Loss reserves in policy years 2008 and prior are outsized compared to their representation of RIF. The size of these policy years at origination, particularly 2005 through 2008, combined with the significant decline in home prices led to significant losses in policy years prior to 2009. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we will experience on these policy years, they have become a smaller percentage of our total mortgage insurance portfolio. Loss reserves have shifted to newer book years in line with changes in RIF. As of December 31, 2023, our 2016 and newer policy years represented approximately 97% of our primary RIF and 78% of our total direct primary case reserves.
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is affected by factors described below, each of which in turn may be affected by current macroeconomic conditions as noted above in “—Trends and Conditions.” The investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries are directed by the Enact Investment Committee, a management-level committee, with Genworth serving as the investment manager. The investment portfolio of EHI is directed by a separate management-level EHI Investment Committee with a third-party investment manager. These parties, with oversight from our Board of Directors and our senior management team, are responsible for the execution of our investment strategy. Our investment portfolio is an important component of our consolidated financial results and represents our primary source of claims paying resources. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of a diverse mix of highly rated fixed maturity securities and is designed to achieve the following objectives:
•Meet policyholder obligations through maintenance of sufficient liquidity;
•Preserve capital;
•Generate investment income;
•Maximize statutory capital; and
•Increase shareholder value, among other objectives.
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To achieve our portfolio objectives, our investment strategy focuses primarily on:
•Our business outlook, including current and expected future investment conditions;
•Investments selection based on fundamental, research-driven strategies;
•Diversification across a mix of fixed income, low-volatility investments while actively pursuing strategies to enhance yield;
•Regular evaluation and optimization of our asset class mix;
•Continuous monitoring of investment quality, duration and liquidity;
•Regulatory capital requirements; and
•Restriction of investments correlated to the residential mortgage market.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale
The following table presents the fair value of our fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, agencies and GSEs | $ | 195,129 | 3.7 | % | $ | 44,769 | 0.9 | % | $ | 58,408 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||
| State and political subdivisions | 438,214 | 8.3 | 419,856 | 8.6 | 538,453 | 10.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. government | 11,467 | 0.2 | 9,349 | 0.2 | 22,416 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. corporate | 2,723,730 | 51.8 | 2,646,863 | 54.2 | 2,945,303 | 55.9 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. corporate | 689,663 | 13.1 | 652,844 | 13.4 | 666,594 | 12.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | 10,755 | 0.2 | 11,043 | 0.2 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed | 1,197,183 | 22.7 | 1,100,036 | 22.5 | 1,035,165 | 19.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 5,266,141 | 100.0 | % | $ | 4,884,760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,266,339 | 100.0 | % |
Our investment portfolio did not include any direct residential real estate or whole mortgage loans as of December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021. We have no derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 98%, 98% and 97% of our investment portfolio was rated investment grade, respectively. The following table presents the security ratings of our fixed maturity securities as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | 10 | % | 10 | % | 9 | % | ||
| AA | 20 | 16 | 17 | |||||
| A | 33 | 34 | 34 | |||||
| BBB | 35 | 38 | 37 | |||||
| BB & below | 2 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below presents the effective duration and investment yield on our investments available-for-sale, excluding cash and cash equivalents:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (in years) | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.9 | |||||
| Pre-tax yield (% of average investment portfolio assets) | 3.6 | % | 3.1 | % | 2.7 | % |
We manage credit risk by analyzing issuers, transaction structures and any associated collateral. We also manage credit risk through country, industry, sector and issuer diversification and prudent asset allocation practices.
We primarily mitigate interest rate risk by employing a buy and hold investment philosophy that seeks to match fixed income maturities with expected liability cash flows in modestly adverse economic scenarios.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 632,038 | $ | 560,510 | $ | 572,110 | ||||
| Investing activities | (229,404) | (220,255) | (398,782) | |||||||
| Financing activities | (300,726) | (252,308) | (200,294) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 101,908 | $ | 87,947 | $ | (26,966) |
Our most significant source of operating cash flows is from premiums received from our insurance policies, while our most significant uses of operating cash flows are generally for claims paid on our insured policies and our operating expenses. Net cash from operating activities increased largely due higher net investment income and lower expenses. Cash flows from operations were also impacted by changes in unearned premiums, net investment losses and stock-based compensation expense.
Investing activities are primarily related to purchases, sales and maturities of our investment portfolio. We had cash outflows from investing activities as a result of continued fixed maturity security purchases driven by premium growth and lower losses paid.
Financing activities in 2023 included dividends paid of $213 million and share repurchases of $88 million. The amount and timing of future dividends is discussed within “—Trends and Conditions” as well as below. During 2022, our cash flows from financing activities included dividends paid of $251 million and share repurchases of $2 million.
Capital Resources and Financing Activities
We issued our 2025 Senior Notes in 2020 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 2025 Senior Notes mature on August 15, 2025. We may redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to February 15, 2025 at our option, by paying a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. At any time on or after February 15, 2025, we may redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2025 Senior Notes contain customary events of default, which subject to certain notice and cure conditions, can result in the acceleration of the principal and accrued interest on the outstanding 2025 Senior Notes if we breach the terms of the indenture.
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On June 30, 2022, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders that provides for a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. We may use borrowings under the Facility for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility contains several covenants, including financial covenants relating to minimum net worth, capital and liquidity levels, maximum debt to capitalization level and PMIERs compliance. We are in compliance with all covenants of the Facility and the Facility remained undrawn through December 31, 2023.
We continually evaluate opportunities based upon market conditions to further increase our financial flexibility including through raising additional capital, restructuring or refinancing some or all of our outstanding debt or pursuing other options such as reinsurance or credit risk transfer transactions. There can be no guarantee that any such opportunities will be available on favorable terms or at all.
Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
The ability of our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and distributions to us is restricted by certain provisions of North Carolina insurance laws. Our insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends only from unassigned surplus; payments made from sources other than unassigned surplus, such as paid-in and contributed surplus, are categorized as distributions. Notice of all dividends must be submitted to the Commissioner of the NCDOI (the “Commissioner”) within 5 business days after declaration of the dividend, and at least 30 days before payment thereof. No dividend may be paid until 30 days after the Commissioner has received notice of the declaration thereof and (i) has not within that period disapproved the payment or (ii) has approved the payment within the 30-day period. Any distribution, regardless of amount, requires that same 30-day notice to the Commissioner, but also requires the Commissioner’s affirmative approval before being paid. Based on our estimated statutory results and in accordance with applicable dividend restrictions, our insurance subsidiaries have the capacity to pay dividends of $336 million from unassigned surplus as of December 31, 2023, with 30-day advance notice to the Commissioner of the intent to pay. In addition to dividends and distributions, alternative mechanisms, such as share repurchases, subject to any requisite regulatory approvals, may be utilized from time to time to upstream surplus.
Another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Prior to the satisfaction of the GSE Conditions, the GSE Restrictions also required EMICO to maintain 120% of PMIERs Minimum Required Assets through 2022, and 125% thereafter. Beginning in 2023, we are no longer subject to the GSE Restrictions and Conditions. In addition, under PMIERs, EMICO is subject to other operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.
In addition, we review multiple other considerations in parallel to determine a prospective dividend strategy for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries. Given the regulatory focus on the reasonableness of an insurer’s surplus in relation to its outstanding liabilities and the adequacy of its surplus relative to its financial needs for any dividend, our insurance subsidiaries consider the minimum amount of policyholder surplus after giving effect to any contemplated future dividends. Regulatory minimum policyholder surplus is not codified in North Carolina law and limitations may vary based on prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to, the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. We estimate regulators would require a minimum policyholder surplus of approximately $300 million to meet their threshold standard. Given (i) we are subject to statutory accounting requirements that establish a contingency reserve of at least 50% of net earned premiums annually for ten years, after which time it is released into policyholder surplus and (ii) that no material 10-year contingency reserve releases are scheduled before 2024, we expect modest growth in policyholder surplus through 2024. As a result, minimum policyholder surplus could be a limitation on the future dividends of our regulated operating subsidiaries.
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As mentioned above, another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Under PMIERs, EMICO is subject to operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.
Our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries are also subject to statutory RTC requirements that affect the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries. EMICO’s domiciliary regulator, the NCDOI, requires the maintenance of a statutory RTC ratio not to exceed 25:1. See “—Risk-to-Capital Ratio” for additional RTC trend analysis.
We consider potential future dividends compared to the prior year statutory net income in the evaluation of dividend strategies for our regulated operating subsidiaries. We also consider the dividend payout ratio, or the ratio of potential future dividends compared to the estimated U.S. GAAP net income, in the evaluation of our dividend strategies. In either case, we do not have prescribed target or maximum thresholds, but we do evaluate the reasonableness of a potential dividend relative to the actual or estimated income generated in the proceeding or preceding calendar year after giving consideration to prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. In addition, the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries are made in consultation with Genworth.
During 2023, EMICO completed distributions of approximately $158 million and $185 million in April and November, respectively, that supported our ability to pay cash dividends. We intend to use future EMICO distributions to fund the quarterly dividend as well as to bolster our financial flexibility at EHI and return additional capital to shareholders.
The credit agreement entered into in connection with the Facility contains customary restrictions on EHI’s ability to pay cash dividends. Under the credit agreement, EHI is permitted to make cash distributions (1) so long as no Default or Event of Default (as each are defined in the credit agreement) has occurred and is continuing and EHI is in pro forma compliance with its financial covenants as described below at the time of and after giving effect to such payment, (2) within 60 days of declaration of any cash dividend so long as the payment was permitted under the credit agreement at the time of such declaration and (3) other customary exceptions as more fully set forth in the credit agreement.
The credit agreement requires EHI to maintain the following financial covenants: a minimum consolidated net worth equal to the sum of (i) 72.5% of EHI’s consolidated net worth as of June 30, 2022 (“the Closing Date”), (ii) 50% of EHI’s positive consolidated net income for each fiscal quarter after the Closing Date and (iii) 50% of any increase in EHI’s consolidated net worth after the Closing Date resulting from equity issuances or capital contributions; in respect of EMICO, a minimum total adjusted capital amount equal to 72.5% of EMICO’s total adjusted capital as of the Closing Date; a maximum debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 0.35 to 1.00; a minimum liquidity level of $25,000,000; and compliance with all applicable financial requirements under the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements published by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association. For purposes of determining EHI’s compliance with the foregoing financial covenants, the consolidated net worth metric, total adjusted capital metric, debt-to-capitalization ratio and liquidity metric (including, in each case, any component thereof) are each calculated as set forth in the credit agreement.
In addition to the restrictions described above, all dividends from EHI are subject to Genworth consent and EHI Board of Directors approval.
Risk-to-Capital Ratio
We compute our RTC ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The RTC ratio is net RIF divided by policyholders’ surplus plus statutory contingency reserve. Our net RIF represents RIF, net of reinsurance ceded, and excludes risk on policies that are currently delinquent and for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and
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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.
Certain states have insurance laws or regulations that require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital (including the statutory contingency reserve) relative to its level of RIF in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. While formulations of minimum capital vary in certain states, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our combined insurance subsidiaries as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 1,085 | $ | 1,136 | $ | 1,397 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 3,960 | 3,551 | 3,042 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 5,045 | $ | 4,687 | $ | 4,439 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 58,277 | $ | 60,061 | $ | 54,201 | ||||
| Combined risk-to-capital ratio | 11.6 | 12.8 | 12.2 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating combined statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our principal insurance company, EMICO, as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 1,026 | $ | 1,084 | $ | 1,346 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 3,953 | 3,548 | 3,041 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 4,979 | $ | 4,632 | $ | 4,387 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 57,788 | $ | 59,663 | $ | 54,033 | ||||
| EMICO risk-to-capital ratio | 11.6 | 12.9 | 12.3 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating EMICO statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2023, we maintained liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents of $616 million compared to $514 million as of December 31, 2022, and we also held significant levels of investment-grade fixed maturity securities that can be monetized should our cash and cash equivalents be insufficient to meet our obligations.
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The Facility matures in June 2027, but under certain conditions EHI may need to repay any outstanding amounts and terminate the Facility earlier than the maturity date. The Facility may be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility has remained undrawn through December 31, 2023.
The principal sources of liquidity in our business currently include insurance premiums, net investment income and cash flows from investment sales and maturities. We believe that the operating cash flows generated by our mortgage insurance subsidiary will provide the funds necessary to satisfy our claim payments, operating expenses and taxes in both the short-term and long-term. However, our
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subsidiaries are subject to regulatory and other capital restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. We currently have no material financing commitments, such as lines of credit or guarantees, that are expected to affect our liquidity over the next five years, other than the 2025 Senior Notes and the Facility.
Financial Strength Ratings
Ratings with respect to the financial strength of operating subsidiaries are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings are important to maintaining public confidence in us and our ability to market our products. Rating organizations review the financial performance and condition of most insurers and provide opinions regarding financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders.
The financial strength ratings of our operating companies are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to our stockholders. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to us from any future disruptions in the credit markets or downgrades by one or more of the rating agencies of the financial strength ratings of our insurance company subsidiaries and/or the credit ratings of our holding company as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing economic uncertainty or otherwise. We also cannot predict the impact on our ratings or future ratings of actions taken with respect to Genworth.
The following EMICO financial strength ratings have been independently assigned by third-party rating organizations and represent our current ratings, which are subject to change.
| Name of Agency | Rating | Outlook | Change | Date of Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. | A3 | Stable | Upgrade | March 1, 2023 |
| Fitch Ratings, Inc. | A- | Stable | Upgrade | April 25, 2023 |
| S&P Global Ratings | A- | Stable | Upgrade | January 8, 2024 |
| A.M. Best | A- | Stable | Initial | August 1, 2023 |
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into agreements and other relationships with third parties in the ordinary course of our operations. However, we do not believe that our cash flow requirements can be assessed based upon this analysis of these obligations, as the funding of these future cash obligations will be from future cash flows from premiums and investment income. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon our future needs. Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. An example of obligations that are fixed include future lease payments. An example of obligations that will vary include insurance liabilities that depend on losses incurred. Refer to Note 7 and Note 12 of our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of borrowings and commitments in contingencies, respectively.
We continue to hold reserves as of December 31, 2023, related to delinquencies from borrower forbearance programs due to COVID-19. We have seen COVID-19-related delinquencies cure above expectations, but reserves recorded related to borrower forbearance have a high degree of estimation. Therefore, it is possible we could have higher contractual obligations related to these loss reserves if they do not perform as we expect. Refer to Note 5 in our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of our loss reserves.
Refer to Note 2 in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, for a discussion of recently adopted and not yet adopted accounting standards.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001823529-23-000035.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. For factors that could cause such differences refer to the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” 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
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occurring after the forward-looking statements or other statements were made. Future results could differ significantly from the historical results presented in this section. References to EHI, the “Company,” “we” or “our” herein are, unless the context otherwise requires, to EHI on a consolidated basis.
Overview of Business
We are a leading private mortgage insurance company, having served the United States housing finance market since 1981, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mortgage insurance products provide credit protection to mortgage lenders, covering a portion of the unpaid principal balance of Low Down Payment Loans in the event of a default. We believe we have built a leading platform based on long-tenured customer relationships, underwriting excellence and prudent risk and capital management practices. Our business objective is to leverage our competitive strengths to drive market share, maintain our strong capitalization and strong earnings profile and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders.
We generate revenues by providing mortgage credit protection to our customers in exchange for premiums, which we set based on our evaluation of the underlying risk we insure. Once the premium rate is established and coverage is activated, the premium rate remains unchanged for the first ten years of the policy; thereafter the premium rate resets to a lower rate used for the remaining life of the policy. In general, we can only cancel coverage for a failure to pay premiums or at servicer direction when the borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity. Our premium rate is applied predominantly to the original loan balance to determine either a monthly payment that the lender adds to the borrower’s monthly loan payment or a single upfront payment made by either the borrower or lender at loan closing. The amount of premiums earned from our insurance portfolio and the timing of premium recognition are also affected by persistency rate, which we measure as the percentage of loans that remain on our books based on the annualized cancellations for the period.
We also employ a CRT program to transfer a portion of our risk through both traditional XOL reinsurance arrangements and the issuance of ILNs. In exchange, we cede a negotiated amount of our premiums to the reinsurers and ILN investors that participate in our CRT transactions. Our net premiums earned (i.e., materially, the gross premiums charged less premiums ceded as part of our CRT program) represent the largest source of our revenues. Importantly, our CRT program helps to de-risk our operating model and spread the risk of loss across our counterparties while also providing capital relief.
We also invest our premiums in high quality, predominantly fixed income assets with the primary business objectives of preserving capital, generating investment income and maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover our operating expenses and pay future claims. The investment income generated through our investment portfolio is another significant source of our revenues.
We generate profits through collection of premiums and investment income less losses, operating expenses, interest expense and taxes. Our mortgage insurance coverage protects lenders against loss in the event of a borrower default by covering a portion of the outstanding principal balance of a loan. In the event of a borrower default, our coverage reduces and, in certain instances eliminates, losses to the insured by transferring the covered portion of the economic loss to us. Borrower defaults are first reported to us as new delinquencies when the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments. Incurred losses are our estimate of future claims on these new delinquencies as well as any change in the prior estimates for previously existing delinquencies. In addition, incurred losses include estimates of future claims on IBNR delinquencies. Our incurred losses are based on estimates of both the rate at which delinquencies will go to claim (i.e., claim rate) and the ultimate claim amount (i.e., claim severity). Claim frequency and severity estimates are established based on historical experience focusing on certain delinquency and loan attributes that influence the probability and amount of ultimate claim. Our estimates of ultimate claim amounts for each delinquency include loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) that are costs incurred in the settlement of the claim process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Incurred losses are generally affected by macroeconomic conditions, borrower credit
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quality, certain loan attributes, underwriting quality and our loss mitigation efforts among other factors detailed below.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
Our financial position and results of operations depend to a significant extent on the following factors, as noted below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
Mortgage Origination Volume
The level of mortgage origination volume is a key driver of our future revenues. The overall mortgage origination market is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the rate of economic growth, the unemployment rate, interest rates, home affordability, household savings rates, the inventory of unsold homes, demographics of potential homebuyers and credit availability. The mortgage origination market is also influenced by various legislative and regulatory actions and GSE programs and policies that impact the housing and mortgage finance industries.
Penetration
The penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is mainly influenced by the competitiveness of private mortgage insurance compared to alternative products for Low Down Payment Loans provided by government agencies (principally the FHA and the VA), portfolio lenders that self-insure, reinsurers and capital market transactions designed to mitigate risk. In addition, the private mortgage insurance industry’s penetration rate is driven by the relative percentage of purchase mortgage originations versus refinances. Private mortgage insurance penetration tends to be significantly higher on new mortgages for purchased homes than on the refinance of existing mortgages, because average LTV ratios are typically higher on home purchases and therefore are more likely to require mortgage insurance. Lastly, we believe the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is influenced by other factors, including lender preference, FHA competitiveness and risk appetite, loan limits, contractual terms including cancellability and loss mitigation practices.
Credit and Regulatory Environment
The level of private mortgage insurance market penetration (“market penetration”) and eventual market size is affected in part by actions taken by the GSEs and the United States government, including the FHA, the FHFA and Congress, that impact housing or housing finance policy. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees and loan limits, as well as low down payment programs available through the FHA or GSEs.
Competition and Market Share
Competitors include other private mortgage insurers that are eligible to write business for the GSEs. We compete with other private mortgage insurers based on pricing, underwriting guidelines, customer relationships, service levels, policy terms, loss mitigation practices, perceived financial strength (including comparative credit ratings), reputation, strength of management, product features and technology ease-of-use. We also compete with governmental agencies (principally the FHA and the VA) primarily based on price and underwriting guidelines.
Pricing is highly competitive in the mortgage insurance industry, with industry participants competing for market share, customer relationships and overall value. Recent pricing trends have introduced an increasing number of loan, borrower, lender and property attributes, resulting in expanded granularity in pricing regimes and a shift from traditional published rate cards to dynamic pricing engines that better align price and risk. Our proprietary risk-based pricing engine evaluates returns and volatility under both the PMIERs capital framework and our internal economic capital framework, which is sensitive to economic cycles and current housing market conditions. The model assesses the performance of new
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business under expected and stress scenarios on an individualized loan basis, which is used to determine pricing and inform our risk selection strategy that optimizes economic value by balancing return and volatility.
Seasonality
Consistent with the seasonality of home sales, purchase mortgage origination volumes typically increase in late spring and peak during summer months, leading to a rise in NIW volume during the second and third quarters of a given year. Refinancing volume, however, does not follow a similar seasonal trend and instead is primarily influenced by interest rates, which can overwhelm typical seasonal trends. Delinquency performance (new delinquency formation and cure behavior) is generally favorable in the first and second quarters of the year. Therefore, we typically experience lower levels of losses resulting from favorable delinquency activity in the first and second quarters, as typically compared to the third and fourth quarters. As a result of delinquencies from COVID-19 and subsequent cure activity, trends from the last two years may not follow traditional seasonality.
The following table presents our NIW, number of cures and new delinquencies for primary policies, excluding our run-off insurance block with reference properties in Mexico, for the periods indicated:
| Seasonality | Three months ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Mar 31, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Dec 31, 2021 | Mar 31, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Dec 31, 2022 | |||||||
| NIW | $24,934 | $26,657 | $23,972 | $21,441 | $18,823 | $17,448 | $15,069 | $15,145 | |||||||
| % Change | (7.7)% | 6.9% | (10.1)% | (10.6)% | (12.2)% | (7.3)% | (13.6)% | 0.5% | |||||||
| Cure Counts | 13,478 | 14,473 | 11,746 | 11,929 | 10,860 | 10,806 | 9,588 | 9,024 | |||||||
| % Change | (18.6)% | 7.4% | (18.8)% | 1.6% | (9.0)% | (0.5)% | (11.3)% | (5.9)% | |||||||
| New Delinquency Count | 10,053 | 6,862 | 7,427 | 8,282 | 8,724 | 7,847 | 9,121 | 10,304 | |||||||
| % Change | (15.7)% | (31.7)% | 8.2% | 11.5% | 5.3% | (10.1)% | 16.2% | 13.0% |
NIW
NIW occurs when a lender activates mortgage insurance coverage on a closed mortgage loan. NIW increases our IIF, premiums written and premiums earned. NIW is affected by the overall size of the mortgage origination market, the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance into the overall mortgage origination market and our market share of the private mortgage insurance market.
Pricing
Our pricing strategy is designed to charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan we insure. Our proprietary platform provides us with a more flexible, granular and analytical approach to selecting and pricing risk. Using our platform, we can quickly change price to modify our risk selection levels, respond to industry pricing trends or adjust to changing economic conditions. We believe that our platform, powered by our proprietary risk model and our understanding of mortgage risk volatility, provides us with a highly sophisticated pricing regime that improves our risk selection and is designed to yield attractive risk adjusted returns through credit cycles.
