FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to ______
Commission file number 1-10816
 
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

WISCONSIN
 39-1486475
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
250 E. KILBOURN AVENUE
53202
 MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

(414) 347-6480
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
YES   x
 
 NO   o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
YES   x
 
 NO   o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer   x
Accelerated filer    o
Non-accelerated filer    o
Smaller reporting company   o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
YES   o
 
 NO   x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
CLASS OF STOCK
PAR VALUE
DATE
NUMBER OF SHARES
Common stock
$1.00
10/31/13
337,758,169
 


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
(Unaudited)

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
ASSETS
 
(In thousands)
 
Investment portfolio (notes 7 and 8):
 
   
 
Securities, available-for-sale, at fair value:
 
   
 
Fixed maturities (amortized cost, 2013 - $5,078,232; 2012 - $4,185,937)
 
$
5,017,288
   
$
4,227,339
 
Equity securities
   
2,884
     
2,936
 
Total investment portfolio
   
5,020,172
     
4,230,275
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
458,070
     
1,027,625
 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (note 1)
   
60,348
     
-
 
Accrued investment income
   
34,250
     
27,243
 
Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves (note 4)
   
70,621
     
104,848
 
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
   
14,377
     
15,605
 
Premium receivable
   
65,262
     
67,828
 
Home office and equipment, net
   
26,411
     
27,190
 
Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
   
12,518
     
11,245
 
Other assets
   
95,509
     
62,465
 
Total assets
 
$
5,857,538
   
$
5,574,324
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Loss reserves (note 12)
 
$
3,352,994
   
$
4,056,843
 
Premium deficiency reserve (note 13)
   
57,035
     
73,781
 
Unearned premiums
   
149,369
     
138,840
 
Senior notes (note 3)
   
82,758
     
99,910
 
Convertible senior notes (note 3)
   
845,000
     
345,000
 
Convertible junior debentures (note 3)
   
389,522
     
379,609
 
Other liabilities
   
277,814
     
283,401
 
Total liabilities
   
5,154,492
     
5,377,384
 
 
               
Contingencies (note 5)
               
 
               
Shareholders' equity (note 14):
               
Common stock (one dollar par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; shares issued 2013 - 340,047; 2012 - 205,047; shares outstanding 2013 - 337,758; 2012 - 202,032)
   
340,047
     
205,047
 
Paid-in capital
   
1,659,914
     
1,135,296
 
Treasury stock (shares at cost 2013 - 2,289; 2012 - 3,015)
   
(64,435
)
   
(104,959
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (note 9)
   
(159,270
)
   
(48,163
)
Accumulated deficit
   
(1,073,210
)
   
(990,281
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
703,046
     
196,940
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
5,857,538
   
$
5,574,324
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
2

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenues:
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Premiums written:
 
   
   
   
 
Direct
 
$
247,254
   
$
271,360
   
$
749,282
   
$
782,094
 
Assumed
   
509
     
597
     
1,591
     
1,852
 
Ceded
   
(13,485
)
   
(8,452
)
   
(31,473
)
   
(26,850
)
Net premiums written
   
234,278
     
263,505
     
719,400
     
757,096
 
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums, net
   
(2,421
)
   
2,927
     
(2,707
)
   
14,369
 
Net premiums earned
   
231,857
     
266,432
     
716,693
     
771,465
 
Investment income, net of expenses
   
20,250
     
30,394
     
59,461
     
99,980
 
Realized investment gains, net
   
189
     
6,184
     
3,933
     
110,356
 
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
   
(328
)
   
-
     
(328
)
   
(339
)
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
   
(328
)
   
-
     
(328
)
   
(339
)
Other revenue
   
2,481
     
3,209
     
7,735
     
25,530
 
Total revenues
   
254,449
     
306,219
     
787,494
     
1,006,992
 
 
                               
Losses and expenses:
                               
Losses incurred, net (note 12)
   
180,189
     
490,121
     
642,671
     
1,378,617
 
Change in premium deficiency reserve (note 13)
   
(3,813
)
   
(9,144
)
   
(16,746
)
   
(50,685
)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
   
2,209
     
1,939
     
5,861
     
5,544
 
Other underwriting and operating expenses, net
   
45,761
     
48,739
     
139,683
     
144,387
 
Interest expense
   
17,653
     
24,478
     
62,001
     
74,017
 
Total losses and expenses
   
241,999
     
556,133
     
833,470
     
1,551,880
 
Income (loss) before tax
   
12,450
     
(249,914
)
   
(45,976
)
   
(544,888
)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (note 11)
   
336
     
(2,972
)
   
2,465
     
(4,500
)
 
                               
Net income (loss)
 
$
12,114
   
$
(246,942
)
 
$
(48,441
)
 
$
(540,388
)
 
                               
Income (loss) per share (note 6):
                               
Basic
 
$
0.04
   
$
(1.22
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(2.68
)
Diluted
 
$
0.04
   
$
(1.22
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(2.68
)
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (note 6)
339,426 202,014 302,996 201,851
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
12,114
   
$
(246,942
)
 
$
(48,441
)
 
$
(540,388
)
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (note 9):
                               
 
                               
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses
   
7,277
     
44,487
     
(100,796
)
   
6,781
 
 
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
1,885
     
1,109
     
(10,311
)
   
1,468
 
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
   
9,162
     
45,596
     
(111,107
)
   
8,249
 
 
                               
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
21,276
   
$
(201,346
)
 
$
(159,548
)
 
$
(532,139
)
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Year Ended December 31, 2012 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 (Unaudited)

 
 
   
   
   
Accumulated
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
other
   
 
 
Common
Paid-in
Treasury
comprehensive
Accumulated
 
 
stock
   
capital
   
stock
   
income (loss)
   
deficit
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
Balance, December 31, 2011
 
$
205,047
   
$
1,135,821
   
$
(162,542
)
 
$
30,124
   
$
(11,635
)
 
                                       
Net loss
                                   
(927,079
)
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(78,659
)
   
-
 
Reissuance of treasury stock, net
   
-
     
(8,749
)
   
57,583
     
-
     
(51,567
)
Equity compensation
   
-
     
8,224
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,221
)
   
-
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,593
     
-
 
 
                                       
Balance, December 31, 2012
 
$
205,047
   
$
1,135,296
   
$
(104,959
)
 
$
(48,163
)
 
$
(990,281
)
 
                                       
Net loss
                                   
(48,441
)
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses, net (notes 7 and 8)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(100,796
)
   
-
 
Common stock issuance (note 14)
   
135,000
     
528,335
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Reissuance of treasury stock, net
   
-
     
(7,892
)
   
40,524
     
-
     
(34,488
)
Equity compensation
   
-
     
4,175
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(10,311
)
   
-
 
 
                                       
Balance, September 30, 2013
 
$
340,047
   
$
1,659,914
   
$
(64,435
)
 
$
(159,270
)
 
$
(1,073,210
)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(Unaudited)

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
   
 
Net loss
 
$
(48,441
)
 
$
(540,388
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and other amortization
   
53,599
     
77,226
 
Deferred tax benefit
   
(11
)
   
(2,645
)
Realized investment gains, excluding impairment losses
   
(3,933
)
   
(110,356
)
Net investment impairment losses
   
328
     
339
 
Gain on repurchases of senior notes
   
-
     
(17,775
)
Other
   
(14,147
)
   
(14,449
)
Change in certain assets and liabilities:
               
Accrued investment income
   
(7,007
)
   
13,249
 
Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves
   
34,227
     
36,748
 
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
   
1,228
     
3,165
 
Premium receivable
   
2,566
     
2,435
 
Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
   
(1,273
)
   
(2,946
)
Loss reserves
   
(703,849
)
   
(553,511
)
Premium deficiency reserve
   
(16,746
)
   
(50,685
)
Unearned premiums
   
10,529
     
(14,729
)
Income taxes payable (current)
   
314
     
1,800
 
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(692,616
)
   
(1,172,522
)
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of fixed maturities
   
(2,669,778
)
   
(3,330,811
)
Purchase of equity securities
   
(69
)
   
(70
)
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities
   
602,062
     
3,165,897
 
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities
   
1,120,152
     
1,138,371
 
Net increase (decrease) in payable for securities
   
317
     
(13,153
)
Net change in restricted cash
   
(60,348
)
   
-
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
   
(1,007,664
)
   
960,234
 
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from convertible senior notes
   
484,625
     
-
 
Common stock shares issued
   
663,335
     
-
 
Repurchases of long-term debt
   
(17,235
)
   
(53,107
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
1,130,725
     
(53,107
)
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(569,555
)
   
(265,395
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
1,027,625
     
995,799
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
458,070
   
$
730,404
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


6

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2013
(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

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

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of MGIC Investment Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting and do not include all of the other information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. As used below, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations or to MGIC Investment Corporation, as the context requires.

In the opinion of management the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary to fairly state our financial position and results of operations for the periods indicated. The results of operations for the interim period may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.

Capital

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

During part of 2012 and 2013, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio exceeded 25 to 1. In March 2013, our holding company issued additional equity and convertible debt securities and transferred $800 million to increase MGIC’s capital. At September 30, 2013, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 20.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $190 million above the required MPP of $1.2 billion. At September 30, 2013, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes reinsurance affiliates) was 22.7 to 1. A higher risk-to-capital ratio on a combined basis may indicate that, in order for MGIC to continue to utilize reinsurance arrangements with its subsidiaries or subsidiaries of our holding company, additional capital contributions to the reinsurance affiliates could be needed. These reinsurance arrangements permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.
7

At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current Capital Requirements, although we cannot assure you of such compliance. Matters that could negatively affect such compliance are discussed throughout the financial statement footnotes.

If MGIC fails to meet the Capital Requirements and is unable to obtain a waiver of them from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”), MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in all jurisdictions. If MGIC were prevented from writing new business in all jurisdictions, our insurance operations in MGIC would be in run-off (meaning no new loans would be insured but loans previously insured would continue to be covered, with premiums continuing to be received and losses continuing to be paid on those loans) until MGIC either met the Capital Requirements or obtained a waiver to allow it to once again write new business.

If MGIC fails to meet the Capital Requirements and is unable to obtain a waiver of them from a jurisdiction other than Wisconsin, MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in that particular jurisdiction. New insurance written in the jurisdictions that have Capital Requirements represented approximately 50% of our new insurance written in the first nine months of 2013.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) is reviewing the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers, although it has not established a date by which it must make proposals to change such requirements. Depending on the scope of proposals made by the NAIC, MGIC may be prevented from writing new business in the jurisdictions adopting such proposals. The GSEs, in conjunction with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) are also developing mortgage insurer capital standards that would replace the use of external credit ratings. Revised capital standards are expected to be released in 2013. We have not been informed of the revised capital requirements or their timeframes for effectiveness. We have various alternatives available to improve our existing risk-to-capital position, including contributing additional funds that are on hand today from our holding company to MGIC, entering into additional external reinsurance transactions, seeking approval to write business in MIC and raising additional capital. While there can be no assurance that MGIC would meet the GSE’s revised capital requirements by their effective date, we believe we could implement one or more of these alternatives so that we would continue to be an eligible mortgage insurer after the revised capital requirements are fully effective.

A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the Capital Requirements will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, we cannot assure you that events that may lead MGIC to fail to meet Capital Requirements would not also result in it not having sufficient claims paying resources. Furthermore, our estimates of MGIC’s claims paying resources and claim obligations are based on various assumptions. These assumptions include the timing of the receipt of claims on loans in our delinquency inventory and future claims that we anticipate will ultimately be received, our anticipated rescission activity, premiums, housing values and unemployment rates. These assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and require judgment by management. Current conditions in the domestic economy make the assumptions about when anticipated claims will be received, housing values, and unemployment rates highly volatile in the sense that there is a wide range of reasonably possible outcomes. Our anticipated rescission activity is also subject to inherent uncertainty due to the difficulty of predicting the amount of claims whose policies will be rescinded and the outcome of any legal proceedings or settlement discussions related to rescissions. Matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources are discussed throughout the financial statement footnotes.

8

We have in place a longstanding plan to write new business in MIC, a direct subsidiary of MGIC, in the event MGIC cannot meet the Capital Requirements of a jurisdiction or obtain a waiver of them. MIC is licensed to write business in all jurisdictions and, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, has received the necessary approvals from the OCI and the GSEs to write business. During 2012, MIC began writing new business in the jurisdictions where MGIC did not have waivers of the Capital Requirements. Because MGIC again meets the Capital Requirements, MGIC is again writing new business in all jurisdictions and MIC has suspended writing new business. As of September 30, 2013, MIC had statutory capital of $455 million and risk in force of approximately $950 million.

The OCI and GSE approvals of MIC expire at the end of 2013 and we do not expect to need an extension of such approvals. Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s approvals of MIC contain certain conditions and restrictions to its continued effectiveness.

Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 101 (“SSAP No. 101”) became effective January 1, 2012 and prescribed new standards for determining the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized as admitted assets for determining statutory capital. Under a permitted practice effective September 30, 2012 and until further notice, the OCI has approved MGIC to report its net deferred tax asset as an admitted asset in an amount not to exceed 10% of surplus as regards policyholders, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of SSAP No. 101. Deferred tax assets of $132 million and $63 million were included in MGIC’s statutory capital at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the accompanying financial statements to 2012 amounts to conform to 2013 presentation.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

During the second quarter of 2013, approximately $60.3 million was placed in escrow in connection with the two agreements we entered into to resolve our dispute with Countrywide Home Loans (“CHL”) and its affiliate, Bank of America, N.A., as successor to Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (“BANA” and collectively with CHL, “Countrywide”) regarding rescissions. See additional discussion of these settlement agreements in Note 5 – “Litigation and contingencies.”

Subsequent events

We have considered subsequent events through the date of this filing.
9

Note 2 - New Accounting Guidance

In June 2011, as amended in December 2011, new guidance was issued requiring entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. The option to present items of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity was eliminated. Our disclosures reflected the requirements of this new guidance beginning with the first quarter of 2012. Other provisions of this guidance regarding reclassifications out of other comprehensive income were finalized in February 2013. Our disclosures reflect the requirements of this additional guidance beginning with the first quarter of 2013.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an update to the accounting standard regarding income taxes. This update provides guidance concerning the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward (the “Carryforwards”) is available. This accounting standard requires an entity to net its liability related to unrecognized tax benefits against the related deferred tax assets for the Carryforwards. A gross presentation will be required when the Carryforwards are not available under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or when the Carryforwards would not be used by the entity to settle any additional income taxes resulting from disallowance of the uncertain tax position. This update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within such years beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. We do not expect the impact to be significant.
 
Note 3 – Debt

5.375% Senior Notes – due November 2015

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 we had outstanding $82.9 million and $100.1 million, respectively, of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015. During the second quarter of 2013 we repurchased $17.2 million of those Senior Notes at par value. Covenants in the Senior Notes include the requirement that there be no liens on the stock of the designated subsidiaries unless the Senior Notes are equally and ratably secured; that there be no disposition of the stock of designated subsidiaries unless all of the stock is disposed of for consideration equal to the fair market value of the stock; and that we and the designated subsidiaries preserve our corporate existence, rights and franchises unless we or any such subsidiary determines that such preservation is no longer necessary in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous to the Senior Notes. A designated subsidiary is any of our consolidated subsidiaries which has shareholders’ equity of at least 15% of our consolidated shareholders’ equity. We were in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2013.

If we fail to meet any of the covenants of the Senior Notes; there is a failure to pay when due at maturity, or a default results in the acceleration of maturity of, any of our other debt in an aggregate amount of $40 million or more; or we fail to make a payment of principal on the Senior Notes when due or a payment of interest on the Senior Notes within thirty days after due and we are not successful in obtaining an agreement from holders of a majority of the Senior Notes to change (or waive) the applicable requirement or payment default, then the holders of 25% or more of our Senior Notes would have the right to accelerate the maturity of those notes.  In addition, the trustee of the Senior Notes could, independent of any action by holders of Senior Notes, accelerate the maturity of the Senior Notes. The amounts we owe under the Senior Notes would also be accelerated upon certain bankruptcy or insolvency-related events involving our holding company, including certain events involving the appointment of a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official (collectively, an “Insolvency Official”) of our holding company or any substantial part of its property or the consent of our holding company to such an appointment. The description above is not intended to be complete in all respects. Moreover, the description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes, which are contained in the Indenture, dated as of October 15, 2000, between us and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee, and in an Officer's Certificate dated as of October 4, 2005, which specifies the interest rate, maturity date and other terms of the Senior Notes.
10

Interest payments on the Senior Notes were $2.8 million and $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

5% Convertible Senior Notes – due May 2017

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 we had outstanding $345 million principal amount of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in May 2017. Interest on the 5% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The 5% Notes will mature on May 1, 2017. Covenants in the 5% Notes include a requirement to notify holders in advance of certain events and that we and the designated subsidiaries (defined above) preserve our corporate existence, rights and franchises unless we or any such subsidiary determines that such preservation is no longer necessary in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous to the 5% Notes.

If an “event of default” under the 5% Notes occurs, including if: we fail to meet any of the covenants of the 5% Notes and such failure continues for 60 days after we receive notice from holders of 25% or more of the 5% Notes; there is a failure to pay when due at maturity or otherwise, or a default under any of our other debt results in the acceleration of maturity of, any of our other debt in an aggregate amount of $40 million or more; a final judgment for the payment of $40 million or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) is rendered against us or any of our subsidiaries which judgment is not discharged or stayed within certain time limits; or we fail to make a payment of principal on the 5% Notes when due or a payment of interest on the 5% Notes within thirty days after due and we are not successful in obtaining an agreement from holders of a majority of the 5% Notes to change (or waive) the applicable requirement or payment default, then the holders of 25% or more of the 5% Notes would have the right to accelerate the maturity of those notes. In addition, the trustee of the 5% Notes could, independent of any action by holders, accelerate the maturity of the 5% Notes if an “event of default” occurs. The amounts we owe under the 5% Notes would also be accelerated upon certain bankruptcy or insolvency-related events involving our holding company or a Significant Subsidiary, including the failure to have dismissed or stayed a petition seeking relief under bankruptcy or insolvency laws or the consent of our holding company or a Significant Subsidiary to the appointment of an Insolvency Official for all or substantially all of their respective property. “Significant Subsidiary” is defined in Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 and is measured as of the most recently completed fiscal year. As of December 31, 2012, MGIC and MGIC Reinsurance Corporation of Wisconsin were our Significant Subsidiaries.

The 5% Notes are convertible, at the holder's option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.4186 shares per $1,000 principal amount at any time prior to the maturity date. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $13.44 per share. These 5% Notes will be equal in right of payment to our other senior debt, discussed above, and will be senior in right of payment to our existing Convertible Junior Debentures, discussed below. Debt issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense over the contractual life of the 5% Notes. The provisions of the 5% Notes are complex. The description above is not intended to be complete in all respects. Moreover, that description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes, which are contained in the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2010, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and the Indenture dated as of October 15, 2000, between us and the trustee.
11

Interest payments on the 5% Notes were $8.6 million in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

2% Convertible Senior Notes – due April 2020

At September 30, 2013, we had outstanding $500 million principal amount of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 which we issued in March 2013. We received net proceeds of approximately $484.6 million after deducting underwriting discount and offering expenses. See Note 14 – “Shareholders’ Equity” for information regarding the use of such proceeds. Interest on the 2% Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2013. The 2% Notes will mature on April 1, 2020, unless earlier repurchased by us or converted. Subject to certain limitations the 2% Notes are convertible at the holder's option at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 143.8332 shares per $1,000 principal amount. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $6.95 per share. Before January 1, 2020, conversions may only occur under certain circumstances, including upon redemption of the 2% Notes. On or after January 1, 2020, holders may convert their notes at any time. These 2% Notes will be equal in right of payment to our other senior debt and will be senior in right of payment to our existing Convertible Junior Debentures. Debt issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense over the contractual life of the 2% Notes. Prior to April 10, 2017, the notes will not be redeemable. On any business day on or after April 10, 2017 we may redeem for cash all or part of the notes, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds 130% of the then prevailing conversion price of the notes for at least 20 of the 30 trading days preceding notice of the redemption.

Covenants in the 2% Notes include a requirement to notify holders in advance of certain events and that we and the designated subsidiaries (defined above) preserve our corporate existence, rights and franchises unless we or any such subsidiary determines that such preservation is no longer necessary in the conduct of its business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous to the 2% Notes.

If an “event of default” under the 2% Notes occurs, including if: we fail to meet any of the covenants of the 2% Notes and such failure continues for 60 days after we receive notice from holders of 25% or more of the 2% Notes; there is a failure to pay when due at maturity or otherwise, or a default under any of our other debt results in the acceleration of maturity of, any of our other debt in an aggregate amount of $40 million or more; a final judgment for the payment of $40 million or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) is rendered against us or any of our subsidiaries which judgment is not discharged or stayed within certain time limits; or we fail to make a payment of principal on the 2% Notes when due or a payment of interest on the 2% Notes within thirty days after due and we are not successful in obtaining an agreement from holders of a majority of the 2% Notes to change (or waive) the applicable requirement or payment default, then the holders of 25% or more of the 2% Notes would have the right to accelerate the maturity of those notes. In addition, the trustee of the 2% Notes could, independent of any action by holders, accelerate the maturity of the 2% Notes if an “event of default” occurs. The amounts we owe under the 2% Notes would also be accelerated upon certain bankruptcy or insolvency-related events involving our holding company or a Significant Subsidiary, including the failure to have dismissed or stayed a petition seeking relief under bankruptcy or insolvency laws or the consent of our holding company or a Significant Subsidiary to the appointment of an Insolvency Official for all or substantially all of their respective property.
12

The provisions of the 2% Notes are complex. The description above is not intended to be complete in all respects. Moreover, that description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes, which are contained in the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated March 12, 2013, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and the Indenture dated as of October 15, 2000, between us and the trustee.

9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures – due April 2063

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 we had outstanding $389.5 million principal amount of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063 (the “debentures”). At December 31, 2012 the amortized value of the principal amount of the debentures is reflected as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet of $379.6 million, with the unamortized discount reflected in equity. Beginning March 31, 2013, including at September 30, 2013, the full principal amount of the debentures was reflected as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet. The debentures rank junior to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness.

