UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
S
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
OR
£
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 1-10804
XL CAPITAL LTD
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Cayman Islands
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98-0191089
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XL House, One Bermudiana Road
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(441) 292-8515
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SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
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Title of each class |
Name of each exchange
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Class A Ordinary Shares, Par Value $0.01 per Share |
New York Stock Exchange |
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10.75% Equity Security Units |
New York Stock Exchange |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes S No £
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes £ No S
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
S
No
£
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer S Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer £ 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
£
No
S
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2009 was approximately $3.9 billion computed upon the basis of the closing sales price of the Class A Ordinary Shares on June 30, 2009. For purposes of this computation, ordinary shares held by directors and officers of the registrant have been excluded. Such exclusion is not intended, nor shall it be deemed, to be an admission that such persons are affiliates of the registrant.
As of February 25, 2010, there were outstanding 342,142,419 Class A Ordinary Shares, $0.01 par value per share, of the registrant.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The Registrants Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report relating to the annual meeting of ordinary shareholders to be held on April 30, 2010 is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
XL CAPITAL LTD
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains Forward-Looking Statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such Forward-Looking Statements is set forth herein under the
caption Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BUSINESS
History
XL Capital Ltd, through its subsidiaries (the Company or XL), is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. XL Capital Ltd was incorporated with
limited liability under the Cayman Islands Companies Act on March 16, 1998, as EXEL Merger Company. XL Capital Ltd was formed as a result of the merger of EXEL Limited and Mid Ocean Limited on August 7, 1998, and the Company was named EXEL Limited on that date.
EXEL Limited and Mid Ocean Limited are companies that were incorporated in the Cayman Islands with principal operations in Bermuda in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Exel Limited and its subsidiaries were formed in response to a shortage of high excess liability underwriting capacity in the insurance industry at that
time and included a subsidiary organized in Ireland to serve the European Community. Mid Ocean Limited and its subsidiaries were formed to capitalize on the supply/demand imbalance in the global property catastrophe reinsurance market at that time and included dedicated Lloyds syndicate capacity. At a special general
meeting held on February 1, 1999, the shareholders of the Company approved a resolution changing the name of the Company to XL Capital Ltd.
On June 18, 1999, XL Capital Ltd merged with NAC Re Corp. (NAC), a Delaware corporation organized in 1985, in a stock merger. This merger was accounted for as a pooling of interests under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Following the merger, the Company changed its fiscal year end
from November 30 to December 31 as a conforming pooling adjustment.
On July 25, 2001, the Company acquired certain Winterthur International insurance operations (Winterthur International) to extend its predominantly North American-based large corporate insurance business globally. Results of operations of Winterthur International have been included from July 1, 2001, the date from
which the economic interest was transferred to the Company.
Effective January 1, 2002, the Company increased its shareholding in Le Mans Ré from 49% to 67% in order to expand its international reinsurance operations. On September 3, 2003, the Company exercised its option to buy the remaining 33% from MMA and changed the name of Le Mans Ré to XL Re Europe S.A.
On October 18, 2006, the Company received approval to form a new European company, XL Re Europe Ltd, based in Dublin, Ireland, which is licensed to write all classes of reinsurance business. XL Re Europe Ltd is the headquarters of the Companys European reinsurance platform with branch offices in France and the
U.K.
On August 4, 2006, the Company completed the sale of approximately 37% of its then financial guarantee reinsurance and insurance businesses through an initial public offering (IPO) of 23.4 million common shares of Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora) (formerly Security Capital Assurance Ltd. or SCA). On June 6,
2007, the Company completed the sale of a portion of Syncoras common shares still owned by the Company through a secondary offering and thereby reduced its ownership of Syncoras outstanding common shares further from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. On August 5, 2008, the Company closed an agreement
(the Master Agreement) with Syncora and its subsidiaries, as well as certain counterparties to credit default swap agreements, in connection with the termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements. As part of the Master Agreement, the Company transferred all of the shares it owned in Syncora to a trust and as a
result has no further ownership interest in the company. For further details relating to the Master Agreement, see Item 8, Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Syncora Holdings Ltd.