IIF
IIF at the time of origination is used to determine premiums as the premium rate is expressed as a percentage of IIF. IIF is one of the primary drivers of our future earned premium. Based on the composition of our insurance portfolio, with monthly premium policies comprising a larger proportion of our total portfolio than single premium policies, an increase or decrease in IIF generally has a corresponding impact on premiums earned. Cancellations of our insurance policies as a result of prepayments and other reductions of IIF, such as rescissions of coverage and claims paid, generally have a negative effect on premiums earned.
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Persistency Rate and Business Mix
The percentage of our IIF that remains insured after taking into account annualized cancellations for the period presented is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher or lower persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability. The rise of interest rates throughout 2022 has significantly increased persistency in the portfolio, but this impact is partially offset by lower NIW.
Loan prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Assuming all other factors remain constant over the life of the policies, prepayment speeds have an inverse impact on IIF and the expected premium from our monthly policies. Slower prepayment speeds, demonstrated by a higher persistency rate, result in IIF remaining in place, providing increased premium from monthly policies over time as premium payments continue. Earlier than anticipated prepayments, demonstrated by a lower persistency rate, reduce IIF and the premium from our monthly policies.
The following table presents the weighted average mortgage interest rate on outstanding primary IIF as of December 31, 2022, excluding our run-off business. Prepayment speeds may be affected by changes in interest rates, among other factors. An increasing interest rate environment generally will reduce refinancing activity and result in lower prepayments. A declining interest rate environment generally will increase refinancing activity and increase prepayments.
| Policy Year | Weightedaveragerate (1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | 5.70 | % | |
| 2009 to 2014 | 4.45 | % | |
| 2015 | 4.20 | % | |
| 2016 | 3.91 | % | |
| 2017 | 4.28 | % | |
| 2018 | 4.81 | % | |
| 2019 | 4.24 | % | |
| 2020 | 3.26 | % | |
| 2021 | 3.10 | % | |
| 2022 | 4.88 | % | |
| Total portfolio | 3.84 | % |
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(1)Average Annual Mortgage Interest Rate weighted by IIF.
In contrast to monthly premium policies, when single premium policies are cancelled by the insured because the loan has been paid off or otherwise, any remaining unearned premiums are earned at cancellation. Although these cancellations reduce IIF, assuming all other factors remain constant, the profitability of our single premium business increases when persistency rates are lower. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, single premium policies comprised 12% and 13% of primary IIF, respectively.
Credit Quality
Improved analytics, stronger loan origination quality controls and the regulatory implementation of the QM Rule have resulted in a significant improvement in the credit quality for loans originated in the private mortgage insurance market over time. Additionally, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards over the past decade, with average FICO scores for NIW persisting at levels significantly above historical averages. As a result, the industry is insuring loans from borrowers who should be better positioned to meet their mortgage obligations. More recently, in response to FTHB
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demand, there has been modest credit expansion that accommodates LTV over 95% and higher DTI ratios. Even after this expansion, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards well above historical norms.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is determined primarily by the invested assets held and the average yield on our overall investment portfolio.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on such factors as market opportunities, our capital profile and overall market cycles that impact the timing of selling securities.
Losses Incurred
Losses incurred represent current payments and changes in the estimated future payments on claims that result from delinquent loans. We estimate an expense only for delinquent loans as explained in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Incurred losses depend to a significant extent on the following factors:
•deterioration of regional or national economic conditions leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments;
•legislative, regulatory, FHFA or GSE action, or executive orders permitting or mandating forbearance or a moratorium on foreclosures or evictions due to events such as natural disasters or COVID-19;
•a drop in housing values that could expose us to greater loss on resale of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings and an adverse change in the effectiveness of loss mitigation actions that could result in an increase in the frequency of expected claim rates;
•a drop in housing values that negatively impacts a borrower’s willingness to continue mortgage payments, potentially leading to higher delinquencies and ultimately claims;
•if the foreclosure occurs in a state that imposes judicial process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed, which impacts severity of the claim;
•the credit characteristics in our in-force portfolio, as loans with higher risk characteristics generally result in more delinquencies and claims;
•the size of loans we insure, as loans with relatively higher average loan amounts generally result in higher incurred losses;
•the coverage percentage on insured loans, as loans with higher percentages of insurance coverage generally correlate with higher incurred losses;
•the level and amount of reinsurance coverage maintained with third parties; and
•the distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after origination have relatively low claims, with claims increasing for several years subsequently and then declining. However, persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices and other factors can affect this pattern.
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Credit Risk Transfer
We use CRT transactions to transfer a portion of our risk to third parties, through both traditional XOL reinsurance and the issuance of ILNs. Our CRT program reduces the volatility of our in-force portfolio and provides capital relief under PMIERs. When we enter into a CRT transaction, the reinsurer receives a premium and, in exchange, insures an agreed upon portion of incurred losses. These arrangements have the impact of reducing our earned premiums but also provide capital relief under PMIERs in exchange for a negotiated ceded premium rate. Under certain stress scenarios, our incurred losses are also reduced by any incurred losses ceded in accordance with our reinsurance agreements.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include costs related to the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of our insurance contracts, including sales, underwriting and general operating costs. Acquisition expenses are influenced by the amount of our NIW. Acquisition costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new insurance policies, such as underwriting expenses, are deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying insurance policies. These deferred acquisition costs are referred to as “DAC.” The ongoing maintenance expenses of our insurance contracts are generally fixed in nature and include costs such as information technology, finance and legal, among others, including costs allocated from our Parent for certain activities on our behalf. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements regarding our related party transactions.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting estimates (including sensitivities) discussed in this section are those that we consider to be particularly critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on our ability to judge the effect of inherently uncertain matters on our financial results. The sensitivities included in this section involve matters that are also inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment in selecting the factors and amounts used in the sensitivities. Small changes in the amounts used in the sensitivities or the use of different factors could result in materially different outcomes from those reflected in the sensitivities. For all of these accounting estimates, we caution that future events seldom develop as estimated and management’s best estimates often require adjustment.
Loss Reserves
Loss reserves represents the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the end of the respective reporting period. The estimated liability includes requirements for future payments of: (a) losses that have been reported to the insurer; (b) losses related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated; and (c) LAE. Loss adjustment expenses include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not in default or believed to be in default.
Estimates and actuarial assumptions used for establishing loss reserves involve the exercise of significant judgment, and changes in assumptions or deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have material impacts on our loss reserves and net income (loss). Because these assumptions relate to factors that are not known in advance, change over time, are difficult to accurately predict and are inherently uncertain, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The sources of uncertainty affecting the estimates are numerous and include factors internal and external to us. Internal factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the mix of exposures, loss mitigation activities and claim settlement practices. Significant external influences include changes in home prices, unemployment, government housing policies, state foreclosure timeline, general economic conditions, interest rates, tax policy, credit availability and mortgage products. Small changes in assumptions or small deviations of actual experience from
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assumptions can have, and in the past have had, material impacts on our reserves, results of operations and financial condition.
We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and 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. The estimates are determined using a factor-based approach, in which assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim are calculated using traditional actuarial techniques. Over time, as the status of the underlying delinquent loans moves toward foreclosure and the likelihood of the associated claim loss increases, the amount of the loss reserves associated with the potential claims may also increase.
Management monitors actual experience, and where circumstances warrant, will revise its assumptions. Our liability for loss reserves is reviewed regularly, with changes in our estimates of future claims recorded through net income. Estimation of losses is based on historical claim and cure experience and covered exposures and is inherently judgmental. Future developments may result in losses greater or less than the liability for loss reserves provided.
Loss reserves as of December 31, 2022, were $519 million, a decrease of $122 million since December 31, 2021. In considering the potential sensitivity of the factors underlying management’s best estimate of our loss reserve, it is possible that even a relatively small change in the estimated claim and severity rates could have a significant impact on loss reserves and, correspondingly, on results of operations. For example, based on our actual experience during the three-year period immediately preceding December 31, 2022, a change of 6 percentage points, or 15%, in the average claim rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $80 million. Likewise, a change of 6 percentage points, or a change of 5%, in the average severity rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $26 million.
Investments
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was valued at $4,885 million as of December 31, 2022, a decrease of $382 million from December 31, 2021.
The methodologies, estimates and assumptions used in valuing our fixed maturity securities evolve over time and are subject to different interpretations, all of which can lead to materially different estimates of fair value. Additionally, because the valuation is based on market conditions at a specific point in time, the period-to-period changes in fair value may vary significantly due to changing interest rates, external macroeconomic and credit market conditions. For example, widening credit spreads will generally result in a decrease, while tightening of credit spreads will generally result in an increase, in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities. As well, during periods of increasing interest rates, the market values of lower-yielding assets will decline. See “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Sensitivity Analysis—Interest Rate Risk” for the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on our investments portfolio.
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities comprises primarily investment grade securities, which are carried at fair value. Estimates of fair values for fixed maturity securities are obtained primarily from industry-standard pricing methodologies utilizing market observable inputs. For our less liquid securities, such as our privately placed securities, we utilize independent market data to employ alternative valuation methods commonly used in the financial services industry to estimate fair value. Based on the market observability of the inputs used in estimating the fair value, the pricing level is assigned.
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See Notes 2, 3 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the valuation of fixed maturity securities and a description of the fair value measurement estimates and level assignments.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-For-Sale Securities
As of each balance sheet date, we evaluate fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for changes to the allowance for credit losses. Determining the value of the unrealized losses is dependent on the same methodologies and assumptions used in our valuation of fixed maturity securities. We also consider all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. There is no recorded allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2022.
See Note 2 and 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our insurance contracts have recurring monthly premiums. We recognize recurring premiums over the terms of the related insurance policy on a pro-rata basis. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the policy life. A portion of the revenue from single premium policies is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies are cancelled and the premium is non-refundable, then the remaining unearned premium related to each cancelled policy is recognized to earned premiums upon notification of the cancellation. For borrower-paid mortgage insurance, coverage ceases at the earlier of prepayment, or when the original principal is amortized to a 78% loan-to-value ratio in accordance with the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998. Variation in cancellation rates and projected losses are inputs into our premium recognition models, causing uncertainty within our estimates.
We periodically review our premium earnings recognition models with any adjustments to the estimates reflected as a cumulative adjustment on a retrospective basis in current period net income. These reviews include the consideration of recent and projected loss and policy cancellation experience, and adjustments to the estimated earnings patterns are made, if warranted.
Unearned premium was $203 million as of December 31, 2022, a decrease of $44 million compared to December 31, 2021. Changes in market conditions could cause a decline in mortgage originations, mortgage insurance penetration rates, persistency and our market share, all of which could impact new insurance written. For example, a decline in primary new insurance written of $1.0 billion would result in a reduction in earned premiums of approximately $3 million in the first full year. Likewise, if primary persistency rates declined on our existing insurance in-force by 10%, earned premiums would decline by approximately $94 million during the first full year, partially offset by higher policy cancellations in our single premium products. These reductions in earned premiums could be potentially offset by lower reserves due to policies no longer being in-force.
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Trends and Conditions
During 2022, the United States and global economies experienced continued volatility due to high inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruption. Inflationary pressures lessened in the latter half of 2022 but remain elevated, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting in December that the Consumer Price Index was 6.5% year-over-year. As a result, the Federal Reserve has continued its aggressive approach towards addressing inflation through interest rate increases and a reduction of its balance sheet. The Federal Reserve approved an interest rate increase of 0.25% in February 2023, following increases of 0.50% in December 2022, 0.75% in November, September, July and June 2022, 0.50% in May 2022 and 0.25% in March 2022. Financial markets have reacted with increased volatility and rates have increased across the Treasury yield curve. The Federal Reserve has signaled that it may make additional interest rate increases to address persistent inflationary pressure.
Mortgage origination activity declined during 2022 in response to rising mortgage rates. If interest rates remain high, the refinance market is likely to remain depressed. Housing affordability was challenged in 2022 compared to recent years due to sharply increasing interest rates and elevated home prices, modestly offset by rising median family income according to the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index. Year-over-year home price appreciation slowed through early 2022, and home prices declined during the second half of the year, according to the FHFA Monthly Purchase-Only House Price Index.
The unemployment rate declined to 3.5% in December 2022 compared to 3.9% in December 2021, following a decline from its peak of 14.8% in April 2020, bringing unemployment in line with the pre-COVID-19 level of 3.5% in February 2020. As of December 31, 2022, the number of unemployed Americans stands at approximately 5.7 million and the number of long term unemployed over 26 weeks was approximately 1.1 million. Both metrics remain relatively in line with February 2020 levels.
For mortgages insured by the federal government, including those purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, forbearance allows borrowers impacted by COVID-19 to temporarily suspend mortgage payments up to 18 months subject to certain limits. Currently, the GSEs do not have a deadline for requesting an initial forbearance. Federal laws and regulations continue to require servicers to discuss loss mitigation options with borrowers before proceeding with foreclosures. These requirements could further extend the foreclosure timeline, which could negatively impact the severity of loss on loans that go to claim.
Although it is difficult to predict the future level of reported forbearance and how many of the policies in a forbearance plan that remain current on their monthly mortgage payment will go delinquent, servicer-reported forbearances have generally declined. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 1.5%, or 14,270, of our active primary policies were reported in a forbearance plan. Of these policies in forbearance plans, approximately 36% were reported as delinquent at year end. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, often lead to temporary increases in delinquencies in forbearance. We experienced a small increase in delinquencies in the fourth quarter of 2022 related to the recent hurricane affecting the southeastern United States, but these did not have a material impact on reserves as of December 31, 2022. We will continue to monitor the affected areas and support the measures enacted by the GSEs allowing forbearance, restricting foreclosure actions and providing other forms of mortgage relief for those dealing with damage.
Total delinquencies decreased during 2022 as a result of cures outpacing new delinquencies. The annual new delinquency rate for 2022 was 3.8%, up slightly from 2021 but in line with historical pre-COVID-19 levels.
The full impact of COVID-19 and its ancillary economic effects on our future business results are difficult to predict. Given the maximum length of forbearance plans, the resolution of a delinquency in a plan still may not be known for several quarters or longer. We continue to monitor regulatory and government actions and the resolution of forbearance delinquencies. While the associated risks have
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moderated and delinquencies have declined, it is possible that COVID-19 could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations and financial condition.
The FHFA and the GSEs are focused on increasing the accessibility and affordability of homeownership, in particular for low- and moderate-income borrowers and underserved minority communities. In June 2022, the FHFA announced the release of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s respective Equitable Housing Finance Plans. The plans included many initiatives, including language discussing potential changes that could impact the mortgage insurance industry. The plans are in their early stages, and we will continue to work with the FHFA, the GSEs, and the broader housing finance industry as these proposals develop and to the extent they are implemented. We cannot predict whether or when any new practices or programs will be implemented under the GSEs’ Equitable Housing Finance Plans or other affordability initiatives, and if so in what form, nor can we predict what effect, if any, such practices or programs may have on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Private mortgage insurance market penetration and eventual market size are affected in part by actions that impact housing or housing finance policy taken by the GSEs and the U.S. government, including but not limited to, the FHA and the FHFA. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, including changes to the GSEs’ automated underwriting systems, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees, loan limits and alternative products. On February 25, 2022, the FHFA finalized the rule for the Enterprise Capital Framework, which included technical corrections to its December 17, 2020 rule. Higher GSE capital requirements could lead to increased costs to borrowers of GSE loans, which in turn could shift the market away from the GSEs to the FHA or lender portfolios. Such a shift could potentially result in a smaller market for private mortgage insurance.
In January 2022, the FHFA introduced new upfront fees for some high-balance and second-home loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Upfront fees for high balance loans increased between 0.25% and 0.75%, tiered by loan-to-value ratio. For second home loans, the upfront fees increased between 1.125% and 3.875%, also tiered by loan-to-value ratio. The new pricing framework became effective April 1, 2022. To date, we have not experienced a significant impact to the mortgage insurance market or our projections based on this initiative.
On October 24, 2022, the FHFA announced two initiatives: 1) targeted changes to the GSEs’ guarantee fee pricing by eliminating upfront fees for certain borrowers and affordable mortgage products, while implementing targeted increases to the upfront fees for most cash-out refinance loans; and 2) the validation and approval of both the FICO 10T credit score model and the VantageScore 4.0 credit score model for use by the GSEs as well as changing the requirement that lenders provide credit reports from all three nationwide consumer reporting agencies and instead only require credit reports from two of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies.
The upfront fees are eliminated for certain first-time home buyers with income at or below area median income and certain other GSE affordable housing products. The fee reductions went into effect in the fourth quarter of 2022 while the new fees on cash-out refinance loans began February 1, 2023. We expect these price changes to be a net positive to the mortgage insurance market. The validation of the new credit scores requires lenders to deliver both credit scores for each loan sold to the GSEs. There is currently no implementation deadline, but this is expected to be a multiple year process that will require system and process updates along with coordination across stakeholders of the industry.
In January 2023, the FHFA announced additional updates to its up-front fee structure and a recalibration and reformatting of their entire pricing matrix. The changes marked the third iteration of FHFA’s ongoing pricing review since early last year and impact purchase and rate-term refinance loans. Pricing grids are now broken out by loan purpose and are recalibrated to new credit score and loan-to-value ratio categories along with associated loan attributes. The new pricing matrix also includes new up-front fees for loans with DTI ratios greater than 40%. The changes are effective May 1, 2023. The effects of these changes will ultimately be dependent on any changes made by the FHA, but we do not expect a significant impact to the private mortgage insurance market.
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On February 22, 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a 30-basis point reduction of the annual insurance premium charged to borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages. This action is designed to reduce the cost of borrowing for lower- and middle-class homebuyers who are eligible for the federal program The price reduction is expected to have a negative impact on the private mortgage insurance market, but will be partially offset by the effects of the recent FHFA pricing changes referenced above. We do not believe this net impact will be material.
The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Our market share is influenced by the execution of our go to market strategy, including but not limited to, pricing competitiveness relative to our peers and our selective participation in forward commitment transactions. We continue to manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which are modified from time to time when circumstances warrant. We see the market and underwriting conditions, including the pricing environment, as being within our risk-adjusted return appetite enabling us to write new business at attractive returns. Ultimately, we expect our new insurance written with its strong credit profile and attractive pricing to positively contribute to our future profitability and return on equity.
New insurance written of $66.5 billion in 2022 decreased 31% compared to 2021 primarily due to a smaller estimated private mortgage insurance market in the current year as refinance and purchase originations were impacted by rising interest rates.
Our largest customer accounted for 18% and 14% of our total NIW during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. No customer had earned premiums that accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021.
Our primary persistency rate increased to 80% during 2022 compared to 62% during 2021. The persistency rate increased throughout 2022, with a rate in the fourth quarter of 86%. The increase in persistency was primarily driven by a decline in the percentage of our in-force policies with mortgage rates above current mortgage rates as a result of the rising rate environment during 2022. Higher persistency impacted business performance trends in several ways including, but not limited to, slowing the recognition of earned premiums due to single premium policy cancellations, slowing the amortization of our existing reinsurance transactions and reduction of their associated PMIERs capital credit and shifting the concentration of our primary IIF by policy year. As of December 31, 2022, primary IIF had approximately 58% concentration in 2022 and 2021 compared to 71% concentration in 2021 and 2020 as of December 31, 2021. Despite slower NIW production, our IIF grew $21.6 billion, or 10% in 2022, compared to $18.3 billion or 9% in 2021, driven by increased persistency.
Net earned premiums declined in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily as a result of the lapse of older, higher priced policies and a decrease in single premium cancellations. This was partially offset by IIF growth. The total number of delinquent loans has declined from the COVID-19 peak in the second quarter of 2020 as forbearance exits continue and new forbearances declined. During this time and consistent with prior years, servicers continued the practice of remitting premiums during the early stages of default, and we refund the post-delinquent premiums to the insured party if the delinquent loan goes to claim. We record a liability and a reduction to net earned premiums for the post-delinquent premiums we expect to refund. The post-delinquent premium liability recorded since the beginning of COVID-19 in the second quarter of 2020 through the fourth quarter of 2022 was not significant to the change in earned premiums for those periods as a result of the high concentration of new delinquencies being subject to a servicer reported forbearance plan and the lower estimated rate at which delinquencies go to claim for these loans.
Our loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2022, was (10%) as compared to 13% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was largely from favorable reserve adjustments in 2022. We released $314 million of reserves on delinquencies from prior years, primarily related to favorable cure performance on COVID-19 delinquencies from 2020 and 2021. During the peak of COVID-19, we experienced elevated new delinquencies subject to forbearance plans. Those delinquencies have continued to cure at levels above our reserve expectations, which led to the release of reserves in 2022.
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Due to uncertainty in the current economic environment, we increased the expected claim rate on new delinquencies throughout 2022. This contributed to reserve strengthening of $46 million on previous quarter delinquencies in 2022 and increased the amount of reserves on new delinquencies in the fourth quarter of 2022. These 2022 reserve adjustments compare to reserve releases of $22 million in 2021 related primarily to pre-COVID-19 delinquencies.
Our loss reserves continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and remain subject to uncertainty. Borrowers who have experienced a financial hardship including, but not limited to, the loss of income due to the closing of a business or the loss of a job, continue to take advantage of available loss mitigation options including forbearance programs, payment deferral options and other modifications. Loss reserves recorded on these delinquencies have a high degree of estimation due to the level of uncertainty regarding whether delinquencies in forbearance will ultimately cure or result in claim payments as well as the timing and severity of those payments.
The severity of loss on loans that do go to claim may be negatively impacted by the extended forbearance and foreclosure timelines, the associated elevated expenses and the higher loan amount of the recent new delinquencies. These negative influences on loss severity could be mitigated, in part, by embedded home price appreciation. For loans insured on or after October 1, 2014, our mortgage insurance policies limit the number of months of unpaid interest and associated expenses that are included in the mortgage insurance claim amount to a maximum of 36 months.
New delinquencies in 2022 increased compared to 2021. Current period primary delinquencies of 35,996 contributed $171 million of loss expense in 2022. We incurred $144 million of losses from 32,624 current period delinquencies in 2021. In determining the loss expense estimate, considerations were given to forbearance and non-forbearance delinquencies, recent cure and claim experience, and the prevailing and prospective economic conditions. Approximately 21% of our primary new delinquencies in 2022 were subject to a forbearance plan as compared to 42% in 2021.
EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio under the current regulatory framework as established under North Carolina law and enforced by the NCDOI, EMICO’s domestic insurance regulator, was approximately 12.9:1 as of December 31, 2022 and 12.3:1 as of December 31, 2021. EMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio remains below the NCDOI’s maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25:1. North Carolina’s calculation of risk-to-capital excludes the risk-in-force for delinquent loans given the established loss reserves against all delinquencies. EMICO’s ongoing risk-to-capital ratio will depend principally on the magnitude of future losses incurred by EMICO, the effectiveness of ongoing loss mitigation activities, new business volume and profitability, the amount of policy lapses and the amount of additional capital that is generated or distributed by the business.