Violations of the covenants under the Indenture governing the debentures, including covenants to provide certain documents to the trustee, are not events of default under the Indenture and would not allow the acceleration of amounts that we owe under the debentures. Similarly, events of default under, or acceleration of, any of our other obligations, including those described above, would not allow the acceleration of amounts that we owe under the debentures. However, if we fail to pay principal or interest when due under the debentures, then the holders of 25% or more of the debentures would have the right to accelerate the maturity of them. In addition, the trustee of the debentures could, independent of any action by holders, accelerate the maturity of the debentures. The amounts we owe under the Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures would also be accelerated upon certain bankruptcy or insolvency-related events involving our holding company, including the appointment of a custodian of it or any substantial part of its properties.

Interest on the debentures is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. As long as no event of default with respect to the debentures has occurred and is continuing, we may defer interest, under an optional deferral provision, for one or more consecutive interest periods up to ten years without giving rise to an event of default. Deferred interest will accrue additional interest at the rate then applicable to the debentures. During an optional deferral period we may not pay or declare dividends on our common stock.

Interest on the debentures that would have been payable on the scheduled interest payment date of October 1, 2012 had been deferred. During the deferral period the deferred interest continued to accrue and compound semi-annually at an annual rate of 9%.

On April 1, 2013 we paid the deferred interest payment, including the compound interest. The interest payment, totaling approximately $18.3 million, was made from the net proceeds of our March 2013 common stock offering. We also paid the regular April 1, 2013 interest payment due on the debentures of approximately $17.5 million. We continue to have the right to defer interest that is payable on subsequent scheduled interest payment dates. Any deferral of such interest would be on terms equivalent to those described above.
13

When interest on the debentures is deferred, we are required, not later than a specified time, to use reasonable commercial efforts to begin selling qualifying securities to persons who are not our affiliates. The specified time is one business day after we pay interest on the debentures that was not deferred, or if earlier, the fifth anniversary of the scheduled interest payment date on which the deferral started. Qualifying securities are common stock, certain warrants and certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock. The requirement to use such efforts to sell such securities is called the Alternative Payment Mechanism.

The net proceeds of Alternative Payment Mechanism sales are to be applied to the payment of deferred interest, including the compound portion. We cannot pay deferred interest other than from the net proceeds of Alternative Payment Mechanism sales, except at the final maturity of the debentures or at the tenth anniversary of the start of the interest deferral. The Alternative Payment Mechanism does not require us to sell common stock or warrants before the fifth anniversary of the interest payment date on which that deferral started if the net proceeds (counting any net proceeds of those securities previously sold under the Alternative Payment Mechanism) would exceed the 2% cap. The 2% cap is 2% of the average closing price of our common stock times the number of our outstanding shares of common stock. The average price is determined over a specified period ending before the issuance of the common stock or warrants being sold, and the number of outstanding shares is determined as of the date of our most recent publicly released financial statements.

We are not required to issue under the Alternative Payment Mechanism a total of more than 10 million shares of common stock, including shares underlying qualifying warrants. In addition, we may not issue under the Alternative Payment Mechanism qualifying preferred stock if the total net proceeds of all issuances would exceed 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the debentures.

The Alternative Payment Mechanism does not apply during any period between scheduled interest payment dates if there is a “market disruption event” that occurs over a specified portion of such period. Market disruption events include any material adverse change in domestic or international economic or financial conditions.

The provisions of the debentures are complex. The description above is not intended to be complete in all respects. Moreover, that description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the debentures, which are contained in the Indenture, dated as of March 28, 2008, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

We may redeem the debentures in whole or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds 130% of the then prevailing conversion price of the debentures for at least 20 of the 30 trading days preceding notice of the redemption.

The debentures are currently convertible, at the holder's option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.0741 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of debentures at any time prior to the maturity date. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share. If a holder elects to convert their debentures, deferred interest owed on the debentures being converted is also converted into shares of our common stock. The conversion rate for any deferred interest is based on the average price that our shares traded at during a 5-day period immediately prior to the election to convert. In lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion of the debentures, we may, at our option, make a cash payment to converting holders for all or some of the shares of our common stock otherwise issuable upon conversion.
14

Interest payments on the debentures were $35.8 million and $17.5 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

All debt

The par value and fair value of our debt at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 appears in the table below.
 
 
 
Par Value
   
Total Fair
Value
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2013
 
   
   
   
   
 
Liabilities:
 
   
   
   
   
 
Senior Notes
 
$
82,883
   
$
85,369
   
$
85,369
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
   
345,000
     
370,754
     
370,754
     
-
     
-
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2020
   
500,000
     
620,000
     
620,000
     
-
     
-
 
Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
   
389,522
     
428,233
     
-
     
428,233
     
-
 
Total Debt
 
$
1,317,405
   
$
1,504,356
   
$
1,076,123
   
$
428,233
   
$
-
 
 
                                       
December 31, 2012
                                       
Liabilities:
                                       
Senior Notes
 
$
100,118
   
$
79,594
   
$
79,594
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Convertible Senior Notes due 2017
   
345,000
     
242,880
     
242,880
     
-
     
-
 
Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
   
389,522
     
173,096
     
-
     
173,096
     
-
 
Total Debt
 
$
834,640
   
$
495,570
   
$
322,474
   
$
173,096
   
$
-
 

The fair value of our Senior Notes and Convertible Senior Notes was determined using publicly available trade information and are considered Level 1 securities as described in Note 8 – “Fair Value Measurements.” The fair value of our debentures was determined using available pricing for these debentures or similar instruments and are considered Level 2 securities as described in Note 8 – “Fair Value Measurements.”
 
The Senior Notes, Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Junior Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries. At September 30, 2013, we had approximately $594 million in cash and investments at our holding company. The net unrealized losses on our holding company investment portfolio were approximately $6.9 million at September 30, 2013. The modified duration of the holding company investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, was 2.6 years at September 30, 2013.
15

Note 4 – Reinsurance

MGIC has obtained both captive and non-captive reinsurance in the past. In a captive reinsurance arrangement, the reinsurer is affiliated with the lender for whom MGIC provides mortgage insurance.

Since June 2005, various state and federal regulators have conducted investigations or requested information regarding captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements in which we participated. In April 2013, the U.S. District Court approved a settlement between MGIC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) that resolved federal investigation of MGIC’s participation in captive reinsurance arrangements in the mortgage insurance industry. The settlement concludes the investigation with respect to MGIC without the CFPB or the court making any findings of wrongdoing. Three other mortgage insurers agreed to similar settlements. As part of the settlements, MGIC and the three other mortgage insurers agreed that they would not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years. In accordance with this settlement, all of our active captive arrangements have been placed into run-off.

Captive agreements were written on an annual book of business and the captives are required to maintain a separate trust account to support the combined reinsured risk on all annual books. MGIC is the sole beneficiary of the trust, and the trust account is made up of capital deposits by the lender captive, premium deposits by MGIC, and investment income earned.  These amounts are held in the trust account and are available to pay reinsured losses. The reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to captive agreements was approximately $71 million at September 30, 2013 which was supported by $234 million of trust assets, while at December 31, 2012 the reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves related to captives was $104 million which was supported by $303 million of trust assets. At each of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 there was an additional $25 million of trust assets in captive agreements where there was no related reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves. Trust fund assets of $3.3 million and $0.4 million were transferred to us as a result of captive terminations during the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The CFPB's investigation involved captive reinsurance. In April 2013, we entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers. These reinsurers are not captive reinsurers. This reinsurance agreement applies to new insurance written between April 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015 (with certain exclusions) and covers incurred losses, with renewal premium through December 31, 2018. Early termination is possible under specified scenarios. The structure of the reinsurance agreement is a 30% quota share, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. The impact of the reinsurance agreement was not significant to our results for the third quarter or first nine months of 2013.
16

Note 5 – Litigation and Contingencies

Consumers continue to bring lawsuits against home mortgage lenders and settlement service providers. Mortgage insurers, including MGIC, have been involved in litigation alleging violations of the anti-referral fee provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is commonly known as RESPA, and the notice provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is commonly known as FCRA. MGIC’s settlement of class action litigation against it under RESPA became final in October 2003. MGIC settled the named plaintiffs’ claims in litigation against it under FCRA in December 2004, following denial of class certification in June 2004. Since December 2006, class action litigation has been brought against a number of large lenders alleging that their captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements violated RESPA. Beginning in December 2011, MGIC, together with various mortgage lenders and other mortgage insurers, has been named as a defendant in twelve lawsuits, alleged to be class actions, filed in various U.S. District Courts. Seven of those cases have previously been dismissed without any further opportunity to appeal. The complaints in all of the cases allege various causes of action related to the captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements of the mortgage lenders, including that the defendants violated RESPA by paying excessive premiums to the lenders’ captive reinsurer in relation to the risk assumed by that captive. MGIC denies any wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations in the lawsuits. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to further litigation under RESPA (or FCRA) or that the outcome of any such litigation, including the lawsuits mentioned above, would not have a material adverse effect on us.

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

We remain subject to various state investigations or information requests regarding captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements, including (1) a request received by MGIC in June 2005 from the New York Department of Financial Services for information regarding captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements and other types of arrangements in which lenders receive compensation; and (2) requests received from the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) beginning in February 2006 regarding captive mortgage reinsurance and certain other matters in response to which MGIC has provided information on several occasions, including as recently as May 2011. On August 28, 2013, MGIC and several competitors received a draft Consent Order from the MN Department containing proposed conditions to resolve its investigation, including unspecified penalties. We are engaged in discussions with the MN Department regarding the draft Consent Order. We do not believe a resolution of this Minnesota matter would be material to our financial statements or position. Other insurance departments or other officials, including attorneys general, may also seek information about, investigate, or seek remedies regarding captive mortgage reinsurance.

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

17

We are subject to comprehensive, detailed regulation by state insurance departments. These regulations are principally designed for the protection of our insured policyholders, rather than for the benefit of investors. Although their scope varies, state insurance laws generally grant broad supervisory powers to agencies or officials to examine insurance companies and enforce rules or exercise discretion affecting almost every significant aspect of the insurance business. Given the recent significant losses incurred by many insurers in the mortgage and financial guaranty industries, our insurance subsidiaries have been subject to heightened scrutiny by insurance regulators. State insurance regulatory authorities could take actions, including changes in capital requirements or termination of waivers of capital requirements, that could have a material adverse effect on us. In early 2013, the CFPB issued rules to implement laws requiring mortgage lenders to make ability-to-pay determinations prior to extending credit. We are uncertain whether the CFPB will issue any other rules or regulations that affect our business. Such rules and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.

We understand several law firms have, among other things, issued press releases to the effect that they are investigating us, including whether the fiduciaries of our 401(k) plan breached their fiduciary duties regarding the plan’s investment in or holding of our common stock or whether we breached other legal or fiduciary obligations to our shareholders. We intend to defend vigorously any proceedings that may result from these investigations. With limited exceptions, our bylaws provide that our officers and 401(k) plan fiduciaries are entitled to indemnification from us for claims against them.

Since December 2009, we have been involved in legal proceedings with Countrywide in which Countrywide alleged that MGIC denied valid mortgage insurance claims. (In our SEC reports, we refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims collectively as “rescissions” and variations of that term.) In addition to the claim amounts it alleged MGIC had improperly denied, Countrywide contended it was entitled to other damages of almost $700 million as well as exemplary damages. We sought a determination in those proceedings that we were entitled to rescind coverage on the applicable loans. From January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on Countrywide-related loans mitigated our paid losses on the order of $445 million. This amount is the amount we estimate we would have paid had the coverage not been rescinded. In addition, in connection with mediation we were holding with Countrywide, we voluntarily suspended rescissions related to loans that we believed could be covered by a settlement.

In April 2013, MGIC entered into separate settlement agreements with CHL and BANA (which agreements have been amended by amendments that were technical in nature), pursuant to which the parties will settle the Countrywide litigation as it relates to MGIC’s rescission practices. The agreement with BANA covers loans which had been sold to the GSEs by CHL, including loans subsequently repurchased by BANA, as well as other CHL-originated loans owned by BANA or one of its affiliates. Both GSEs have consented to the agreement with BANA and implementation began November 1, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on approximately 2,100 loans under the agreement with BANA, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $150 million, had been suspended. We expect to process the suspended rescissions beginning in November 2013 and expect most of the associated claims will be paid in accordance with our practice. The agreement with CHL covers loans that were purchased by non-GSE investors, including securitization trusts (the “other investors”). The agreement with CHL will be implemented only as and to the extent that it is consented to by or on behalf of the other investors, and any such implementation is expected to occur no earlier than the first quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on approximately 800 loans under the agreement with CHL, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $70 million, had been suspended. While there can be no assurance that the agreement with CHL will be implemented, we have determined that its implementation is probable.
18

The pending arbitration proceedings concerning the loans covered by the BANA Agreement have been dismissed, the mutual releases between parties regarding such loans have become effective and the litigation between the parties regarding such loans is to be dismissed. The pending arbitration proceeding between the parties regarding the loans subject to the CHL proceeding is stayed. Upon obtaining a specified number of consents by or on behalf of the other investors and also upon the conclusion of the period in the CHL Agreement for obtaining consents by or on behalf of the other investors, all legal proceedings will be dismissed and the parties will provide mutual releases, in each case limited as to the loans held by the other investors that consent to the CHL Agreement.

We recorded the estimated impact of the agreements with BANA and CHL, including the payments of claims associated with the suspended rescissions being made beginning in November 2013 (and another probable settlement) in our financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2012. If we are not able to implement the agreement with CHL, we intend to defend MGIC against any related legal proceedings, vigorously.

In addition to the suspended Countrywide rescissions, as of September 30, 2013, coverage on approximately 540 loans, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $38 million, was affected by our decision to suspend rescissions for customers for which we consider settlement agreements probable.

The flow policies at issue with Countrywide are in the same form as the flow policies that we used with all of our customers during the period covered by the Agreements, and the bulk policies at issue vary from one another, but are generally similar to those used in the majority of our Wall Street bulk transactions. The settlement with Countrywide may encourage other customers to pursue remedies against us. From January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013, we estimate that total rescissions mitigated our incurred losses by approximately $2.9 billion, which included approximately $3.0 billion of mitigation on paid losses, excluding $0.6 billion that would have been applied to a deductible. At September 30, 2013, we estimate that our total loss reserves were benefited from anticipated rescissions by approximately $0.1 billion.

Before paying a claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. All of our insurance policies provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy, including the requirement to mitigate our loss by performing reasonable loss mitigation efforts or, for example, diligently pursuing a foreclosure or bankruptcy relief in a timely manner. We call such reduction of claims submitted to us “curtailments.” In 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 4.1% and 5.5%, respectively. In addition, the claims submitted to us sometimes include costs and expenses not covered by our insurance policies, such as mortgage insurance premiums, hazard insurance premiums for periods after the claim date and losses resulting from property damage that has not been repaired. These other adjustments reduced claim amounts by less than the amount of curtailments.

After we pay a claim, servicers and insureds sometimes object to our curtailments and other adjustments. We review these objections if they are sent to us within 90 days after the claim was paid. Historically, we have not had material disputes regarding our curtailments or other adjustments.
19

The Agreements referred to above do not resolve assertions by Countrywide that MGIC has improperly curtailed numerous insurance coverage claims. As of the fourth quarter of 2012, Countrywide asserted that the amount of disputed curtailments approximated $40 million. MGIC and Countrywide have agreed to mediate this matter and to enter into arbitration if the mediation does not resolve the matter. We do not believe a loss is probable regarding this curtailment dispute and have not accrued any reserves that would reflect an adverse outcome to this dispute. We intend to defend vigorously our position regarding the correctness of these curtailments under our insurance policy. Although we have not had other material objections to our curtailment and adjustment practices, there can be no assurances that we will not face additional challenges to such practices.

A non-insurance subsidiary of our holding company is a shareholder of the corporation that operates the Mortgage Electronic Registration System (“MERS”).  Our subsidiary, as a shareholder of MERS, has been named as a defendant (along with MERS and its other shareholders) in eight lawsuits asserting various causes of action arising from allegedly improper recording and foreclosure activities by MERS. One of those lawsuits remains pending and the other seven lawsuits have been dismissed without any further opportunity to appeal.  The damages sought in the remaining case are substantial. We deny any wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously against the allegations in the lawsuits.

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

Through a non-insurance subsidiary, we utilize our underwriting skills to provide an outsourced underwriting service to our customers known as contract underwriting. As part of the contract underwriting activities, that subsidiary is responsible for the quality of the underwriting decisions in accordance with the terms of the contract underwriting agreements with customers. That subsidiary may be required to provide certain remedies to its customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. These obligations have been primarily funded by contributions from our holding company and, in part, from the operations of the subsidiary. A generally positive economic environment for residential real estate that continued until approximately 2007 may have mitigated the effect of some of these costs in previous years. Historically, a material portion of our new insurance written through the flow channel has involved loans for which that subsidiary provided contract underwriting services, including new insurance written between 2006 and 2008. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed. We believe the rescission of mortgage insurance coverage on loans for which the subsidiary provided contract underwriting services may make a claim for a contract underwriting remedy more likely to occur. Beginning in the second half of 2009, our subsidiary experienced an increase in claims for contract underwriting remedies, which continued throughout 2012. The related contract underwriting remedy expense was approximately $27 million, $23 million and $19 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. The underwriting remedy expense for the first nine months of 2013 was approximately $4.4 million, but may increase in the future.

See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a description of federal income tax contingencies.
20

Note 6 – Earnings (Loss) per Share

Our basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which excludes participating securities of 0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 1.1 million for each of  the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 because they were anti-dilutive due to our reported net loss. Participating securities of 0.1 million were included in our weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Typically, diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common stock equivalents which include certain stock awards, stock options and the dilutive effect of our convertible debt. In accordance with accounting guidance, if we report a net loss from continuing operations then our diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as the basic EPS. In addition if any common stock equivalents are anti-dilutive they are excluded from the calculation. The following includes a reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares; however for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 common stock equivalents of 126.5 million and 55.4 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 common stock equivalents of 109.6 million and 55.6 million, respectively, were not included because they were anti-dilutive.

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
   
   
   
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
337,868
     
202,014
     
302,996
     
201,851
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
12,114
   
$
(246,942
)
 
$
(48,441
)
 
$
(540,388
)
Basic income (loss) per share
 
$
0.04
   
$
(1.22
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(2.68
)
 
                               
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
Weighted-average shares - Basic
   
337,868
     
202,014
     
302,996
     
201,851
 
Common stock equivalents
   
1,558
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
 
                               
Weighted-average shares - Diluted
   
339,426
     
202,014
     
302,996
     
201,851
 
 
                               
Net income (loss)
 
$
12,114
   
$
(246,942
)
 
$
(48,441
)
 
$
(540,388
)
Diluted income (loss) per share
 
$
0.04
   
$
(1.22
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(2.68
)

21

Note 7 – Investments

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of the investment portfolio at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are shown below.

 
 
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
 
 
 
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
September 30, 2013
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses (1)
   
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
803,637
   
$
1,853
   
$
(18,723
)
 
$
786,767
 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
   
920,006
     
7,294
     
(14,467
)
   
912,833
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,180,842
     
8,884
     
(25,268
)
   
2,164,458
 
Asset-backed securities
   
340,273
     
1,049
     
(508
)
   
340,814
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
395,664
     
162
     
(18,261
)
   
377,565
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
260,130
     
90
     
(6,413
)
   
253,807
 
Collateralized loan obligations
   
61,336
     
-
     
(831
)
   
60,505
 
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
   
116,344
     
5,162
     
(967
)
   
120,539
 
Total debt securities
   
5,078,232
     
24,494
     
(85,438
)
   
5,017,288
 
Equity securities
   
2,867
     
29
     
(12
)
   
2,884
 
 
                               
Total investment portfolio
 
$
5,081,099
   
$
24,523
   
$
(85,450
)
 
$
5,020,172
 

 
 
   
Gross
   
Gross
   
 
 
 
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
December 31, 2012
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses (1)
   
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
863,282
   
$
3,040
   
$
(71
)
 
$
866,251
 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
   
795,935
     
16,965
     
(506
)
   
812,394
 
Corporate debt securities
   
1,469,844
     
13,813
     
(2,716
)
   
1,480,941
 
Asset-backed securities
   
322,802
     
1,657
     
(23
)
   
324,436
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
451,352
     
871
     
(1,314
)
   
450,909
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
150,232
     
524
     
(414
)
   
150,342
 
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
   
132,490
     
9,784
     
(208
)
   
142,066
 
Total debt securities
   
4,185,937
     
46,654
     
(5,252
)
   
4,227,339
 
Equity securities
   
2,797
     
139
     
-
     
2,936
 
 
                               
Total investment portfolio
 
$
4,188,734
   
$
46,793
   
$
(5,252
)
 
$
4,230,275
 
 
(1) At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in other comprehensive income.

22

Our foreign investments primarily consist of the investment portfolio supporting our Australian domiciled subsidiary. This portfolio is comprised of Australian government and semi government securities, representing 84% of the market value of our foreign investments with the remaining 12% invested in corporate securities and 4% in cash equivalents. Ninety-three percent of the Australian portfolio is rated AAA, by one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, and the remaining 7% is rated AA.

The amortized cost and fair values of debt securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Because most asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in separate categories.