On January 12, 2010 the Company announced a proposal to change the place of incorporation of the ultimate parent holding company of XL from the Cayman Islands to Ireland, through a scheme of arrangement under Cayman Islands law. Shareholders will be asked to vote in favor of completing the redomestication
and proposals relating thereto at a special court-ordered class meeting and an extraordinary general meeting of the ordinary shareholders. If the necessary conditions are satisfied, including approval by the ordinary shareholders and by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, shares of XL Capital Ltd
1
(referred to as XL-Cayman in the context of the redomestication) will be cancelled and shareholders will receive, on a one-for-one basis, new ordinary shares of XL Group plc (XL-Ireland), and XL-Ireland will replace XL-Bermuda as the ultimate parent company of XL. The Companys Board of Directors has
unanimously determined that changing the place of incorporation of the ultimate parent company to Ireland, and the other related proposals, are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Subject to satisfaction of the various conditions, the change of the Companys place of incorporation is currently expected to
become effective on July 1, 2010.
In connection with the proposed redomestication, the Company will also seek the approval of the Series C and Series E preference shareholders of XL-Cayman to exchange their preference shares for an equal number of preference shares of XL-Ireland in the scheme of arrangement. Even if approval of the preference
shareholders is obtained, this preference share exchange will occur only if the redomestication is consummated and the ordinary shares are exchanged as described above. The redomestication is not conditioned on completion of the preference share exchange or any approval by Series C or Series E preference shareholders.
Additional information regarding the redomestication, is included in the Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on January 12, 2010 (the Redomestication Proxy Statement). A definitive Proxy Statement will be sent to ordinary shareholders in advance of the relevant shareholder meetings.
See further information under Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Segments
Following the streamlining of the Companys operating segments in the first quarter of 2009, the Company is organized into three operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance and Life Operations. The general investment and financing operations of the Company are reflected in Corporate.
The Company evaluates the performance for both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit and evaluates the contribution from the Life Operations. Other items of revenue and expenditure of the Company are not evaluated at the segment level for reporting purposes. In addition, the Company
does not allocate investment assets by segment for its property and casualty (P&C) operations. Investment assets related to the Companys Life Operations and certain structured products included in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments are held in separately identified portfolios. As such, net investment income from these
assets is included in the contribution from each of these operations.
The following table sets forth an analysis of gross premiums written by segment for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Additional financial information about the Companys segments, including financial information about geographic areas, is included in Item 8, Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, Segment Information.
Year ended December 31
2009
Percentage
2008
Percentage
2007
Insurance
$
4,251,888
(19.9
)%
$
5,308,914
(2.3
)%
$
5,434,266
Reinsurance
1,859,423
(17.7
)%
2,260,477
(15.1
)%
2,663,494
Life Operations
576,162
(16.6
)%
690,915
(7.0
%
743,220
Syncora (1)
%
(100.0
)%
156,983
$
6,687,473
(19.0
)%
$
8,260,306
(8.2
)%
$
8,997,963
(1)
Gross premiums written relating to Syncora in 2007 are for the period from January 1, 2007 through June 6, 2007, the date on which the Company completed the sale of a portion of Syncoras common shares then owned by the Company, through a secondary offering and thereby reduced its ownership of Syncoras outstanding common shares from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. From June
6, 2007 until the execution of the Master Agreement, the Company accounted for its remaining investment in Syncora using the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to August 5, 2008, the Company has no further ownership interest in Syncora.
2
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross
Premiums
Written
Change
Gross
Premiums
Written
Change
Gross
Premiums
Written
Insurance Segment
General
The Companys Insurance segment provides commercial property, casualty and specialty insurance products on a global basis. Products generally provide tailored coverages for complex corporate risks and include the following lines of business: property, casualty, professional liability, environmental liability, aviation and
satellite, marine and offshore energy, equine, fine art and specie, excess and surplus lines and other insurance coverages including program business. However, given the changing economic environment that has been experienced throughout 2008 and 2009 during the global economic and financial crises, and following the
significant impacts to the Company during 2008, including the downgrade of the financial strength ratings of the Companys leading insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by leading rating agencies, the Company focused on those lines of business within its insurance operations that are believed to provide the best return on
capital. For the Insurance segment, this included the non-renewal of certain insurance programs, as well as a continued reduction in long-term agreements.