Under PMIERs, we are subject to operational and financial requirements that private mortgage insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans that are purchased by the GSEs. Since 2020, the GSEs have issued several amendments to PMIERs, which implemented both permanent and temporary revisions.
For loans that became non-performing due to a COVID-19 hardship, PMIERs was temporarily amended with respect to each non-performing loan that (i) had an initial missed monthly payment occurring on or after March 1, 2020, and prior to April 1, 2021, or (ii) is subject to a forbearance plan granted in response to a financial hardship related to COVID-19, the terms of which are materially consistent with terms of forbearance plans offered by the GSEs. The risk-based required asset amount factor for the non-performing loan is the greater of (a) the applicable risk-based required asset amount factor for a performing loan were it not delinquent, and (b) the product of a 0.30 multiplier and the applicable risk-based required asset amount factor for a non-performing loan. In the case of (i) above, absent the loan being subject to a forbearance plan described in (ii) above, the 0.30 multiplier was applicable for no longer than three calendar months beginning with the month in which the loan became a non-performing loan due to having missed two monthly payments. Loans subject to a forbearance plan described in (ii) above include those that are either in a repayment plan or loan modification trial period
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following the forbearance plan unless reported to the approved insurer that the loan is no longer in such forbearance plan, repayment plan, or loan modification trial period. The PMIERs amendment dated June 30, 2021, further allows loans that enter a forbearance plan due to a COVID-19 hardship on or after April 1, 2021, to remain eligible for extended application of the reduced PMIERs capital factor for as long as the loan remains in forbearance. In addition, the PMIERs amendment made permanent revisions to the risk-based required asset amount factor for non-performing loans for properties located in future Federal Emergency Management Agency Declared Major Disaster Areas eligible for individual assistance.
In September 2020, subsequent to the issuance of our senior notes due in 2025, the GSEs imposed certain restrictions (the “GSE Restrictions”) with respect to capital on our business. In May 2021, in connection with their conditional approval of the then potential partial sale of EHI, the GSEs confirmed the GSE Restrictions will remain in effect until the following collective conditions (“GSE Conditions”) are met for two consecutive quarters: (a) EMICO obtains “BBB+”/“Baa1” (or higher) rating from S&P, Moody’s or Fitch Ratings, Inc. and (b) Genworth achieves certain financial metrics. EHI maintained the requisite ratings for two consecutive quarters prior to the end of 2022. As of December 31, 2022, Genworth believes that they achieved their financial metrics for the quarters ended September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Once confirmed by the GSEs, EHI will no longer be subject to GSE Restrictions and Conditions.
Prior to the satisfaction of the GSE Conditions, the GSE Restrictions require:
•EMICO to maintain 120% of PMIERs minimum required assets through 2022 and 125% thereafter;
•EHI to retain $300 million of net proceeds from the 2025 Senior Notes offering that can be drawn down exclusively for debt service of those notes or to contribute to EMICO to meet its regulatory capital needs including PMIERs; and
•written approval must be received from the GSEs prior to any additional debt issuance by either EMICO or EHI.
Until the GSE Conditions imposed in connection with the GSE Restrictions are met, our liquidity must not fall below 13.5% of its outstanding debt. In addition, Fannie Mae agreed to reconsider the GSE Restrictions if Genworth were to own 50% or less of EHI at any point prior to their expiration. We understand that Genworth’s current plans do not include a potential sale in which Genworth owns less than 80% of EHI. As of December 31, 2022, the balance of the 2025 Senior Notes proceeds required to be held by our holding company was approximately $203 million compared to $453 million of cash and invested assets held at EHI.
As of December 31, 2022, we had estimated available assets of $5,206 million against $3,156 million net required assets under PMIERs compared to available assets of $5,077 million against $3,074 million net required assets as of December 31, 2021. The sufficiency ratio as of December 31, 2022, was 165% or $2,050 million above the published PMIERs requirements, compared to 165% or $2,003 million above the published PMIERs requirements as of December 31, 2021. PMIERs sufficiency is based on the published requirements applicable to private mortgage insurers and does not give effect to the GSE Restrictions imposed on our business. Credit risk transfer transactions provided an aggregate of approximately $1,578 million of PMIERs capital credit as of December 31, 2022, compared to $1,404 million as of December 31, 2021. Our PMIERs required assets as of December 31, 2022, benefited from the application of a 0.30 multiplier applied to the risk-based required asset amount factor for certain non-performing loans. The application of the 0.30 multiplier to all eligible delinquencies provided $132 million of benefit to our December 31, 2022, PMIERs required assets. This amount is gross of any incremental reinsurance benefit from the elimination of the 0.30 multiplier.
On July 21, 2022, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the insurance financial strength rating of EMICO to Baa1 from Baa2. The increase was driven by improvement in our overall credit profile, including market position, profitability, capital adequacy and financial flexibility. Our continued
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performance also led S&P Global Ratings to upgrade the financial rating of EMICO from BBB to BBB+ as of February 16, 2023.
On January 27, 2022, we executed an excess of loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, on a portion of current and expected new insurance written for the 2022 book year, effective January 1, 2022. Based on actual 2022 NIW, this agreement provided up to $221 million of reinsurance coverage.
On March 24, 2022, we executed an excess of loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which provides up to $325 million of reinsurance coverage on a portfolio of existing mortgage insurance policies written from July 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021, effective March 1, 2022.
On September 15, 2022, we executed an excess of loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which provides up to $201 million of reinsurance coverage on a portfolio of existing mortgage insurance policies written from January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022, effective September 1, 2022.
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a syndicate of lenders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The Facility may be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility remains undrawn as of December 31, 2022.
On April 26, 2022, our Board of Directors approved the initiation of a dividend program under which the Company intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend. We paid quarterly dividends of $0.14 per share in May, September and December of 2022. Future dividend payments are subject to quarterly review and approval by our Board of Directors and Genworth and will be targeted to be paid in the third month of each subsequent quarter. In April and October of 2022, our primary mortgage insurance operating company, EMICO, completed distributions to EHI supporting our ability to pay cash dividends. Future EMICO distributions will be used to fund the quarterly dividend as well as to bolster our financial flexibility and potentially return additional capital to shareholders.
Returning capital to shareholders, balanced with our growth and risk management priorities, remains a key commitment as we look to drive shareholder value through time. We believe the initiation of a quarterly dividend in 2022 reflects meaningful progress towards that goal. Further, we announced a special cash dividend of $183 million, or $1.12 per share, that was paid during the fourth quarter of 2022. We also announced the initiation of a share repurchase program which authorized the repurchase of up to $75 million of the Company’s common stock. Under the program, share repurchases may be made at the Company’s discretion from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or by other means, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. In support, we have entered into an agreement with Genworth Holdings, Inc. to repurchase its EHI shares on a pro rata basis as part of the program. The share repurchase program is not expected to change Genworth’s ownership interest in EHI post-completion. We began repurchases in the fourth quarter of 2022 which were immaterial. We expect the timing and amount of any future share repurchases will be opportunistic and will depend on a variety of factors, including EHI’s share price, capital availability, business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and debt covenant restrictions. The program does not obligate EHI to acquire any amount of common stock, it may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion without prior notice, and it does not have a specified expiration date.
Future return of capital will be shaped by our capital prioritization framework: supporting our existing policyholders, growing our mortgage insurance business, funding attractive new business opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. Our total return of capital will also be based on our view of the prevailing and prospective macroeconomic conditions, regulatory landscape and business performance.
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Results of Operations and Key Metrics
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated results for the periods indicated:
| Year ended December 31, | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 939,462 | $ | 974,949 | $ | 971,365 | $ | (35,487) | (4) | % | $ | 3,584 | — | % | |||||||||||
| Net investment income | 155,311 | 141,189 | 132,843 | 14,122 | 10 | % | 8,346 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (2,036) | (2,124) | (3,324) | 88 | (4) | % | 1,200 | (36) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 2,309 | 3,841 | 5,575 | (1,532) | (40) | % | (1,734) | (31) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,095,046 | 1,117,855 | 1,106,459 | (22,809) | (2) | % | 11,396 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Losses and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred | (94,221) | 125,473 | 379,834 | (219,694) | (175) | % | (254,361) | (67) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals | 226,941 | 231,453 | 215,024 | (4,512) | (2) | % | 16,429 | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles | 12,405 | 14,704 | 20,939 | (2,299) | (16) | % | (6,235) | (30) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 51,699 | 51,009 | 18,244 | 690 | 1 | % | 32,765 | 180 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 196,824 | 422,639 | 634,041 | (225,815) | (53) | % | (211,402) | (33) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 898,222 | 695,216 | 472,418 | 203,006 | 29 | % | 222,798 | 47 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 194,065 | 148,531 | 101,997 | 45,534 | 31 | % | 46,534 | 46 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 704,157 | $ | 546,685 | $ | 370,421 | $ | 157,472 | 29 | % | $ | 176,264 | 48 | % | |||||||||||
| Loss ratio (1) | (10) | % | 13 | % | 39 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 25 | % | 25 | % | 24 | % |
_______________
(1)Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses incurred by net earned premiums.
(2)Expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, plus amortization of DAC and intangibles by net earned premiums.
Detailed discussions of our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, including the year-over-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020, that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues
Premiums decreased mainly attributable to lapse of our in-force portfolio as older, higher priced policies lapsed combined with lower single premium cancellations and partially offset by higher IIF.
Net investment income increased primarily due to higher investment yields due to interest rate increases during 2022 coupled with higher average invested assets. This was partially offset by lower income from bond calls.
Net investment losses in the current year were primarily driven by realized losses from the sale of fixed maturity securities. Net investment losses in the prior year were largely from impairments and net realized losses from the sale of fixed maturity securities.
Other income decreased primarily due to lower contract underwriting revenue. Other income includes underwriting fee revenue charged on a per-unit or per-diem basis, as defined in the underwriting agreement. Underwriting volume was down due to a smaller mortgage insurance market.
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Losses and expenses
Losses incurred decreased largely from favorable development related to cures exceeding expectations predominantly related to COVID-19 related delinquencies from 2020 and 2021. New primary delinquencies were 35,996 in 2022 compared to 32,624 in 2021, resulting in $171 million and $144 million of losses, respectively. During 2022, we recorded a $314 million reserve release primarily related to COVID-19 delinquencies from 2020 and 2021. Due to uncertainty in the current economic environment, we increased the expected claim rate on new delinquencies throughout 2022. This contributed to reserve strengthening of $46 million on previous quarter delinquencies in 2022 and increased the amount of reserves on new delinquencies in the fourth quarter of 2022. In 2021 we recorded a $22 million reserve release related to pre-COVID-19 claim years.
The following table shows incurred losses related to current and prior accident years for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losses and LAE incurred related to current accident year | $ | 219,461 | $ | 141,225 | $ | 364,548 | ||||
| Losses and LAE incurred related to prior accident years | (313,652) | (15,822) | 16,202 | |||||||
| Total incurred (1) | $ | (94,191) | $ | 125,403 | $ | 380,750 |
_______________
(1)Excludes run-off business.
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, decreased primarily attributable to lower corporate overhead.
Amortization of DAC and intangibles declined due to lower DAC amortization as a result of higher persistency, driven by rising mortgage rates.
The expense ratio remained flat due to similar percentage declines in premiums and expenses.
Interest expense was relatively flat in the current year and related primarily to our 2025 Senior Notes issued in August 2020. For additional details see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.
Provision for income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.6% and 21.4% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, consistent with the United States corporate federal income tax rate.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use a non-U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP”) financial measure entitled “adjusted operating income.” This non-GAAP financial measure aligns with the way our business performance is evaluated by both management and our Board of Directors. This measure has been established in order to increase transparency for the purposes of evaluating our core operating trends and enabling more meaningful comparisons with our peers. Although “adjusted operating income” is a non-GAAP financial measure, for the reasons discussed above we believe this measure aids in understanding the underlying performance of our operations. Our senior management, including our chief operating decision maker (who is our Chief Executive Officer), use “adjusted operating income” as the primary measure to evaluate the fundamental financial performance of our business and to allocate resources.
“Adjusted operating income” is defined as U.S. GAAP net income excluding the effects of (i) net investment gains (losses) and (ii) restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items.
(i)Net investment gains (losses)—The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on the timing of individual securities sales due to such factors as market opportunities or exposure management. Trends in
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the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these realized gains and losses. We do not view them to be indicative of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, these items are excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income.
(ii)Restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items are also excluded from adjusted operating income if, in our opinion, they are not indicative of overall operating trends.
In reporting non-GAAP measures in the future, we may make other adjustments for expenses and gains we do not consider reflective of core operating performance in a particular period. We may disclose other non-GAAP operating measures if we believe that such a presentation would be helpful for investors to evaluate our operating condition by including additional information.
Adjusted operating income is not a measure of total profitability, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income. Our definition of adjusted operating income may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies, including our peers.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to adjusted operating income assume a 21% tax rate (unless otherwise indicated).
The following table includes a reconciliation of net income to adjusted operating income for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 704,157 | $ | 546,685 | $ | 370,421 | ||||
| Adjustments to net income: | ||||||||||
| Net investment (gains) losses | 2,036 | 2,124 | 3,324 | |||||||
| Costs associated with reorganization | 3,461 | 2,744 | — | |||||||
| Taxes on adjustments | (1,155) | (1,022) | (698) | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 708,499 | $ | 550,531 | $ | 373,047 |
We recorded a pre-tax expense of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, related to restructuring costs as we evaluate and appropriately size our organizational needs and expenses.
Adjusted operating income increased in 2022 compared to 2021 due to larger favorable reserve adjustments in 2022 related to cure activity exceeding expectations predominantly from COVID-19 related delinquencies from 2020 and 2021. This was partially offset by lower premiums in 2022.
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Key Metrics
Management reviews the key metrics included within this section when analyzing the performance of our business. The metrics provided in this section exclude activity related to our run-off business, which is immaterial to our consolidated results of operations.
The following table sets forth selected operating performance measures on a primary basis as of or for the years ended December 31:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New insurance written | $ | 66,485 | $ | 97,004 | $ | 99,871 | ||||
| Primary insurance in-force (1) | $ | 248,262 | $ | 226,514 | $ | 207,947 | ||||
| Primary risk in-force | $ | 62,791 | $ | 56,881 | $ | 52,475 | ||||
| Persistency rate | 80 | % | 62 | % | 59 | % | ||||
| Policies in-force (count) | 960,306 | 937,350 | 924,624 | |||||||
| Delinquent loans (count) | 19,943 | 24,820 | 44,904 | |||||||
| Delinquency rate | 2.08 | % | 2.65 | % | 4.86 | % |
_______________
(1)Represents the aggregate unpaid principal balance for loans we insure.
New insurance written
NIW for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased 31% compared to 2021 primarily due to a smaller estimated private mortgage insurance market as both refinancing and purchase originations were impacted by increasing mortgage rates. We manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which we modify from time to time as circumstances warrant.
The following table presents NIW by product for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by underlying type of mortgage for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases | $ | 63,506 | 96 | % | $ | 76,915 | 79 | % | $ | 67,183 | 67 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances | 2,979 | 4 | 20,089 | 21 | 32,688 | 33 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by policy payment type for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $ | 61,123 | 92 | % | $ | 89,115 | 92 | % | $ | 90,147 | 90 | % | ||||||||
| Single | 5,166 | 8 | 7,554 | 8 | 9,251 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 196 | — | 335 | — | 473 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % |
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The following table presents primary NIW by FICO score for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 30,239 | 45 | % | $ | 42,391 | 44 | % | $ | 41,584 | 42 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 11,264 | 17 | 15,067 | 16 | 16,378 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 9,377 | 14 | 12,911 | 13 | 14,305 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 6,889 | 10 | 11,069 | 11 | 12,193 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 4,535 | 7 | 8,457 | 9 | 8,813 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,534 | 4 | 4,167 | 4 | 3,846 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 1,206 | 2 | 2,173 | 2 | 1,955 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 424 | 1 | 765 | 1 | 796 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 17 | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the original loan amount, excluding financed premium, by the property’s acquisition value or fair market value at the time of origination. The following table presents primary NIW by LTV ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 9,487 | 14 | % | $ | 12,064 | 12 | % | $ | 11,625 | 11 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 26,008 | 39 | 36,597 | 38 | 42,753 | 43 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 20,892 | 32 | 30,717 | 32 | 28,750 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 10,098 | 15 | 17,626 | 18 | 16,743 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by DTI ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 16,541 | 25 | % | $ | 14,979 | 15 | % | $ | 13,672 | 14 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 23,996 | 36 | 32,946 | 34 | 35,729 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 25,948 | 39 | 49,079 | 51 | 50,470 | 50 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 66,485 | 100 | % | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % |
We have seen a higher concentration of loans with a DTI ratio of greater than 45% during 2022. This is in line with market trends as rising mortgage rates and recent home price appreciation have put pressure on affordability. We believe the levels are in line with our current risk appetite as we consider layered risk across multiple risk attributes, pricing and our portfolio credit mix.
Insurance in-force and Risk in-force
IIF increased largely from NIW and increased persistency in the current year, partially offset by lapses and cancellations. Primary persistency rate was 80% and 62% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. RIF increased primarily as a result of higher IIF.
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The following table sets forth IIF and RIF as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary IIF | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool IIF | 505 | — | 641 | — | 883 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 248,767 | 100 | % | $ | 227,155 | 100 | % | $ | 208,830 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Primary RIF | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool RIF | 79 | — | 105 | — | 146 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 62,870 | 100 | % | $ | 56,986 | 100 | % | $ | 52,621 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases IIF | $ | 207,827 | 84 | % | $ | 176,550 | 78 | % | $ | 157,805 | 76 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances IIF | 40,435 | 16 | 49,964 | 22 | 50,142 | 24 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Purchases RIF | $ | 54,165 | 86 | % | $ | 46,470 | 82 | % | $ | 41,710 | 79 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances RIF | 8,626 | 14 | 10,411 | 18 | 10,765 | 21 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF and primary RIF by product as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly IIF | $ | 216,831 | 87 | % | $ | 194,826 | 86 | % | $ | 172,558 | 83 | % | ||||||||
| Single IIF | 29,275 | 12 | 29,205 | 13 | 31,628 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| Other IIF | 2,156 | 1 | 2,483 | 1 | 3,761 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Monthly RIF | $ | 55,879 | 89 | % | $ | 49,614 | 87 | % | $ | 44,005 | 84 | % | ||||||||
| Single RIF | 6,370 | 10 | 6,658 | 12 | 7,576 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Other RIF | 542 | 1 | 609 | 1 | 894 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % |
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 6,596 | 3 | % | $ | 8,196 | 3 | % | $ | 11,322 | 5 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2014 | 2,113 | 1 | 3,369 | 2 | 6,729 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 2,912 | 1 | 4,488 | 2 | 7,887 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 6,296 | 2 | 8,997 | 4 | 15,385 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 6,495 | 3 | 8,962 | 4 | 16,289 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 6,839 | 3 | 9,263 | 4 | 17,235 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 16,352 | 7 | 21,730 | 10 | 39,463 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 55,358 | 22 | 69,963 | 31 | 93,637 | 45 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 81,724 | 33 | 91,546 | 40 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 63,577 | 25 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 and prior | $ | 1,699 | 3 | % | $ | 2,112 | 3 | % | $ | 2,918 | 5 | % | ||||||||
| 2009 to 2014 | 560 | 1 | 904 | 2 | 1,831 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 781 | 1 | 1,197 | 2 | 2,104 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 1,681 | 3 | 2,388 | 4 | 4,063 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 1,708 | 3 | 2,324 | 4 | 4,180 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 1,736 | 3 | 2,330 | 4 | 4,322 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 4,143 | 7 | 5,454 | 10 | 9,840 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 14,158 | 22 | 17,574 | 31 | 23,217 | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 20,418 | 32 | 22,598 | 40 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 15,907 | 25 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % |
The following table presents the development of primary IIF for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $ | 226,514 | $ | 207,947 | $ | 181,785 | ||||
| NIW | 66,485 | 97,004 | 99,871 | |||||||
| Cancellations, principal repayments and other reductions (1) | (44,737) | (78,437) | (73,709) | |||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 248,262 | $ | 226,514 | $ | 207,947 |
_____________
(1)Includes the estimated amortization of unpaid principal balance of covered loans.
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The following table sets forth primary IIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 39,509 | 16 | % | $ | 35,455 | 16 | % | $ | 34,520 | 17 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 103,618 | 42 | 95,149 | 42 | 92,689 | 45 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 72,132 | 29 | 64,549 | 28 | 56,341 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 33,003 | 13 | 31,361 | 14 | 24,397 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 11,136 | 18 | % | $ | 9,907 | 17 | % | $ | 9,279 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 30,079 | 48 | 27,608 | 49 | 26,774 | 51 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 17,621 | 28 | 15,644 | 27 | 13,562 | 26 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 3,955 | 6 | 3,722 | 7 | 2,860 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 102,467 | 41 | % | $ | 89,982 | 40 | % | $ | 78,488 | 38 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 40,097 | 16 | 35,874 | 16 | 33,635 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 34,916 | 14 | 31,730 | 14 | 30,058 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 28,867 | 12 | 27,359 | 12 | 25,870 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 21,554 | 9 | 21,270 | 9 | 20,140 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 10,926 | 4 | 10,549 | 5 | 9,819 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 6,095 | 3 | 6,124 | 3 | 5,935 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 2,630 | 1 | 2,783 | 1 | 2,902 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 710 | — | 843 | — | 1,100 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
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The following table sets forth primary RIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 25,807 | 41 | % | $ | 22,489 | 40 | % | $ | 19,691 | 37 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 10,154 | 16 | 9,009 | 16 | 8,497 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 8,931 | 14 | 8,055 | 14 | 7,673 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 7,317 | 12 | 6,907 | 12 | 6,579 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 5,428 | 9 | 5,334 | 9 | 5,100 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,767 | 5 | 2,638 | 5 | 2,442 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 1,540 | 2 | 1,530 | 3 | 1,472 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 665 | 1 | 702 | 1 | 737 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 182 | — | 217 | — | 284 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
The following table sets forth primary IIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 43,831 | 18 | % | $ | 34,076 | 15 | % | $ | 31,047 | 15 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 87,816 | 35 | 79,147 | 35 | 73,555 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 116,615 | 47 | 113,291 | 50 | 103,345 | 50 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 248,262 | 100 | % | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by DTI score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 11,176 | 18 | % | $ | 8,631 | 15 | % | $ | 7,855 | 15 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 22,268 | 35 | 19,974 | 35 | 18,647 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 29,347 | 47 | 28,276 | 50 | 25,973 | 49 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 62,791 | 100 | % | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % |
Delinquent loans and claims
Our delinquency management process begins with notification by the loan servicer of a delinquency on an insured loan. “Delinquency” is defined in our master policies as the borrower’s failure to pay when due an amount equal to the scheduled monthly mortgage payment under the terms of the mortgage. Generally, our master policies require an insured to notify us of a delinquency if the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments prior to the due date of the next mortgage payment. We generally consider a loan to be delinquent and establish required reserves after the insured notifies us that the borrower has failed to make two scheduled mortgage payments. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness/death, inability to manage credit, falling home prices and interest rate levels. Borrowers may cure delinquencies by making all of the delinquent loan payments, agreeing to a loan modification, or by selling the property in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In most cases, delinquencies that are not cured result in a claim under our policy.