 
 
Amortized
   
Fair
 
September 30, 2013
 
Cost
   
Value
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
 
Due in one year or less
 
$
793,035
   
$
794,081
 
Due after one year through five years
   
1,876,491
     
1,881,820
 
Due after five years through ten years
   
870,872
     
846,993
 
Due after ten years
   
480,431
     
461,703
 
 
               
 
 
$
4,020,829
   
$
3,984,597
 
 
               
Asset-backed securities
   
340,273
     
340,814
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
395,664
     
377,565
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
260,130
     
253,807
 
Collateralized loan obligations
   
61,336
     
60,505
 
 
               
Total at September 30, 2013
 
$
5,078,232
   
$
5,017,288
 

23

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the investment portfolio had gross unrealized losses of $85.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively.  For those securities in an unrealized loss position, the length of time the securities were in such a position, as measured by their month-end fair values, is as follows:
 
 
 
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
 
 
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
September 30, 2013
 
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
466,889
   
$
18,723
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
466,889
   
$
18,723
 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
   
450,898
     
14,426
     
1,726
     
41
     
452,624
     
14,467
 
Corporate debt securities
   
1,265,779
     
24,940
     
14,089
     
328
     
1,279,868
     
25,268
 
Asset-backed securities
   
84,000
     
508
     
-
     
-
     
84,000
     
508
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
348,693
     
17,796
     
24,744
     
465
     
373,437
     
18,261
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
221,265
     
6,413
     
177
     
-
     
221,442
     
6,413
 
Collateralized loan obligations
   
60,505
     
831
     
-
     
-
     
60,505
     
831
 
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
   
25,461
     
777
     
7,037
     
190
     
32,498
     
967
 
Equity securities
   
977
     
12
     
-
     
-
     
977
     
12
 
Total investment portfolio
 
$
2,924,467
   
$
84,426
   
$
47,773
   
$
1,024
   
$
2,972,240
   
$
85,450
 

 
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
 
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
December 31, 2012
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
 
(In thousands)
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
24,094
   
$
71
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
24,094
   
$
71
 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
   
156,111
     
505
     
1,006
     
1
     
157,117
     
506
 
Corporate debt securities
   
280,765
     
2,714
     
3,353
     
2
     
284,118
     
2,716
 
Asset-backed securities
   
29,675
     
23
     
-
     
-
     
29,675
     
23
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
315,000
     
982
     
19,939
     
332
     
334,939
     
1,314
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
72,689
     
414
     
-
     
-
     
72,689
     
414
 
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
   
14,695
     
208
     
-
     
-
     
14,695
     
208
 
Total investment portfolio
 
$
893,029
   
$
4,917
   
$
24,298
   
$
335
   
$
917,327
   
$
5,252
 

The unrealized losses in all categories of our investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were primarily caused by the difference in interest rates at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, compared to interest rates at the time of purchase.

Under the current guidance a debt security impairment is deemed other than temporary if we either intend to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery or we do not expect to collect cash flows sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of the security. During each of the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 there were other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized of $0.3 million.
24

The net realized investment gains (losses) and OTTI on the investment portfolio are as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Net realized investment gains (losses) and OTTI on investments:
 
   
   
   
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
(393
)
 
$
8,901
   
$
2,755
   
$
110,335
 
Equity securities
   
254
     
30
     
850
     
424
 
Other
   
-
     
(2,747
)
   
-
     
(742
)
 
                               
 
 
$
(139
)
 
$
6,184
   
$
3,605
   
$
110,017
 

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Net realized investment gains (losses) and OTTI on investments:
 
   
   
   
 
Gains on sales
 
$
391
   
$
10,559
   
$
5,352
   
$
118,599
 
Losses on sales
   
(202
)
   
(4,375
)
   
(1,419
)
   
(8,243
)
Impairment losses
   
(328
)
   
-
     
(328
)
   
(339
)
 
                               
 
 
$
(139
)
 
$
6,184
   
$
3,605
   
$
110,017
 

Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable. Level 3 inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain state and auction rate (backed by student loans) securities. Non-financial assets which utilize Level 3 inputs include real estate acquired through claim settlement.
25

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

Assets classified as Level 3 are as follows:

· Securities available-for-sale classified in Level 3 are not readily marketable and are valued using internally developed models based on the present value of expected cash flows. Our Level 3 securities, at December 31, 2012, primarily consisted of auction rate securities for which observable inputs or value drivers were unavailable. Due to limited market information, we utilized a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to derive an estimate of fair value of these assets at December 31, 2012.  The DCF model for estimating the fair value of the auction rate securities as of December 31, 2012 was based on the following key assumptions:

o Nominal credit risk as substantially all of the underlying collateral of these securities is ultimately guaranteed by the United States Department of Education;
o Time to liquidity  through December 31, 2013;
o Continued receipt of contractual interest; and
o Discount rates ranging from 16.87% to 18.35%, which include a spread for liquidity risk.

During the first three months of 2013 we sold our remaining auction rate securities.  At September 30, 2013, the majority of the $3 million balance of Level 3 securities is state premium tax credit investments.  The state premium tax credit investments have an average maturity of under 5 years, credit ratings of AA+ or higher, and their balance reflects their remaining scheduled payments discounted at an average annual rate of 7.3%.

· Real estate acquired through claim settlement is fair valued at the lower of our acquisition cost or a percentage of appraised value. The percentage applied to appraised value is based upon our historical sales experience adjusted for current trends.

26

Fair value measurements for assets measured at fair value included the following as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 
 
Fair Value
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2013
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
786,767
   
$
786,767
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
   
912,833
     
-
     
910,263
     
2,570
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,164,458
     
-
     
2,164,458
     
-
 
Asset-backed securities
   
340,814
     
-
     
340,814
     
-
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
377,565
     
-
     
377,565
     
-
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
253,807
     
-
     
253,807
     
-
 
Collateralized loan obligations
   
60,505
     
-
     
60,505
     
-
 
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
   
120,539
     
120,539
     
-
     
-
 
Total debt securities
   
5,017,288
     
907,306
     
4,107,412
     
2,570
 
Equity securities
   
2,884
     
2,563
     
-
     
321
 
Total investments
 
$
5,020,172
   
$
909,869
   
$
4,107,412
   
$
2,891
 
Real estate acquired (1)
 
$
12,376
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
12,376
 

27

 
 
Fair Value
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
December 31, 2012
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
866,251
   
$
866,251
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
   
812,394
     
-
     
809,264
     
3,130
 
Corporate debt securities
   
1,480,941
     
-
     
1,463,827
     
17,114
 
Asset-backed securities
   
324,436
     
-
     
324,436
     
-
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
450,909
     
-
     
450,909
     
-
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
   
150,342
     
-
     
150,342
     
-
 
Debt securities issued by foreign sovereign governments
   
142,066
     
142,066
     
-
     
-
 
Total debt securities
   
4,227,339
     
1,008,317
     
3,198,778
     
20,244
 
Equity securities
   
2,936
     
2,615
     
-
     
321
 
Total investments
 
$
4,230,275
   
$
1,010,932
   
$
3,198,778
   
$
20,565
 
Real estate acquired (1)
 
$
3,463
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
3,463
 

(1) Real estate acquired through claim settlement, which is held for sale, is reported in Other Assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

There were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2 during the first nine months of 2013 or 2012.
28

For assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S.
States and Political
Subdivisions
   
Corporate Debt
Securities
   
Equity
Securities
   
Total
Investments
   
Real Estate
Acquired
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at June 30, 2013
 
$
2,811
   
$
-
   
$
321
   
$
3,132
   
$
8,741
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
                                       
Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,378
)
Purchases
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
10,857
 
Sales
   
(241
)
   
-
     
-
     
(241
)
   
(5,844
)
Transfers into Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Transfers out of Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance at September 30, 2013
 
$
2,570
   
$
-
   
$
321
   
$
2,891
   
$
12,376
 
 
                                       
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2013 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2013
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

29

 
 
Obligations of U.S.
States and Political
Subdivisions
   
Corporate
Debt Securities
   
Equity
Securities
   
Total
Investments
   
Real Estate
Acquired
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
3,130
   
$
17,114
   
$
321
   
$
20,565
   
$
3,463
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
                                       
Included in earnings and reported as realized investment gains (losses), net
   
-
     
(225
)
   
-
     
(225
)
   
-
 
Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(3,680
)
Purchases
   
30
     
-
     
-
     
30
     
28,401
 
Sales
   
(590
)
   
(16,889
)
   
-
     
(17,479
)
   
(15,808
)
Transfers into Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Transfers out of Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance at September 30, 2013
 
$
2,570
   
$
-
   
$
321
   
$
2,891
   
$
12,376
 
 
                                       
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2013
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S.
States and Political
Subdivisions
Corporate Debt
Securities
Equity
Securities
Total
Investments
Real Estate
Acquired
 
(In thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2012
 
$
83,981
   
$
40,857
   
$
321
   
$
125,159
   
$
3,074
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
                                       
Included in earnings and reported as realized investment gains (losses), net
   
(467
)
   
-
     
-
     
(467
)
   
-
 
Included in earnings and reported as impairment losses, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(309
)
Included in other comprehensive income
   
971
     
68
     
-
     
1,039
     
-
 
Purchases
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,718
 
Sales
   
(10,690
)
   
-
     
-
     
(10,690
)
   
(2,386
)
Transfers into Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Transfers out of Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance at September 30, 2012
 
$
73,795
   
$
40,925
   
$
321
   
$
115,041
   
$
3,097
 
 
                                       
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2012 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2012
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

30

 
 
Obligations of U.S.
States and Political
Subdivisions
   
Corporate Debt
Securities
   
Equity
Securities
   
Total
Investments
   
Real Estate
Acquired
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at December 31, 2011
 
$
114,226
   
$
60,228
   
$
321
   
$
174,775
   
$
1,621
 
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
                                       
Included in earnings and reported as realized investment gains (losses), net
   
(2,992
)
   
(1,081
)
   
-
     
(4,073
)
   
-
 
Included in earnings and reported as impairment losses, net
   
-
     
(339
)
   
-
     
(339
)
   
-
 
Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(774
)
Included in other comprehensive income
   
1,727
     
423
     
-
     
2,150
     
-
 
Purchases
   
27
     
-
     
-
     
27
     
8,688
 
Sales
   
(39,193
)
   
(18,306
)
   
-
     
(57,499
)
   
(6,438
)
Transfers into Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Transfers out of Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Balance at September 30, 2012
 
$
73,795
   
$
40,925
   
$
321
   
$
115,041
   
$
3,097
 
 
                                       
Amount of total losses included in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at September 30, 2012
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

Additional fair value disclosures related to our investment portfolio are included in Note 7 – “Investments.” Fair value disclosures related to our debt are included in Note 3 – “Debt.”

Note 9 – Other Comprehensive Income

Our other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
Valuation
 
 
 
Before tax
 
Tax effect
 
allowance
 
Net of tax
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments
$
7,163
   
$
(2,526
)
 
$
2,640
   
$
7,277
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
 
2,901
     
(1,016
)
   
-
     
1,885
 
 
                             
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
10,064
   
$
(3,542
)
 
$
2,640
   
$
9,162
 

31

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
   
   
Valuation
   
 
 
 
Before tax
   
Tax effect
   
allowance
   
Net of tax
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
   
   
   
 
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments
 
$
(102,468
)
 
$
35,586
   
$
(33,914
)
 
$
(100,796
)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
   
(15,868
)
   
5,557
     
-
     
(10,311
)
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(118,336
)
 
$
41,143
   
$
(33,914
)
 
$
(111,107
)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2012
 
 
   
   
Valuation
   
 
 
Before tax
   
Tax effect
   
allowance
   
Net of tax
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
   
   
   
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
   
   
   
 
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments
$
47,368
   
$
(16,552
)
 
$
13,671
   
$
44,487
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
 
1,709
     
(600
)
   
-
     
1,109
 
 
                             
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
49,077
   
$
(17,152
)
 
$
13,671
   
$
45,596
 

 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2012
 
 
   
   
Valuation
   
 
 
Before tax
   
Tax effect
   
allowance
   
Net of tax
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
   
   
   
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
   
   
   
 
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments
$
10,243
   
$
(3,462
)
 
$
-
   
$
6,781
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
 
2,260
     
(792
)
   
-
     
1,468
 
 
                             
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
12,503
   
$
(4,254
)
 
$
-
   
$
8,249
 
 
See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” for a discussion of the valuation allowance.

Total accumulated other comprehensive income and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, including amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income, are included in the table below.
32

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
Unrealized gains and
   
   
   
 
 
 
losses on available-
   
Defined benefit
   
Foreign currency
   
 
 
 
for-sale securities
   
plans
   
translation
   
Total
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Balance at June 30, 2013, before tax
 
$
(68,090
)
 
$
(71,804
)
 
$
13,978
   
$
(125,916
)
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
4,396
     
-
     
2,901
     
7,297
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(2,767
)
(1)
 
-
      -      
(2,767
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
7,163
     
-
     
2,901
     
10,064
 
 
                               
Balance at September 30, 2013, before tax
 
$
(60,927
)
 
$
(71,804
)
 
$
16,879
   
$
(115,852
)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Unrealized gains and
losses on available-
for-sale securities
Defined benefit
plans
Foreign currency
translation
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at December 31, 2012, before tax
 
$
41,541
   
$
(71,804
)
 
$
32,747
   
$
2,484
 
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
(95,588
)
   
-
     
(15,868
)
   
(111,456
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
6,880
(1)
 
-
      -      
6,880
 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(102,468
)
   
-
     
(15,868
)
   
(118,336
)
 
                               
Balance at September 30, 2013, before tax
   
(60,927
)
   
(71,804
)
   
16,879
     
(115,852
)
 
                               
Tax effect (2)
   
(64,968
)
   
26,940
     
(5,390
)
   
(43,418
)
 
                               
Balance at September 30, 2013, net of tax
 
$
(125,895
)
 
$
(44,864
)
 
$
11,489
   
$
(159,270
)

(1) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, net unrealized (losses) gains of ($2.8) million and $6.9 million, respectively, were reclassified to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and included in Realized investment gains.
(2) Tax effect does not approximate 35% due to amounts of tax benefits not provided in various periods due to our tax valuation allowance.
33

Note 10 - Benefit Plans

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension, supplemental executive retirement and other postretirement benefit plans:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental
   
Other Postretirement
 
 
 
Executive Retirement Plans
   
Benefits
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Service cost
 
$
2,835
   
$
2,416
   
$
202
   
$
307
 
Interest cost
   
3,823
     
4,120
     
155
     
286
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(5,035
)
   
(4,553
)
   
(919
)
   
(791
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
1,536
     
1,457
     
-
     
199
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
125
     
166
     
(1,663
)
   
(1,554
)
 
                               
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
3,284
   
$
3,606
   
$
(2,225
)
 
$
(1,553
)

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental
   
Other Postretirement
 
 
 
Executive Retirement Plans
   
Benefits
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Service cost
 
$
8,504
   
$
7,247
   
$
609
   
$
920
 
Interest cost
   
11,467
     
12,361
     
464
     
857
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(15,108
)
   
(13,659
)
   
(2,759
)
   
(2,372
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
   
4,609
     
4,372
     
-
     
599
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
377
     
499
     
(4,987
)
   
(4,663
)
 
                               
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
9,849
   
$
10,820
   
$
(6,673
)
 
$
(4,659
)

In the second quarter of 2013 we made a $10 million contribution to the pension plan. We currently do not intend to make any further contributions in 2013.

Under Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles (“SSAP”) No. 92 and No. 102, which became effective January 1, 2013, the measurement of pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities now includes non-vested employees. This measurement, referred to as the projected benefit obligation, is the measurement currently used under GAAP. The new SSAPs did not have a material impact on our statutory surplus.

Note 11 – Income Taxes

We review the need to establish a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. We analyze several factors, among which are the severity and frequency of operating losses, our capacity for the carryback or carryforward of any losses, the existence and current level of taxable operating income, the expected occurrence of future income or loss and available tax planning alternatives. Based on our analysis and the level of cumulative operating losses, we continue to reduce our benefit from income tax through the recognition of a valuation allowance.
34

The effect of the change in valuation allowance on the provision for (benefit from) income taxes was as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Tax benefit before valuation allowance
 
$
(674
)
 
$
(89,106
)
 
$
(17,792
)
 
$
(196,535
)
Change in valuation allowance
   
1,010
     
86,134
     
20,257
     
192,035
 
 
                               
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 
$
336
   
$
(2,972
)
 
$
2,465
   
$
(4,500
)

The change in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was a decrease of $2.6 million and $13.7 million, respectively. The change in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was an increase of $33.9 million and $0.0 million, respectively. The total valuation allowance as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $1,020.2 million and $966.0 million, respectively.

We have approximately $2.6 billion of net operating loss carryforwards on a regular tax basis and $1.7 billion of net operating loss carryforwards for computing the alternative minimum tax as of September 30, 2013. Any unutilized carryforwards are scheduled to expire at the end of tax years 2029 through 2033.
 
Tax Contingencies
 
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued proposed assessments for unpaid taxes, interest and penalties related to our treatment of the flow-through income and loss from an investment in a portfolio of residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”). The IRS indicated that it did not believe that, for various reasons, we had established sufficient tax basis in the REMIC residual interests to deduct the losses from taxable income. The proposed assessments for taxes and penalties related to these matters is $197.5 million and at September 30, 2013 there would also be interest of approximately $151.0 million. In addition, depending on the outcome of this matter, additional state income taxes and state interest may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of September 30, 2013, those state taxes and interest would approximate $45.4 million. In addition, there could also be state tax penalties.

Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 is $105.2 million, which represents the tax benefits generated by the REMIC portfolio included in our tax returns that we have not taken benefit for in our financial statements, including any related interest. We continue to believe that our previously recorded tax provisions and liabilities are appropriate. However, we would need to make appropriate adjustments, which could be material, to our tax provision and liabilities if our view of the probability of success in this matter changes, and the ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material negative impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and statutory capital. In this regard, see Note 1 – “Nature of Business - Capital.”

We appealed these assessments within the IRS and, in 2007, we made a payment of $65.2 million to the United States Department of the Treasury related to this assessment. In August 2010, we reached a tentative settlement agreement with the IRS which was not finalized. The IRS is pursuing this matter in full and we currently expect to be in litigation on this matter in 2014. Any such litigation could be lengthy and costly in terms of legal fees and related expenses.
35

In March 2012, we received a Revenue Agent’s Report from the IRS related to the examination of our federal income tax returns for the years 2008 and 2009. In January 2013, we received a Revenue Agent’s Report from the IRS related to the examination of our federal income tax return for the year 2010. The adjustments that are proposed by the IRS are temporary in nature and will have no material effect on the financial statements.

The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits, related to our aforementioned REMIC issue, that would affect our effective tax rate is $92.6 million, after taking into account the effect of NOL carrybacks. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had accrued $25.9 million and $25.3 million, respectively, for the payment of interest.

Note 12 – Loss Reserves

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

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

36

The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
   
 
Reserve at beginning of period
 
$
4,056,843
   
$
4,557,512
 
Less reinsurance recoverable
   
104,848
     
154,607
 
Net reserve at beginning of period (1)
   
3,951,995
     
4,402,905
 
 
               
Losses incurred:
               
Losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices related to:
               
Current year
   
686,454
     
1,091,326
 
Prior years (2)
   
(43,783
)
   
287,291
 
Subtotal (3)
   
642,671
     
1,378,617
 
 
               
Losses paid:
               
Losses and LAE paid in respect of default notices related to:
               
Current year
   
28,792
     
54,813
 
Prior years
   
1,286,833
     
1,840,992
 
Reinsurance terminations (4)
   
(3,332
)
   
(425
)
Subtotal (5)
   
1,312,293
     
1,895,380
 
 
               
Net reserve at end of period (6)
   
3,282,373
     
3,886,142
 
Plus reinsurance recoverables
   
70,621
     
117,859
 
 
               
Reserve at end of period
 
$
3,352,994
   
$
4,004,001
 
 
(1) At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the estimated reduction in loss reserves related to rescissions approximated $0.2 billion and $0.7 billion, respectively.
(2) A negative number for prior year losses incurred indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves, and a positive number for prior year losses incurred indicates a deficiency of prior year loss reserves.
(3) Rescissions did not have a significant impact on incurred losses in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
(4) In a termination, the reinsurance agreement is cancelled, with no future premium ceded and funds for any incurred but unpaid losses transferred to us. The transferred funds result in an increase in our investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents) and a decrease in net losses paid (reduction to losses incurred). In addition, there is an offsetting decrease in the reinsurance recoverable (increase in losses incurred), and thus there is no net impact to losses incurred.
(5) Rescissions mitigated our paid losses by an estimated $0.1 billion and $0.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which excludes amounts that may have been applied to a deductible.
(6) At September 30, 2013 and 2012, the estimated reduction in loss reserves related to rescissions approximated $0.1 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively.
37

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

Losses incurred on default notices received in the current year decreased in the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to a decrease in the number of new default notices received, net of cures, as well as a decrease in the estimated claim rate on recently reported delinquencies.

The prior year development of the reserves in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 is reflected in the table below.

 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
Prior year loss development (1):
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
Increase in estimated claim rate on primary defaults
 
$
10
   
$
300
 
Decrease in estimated severity on primary defaults
   
(40
)
   
-
 
Change in estimates related to pool reserves, LAE reserves and reinsurance
   
(14
)
   
(13
)
Total prior year loss development
 
$
(44
)
 
$
287
 

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

The prior year loss development was based on the resolution of approximately 48% and 46% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively of the prior year default inventory, as well as a re-estimation of amounts to be ultimately paid on defaults remaining in inventory from the end of the prior year and estimated incurred but not reported items from the end of the prior year. In the first nine months of 2013, we recognized favorable development on our estimated severity. In the first nine months of 2012, our estimated claim rates increased on defaults that were more than 12 months delinquent.

The “Losses paid” section of the table above shows the breakdown between claims paid on default notices received in the current year, claims paid on default notices received in prior years and the decrease in losses paid related to terminated reinsurance agreements as noted in footnote (4) of that table. It has historically taken, prior to the last few years, on average, approximately twelve months for a default which is not cured to develop into a paid claim, therefore, most losses paid relate to default notices received in prior years. Over the past several years, the average time it takes to receive a claim associated with a defaulted loan has increased. This is, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. Due to a combination of these reasons, it is difficult to estimate how long it may take for current and future defaults that do not cure to develop into paid claims.
38

The liability associated with our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected claim payments is accrued for separately at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and approximated $145 million and $134 million, respectively. Separate components of this liability are included in “Other liabilities” and “Premium deficiency reserve” on our consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the liability affect premiums written and earned and change in premium deficiency reserve.

A rollforward of our primary default inventory for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 appears in the table below. The information concerning new notices and cures is compiled from monthly reports received from loan servicers. The level of new notice and cure activity reported in a particular month can be influenced by, among other things, the date on which a servicer generates its report, the number of business days in a month and by transfers of servicing between loan servicers.

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Default inventory at beginning of period
   
117,105
     
153,990
     
139,845
     
175,639
 
New Notices
   
27,755
     
34,432
     
81,044
     
101,454
 
Cures
   
(24,105
)
   
(27,384
)
   
(80,677
)
   
(90,896
)
Paids (including those charged to a deductible or captive)
   
(8,659
)
   
(11,344
)
   
(27,155
)
   
(34,991
)
Rescissions and denials
   
(509
)
   
(809
)
   
(1,470
)
   
(2,321
)
Default inventory at end of period
   
111,587
     
148,885
     
111,587
     
148,885
 

Pool insurance notice inventory decreased from 8,594 at December 31, 2012 to 6,821 at September 30, 2013. The pool insurance notice inventory was 9,337 at September 30, 2012.