Property and casualty products are typically written as global insurance programs for large multinational companies and institutions and include umbrella liability, product recall, U.S. workers compensation, property catastrophe and primary master property and liability coverages. Property and casualty products generally
provide large capacity on a primary, quota share or excess of loss basis. Global insurance programs are targeted to large worldwide companies in major industry groups including aerospace, automotive, consumer products, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, high technology, telecommunications, transportation and basic metals. In
North America, the casualty business written includes primary, umbrella and high layer excess business. The primary casualty programs (including workers compensation) generally require customers to take large deductibles or self-insured retentions. For the umbrella and excess business written, the Companys liability
attaches after large deductibles, including self insurance or insurance from other companies. Outside of North America, casualty business is generally written on a primary or excess basis. Policies are written on an occurrence, claims-made and occurrence reported basis. The Companys property business written, which also
includes construction projects, is short-tail by nature and written on both a primary and excess of loss basis. Property business written includes exposures to man-made and natural disasters, and generally, loss experience is characterized as low frequency and high severity. This may result in volatility in the Companys results
of operations, financial condition and liquidity. In addition to the property and casualty products noted above, in 2008 the Company launched underwriting capabilities for the Upper Middle Markets (UMM) in the U.S., U.K. and Continental Europe. These units are focused on providing underwriting expertise and tailored
insurance solutions for the UMM customers through focused distribution channels of select regional retail brokers. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for further information.
Professional liability insurance includes directors and officers liability, errors and omissions liability and employment practices liability coverages. Policies are written on both a primary and excess of loss basis. Directors and officers coverage includes primary and excess directors and officers liability, employment
practices liability, company securities and private company directors and officers liability. Products are targeted at a variety of different sized companies, with a heavy concentration on small to medium-sized firms when written on a primary basis. Employment practices liability is written primarily for very large corporations
on an excess of loss basis and covers those firms for legal liability in regard to the treatment of employees. Errors and omissions coverage is written on a primary and excess basis. Errors and omissions insurance written on a primary basis is targeted to small and medium-sized firms and coverage is provided for various
professional exposures, including, but not limited to, insurance brokers, consultants, architects and engineers, lawyers, public entities and real estate agents.
Environmental liability products include pollution and remediation legal liability, general and project-specific pollution and professional liability, commercial general property redevelopment and contractors pollution liability. Business is written for both single and multiple years on a primary or excess of loss, claims-made
or, less frequently, occurrence basis. Targeted industries include environmental service firms, contractors, healthcare facilities, manufacturing facilities, real estate redevelopment, transportation and construction. The Company also offers commercial general liability and automobile liability insurance to environmental businesses.
Aviation and satellite products include comprehensive airline hull and liability, airport liability, aviation manufacturers product liability, aviation ground handler liability, large aircraft hull and liability, corporate
3
non-owned aircraft liability, space third party liability and satellite risk including damage or malfunction during ascent to orbit and continual operation, and aviation war. Aviation liability and physical damage coverage is offered for large aviation risks on a proportional basis, while smaller general aviation risks are offered on
a primary basis. Satellite risks are generally written on a proportional basis. The target markets for aviation and satellite products include airlines, aviation product manufacturers, aircraft service firms, general aviation operators and telecommunications firms.
Marine and offshore energy, equine and fine art and specie insurance are also provided by the Company. Marine and energy coverage includes marine hull and machinery, marine war, marine excess liability, cargo and offshore energy insurance. Equine products specialize in providing bloodstock, livestock and aquaculture
insurance. Fine art and specie coverages include fine art, jewelers block, cash in transit and related coverages for financial institutions.
Excess and surplus lines products include both general liability and property coverages. For general liability, most Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) products are written. For property, limits are relatively low and coverages exclude flood, earthquake and difference in conditions. In 2009 the Company decided to stop
offering property coverages.