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The following table shows a roll forward of the number of primary loans in default for the years ended December 31:
| (Loan count) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of delinquencies, beginning of period | 24,820 | 44,904 | 16,392 | ||||
| New defaults | 35,996 | 32,624 | 85,074 | ||||
| Cures | (40,278) | (51,626) | (55,396) | ||||
| Claims paid | (574) | (1,050) | (1,148) | ||||
| Rescissions and claim denials | (21) | (32) | (18) | ||||
| Number of delinquencies, end of period | 19,943 | 24,820 | 44,904 |
The following table sets forth changes in our direct primary case loss reserves for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) (1) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss reserves, beginning of period | $ | 606,102 | $ | 516,863 | $ | 204,749 | ||||
| Claims paid | (28,123) | (32,816) | (52,389) | |||||||
| Increase in reserves | (98,636) | 122,055 | 364,503 | |||||||
| Loss reserves, end of period | $ | 479,343 | $ | 606,102 | $ | 516,863 |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The following tables set forth primary delinquencies, direct case reserves and RIF by aged missed payment status as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 8,920 | $ | 69 | $ | 509 | 14 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 6,466 | 166 | 390 | 43 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 4,557 | 244 | 248 | 98 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 19,943 | $ | 479 | $ | 1,147 | 42 | % |
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 6,586 | $ | 35 | $ | 340 | 10 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 7,360 | 111 | 426 | 26 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 10,874 | 460 | 643 | 72 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 24,820 | $ | 606 | $ | 1,409 | 43 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
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| December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 10,484 | $ | 43 | $ | 549 | 8 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 30,324 | 331 | 1,853 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 4,096 | 143 | 204 | 70 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 44,904 | $ | 517 | $ | 2,606 | 20 | % |
______________
(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The total reserves as a percentage of RIF as of December 31, 2022, compared to December 31, 2021, remained relatively flat in 2022. Delinquent RIF decreased mainly from lower total delinquencies as cures outpaced new delinquencies in 2022, while reserves decreased in the current year primarily from favorable reserve adjustments related to COVID-19 delinquencies from 2021 and 2020.
As of December 31, 2022, we have experienced a decrease in loans that are delinquent for 12 months or more. This number was elevated in 2021 in large part to borrowers entering a forbearance plan driven by COVID-19 and we saw cure activity within these delinquencies during 2022. Our current reserve estimate assumes that remaining COVID-19 delinquencies will have a higher likelihood of going to claim given the uncertainty around the lack of progression through the foreclosure process. While we have seen significant cure activity in aged delinquencies, continued forbearance options exist, so we could continue to experience elevated delinquencies in this aged category. Resolution of a delinquency in a forbearance plan, whether it ultimately results in a cure or a claim, is difficult to estimate and may not be known for several quarters, if not longer.
The ratio of the claim paid to the current risk in-force for a loan is referred to as “claim severity.” The current risk in-force is equal to the unpaid principal amount multiplied by the coverage percentage. The main determinants of claim severity are the age of the mortgage loan, the value of the underlying property, accrued interest on the loan, expenses advanced by the insured and foreclosure expenses. These amounts depend partly upon the time required to complete foreclosure, which varies depending upon state laws. Pre-foreclosure sales, acquisitions and other early workout and claim administration actions help to reduce overall claim severity. Our average primary mortgage insurance claim severity was 94%, 103% and 106% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The 2022 average claim severity was impacted by low claim volumes and lifetime home price appreciation. These figures do not include the effects of agreements on non-performing loans.
Primary insurance delinquency rates differ from region to region in the United States at any one time depending upon economic conditions and cyclical growth patterns. Delinquency rates are shown by region based upon the location of the underlying property, rather than the location of the lender. The table
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below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2022:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 12 | % | 10 | % | 2.09 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 7 | 2.12 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 8 | 8 | 2.54 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 13 | 2.95 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 2.54 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 2 | 1.78 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 3 | 1.79 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 3 | 1.59 | % | ||||
| Georgia | 3 | 3 | 2.23 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 3 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 42 | 1.94 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2021:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 11 | % | 12 | % | 3.17 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 7 | 9 | 2.97 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 12 | 3.80 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 3.09 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 2 | 1.87 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 2 | 2.31 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania (1) | 3 | 3 | 2.38 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 3 | 2.98 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 47 | 41 | 2.46 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2020:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By state: | ||||||||
| California | 11 | % | 11 | % | 6.20 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 5.82 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 7 | 10 | 6.92 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 5.21 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 11 | 6.92 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 2 | 2.93 | % | ||||
| Washington | 4 | 3 | 5.37 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania (1) | 4 | 3 | 4.11 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 4 | 2 | 3.84 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 3 | 2 | 4.54 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 42 | 4.32 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 4.86 | % |
______________
(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSA”) or Metro Divisions (“MD”) by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2022:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 5 | % | 2.84 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 1.83 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 3.75 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.42 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 1.85 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 2.60 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 1 | 1.86 | % | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.12 | % | ||||
| All other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 71 | 2.00 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % |
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2021:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 4 | % | 3.68 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 2.36 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 5.32 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.28 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.96 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.61 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 3.42 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 3 | 3.95 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 2.31 | % | ||||
| Nassau County, NY MD | 2 | 4 | 5.55 | % | ||||
| All other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 67 | 2.44 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % |
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2020:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 4 | % | 6.36 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 4.63 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 10.25 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 6.68 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 6.09 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 7.59 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 7.08 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 7.57 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 5.10 | % | ||||
| Seattle-Bellevue, WA MD | 2 | 2 | 6.33 | % | ||||
| All other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 70 | 4.43 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 4.86 | % |
The number of delinquencies often does not correlate directly with the number of claims received because delinquencies may cure. The rate at which delinquencies cure is influenced by borrowers’ financial resources and circumstances and regional economic differences. Whether a delinquency leads to a claim correlates highly with the borrower’s equity at the time of delinquency, as it influences the borrower’s willingness to continue to make payments, the borrower’s or the insured’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage loan, and the borrower’s financial ability to continue making payments. When we receive notice of a delinquency, we use our proprietary model to determine whether a delinquent loan is a candidate for a modification. When our model identifies such a candidate, our loan workout specialists prioritize cases for loss mitigation based upon the likelihood that the loan will result in a claim. Loss mitigation actions include loan modification, extension of credit to bring a loan current, foreclosure forbearance, pre-foreclosure sale and deed-in-lieu. These loss mitigation efforts often are an effective way to reduce our claim exposure and ultimate payouts.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2022:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 3 | % | 26 | % | 9.61 | % | 5.57 | % | |||
| 2009 to 2014 | 1 | 4 | 5.01 | % | 0.69 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | 3.61 | % | 0.71 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 3 | 6 | 3.17 | % | 0.81 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 3 | 7 | 3.78 | % | 1.01 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 3 | 9 | 4.63 | % | 1.18 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 7 | 11 | 2.71 | % | 0.93 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 22 | 17 | 1.47 | % | 0.92 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 32 | 14 | 1.20 | % | 1.06 | % | |||||
| 2022 | 25 | 3 | 0.54 | % | 0.52 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.08 | % | 4.26 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2021:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 3 | % | 24 | % | 10.54 | % | 5.59 | % | |||
| 2009 to 2013 | 1 | 2 | 5.54 | % | 0.74 | % | |||||
| 2014 | 1 | 3 | 5.51 | % | 0.99 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 2 | 5 | 4.24 | % | 1.04 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 4 | 8 | 3.69 | % | 1.16 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 4 | 10 | 4.78 | % | 1.56 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 4 | 13 | 5.93 | % | 1.88 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 10 | 19 | 3.89 | % | 1.68 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 31 | 14 | 1.50 | % | 1.14 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 40 | 2 | 0.37 | % | 0.36 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % | 4.42 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2020:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy year: | |||||||||||
| 2008 and prior | 5 | % | 28 | % | 13.68 | % | 5.66 | % | |||
| 2009 to 2013 | 2 | 2 | 5.44 | % | 0.91 | % | |||||
| 2014 | 2 | 3 | 6.06 | % | 1.57 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 4 | 5 | 5.66 | % | 1.97 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 8 | 9 | 5.46 | % | 2.49 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 8 | 12 | 6.51 | % | 3.34 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 8 | 14 | 7.70 | % | 4.01 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 19 | 19 | 5.60 | % | 3.93 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 44 | 8 | 1.09 | % | 1.04 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 4.86 | % | 4.86 | % |
______________
(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
Loss reserves in policy years 2008 and prior are outsized compared to their representation of RIF. The size of these policy years at origination, particularly 2005 through 2008, combined with the significant decline in home prices led to significant losses in policy years prior to 2009. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we will experience on these policy years, they have become a smaller percentage of our total mortgage insurance portfolio. The largest portion of loss reserves has shifted to newer book years in line with changes in RIF. As of December 31, 2022, our 2015 and newer policy years represented approximately 96% of our primary RIF and 70% of our total direct primary case reserves.
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is affected by factors described below, each of which in turn may be affected by current macroeconomic conditions as noted above in “—Trends and Conditions.” The investment portfolios of our insurance subsidiaries are directed by the Enact Investment Committee, a management-level committee, with Genworth serving as the investment manager. The investment portfolio of EHI is directed by a separate management-level EHI Investment Committee with a third-party investment manager. These parties, with oversight from our Board of Directors and our senior management team, are responsible for the execution of our investment strategy. Our investment portfolio is an important component of our consolidated financial results and represents our primary source of claims paying resources. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of a diverse mix of highly rated fixed income securities and is designed to achieve the following objectives:
•Meet policyholder obligations through maintenance of sufficient liquidity;
•Preserve capital;
•Generate investment income;
•Maximize statutory capital; and
•Increase value to our Parent and its stockholders, among other objectives.
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To achieve our portfolio objectives, our investment strategy focuses primarily on:
•Our business outlook, current and expected future investment conditions;
•Investments selection based on fundamental, research-driven strategies;
•Diversification across a mix of fixed income, low-volatility investments while actively pursuing strategies to enhance yield;
•Regular evaluation and optimization of our asset class mix;
•Continuous monitoring of investment quality, duration and liquidity;
•Regulatory capital requirements; and
•Restriction of investments correlated to the residential mortgage market.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale
The following table presents the fair value of our fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, agencies and GSEs | $ | 44,769 | 0.9 | % | $ | 58,408 | 1.1 | % | $ | 138,224 | 2.7 | % | ||||||||
| State and political subdivisions | 419,856 | 8.6 | 538,453 | 10.2 | 187,377 | 3.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. government | 9,349 | 0.2 | 22,416 | 0.4 | 31,031 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. corporate | 2,646,863 | 54.2 | 2,945,303 | 55.9 | 2,888,625 | 57.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. corporate | 652,844 | 13.4 | 666,594 | 12.7 | 607,669 | 12.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage-backed | 11,043 | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed | 1,100,036 | 22.5 | 1,035,165 | 19.7 | 1,193,670 | 23.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 4,884,760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,266,339 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,046,596 | 100.0 | % |
Our investment portfolio did not include any direct residential real estate or whole mortgage loans as of December 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. We have no derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 98%, 97% and 98% of our investment portfolio was rated investment grade, respectively. The following table presents the security ratings of our fixed maturity securities as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | 10 | % | 9 | % | 11 | % | ||
| AA | 16 | 17 | 13 | |||||
| A | 34 | 34 | 36 | |||||
| BBB | 38 | 37 | 38 | |||||
| BB & below | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below presents the effective duration and investment yield on our investments available-for-sale, excluding cash and cash equivalents:
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (in years) | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.4 | |||||
| Pre-tax yield (% of average investment portfolio assets) | 3.1 | % | 2.7 | % | 2.8 | % |
We manage credit risk by analyzing issuers, transaction structures and any associated collateral. We also manage credit risk through country, industry, sector and issuer diversification and prudent asset allocation practices.
We primarily mitigate interest rate risk by employing a buy and hold investment philosophy that seeks to match fixed income maturities with expected liability cash flows in modestly adverse economic scenarios.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 560,510 | $ | 572,110 | $ | 704,350 | ||||
| Investing activities | (220,255) | (398,782) | (1,136,912) | |||||||
| Financing activities | (252,308) | (200,294) | 300,298 | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 87,947 | $ | (26,966) | $ | (132,264) |
Our most significant source of operating cash flows is from premiums received from our insurance policies, while our most significant uses of operating cash flows are generally for claims paid on our insured policies and our operating expenses. Net cash from operating activities decreased largely due to lower premiums. Cash flows from operations were also impacted by changes in reserves, changes in unearned premium, stock-based compensation expense and amortization of discounts and premiums on fixed maturity securities.
Investing activities are primarily related to purchases, sales and maturities of our investment portfolio. We had cash outflows from investing activities in 2022 and 2021 as a result of continued fixed maturity security purchases driven by premium growth and lower losses paid. Outflows of cash in 2020 were primarily as a result of purchases of fixed maturity securities using the net proceeds from the December 2019 sale of our investment in Genworth Canada and our operating cash flows, partially offset by higher maturities and sales of our fixed maturity securities.
Financing activities in 2022 reflect dividends paid for the year including a regular quarterly dividend initiated in the second quarter of 2022 along with an additional special dividend paid in the fourth quarter of 2022. We also began our share repurchase program in the fourth quarter of 2022. Financing activities in 2021 included a $200 million dividend paid in the fourth quarter while 2020 includes $738 million net proceeds from the issuance of our 2025 Senior Notes, discussed below, partially offset by a $437 million dividend paid to our Parent from the net proceeds of the offering. The amount and timing of future dividends will depend on the prevailing economic and business conditions, among other factors as described below.
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Capital Resources and Financing Activities
We issued our 2025 Senior Notes in 2020 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 2025 Senior Notes mature on August 15, 2025. We may redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to February 15, 2025 at our option, by paying a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. At any time on or after February 15, 2025, we may redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2025 Senior Notes contain customary events of default, which subject to certain notice and cure conditions, can result in the acceleration of the principal and accrued interest on the outstanding 2025 Senior Notes if we breach the terms of the indenture.
Pursuant to the GSE Restrictions, we are required to retain $300 million of our holding company cash that can be drawn down exclusively for our debt service or to contribute to EMICO to meet its regulatory capital needs including PMIERs. As of December 31, 2022, the balance of the 2025 Senior Notes proceeds required to be held by our holding company was approximately $203 million. See “—Trends and Conditions” for additional information regarding the GSE Restrictions.
On June 30, 2022, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders that provides for a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. We may use borrowings under the Facility for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility contains several covenants, including financial covenants relating to minimum net worth, capital and liquidity levels, maximum debt to capitalization level and PMIERS compliance. We are in compliance with all covenants of the Facility and the Facility remained undrawn as of December 31, 2022.
Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
The ability of our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and distributions to us is restricted by certain provisions of North Carolina insurance laws. Our insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends only from unassigned surplus; payments made from sources other than unassigned surplus, such as paid-in and contributed surplus, are categorized as distributions. Notice of all dividends must be submitted to the Commissioner of the NCDOI (the “Commissioner”) within 5 business days after declaration of the dividend or distribution, and at least 30 days before payment thereof. No dividend may be paid until 30 days after the Commissioner has received notice of the declaration thereof and (i) has not within that period disapproved the payment or (ii) has approved the payment within the 30-day period. Any distribution, regardless of amount, requires that same 30-day notice to the Commissioner, but also requires the Commissioner’s affirmative approval before being paid. Based on our estimated statutory results and in accordance with applicable dividend restrictions, our insurance subsidiaries have the capacity to pay dividends of $292 million from unassigned surplus as of December 31, 2022, with 30-day advance notice to the Commissioner of the intent to pay. In addition to dividends and distributions, alternative mechanisms, such as share repurchases, subject to any requisite regulatory approvals, may be utilized from time to time to upstream surplus.
Another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Prior to the satisfaction of the GSE Conditions, the GSE Restrictions also required EMICO to maintain 120% of PMIERs Minimum Required Assets through 2022, and 125% thereafter. In addition, under PMIERs, EMICO is subject to other operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs. Refer to “—Trends and Conditions” for recent updates related to these requirements.
In addition, we review multiple other considerations in parallel to determine a prospective dividend strategy for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries. Given the regulatory focus on the
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reasonableness of an insurer’s surplus in relation to its outstanding liabilities and the adequacy of its surplus relative to its financial needs for any dividend, our insurance subsidiaries consider the minimum amount of policyholder surplus after giving effect to any contemplated future dividends. Regulatory minimum policyholder surplus is not codified in North Carolina law and limitations may vary based on prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to, the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. We estimate regulators would require a minimum policyholder surplus of approximately $300 million to meet their threshold standard. Given (i) we are subject to statutory accounting requirements that establish a contingency reserve of at least 50% of net earned premiums annually for ten years, after which time it is released into policyholder surplus and (ii) that no material 10-year contingency reserve releases are scheduled before 2024, we expect modest growth in policyholder surplus through 2024. As a result, minimum policyholder surplus could be a limitation on the future dividends of our regulated operating subsidiaries.
As mentioned above, another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Under PMIERs, EMICO is subject to operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.
Our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries are also subject to statutory RTC requirements that affect the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries. EMICO’s domiciliary regulator, the NCDOI, requires the maintenance of a statutory RTC ratio not to exceed 25:1. See “—Risk-to-Capital Ratio” for additional RTC trend analysis.
We consider potential future dividends compared to the prior year statutory net income in the evaluation of dividend strategies for our regulated operating subsidiaries. We also consider the dividend payout ratio, or the ratio of potential future dividends compared to the estimated U.S. GAAP net income, in the evaluation of our dividend strategies. In either case, we do not have prescribed target or maximum thresholds, but we do evaluate the reasonableness of a potential dividend relative to the actual or estimated income generated in the proceeding or preceding calendar year after giving consideration to prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. In addition, the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries are made in consultation with our Parent.
EMICO completed distributions of approximately $242 million to EHI in both April and October of 2022 that supported our ability to pay cash dividends. We intend to use future EMICO distributions to fund the quarterly dividend as well as to bolster our financial flexibility at EHI and return additional capital to shareholders.
The credit agreement entered into in connection with the Facility contains customary restrictions on EHI’s ability to pay cash dividends. Under the credit agreement, EHI is permitted to make cash distributions (1) so long as no Default or Event of Default (as each are defined in the credit agreement) has occurred and is continuing and EHI is in pro forma compliance with its financial covenants as described below at the time of and after giving effect to such payment, (2) within 60 days of declaration of any cash dividend so long as the payment was permitted under the credit agreement at the time of such declaration and (3) other customary exceptions as more fully set forth in the credit agreement.
The credit agreement requires EHI to maintain the following financial covenants: a minimum consolidated net worth equal to the sum of (i) 72.5% of EHI’s consolidated net worth as of June 30, 2022 (“the Closing Date”), (ii) 50% of EHI’s positive consolidated net income for each fiscal quarter after the Closing Date and (iii) 50% of any increase in EHI’s consolidated net worth after the Closing Date resulting from equity issuances or capital contributions; in respect of EMICO, a minimum total adjusted capital amount equal to 72.5% of EMICO’s total adjusted capital as of the Closing Date; a maximum debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 0.35 to 1.00; a minimum liquidity level of $25,000,000; and compliance with all applicable financial requirements under the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements published by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association. For
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purposes of determining EHI’s compliance with the foregoing financial covenants, the consolidated net worth metric, total adjusted capital metric, debt-to-capitalization ratio and liquidity metric (including, in each case, any component thereof) are each calculated as set forth in the credit agreement.
In addition to the restrictions described above, all dividends from EHI are subject to Parent consent and EHI Board of Directors approval.
Risk-to-Capital Ratio
We compute our RTC ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The RTC ratio is net RIF divided by policyholders’ surplus plus statutory contingency reserve. Our net RIF represents RIF, net of reinsurance ceded, and excludes risk on policies that are currently delinquent and for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet.
Certain states have insurance laws or regulations that require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital (including the statutory contingency reserve) relative to its level of RIF in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. While formulations of minimum capital vary in certain states, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our combined insurance subsidiaries as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 1,136 | $ | 1,397 | $ | 1,555 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 3,551 | 3,042 | 2,518 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 4,687 | $ | 4,439 | $ | 4,073 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 60,061 | $ | 54,201 | $ | 49,104 | ||||
| Combined risk-to-capital ratio | 12.8 | 12.2 | 12.1 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating combined statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our principal insurance company, EMICO, as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 1,084 | $ | 1,346 | $ | 1,475 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 3,548 | 3,041 | 2,518 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 4,632 | $ | 4,387 | $ | 3,993 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 59,663 | $ | 54,033 | $ | 49,021 | ||||
| EMICO risk-to-capital ratio | 12.9 | 12.3 | 12.3 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating EMICO statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2022, we maintained liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents of $514 million compared to $426 million as of December 31, 2021, and we also held significant levels of
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investment-grade fixed maturity securities that can be monetized should our cash and cash equivalents be insufficient to meet our obligations. On August 21, 2020, we issued the 2025 Senior Notes. The GSE Restrictions require us to retain $300 million of the net proceeds in our holding company cash that can be drawn down exclusively for our debt service or to contribute to EMICO to meet its regulatory capital needs including PMIERs, until the GSE Conditions are satisfied. We distributed $437 million of the net proceeds to Genworth Holdings at the closing of the offering of our 2025 Senior Notes. The 2025 Senior Notes were issued to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in a private offering exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside of the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2022, the balance of the 2025 Senior Notes proceeds required to be held by our holding company was approximately $203 million.
Additionally, on June 30, 2022, we entered into a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders in the initial aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The Facility may be used for working capital needs and general corporate purposes, including the execution of dividends to our shareholders and capital contributions to our insurance subsidiaries. The Facility remains undrawn as of December 31, 2022.