The decrease in the primary default inventory experienced during 2013 and 2012 was generally across all markets and all book years. However, the percentage of loans in the inventory that have been in default for 12 or more consecutive months has increased, as shown in the table below. Historically as a default ages it becomes more likely to result in a claim. The percentage of loans that have been in default for 12 or more consecutive months has been affected by our suspended rescissions discussed below.
39

Aging of the Primary Default Inventory

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Consecutive months in default
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
3 months or less
   
20,144
     
18
%
   
23,282
     
17
%
   
25,593
     
17
%
4 - 11 months
   
24,138
     
22
%
   
34,688
     
25
%
   
35,029
     
24
%
12 months or more
   
67,305
     
60
%
   
81,875
     
58
%
   
88,263
     
59
%
 
                                               
Total primary default inventory
   
111,587
     
100
%
   
139,845
     
100
%
   
148,885
     
100
%
 
                                               
Primary claims received inventory included in ending default inventory (1)
   
9,858
     
9
%
   
11,731
     
8
%
   
12,508
     
8
%
 
(1) Our claims received inventory includes suspended rescission as discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.” In connection with the Countrywide proceedings, we have voluntarily suspended rescissions of coverage related to loans that we believed would be included in a potential resolution. As of September 30, 2013, coverage on approximately 2,100 loans under the agreement with BANA, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $150 million and 800 loans under the agreement with CHL, representing total potential claims payments of approximately $70 million, that we had determined was rescindable was affected by our decision to suspend such rescissions. Substantially all of these potential rescissions relate to claims received beginning in the first quarter of 2011 or later. As of September 30, 2013, coverage on approximately 540 loans, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $38 million, was affected by our decision to suspend rescissions for other customers for which we also consider settlement probable. In addition, as of September 30, 2013, coverage on approximately 85 loans, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $5 million, was affected by our decision to suspend rescissions for customers other than those for which we consider settlement probable, as defined in ASC 450-20.

The number of months a loan is in the default inventory can differ from the number of payments that the borrower has not made or is considered delinquent. These differences typically result from a borrower making monthly payments that do not result in the loan becoming fully current. The number of payments that a borrower is delinquent is shown in the table below.

Number of Payments Delinquent

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
3 payments or less
   
28,777
     
26
%
   
34,245
     
24
%
   
35,130
     
24
%
4 - 11 payments
   
25,089
     
22
%
   
34,458
     
25
%
   
36,359
     
24
%
12 payments or more
   
57,721
     
52
%
   
71,142
     
51
%
   
77,396
     
52
%
 
                                               
Total primary default inventory
   
111,587
     
100
%
   
139,845
     
100
%
   
148,885
     
100
%

40

Rescissions

Before paying a claim, we can review the loan file to determine whether we are required, under the applicable insurance policy, to pay the claim or whether we are entitled to reduce the amount of the claim. For example, all of our insurance policies provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligation to mitigate our loss by performing reasonable loss mitigation efforts or to pursue a foreclosure or bankruptcy relief diligently and in a timely manner. We also do not cover losses resulting from property damage.

In addition, subject to rescission caps in certain of our Wall Street bulk transactions, all of our insurance policies allow us to rescind coverage under certain circumstances.  Prior to 2008, rescissions of coverage on loans were not a material portion of our claims resolved during a year. However, beginning in 2008, our rescissions of coverage on loans have materially mitigated our paid losses. In 2009 through 2011, rescissions mitigated our paid losses in the aggregate by approximately $3.0 billion; and in 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, rescissions mitigated our paid losses by approximately $0.3 billion and $100 million, respectively (in each case, the figure includes amounts that would have either resulted in a claim payment or been charged to a deductible under a bulk or pool policy, and may have been charged to a captive reinsurer). In recent quarters, less than 5% of claims received in a quarter have been resolved by rescissions, down from the peak of approximately 28% in the first half of 2009.

Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions and reversals of rescissions. Historically, reversals of rescissions have been immaterial. A variance between ultimate actual rescission and reversal rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of claims investigations, litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses. We estimate rescissions mitigated our incurred losses by approximately $2.5 billion in 2009 and $0.2 billion in 2010. In 2011, we estimate that rescissions had no significant impact on our losses incurred. All of these figures include the benefit of claims not paid in the period as well as the impact of changes in our estimated expected rescission activity on our loss reserves in the period. In 2012, we estimate that our rescission benefit in loss reserves was reduced by $0.2 billion due to probable rescission settlement agreements. We estimate that other rescissions had no significant impact on our losses incurred in 2012 or in the first nine months of 2013. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we estimate that our loss reserves were benefited from anticipated rescissions by approximately $0.1 billion and $0.2 billion, respectively. We expect that the reduction of our loss reserves due to rescissions will decline. For information about settlements that we believe are probable, as defined in ASC 450-20, see Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

We do not utilize an explicit rescission rate in our reserving methodology, but rather our reserving methodology incorporates the effects rescission activity has had on our historical claim rate and claim severities. Our estimation process does not include a direct correlation between claim rates and severities to projected rescission activity or other economic conditions such as changes in unemployment rates, interest rates or housing values. Our experience is that analysis of that nature would not produce reliable results, as the change in one condition cannot be isolated to determine its sole effect on our ultimate paid losses as our ultimate paid losses are also influenced at the same time by other economic conditions. The estimation of the impact of rescissions on incurred losses must be considered together with the various other factors impacting incurred losses and not in isolation.
41

If the insured disputes our right to rescind coverage, the outcome of the dispute ultimately would be determined by legal proceedings. Under our policies, legal proceedings disputing our right to rescind coverage may be brought up to three years after the lender has obtained title to the property (typically through a foreclosure) or the property was sold in a sale that we approved, whichever is applicable, although in a few jurisdictions there is a longer time to bring such an action. As of September 30, 2013, the period in which a dispute may be brought has not ended for approximately 32% of our post-2008 rescissions that are not subject to a settlement agreement. Until a liability associated with a settlement agreement or litigation becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated, we consider a rescission resolved for financial reporting purposes even though legal proceedings have been initiated and are ongoing. Although it is reasonably possible that, when the proceedings are completed, there will be a determination that we were not entitled to rescind in all cases, we are sometimes unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability. Under ASC 450-20, an estimated loss from such proceedings is accrued for only if we determine that the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Therefore, when establishing our loss reserves, we do not generally include additional loss reserves that would reflect an adverse outcome from ongoing legal proceedings. For more information about these legal proceedings regarding rescissions, see Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

The liability associated with our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected future rescissions is accrued for separately. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the estimate of this liability totaled $15 million and $18 million, respectively. Separate components of this liability are included in “Other liabilities” and “Premium deficiency reserve” on our consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the liability affect premiums written and earned and change in premium deficiency reserve.

In 2011, Freddie Mac advised its servicers that they must obtain its prior approval for rescission settlements, Fannie Mae advised its servicers that they are prohibited from entering into such settlements and Fannie Mae notified us that we must obtain its prior approval to enter into certain settlements. Since those announcements, the GSEs have consented to our settlement agreements with two customers, one of which is Countrywide, as discussed below, and have rejected other settlement agreements. We have reached and implemented settlement agreements that do not require GSE approval, but they have not been material in the aggregate.

As discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies,” in April 2013, we entered into two agreements to resolve our dispute with Countrywide regarding rescissions. Implementation of the agreement with BANA began on November 1, 2013. Implementation of the agreement with CHL remains subject to approval by the non-GSE investors in the loans covered by that agreement and any such implementation is not expected to begin prior to the first quarter of 2014. The resolutions of the Countrywide and other disputes may encourage other customers to seek remedies against us. We continue to be involved in legal proceedings with other customers with respect to rescissions that we do not consider to be collectively material in amount. We also continue to discuss with customers their objections to rescissions that are material when all such discussions are considered in the aggregate. In connection with some of these settlement discussions, we have suspended rescissions related to loans that we believe could be included in potential settlements. Although it is reasonably possible that, when the discussions or legal proceedings with customers regarding rescissions are completed, there will be a conclusion or determination that we were not entitled to rescind in all cases, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability.
42

Note 13 – Premium Deficiency Reserve

The components of the premium deficiency reserve at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appear in the table below.

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
Present value of expected future paid losses and expenses, net of expected future premium
 
$
(709
)
 
$
(840
)
 
$
(865
)
 
                       
Established loss reserves
   
652
     
766
     
781
 
 
                       
Net deficiency
 
$
(57
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
(84
)

The decrease in the premium deficiency reserve for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $4 million and $17 million, respectively, as shown in the table below, which represents the net result of actual premiums, losses and expenses as well as a net change in assumptions for these periods. The net change in assumptions for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 is primarily related to higher estimated ultimate premiums.

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Premium Deficiency Reserve at beginning of period
 
   
$
(61
)
 
   
$
(74
)
 
 
           
         
Paid claims and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
51
           
$
172
         
Decrease in loss reserves
   
(37
)
           
(114
)
       
Premium earned
   
(24
)
           
(72
)
       
Effects of present valuing on future premiums, losses and expenses
   
-
             
(2
)
       
 
                               
Change in premium deficiency reserve to reflect actual premium, losses and expenses recognized
           
(10
)
           
(16
)
 
                               
Change in premium deficiency reserve to reflect change in assumptions relating to future premiums, losses, expenses and discount rate (1)
           
14
             
33
 
 
                               
Premium Deficiency Reserve at end of period
         
$
(57
)
         
$
(57
)

(1)  A (negative) positive number for changes in assumptions relating to premiums, losses, expenses and discount rate indicates a (deficiency) redundancy of the prior premium deficiency reserve.

The decrease in the premium deficiency reserve for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $9 million and $51 million, respectively, as shown in the table below.  The net change in assumptions for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily related to higher estimated ultimate losses.
43

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2012
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Premium Deficiency Reserve at beginning of period
 
   
$
(93
)
 
   
$
(135
)
 
 
           
         
Paid claims and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
67
           
$
219
         
Decrease in loss reserves
   
(25
)
           
(45
)
       
Premium earned
   
(25
)
           
(77
)
       
Effects of present valuing on future premiums,losses and expenses
   
(4
)
           
(8
)
       
 
                               
Change in premium deficiency reserve to reflect actual premium, losses and expenses recognized
           
13
             
89
 
 
                               
Change in premium deficiency reserve to reflect change in assumptions relating to future premiums, losses, expenses and discount rate (1)
           
(4
)
           
(38
)
 
                               
Premium Deficiency Reserve at end of period
         
$
(84
)
         
$
(84
)

(1)  A (negative) positive number for changes in assumptions relating to premiums, losses, expenses and discount rate indicates a (deficiency) redundancy of the prior premium deficiency reserve.

Note 14 – Shareholders’ Equity

In June 2013, we amended our Articles of Incorporation to increase our authorized common stock from 680 million shares to 1.0 billion shares.

In March 2013 we completed the public offering and sale of 135 million shares of our common stock at a price of $5.15 per share. We received net proceeds of approximately $663.3 million, after deducting underwriting discount and offering expenses. The shares of common stock sold were newly issued shares.

In March 2013 we also concurrently completed the sale of $500 million principal amount of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020.  For more information, see Note 3 – “Debt.”

In March 2013 we contributed $800 million to MGIC to increase its capital as discussed in Note 1 – “Basis of Presentation - Capital.” We intend to use the remaining net proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes, which may include further increasing the capital of MGIC and other subsidiaries and improving liquidity by providing funds for debt service.

We have a Shareholders Rights Agreement which was approved by shareholders (the “Agreement”) dated July 25, 2012, as amended through March 11, 2013, that seeks to diminish the risk that our ability to use our net operating losses (“NOLs”) to reduce potential future federal income tax obligations may become substantially limited and to deter certain abusive takeover practices. The benefit of the NOLs would be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the NOLs could be substantially delayed, if we were to experience an “ownership change” as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
44

Under the Agreement each outstanding share of our Common Stock is accompanied by one Right. The Distribution Date occurs on the earlier of ten days after a public announcement that a person has become an Acquiring Person, or ten business days after a person announces or begins a tender offer in which consummation of such offer would result in a person becoming an Acquiring Person. An Acquiring Person is any person that becomes, by itself or together with its affiliates and associates, a beneficial owner of 5% or more of the shares of our Common Stock then outstanding, but excludes, among others, certain exempt and grandfathered persons as defined in the Agreement. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. Each Right will initially entitle shareholders to buy one-tenth of one share of our Common Stock at a Purchase Price of $14 per full share (equivalent to $1.40 for each one-tenth share), subject to adjustment. Each exercisable Right (subject to certain limitations) will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Rights’ then-current Purchase Price, a number of our shares of Common Stock (or if after the Shares Acquisition Date, we are acquired in a business combination, common shares of the acquiror) having a market value at the time equal to twice the Purchase Price. The Rights will expire on August 1, 2015, or earlier as described in the Agreement. The Rights are redeemable at a price of $0.001 per Right at any time prior to the time a person becomes an Acquiring Person. Other than certain amendments, the Board of Directors may amend the Rights in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights.
45

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

Overview

Through our subsidiaries MGIC and MIC, we are the leading provider of private mortgage insurance in the United States, as measured by insurance in force, to the home mortgage lending industry.

As used below, “we” and “our” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations. The discussion below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  We refer to this Discussion as the “10-K MD&A.” In the discussion below, we classify, in accordance with industry practice, as “full documentation” loans approved by GSE and other automated underwriting systems under “doc waiver” programs that do not require verification of borrower income. For additional information about such loans, see footnote (3) to the composition of primary default inventory table under “Results of Consolidated Operations-Losses-Losses incurred” below. The discussion of our business in this document generally does not apply to our Australian operations which have historically been immaterial. The results of our operations in Australia are included in the consolidated results disclosed. For additional information about our Australian operations, see our risk factor titled “Our Australian operations may suffer significant losses” and “Overview—Australia” in our 10-K MD&A.


Forward Looking and Other Statements
 
As discussed under “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors” below, actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements or other statements were made. Therefore no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Outlook

For a number of years, substantially all of the loans we insured have been sold to the GSEs, which have been in conservatorship since late 2008.  When the conservatorship will end and what role, if any, the GSEs will play in the secondary mortgage market post-conservatorship will be determined by Congress.  The scope of the FHA’s large market presence may also change in connection with the determination of the future of the GSEs. There are also pending regulatory changes that could affect demand for private mortgage insurance; see our risk factor titled “The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if the definition of Qualified Residential Mortgage results in a reduced number of low down payment loans available to be insured or if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance.”  Furthermore, capital standards for private mortgage insurers are being revised; see “Capital” below. While we strongly believe private mortgage insurance should be an integral part of credit enhancement in a future mortgage market, its role in that market cannot be predicted.

46

Capital

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1.

During part of 2012 and 2013, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio exceeded 25 to 1. In March 2013, our holding company issued additional equity and convertible debt securities and transferred $800 million to increase MGIC’s capital. At September 30, 2013, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 20.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $190 million above the required minimum policyholder position of $1.2 billion. At September 30, 2013, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes reinsurance affiliates) was 22.7 to 1.

At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current Capital Requirements, although we cannot assure you of such compliance. You should read our financial statement footnotes and our risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

The NAIC is reviewing the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers, although it has not established a date by which it must make proposals to change such requirements. Depending on the scope of proposals made by the NAIC, MGIC may be prevented from writing new business in the jurisdictions adopting such proposals. The GSEs, in conjunction with the FHFA, are also developing mortgage insurer capital standards that would replace the use of external credit ratings. Revised capital standards are expected to be released in 2013. We have not been informed of the revised capital requirements or their timeframes for effectiveness. We have various alternatives available to improve our existing risk-to-capital position, including contributing additional funds that are on hand today from our holding company to MGIC, entering into additional external reinsurance transactions, seeking approval to write business in MIC and raising additional capital. While there can be no assurance that MGIC would meet the GSE’s revised capital requirements by their effective date, we believe we could implement one or more of these alternatives so that we would continue to be an eligible mortgage insurer after the revised capital requirements are fully effective.

A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the Capital Requirements will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, we cannot assure you that events that may lead MGIC to fail to meet Capital Requirements would not also result in it not having sufficient claims paying resources. Furthermore, our estimates of MGIC’s claims paying resources and claim obligations are based on various assumptions. These assumptions include the timing of the receipt of claims on loans in our delinquency inventory and future claims that we anticipate will ultimately be received, our anticipated rescission activity, premiums, housing values and unemployment rates. These assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and require judgment by management. Current conditions in the domestic economy make the assumptions about when anticipated claims will be received, housing values, and unemployment rates highly volatile in the sense that there is a wide range of reasonably possible outcomes. Our anticipated rescission activity is also subject to inherent uncertainty due to the difficulty of predicting the amount of claims whose policies will be rescinded and the outcome of any legal proceedings or settlement discussions related to rescissions. You should read our financial statement footnotes and our risk factors for additional information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.

47

We have in place a longstanding plan to write new business in MIC, a direct subsidiary of MGIC, in the event MGIC cannot meet the Capital Requirements of a jurisdiction or obtain a waiver of them. MIC is licensed to write business in all jurisdictions and, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, has received the necessary approvals from the OCI and the GSEs to write business. During 2012, MIC began writing new business in the jurisdictions where MGIC did not have a waiver of the Capital Requirements. Because MGIC again meets the Capital Requirements, MGIC is again writing new business in all jurisdictions and MIC has suspended writing new business. As of September 30, 2013, MIC had statutory capital of $455 million and risk in force of approximately $950 million.

The GSEs have approved MGIC as an eligible mortgage insurer, under remediation plans, even though our insurer financial strength (IFS) rating is below the published GSE minimum. The GSEs may change the requirements under our remediation plans.  This possibility could result from changes imposed on the GSEs by their regulator or due to an actual or GSE-projected deterioration in our capital position. For additional information about this challenge see our risk factors titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements,” “Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis” and “We have reported losses for the last six years and cannot assure you when we will return to annual profitability.”
 
Qualified Residential Mortgages

The financial reform legislation that was passed in July 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act” or “Dodd-Frank”) requires lenders to consider a borrower’s ability to repay a home loan before extending credit. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued and amended a final rule defining “Qualified Mortgage” (“QM”), in order to implement the “ability to repay” law. There is a temporary category of QMs for mortgages that satisfy the general product feature requirements of QMs and meet the GSEs’ underwriting requirements (the “temporary category”). The temporary category will phase out when the GSEs’ conservatorship ends, or if sooner, after seven years. In May 2013, the FHFA directed the GSEs to limit their mortgage acquisitions to loans that meet the requirements of a QM, including those that meet the temporary category, and loans that are exempt from the “ability to repay” requirements. We may insure loans that do not qualify as QMs, however, we are unsure whether lenders will make non-QM loans because they will not be entitled to the presumptions about compliance with the “ability to repay” requirements, or if lenders would purchase private mortgage insurance for loans that cannot be sold to the GSEs.

In September 2013, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) proposed a definition of QM that will apply to loans the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) insures. HUD’s QM definition is less restrictive than the CFPB’s definition in certain respects, including that (i) it has no limit on the debt-to-income ratio of a borrower, and (ii) it has a higher pricing threshold for loans to fall into the “safe harbor” category of QM loans, instead of the “rebuttable presumption” category of QM loans. It is possible that lenders will prefer FHA-insured loans to loans insured by private mortgage insurance as a result of the FHA’s less restrictive QM definition.
48

Given the credit characteristics presented to us, we estimate that 87.5% of our new risk written in the first nine months of 2013 was for mortgages that would have met the CFPB’s general QM definition. We estimate that 98.9% of our new risk written in the first nine months of 2013 was for mortgages that would have met the CFPB’s QM definition, when giving effect to the temporary category. In making these estimates, we have not considered the limitation on points and fees because the information is not available to us. We do not believe such limitation would materially affect the percentage of our new risk written meeting the QM definitions. The QM rule is scheduled to become effective in January 2014.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires a securitizer to retain at least 5% of the risk associated with mortgage loans that are securitized, and in some cases the retained risk may be allocated between the securitizer and the lender that originated the loan. This risk retention requirement does not apply to mortgage loans that are Qualified Residential Mortgages (“QRMs”) or that are insured by the FHA or another federal agency. In 2011, federal regulators released a proposed risk retention rule that included a definition of QRM. In response to public comments regarding the proposed rule, federal regulators issued a revised proposed rule in August 2013. The revised proposed rule generally defines QRM as a mortgage meeting the requirements of a QM. The regulators also proposed an alternative QRM definition (“QM-plus”) which utilizes certain QM criteria but also includes a maximum loan-to-value ratio (“LTV”) of 70%. Neither of the revised definitions of QRM considers the use of mortgage insurance. While substantially all of our new risk written in the first nine months of 2013 was on loans that met the QM definition (and, therefore, the proposed general QRM definition), none of our new insurance written met the QM-plus definition. The public comment period for the revised proposed rule expired on October 30, 2013.

The final timing of the adoption of any risk retention regulation and the definition of QRM remains uncertain. Because of the capital support provided by the U.S. Government, the GSEs satisfy the Dodd-Frank risk-retention requirements while they are in conservatorship. Therefore, lenders that originate loans that are sold to the GSEs while they are in conservatorship would not be required to retain risk associated with those loans.

 The amount of new insurance that we write may be materially adversely affected depending on, among other things, (a) the final definition of QRM and its LTV requirements, (b) the extent to which the presence of private mortgage insurance with certain premium plans may adversely affect the ability of a loan to qualify as a QM and therefore as a QRM, and (c) whether lenders choose mortgage insurance for non-QRM loans. In addition, changes in the final regulations regarding treatment of GSE-guaranteed mortgage loans, or changes in the conservatorship or capital support provided to the GSEs by the U.S. Government, could impact the manner in which the risk-retention rules apply to GSE securitizations, originators who sell loans to GSEs and our business. For other factors that could decrease the demand for mortgage insurance, see our risk factor titled “If the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations declines, the amount of insurance that we write could decline, which would reduce our revenues.”

49

GSE Reform

The FHFA is the conservator of the GSEs and has the authority to control and direct their operations. The increased role that the federal government has assumed in the residential mortgage market through the GSE conservatorship may increase the likelihood that the business practices of the GSEs change in ways that have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, these factors may increase the likelihood that the charters of the GSEs are changed by new federal legislation. The Dodd-Frank Act required the U.S. Department of the Treasury to report its recommendations regarding options for ending the conservatorship of the GSEs. This report was released in February 2011 and while it does not provide any definitive timeline for GSE reform, it does recommend using a combination of federal housing policy changes to wind down the GSEs, shrink the government’s footprint in housing finance, and help bring private capital back to the mortgage market. Since then, Members of Congress introduced several bills intended to scale back the GSEs, however, no legislation was enacted. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including private mortgage insurance, will play in the domestic residential housing finance system in the future or the impact of any such changes on our business. In addition, the timing of the impact of any resulting changes on our business is uncertain. Most meaningful changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when Congressional action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last.