The Companys program business specializes in insurance coverages for distinct market segments in North America, including program administrators and managing general agents who operate in a specialized market niche and have unique industry backgrounds or specialized underwriting capabilities. Products encompass
automobile extended warranty and other property and casualty coverages. The Company implemented an exit strategy to exit the automobile extended warranty business in 2009.
Certain structured indemnity products, previously structured by XL Financial Solutions (XLFS), are included within the results of the Insurance segment covering a range of insurance risks including property and casualty insurance, certain types of residual exposures and other market risk management products. In
August 2008, the Company ceased certain operations that included the closure of the XLFS business unit and reassignment of responsibility for existing structured indemnity business to either the Insurance or Reinsurance segment depending on the underlying nature of the transactions.
Also included as part of the Insurance segment is XL Global Asset Protection Services (XL GAPS), a fee for service loss prevention consulting service which offers individually tailored risk management solutions to risk managers, insurance brokers and insurance company clients operating on a global basis.
The excess nature of many of the Companys insurance products, coupled with historically large policy limits, results in a book of business that can have losses characterized as low frequency and high severity. As a result, large losses, though infrequent, can have a significant impact on the Companys results of
operations, financial condition and liquidity. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by, among other things, using strict underwriting guidelines, effective risk management practices (e.g., monitoring of aggregate exposures) and various reinsurance arrangements, discussed below.
U.S. Terrorism
The U.S. Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), as amended, established the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) which became effective on November 26, 2002 and was a three-year federal program effective through 2005. On December 22, 2005, President George W. Bush signed a bill extending
TRIA (TRIAE) for two more years, continuing TRIP through 2007. On December 26, 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TRIPRA) which further extended TRIP for 7 years until December 31, 2014 and also eliminated the distinction between
foreign and domestic acts of terrorism.
TRIA voided in force terrorism exclusions as of November 26, 2002 for certified terrorism on all TRIA specified property and casualty business. TRIA required covered insurers to make coverage available for certified acts of terrorism (other than nuclear, biological, radiological and chemical, or NBRC) on all new and
renewal policies issued after TRIA was enacted. Legislation approved under TRIP, as noted above, allows the Company to assess a premium charge for terrorism coverage and, if the policyholder declines the coverage or fails to pay the buy-back premium, certified acts of terrorism will then be excluded from the policy,
subject, however, to state specific requirements. Terrorism coverage cannot be excluded from workers compensation policies. Subject to a premium-based deductible and provided that the Company has otherwise complied with all the requirements as specified under TRIPRA, the Company is eligible for reimbursement by the
Federal Government for up to 85% of its covered terrorism-related losses arising from a certified terrorist attack. Such payment by the government will, in effect, provide reinsurance
4
protection on a quota share basis. The maximum liability during a program year, including both the Federal Governments and insurers shares, is capped on an aggregated basis at $100 billion.
The Company had, prior to the passage of TRIP and the related legislation, underwritten exposures under certain insurance policies that included coverage for terrorism. The passage of TRIP and the related legislation, has required the Company to make a mandatory offer of Certified terrorism coverage with respect to
relevant covered insurance policies as specified under the related legislation.
Non-U.S. Terrorism
The Company provides coverage for terrorism outside of the United States under casualty policies on a case-by-case basis. The Company generally does not provide significant limits of coverage for terrorism under first party property policies outside of the U.S. unless required to do so by local law, or as required to
comply with any national terrorism risk pool which may be available. Various countries have enacted legislation to provide insurance coverage for terrorism occurring within their borders, to protect registered property, and to protect citizens traveling abroad. The legislation typically requires registered direct insurers to provide
terrorism coverage for specified coverage lines and then permits them to cede the risk to a national risk pool. The Company has subsidiaries that participate in terrorism risk pools in various jurisdictions, including Australia, France, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Underwriting
The Company underwrites and prices most risks individually following a review of the exposure and in accordance with the Companys underwriting guidelines. Most of the Companys insurance operations have underwriting guidelines that are industry-specific. The Company seeks to serve its clients while controlling its
exposure on individual insurance contracts through terms and conditions, policy limits and sublimits, attachment points, and facultative and treaty reinsurance arrangements on certain types of risks.