The principal sources of liquidity in our business currently include insurance premiums, net investment income and cash flows from investment sales and maturities. We believe that the operating cash flows generated by our mortgage insurance subsidiary will provide the funds necessary to satisfy our claim payments, operating expenses and taxes in both the short-term and long-term. However, our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory and other capital restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. The net proceeds of the 2025 Senior Notes offering retained by EHI comprise substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents held directly by EHI and initially available to pay interest on the 2025 Senior Notes. To the extent the net proceeds retained from the offering is used to provide capital support to EMICO, the GSEs and the NCDOI may seek to prevent EMICO from returning that capital to EHI in the form of a dividend, distribution or an intercompany loan. We currently have no material financing commitments, such as drawn lines of credit or guarantees, that are expected to affect our liquidity over the next five years, other than the 2025 Senior Notes.
Financial Strength Ratings
Ratings with respect to the financial strength of operating subsidiaries are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings are important to maintaining public confidence in us and our ability to market our products. Rating organizations review the financial performance and condition of most insurers and provide opinions regarding financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders.
The financial strength ratings of our operating companies are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to our stockholders. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to us from any future disruptions in the credit markets or downgrades by one or more of the rating agencies of the financial strength ratings of our insurance company subsidiaries and/or the credit ratings of our holding company as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing economic uncertainty or otherwise. We also cannot predict the impact on our ratings or future ratings of actions taken with respect to our Parent.
The following EMICO financial strength ratings have been independently assigned by third-party rating organizations and represent our current ratings, which are subject to change.
| Name of Agency | Rating | Outlook | Change | Date of Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. | Baa1 | Stable | Upgrade | July 21, 2022 |
| Fitch Ratings, Inc. | BBB+ | Stable | Affirmed | April 27, 2022 |
| S&P Global Ratings | BBB+ | Stable | Upgrade | February 16, 2023 |
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into agreements and other relationships with third parties in the ordinary course of our operations. However, we do not believe that our cash flow requirements can be assessed based upon this analysis of these obligations, as the funding of these future cash obligations will be from future cash flows from premiums and investment income. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon our future needs. Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. An example of obligations that are fixed include future lease payments. An example of obligations that will vary include insurance liabilities that depend on losses incurred. Refer to Note 7 and Note 12 of our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of borrowings and commitments in contingencies, respectively.
We continue to hold reserves as of December 31, 2022, related to delinquencies from borrower forbearance programs due to COVID-19. We have seen COVID-19-related delinquencies cure above expectations, but reserves recorded related to borrower forbearance have a high degree of estimation. Therefore, it is possible we could have higher contractual obligations related to these loss reserves if they do not perform as we expect. Refer to Note 5 in our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of our loss reserves.
Refer to Note 2 in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, for a discussion of recently adopted and not yet adopted accounting standards.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001823529-22-000038.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 included in Item 8 of this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations, all of which may be exacerbated by COVID-19 and related developments. For factors that could cause such differences refer to the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” 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. Future results could differ significantly from the historical results presented in this section. References to EHI, the “Company,” “we” or “our” herein are, unless the context otherwise requires, to EHI on a consolidated basis.
Overview of Business
We are a leading private mortgage insurance company, having served the United States housing finance market since 1981, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mortgage insurance products provide credit protection to mortgage lenders, covering a portion of the unpaid principal balance of Low-Down Payment Loans in the event of a default. We believe we have built a leading platform based on long-tenured customer relationships, underwriting excellence and prudent risk and capital management practices. Our business objective is to leverage our competitive strengths to drive market share, maintain our strong capitalization and strong earnings profile and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders.
We generate revenues by providing mortgage credit protection to our customers in exchange for premiums, which we set based on our evaluation of the underlying risk we insure. Once the premium rate is established and coverage is activated, the premium rate remains unchanged for the first ten years of the policy; thereafter the premium rate resets to a lower rate used for the remaining life of the policy. In general, we can only cancel coverage for a failure to pay premiums or at servicer direction when the borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity. Our premium rate is applied predominantly to the original loan balance to determine either a monthly payment that the lender adds to the borrower’s monthly loan payment or a single upfront payment made by either the borrower or lender at loan closing. The amount of premiums earned from our insurance portfolio and the timing of premium recognition are also affected by persistency, which we measure as the percentage of loans that remain on our books based on the annualized cancellations for the period.
We also employ a CRT program to transfer a portion of our risk through both traditional XOL reinsurance arrangements and the issuance of MILNs. In exchange, we cede a negotiated amount of our premiums to the reinsurers and MILN investors that participate in our CRT transactions. Our net premiums earned (i.e., materially, the gross premiums charged less premiums ceded as part of our CRT program) represent the largest source of our revenues. Importantly, our CRT program helps to de-risk our operating model and spread the risk of loss across our counterparties while also providing capital relief.
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We also invest our premiums in high quality, predominantly fixed income assets with the primary business objectives of preserving capital, generating investment income and maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover our operating expenses and pay future claims. The investment income generated through our investment portfolio is another significant source of our revenues.
We generate profits through collection of premiums less losses, operating expenses, interest expense and taxes. Our mortgage insurance coverage protects lenders against loss in the event of a borrower default by covering a portion of the outstanding principal balance of a loan. In the event of a borrower default, our coverage reduces and, in certain instances eliminates, losses to the insured by transferring the covered portion of the economic loss to us. Borrower defaults are first reported to us as new delinquencies when the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments. Incurred losses are our estimate of future claims on these new delinquencies as well as any change in the prior estimates for previously existing delinquencies. In addition, incurred losses include estimates of future claims on incurred-but-not-reported (“IBNR”) delinquencies. Our incurred losses are based on estimates of both the rate at which delinquencies will go to claim (i.e., claim rate) and the ultimate claim amount (i.e., claim severity). Claim frequency and severity estimates are established based on historical experience focusing on certain delinquency and loan attributes that influence the probability and amount of ultimate claim. Our estimates of ultimate claim amounts for each delinquency include loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) that are costs incurred in the settlement of the claim process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Incurred losses are generally affected by macroeconomic conditions, borrower credit quality, certain loan attributes, underwriting quality and our loss mitigation efforts among other factors detailed below.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results
Our financial position and results of operations depend to a significant extent on the following factors, each of which may be affected by COVID-19 as noted below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
Mortgage Origination Volume
The level of mortgage origination volume is a key driver of our future revenues. The overall mortgage origination market is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the rate of economic growth, the unemployment rate, interest rates, home affordability, household savings rates, the inventory of unsold homes, demographics of potential homebuyers and credit availability. The mortgage origination market is also influenced by various legislative and regulatory actions and GSE programs and policies that impact the housing and mortgage finance industries.
Penetration
The penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is mainly influenced by the competitiveness of private mortgage insurance compared to alternative products for Low-Down Payment Loans provided by government agencies (principally the FHA and the VA), portfolio lenders that self-insure, reinsurers and capital market transactions designed to mitigate risk. In addition, the private mortgage insurance industry’s penetration rate is driven by the relative percentage of purchase mortgage originations versus refinances. Private mortgage insurance penetration tends to be significantly higher on new mortgages for purchased homes than on the refinance of existing mortgages, because average LTV ratios are typically higher on home purchases and therefore are more likely to require mortgage insurance. Lastly, we believe the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance is influenced by other factors, including lender preference, FHA competitiveness and risk appetite, loan limits, contractual terms including cancellability and loss mitigation practices.
Credit and Regulatory Environment
The level of private mortgage insurance market penetration (“market penetration”) and eventual market size is affected in part by actions taken by the GSEs and the United States government, including the FHA, the FHFA and Congress, that impact housing or housing finance policy. In the past, these
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actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees and loan limits, as well as low-down payment programs available through the FHA or GSEs.
Competition and Market Share
Competitors include other private mortgage insurers that are eligible to write business for the GSEs. We compete with other private mortgage insurers based on pricing, underwriting guidelines, customer relationships, service levels, policy terms, loss mitigation practices, perceived financial strength (including comparative credit ratings), reputation, strength of management, product features and technology ease-of-use. We also compete with governmental agencies (principally the FHA and the VA) primarily based on price and underwriting guidelines.
Pricing is highly competitive in the mortgage insurance industry, with industry participants competing for market share, customer relationships and overall value. Recent pricing trends have introduced an increasing number of loan, borrower, lender and property attributes, resulting in expanded granularity in pricing regimes and a shift from traditional published rate cards to dynamic pricing engines that better align price and risk. Our proprietary risk-based pricing engine evaluates returns and volatility under both the PMIERs capital framework and our internal economic capital framework, which is sensitive to economic cycles and current housing market conditions. The model assesses the performance of new business under expected and stress scenarios on an individualized loan basis, which is used to determine pricing and inform our risk selection strategy that optimizes economic value by balancing return and volatility.
Seasonality
Consistent with the seasonality of home sales, purchase mortgage origination volumes typically increase in late spring and peak during summer months, leading to a rise in NIW volume during the second and third quarters of a given year. Refinancing volume, however, does not follow a similar seasonal trend and instead is primarily influenced by interest rates, which can overwhelm typical seasonal trends. Delinquency performance (new delinquency formation and cure behavior) is generally favorable in the first and second quarters of the year. Therefore, we typically experience lower levels of losses resulting from favorable delinquency activity in the first and second quarters, as typically compared to the third and fourth quarters. As the COVID-19 pandemic and United States housing market continue to evolve, we may see varying levels of delinquencies and cures from period to period.
The following table presents our NIW, number of cures and new delinquencies for primary policies, excluding our run-off insurance block with reference properties in Mexico, for the periods indicated:
| Seasonality | Three months ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in Millions) | Mar 31, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Dec 31, 2020 | Mar 31, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Sep.30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |||||||
| NIW | $17,908 | $28,396 | $26,550 | $27,017 | $24,934 | $26,657 | $23,972 | $21,441 | |||||||
| % Change | (1.4)% | 58.6% | (6.5)% | 1.8% | (7.7)% | 6.9% | (10.1)% | (10.6)% | |||||||
| Cure Counts | 8,649 | 9,795 | 20,404 | 16,548 | 13,478 | 14,473 | 11,746 | 11,929 | |||||||
| % Change | 15.9% | 13.3% | 108.3% | (18.9)% | (18.6)% | 7.4% | (18.8)% | 1.6% | |||||||
| New Delinquency Count | 8,114 | 48,373 | 16,664 | 11,923 | 10,053 | 6,862 | 7,427 | 8,282 | |||||||
| % Change | (6.3)% | 496.2% | (65.6)% | (28.5)% | (15.7)% | (31.7)% | 8.2% | 11.5% |
NIW
NIW occurs when a lender activates mortgage insurance coverage on a closed mortgage loan. NIW increases our IIF, premiums written and premiums earned. NIW is affected by the overall size of the mortgage origination market, the penetration rate of private mortgage insurance into the overall mortgage origination market and our market share of the private mortgage insurance market.
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Pricing
Our pricing strategy is designed to charge premium rates commensurate with the underlying risk of each loan we insure. Our proprietary platform provides us with a more flexible, granular and analytical approach to selecting and pricing risk. Using our platform, we can quickly change price to modify our risk selection levels, respond to industry pricing trends or adjust to changing economic conditions. We believe that our platform, powered by our proprietary risk model and our understanding of mortgage risk volatility, provides us with a highly sophisticated pricing regime that improves our risk selection and is designed to yield attractive risk adjusted returns through credit cycles.
IIF
IIF at the time of origination is used to determine premiums as the premium rate is expressed as a percentage of IIF. IIF is one of the primary drivers of our future earned premium. Based on the composition of our insurance portfolio, with monthly premium policies comprising a larger proportion of our total portfolio than single premium policies, an increase or decrease in IIF generally has a corresponding impact on premiums earned. Cancellations of our insurance policies as a result of prepayments and other reductions of IIF, such as rescissions of coverage and claims paid, generally have a negative effect on premiums earned.
Persistency Rate and Business Mix
The percentage of IIF that remains insured by us after taking into account annualized cancellations for the period presented is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher or lower persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability.
Loan prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Assuming all other factors remain constant over the life of the policies, prepayment speeds have an inverse impact on IIF and the expected premium from our monthly policies. Slower prepayment speeds, demonstrated by a higher persistency rate, result in IIF remaining in place, providing increased premium from monthly policies over time as premium payments continue. Earlier than anticipated prepayments, demonstrated by a lower persistency rate, reduce IIF and the premium from our monthly policies.
The following table presents the weighted average mortgage interest rate on outstanding primary IIF as of December 31, 2021, excluding our run-off business. Prepayment speeds may be affected by changes in interest rates, among other factors. An increasing interest rate environment generally will reduce refinancing activity and result in lower prepayments. A declining interest rate environment generally will increase refinancing activity and increase prepayments.
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| Policy Year | Weightedaveragerate (1) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 and prior | 6.20 | % | |
| 2005 to 2008 | 5.58 | % | |
| 2009 to 2013 | 4.32 | % | |
| 2014 | 4.49 | % | |
| 2015 | 4.17 | % | |
| 2016 | 3.89 | % | |
| 2017 | 4.26 | % | |
| 2018 | 4.78 | % | |
| 2019 | 4.20 | % | |
| 2020 | 3.23 | % | |
| 2021 | 3.08 | % | |
| Total portfolio | 3.52 | % |
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(1)Average Annual Mortgage Interest Rate weighted by IIF.
In contrast to monthly premium policies, when single premium policies are cancelled by the insured because the loan has been paid off or otherwise, any remaining unearned premiums are earned at cancellation. Although these cancellations reduce IIF, assuming all other factors remain constant, the profitability of our single premium business increases when persistency rates are lower. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, single premium policies comprised 13% and 15% of primary IIF, respectively.
Credit Quality
Improved analytics, stronger loan manufacturing quality controls and the regulatory implementation of the QM Rule have resulted in a significant improvement in the credit quality for loans originated in the private mortgage insurance market over time. Additionally, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards over the past decade, with average FICO scores for NIW persisting at levels significantly above historical averages. As a result, the industry is insuring loans from borrowers who should be better positioned to meet their mortgage obligations. More recently, in response to FTHB demand, there has been modest credit expansion that accommodates LTV over 95% and higher DTI ratios. Even after this expansion, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs have maintained strong credit standards well above historical norms.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is determined primarily by the invested assets held and the average yield on our overall investment portfolio.
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on such factors as market opportunities, our capital profile and overall market cycles that impact the timing of selling securities.
Losses Incurred
Losses incurred represent current payments and changes in the estimated future payments on claims that result from delinquent loans. We estimate an expense only for delinquent loans as explained in Note
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2 to our consolidated financial statements. Incurred losses depend to a significant extent on the following factors, each of which in turn may be affected by COVID-19 as noted below in “—Trends and Conditions.”
•deterioration of regional or national economic conditions leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments;
•legislative, regulatory, FHFA or GSE action, or executive orders permitting or mandating forbearance or a moratorium on foreclosures or evictions due to events such as natural disasters or COVID-19;
•a drop in housing values that could expose us to greater loss on resale of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings and an adverse change in the effectiveness of loss mitigation actions that could result in an increase in the frequency of expected claim rates;
•a drop in housing values that negatively impacts a borrower’s willingness to continue mortgage payments, potentially leading to higher delinquencies and ultimately claims;
•if the foreclosure occurs in a state that imposes judicial process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed, which impacts severity of the claim;
•the credit characteristics in our in-force portfolio, as loans with higher risk characteristics generally result in more delinquencies and claims;
•the size of loans we insure, as loans with relatively higher average loan amounts generally result in higher incurred losses;
•the coverage percentage on insured loans, as loans with higher percentages of insurance coverage generally correlate with higher incurred losses;
•the level and amount of reinsurance coverage maintained with third parties; and
•the distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after origination have relatively low claims, with claims increasing for several years subsequently and then declining. However, persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices and other factors can affect this pattern.
Credit Risk Transfer
We use CRT transactions to transfer a portion of our risk to third parties, through both traditional XOL reinsurance and the issuance of MILNs. Our CRT program reduces the volatility of our in-force portfolio and provides capital relief under PMIERs. When we enter into a CRT transaction, the reinsurer receives a premium and, in exchange, insures an agreed upon portion of incurred losses. These arrangements have the impact of reducing our earned premiums but also provide capital relief under PMIERs in exchange for a negotiated ceded premium rate. Under certain stress scenarios, our incurred losses are also reduced by any incurred losses ceded in accordance with our reinsurance agreements.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include costs related to the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of our insurance contracts, including sales, underwriting and general operating costs. Acquisition expenses are influenced by the amount of our NIW. Acquisition costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new insurance policies, such as underwriting expenses, are deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying insurance policies. These deferred acquisition costs are referred to as “DAC.” The ongoing maintenance expenses of our insurance contracts are generally fixed in nature and include costs such as information technology, finance and legal, among others, including costs allocated from our Parent for certain activities on our behalf. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements regarding our related party transactions.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting estimates (including sensitivities) discussed in this section are those that we consider to be particularly critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on our ability to judge the effect of inherently uncertain matters on our financial results. The sensitivities included in this section involve matters that are also inherently uncertain and involve the exercise of significant judgment in selecting the factors and amounts used in the sensitivities. Small changes in the amounts used in the sensitivities or the use of different factors could result in materially different outcomes from those reflected in the sensitivities. For all of these accounting estimates, we caution that future events seldom develop as estimated and management’s best estimates often require adjustment.
Loss Reserves
Loss reserves represents the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the end of the respective reporting period. The estimated liability includes requirements for future payments of: (a) losses that have been reported to the insurer; (b) losses related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated; and (c) loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). Loss adjustment expenses include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees and costs to record, process and adjust claims. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not in default or believed to be in default.
Estimates and actuarial assumptions used for establishing loss reserves involve the exercise of significant judgment, and changes in assumptions or deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have material impacts on our loss reserves and net income (loss). Because these assumptions relate to factors that are not known in advance, change over time, are difficult to accurately predict and are inherently uncertain, we cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. The sources of uncertainty affecting the estimates are numerous and include factors internal and external to us. Internal factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the mix of exposures, loss mitigation activities and claim settlement practices. Significant external influences include changes in home prices, unemployment, government housing policies, state foreclosure timeline, general economic conditions, interest rates, tax policy, credit availability and mortgage products. Small changes in assumptions or small deviations of actual experience from assumptions can have, and in the past have had, material impacts on our reserves, results of operations and financial condition.
We establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and 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. The estimates are determined using a factor-based approach, in which assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim are calculated using traditional actuarial techniques. Over time, as the status of the underlying delinquent loans moves toward foreclosure and the likelihood of the associated claim loss increases, the amount of the loss reserves associated with the potential claims may also increase.
Management monitors actual experience, and where circumstances warrant, will revise its assumptions. Our liability for loss reserves is reviewed regularly, with changes in our estimates of future claims recorded through net income. Estimation of losses are based on historical claim and cure experience and covered exposures and is inherently judgmental. Future developments may result in losses greater or less than the liability for loss reserves provided.
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Loss reserves as of December 31, 2021, were $641 million, an increase of $86 million since December 31, 2020. In considering the potential sensitivity of the factors underlying management’s best estimate of our loss reserve, it is possible that even a relatively small change in the estimated claim and severity rates could have a significant impact on loss reserves and, correspondingly, on results of operations. For example, based on our actual experience during the three-year period immediately preceding December 31, 2021, a change of 6 percentage points, or 16%, in the average claim rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $95 million. Likewise, a change of 4 percentage points, or a change of 4%, in the average severity rate would change the gross loss reserve amount for such quarter by approximately $24 million.
Investments
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Securities
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities was valued at $5,266 million as of December 31, 2021, an increase of $220 million from December 31, 2020.
The methodologies, estimates and assumptions used in valuing our fixed maturity securities evolve over time and are subject to different interpretations, all of which can lead to materially different estimates of fair value. Additionally, because the valuation is based on market conditions at a specific point in time, the period-to-period changes in fair value may vary significantly due to changing interest rates, external macroeconomic and credit market conditions. For example, widening credit spreads will generally result in a decrease, while tightening of credit spreads will generally result in an increase, in the fair value of our fixed maturity securities. As well, during periods of increasing interest rates, the market values of lower-yielding assets will decline. See “Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Sensitivity Analysis—Interest Rate Risk” for the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on our investments portfolio.
Our portfolio of fixed maturity securities comprises primarily investment grade securities, which are carried at fair value. Estimates of fair values for fixed maturity securities are obtained primarily from industry-standard pricing methodologies utilizing market observable inputs. For our less liquid securities, such as our privately placed securities, we utilize independent market data to employ alternative valuation methods commonly used in the financial services industry to estimate fair value. Based on the market observability of the inputs used in estimating the fair value, the pricing level is assigned.
See Notes 2, 3 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the valuation of fixed maturity securities and a description of the fair value measurement estimates and level assignments.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-For-Sale Securities
As of each balance sheet date, we evaluate fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for changes to the allowance for credit losses. Determining the value of the unrealized losses is dependent on the same methodologies and assumptions used in our valuation of fixed maturity securities. We also consider all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, when developing the estimate of cash flows expected to be collected. There is no recorded allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2021.
See Note 2 and 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the allowance for credit losses on fixed maturity securities.
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate
Prior to December 12, 2019, we held 14.1 million, or approximately 16.4%, of the outstanding common shares of Genworth MI Canada Inc. (“Genworth Canada”), a publicly traded company on the
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Toronto Stock Exchange. We concluded that we had significant influence over Genworth Canada primarily due to board representation, and therefore, classified our investment in Genworth Canada as an equity method investment.
We elected to account for the investment in Genworth Canada under the fair value option because the investment had a readily determinable fair value. Accordingly, the investment was recorded at fair value, and changes in the fair value of the investment for each reporting period were recorded in the consolidated statements of income. The change in fair value of the investment in Genworth Canada, including dividends and the sale of common shares, was $127.4 million in 2019 and was included within change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate in the consolidated statements of income, net of provision for income taxes of $12.1 million in 2019.
On December 12, 2019, we completed the sale of our investment in Genworth Canada to an affiliate of Brookfield Business Partners L.P. and received approximately $501.8 million in net cash proceeds.
Revenue Recognition
The majority of our insurance contracts have recurring monthly premiums. We recognize recurring premiums over the terms of the related insurance policy on a pro-rata basis. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the policy life. A portion of the revenue from single premium policies is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies are cancelled and the premium is non-refundable, then the remaining unearned premium related to each cancelled policy is recognized to earned premiums upon notification of the cancellation. For borrower-paid mortgage insurance, coverage ceases at the earlier of prepayment, or when the original principal is amortized to a 78% loan-to-value ratio in accordance with the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998. Variation in cancellation rates and projected losses are inputs into our premium recognition models, causing uncertainty within our estimates.
We periodically review our premium earnings recognition models with any adjustments to the estimates reflected as a cumulative adjustment on a retrospective basis in current period net income. These reviews include the consideration of recent and projected loss and policy cancellation experience, and adjustments to the estimated earnings patterns are made, if warranted. In 2019, the review resulted in an increase in earned premiums of $13.7 million.