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

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, the federal government, including through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the GSEs, and several lenders have adopted programs to modify loans to make them more affordable to borrowers with the goal of reducing the number of foreclosures. During 2010, 2011, 2012, and the first nine months of 2013, we were notified of modifications that cured delinquencies that had they become paid claims would have resulted in approximately $3.2 billion, $1.8 billion, $1.2 billion and $760 million, respectively, of estimated claim payments. As noted below, we cannot predict with a high degree of confidence what the ultimate re-default rate on these modifications will be. Although the recent re-default rate has been lower, for internal reporting and planning purposes, we assume approximately 50% of these modifications will ultimately re-default, and those re-defaults may result in future claim payments. Because modifications cure the defaults with respect to the previously defaulted loans, our loss reserves do not account for potential re-defaults unless at the time the reserve is established, the re-default has already occurred. Based on information that is provided to us, most of the modifications resulted in reduced payments from interest rate and/or amortization period adjustments; less than 5% resulted in principal forgiveness.

One loan modification program is the Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”). Some of HAMP’s eligibility criteria relate to the borrower’s current income and non-mortgage debt payments. Because the GSEs and servicers do not share such information with us, we cannot determine with certainty the number of loans in our delinquent inventory that are eligible to participate in HAMP. We believe that it could take several months from the time a borrower has made all of the payments during HAMP’s three month “trial modification” period for the loan to be reported to us as a cured delinquency.

50

We rely on information provided to us by the GSEs and servicers. We do not receive all of the information from such sources that is required to determine with certainty the number of loans that are participating in, or have successfully completed, HAMP. We are aware of approximately 8,000 loans in our primary delinquent inventory at September 30, 2013 for which the HAMP trial period has begun and which trial periods have not been reported to us as completed or cancelled. Through September 30, 2013 approximately 49,500 delinquent primary loans have cured their delinquency after entering HAMP and are not in default. In 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, approximately 17% and 16%, respectively, of our primary cures were the result of a modification, with HAMP accounting for approximately 70% of those modifications in each of those periods. By comparison, in 2010, approximately 27% of our primary cures were the result of a modification, with HAMP accounting for approximately 60% of those modifications. Although the HAMP program has been extended through 2015, we believe that we have realized the majority of the benefits from HAMP because the number of loans insured by us that we are aware are entering HAMP trial modification periods has decreased significantly since 2010.

In 2009, the GSEs began offering the Home Affordable Refinance Program (“HARP”). HARP, which has been extended through 2015, allows borrowers who are not delinquent but who may not otherwise be able to refinance their loans under the current GSE underwriting standards, to refinance their loans. We allow the HARP refinances on loans that we insure, regardless of whether the loan meets our current underwriting standards, and we account for the refinance as a loan modification (even where there is a new lender) rather than new insurance written. To incent lenders to allow more current borrowers to refinance their loans, in October 2011, the GSEs and their regulator, FHFA, announced an expansion of HARP. The expansion includes, among other changes, releasing certain representations in certain circumstances benefitting the GSEs. We have agreed to allow these additional HARP refinances, including releasing the insured in certain circumstances from certain rescission rights we would have under our policy. While an expansion of HARP may result in fewer delinquent loans and claims in the future, our ability to rescind coverage will be limited in certain circumstances. We are unable to predict what net impact these changes may have on our incurred or paid losses. Approximately 15% of our primary insurance in force has benefitted from HARP and is still in force.

The effect on us of loan modifications depends on how many modified loans subsequently re-default, which in turn can be affected by changes in housing values. Re-defaults can result in losses for us that could be greater than we would have paid had the loan not been modified. At this point, we cannot predict with a high degree of confidence what the ultimate re-default rate will be. In addition, because we do not have information in our database for all of the parameters used to determine which loans are eligible for modification programs, our estimates of the number of loans qualifying for modification programs are inherently uncertain. If legislation is enacted to permit a portion of a borrower’s mortgage loan balance to be reduced in bankruptcy and if the borrower re-defaults after such reduction, then the amount we would be responsible to cover would be calculated after adding back the reduction. Unless a lender has obtained our prior approval, if a borrower’s mortgage loan balance is reduced outside the bankruptcy context, including in association with a loan modification, and if the borrower re-defaults after such reduction, then under the terms of our policy the amount we would be responsible to cover would be calculated net of the reduction.

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

Over the past several years, the average time it takes to receive a claim associated with a defaulted loan has increased. This is, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes.
51

Unless a loan is cured during a foreclosure delay, at the completion of the foreclosure, additional interest and expenses may be due to the lender from the borrower. In some circumstances, our paid claim amount may include some additional interest and expenses.
 
Factors Affecting Our Results

Our results of operations are affected by:

· Premiums written and earned

Premiums written and earned in a year are influenced by:

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

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

· Premium rates, which are affected by the risk characteristics of the loans insured and the percentage of coverage on the loans.

· Premiums ceded under risk sharing arrangements. See Note 4 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our new quota share agreement, under which premiums will be ceded net of a profit commission.
 
Premiums are generated by the insurance that is in force during all or a portion of the period. A change in the average insurance in force in the current period compared to an earlier period is a factor that will increase (when the average in force is higher) or reduce (when it is lower) premiums written and earned in the current period, although this effect may be enhanced (or mitigated) by differences in the average premium rate between the two periods as well as by premiums that are returned or expected to be returned in connection with claim payments and rescissions, and premiums ceded under risk sharing arrangements. Also, new insurance written and cancellations during a period will generally have a greater effect on premiums written and earned in subsequent periods than in the period in which these events occur.
52

·  Investment income

Our investment portfolio is comprised almost entirely of investment grade fixed income securities. The principal factors that influence investment income are the size of the portfolio and its yield. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair market value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of the investment portfolio is mainly a function of cash generated from (or used in) operations, such as net premiums received, investment earnings, net claim payments and expenses, less cash provided by (or used for) non-operating activities, such as debt or stock issuances or repurchases or dividend payments. Realized gains and losses are a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of a security and the security’s amortized cost, as well as any “other than temporary” impairments recognized in earnings.  The amount received on the sale of fixed income securities is affected by the coupon rate of the security compared to the yield of comparable securities at the time of sale.

· Losses incurred

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

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

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

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

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

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

· The rate at which we rescind policies. Our estimated loss reserves reflect mitigation from rescissions of policies and denials of claims. We collectively refer to such rescissions and denials as “rescissions” and variations of this term.
53

· The distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first two years after loans are originated are a period of relatively low claims, with claims increasing substantially for several years subsequent and then declining, although persistency (percentage of insurance remaining in force from one year prior), the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices, and other factors can affect this pattern. For example, a weak economy or housing price declines can lead to claims from older books increasing, continuing at stable levels or experiencing a lower rate of decline. See further information under “Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle” below.
 
· Changes in premium deficiency reserve
 
Each quarter, we re-estimate the premium deficiency reserve on the remaining Wall Street bulk insurance in force. The premium deficiency reserve primarily changes from quarter to quarter as a result of two factors.  First, it changes as the actual premiums, losses and expenses that were previously estimated are recognized. Each period such items are reflected in our financial statements as earned premium, losses incurred and expenses. The difference between the amount and timing of actual earned premiums, losses incurred and expenses and our previous estimates used to establish the premium deficiency reserve has an effect (either positive or negative) on that period’s results. Second, the premium deficiency reserve changes as our assumptions relating to the present value of expected future premiums, losses and expenses on the remaining Wall Street bulk insurance in force change. Changes to these assumptions also have an effect on that period’s results.
 
· Underwriting and other expenses
 
The majority of our operating expenses are fixed, with some variability due to contract underwriting volume. Contract underwriting generates fee income included in “Other revenue.”
 
· Interest expense
 
Interest expense reflects the interest associated with our outstanding debt obligations. The principal amount of our long-term debt obligations at September 30, 2013 is comprised of $82.9 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, $345 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017, $500 million of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 and $389.5 million of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063 (interest on these debentures accrues and compounds even if we defer the payment of interest), as discussed in Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.
 
Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle

In our industry, a “book” is the group of loans insured in a particular calendar year. In general, the majority of any underwriting profit (premium revenue minus losses) that a book generates occurs in the early years of the book, with the largest portion of any underwriting profit realized in the first year following the year the book was written. Subsequent years of a book generally result in modest underwriting profit or underwriting losses. This pattern of results typically occurs because relatively few of the claims that a book will ultimately experience typically occur in the first few years of the book, when premium revenue is highest, while subsequent years are affected by declining premium revenues, as the number of insured loans decreases (primarily due to loan prepayments), and increasing losses.
54

Summary of 2013 Third Quarter Results

Our results of operations for the third quarter of 2013 were principally affected by the factors referred to below.

· Net premiums written and earned

Net premiums written and earned during the third quarter of 2013 decreased when compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease was due to our lower average insurance in force, as well as an increase in return premiums on claims paid and rescissions.

· Investment income

Investment income in the third quarter of 2013 was lower when compared to the same period in 2012 due to a decrease in our average investment yield.

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

Net realized gains for the third quarter of 2013 were $0.2 million compared to $6.2 million for the third quarter of 2012. There were OTTI losses of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. There were no OTTI losses in the third quarter of 2012. At September 30, 2013, the net unrealized losses in our investment portfolio were $60.9 million, which included $85.4 million of gross unrealized losses, partially offset by $24.5 million of gross unrealized gains.

· Other revenue

Other revenue for the third quarter of 2013 decreased slightly compared to the third quarter of 2012 primarily due to a decrease in contract underwriting fees.

· Losses incurred

Losses incurred for the third quarter of 2013 decreased compared to the same period in 2012. Losses incurred in the third quarter of 2013 reflect fewer new delinquencies received during the quarter, a lower estimated claim rate on recently reported delinquencies and favorable development on estimated severity. The primary default inventory decreased by 5,518 delinquencies in the third quarter of 2013 compared to a decrease of 5,105 in the third quarter of 2012. There was a slight decrease in the estimated claim rate in the third quarter of 2013, compared to a slight increase in the estimated claim rate in the third quarter of 2012. There was a larger decrease in the estimated severity in the third quarter of 2013, compared to the third quarter of 2012.

· Change in premium deficiency reserve

During the third quarter of 2013 the premium deficiency reserve on Wall Street bulk transactions declined from $61 million as of June 30, 2013, to $57 million as of September 30, 2013 and reflects the present value of expected future losses and expenses that exceeds the present value of expected future premiums and already established loss reserves. The decrease in the premium deficiency reserve represents the net result of actual premiums, losses and expenses as well as a change in net assumptions for the period. The change in assumptions for the third quarter of 2013 is primarily related to higher estimated ultimate premiums.
55

· Underwriting and other expenses

Underwriting and other expenses for the third quarter of 2013 decreased slightly compared to the third quarter of 2012.

· Interest expense

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2013 decreased when compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease is primarily related to a $9.6 million decrease in amortization of the discount on our junior debentures. The discount on the debentures was fully amortized as of March 31, 2013. This decrease to interest expense was somewhat offset by our issuance of Convertible Senior Notes in March 2013.

· Provision for income taxes

We had a provision for (benefit from) income taxes of $0.3 million and $(3.0) million in the third quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The benefit from income taxes was reduced by $1.0 million and $86.1 million due to the recognition of a valuation allowance for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
Results of Consolidated Operations

New insurance written

The amount of our primary new insurance written during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Total  Primary NIW (In billions)
 
$
8.6
   
$
7.0
   
$
23.1
   
$
17.1
 
 
                               
Refinance volume as a % of primary
                               
NIW
   
18
%
   
32
%
   
30
%
   
34
%

The increase in new insurance written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, was partially due to larger origination volume as well as an increase in the private mortgage insurance industry’s market share. Our industry continues to regain market share from the FHA but the pace of that recovery is slower than we expected given the continued differences in underwriting guidelines, loan level price adjustments by the GSEs and the secondary market benefits associated with government insured loans versus loans insured by the private sector.
56

The FHA substantially increased its market share beginning in 2008, and beginning in 2011, that market share began to gradually decline. We believe that the FHA’s market share increased, in part, because private mortgage insurers tightened their underwriting guidelines (which led to increased utilization of the FHA’s programs) and because of increases in the amount of loan level delivery fees that the GSEs assess on loans (which result in higher costs to borrowers). In addition, federal legislation and programs provided the FHA with greater flexibility in establishing new products and increased the FHA’s competitive position against private mortgage insurers. We believe that the FHA’s current premium pricing, when compared to our current credit-tiered premium pricing (and considering the effects of GSE pricing changes), has allowed us to be more competitive with the FHA than in the recent past for loans with high FICO credit scores. We cannot predict, however, the FHA’s share of new insurance written in the future due to, among other factors, different loan eligibility terms between the FHA and the GSEs; future increases in guaranty fees charged by the GSEs; changes to the FHA’s annual premiums; and the total profitability that may be realized by mortgage lenders from securitizing loans through Ginnie Mae when compared to securitizing loans through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Our level of new insurance written could also be affected by other items, including those noted in our risk factors.

From time to time, in response to market conditions, we change the types of loans that we insure and the requirements under which we insure them. Beginning in August 2013, we adjusted our underwriting requirements to allow loans that receive certain approvals from a GSE automated underwriting system to be automatically eligible for our mortgage insurance, provided such loans comply with certain credit overlays, as described in our underwriting requirements. Effective December 2, 2013, we are reducing almost all of our borrower-paid monthly premium policy rates, reducing most of our single premium policy rates and making underwriting changes for loans greater than $625,500, subject to regulatory approval of the rate changes. In the first nine months of 2013, single premium policies were approximately 9% of our total NIW. During this period almost all of our single premium rates were above those of a number of our competitors. The percentage of our single premium policies may increase in the future as a result of the reduction in our single premium rates. Our underwriting requirements and proposed premium rates are available on our website at http://www.mgic.com/underwriting/index.html. We make exceptions to our underwriting requirements on a loan-by-loan basis and for certain customer programs. Together, the number of loans for which exceptions were made accounted for fewer than 2% of the loans we insured in 2012 and the first nine months of 2013.

During the second quarter of 2012, we began writing a portion of our new insurance under an endorsement to our master policy (the “Gold Cert Endorsement”). If a borrower makes payments for three years, our Gold Cert Endorsement limits our ability to rescind coverage except under certain circumstances, which circumstances include where we demonstrate the lender had knowledge of inaccurate information in the loan file. In addition, our Gold Cert Endorsement limits our ability to rescind on loans for which the borrower makes payments on time for one year with his own funds, if we are provided with certain documents shortly after we insure the loan and we fail to discover that the loan was ineligible for our insurance. We believe the limitations on our rights to rescind coverage under the Gold Cert Endorsement will materially reduce rescissions on such loans. As of September 30, 2013, less than 12% of our insurance in force was written under our Gold Cert Endorsement. However, we estimate that approximately 63% of our flow, primary new insurance written in the first nine months of 2013, was written under this endorsement. The Gold Cert Endorsement is filed as Exhibit 99.7 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (filed with the SEC on May 10, 2012).

We are completing the process of drafting a new master policy that will comply with various requirements the GSEs have communicated to the industry. These requirements contain limitations on rescission rights that differ from the limitations in our Gold Cert Endorsement including (i) that we must satisfy certain requirements if we want to provide rescission relief after the borrower has made one year of timely payments, and (ii) in certain cases, rescission relief is more restrictive than provided by our Gold Cert Endorsement.  This new policy could be effective for loans insured as early as mid-2014.
57

Cancellations, insurance in force and risk in force

New insurance written and cancellations of primary insurance in force during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In billions)
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
NIW
 
$
8.6
   
$
7.0
   
$
23.1
   
$
17.1
 
Cancellations
   
(8.0
)
   
(8.8
)
   
(26.0
)
   
(25.1
)
 
                               
Change in primary insurance in force
 
$
0.6
   
$
(1.8
)
 
$
(2.9
)
 
$
(8.0
)
 
                               
Direct primary insurance in force as of September 30,
 
$
159.2
   
$
164.9
                 
 
                               
Direct primary risk in force as of September 30,
 
$
41.1
   
$
42.5
                 

Cancellation activity has historically been affected by the level of mortgage interest rates and the level of home price appreciation. Cancellations generally move inversely to the change in the direction of interest rates, although they generally lag a change in direction. Cancellations also include rescissions and policies cancelled due to claim payment.  During 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, cancellations due to claim payments have comprised a significant amount of our cancellations.

Our persistency rate was 78.3% at September 30, 2013 compared to 79.8% at December 31, 2012 and 80.2% at September 30, 2012. Our persistency rate is affected by the level of current mortgage interest rates compared to the mortgage coupon rates on our insurance in force, which affects the vulnerability of the insurance in force to refinancing. Due to refinancing, we are currently experiencing lower persistency on our 2009 through 2011 books of business. This has been partially offset by higher persistency rates on our older books of business reflecting the more restrictive credit policies of lenders (which make it more difficult for homeowners to refinance loans), as well as declines in housing values. During the 1990s, our year-end persistency ranged from a high of 87.4% at December 31, 1990 to a low of 68.1% at December 31, 1998. Since 2000, our year-end persistency ranged from a high of 84.7% at December 31, 2009 to a low of 47.1% at December 31, 2003.
58

Bulk transactions

We ceased writing Wall Street bulk business in the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, we wrote no new business through the bulk channel since the second quarter of 2008. We expect the volume of any future business written through the bulk channel will be insignificant. Wall Street bulk transactions, as of September 30, 2013, included approximately 64,850 loans with insurance in force of approximately $9.8 billion and risk in force of approximately $3.0 billion, which is approximately 75% of our bulk risk in force.

In bulk transactions, the individual loans in the insured portfolio are generally insured to specified levels of coverage. Some of our bulk transactions (less than 5% of our bulk risk in force) contain aggregate loss limits on the insured portfolio. If claim payments associated with a specific bulk portfolio reach the aggregate loss limit, the remaining insurance in force within the deal may be cancelled and any remaining defaults under the deal are removed from our default inventory.
 
Pool insurance

We are currently not issuing new commitments for pool insurance and expect that the volume of any future pool business will be insignificant.

Our direct pool risk in force was $1.1 billion ($0.4 billion on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $0.7 billion on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at September 30, 2013 compared to $1.3 billion ($0.4 billion on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $0.9 billion on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at December 31, 2012. If claim payments associated with a specific pool reach the aggregate loss limit the remaining insurance in force within the pool would be cancelled and any remaining defaults under the pool are removed from our default inventory.
 
Net premiums written and earned

Net premiums written and earned during the third quarter of 2013 decreased when compared to the same period in 2012. The decrease was due to our lower average insurance in force, as well as an increase in return premiums on claims paid and rescissions.

Net premiums written and earned during the first nine months of 2013 decreased when compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was due to our lower average insurance in force, partially offset by a decrease in return premium on claims paid and rescissions.

We expect our average insurance in force to continue to decline in 2013 because our expected new insurance written levels are not expected to exceed our cancellation activity. We expect our premium yields (net premiums earned, expressed on an annual basis, divided by the average insurance in force) for the remainder of 2013 to decline slightly from the level experienced during the first nine months of 2013 primarily due to the new quota share reinsurance agreement discussed in Note 4 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements. Additional external reinsurance transactions are an option to improve our risk-to-capital ratio in light of the capital standards the GSEs are developing; see our Risk Factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements.” Future external reinsurance or reductions in our premium rates (including the reductions to take effect in December 2013) will reduce our future premium yields.
59

Risk sharing arrangements

As discussed in Note 4 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements, in March 2013, MGIC and several of our competitors reached a settlement with the CFPB to resolve its investigation. As part of the settlement, without admitting or denying any liability, we have agreed that we will not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years. In accordance with this settlement, all of our active captive arrangements have been placed into run-off. See Note 4 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements for a description of these risk sharing arrangements and the related reinsurance recoverable, as well as a description of our new quota share reinsurance agreement effective April 1, 2013.

Investment income

Investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was lower when compared to the same periods in 2012 due to a decrease in our average invested assets as we continue to meet our claim obligations as well as a decrease in the average investment yield. Our average investment yield has declined as we have elected to realize gains in our investment portfolio as discussed under “Realized gains and other-than-temporary impairments” below, and have reinvested funds in an overall lower rate environment. The portfolio’s average pre-tax investment yield was 1.7% at September 30, 2013 and 2.4% at September 30, 2012.

We continue to expect a decline in investment income in 2013, compared to 2012, as the average amortized cost of invested assets decreases due to claim payments exceeding premiums received in future periods. See further discussion under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Realized gains and other-than-temporary impairments

Net realized gains for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were $0.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively, compared to $6.2 million and $110.4 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012. There were OTTI losses of $0.3 million in each of the first nine months of 2013 and 2012. We elected to realize gains during 2012, by selling certain securities, given the favorable market conditions experienced in 2012. We then reinvested the funds taking into account our anticipated future claim payment obligations. At September 30, 2013, the net unrealized losses in our investment portfolio were $60.9 million, which included $85.4 million of gross unrealized losses, partially offset by $24.5 million of gross unrealized gains.

Other revenue

     Other revenue for the third quarter of 2013 declined slightly compared to the third quarter of 2012. Other revenue for the first nine months of 2013 decreased when compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to $17.8 million of gains recognized in the second quarter of 2012 on the repurchase of $70.9 million in par value of our 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015.
60

Losses

As discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies” in our 10-K MD&A and consistent with industry practices, we establish loss reserves for future claims only for loans that are currently delinquent. The terms “delinquent” and “default” are used interchangeably by us and are defined as an insured loan with a mortgage payment that is 45 days or more past due. Loss reserves are established based on estimating the number of loans in our default inventory that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity. Historically, a substantial majority of borrowers have eventually cured their delinquent loans by making their overdue payments, but this percentage has decreased significantly in recent years.

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

Losses incurred for the third quarter of 2013 decreased compared to the same period in 2012. Losses incurred in the third quarter of 2013 reflect fewer new delinquencies received during the quarter, a lower estimated claim rate on recently reported delinquencies and favorable development on estimated severity. The primary default inventory decreased by 5,518 delinquencies in the third quarter of 2013 compared to a decrease of 5,105 in the third quarter of 2012. There was a slight decrease in the estimated claim rate in the third quarter of 2013, compared to a slight increase in the estimated claim rate in the third quarter of 2012. There was a larger decrease in the estimated severity in the third quarter of 2013, compared to the third quarter of 2012.