The Companys underwriters generally evaluate each industry category and subgroups within each category. Premiums are set and adjusted for an insured based, in large part, on the industry group in which the insured is placed and the insureds perceived risk relative to the other risks in that group. Rates may vary
significantly according to the industry group of the insured as well as the insureds risk relative to the group. The Companys rating methodology for individual insureds seeks to set premiums in accordance with claims potential as measured by past experience and future expectations, the attachment point and amount of
underlying insurance, the nature and scope of the insureds operations, including the industry group in which the insured operates, exposures to loss, natural hazard exposures, risk management quality and other specific risk factors relevant in the judgment of the Companys underwriters to the type of business being written.
Underwriting and loss experience is reviewed regularly for, among other things, loss trends, emerging exposures, changes in the regulatory or legal environment as well as the efficacy of policy terms and conditions.
As the Companys insurance products are primarily specialized coverages, underwriting guidelines and policy forms differ by product offering as well as by legal jurisdiction. Liability insurance is written on both a primary and excess of loss basis, on occurrence, occurrence reported and claims-made policy forms.
Occurrence reported policies typically cover occurrences causing unexpected and unintended personal injury or property damage to third parties arising from events or conditions that commence at or subsequent to an inception date, or retroactive date, if applicable, and prior to the expiration of the policy provided that proper
notice is given during the term of the policy or the discovery period. Claims made policies typically cover only claims made during the policy period or extended reporting period and are generally associated with professional liability coverages. Traditional occurrence coverage is also available for restricted classes of risk and
is generally written on a follow-form basis where the policy adopts the terms, conditions and exclusions of the underlying policy. Property insurance risks are written on a lead or follow-form basis that usually provides coverage for all risks of physical damage and business interruption. Maximum limits are generally subject to
sublimits for coverage in critical earthquake and flood zones, where the Company seeks to limit its liability in these areas.
Reinsurance Ceded
In certain cases, the risks assumed by the Company in the Insurance segment are partially reinsured with third party reinsurers. Reinsurance ceded varies by location and line of business based on a number of
5
factors, including market conditions. The benefits of ceding risks to third party reinsurers include reducing exposure on individual risks, protecting against catastrophic risks, maintaining acceptable capital ratios and enabling the writing of additional business. Reinsurance ceded does not legally discharge the Company from its
liabilities to the original policyholder in respect of the risk being reinsured.
The Company uses reinsurance to support the underwriting and retention guidelines of each of its subsidiaries as well as to control the aggregate exposure of the Company to a particular risk or class of risks. Reinsurance is purchased at several levels ranging from reinsurance of risks assumed on individual contracts to
reinsurance covering the aggregate exposure on a portfolio of policies issued by groups of companies. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information.
Premiums
Premium rates and underwriting terms and conditions for all lines of business written vary by jurisdiction principally due to local market conditions, competitor product offerings and legal requirements.
The following table is an analysis of the Insurance segments gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned, by line of business for the year ended December 31, 2009:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross
Net
Net
Casualty professional lines
$
1,423,756
$
1,336,541
$
1,276,005
Casualty other lines
947,121
570,887
655,126
Other property
649,592
361,841
426,441
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
644,898
516,408
546,806
Other specialty lines (1)
577,804
483,166
634,436
Other (2)
5,257
1,077
12,217
Structured indemnity
3,460
3,460
8,762
Total
$
4,251,888
$
3,273,380
$
3,559,793
(1)
Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, specie, middle markets and excess and surplus lines.
(2)
Other includes credit and surety and other lines.
Competition
The Company competes globally in the property and casualty insurance markets. Its competitors include the following companies and their affiliates: The ACE Group of Companies (ACE); Allianz Aktiengesellschaft (Allianz); American International Group, Inc. primarily their Chartis subsidiary (AIG); Factory
Mutual Global (FMG) for property only; Hartford Financial Services (Hartford); Lloyds of London Syndicates (Lloyds); The Chubb Corporation (Chubb); The Travelers Companies (Travelers); and Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich).
The Companys major geographical markets for its property and casualty insurance operations are North America, Europe and Bermuda. The Companys main competitors in each of these markets include the following:
North America AIG, ACE, Chubb, FMG, Zurich, Travelers, CNA Financial Corporation, Hartford, Liberty Mutual Group and Lloyds.