Unearned premium was $246 million as of December 31, 2021, a decrease of $61 million compared to December 31, 2020. Changes in market conditions could cause a decline in mortgage originations, mortgage insurance penetration rates, persistency and our market share, all of which could impact new insurance written. For example, a decline in primary new insurance written of $1.0 billion would result in a reduction in earned premiums of approximately $4 million in the first full year. Likewise, if primary persistency rates declined on our existing insurance in-force by 10%, earned premiums would decline by approximately $88 million during the first full year, partially offset by higher policy cancellations in our single premium products. These reductions in earned premiums could be potentially offset by lower reserves due to policies no longer being in-force.
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Trends and Conditions
The United States economy and consumer confidence continued to improve during 2021. The unemployment rate has continued to decrease since the beginning of the pandemic and was 3.9% in December 2021. While this is elevated compared to the pre-pandemic level of 3.5% in February 2020, it has steadily decreased from a peak of 14.8% in April 2020. Even after the continued recovery in 2021, the number of unemployed Americans stands at approximately 6.3 million, which is 0.6 million higher than in February 2020. Among the unemployed, those on temporary layoff continued to decrease to 0.8 million from a peak of 18 million in April 2020, and the number of permanent job losses decreased to approximately 1.7 million. In addition, the number of long term unemployed over 26 weeks has continued to decrease since March 2021, falling to approximately 2.0 million in December 2021.
Mortgage origination activity remained robust, fueled by strong home sales and refinancing, and home prices continued to climb, increasing our average loan amount on new insurance written to $305 thousand for 2021 from $276 thousand for the year. Interest rates remained low throughout 2021, but they ended the year slightly higher than 2020. Housing affordability declined as of November 2021 compared to one year ago due to rising home prices modestly offset by the low interest rate environment and rising median family income according to the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index, but it remains above a level that a family with a median income can afford a median-priced home.
FHFA and the GSEs are focused on increasing the accessibility and affordability of homeownership, in particular for low- and moderate-income borrowers and underserved minority communities. Among other things, FHFA directed the GSEs to submit Equitable Housing Plans by the end of 2021 to identify and address barriers to sustainable housing opportunities to advance equity in housing finance. Any new practices or programs subsequently implemented under the GSEs’ Equitable Housing Plans or other affordability initiatives may impact the fees, underwriting and servicing standards on mortgage loans purchased by the GSEs.
In January 2022, the FHFA introduced new upfront fees for some high-balance and second-home loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Upfront fees for high balance loans will increase between 0.25% and 0.75%, tiered by loan-to-value ratio. For second home loans, the upfront fees will increase between 1.125% and 3.875%, also tiered by loan-to-value ratio. The new pricing framework will take effect April 1, 2022. We do not anticipate this will significantly impact the mortgage insurance market or our growth projections.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act requires mortgage servicers to provide up to 180 days of forbearance for borrowers with a federally backed mortgage loan who assert they have experienced a financial hardship related to COVID-19. Forbearance may be extended for an additional 180 days up to a year in total or shortened at the request of the borrower. In addition, on February 25, 2021, the FHFA announced that borrowers with a mortgage backed by the GSEs who are in an active COVID-19 forbearance plan as of February 28, 2021, may request up to two additional forbearance extensions for a maximum of 18 months of total forbearance relief. In addition, the CARES Act provides that furnishers of credit reporting information, including servicers, should continue to report a loan as current to credit reporting agencies if the loan is subject to a payment accommodation, such as forbearance, so long as the borrower abides by the terms of the accommodation. Servicer reported forbearance slowed meaningfully beginning in June 2020 and ended 2021 with approximately 2.3% or 21,899 of our active primary policies reported in a forbearance plan, of which approximately 47% were reported as delinquent. It is difficult to predict the future level of reported forbearance and how many of the policies in a forbearance plan that remain current on their monthly mortgage payment will go delinquent.
The foreclosure moratorium for mortgages that are purchased by the GSEs expired on July 31, 2021. However, on June 28, 2021 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued a final rule to amend Regulation X of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act effective August 31, 2021, to assist mortgage borrowers affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The final rule establishes temporary
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procedural changes that require a loss mitigation review prior to a servicer’s first notice or foreclosure filing on certain mortgages. On June 29, 2021, the FHFA announced that servicers were immediately prohibited from making a first notice or foreclosure filing for mortgages backed by the GSEs before they were formally prohibited by the CFPB Regulation X Final Rule that took effect on August 31, 2021. These announcements generally prohibited servicers from starting foreclosures on mortgages purchased by the GSEs until after December 31, 2021.
The pandemic continued to affect our financial results in 2021 but to a lesser extent than in 2020 as we experienced elevated, but declining, servicer reported forbearance. New delinquencies decreased during 2021, and the annual new delinquency rate of 3.5% in 2021 was consistent with pre-pandemic levels.
Despite continued economic recovery through 2021, the full impact of COVID-19 and its ancillary economic effects on our future business results are difficult to predict. Given the maximum length of forbearance plans, the resolution of a delinquency in a plan may not be known for several quarters. While we continue to monitor regulatory and government actions and the resolution of forbearance delinquencies, it is possible the pandemic could have a significant adverse impact on our future results of operations and financial condition.
Private mortgage insurance market penetration (“market penetration”) and eventual market size are affected in part by actions that impact housing or housing finance policy taken by the GSEs and the U.S. government, including but not limited to, the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and the FHFA. In the past, these actions have included announced changes, or potential changes, to underwriting standards, including changes to the GSEs’ automated underwriting systems, FHA pricing, GSE guaranty fees, loan limits and alternative products. On December 17, 2020, the FHFA published the Enterprise Capital Framework, which includes significantly higher regulatory capital requirements for the GSEs over current requirements. However, on September 15, 2021, the FHFA announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the Enterprise Capital Framework, including technical corrections to provisions that were published on December 17, 2020. Higher GSE capital requirements could ultimately lead to increased costs to borrowers of GSE loans, which in turn could shift the market away from the GSEs to the FHA or lender portfolios. Such a shift could result in a smaller market for private mortgage insurance. In conjunction with preparing to release the GSEs from conservatorship, on January 14, 2021, the FHFA and the Treasury Department agreed to amend the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (“PSPAs”) between the Treasury Department and each of the GSEs to increase the amount of capital each GSE may retain. Among other things, the amendments to the PSPAs limit the number of certain mortgages the GSEs may acquire with two or more prescribed risk factors, including certain mortgages with combined loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios above 90%. However, on September 14, 2021, the FHFA and Treasury Department suspended certain provisions of the amendments to the PSPAs, including the limit on the number of mortgages with two or more risk factors that the GSEs may acquire. Such suspensions terminate on the later of one year after September 14, 2021, or six months after the Treasury Department notifies the GSEs of termination. The limit on the number of mortgages with two or more risk factors was based on the market size at the time, and we do not expect any material impact to the private mortgage market in the near term.
The CFPB’s Qualified Mortgage (“QM”) regulations also include a temporary category (the “QM Patch”) for mortgages that comply with certain prohibitions and limitations and meet the GSE underwriting and product guidelines. Mortgages that meet certain requirements are deemed to be QMs until the earlier of the time in which the GSEs exit the FHFA conservatorship or the mandatory compliance date of the final amendments to the CFPB rule defining what constitutes a QM (the “QM Rule”). On April 27, 2021, the CFPB promulgated a final rule delaying the mandatory compliance date of the amended QM Rule until October 1, 2022. As provided under the final rule, the prior 43% debt-to-income-based QM Rule definition, the new price-based average prime offer rate (“APOR”) definition and the QM Patch will all remain available to lenders for loan applications received prior to October 1, 2022. However, on April 8, 2021, the GSEs issued notices stating that due to the requirements of the PSPAs they would only acquire loans that meet the new price-based APOR definition set forth under the amended QM Rule for
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applications received on or after July 1, 2021. We believe that loans which previously qualified under the 43% Debt-to-Income (“DTI”) based QM Rule definition and the QM Patch will continue to qualify under the new price-based APOR definition, and therefore, we expect little impact from this change. For more information about the potential future impact, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Changes to the charters or practices of the GSEs, including actions or decisions to decrease or discontinue the use of mortgage insurance, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—The amount of mortgage insurance we write could decline significantly if alternatives to private mortgage insurance are used or lower coverage levels of mortgage insurance are selected”.
New insurance written of $97.0 billion in 2021 decreased 3% compared to 2020 primarily due to lower estimated private mortgage insurance market in the current year. The year-over-year decrease in estimated private mortgage insurance available market was primarily driven by lower refinance originations.
Our primary persistency increased to 62% during 2021 compared to 59% during 2020 but remained below historic levels of approximately 80%. The increase in persistency was primarily driven by a decline in the percentage of our in-force policies with mortgage rates above current mortgage rates. Low persistency has impacted business performance trends in several ways including, but not limited to, offsetting insurance in-force growth from new insurance written, accelerating the recognition of earned premiums due to single premium policy cancellations, accelerating the amortization of our existing reinsurance transactions reducing their associated Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements (“PMIERs”) capital credit and shifting the concentration of our primary IIF to more recent years of policy origination. As of December 31, 2021, our primary insurance in-force has approximately 5% concentration in 2014 and prior book years. More specifically, our 2005 through 2008 book year concentration is approximately 3%. In contrast, our 2020 book year represents 31% of our primary insurance in-force concentration while our 2021 book year is 40% as of December 31, 2021.
The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Our market share is influenced by the execution of our go to market strategy, including but not limited to, pricing competitiveness relative to our peers and our selective participation in forward commitment transactions. Since our IPO, we have held discussions with customers that in recent years, have not sent us new business. During the fourth quarter of 2021, we reactivated our relationship with a key customer, and we continued to deepen existing relationships and develop new ones. We continue to manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which are modified from time to time when circumstances warrant. We see the market and underwriting conditions, including the pricing environment, as being well within our risk adjusted return appetite enabling us to write new business at attractive returns. Ultimately, we expect our new insurance written with its strong credit profile and attractive pricing to positively contribute to our future profitability and return on equity.
Net earned premiums increased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily from insurance in force growth, partially offset by the continued lapse of older, higher priced policies, a decrease in single premium cancellations and higher ceded premiums as the use of credit risk transfer increased in 2021. The total number of delinquent loans has declined from the COVID-19 peak in the second quarter of 2020 but remains elevated compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. During this time and consistent with prior years, servicers continued the practice of remitting premiums during the early stages of default. Additionally, we have a business practice of refunding the post-delinquent premiums to the insured party if the delinquent loan goes to claim. We record a liability and a reduction to net earned premiums for the post-delinquent premiums we expect to refund. The post-delinquent premium liability recorded since the beginning of COVID-19 in the second quarter of 2020 through 2021 was not significant to the change in earned premiums for those periods as a result of the high concentration of new delinquencies being subject to a servicer reported forbearance plan and the lower estimated rate at which delinquencies go to claim (“claim rate”) for these loans. As a result of COVID-19, certain state insurance regulators required or requested the provision of grace periods of varying lengths to insureds in the event of non-payment of premium. Regulators differed greatly in their approaches but generally focused on the avoidance of
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cancellation of coverage for non-payment. While most of these requirements and requests have lapsed, it is possible that some or all of them could be re-issued in the event of declarations of new states of emergency that might result from worsening pandemic conditions. We currently comply with all state regulatory requirements. If timely payment is not made, future premiums could decrease and the certificate of insurance could be subject to cancellation after 60 days, or such longer time as required under applicable law.
Our loss reserves continue to be impacted by COVID-19. Borrowers who have experienced a financial hardship including, but not limited to, the loss of income due to the closing of a business or the loss of a job, have taken advantage of available forbearance programs and payment deferral options. During the peak of the pandemic, we experienced elevated new delinquencies subject to forbearance plans which may ultimately cure at a higher rate than traditional delinquencies. Unlike a hurricane where the natural disaster occurs at a point in time and the rebuild starts soon after, COVID-19 brought ongoing displacement to the mortgage insurance market, making it more difficult to determine the effectiveness of forbearance and the resulting claim rates for new delinquencies in forbearance plans. Given this difference, we initially leveraged our prior hurricane experience and have recently layered in cure activity from COVID-19 related delinquencies as considerations in the establishment of an appropriate claim rate estimate for new delinquencies in forbearance plans that have emerged as a result of COVID-19. Approximately 42% of our primary new delinquencies in 2021 were subject to a forbearance plan as compared to 66% in 2020 and less than 5% in recent quarters prior to COVID-19.
The severity of loss on loans that do go to claim may be negatively impacted by the extended forbearance timeline, the associated elevated expenses and the higher loan amount of the recent new delinquencies. These negative influences on loss severity could be mitigated, in part, by further home price appreciation. For loans insured on or after October 1, 2014, our mortgage insurance policies limit the number of months of unpaid interest and associated expenses that are included in the mortgage insurance claim amount to a maximum of 36 months.
Our loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2021, was 13% as compared to 39% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was largely from lower new delinquencies from the improving economy and net favorable reserve adjustments related to pre-COVID-19 delinquencies in 2021 compared to reserve strengthening in 2020. New primary delinquencies were 32,624 in 2021 compared 85,074 in 2020. We recorded $65 million of reserve strengthening in 2020 primarily driven by the deterioration of early cure emergence patterns impacting claim frequency along with a modest increase in claim severity while releasing reserves of $22 million in 2021. In determining the loss expense estimate during 2021, considerations were given to forbearance and non-forbearance delinquencies, recent cure and claim experience and the ongoing economic impact due to the pandemic.
GMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio under the current regulatory framework as established under North Carolina law and enforced by the NCDOI, GMICO’s domestic insurance regulator, was approximately 12.3 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. GMICO’s risk-to-capital ratio remains below the NCDOI’s maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25:1. North Carolina’s calculation of risk-to-capital excludes the risk-in-force for delinquent loans given the established loss reserves against all delinquencies. GMICO’s ongoing risk-to-capital ratio will depend principally on the magnitude of future losses incurred by GMICO, the effectiveness of ongoing loss mitigation activities, new business volume and profitability, the amount of policy lapses and the amount of additional capital that is generated or distributed by the business or capital support provided.
Under PMIERs, we are subject to operational and financial requirements that private mortgage insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans that are purchased by the GSEs. During 2020, the GSEs issued several amendments to PMIERs. The December 4, 2020, version extended the application of reduced PMIERs capital factors to each non-performing loan that had an initial missed monthly payment occurring on or after March 1, 2020 and prior to April 1, 2021, and extended the capital preservation period from March 31, 2021, to June 30, 2021. On June 30, 2021, the GSEs issued a revised and restated version of the PMIERs Amendment that replaced the version issued on December 4,
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2020. The June 30, 2021, version allows loans that enter a forbearance plan due to a COVID-19 hardship on or after April 1, 2021, to remain eligible for extended application of the reduced PMIERs capital factor for as long as the loan remained in forbearance. The June 30, 2021, version also extended the capital preservation period through December 31, 2021, with certain exceptions, as described below.
The PMIERs Amendment implemented both permanent and temporary revisions to PMIERs. For loans that became non-performing due to a COVID-19 hardship, PMIERs was temporarily amended with respect to each non-performing loan that (i) had an initial missed monthly payment occurring on or after March 1, 2020, and prior to April 1, 2021, or (ii) is subject to a forbearance plan granted in response to a financial hardship related to COVID-19, the terms of which are materially consistent with terms of forbearance plans offered by the GSEs. The risk-based required asset amount factor for the non-performing loan will be the greater of (a) the applicable risk-based required asset amount factor for a performing loan were it not delinquent, and (b) the product of a 0.30 multiplier and the applicable risk-based required asset amount factor for a non-performing loan. In the case of (i) above, absent the loan being subject to a forbearance plan described in (ii) above, the 0.30 multiplier will be applicable for no longer than three calendar months beginning with the month in which the loan became a non-performing loan due to having missed two monthly payments. Loans subject to a forbearance plan described in (ii) above include those that are either in a repayment plan or loan modification trial period following the forbearance plan unless reported to the approved insurer that the loan is no longer in such forbearance plan, repayment plan, or loan modification trial period. The PMIERs Amendment also imposed temporary capital preservation provisions through December 31, 2021, that require an approved insurer to meet certain PMIERs minimum required assets buffers (150% in the third quarter of 2021 and 115% in the fourth quarter of 2021) or otherwise obtain prior written GSE approval before paying any dividends, pledging or transferring assets to an affiliate or entering into any new, or altering any existing, arrangements under tax sharing and intercompany expense-sharing agreements, even if such insurer had a surplus of available assets. In addition, the PMIERs Amendment imposes permanent revisions to the risk-based required asset amount factor for non-performing loans for properties located in future Federal Emergency Management Agency Declared Major Disaster Areas eligible for individual assistance.
In September 2020, subsequent to the issuance of Enact Holdings’ senior notes due in 2025, the GSEs imposed certain restrictions (the “GSE Restrictions”) with respect to capital on our business. In May 2021, in connection with their conditional approval of the then potential partial sale of Enact Holdings, the GSEs confirmed the GSE Restrictions will remain in effect until the following collective conditions (“GSE Conditions”) are met: (a) GMICO obtains “BBB+”/“Baa1” (or higher) rating from S&P, Moody’s or Fitch Ratings, Inc. for two consecutive quarters and (b) Genworth achieves certain financial metrics. Prior to the satisfaction of the GSE Conditions, the GSE Restrictions require:
•GMICO to maintain 115% of PMIERs minimum required assets through 2021, 120% during 2022 and 125% thereafter;
•Enact Holdings to retain $300 million of net proceeds from the 2025 Senior Notes offering that can be drawn down exclusively for debt service of those notes or to contribute to GMICO to meet its regulatory capital needs including PMIERs; and
•written approval must be received from the GSEs prior to any additional debt issuance by either GMICO or Enact Holdings.
Until the GSE Conditions imposed in connection with the GSE Restrictions are met, Enact Holdings’ liquidity must not fall below 13.5% of its outstanding debt. In addition, Fannie Mae agreed to reconsider the GSE Restrictions if Genworth were to own 50% or less of Enact Holdings at any point prior to their expiration. We understand that Genworth’s current plans do not include a potential sale in which Genworth owns less than 80% of Enact Holdings. The current balance of the 2025 Senior Notes proceeds required to be held by our holding company is approximately $252 million.
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As of December 31, 2021, we had estimated available assets of $5,077 million against $3,074 million net required assets under PMIERs compared to available assets of $4,588 million against $3,359 million net required assets as of December 31, 2020. The sufficiency ratio as of December 31, 2021, was 165% or $2,003 million above the published PMIERs requirements, compared to 137% or $1,229 million above the published PMIERs requirements as of December 31, 2020. PMIERs sufficiency is based on the published requirements applicable to private mortgage insurers and does not give effect to the GSE Restrictions imposed on our business. The increase in the PMIERs sufficiency was driven by CRT transactions. During 2021, we executed a series of credit risk transfer transactions including a series of MILNs and an XOL treaty. Credit risk transfer transactions provided an aggregate of approximately $1,404 million of PMIERS capital credit as of December 31, 2021 compared to $936 million as of December 2020. This was coupled with elevated lapse driven by prevailing low interest rates, business cash flows and lower delinquencies, partially offset by elevated new insurance written. Our PMIERs required assets as of December 31, 2021, benefited from the application of a 0.30 multiplier applied to the risk-based required asset amount factor for certain non-performing loans. The application of the 0.30 multiplier to all eligible delinquencies provided $390 million of benefit to our December 31, 2021, PMIERs required assets. This amount is gross of any incremental reinsurance benefit from the elimination of the 0.30 multiplier.
On January 27, 2022, we executed an excess of loss reinsurance transaction with a panel of reinsurers, which will provide up to $294 million of reinsurance coverage on a portion of current and expected new insurance written for the 2022 book year, effective January 1, 2022.
EHI announced and paid a dividend of $200 million during the fourth quarter of 2021. We believe this was an important milestone as we work to restart the return of capital to stockholders. We are in the process of evaluating our capital return objectives for 2022 which includes an assessment of holding company liquidity and financial flexibility. We expect a component of our capital return plan to include the initiation of a regular, common dividend to Company stockholders around mid-year 2022. In addition to this dividend, we will continue to evaluate the potential for an incremental return of capital based on our ongoing business performance and a review of the macroeconomic conditions and regulatory landscape.
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Results of Operations and Key Metrics
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
The following table sets forth our consolidated results for the periods indicated:
| Year ended December 31, | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 974,949 | $ | 971,365 | $ | 3,584 | — | % | ||||||
| Net investment income | 141,189 | 132,843 | 8,346 | 6 | % | |||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (2,124) | (3,324) | 1,200 | (36) | % | |||||||||
| Other income | 3,841 | 5,575 | (1,734) | (31) | % | |||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,117,855 | 1,106,459 | 11,396 | 1 | % | |||||||||
| Losses and expenses: | ||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred | 125,473 | 379,834 | (254,361) | (67) | % | |||||||||
| Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals | 231,453 | 215,024 | 16,429 | 8 | % | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles | 14,704 | 20,939 | (6,235) | (30) | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 51,009 | 18,244 | 32,765 | 180 | % | |||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 422,639 | 634,041 | (211,402) | (33) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 695,216 | 472,418 | 222,798 | 47 | % | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 148,531 | 101,997 | 46,534 | 46 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 546,685 | $ | 370,421 | $ | 176,264 | 48 | % | ||||||
| Loss ratio (1) | 13 | % | 39 | % | ||||||||||
| Expense ratio (2) | 25 | % | 24 | % |
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(1)Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses incurred by net earned premiums.
(2)Expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, plus amortization of DAC and intangibles by net earned premiums.
Revenues
Premiums increased mainly attributable to higher IIF partially offset by continued lapse of our in-force portfolio as older, higher priced policies continued to lapse in the current low interest rate environment, lower single premium cancellations and higher ceded premiums from reinsurance transactions executed in 2021.
Net investment income increased primarily from higher average invested assets in the current year and higher income from bond calls, partially offset by lower investment yields in 2021.
Net investment losses in the current year were primarily driven by credit losses related to corporate available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and realized losses from the sale of fixed maturity securities. Net investment losses in the prior year were largely from impairments and net losses from the sale of fixed maturity securities.
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Other income primarily includes underwriting fee revenue charged on a per-unit or per-diem basis, as defined in the underwriting agreement. Other income decreased primarily due to lower contract underwriting revenue.
Losses and expenses
Losses incurred decreased largely from lower new delinquencies from the improving economy and favorable development related to pre-COVID-19 claim years, compared to unfavorable reserve adjustments in the prior year as a result of COVID-19. New primary delinquencies were 32,624 in 2021 compared to 85,074 in 2020. During 2021, we recorded a $22 million reserve release related to pre-COVID-19 claim years. In 2020 we strengthened existing reserves by $65 million primarily driven by the deterioration of early cure emergence patterns impacting claim frequency along with a modest increase in claim severity.