In the first nine months of 2013, net losses incurred were $643 million, comprised of $687 million of current year loss development partially offset by $44 million of favorable prior years’ loss development. In the first nine months of 2012, net losses incurred were $1,379 million, comprised of $1,091 million of current year loss development and $287 million of unfavorable prior years’ loss development.

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

See Note 12 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our losses incurred and rescissions.
61

Information about the composition of the primary default inventory at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appears in the table below.

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
Total loans delinquent (1)
   
111,587
     
139,845
     
148,885
 
Percentage of loans delinquent (default rate)
   
11.51
%
   
13.90
%
   
14.51
%
 
                       
Prime loans delinquent (2)
   
71,376
     
90,270
     
95,517
 
Percentage of prime loans delinquent (default rate)
   
8.44
%
   
10.44
%
   
10.90
%
 
                       
A-minus loans delinquent (2)
   
17,311
     
20,884
     
21,865
 
Percentage of A-minus loans delinquent (default rate)
   
30.62
%
   
32.92
%
   
33.19
%
 
                       
Subprime credit loans delinquent (2)
   
6,519
     
7,668
     
7,999
 
Percentage of subprime credit loans delinquent (default rate)
   
38.10
%
   
40.78
%
   
41.29
%
 
                       
Reduced documentation loans delinquent (3)
   
16,381
     
21,023
     
23,504
 
Percentage of reduced documentation loans delinquent (default rate)
   
32.41
%
   
35.23
%
   
36.16
%

General Notes: (a) For the information presented, the FICO credit score for a loan with multiple borrowers is the lowest of the borrowers’ “decision FICO scores.” A borrower’s “decision FICO score” is determined as follows: if there are three FICO scores available, the middle FICO score is used; if two FICO scores are available, the lower of the two is used; if only one FICO score is available, it is used.
(b) Servicers continue to pay our premiums for nearly all of the loans in our default inventory, but in some cases, servicers stop paying our premiums.   In those cases, even though the loans continue to be included in our default inventory, the applicable loans are removed from our insurance in force and risk in force. Loans where servicers have stopped paying premiums include 7,785 defaults with a risk of $403.0 million as of September 30, 2013.

(1) At September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, 21,515, 25,282 and 26,581 loans in the default inventory, respectively, related to Wall Street bulk transactions.
(2) We define prime loans as those having FICO credit scores of 620 or greater, A-minus loans as those having FICO credit scores of 575-619, and subprime credit loans as those having FICO credit scores of less than 575, all as reported to us at the time a commitment to insure is issued. Most A-minus and subprime credit loans were written through the bulk channel. However, we classify all loans without complete documentation as “reduced documentation” loans regardless of FICO score rather than as a prime, “A-minus” or “subprime” loan; in the table above, such loans appear only in the reduced documentation category and they do not appear in any of the other categories.
(3) In accordance with industry practice, loans approved by GSE and other automated underwriting (AU) systems under "doc waiver" programs that do not require verification of borrower income are classified by MGIC as "full documentation."   Based in part on information provided by the GSEs, we estimate full documentation loans of this type were approximately 4% of 2007 NIW. Information for other periods is not available. We understand these AU systems grant such doc waivers for loans they judge to have higher credit quality.  We also understand that the GSEs terminated their “doc waiver” programs, with respect to new commitments, in the second half of 2008.

62

The primary and pool loss reserves at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appear in the table below.

Gross Reserves
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
 
Primary:
 
   
   
 
Direct loss reserves (in millions)
 
$
3,109
   
$
3,744
   
$
3,855
 
Ending default inventory
   
111,587
     
139,845
     
148,885
 
Average direct reserve per default
 
$
27,858
   
$
26,771
   
$
25,890
 
 
                       
Primary claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
   
9,858
     
11,731
     
12,508
 
 
                       
 
                       
Pool (1):
                       
Direct loss reserves (in millions):
                       
With aggregate loss limits (2)
 
$
88
   
$
120
   
$
123
 
Without aggregate loss limits
   
16
     
20
     
21
 
Reserves related to Freddie Mac Settlement (2)
   
136
     
167
     
-
 
Total pool direct loss reserves
 
$
240
   
$
307
   
$
144
 
 
                       
Ending default inventory:
                       
With aggregate loss limits (2)
   
5,743
     
7,243
     
7,987
 
Without aggregate loss limits
   
1,078
     
1,351
     
1,350
 
Total pool ending default inventory
   
6,821
     
8,594
     
9,337
 
 
                       
Pool claims received inventory included in ending default inventory
   
185
     
304
     
255
 
 
                       
Other gross reserves (in millions)
 
$
4
   
$
6
   
$
5
 
 
(1) Since a number of our pool policies include aggregate loss limits and/or deductibles, we do not disclose an average direct reserve per default for our pool business.
(2) See our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2012 for a discussion of our settlement with Freddie Mac regarding a pool policy.
63

The primary default inventory and primary loss reserves by region at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appears in the table below.
 
Primary Default Inventory
 
   
   
 
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
Region
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Great Lakes
   
12,930
     
16,538
     
17,675
 
Mid-Atlantic
   
5,821
     
6,948
     
7,167
 
New England
   
5,341
     
6,160
     
6,396
 
North Central
   
12,615
     
16,367
     
17,582
 
Northeast
   
15,741
     
17,553
     
17,659
 
Pacific
   
9,612
     
13,235
     
14,856
 
Plains
   
3,298
     
4,126
     
4,395
 
South Central
   
12,169
     
15,418
     
16,602
 
Southeast
   
34,060
     
43,500
     
46,553
 
Total
   
111,587
     
139,845
     
148,885
 

Primary Loss Reserves
 
   
   
 
(In millions)
 
   
   
 
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
Region
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Great Lakes
 
$
235
   
$
295
   
$
302
 
Mid-Atlantic
   
134
     
178
     
187
 
New England
   
151
     
144
     
152
 
North Central
   
372
     
445
     
449
 
Northeast
   
374
     
371
     
347
 
Pacific
   
461
     
599
     
635
 
Plains
   
56
     
69
     
72
 
South Central
   
223
     
301
     
324
 
Southeast
   
951
     
1,089
     
1,147
 
Total before IBNR and LAE
 
$
2,957
   
$
3,491
   
$
3,615
 
IBNR and LAE
   
152
     
253
     
240
 
Total
 
$
3,109
   
$
3,744
   
$
3,855
 

Regions contain the states as follows:
 
Great Lakes:  IN, KY, MI, OH
Mid-Atlantic:  DC, DE, MD, VA, WV
New England:  CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
North Central:  IL, MN, MO, WI
Northeast:  NJ, NY, PA
Pacific:  CA, HI, NV, OR, WA
Plains:  IA, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, SD, WY
South Central:  AK, AZ, CO, LA, NM, OK, TX, UT
Southeast:  AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN
64

The primary loss reserves (before IBNR and LAE) at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 separated between our flow and bulk business appears in the table below.

Primary loss reserves
 
   
 
(In millions)
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Flow
 
$
2,187
   
$
2,586
   
$
2,664
 
Bulk
   
770
     
905
     
951
 
Total primary reserves
 
$
2,957
   
$
3,491
   
$
3,615
 
 
The average claim paid, as shown in the table below, can vary materially from period to period based upon a variety of factors, on both a national and state basis, including the geographic mix, average loan amount and average coverage percentage of loans for which claims are paid.

The primary average claim paid for the top 5 states (based on 2013 paid claims) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 appears in the table below.

Primary average claim paid
 
   
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Florida
 
$
52,505
   
$
57,696
   
$
53,108
   
$
57,411
 
California
   
83,027
     
86,196
     
84,855
     
87,464
 
Illinois
   
46,904
     
47,146
     
48,001
     
47,713
 
Washington
   
64,249
     
66,308
     
63,968
     
69,005
 
Georgia
   
36,651
     
39,373
     
37,830
     
40,005
 
All other states
   
40,803
     
42,085
     
40,678
     
42,862
 
 
                               
All states
 
$
45,706
   
$
48,029
   
$
46,180
   
$
48,747
 

The primary average loan size of our insurance in force at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appears in the table below.

Primary average loan size
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Total insurance in force
 
$
164,210
   
$
161,060
   
$
160,700
 
Prime (FICO 620 & >)
   
166,400
     
162,450
     
161,690
 
A-Minus (FICO 575-619)
   
127,780
     
128,850
     
129,430
 
Subprime (FICO < 575)
   
118,980
     
119,630
     
120,010
 
Reduced doc (All FICOs)(1)
   
183,500
     
188,210
     
191,180
 

(1) In this report we classify loans without complete documentation as "reduced documentation" loans regardless of FICO credit score rather than as prime, "A-" or "subprime" loans; in the table above, such loans appear only in the reduced documentation category and they do not appear in any of the other categories.
65

The primary average loan size of our insurance in force at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 for the top 5 states (based on 2013 paid claims) appears in the table below.

Primary average loan size
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Florida
 
$
172,000
   
$
171,884
   
$
173,126
 
California
   
283,085
     
281,288
     
282,276
 
Illinois
   
154,740
     
154,158
     
154,532
 
Washington
   
224,799
     
223,840
     
223,619
 
Georgia
   
153,299
     
150,611
     
150,171
 
All other states
   
155,976
     
152,499
     
151,879
 

Information about net paid claims during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 appears in the table below.

Net paid claims (In millions)
 
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Prime (FICO 620 & >)
 
$
288
   
$
378
   
$
909
   
$
1,188
 
A-Minus (FICO 575-619)
   
44
     
57
     
140
     
184
 
Subprime (FICO < 575)
   
13
     
16
     
41
     
52
 
Reduced doc (All FICOs)(1)
   
51
     
94
     
164
     
283
 
Pool (2)
   
25
     
49
     
82
     
218
 
Other
   
-
     
2
     
2
     
5
 
Direct losses paid
   
421
     
596
     
1,338
     
1,930
 
Reinsurance
   
(17
)
   
(21
)
   
(50
)
   
(70
)
Net losses paid
   
404
     
575
     
1,288
     
1,860
 
Net LAE paid
   
10
     
12
     
28
     
36
 
Net losses and LAE paid before terminations
   
414
     
587
     
1,316
     
1,896
 
Reinsurance terminations
   
-
     
-
     
(3
)
   
-
 
Net losses and LAE paid
 
$
414
   
$
587
   
$
1,313
   
$
1,896
 

(1) In this report we classify loans without complete documentation as "reduced documentation" loans regardless of FICO credit score rather than as prime, "A-" or "subprime" loans; in the table above, such loans appear only in the reduced documentation category and they do not appear in any of the other categories.
(2) The three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes $11 million and $31 million, respectively, paid under the terms of the settlement with Freddie Mac.

66

Primary claims paid for the top 15 states (based on 2013 paid claims) and all other states for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 appears in the table below.

Paid Claims by state (In millions)
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Florida
 
$
77
   
$
83
   
$
220
   
$
235
 
California
   
30
     
73
     
124
     
241
 
Illinois
   
34
     
36
     
108
     
104
 
Washington
   
20
     
16
     
57
     
49
 
Georgia
   
12
     
24
     
47
     
79
 
Michigan
   
13
     
27
     
47
     
88
 
Ohio
   
15
     
18
     
47
     
53
 
Arizona
   
12
     
29
     
46
     
95
 
Nevada
   
11
     
20
     
37
     
70
 
Maryland
   
14
     
12
     
37
     
34
 
Pennsylvania
   
12
     
9
     
33
     
27
 
Wisconsin
   
9
     
12
     
32
     
36
 
North Carolina
   
10
     
13
     
29
     
38
 
Minnesota
   
6
     
13
     
26
     
47
 
Texas
   
7
     
17
     
26
     
54
 
All other states
   
114
     
143
     
338
     
457
 
 
 
$
396
   
$
545
   
$
1,254
   
$
1,707
 
Other (Pool, LAE, Reinsurance)
   
18
     
42
     
59
     
189
 
Net losses and LAE paid
 
$
414
   
$
587
   
$
1,313
   
$
1,896
 

We believe paid claims will continue to decline, excluding the expected impact of the Countrywide settlement as discussed in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” and in our risk factor titled “We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future.”

67

The primary default inventory for the top 15 states (based on 2013 paid claims) at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appears in the table below.
 
Primary default inventory by state
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Florida
   
16,652
     
22,024
     
24,067
 
California
   
4,400
     
6,201
     
7,210
 
Illinois
   
6,992
     
9,313
     
10,010
 
Washington
   
2,210
     
3,053
     
3,253
 
Georgia
   
3,761
     
5,100
     
5,373
 
Arizona
   
3,593
     
4,808
     
5,238
 
Michigan
   
5,339
     
6,647
     
7,037
 
Ohio
   
1,392
     
2,161
     
2,590
 
Nevada
   
1,433
     
2,053
     
2,327
 
Maryland
   
2,948
     
3,486
     
3,583
 
Wisconsin
   
5,688
     
6,627
     
6,637
 
Pennsylvania
   
2,439
     
3,086
     
3,338
 
Minnesota
   
3,084
     
3,956
     
4,116
 
Texas
   
1,520
     
1,937
     
2,151
 
North Carolina
   
5,714
     
6,924
     
7,138
 
All other states
   
44,422
     
52,469
     
54,817
 
 
   
111,587
     
139,845
     
148,885
 

The primary default inventory at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 separated between our flow and bulk business appears in the table below.

Primary default inventory
 
   
 
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
Flow
   
85,232
     
107,497
     
113,339
 
Bulk
   
26,355
     
32,348
     
35,546
 
 
   
111,587
     
139,845
     
148,885
 

68

The flow default inventory by policy year at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 appears in the table below.
 
Flow default inventory by policy year
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
Policy year:
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
2003 and prior
   
11,250
     
14,888
     
15,822
 
2004
   
6,480
     
8,142
     
8,532
 
2005
   
10,024
     
12,582
     
13,222
 
2006
   
14,630
     
18,257
     
19,167
 
2007
   
31,826
     
40,357
     
42,765
 
2008
   
9,557
     
11,914
     
12,568
 
2009
   
782
     
901
     
904
 
2010
   
320
     
264
     
241
 
2011
   
216
     
148
     
98
 
2012
   
129
     
44
     
20
 
2013
   
18
     
-
     
-
 
 
   
85,232
     
107,497
     
113,339
 

As of September 30, 2013, 36% of our primary insurance in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2009, 41% of our primary insurance in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2008, and 53% of our primary insurance in force was written subsequent to December 31, 2007. On our flow business, the highest claim frequency years have typically been the third and fourth year after the year of loan origination. On our bulk business, the period of highest claims frequency has generally occurred earlier than in the historical pattern on our flow business. However, the pattern of claims frequency can be affected by many factors, including persistency and deteriorating economic conditions. Low persistency can accelerate the period in the life of a book during which the highest claim frequency occurs. Deteriorating economic conditions can result in increasing claims following a period of declining claims.

Premium deficiency

Beginning in 2007, when we stopped writing Wall Street bulk business, we began to separately measure the performance of these transactions and established a premium deficiency reserve related to this business. The premium deficiency reserve reflects the present value of expected future losses and expenses that exceeded the present value of expected future premiums and already established loss reserves. This premium deficiency reserve as of September 30, 2013 was $57 million. The discount rate used in the calculation of the premium deficiency reserve at September 30, 2013 was 1.5%.

See Note 13 – “Premium Deficiency Reserve” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our premium deficiency reserve.
 
Underwriting and other expenses

 Underwriting and other expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 decreased slightly compared to the same periods in 2012.
69

Ratios

The table below presents our GAAP loss, expense and combined ratios for our combined insurance operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
Loss ratio
   
77.7
%
   
184.0
%
   
89.7
%
   
178.7
%
Underwriting expense ratio
   
18.1
%
   
13.6
%
   
17.9
%
   
15.6
%
Combined ratio
   
95.8
%
   
197.6
%
   
107.6
%
   
194.3
%

The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the sum of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The loss ratio does not reflect any effects due to premium deficiency. The decrease in the loss ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, was due to a decrease in losses incurred, partially offset by a decrease in premiums earned. The underwriting expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of underwriting expenses to net premiums written. The increase in the expense ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, was due to a decrease in net premiums written as well as an increase in underwriting expenses for our combined insurance operations. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 decreased when compared to the same periods in 2012. The decrease is primarily related to a decrease in amortization of the discount on our junior debentures. The discount on the debentures was fully amortized as of March 31, 2013. This decrease to interest expense was somewhat offset by the interest expense associated with the Convertible Senior Notes we issued in March 2013.

Income taxes

The effective tax rate provision (benefit) on our pre-tax loss was 5.4% and (0.8%) in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively. During those periods, the benefit from income taxes was reduced by the recognition of a valuation allowance.

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

Financial Condition
 
At September 30, 2013 the total fair value of our investment portfolio was $5.0 billion. In addition, at September 30, 2013 our total assets included approximately $0.5 billion of cash and cash equivalents as shown on our consolidated balance sheet. At September 30, 2013, based on fair value, virtually all of our fixed income securities were investment grade securities. The percentage of investments rated BBB may increase as we reinvest to achieve higher yields and, in part, due to the reduced availability of highly rated corporate securities. Lower rated investments have greater risk. More than 99% of our fixed income securities are readily marketable. The composition of ratings at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012 are shown in the table below.
70

Investment Portfolio Ratings
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2012
 
 
   
   
 
AAA
   
44
%
   
52
%
   
33
%
AA
   
18
%
   
15
%
   
21
%
A
   
27
%
   
22
%
   
31
%
BBB
   
11
%
   
11
%
   
15
%
                         
Investment grade
   
100
%
   
100
%
   
100
%
                         
Below investment grade
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
                         
Total
   
100
%
   
100
%
   
100
%

The ratings above are provided by one or more of: Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. If three ratings are available the middle rating is utilized, otherwise the lowest rating is utilized.

Approximately 3% of our investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, is guaranteed by financial guarantors.  We evaluate the credit risk of securities through analysis of the underlying fundamentals. The extent of our analysis depends on a variety of factors, including the issuer’s sector, scale, profitability, debt cover, ratings and the tenor of the investment. At September 30, 2013, less than 1% of our fixed income securities were relying on financial guaranty insurance to elevate their rating.

We primarily place our investments in investment grade securities pursuant to our investment policy guidelines. The policy guidelines also limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument. At September 30, 2013, the modified duration of our fixed income investment portfolio was 3.3 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 3.3% in the fair value of our fixed income portfolio. For an upward shift in the yield curve, the fair value of our portfolio would decrease and for a downward shift in the yield curve, the fair value would increase. See Note 7 – “Investments” to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure surrounding our investment portfolio.

At September 30, 2013, we had outstanding $82.9 million, 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, with an approximate fair value of $85 million, $345 million principal amount of 5% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding due in 2017, with an approximate fair value of $371 million, $500 million principal amount of 2% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding due in 2020, with an approximate fair value of $620 million and $389.5 million principal amount of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063 outstanding, with an approximate fair value of $428 million. See Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure on our debt.

71

See Note 11 – “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements for a description of our federal income tax contingencies.
 
Our principal exposure to loss is our obligation to pay claims under MGIC’s mortgage guaranty insurance policies. At September 30, 2013, MGIC’s direct (before any reinsurance) primary and pool risk in force, which is the unpaid principal balance of insured loans as reflected in our records multiplied by the coverage percentage, and taking account of any loss limit, was approximately $42.2 billion. In addition, as part of our contract underwriting activities provided through a non-insurance subsidiary, that subsidiary is responsible for the quality of the underwriting decisions in accordance with the terms of the contract underwriting agreements with customers. That subsidiary may be required to provide certain remedies to our customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. These obligations have been primarily funded by contributions from our holding company and, in part, from the operations of the subsidiary. A generally positive economic environment for residential real estate that continued until approximately 2007 may have mitigated the effect of some of these costs in previous years. Historically, a material portion of our new insurance written through the flow channel has involved loans for which that subsidiary provided contract underwriting services, including new insurance written between 2006 and 2008. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed. We believe the rescission of mortgage insurance coverage on loans for which the subsidiary provided contract underwriting services may make a claim for a contract underwriting remedy more likely to occur. Beginning in the second half of 2009, our subsidiary has experienced an increase in claims for contract underwriting remedies, which continued throughout 2012. The related contract underwriting remedy expense was approximately $27 million, $23 million and $19 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. The underwriting remedy expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately $4.4 million, but may increase in the future.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our sources of funds consist primarily of:

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

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

· amounts that we expect to recover from risk sharing arrangements (which is discussed in “Results of Consolidated Operations – Risk sharing arrangements” above).
 
Our obligations consist primarily of:

· claim payments under MGIC’s mortgage guaranty insurance policies,
 
· $83 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015,
72

· $345 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017,

· $500 million of 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020,

· $390 million of 9% Convertible Junior Debentures due in 2063,

· interest on the foregoing debt instruments,  and

· the other costs and operating expenses of our business.

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

Since 2009, our claim payments have exceeded our premiums received. We expect that this trend will continue. Due to the uncertainty regarding how factors such as foreclosure moratoriums, servicing and court delays, failures by servicers to follow proper procedures in foreclosure proceedings, loan modifications and claims investigations and rescissions, will affect our future paid claims it has become even more difficult to estimate the amount and timing of future claim payments. When we experience cash shortfalls, we can fund them through sales of short-term investments and other investment portfolio securities, subject to insurance regulatory requirements regarding the payment of dividends to the extent funds were required by an entity other than the seller. In addition, we align the maturities of our investment portfolio with our estimate of future obligations. A significant portion of our investment portfolio securities are held by our insurance subsidiaries. As long as the trends discussed above continue, we expect to experience significant declines in our investment portfolio.

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

 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Total cash (used in) provided by:
 
   
 
Operating activities
 
$
(692,616
)
 
$
(1,172,522
)
Investing activities
   
(1,007,664
)
   
960,234
 
Financing activities
   
1,130,725
     
(53,107
)
 
               
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(569,555
)
 
$
(265,395
)
 
Cash used in operating activities for the first nine months of 2013 was lower compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to a decrease in losses paid, partially offset by a decrease in premiums collected.
73

Cash used in investing activities for the first nine months of 2013 was higher compared to the same period in 2012 due to investment activity related to the proceeds from our concurrent common stock and convertible senior notes offerings in March 2013 discussed in Note 3 – “Debt” and Note 14 – “Shareholders’ Equity” to our consolidated financial statements as well as our election in the first nine months of 2012 to realize gains by selling certain securities. The increase in cash provided from financing activities in the first nine months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, was also related to these offerings.