Europe Allianz, AIG, FMG, Zurich, AXA, ACE, Lloyds, Assicurazioni Generali (Generali) and HDI-Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG (HDI-Gerling).
Bermuda ACE, Allied World Assurance Company (AWAC), Axis Capital Group (Axis), Max Re Ltd. (Max Re), Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd (Endurance) and Arch Capital Group Ltd (Arch).
See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Executive Overview for further discussion.
Marketing and Distribution
The majority of Insurance Segment business originates via a large number of international, national and regional producers, acting as the brokers and representatives of current and prospective policyholders. A portion of Insurance Segment business is marketed and underwritten by general agents and independent agents
acting on behalf of the Company. Typically, all such producers, general agents, and independent
6
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
agents receive commission payments from the Company for their services, which payments are calculated as a percentage of gross premium paid by the policyholder on an account-by-account basis. A certain portion of business originating from producers is submitted on a fee basis under which the producer is compensated by
a fee paid to it by its policyholder client. From time to time, the Company also considers requests for commissions from a producer, with disclosure by the producer to the policyholder-client, where the producer receives a fee from the policyholder-client. The Company evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis.
The Company entertains requests for contingent commission arrangements where such additional commissions are based upon the volume of bound business originated from a specific producer during a prior calendar year. Such arrangements are distinct from program business where additional commissions are generally
based on profitability of business submitted to and bound by the Company.
With regard to excess and surplus lines business, the Company receives submissions from licensed wholesale surplus lines brokers.
The Company has no implied or explicit commitments to accept business from any particular broker, and neither producers nor any other third party have the authority to bind the Company, except in the case where underwriting authority may be delegated contractually to selected general agents. Such general agents are
subject to a financial and operational due diligence review prior to any such delegation of authority and ongoing reviews and audits are carried out as deemed necessary by the Company with the goal of assuring the continuing integrity of underwriting and related business operations. See Item 8, Note 20(a) to the Consolidated
Financial Statements for information on the Companys major producers, Commitments and Contingencies Concentrations of Credit Risk.
Apart from compensation arrangements established with producers in connection with insurance transactions, the Company also has engaged, and may in the future engage, certain producers or their affiliates in consulting roles pursuant to which such producers provide access to certain systems and information that may
assist the Company with its marketing and distribution strategy. In instances where the Company engages producers in such consulting roles, the Company may compensate the relevant producers on a fixed fee basis, a variable fee basis based upon Company usage of the systems and information proffered, or through a
combination of fixed and variable fee.
Structure of Insurance Operations
In October 2009, the Companys insurance operations were reorganized into four business units: Global Professional Lines, Global Specialty Lines, North America Property and Casualty and International Property and Casualty. This new simplified structure has had no impact on the Companys client facing activities but
provides increased authority and accountability to each business unit leader. The Company operated under its product and geography based matrix business structure up to October 2009.
The segments most significant operating legal entities during 2009 were as follows: XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, XL Insurance Company Limited, XL Specialty Insurance Company, Indian Harbor Insurance Company, Greenwich Insurance Company, XL Insurance Switzerland as well as certain Lloyds Syndicates.
Claims Administration
Claims management for the insurance operations includes the review of initial loss reports, administration of claims databases, generation of appropriate responses to claims reports, identification and handling of coverage issues, determination of whether further investigation is required and, where appropriate, retention of
claims counsel, establishment of case reserves, payment of claims and notification to reinsurers. With respect to the establishment of case reserves, when the Company is notified of insured losses, claims personnel record a case reserve as appropriate for the estimated amount of the exposure at that time. The estimate reflects
the judgment of claims personnel based on general reserving practices, the experience and knowledge of such personnel regarding the nature of the specific claim and, where appropriate, advice of counsel. Reserves are also established to provide for the estimated expense of settling claims, including legal and other fees and
the general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process.