The following table shows incurred losses related to current and prior accident years for the year ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losses and LAE incurred related to current accident year | $ | 141,225 | $ | 364,548 | ||
| Losses and LAE incurred related to prior accident years | (15,822) | 16,202 | ||||
| Total incurred (1) | $ | 125,403 | $ | 380,750 |
_______________
(1)Excludes run-off business.
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, increased primarily attributable to strategic transaction preparation costs, higher corporate overhead and a one-time restructuring charge partially offset by lower volume-related operating costs.
Amortization of DAC and intangibles decreased primarily due to accelerated DAC amortization of $6 million in the prior year driven by elevated lapses.
The expense ratio increased mainly driven by $7 million of strategic transaction preparation costs and a one-time restructuring charge of $3 million, coupled with higher compensation and operating costs. The strategic transaction preparation costs and restructuring costs increased the expense ratio by approximately 1 point.
Interest expense increased in the current year related to our 2025 Senior Notes issued in August 2020. For additional details see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.
Provision for income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.4% and 21.6% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, consistent with the United States corporate federal income tax rate.
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Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019
The following table presents our consolidated results for the periods indicated:
| Year endedDecember 31, | Increase (decrease)and percentagechange | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| Premiums | $ | 971,365 | $ | 856,976 | $ | 114,389 | 13 | % | ||||||
| Net investment income | 132,843 | 116,927 | 15,916 | 14 | % | |||||||||
| Net investment gains (losses) | (3,324) | 718 | (4,042) | (563) | % | |||||||||
| Other income | 5,575 | 4,232 | 1,343 | 32 | % | |||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,106,459 | 978,853 | 127,606 | 13 | % | |||||||||
| Losses and expenses: | ||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred | 379,834 | 49,850 | 329,984 | 662 | % | |||||||||
| Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals | 215,024 | 195,768 | 19,256 | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles | 20,939 | 15,065 | 5,874 | 39 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense | 18,244 | — | 18,244 | NM (1) | ||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 634,041 | 260,683 | 373,358 | 143 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes and change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate | 472,418 | 718,170 | (245,752) | (34) | % | |||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 101,997 | 155,832 | (53,835) | (35) | % | |||||||||
| Income before change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate | 370,421 | 562,338 | (191,917) | (34) | % | |||||||||
| Change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate, net of taxes | — | 115,290 | (115,290) | (100) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 370,421 | $ | 677,628 | $ | (307,207) | (45) | % | ||||||
| Loss ratio (2) | 39 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Expense ratio (3) | 24 | % | 25 | % |
_______________
(1)Not measurable.
(2)Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses incurred by net earned premiums.
(3)Expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, plus amortization of DAC and intangibles by net earned premiums.
Revenues
Premiums increased mainly attributable to higher IIF and higher policy cancellations in our single premium mortgage insurance product driven largely by higher mortgage refinancing, partially offset by lower average premium rates in 2020. The year ended December 31, 2019 also included a favorable adjustment of $14 million related to our single premium earnings pattern review driven by our revised assessment of recent claim and cancellation experience and the refinement of loan attributes.
Net investment income increased primarily due to higher average invested assets partially offset by lower investment yields in 2020.
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Net investment losses in 2020 were primarily driven by impairments and net losses from the sale of fixed maturity securities. Net investment gains in 2019 were largely from net gains from the sale of fixed maturity securities.
Other income primarily includes underwriting fee revenue charged on a per-unit or per-diem basis, as defined in the underwriting agreement. Other income increased primarily due to higher contract underwriting revenue from a larger mortgage insurance market.
Losses and expenses
Losses incurred increased largely from new delinquencies driven primarily by a significant increase in borrower forbearance as a result of COVID-19 and strengthening of existing reserves of $65 million in 2020 primarily driven by the deterioration of early cure emergence patterns impacting claim frequency along with a modest increase in claim severity. We also experienced lower net benefits from cures and aging of existing delinquencies in 2020. Included in 2019 were favorable reserve adjustments of $23 million mostly associated with lower expected claim rates. Our loss ratio increased primarily from higher losses, partially offset by higher net earned premiums in 2020.
The following table shows incurred losses related to current and prior accident years for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Losses and LAE incurred related to current accident year | $ | 364,548 | $ | 105,734 | ||
| Losses and LAE incurred related to prior accident years | 16,202 | (55,917) | ||||
| Total incurred (1) | $ | 380,750 | $ | 49,817 |
_______________
(1)Excludes run-off business.
Acquisition and operating expenses, net of deferrals, increased primarily driven by higher acquisition costs mainly driven by increased NIW in 2020 and higher information technology and other expenses due to continued investment in modernization of the business.
Amortization of DAC and intangibles consists primarily of the amortization of acquisition costs that are capitalized and capitalized software. Amortization of DAC and intangibles increased primarily due to accelerated DAC amortization of $6 million driven by elevated lapses in 2020.
Our expense ratio decreased slightly primarily from higher earned premiums, mostly offset by higher acquisition and operating expenses and higher DAC amortization in 2020.
Interest expense in 2020 relates to our 2025 Senior Notes issued in August 2020.
Provision for income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.6% and 21.7% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, consistent with the United States corporate federal income tax rate.
Change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate, net of taxes
Change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate consists of the change in the fair value of our previously held investment in Genworth Canada, which also includes dividends and the sale of common shares, net of taxes. The decrease was driven by the sale of our investment in Genworth Canada, which closed on December 12, 2019. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
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Use of Non-GAAP Measures
We use a non-U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP”) financial measure entitled “adjusted operating income.” This non-GAAP financial measure aligns with the way our business performance is evaluated by both management and by our board of directors. This measure has been established in order to increase transparency for the purposes of evaluating our core operating trends and enabling more meaningful comparisons with our peers. Although “adjusted operating income” is a non-GAAP financial measure, for the reasons discussed above we believe this measure aids in understanding the underlying performance of our operations. Our senior management, including our chief operating decision maker, uses “adjusted operating income” as the primary measure to evaluate the fundamental financial performance of our business and to allocate resources.
“Adjusted operating income” is defined as U.S. GAAP net income excluding the effects of (i) net investment gains (losses), (ii) change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate and (iii) Restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items.
(i)Net investment gains (losses)—The recognition of realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the activity is highly discretionary based on the timing of individual securities sales due to such factors as market opportunities or exposure management. Trends in the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these realized gains and losses. We do not view them to be indicative of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, these items are excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income.
(ii)Change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate—The change in fair value of our previously held investment in Genworth Canada could vary significantly across periods and was highly dependent on the performance of the Canadian housing market and Genworth Canada’s operating results. We managed the investment in Genworth Canada separately from our remaining investments portfolio through and up until the sale of our ownership interest in Genworth Canada in December 2019. Prior to the sale, we did not view the results of our investment in Genworth Canada as part of our fundamental operating activities. Therefore, this item is excluded from our calculation of adjusted operating income. Additionally, given the divestiture of Genworth Canada on December 12, 2019, we will no longer have any impact from Genworth Canada in our financial statements going forward.
(iii)Restructuring costs and infrequent or unusual non-operating items are also excluded from adjusted operating income if, in our opinion, they are not indicative of overall operating trends.
In reporting non-GAAP measures in the future, we may make other adjustments for expenses and gains we do not consider reflective of core operating performance in a particular period. We may disclose other non-GAAP operating measures if we believe that such a presentation would be helpful for investors to evaluate our operating condition by including additional information.
Total adjusted operating income is not a measure of total profitability, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or viewed as a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income. Our definition of adjusted operating income may not be comparable to similarly named measures reported by other companies, including our peers.
Adjustments to reconcile net income to adjusted operating income assume a 21% tax rate (unless otherwise indicated).
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The following table includes a reconciliation of net income to adjusted operating income for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $ | 546,685 | $ | 370,421 | $ | 677,628 | ||||
| Adjustments to net income: | ||||||||||
| Net investment (gains) losses | 2,124 | 3,324 | (718) | |||||||
| Costs associated with reorganization | 2,744 | — | — | |||||||
| Change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate | — | — | (127,397) | |||||||
| Taxes on adjustments | (1,022) | (698) | 12,259 | |||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 550,531 | $ | 373,047 | $ | 561,772 |
We recorded a pre-tax expense of $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, related to restructuring costs as we evaluate and appropriately size our organizational needs and expenses.
Adjusted operating income increased in 2021 compared to 2020 primarily attributable to lower losses mainly from lower new delinquencies from the improving economy and net favorable reserve adjustments in 2021 compared to unfavorable reserve adjustments in 2020, partially offset by interest expense associated with senior notes issued in August 2020 and higher operating costs in the current year.
Adjusted operating income decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily attributable to higher losses largely from new delinquencies driven in large part by a significant increase in borrower forbearance as a result of COVID-19, reserve strengthening of $51 million on existing delinquencies and from lower net benefits from cures and aging of existing delinquencies in 2020. These decreases were partially offset by higher premiums largely driven by higher IIF and an increase in policy cancellations in our single premium mortgage insurance product primarily due to higher mortgage refinancing in 2020. The year ended December 31, 2019 included favorable reserve adjustments of $18 million mostly associated with lower expected claim rates and a favorable adjustment of $11 million related to our single premium earnings pattern review.
The change in fair value of the investment in Genworth Canada was $127.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, and is included within change in fair value of unconsolidated affiliate in the consolidated statements of income, net of provision (benefit) for income taxes of $12.1 million. There were no infrequent or unusual items excluded from adjusted operating income during the periods presented.
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Key Metrics
Management reviews the key metrics included within this section when analyzing the performance of our business. The metrics provided in this section exclude activity related to our run-off business, which is immaterial to our consolidated results of operations.
The following table sets forth selected operating performance measures on a primary basis as of or for the years ended December 31:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New insurance written | $ | 97,004 | $ | 99,871 | $ | 62,431 | ||||
| Primary insurance in-force (1) | $ | 226,514 | $ | 207,947 | $ | 181,785 | ||||
| Primary risk in-force | $ | 56,881 | $ | 52,475 | $ | 46,246 | ||||
| Persistency rate | 62 | % | 59 | % | 76 | % | ||||
| Policies in-force (count) | 937,350 | 924,624 | 851,070 | |||||||
| Delinquent loans (count) | 24,820 | 44,904 | 16,392 | |||||||
| Delinquency rate | 2.65 | % | 4.86 | % | 1.93 | % |
_______________
(1)Represents the aggregate unpaid principal balance for loans we insure. Original loan balances are primarily used to determine premiums.
New insurance written
NIW for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased 3% compared to 2020 primarily due to a smaller estimated private mortgage insurance market resulting in lower refinancing originations, partially offset by higher mortgage purchase originations. We manage the quality of new business through pricing and our underwriting guidelines, which we modify from time to time as circumstances warrant.
The following table presents NIW by product for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by underlying type of mortgage for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchases | $ | 76,915 | 79 | % | $ | 67,183 | 67 | % | $ | 50,267 | 81 | % | ||||||||
| Refinances | 20,089 | 21 | 32,688 | 33 | 12,164 | 19 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by policy payment type for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $ | 89,115 | 92 | % | $ | 90,147 | 90 | % | $ | 54,666 | 88 | % | ||||||||
| Single | 7,554 | 8 | 9,251 | 9 | 7,047 | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 335 | — | 473 | 1 | 718 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % |
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The following table presents primary NIW by FICO score for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 42,391 | 44 | % | $ | 41,584 | 42 | % | $ | 24,805 | 40 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 15,067 | 16 | 16,378 | 16 | 10,624 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 12,911 | 13 | 14,305 | 14 | 9,154 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 11,069 | 11 | 12,193 | 12 | 7,888 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 8,457 | 9 | 8,813 | 9 | 5,851 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 4,167 | 4 | 3,846 | 4 | 2,204 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 2,173 | 2 | 1,955 | 2 | 1,338 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 765 | 1 | 796 | 1 | 567 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
LTV ratio is calculated by dividing the original loan amount, excluding financed premium, by the property’s acquisition value or fair market value at the time of origination. The following table presents primary NIW by LTV ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 12,064 | 12 | % | $ | 11,625 | 11 | % | $ | 9,652 | 15 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 36,597 | 38 | 42,753 | 43 | 26,961 | 43 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 30,717 | 32 | 28,750 | 29 | 17,874 | 29 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 17,626 | 18 | 16,743 | 17 | 7,944 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % |
The following table presents primary NIW by DTI ratio for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.01% and above | $ | 14,979 | 15 | % | $ | 13,672 | 14 | % | $ | 13,587 | 22 | % | ||||||||
| 38.01% to 45.00% | 32,946 | 34 | 35,729 | 36 | 21,354 | 34 | ||||||||||||||
| 38.00% and below | 49,079 | 51 | 50,470 | 50 | 27,490 | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,004 | 100 | % | $ | 99,871 | 100 | % | $ | 62,431 | 100 | % |
Insurance in-force and Risk in-force
IIF increased largely from NIW, partially offset by lapses and cancellations as we experienced lower persistency during the current year. Primary persistency was 62% and 59% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. RIF increased primarily as a result of higher IIF.
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The following table sets forth IIF and RIF as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary IIF | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | $ | 181,785 | 99 | % | ||||||||
| Pool IIF | 641 | — | 883 | — | 1,084 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total IIF | $ | 227,155 | 100 | % | $ | 208,830 | 100 | % | $ | 182,869 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Primary RIF | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % | $ | 46,246 | 100 | % | ||||||||
| Pool RIF | 105 | — | 146 | — | 188 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total RIF | $ | 56,986 | 100 | % | $ | 52,621 | 100 | % | $ | 46,434 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 and prior | $ | 541 | — | % | $ | 708 | — | % | $ | 865 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| 2005 to 2008 | 7,655 | 3 | 10,614 | 5 | 13,775 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2009 to 2013 | 1,404 | 1 | 3,030 | 2 | 5,656 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 1,965 | 1 | 3,699 | 2 | 6,269 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 4,488 | 2 | 7,887 | 4 | 13,109 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 8,997 | 4 | 15,385 | 7 | 24,807 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 8,962 | 4 | 16,289 | 8 | 27,839 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 9,263 | 4 | 17,235 | 8 | 30,589 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 21,730 | 10 | 39,463 | 19 | 58,876 | 32 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 69,963 | 31 | 93,637 | 45 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 91,546 | 40 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | $ | 181,785 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by policy year as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 and prior | $ | 154 | — | % | $ | 202 | — | % | $ | 247 | — | % | ||||||||
| 2005 to 2008 | 1,958 | 3 | 2,716 | 5 | 3,523 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2009 to 2013 | 370 | 1 | 832 | 2 | 1,572 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 534 | 1 | 999 | 2 | 1,693 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | 1,197 | 2 | 2,104 | 4 | 3,471 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2,388 | 4 | 4,063 | 8 | 6,427 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2,324 | 4 | 4,180 | 8 | 7,091 | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2,330 | 4 | 4,322 | 8 | 7,655 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 5,454 | 10 | 9,840 | 19 | 14,567 | 31 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 17,574 | 31 | 23,217 | 44 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 22,598 | 40 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % | $ | 46,246 | 100 | % |
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The following table presents the development of primary IIF for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning balance | $207,947 | $ | 181,785 | $ | 157,103 | |||
| NIW | 97,004 | 99,871 | 62,431 | |||||
| Cancellations, principal repayments and other reductions (1) | (78,437) | (73,709) | (37,749) | |||||
| Ending balance | $226,514 | $ | 207,947 | $ | 181,785 |
_____________
(1)Includes the estimated amortization of unpaid principal balance of covered loans.
The following table sets forth primary IIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 35,455 | 16 | % | $ | 34,520 | 17 | % | $ | 32,502 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 95,149 | 42 | 92,689 | 45 | 83,189 | 46 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 64,549 | 28 | 56,341 | 27 | 49,305 | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 31,361 | 14 | 24,397 | 11 | 16,789 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | $ | 181,785 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary RIF by LTV ratio at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.01% and above | $ | 9,907 | 17 | % | $ | 9,279 | 18 | % | $ | 8,365 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 90.01% to 95.00% | 27,608 | 49 | 26,774 | 51 | 23,953 | 52 | % | |||||||||||||
| 85.01% to 90.00% | 15,644 | 27 | 13,562 | 26 | 11,933 | 26 | % | |||||||||||||
| 85.00% and below | 3,722 | 7 | 2,860 | 5 | 1,995 | 4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % | $ | 46,246 | 100 | % |
The following table sets forth primary IIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 89,982 | 40 | % | $ | 78,488 | 38 | % | $ | 69,129 | 38 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 35,874 | 16 | 33,635 | 16 | 29,961 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 31,730 | 14 | 30,058 | 14 | 26,184 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 27,359 | 12 | 25,870 | 12 | 21,567 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 21,270 | 9 | 20,140 | 10 | 16,935 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 10,549 | 5 | 9,819 | 5 | 8,504 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 6,124 | 3 | 5,935 | 3 | 5,379 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 2,783 | 1 | 2,902 | 1 | 2,794 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 843 | — | 1,100 | 1 | 1,332 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 226,514 | 100 | % | $ | 207,947 | 100 | % | $ | 181,785 | 100 | % |
______________
(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
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The following table sets forth primary RIF by FICO score at origination as of the dates indicated:
| (Amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 760 | $ | 22,489 | 40 | % | $ | 19,691 | 37 | % | $ | 17,606 | 38 | % | ||||||||
| 740-759 | 9,009 | 16 | 8,497 | 16 | 7,685 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| 720-739 | 8,055 | 14 | 7,673 | 15 | 6,717 | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| 700-719 | 6,907 | 12 | 6,579 | 12 | 5,464 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| 680-699 | 5,334 | 9 | 5,100 | 10 | 4,286 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 660-679 (1) | 2,638 | 5 | 2,442 | 5 | 2,113 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 640-659 | 1,530 | 3 | 1,472 | 3 | 1,322 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 620-639 | 702 | 1 | 737 | 1 | 709 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 620 | 217 | — | 284 | 1 | 344 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 56,881 | 100 | % | $ | 52,475 | 100 | % | $ | 46,246 | 100 | % |
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(1)Loans with unknown FICO scores are included in the 660-679 category.
Delinquent loans and claims
Our delinquency management process begins with notification by the loan servicer of a delinquency on an insured loan. “Delinquency” is defined in our master policies as the borrower’s failure to pay when due an amount equal to the scheduled monthly mortgage payment under the terms of the mortgage. Generally, our master policies require an insured to notify us of a delinquency if the borrower fails to make two consecutive monthly mortgage payments prior to the due date of the next mortgage payment. We generally consider a loan to be delinquent and establish required reserves after the insured notifies us that the borrower has failed to make two scheduled mortgage payments. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness/death, inability to manage credit, falling home prices and interest rate levels. Borrowers may cure delinquencies by making all of the delinquent loan payments, agreeing to a loan modification, or by selling the property in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In most cases, delinquencies that are not cured result in a claim under our policy. The following table shows a roll forward of the number of primary loans in default for the years ended December 31:
| (Loan count) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of delinquencies, beginning of period | 44,904 | 16,392 | 16,860 | ||||
| New defaults | 32,624 | 85,074 | 33,236 | ||||
| Cures | (51,626) | (55,396) | (31,363) | ||||
| Claims paid | (1,050) | (1,148) | (2,323) | ||||
| Rescissions and claim denials | (32) | (18) | (18) | ||||
| Number of delinquencies, end of period | 24,820 | 44,904 | 16,392 |
The following table sets forth changes in our direct primary case loss reserves for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) (1) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss reserves, beginning of period | $ | 516,863 | $ | 204,749 | $ | 262,171 | ||||
| Claims paid | (32,816) | (52,389) | (103,578) | |||||||
| Increase in reserves | 122,055 | 364,503 | 46,156 | |||||||
| Loss reserves, end of period | $ | 606,102 | $ | 516,863 | $ | 204,749 |
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(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
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The following tables set forth primary delinquencies, direct case reserves and RIF by aged missed payment status as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 6,586 | $ | 35 | $ | 340 | 10 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 7,360 | 111 | 426 | 26 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 10,874 | 460 | 643 | 72 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 24,820 | $ | 606 | $ | 1,409 | 43 | % |
| December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 10,484 | $ | 43 | $ | 549 | 8 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 30,324 | 331 | 1,853 | 18 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 4,096 | 143 | 204 | 70 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 44,904 | $ | 517 | $ | 2,606 | 20 | % |
| December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | Delinquencies | Direct casereserves (1) | Riskin-force | Reserves as % of risk in-force | |||||||||
| Payments in default: | |||||||||||||
| 3 payments or less | 8,618 | $ | 28 | $ | 386 | 7 | % | ||||||
| 4 - 11 payments | 4,876 | 78 | 225 | 35 | % | ||||||||
| 12 payments or more | 2,898 | 99 | 146 | 68 | % | ||||||||
| Total | 16,392 | $ | 205 | $ | 757 | 27 | % |
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(1)Direct primary case reserves exclude LAE, pool, IBNR and reinsurance reserves.
The total increase in reserves as a percentage of RIF as of December 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020 was primarily driven by higher reserves in relation to a decrease in delinquent RIF. Delinquent RIF decreased mainly from lower total delinquencies as cures outpaced new delinquencies in 2021, while reserves increased in the current year primarily from new delinquencies, partially offset by net favorable reserve adjustments related to pre-COVID-19 delinquencies.
As of December 31, 2021, we have experienced an increase in loans that are delinquent for 12 months or more due in large part to borrowers entering a forbearance plan over a year ago driven by COVID-19. Our current reserve estimate assumes that remaining delinquencies will have a higher likelihood of going to claim given foreclosure moratoriums and the uncertainty around the lack of progression through the foreclosure process. Forbearance plans may be extended up to 18 months, therefore, we could experience elevated delinquencies in this aged category during 2022. Resolution of a delinquency in a forbearance plan, whether it ultimately results in a cure or a claim, is difficult to estimate and may not be known for several quarters, if not longer.
The ratio of the claim paid to the current risk in-force for a loan is referred to as “claim severity.” The current risk in-force is equal to the unpaid principal amount multiplied by the coverage percentage. The
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main determinants of claim severity are the age of the mortgage loan, the value of the underlying property, accrued interest on the loan, expenses advanced by the insured and foreclosure expenses. These amounts depend partly upon the time required to complete foreclosure, which varies depending upon state laws. Pre-foreclosure sales, acquisitions and other early workout and claim administration actions help to reduce overall claim severity. Our average primary mortgage insurance claim severity was 103%, 106% and 112% for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The average claim severities do not include the effects of agreements on non-performing loans.