Debt at Our Holding Company and Holding Company Capital Resources

See Note 3 – “Debt” and Note 14 – “Shareholders’ Equity” for information related to our sale of common stock and issuance of convertible senior notes in March 2013.

The senior notes, convertible senior notes and convertible debentures are obligations of MGIC Investment Corporation and not of its subsidiaries. The payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, which other than raising capital in the public markets is the principal source of our holding company cash inflow, is restricted by insurance regulation. MGIC is the principal source of dividend-paying capacity.  Since 2008, MGIC has not paid any dividends to our holding company. Through 2013, MGIC cannot pay any dividends to our holding company without approval from the OCI. In connection with the approval of MIC as an eligible mortgage insurer, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have imposed dividend restrictions on MGIC and MIC through December 31, 2013.

At September 30, 2013, we had approximately $594 million in cash and investments at our holding company.

As of September 30, 2013, our holding company’s debt obligations were $1,317 million in par value consisting of:

· $83 million in par value of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, with an annual interest cost of $5 million;

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

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

· $390 million in par value of 9% Convertible Junior Debentures due in 2063, with an annual interest cost of $35 million
 
See Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements for additional information about this indebtedness, including restrictive covenants in our Senior Notes and our option to defer interest on our Convertible Junior Debentures. Any deferred interest compounds at the stated rate of 9%. The description in Note 3 - “Debt" to our consolidated financial statements is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes and debentures. The terms of our Senior Notes are contained in the Officer's Certficate, dated as of October 4, 2005, which specifies the interest rate, maturity date and other terms, and in the Indenture dated as of October 15, 2000, between us and the trustee, included as an exhibit to our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2000 (the "2000 Indenture"). The terms of our 5% Convertible Senior Notes are contained in a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2010, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, which is included as an exhibit to our 8-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010, and in the 2000 Indenture. The terms of our 2% Convertible Senior Notes are contained in a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2013, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and the Indenture dated as of October 15, 2000, between us and the trustee. The terms of our Convertible Junior Debentures are contained in the Indenture dated as of March 28, 2008, between us and U.S. Bank National Association filed as an exhibit to our Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 12, 2008.
74

Our holding company has no other material sources of cash inflows other than investment income. Furthermore, our holding company contributed $800 million in the first quarter of 2013, $100 million in December 2012 and $200 million in December 2011 to support its insurance operations. Any further contributions to our insurance operations or other non-insurance affiliates would further decrease our holding company cash and investments. See discussion of our non-insurance contract underwriting services under “Financial Condition” above and in Note 5 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements. We may also contribute funds to our insurance operations in connection with the implementation of revised mortgage insurer capital standards by the GSEs. See “Overview – Capital” above for a discussion of these capital standards.

During the second quarter of 2013 we repurchased $17.2 million of our 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015 at par value. In the second quarter of 2012, we repurchased approximately $70.9 million in par value of our 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, at a cost of $53.1 million. We recognized $17.8 million in gains on the 2012 repurchases, which is included in other revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. We may from time to time continue to seek to acquire our debt obligations through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities. We may do this in open market purchases, privately negotiated acquisitions or other transactions. The amounts involved may be material.

Risk-to-Capital

We compute our risk-to-capital ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The risk-to-capital ratio is our net risk in force divided by our policyholders’ position. Our net risk in force includes both primary and pool risk in force, and excludes risk on policies that are currently in default and for which loss reserves have been established. The risk amount includes pools of loans or bulk deals with contractual aggregate loss limits and in some cases without these limits. Policyholders’ position consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet. A mortgage insurance company is required to make annual contributions to the contingency reserve of approximately 50% of net earned premiums. These contributions must generally be maintained for a period of ten years.  However, with regulatory approval a mortgage insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net earned premium in a calendar year.
 
The premium deficiency reserve discussed in Note 13 – “Premium Deficiency Reserve” to our consolidated financial statements is not recorded as a liability on the statutory balance sheet and is not a component of statutory net income. The present value of expected future premiums and already established loss reserves and statutory contingency reserves, exceeds the present value of expected future losses and expenses on our total in force book, so no deficiency is recorded on a statutory basis. On a GAAP basis, contingency loss reserves are not established and thus not considered when calculating premium deficiency reserve and policies are grouped based on how they are acquired, serviced and measured.
75

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

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In millions, except ratio)
 
 
 
   
 
Risk in force - net (1)
 
$
29,931
   
$
30,802
 
 
               
Statutory policyholders' surplus
 
$
1,451
   
$
689
 
Statutory contingency reserve
   
46
     
-
 
 
               
Statutory policyholders' position
 
$
1,497
   
$
689
 
 
               
 
               
Risk-to-capital
 
20.0:1
   
44.7:1
 

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

Our combined insurance companies’ preliminary risk-to-capital calculation appears in the table below.

 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
 
 
 
(In millions, except ratio)
 
 
 
   
 
Risk in force - net (1)
 
$
35,717
   
$
36,113
 
 
               
Statutory policyholders' surplus
 
$
1,512
   
$
749
 
Statutory contingency reserve
   
64
     
6
 
 
               
Statutory policyholders' position
 
$
1,576
   
$
755
 
 
               
 
               
Risk-to-capital
 
22.7:1
   
47.8:1
 

(1) Risk in force – net, as shown in the table above, is net of reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default ($5.1 billion at September 30, 2013 and $6.5 billion at December 31, 2012) and for which loss reserves have been established.
 
Statutory policyholders’ position increased in the first nine months of 2013, due to an $800 million capital contribution to MGIC from part of the proceeds from our March 2013 sale of common stock and issuance of convertible senior notes, partially offset by operating losses. Our risk-to-capital ratio will increase if the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk.  Therefore, as capital decreases, the same dollar decrease in capital will cause a greater percentage decrease in capital and a greater increase in the risk-to-capital ratio.
76

For additional information regarding regulatory capital see Note 1 – “Basis of Presentation – Capital” to our consolidated financial statements as well as our risk factor titled Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.”

Financial Strength Ratings

The financial strength of MGIC, our principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, is rated Ba3 by Moody’s Investors Service with a stable outlook. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services’ insurer financial strength rating of MGIC is B with a positive outlook. For further information about the importance of MGIC’s ratings, see our risk factor titled We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements” and “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.”

Contractual Obligations
 
At September 30, 2013, the approximate future payments under our contractual obligations of the type described in the table below are as follows:

 
 
Payments due by period
 
Contractual Obligations (In millions):
 
   
Less than
   
   
   
More than
 
 
 
Total
   
1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
5 years
 
Long-term debt obligations
 
$
3,220
   
$
67
   
$
214
   
$
452
   
$
2,487
 
Operating lease obligations
   
7
     
4
     
2
     
1
     
-
 
Tax obligations
   
18
     
-
     
-
     
18
     
-
 
Purchase obligations
   
2
     
1
     
1
     
-
     
-
 
Pension, SERP and other post-retirement
                                       
benefit plans
   
174
     
11
     
27
     
31
     
105
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
3,353
     
1,710
     
1,375
     
268
     
-
 
 
                                       
Total
 
$
6,774
   
$
1,793
   
$
1,619
   
$
770
   
$
2,592
 
 
Our long-term debt obligations at September 30, 2013 include, $82.9 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due in November 2015, $345.0 million of 5% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2017, $500 million 2% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2020 and $389.5 million in convertible debentures due in 2063, including related interest, as discussed in Note 3 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above. Our operating lease obligations include operating leases on certain office space, data processing equipment and autos, as discussed in Note 19 – “Leases” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Tax obligations consist primarily of amounts related to our current dispute with the IRS, as discussed in Note 11 – “Income Taxes.” Purchase obligations consist primarily of agreements to purchase data processing hardware or services made in the normal course of business. See Note 13 – “Benefit Plans” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for discussion of expected benefit payments under our benefit plans.
77

Our other long-term liabilities represent the loss reserves established to recognize the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. The timing of the future claim payments associated with the established loss reserves was determined primarily based on two key assumptions: the length of time it takes for a notice of default to develop into a received claim and the length of time it takes for a received claim to be ultimately paid. The future claim payment periods are estimated based on historical experience, and could emerge significantly different than this estimate.  Due to the uncertainty regarding how certain factors, such as servicing and court delays, failures by servicers to follow proper procedures in foreclosure proceedings, loan modifications, claims investigations and claim rescissions, will affect our future paid claims it has become even more difficult to estimate the amount and timing of future claim payments. Current conditions in the housing and mortgage industries make all of the assumptions discussed in this paragraph more volatile than they would otherwise be. See Note 12 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements and “-Critical Accounting Policies” in our 10-K MD&A. In accordance with GAAP for the mortgage insurance industry, we establish loss reserves only for loans in default. Because our reserving method does not take account of the impact of future losses that could occur from loans that are not delinquent, our obligation for ultimate losses that we expect to occur under our policies in force at any period end is not reflected in our financial statements or in the table above.
 
Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors

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

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

Location of Risk Factors:  The risk factors are in Item 1 A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1 A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the Quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2013 and by Part II, Item 1 A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  The risk factors in the 10-K, as supplemented by these 10-Qs and through updating of various statistical and other information, are reproduced in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
78

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

At September 30, 2013, the derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio were immaterial. We place our investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines; the policy also limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument. At September 30, 2013, the modified duration of our fixed income investment portfolio was 3.3 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 3.3% in the market value of our fixed income portfolio. For an upward shift in the yield curve, the market value of our portfolio would decrease and for a downward shift in the yield curve, the market value would increase.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2013 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
In our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, we reported that we are named as a defendant in various purported class action cases naming various mortgage lenders and mortgage insurers as defendants. The complaints in those cases allege various causes of action related to the captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements of the mortgage lenders, including that the mortgage insurer defendants violated RESPA by paying excessive premiums to the lenders’ captive reinsurer in relation to the risk assumed by that captive. A complaint originally filed May 18, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, was dismissed with respect to MGIC by that District Court on August 21, 2013. A complaint originally filed October 3, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, was dismissed by that District Court on June 19, 2013. The Plaintiffs in that case filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on July 2, 2013 seeking to overturn the District Court’s dismissal. That appeal was dismissed at the request of the Plaintiff on October 18, 2013. A complaint, which was originally filed December 9, 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, was dismissed by that District Court on May 7, 2013. The Plaintiffs in that case filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on June 5, 2013 seeking to overturn the District Court’s dismissal. On November 5, 2013, the Plaintiffs filed a motion for voluntary dismissal of their appeal.
 
In our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, we reported that MGIC had been involved in legal proceedings since 2009 with Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. (“CHL”) and its affiliate, Bank of America, N.A., as successor to Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP (“BANA” and collectively with CHL, “Countrywide”) in which Countrywide alleged that MGIC refused to pay valid mortgage insurance claims. We also reported that in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an increase in its loss reserves of an aggregate of $100 million in connection with its determination that a settlement of this litigation with Countrywide and another settlement with another customer were probable under ASC 450-20.
79

On April 19, 2013, MGIC entered into separate settlement agreements with BANA and CHL, pursuant to which the parties will settle the Countrywide litigation as it relates to MGIC’s rescission and denial practices (as amended on September 24, 2013 by amendments that were technical in nature, (the “Agreements”). The original Agreements are described in our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 25, 2013. The original Agreements are filed as exhibits to that Form 8-K and amendments to the Agreement are filed as Exhibits to this Form 10-Q, although in each case certain portions of the Agreements are redacted and covered by a confidential treatment request that has been granted or is pending. Both GSEs have consented to the agreement with BANA and implementation began in November 2013. As of September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on approximately 2,100 loans under the agreement with BANA, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $150 million, had been suspended. We began processing the suspended rescissions in November 2013 and expect most of the associated claims will be paid in accordance with our practice. The agreement with CHL covers loans that were purchased by non-GSE investors, including securitization trusts (the “other investors”). The agreement with CHL will be implemented only as and to the extent that it is consented to by or on behalf of the other investors, and any such implementation is expected to occur no earlier than the first quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on approximately 800 loans under the agreement with CHL, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $70 million, had been suspended. While there can be no assurance that the agreement with CHL will be implemented, we have determined that its implementation is probable.

The pending arbitration proceedings concerning the loans covered by the BANA Agreement have been dismissed, the mutual releases between the parties regarding such loans have become effective and the litigation between the parties regarding such loans is to be dismissed. The pending arbitration proceeding between the parties regarding the loans subject to the CHL proceeding is stayed. Upon obtaining a specified number of consents by or on behalf of the investors in loans covered by the Agreement with CHL (“investors”) and also upon the conclusion of the period in the Agreement with CHL for obtaining consents by or on behalf of the investors, all legal proceedings will be dismissed and the parties will provide mutual releases, in each case limited as to the loans held by the investors that consent to that Agreement.
 
Item 1 A.  Risk Factors

With the exception of the changes described and set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors from the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as supplemented by Part II, Item I A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the Quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2013. The risk factors in the 10-K, as supplemented by those 10-Qs and this 10-Q, and through updating of various statistical and other information, are reproduced in their entirety in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk. Therefore, as capital decreases, the same dollar decrease in capital will cause a greater percentage decrease in capital and a greater increase in the risk-to-capital ratio. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.
80

During part of 2012 and 2013, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio exceeded 25 to 1. In March 2013, our holding company issued additional equity and convertible debt securities and transferred $800 million to increase MGIC’s capital. At September 30, 2013, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 20.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $190 million above the required MPP of $1.2 billion. At September 30, 2013, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes reinsurance affiliates) was 22.7 to 1. A higher risk-to-capital ratio on a combined basis may indicate that, in order for MGIC to continue to utilize reinsurance arrangements with its subsidiaries or subsidiaries of our holding company, additional capital contributions to the reinsurance affiliates could be needed. These reinsurance arrangements permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.

 At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current Capital Requirements, although we cannot assure you of such compliance. You should read the rest of these risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

If MGIC fails to meet the Capital Requirements and is unable to obtain a waiver of them from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”), MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in all jurisdictions. If MGIC were prevented from writing new business in all jurisdictions, our insurance operations in MGIC would be in run-off (meaning no new loans would be insured but loans previously insured would continue to be covered, with premiums continuing to be received and losses continuing to be paid on those loans) until MGIC either met the Capital Requirements or obtained a waiver to allow it to once again write new business.

If MGIC fails to meet the Capital Requirements and is unable to obtain a waiver of them from a jurisdiction other than Wisconsin, MGIC could be prevented from writing new business in that particular jurisdiction. New insurance written in the jurisdictions that have Capital Requirements represented approximately 50% of our new insurance written in the first nine months of 2013. Depending on the level of losses that MGIC experiences in the future, it is possible that regulatory action by one or more jurisdictions, including those that do not have specific Capital Requirements, may prevent MGIC from continuing to write new insurance in such jurisdictions.
 
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) is reviewing the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers, although it has not established a date by which it must make proposals to change such requirements. Depending on the scope of proposals made by the NAIC, MGIC may be prevented from writing new business in the jurisdictions adopting such proposals. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “GSEs”), in conjunction with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), are also developing new capital standards for mortgage insurers. See our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements.”

81

A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the Capital Requirements will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, we cannot assure you that events that may lead MGIC to fail to meet Capital Requirements would not also result in it not having sufficient claims paying resources. Furthermore, our estimates of MGIC’s claims paying resources and claim obligations are based on various assumptions. These assumptions include the timing of the receipt of claims on loans in our delinquency inventory and future claims that we anticipate will ultimately be received, our anticipated rescission activity, premiums, housing values and unemployment rates. These assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and require judgment by management. Current conditions in the domestic economy make the assumptions about when anticipated claims will be received, housing values, and unemployment rates highly volatile in the sense that there is a wide range of reasonably possible outcomes. Our anticipated rescission activity is also subject to inherent uncertainty due to the difficulty of predicting the amount of claims whose policies will be rescinded and the outcome of any legal proceedings or settlement discussions related to rescissions. You should read the rest of these risk factors for additional information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.

We have in place a longstanding plan to write new business in MIC, a direct subsidiary of MGIC, in the event MGIC cannot meet the Capital Requirements of a jurisdiction or obtain a waiver of them. MIC is licensed to write business in all jurisdictions and, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, has received the necessary approvals from the OCI and the GSEs to write business. During 2012, MIC began writing new business in the jurisdictions where MGIC did not have a waiver of the Capital Requirements. Because MGIC again meets the Capital Requirements, MGIC is again writing new business in all jurisdictions and MIC has suspended writing new business. As of September 30, 2013, MIC had statutory capital of $455 million and risk in force of approximately $950 million.

The OCI and GSE approvals of MIC expire at the end of 2013 and we do not expect to need an extension of such approvals. Fannie Mae’s approval of MIC, including certain conditions and restrictions to its continued effectiveness, is summarized more fully in, and included as an exhibit to, our Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 30, 2012. Freddie Mac’s approval of MIC, including certain conditions and restrictions to its continued effectiveness, is summarized more fully in, and included as an exhibit to, our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 30, 2012. Freddie Mac’s approval of MIC provides that an adverse action by Freddie Mac against MIC may also subject MGIC to an adverse action.

We cannot assure you that the OCI or GSEs will approve or continue to approve MIC to write new business in all jurisdictions in which MGIC may become unable to do so. If one GSE does not approve MIC in all jurisdictions in which MGIC becomes unable to write new business, MIC may be able to write insurance on loans that will be sold to the other GSE or retained by private investors. However, because lenders may not know which GSE will purchase their loans until mortgage insurance has been procured, lenders may be unwilling to procure mortgage insurance from MIC. Furthermore, if we are unable to write business in all jurisdictions utilizing a combination of MGIC and MIC, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere. In addition, a lender’s assessment of the financial strength of our insurance operations may affect its willingness to procure insurance from us. In this regard, see our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.”
82

The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if the definition of Qualified Residential Mortgage results in a reduced number of low down payment loans available to be insured or if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance.

The financial reform legislation that was passed in July 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act” or “Dodd-Frank”) requires lenders to consider a borrower’s ability to repay a home loan before extending credit. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued and amended a final rule defining “Qualified Mortgage” (“QM”), in order to implement the “ability to repay” law. There is a temporary category of QMs for mortgages that satisfy the general product feature requirements of QMs and meet the GSEs’ underwriting requirements (the “temporary category”). The temporary category will phase out when the GSEs’ conservatorship ends, or if sooner, after seven years. In May 2013, the FHFA directed the GSEs to limit their mortgage acquisitions to loans that meet the requirements of a QM, including those that meet the temporary category, and loans that are exempt from the “ability to repay” requirements. We may insure loans that do not qualify as QMs, however, we are unsure whether lenders will make non-QM loans because they will not be entitled to the presumptions about compliance with the “ability to repay” requirements, or if lenders would purchase private mortgage insurance for loans that cannot be sold to the GSEs.

In September 2013, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) proposed a definition of QM that will apply to loans the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) insures. HUD’s QM definition is less restrictive than the CFPB’s definition in certain respects, including that (i) it has no limit on the debt-to-income ratio of a borrower, and (ii) it has a higher pricing threshold for loans to fall into the “safe harbor” category of QM loans, instead of the “rebuttable presumption” category of QM loans. It is possible that lenders will prefer FHA-insured loans to loans insured by private mortgage insurance as a result of the FHA’s less restrictive QM definition.

Given the credit characteristics presented to us, we estimate that 87.5% of our new risk written in the first nine months of 2013 was for mortgages that would have met the CFPB’s general QM definition. We estimate that 98.9% of our new risk written in the first nine months of 2013 was for mortgages that would have met the CFPB’s QM definition, when giving effect to the temporary category. In making these estimates, we have not considered the limitation on points and fees because the information is not available to us. We do not believe such limitation would materially affect the percentage of our new risk written meeting the QM definitions. The QM rule is scheduled to become effective in January 2014.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires a securitizer to retain at least 5% of the risk associated with mortgage loans that are securitized, and in some cases the retained risk may be allocated between the securitizer and the lender that originated the loan. This risk retention requirement does not apply to mortgage loans that are Qualified Residential Mortgages (“QRMs”) or that are insured by the FHA or another federal agency. In 2011, federal regulators released a proposed risk retention rule that included a definition of QRM. In response to public comments regarding the proposed rule, federal regulators issued a revised proposed rule in August 2013. The revised proposed rule generally defines QRM as a mortgage meeting the requirements of a QM. The regulators also proposed an alternative QRM definition (“QM-plus”) which utilizes certain QM criteria but also includes a maximum loan-to-value ratio (“LTV”) of 70%. Neither of the revised definitions of QRM considers the use of mortgage insurance. While substantially all of our new risk written in the first nine months of 2013 was on loans that met the QM definition (and, therefore, the proposed general QRM definition), none of our new insurance written met the QM-plus definition. The public comment period for the revised proposed rule expired on October 30, 2013.
83

The final timing of the adoption of any risk retention regulation and the definition of QRM remains uncertain. Because of the capital support provided by the U.S. Government, the GSEs satisfy the Dodd-Frank risk-retention requirements while they are in conservatorship. Therefore, lenders that originate loans that are sold to the GSEs while they are in conservatorship would not be required to retain risk associated with those loans.

 The amount of new insurance that we write may be materially adversely affected depending on, among other things, (a) the final definition of QRM and its LTV requirements, (b) the extent to which the presence of private mortgage insurance with certain premium plans may adversely affect the ability of a loan to qualify as a QM and therefore as a QRM, and (c) whether lenders choose mortgage insurance for non-QRM loans. In addition, changes in the final regulations regarding treatment of GSE-guaranteed mortgage loans, or changes in the conservatorship or capital support provided to the GSEs by the U.S. Government, could impact the manner in which the risk-retention rules apply to GSE securitizations, originators who sell loans to GSEs and our business. For other factors that could decrease the demand for mortgage insurance, see our risk factor titled “If the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations declines, the amount of insurance that we write could decline, which would reduce our revenues.”

Alternatives to private mortgage insurance include:

· lenders using government mortgage insurance programs, including those of the FHA and the Veterans Administration,

· lenders and other investors holding mortgages in portfolio and self-insuring,

· investors (including the GSEs) using risk mitigation techniques other than private mortgage insurance, such as credit-linked note transactions executed in the capital markets; using other risk mitigation techniques in conjunction with reduced levels of private mortgage insurance coverage; or accepting credit risk without credit enhancement, and

· lenders originating mortgages using piggyback structures to avoid private mortgage insurance, such as a first mortgage with an 80% loan-to-value ratio and a second mortgage with a 10%, 15% or 20% loan-to-value ratio (referred to as 80-10-10, 80-15-5 or 80-20 loans, respectively) rather than a first mortgage with a 90%, 95% or 100% loan-to-value ratio that has private mortgage insurance.

The FHA substantially increased its market share beginning in 2008, and beginning in 2011, that market share began to gradually decline. We believe that the FHA’s market share increased, in part, because private mortgage insurers tightened their underwriting guidelines (which led to increased utilization of the FHA’s programs) and because of increases in the amount of loan level delivery fees that the GSEs assess on loans (which result in higher costs to borrowers). In addition, federal legislation and programs provided the FHA with greater flexibility in establishing new products and increased the FHA’s competitive position against private mortgage insurers. We believe that the FHA’s current premium pricing, when compared to our current credit-tiered premium pricing (and considering the effects of GSE pricing changes), has allowed us to be more competitive with the FHA than in the recent past for loans with high FICO credit scores. We cannot predict, however, the FHA’s share of new insurance written in the future due to, among other factors, different loan eligibility terms between the FHA and the GSEs; future increases in guaranty fees charged by the GSEs; changes to the FHA’s annual premiums; and the total profitability that may be realized by mortgage lenders from securitizing loans through Ginnie Mae when compared to securitizing loans through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
84

We have reported net losses for the last six years and cannot assure you when we will return to annual profitability.

We have reported a net loss in each of the last six fiscal years, with an aggregate net loss for 2007-2012 of $5.3 billion. For the first nine months of 2013, we reported a net loss of $48.4 million. The size of any future losses will depend primarily on the amount of our losses incurred from our business written prior to 2009, which will depend on new notices of defaulted loans, cures of defaulted loans in our delinquency inventory and the average severity on claims paid. Therefore, such losses are dependent on factors that make prediction of their amounts difficult and any forecasts are subject to significant volatility. Although we currently expect to return to profitability on an annual basis, we cannot assure you when, or if, this will occur. Conditions that could delay our return to annual profitability include high unemployment rates, low cure rates, low housing values and unfavorable resolution of legal disputes. You should read the rest of these risk factors for additional information about factors that could increase our net losses in the future.

We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future.

Consumers continue to bring lawsuits against home mortgage lenders and settlement service providers. Mortgage insurers, including MGIC, have been involved in litigation alleging violations of the anti-referral fee provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is commonly known as RESPA, and the notice provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is commonly known as FCRA. MGIC’s settlement of class action litigation against it under RESPA became final in October 2003. MGIC settled the named plaintiffs’ claims in litigation against it under FCRA in December 2004, following denial of class certification in June 2004. Since December 2006, class action litigation has been brought against a number of large lenders alleging that their captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements violated RESPA. Beginning in December 2011, MGIC, together with various mortgage lenders and other mortgage insurers, has been named as a defendant in twelve lawsuits, alleged to be class actions, filed in various U.S. District Courts. Seven of those cases have previously been dismissed without any further opportunity to appeal. The complaints in all of the cases allege various causes of action related to the captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements of the mortgage lenders, including that the defendants violated RESPA by paying excessive premiums to the lenders’ captive reinsurer in relation to the risk assumed by that captive. MGIC denies any wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations in the lawsuits. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to further litigation under RESPA (or FCRA) or that the outcome of any such litigation, including the lawsuits mentioned above, would not have a material adverse effect on us.
 
In April 2013, the U.S. District Court approved a settlement with the CFPB that resolved a federal investigation of MGIC’s participation in captive reinsurance arrangements in the mortgage insurance industry. The settlement concluded the investigation with respect to MGIC without the CFPB or the court making any findings of wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, MGIC agreed that it would not enter into any new captive reinsurance agreement or reinsure any new loans under any existing captive reinsurance agreement for a period of ten years. MGIC had voluntarily suspended most of its captive arrangements in 2008 in response to market conditions and GSE requests. In connection with the settlement, MGIC paid a civil penalty of $2.65 million and the court issued an injunction prohibiting MGIC from violating any provisions of RESPA.

85

We remain subject to various state investigations or information requests regarding captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements, including (1) a request received by MGIC in June 2005 from the New York Department of Financial Services for information regarding captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements and other types of arrangements in which lenders receive compensation; and (2) requests received from the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the “MN Department”) beginning in February 2006 regarding captive mortgage reinsurance and certain other matters in response to which MGIC has provided information on several occasions, including as recently as May 2011. On August 28, 2013, MGIC and several competitors received a draft Consent Order from the MN Department containing proposed conditions to resolve its investigation, including unspecified penalties. We are engaged in discussions with the MN Department regarding the draft Consent Order. Other insurance departments or other officials, including attorneys general, may also seek information about, investigate, or seek remedies regarding captive mortgage reinsurance.

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

We are subject to comprehensive, detailed regulation by state insurance departments. These regulations are principally designed for the protection of our insured policyholders, rather than for the benefit of investors. Although their scope varies, state insurance laws generally grant broad supervisory powers to agencies or officials to examine insurance companies and enforce rules or exercise discretion affecting almost every significant aspect of the insurance business. Given the recent significant losses incurred by many insurers in the mortgage and financial guaranty industries, our insurance subsidiaries have been subject to heightened scrutiny by insurance regulators. State insurance regulatory authorities could take actions, including changes in capital requirements or termination of waivers of capital requirements, that could have a material adverse effect on us. As noted above, in early 2013, the CFPB issued rules to implement laws requiring mortgage lenders to make ability-to-pay determinations prior to extending credit. We are uncertain whether the CFPB will issue any other rules or regulations that affect our business. Such rules and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.

We understand several law firms have, among other things, issued press releases to the effect that they are investigating us, including whether the fiduciaries of our 401(k) plan breached their fiduciary duties regarding the plan’s investment in or holding of our common stock or whether we breached other legal or fiduciary obligations to our shareholders. We intend to defend vigorously any proceedings that may result from these investigations. With limited exceptions, our bylaws provide that our officers and 401(k) plan fiduciaries are entitled to indemnification from us for claims against them.

86

Since December 2009, we have been involved in legal proceedings with Countrywide in which Countrywide alleged that MGIC denied valid mortgage insurance claims. (In our SEC reports, we refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims collectively as “rescissions” and variations of that term.) In addition to the claim amounts it alleged MGIC had improperly denied, Countrywide contended it was entitled to other damages of almost $700 million as well as exemplary damages. We sought a determination in those proceedings that we were entitled to rescind coverage on the applicable loans. From January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on Countrywide-related loans mitigated our paid losses on the order of $445 million. This amount is the amount we estimate we would have paid had the coverage not been rescinded. In addition, in connection with mediation we were holding with Countrywide, we voluntarily suspended rescissions related to loans that we believed could be covered by a settlement.
 
On April 19, 2013, MGIC entered into separate settlement agreements with CHL and BANA, pursuant to which the parties will settle the Countrywide litigation as it relates to MGIC’s rescission practices (as amended on September 24, 2013 by amendments that were technical in nature, the “Agreements”). The original Agreements are described in our Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 25, 2013. The original Agreements are filed as exhibits to that Form 8-K and amendments to the Agreements were filed with our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, although in each case, certain portions of the Agreements are redacted and covered by a confidential treatment request that has been granted (or is pending). Both GSEs have consented to the agreement with BANA and implementation began in November 2013. As of September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on approximately 2,100 loans under the agreement with BANA, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $150 million, had been suspended. We began processing the suspended rescissions in November 2013 and expect most of the associated claims will be paid in accordance with our practice. The agreement with CHL covers loans that were purchased by non-GSE investors, including securitization trusts (the “other investors”). The agreement with CHL will be implemented only as and to the extent that it is consented to by or on behalf of the other investors, and any such implementation is expected to occur no earlier than the first quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, rescissions of coverage on approximately 800 loans under the agreement with CHL, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $70 million, had been suspended. While there can be no assurance that the agreement with CHL will be implemented, we have determined that its implementation is probable. We recorded the estimated impact of the Agreements, including the payments of claims associated with the suspended rescissions being made beginning in November 2013 (and another probable settlement) in our financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2012. If we are not able to implement the agreement with CHL, we intend to defend MGIC against any related legal proceedings, vigorously.

In addition to the suspended Countrywide rescissions, as of September 30, 2013, coverage on approximately 540 loans, representing total potential claim payments of approximately $38 million, was affected by our decision to suspend rescissions for customers for which we consider settlement agreements probable.

The flow policies at issue with Countrywide are in the same form as the flow policies that we used with all of our customers during the period covered by the Agreements, and the bulk policies at issue vary from one another, but are generally similar to those used in the majority of our Wall Street bulk transactions. The settlement with Countrywide may encourage other customers to pursue remedies against us. From January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013, we estimate that total rescissions mitigated our incurred losses by approximately $2.9 billion, which included approximately $3.0 billion of mitigation on paid losses, excluding $0.6 billion that would have been applied to a deductible. At September 30, 2013, we estimate that our total loss reserves were benefited from anticipated rescissions by approximately $0.1 billion.

87

Before paying a claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. All of our insurance policies provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy, including the requirement to mitigate our loss by performing reasonable loss mitigation efforts or, for example, diligently pursuing a foreclosure or bankruptcy relief in a timely manner. We call such reduction of claims submitted to us “curtailments.” In 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 4.1% and 5.5%, respectively. In addition, the claims submitted to us sometimes include costs and expenses not covered by our insurance policies, such as mortgage insurance premiums, hazard insurance premiums for periods after the claim date and losses resulting from property damage that has not been repaired. These other adjustments reduced claim amounts by less than the amount of curtailments.

After we pay a claim, servicers and insureds sometimes object to our curtailments and other adjustments. We review these objections if they are sent to us within 90 days after the claim was paid. Historically, we have not had material disputes regarding our curtailments or other adjustments.

The Agreements referred to above do not resolve assertions by Countrywide that MGIC has improperly curtailed numerous insurance coverage claims. As of the fourth quarter of 2012, Countrywide asserted that the amount of disputed curtailments approximated $40 million. MGIC and Countrywide have agreed to mediate this matter and to enter into arbitration if the mediation does not resolve the matter. We do not believe a loss is probable regarding this curtailment dispute and have not accrued any reserves that would reflect an adverse outcome to this dispute. We intend to defend vigorously our position regarding the correctness of these curtailments under our insurance policy. Although we have not had other material objections to our curtailment and adjustment practices, there can be no assurances that we will not face additional challenges to such practices.

A non-insurance subsidiary of our holding company is a shareholder of the corporation that operates the Mortgage Electronic Registration System (“MERS”).  Our subsidiary, as a shareholder of MERS, has been named as a defendant (along with MERS and its other shareholders) in eight lawsuits asserting various causes of action arising from allegedly improper recording and foreclosure activities by MERS. One of those lawsuits remains pending and the other seven lawsuits have been dismissed without any further opportunity to appeal.  The damages sought in the remaining case are substantial. We deny any wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously against the allegations in the lawsuits.

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

Resolution of our dispute with the Internal Revenue Service could adversely affect us.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued proposed assessments for unpaid taxes, interest and penalties related to our treatment of the flow-through income and loss from an investment in a portfolio of residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (“REMICs”). The IRS indicated that it did not believe that, for various reasons, we had established sufficient tax basis in the REMIC residual interests to deduct the losses from taxable income. The proposed assessments for taxes and penalties related to these matters is $197.5 million and at September 30, 2013 there would also be interest of approximately $151.0 million. In addition, depending on the outcome of this matter, additional state income taxes and state interest may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of September 30, 2013, those state taxes and interest would approximate $45.4 million. In addition, there could also be state tax penalties.
88

Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 is $105.2 million, which represents the tax benefits generated by the REMIC portfolio included in our tax returns that we have not taken benefit for in our financial statements, including any related interest. We continue to believe that our previously recorded tax provisions and liabilities are appropriate. However, we would need to make appropriate adjustments, which could be material, to our tax provision and liabilities if our view of the probability of success in this matter changes, and the ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material negative impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and statutory capital. In this regard, see our risk factor titled “Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.”

We appealed these assessments within the IRS and, in 2007, we made a payment of $65.2 million to the United States Department of the Treasury related to this assessment. In August 2010, we reached a tentative settlement agreement with the IRS which was not finalized. The IRS is pursuing this matter in full and we currently expect to be in litigation on this matter in 2014. Any such litigation could be lengthy and costly in terms of legal fees and related expenses.

Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.

As noted above, the FHA substantially increased its market share beginning in 2008 and beginning in 2011, that market share began to gradually decline. It is difficult to predict the FHA’s future market share due to, among other factors, different loan eligibility terms between the FHA and the GSEs, future increases in guaranty fees charged by the GSEs, changes to the FHA’s annual premiums, and the total profitability that may be realized by mortgage lenders from securitizing loans through Ginnie Mae when compared to securitizing loans through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

In recent years, the level of competition within the private mortgage insurance industry has been intense as many large mortgage lenders reduced the number of private mortgage insurers with whom they do business. At the same time, consolidation among mortgage lenders has increased the share of the mortgage lending market held by large lenders. During 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, approximately 10% and 8%, respectively, of our new insurance written was for loans for which one lender was the original insured, although revenue from such loans was significantly less than 10% of our revenues during each of those periods. Our private mortgage insurance competitors include:

· Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation,
 
· United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company,

· Radian Guaranty Inc.,

· CMG Mortgage Insurance Company (whose owners have agreed to sell it to a worldwide insurer and reinsurer),
 
· Essent Guaranty, Inc., and

· NMI Holdings, Inc.

89

Until 2010 the mortgage insurance industry had not had new entrants in many years. In 2010, Essent Guaranty, Inc. began writing mortgage insurance and in October 2013, it raised additional capital in an initial public offering. Essent has publicly reported that one of our customers, JPMorgan Chase, is one of its investors. Another new company, NMI Holdings Inc., began writing mortgage insurance in the second quarter of 2013. In addition, in February 2013, a worldwide insurer and reinsurer with mortgage insurance operations in Europe announced that it was purchasing CMG Mortgage Insurance Company. In October 2013, the parent company of Republic Mortgage Insurance Company (“RMIC”), which had ceased writing new mortgage insurance commitments in mid-2011 and was placed under the supervision of the insurance department of its domiciliary state, announced a plan of recapitalization for RMIC that is intended to allow RMIC to resume writing new business early in 2014. The perceived increase in credit quality of loans that are being insured today, the deterioration of the financial strength ratings of the existing mortgage insurance companies and the possibility of a decrease in the FHA’s share of the mortgage insurance market may encourage additional new entrants.

Our relationships with our customers could be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including tightening of and adherence to our underwriting requirements, which have resulted in our declining to insure some of the loans originated by our customers and insurance rescissions that affect the customer. We have ongoing discussions with lenders who are significant customers regarding their objections to our rescissions.

We believe many lenders consider a mortgage insurer’s financial strength rating and risk-to-capital ratio as important factors when they select mortgage insurers. As a result of MGIC’s less than investment grade financial strength ratings and its risk-to-capital ratio level being higher than that of other mortgage insurers, MGIC may be competitively disadvantaged with these lenders. MGIC’s financial strength rating from Moody’s is Ba3 (with a stable outlook) and from Standard & Poor’s is B (with a positive outlook). It is possible that MGIC’s financial strength ratings could decline from these levels. While we expect MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio to continue to comply with the current Capital Requirements, its level will depend primarily on the level of incurred losses, any settlement with the IRS, and the volume of new risk written. Our incurred losses are dependent upon factors that make prediction of their amounts difficult and any forecasts are subject to significant volatility. Conditions that could negatively affect the risk-to-capital ratio include high unemployment rates, low cure rates, low housing values and unfavorable resolution of ongoing legal proceedings. In addition, the NAIC and the GSEs are each expected to propose revised capital standards for mortgage insurers. While there can be no assurance that MGIC would meet such revised capital requirements, we believe we could implement one or more alternative strategies to continue to write new business. For more information, see our risk factor titled “Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis” and “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements.”
90

The mix of business we write also affects the likelihood of losses occurring.

Even when housing values are stable or rising, mortgages with certain characteristics have higher probabilities of claims. These characteristics include loans with loan-to-value ratios over 95% (or in certain markets that have experienced declining housing values, over 90%), FICO credit scores below 620, limited underwriting, including limited borrower documentation, or higher total debt-to-income ratios, as well as loans having combinations of higher risk factors. As of September 30, 2013, approximately 22.6% of our primary risk in force consisted of loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 95%, 7.0% had FICO credit scores below 620, and 7.2% had limited underwriting, including limited borrower documentation, each attribute as determined at the time of loan origination. A material portion of these loans were written in 2005 — 2007 or the first quarter of 2008. In accordance with industry practice, loans approved by GSEs and other automated underwriting systems under “doc waiver” programs that do not require verification of borrower income are classified by us as “full documentation.” For additional information about such loans, see footnote (3) to the composition of primary default inventory table under “Results of Consolidated Operations-Losses-Losses incurred” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

From time to time, in response to market conditions, we change the types of loans that we insure and the requirements under which we insure them. Beginning in August 2013, we adjusted our underwriting requirements to allow loans that receive certain approvals from a GSE automated underwriting system to be automatically eligible for our mortgage insurance, provided such loans comply with certain credit overlays, as described in our underwriting requirements. Effective December 2, 2013, we are reducing almost all of our borrower-paid monthly premium policy rates, reducing most of our single premium policy rates and making underwriting changes for loans greater than $625,500, subject to regulatory approval of the rate changes. In the first nine months of 2013, single premium policies were approximately 9% of our total NIW. During this period almost all of our single premium rates were above those of a number of our competitors. The percentage of our single premium policies may increase in the future as a result of the reduction in our single premium rates. Our reduced single premium rates may result in an increase over the 9%  in the future. These changes will reduce our future premium yields, as would additional external reinsurance transactions. Our underwriting requirements are available on our website at http://www.mgic.com/underwriting/index.html. We make exceptions to our underwriting requirements on a loan-by-loan basis and for certain customer programs. Together, the number of loans for which exceptions were made accounted for fewer than 2% of the loans we insured in 2012 and the first nine months of 2013.

During the second quarter of 2012, we began writing a portion of our new insurance under an endorsement to our master policy (the “Gold Cert Endorsement”). If a borrower makes payments for three years, our Gold Cert Endorsement limits our ability to rescind coverage except under certain circumstances, which circumstances include where we demonstrate the lender had knowledge of inaccurate information in the loan file. In addition, our Gold Cert Endorsement limits our ability to rescind on loans for which the borrower makes payments on time for one year with his own funds, if we are provided with certain documents shortly after we insure the loan and we fail to discover that the loan was ineligible for our insurance. We believe the limitations on our rights to rescind coverage under the Gold Cert Endorsement will materially reduce rescissions on such loans. As of September 30, 2013, less than 12% of our insurance in force was written under our Gold Cert Endorsement. However, we estimate that approximately 63% of our flow, primary new insurance written in the first nine months of 2013, was written under this endorsement. The Gold Cert Endorsement is filed as Exhibit 99.7 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 (filed with the SEC on May 10, 2012).

We are completing the process of drafting a new master policy that will comply with various requirements the GSEs have communicated to the industry. These requirements contain limitations on rescission rights that differ from the limitations in our Gold Cert Endorsement including (i) that we must satisfy certain requirements if we want to provide rescission relief after the borrower has made one year of timely payments, and (ii) in certain cases, rescission relief is more restrictive than provided by our Gold Cert Endorsement.  This new policy could be effective for loans insured as early as mid-2014.
91

As of September 30, 2013, approximately 1.9% of our primary risk in force written through the flow channel, and 22.1% of our primary risk in force written through the bulk channel, consisted of adjustable rate mortgages in which the initial interest rate may be adjusted during the five years after the mortgage closing (“ARMs”). We classify as fixed rate loans adjustable rate mortgages in which the initial interest rate is fixed during the five years after the mortgage closing. In the current interest rate environment, interest rates resetting in the near future are unlikely to exceed the interest rates at origination. If interest rates should rise between the time of origination of such loans and when their interest rates may be reset, claims on ARMs and adjustable rate mortgages whose interest rates may only be adjusted after five years would be substantially higher than for fixed rate loans. In addition, we have insured “interest-only” loans, which may also be ARMs, and loans with negative amortization features, such as pay option ARMs. We believe claim rates on these loans will be substantially higher than on loans without scheduled payment increases that are made to borrowers of comparable credit quality.

Although we attempt to incorporate these higher expected claim rates into our underwriting and pricing models, there can be no assurance that the premiums earned and the associated investment income will be adequate to compensate for actual losses even under our current underwriting requirements. We do, however, believe that given the various changes in our underwriting requirements that were effective beginning in the first quarter of 2008, our insurance written beginning in the second quarter of 2008 will generate underwriting profits.

Item 6.
Exhibits

The accompanying Index to Exhibits is incorporated by reference in answer to this portion of this Item, and except as otherwise indicated in the next sentence, the Exhibits listed in such Index are filed as part of this Form 10-Q. Exhibit 32 is not filed as part of this Form 10-Q but accompanies this Form 10-Q.
92

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on November 8, 2013.

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
 
/s/ J. Michael Lauer
J. Michael Lauer
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
/s/ Timothy J. Mattke
Timothy J. Mattke
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

93

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(Part II, Item 6)

Exhibit
 
Number
Description of Exhibit
 
Amendment to Confidential Settlement Agreement and Release made as of September 24, 2013 by and between Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation and Bank of America, N.A. (as a successor to BAC Home Loans Servicing f/k/a Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP), on its own behalf and as successor in interest by de jure merger to Countrywide Bank FSB, formerly Treasury Bank. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. is also a party to the settlement agreement only to the extent specified in the settlement agreement. †††
 
Amendment to Confidential Settlement Agreement and Release made as of September 24, 2013 by and between Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as master servicer or servicer of Subject Loans (as defined in the settlement agreement).  †††
 
 
Certification of CEO under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Certification of CFO under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Certification of CEO and CFO under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (as indicated in Item 6 of Part II, this Exhibit is not being "filed")
 
Risk Factors included in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as supplemented by Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2013, and through updating of various statistical and other information
 
101
The following financial information from MGIC Investment Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

†††
Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of these exhibits. These exhibits omit the information subject to this confidentiality request. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
94