Primary insurance delinquency rates differ from region to region in the United States at any one time depending upon economic conditions and cyclical growth patterns. Delinquency rates are shown by region based upon the location of the underlying property, rather than the location of the lender. The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2021:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By State: | ||||||||
| California | 11 | % | 12 | % | 3.17 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 2.89 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 7 | 9 | 2.97 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 12 | 3.80 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 3.09 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 2 | 1.87 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 4 | 2 | 2.31 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 3 | 2 | 2.18 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania (1) | 3 | 3 | 2.38 | % | ||||
| Washington | 3 | 3 | 2.98 | % | ||||
| All Other States (2) | 47 | 41 | 2.46 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % |
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(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2020:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of totalreserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By State: | ||||||||
| California | 11 | % | 11 | % | 6.20 | % | ||
| Texas | 8 | 8 | 5.82 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 7 | 10 | 6.92 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 5.21 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 11 | 6.92 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 2 | 2.93 | % | ||||
| Washington | 4 | 3 | 5.37 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania (1) | 4 | 3 | 4.11 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 4 | 2 | 3.84 | % | ||||
| Arizona | 3 | 2 | 4.54 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 45 | 42 | 4.32 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 4.86 | % |
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(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest states by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2019:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of totalreserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By State: | ||||||||
| California | 11 | % | 6 | % | 1.42 | % | ||
| Texas | 7 | 5 | 2.02 | % | ||||
| Florida (1) | 6 | 11 | 2.13 | % | ||||
| New York (1) | 5 | 16 | 2.98 | % | ||||
| Illinois (1) | 5 | 6 | 2.25 | % | ||||
| Washington | 4 | 2 | 1.10 | % | ||||
| Michigan | 4 | 2 | 1.43 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania (1) | 4 | 4 | 2.12 | % | ||||
| North Carolina | 4 | 2 | 1.79 | % | ||||
| Ohio | 3 | 3 | 1.87 | % | ||||
| All other states (2) | 47 | 43 | 1.92 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 1.93 | % |
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(1)Jurisdiction predominantly uses a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.
(2)Includes the District of Columbia.
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSA”) or Metro Divisions (“MD”) by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2021:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of direct primary case reserves | Delinquencyrate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 4 | % | 3.68 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 2.36 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 5.32 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.28 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 2.96 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 3.61 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 3.42 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 3 | 3.95 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 2.31 | % | ||||
| Nassau County, NY MD | 2 | 4 | 5.55 | % | ||||
| All Other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 67 | 2.44 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % |
The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2020:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of totalreserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 4 | % | 6.36 | % | ||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 3 | 2 | 4.63 | % | ||||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 8 | 10.25 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 3 | 6.68 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 2 | 6.09 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 3 | 7.59 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 7.08 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 2 | 7.57 | % | ||||
| Dallas, TX MD | 2 | 2 | 5.10 | % | ||||
| Seattle-Bellevue, WA MD | 2 | 2 | 6.33 | % | ||||
| All other MSAs/MDs | 77 | 70 | 4.43 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 4.86 | % |
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The table below sets forth our primary delinquency rates for the ten largest MSAs or MDs by our primary RIF as of December 31, 2019:
| Percent of RIF | Percent of totalreserves | Delinquency rate | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By MSA or MD: | ||||||||
| Chicago-Naperville, IL MD | 3 | % | 5 | % | 2.50 | % | ||
| New York, NY MD | 3 | 10 | 3.68 | % | ||||
| Phoenix, AZ MSA | 2 | 1 | 1.38 | % | ||||
| Atlanta, GA MSA | 2 | 2 | 2.14 | % | ||||
| Washington-Arlington, DC MD | 2 | 1 | 1.47 | % | ||||
| Houston, TX MSA | 2 | 2 | 2.62 | % | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA MD | 2 | 1 | 1.35 | % | ||||
| Seattle-Bellevue, WA MD | 2 | 1 | 0.98 | % | ||||
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA MSA | 2 | 2 | 2.08 | % | ||||
| Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metro Division | 2 | 5 | 3.47 | % | ||||
| All other MSAs/MDs | 78 | 70 | 1.86 | % | ||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 1.93 | % |
The frequency of delinquencies often does not correlate directly with the number of claims received because delinquencies may cure. The rate at which delinquencies cure is influenced by borrowers’ financial resources and circumstances and regional economic differences. Whether a delinquency leads to a claim correlates highly with the borrower’s equity at the time of delinquency, as it influences the borrower’s willingness to continue to make payments, the borrower’s or the insured’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage loan, and the borrower’s financial ability to continue making payments. When we receive notice of a delinquency, we use our proprietary model to determine whether a delinquent loan is a candidate for a modification. When our model identifies such a candidate, our loan workout specialists prioritize cases for loss mitigation based upon the likelihood that the loan will result in a claim. Loss mitigation actions include loan modification, extension of credit to bring a loan current, foreclosure forbearance, pre-foreclosure sale and deed-in-lieu. These loss mitigation efforts often are an effective way to reduce our claim exposure and ultimate payouts.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2021:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of directprimary casereserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Year: | |||||||||||
| 2004 and prior | — | % | 2 | % | 13.24 | % | 3.61 | % | |||
| 2005 to 2008 | 3 | 22 | 10.23 | % | 18.36 | % | |||||
| 2009 to 2013 | 1 | 2 | 5.54 | % | 0.74 | % | |||||
| 2014 | 1 | 3 | 5.51 | % | 0.99 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 2 | 5 | 4.24 | % | 1.04 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 4 | 8 | 3.69 | % | 1.16 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 4 | 10 | 4.78 | % | 1.56 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 4 | 13 | 5.93 | % | 1.88 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 10 | 19 | 3.89 | % | 1.68 | % | |||||
| 2020 | 31 | 14 | 1.50 | % | 1.14 | % | |||||
| 2021 | 40 | 2 | 0.37 | % | 0.36 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 2.65 | % | 4.42 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2020:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of totalreserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Year: | |||||||||||
| 2004 and prior | — | % | 3 | % | 16.82 | % | 3.62 | % | |||
| 2005 to 2008 | 5 | 25 | 13.35 | 18.79 | % | ||||||
| 2009 to 2013 | 2 | 2 | 5.44 | 0.91 | % | ||||||
| 2014 | 2 | 3 | 6.06 | 1.57 | % | ||||||
| 2015 | 4 | 5 | 5.66 | 1.97 | % | ||||||
| 2016 | 8 | 9 | 5.46 | 2.49 | % | ||||||
| 2017 | 8 | 12 | 6.51 | 3.34 | % | ||||||
| 2018 | 8 | 14 | 7.70 | 4.01 | % | ||||||
| 2019 | 19 | 19 | 5.60 | 3.93 | % | ||||||
| 2020 | 44 | 8 | 1.09 | 1.04 | % | ||||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 4.86 | % | 4.86 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
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The following table sets forth the dispersion of primary RIF and loss reserves by policy year and delinquency rates as of December 31, 2019:
| Percentof RIF | Percent of totalreserves | Delinquencyrate | Cumulativedelinquencyrate (1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Year: | |||||||||||
| 2004 and prior | 1 | % | 7 | % | 14.62 | % | 3.61 | % | |||
| 2005 to 2008 | 8 | 51 | 8.47 | % | 18.48 | % | |||||
| 2009 to 2012 | 1 | 2 | 2.42 | % | 0.87 | % | |||||
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | 1.72 | % | 0.58 | % | |||||
| 2014 | 4 | 4 | 2.04 | % | 0.94 | % | |||||
| 2015 | 7 | 6 | 1.59 | % | 0.93 | % | |||||
| 2016 | 14 | 9 | 1.22 | % | 0.89 | % | |||||
| 2017 | 15 | 10 | 1.29 | % | 1.05 | % | |||||
| 2018 | 17 | 7 | 1.05 | % | 0.88 | % | |||||
| 2019 | 31 | 2 | 0.19 | % | 0.18 | % | |||||
| Total portfolio | 100 | % | 100 | % | 1.93 | % | 4.69 | % |
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(1)Calculated as the sum of the number of policies where claims were ever paid to date and number of policies for loans currently in default divided by policies ever in-force.
Loss reserves in policy years 2005 through 2008 are outsized compared to their representation of RIF. The size of these policy years at origination combined with the significant decline in home prices led to significant losses in policy years prior to 2009. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we will experience on these policy years, they have become a smaller percentage of our total mortgage insurance portfolio. The largest portion of loss reserves has shifted to newer book years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic given their significant representation of RIF. As of December 31, 2021, our 2014 and newer policy years represented approximately 96% of our primary RIF and 74% of our total direct primary case reserves.
Investment Portfolio
Our investment portfolio is affected by factors described below, each of which in turn may be affected by COVID-19 as noted above in “—Trends and Conditions.” Management of our investment portfolio has been delegated by our board of directors to our Parent’s investment committee and chief investment officer. Our Parent’s investment team, with oversight from our board of directors and our senior management team, is responsible for the execution of our investment strategy. Our investment portfolio is an important component of our consolidated financial results and represents our primary source of claims paying resources. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of a diverse mix of highly rated fixed income securities and is designed to achieve the following objectives:
•Meet policyholder obligations through maintenance of sufficient liquidity;
•Preserve capital;
•Generate investment income;
•Maximize statutory capital; and
•Increase value to our Parent and its stockholders, among other objectives.
To achieve our portfolio objectives, our investment strategy focuses primarily on:
•Our business outlook, current and expected future investment conditions;
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•Investments selection based on fundamental, research-driven strategies;
•Diversification across a mix of fixed income, low-volatility investments while actively pursuing strategies to enhance yield;
•Regular evaluation and optimization of our asset class mix;
•Continuous monitoring of investment quality, duration and liquidity;
•Regulatory capital requirements; and
•Restriction of investments correlated to the residential mortgage market.
Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale
The following table presents the fair value of our fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in thousands) | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | Fair value | % oftotal | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, agencies and GSEs | $ | 58,408 | 1.1 | % | $ | 138,224 | 2.7 | % | $ | 92,336 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||
| State and political subdivisions | 538,453 | 10.2 | 187,377 | 3.7 | 98,159 | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. government | 22,416 | 0.4 | 31,031 | 0.6 | 19,434 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||
| U.S. corporate | 2,945,303 | 55.9 | 2,888,625 | 57.3 | 2,261,446 | 60.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-U.S. corporate | 666,594 | 12.7 | 607,669 | 12.0 | 364,469 | 9.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Other asset-backed | 1,035,165 | 19.7 | 1,193,670 | 23.7 | 928,588 | 24.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total available-for-sale fixed maturity securities | $ | 5,266,339 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,046,596 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,764,432 | 100.0 | % |
Our investment portfolio did not include any direct residential real estate or whole mortgage loans as of December 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. We have no derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 97%, 98%, 99% of our investment portfolio was rated investment grade, respectively. The following table presents the security ratings of our fixed maturity securities as of the dates indicated:
| December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | 9 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % | ||
| AA | 17 | % | 13 | % | 12 | % | ||
| A | 34 | % | 36 | % | 36 | % | ||
| BBB | 37 | % | 38 | % | 39 | % | ||
| BB & below | 3 | % | 2 | % | 1 | % | ||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % |
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The table below presents the effective duration and investment yield on our investments available-for-sale, excluding cash and cash equivalents:
| December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (in years) | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.1 | |||||
| Pre-tax yield (% of average investment portfolio assets) | 2.7 | % | 2.8 | % | 3.3 | % |
We manage credit risk by analyzing issuers, transaction structures and any associated collateral. We also manage credit risk through country, industry, sector and issuer diversification and prudent asset allocation practices.
We primarily mitigate interest rate risk by employing a buy and hold investment philosophy that seeks to match fixed income maturities with expected liability cash flows in modestly adverse economic scenarios.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31:
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 572,117 | $ | 704,350 | $ | 500,020 | ||||
| Investing activities | (398,782) | (1,136,912) | 175,987 | |||||||
| Financing activities | (200,294) | 300,298 | (250,000) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (26,959) | $ | (132,264) | $ | 426,007 |
Our most significant source of operating cash flows is from premiums received from our insurance policies, while our most significant uses of operating cash flows are generally for claims paid on our insured policies and our operating expenses. Net cash from operating activities decreased principally due to increased taxes and interest payments during 2021, partially offset by premiums received from a larger IIF balance and lower claims paid in the current year.
Investing activities are primarily related to purchases, sales and maturities of our investment portfolio. We had cash outflows from investing activities in 2021 as a result of continued fixed maturity security purchases driven by premium growth and lower losses paid. Outflows of cash in 2020 were primarily as a result of purchases of fixed maturity securities using the net proceeds from the December 2019 sale of our investment in Genworth Canada and our operating cash flows, partially offset by higher maturities and sales of our fixed maturity securities. We had cash inflows from investing activities in 2019 primarily from the sale of our investment in Genworth Canada, partially offset by net purchases of fixed maturity securities.
Financing activities in 2021 reflect a $200 million dividend paid in the fourth quarter while financing activities in 2020 reflect $738 million net proceeds from the issuance of our 2025 Senior Notes, discussed below, partially offset by a $437 million dividend paid to our Parent from the net proceeds of the offering. We paid dividends of $250 million in 2019. The amount and timing of future dividends will depend on the economic recovery from COVID-19, among other factors as described below.
Capital Resources and Financing Activities
We issued our 2025 Senior Notes in 2020 with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. During 2021 we made our first two interest payments of $23.6 million, each. The 2025 Senior Notes mature on August 15, 2025. We may redeem the 2025 Senior
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Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to February 15, 2025 at our option, by paying a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. At any time on or after February 15, 2025, we may redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at our option, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2025 Senior Notes contain customary events of default, which subject to certain notice and cure conditions, can result in the acceleration of the principal and accrued interest on the outstanding 2025 Senior Notes if we breach the terms of the indenture.
Pursuant to the GSE Restrictions, we are required to retain $300 million of our holding company cash that can be drawn down exclusively for our debt service or to contribute to GMICO to meet its regulatory capital needs including PMIERs. The current balance of the 2025 Senior Notes proceeds required to be held by our holding company is approximately $252 million. See “—Trends and Conditions” for additional information regarding the GSE Restrictions.
Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
The ability of our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and distributions to us is restricted by certain provisions of North Carolina insurance laws. Our insurance subsidiaries may pay dividends only from unassigned surplus; payments made from sources other than unassigned surplus, such as paid-in and contributed surplus, are categorized as distributions. Notice of all dividends must be submitted to the Commissioner of the NCDOI (the “Commissioner”) within 5 business days after declaration of the dividend or distribution, and at least 30 days before payment thereof. No dividend may be paid until 30 days after the Commissioner has received notice of the declaration thereof and (i) has not within that period disapproved the payment or (ii) has approved the payment within the 30-day period. Any distribution, regardless of amount, requires that same 30-day notice to the Commissioner, but also requires the Commissioner’s affirmative approval before being paid. Based on our estimated statutory results and in accordance with applicable dividend restrictions, our insurance subsidiaries have the capacity to pay dividends of $69.7 million from unassigned surplus as of December 31, 2021, with 30 day advance notice to the Commissioner of the intent to pay. In addition to dividends and distributions, alternative mechanisms, such as share repurchases, subject to any requisite regulatory approvals, may be utilized from time to time to upstream surplus.
On June 30, 2021, the GSEs issued a revised and restated version of the PMIERs Amendment that imposed temporary capital preservation provisions through December 31, 2021 that required an approved insurer to meet certain PMIERs minimum required asset buffers (150% in the third quarter of 2021 and 115% in the fourth quarter of 2021) or otherwise obtain prior written GSE approval before paying any dividends, pledging or transferring assets to an affiliate or entering into any new, or altering any existing, arrangements under tax sharing and intercompany expense-sharing agreements, even if such insurer had a surplus of available assets. In addition, prior to the satisfaction of the GSE Conditions, the GSE Restrictions require GMICO to maintain 115% of PMIERs Minimum Required Assets through 2021, 120% during 2022 and 125% thereafter.
In addition, we review multiple other considerations in parallel to determine a prospective dividend strategy for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries. Given the regulatory focus on the reasonableness of an insurer’s surplus in relation to its outstanding liabilities and the adequacy of its surplus relative to its financial needs for any dividend, our insurance subsidiaries consider the minimum amount of policyholder surplus after giving effect to any contemplated future dividends. Regulatory minimum policyholder surplus is not codified in North Carolina law and limitations may vary based on prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to, the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. We estimate regulators would require a minimum policyholder surplus of approximately $300 million to meet their threshold standard. Given (i) we are subject to statutory accounting requirements that establish a contingency reserve of at least 50% of net earned premiums annually for ten years, after which time it is released into policyholder surplus and (ii) that no material 10-year contingency reserve releases are scheduled before 2024, we expect modest growth in policyholder surplus through 2024. As a result, minimum policyholder surplus could be a limitation on the future dividends of our regulated operating subsidiaries.
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As mentioned above, another consideration in the development of the dividend strategies for our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries is our expected level of compliance with PMIERs. Under PMIERs, GMICO is subject to operational and financial requirements that approved insurers must meet in order to remain eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs. Refer to “—Trends and Conditions” for recent updates related to these requirements.
Our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries are also subject to statutory RTC requirements that affect the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries. GMICO’s domiciliary regulator, the NCDOI, requires the maintenance of a statutory RTC ratio not to exceed 25:1. See “—Risk-to-Capital Ratio” for additional RTC trend analysis.
We consider potential future dividends compared to the prior year statutory net income in the evaluation of dividend strategies for our regulated operating subsidiaries. We also consider the dividend payout ratio, or the ratio of potential future dividends compared to the estimated U.S. GAAP net income, in the evaluation of our dividend strategies. In either case, we do not have prescribed target or maximum thresholds, but we do evaluate the reasonableness of a potential dividend relative to the actual or estimated income generated in the proceeding or preceding calendar year after giving consideration to prevailing business conditions including, but not limited to the prevailing and future macroeconomic conditions. In addition, the dividend strategies of our regulated operating subsidiaries are made in consultation with our Parent.
Risk-to-Capital Ratio
We compute our RTC ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The RTC ratio is net RIF divided by policyholders’ surplus plus statutory contingency reserve. Our net RIF represents RIF, net of reinsurance ceded, and excludes risk on policies that are currently delinquent and for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet.
Certain states have insurance laws or regulations that require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital (including the statutory contingency reserve) relative to its level of RIF in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. While formulations of minimum capital vary in certain states, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted RTC ratio of 25:1.
The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our combined insurance subsidiaries as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 1,397 | $ | 1,555 | $ | 1,632 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 3,042 | 2,518 | 2,032 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 4,439 | $ | 4,073 | $ | 3,664 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 54,201 | $ | 49,104 | $ | 44,832 | ||||
| Combined risk-to-capital ratio | 12.2 | 12.1 | 12.2 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating combined statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
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The following table presents the calculation of our RTC ratio for our principal insurance company, GMICO, as of the dates indicated:
| (Dollar amounts in millions) | December 31,2021 | December 31,2020 | December 31,2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory policyholders’ surplus | $ | 1,346 | $ | 1,475 | $ | 1,555 | ||||
| Contingency reserves | 3,041 | 2,518 | 2,032 | |||||||
| Combined statutory capital | $ | 4,387 | $ | 3,993 | $ | 3,587 | ||||
| Adjusted RIF (1) | $ | 54,033 | $ | 49,021 | $ | 44,811 | ||||
| GMICO risk-to-capital ratio | 12.3 | 12.3 | 12.5 |
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(1)Adjusted RIF for purposes of calculating GMICO statutory RTC differs from RIF presented elsewhere herein. In accordance with NCDOI requirements, adjusted RIF excludes delinquent policies.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2021, we maintained liquidity in the form of cash and cash equivalents of $426 million compared to $453 million as of December 31, 2020, and we also held significant levels of investment-grade fixed maturity securities that can be monetized should our cash and cash equivalents be insufficient to meet our obligations. On August 21, 2020, we issued the 2025 Senior Notes. The GSE Restrictions require us to retain $300 million of the net proceeds in our holding company cash that can be drawn down exclusively for our debt service or to contribute to GMICO to meet its regulatory capital needs including PMIERs, until the GSE Conditions are satisfied. We distributed $437 million of the net proceeds to Genworth Holdings at the closing of the offering of our 2025 Senior Notes. The 2025 Senior Notes were issued to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in a private offering exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside of the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The current balance of the 2025 Senior Notes proceeds required to be held by our holding company is approximately $252 million.
The principal sources of liquidity in our business currently include insurance premiums, net investment income and cash flows from investment sales and maturities. We believe that the operating cash flows generated by our mortgage insurance subsidiary will provide the funds necessary to satisfy our claim payments, operating expenses and taxes. However, our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory and other capital restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. The net proceeds of the 2025 Senior Notes offering retained by EHI comprise substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents held directly by EHI and initially available to pay interest on the 2025 Senior Notes. To the extent the net proceeds retained from the offering is used to provide capital support to GMICO, the GSEs and the NCDOI may seek to prevent GMICO from returning that capital to EHI in the form of a dividend, distribution or an intercompany loan. We currently have no material financing commitments, such as lines of credit or guarantees, that are expected to affect our liquidity over the next five years, other than the 2025 Senior Notes.
Financial Strength Ratings
Ratings with respect to the financial strength of operating subsidiaries are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings are important to maintaining public confidence in us and our ability to market our products. Rating organizations review the financial performance and condition of most insurers and provide opinions regarding financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders.
The financial strength ratings of our operating companies are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to our stockholders. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to us from any future disruptions in the credit markets or downgrades by one or more of the rating agencies of the financial strength ratings of our insurance company subsidiaries and/or the credit
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ratings of our holding company as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise. We also cannot predict the impact on our ratings or future ratings of actions taken with respect to our Parent.
The following GMICO financial strength ratings have been independently assigned by third-party rating organizations and represent our current ratings, which are subject to change.
| Name of Agency | Rating | Outlook | Change | Date of Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. | Baa2 | Stable | Upgrade | September 24, 2021 |
| Fitch Ratings, Inc. | BBB+ | Stable | Upgrade | September 17, 2021 |
| Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC | BBB | Positive | Upgrade | September 24, 2021 |
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into agreements and other relationships with third parties in the ordinary course of our operations. However, we do not believe that our cash flow requirements can be assessed based upon this analysis of these obligations, as the funding of these future cash obligations will be from future cash flows from premiums and investment income that are not reflected in the following table. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon our future needs. Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. An example of obligations that are fixed include future lease payments. An example of obligations that will vary include insurance liabilities that depend on losses incurred. Refer to Note 7 and Note 12 of our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of borrowings and commitments in contingencies, respectively.
We experienced an increase in loss reserves during the year ended December 31, 2021, driven mostly by new delinquencies from borrower forbearance programs due to COVID-19. We expect a large portion of these delinquencies to cure before becoming an active claim; however, reserves recorded related to borrower forbearance have a high degree of estimation. Therefore, it is possible we could have higher contractual obligations related to these loss reserves if they do not cure as we expect. Refer to Note 5 in our audited consolidated financial statements for discussion of our loss reserves.
Refer to Note 2 in our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, for a discussion of recently adopted and not yet adopted accounting standards.