Claims in respect of business written by the Companys Lloyds syndicates are primarily notified by various central market bureaus. Where a syndicate is a leading syndicate on a Lloyds policy, its underwriters and claims adjusters will deal with the broker or insured on behalf of itself and the following
7
market for any particular claim. This may involve appointing attorneys or loss adjusters. The claims bureaus and the leading syndicate advise movement in loss reserves to all syndicates participating on the risk. The Companys claims department may adjust the case reserves it records from those advised by the bureaus as
deemed necessary.
Certain of the Companys product lines have arrangements with third party administrators (TPAs) to provide claims handling services to the Company in respect of such product lines. These agreements set forth the duties of the TPA, limits of authority, protective indemnification language and various procedures that are
required to meet statutory compliance. These arrangements are also subject to audit review by the Companys relevant claim department.
In February 2010 and after over two years of design and development, the insurance operations has started deploying a new claims IT platform, called XL GlobalClaim (GCS). The Bermuda operations will serve as a pilot office with GCS being deployed throughout 2010 to the U.S. operations and Europe and Asia in
the first quarter of 2011. GCS will convert the claim operation to a paperless environment and connect legacy systems to allow for consistent data aggregation for all global claims operations.
Reinsurance Segment
General
The Companys Reinsurance segment provides casualty, property risk (including energy and engineering), property catastrophe, marine, aviation, and other specialty reinsurance on a global basis with business being written on both a proportional and non-proportional basis and in certain limited instances on a direct basis.
Given the changing economic environment that has been experienced throughout 2008 and early 2009 including the downgrade of the financial strength ratings of the Companys leading insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by leading rating agencies, the Company shifted its focus to those lines of business within its
reinsurance operations that provide the best return on capital. For the Companys Reinsurance segment this resulted, in certain instances, in a greater emphasis being placed on short-tail lines of business.
Business written on a non-proportional basis generally provides for an indemnification by the Company to the ceding company for a portion of losses both individually and in the aggregate, on policies with limits in excess of a specified individual or aggregate loss deductible. For business written on a proportional bases
including quota share or surplus basis, the Company receives an agreed percentage of the premium and is liable for the same percentage of each and all incurred loss. For proportional business, the ceding company normally receives a ceding commission for the premiums ceded and may also, under certain circumstances,
receive a profit commission. Occasionally this commission could be on a sliding scale depending on the loss ratio performance in which case there is generally no profit commission. The Companys casualty reinsurance includes general liability, professional liability, automobile and workers compensation. Professional liability
includes directors and officers, employment practices, medical malpractice, and environmental liability. Casualty lines are written as treaties, programs as well as on an individual risk basis and on both a proportional and a non-proportional basis. The treaty business includes clash programs which cover a number of
underlying policies involved in one occurrence or a judgment above an underlying policys limit, before suffering a loss.
The Companys property business, primarily short-tail in nature, is written on both a portfolio/treaty and individual/facultative basis and includes property catastrophe, property risk excess of loss and property proportional. A significant portion of the property business underwritten consists of large aggregate exposures to
man-made and natural disasters and, generally, loss experience is characterized as low frequency and high severity. This may result in volatility in the Companys results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The Company seeks to manage its reinsurance exposures to catastrophic events by limiting the amount of exposure written in each geographic or peril zone worldwide, underwriting in excess of varying attachment points and requiring that contracts exposed to catastrophe loss include aggregate limits. The Company also
seeks to protect its total aggregate exposures by peril and zone through the purchase of reinsurance programs.
The Companys property catastrophe reinsurance account is generally all risk in nature. As a result, the Company is exposed to losses from sources as diverse as hurricanes and other windstorms, earthquakes, freezing, riots, floods, industrial explosions, fires, and many other potential natural or man-made disasters.
8
In accordance with market practice, the Companys policies generally exclude certain risks such as war, nuclear contamination or radiation. Following the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City, in Washington, D.C. and in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001 (collectively, the September 11 event),
terrorism cover, including NBRC has been restricted or excluded in many territories and classes. Some U.S. states make it mandatory to provide some cover for Fire Following terrorism and some countries make terrorism coverage mandatory. The Companys predominant exposure under such coverage is to property damage.
The Company had, prior to the passing of TRIA, underwritten reinsurance exposures in the U.S. that included terrorism coverage. Since the passage of TRIA in the U.S., together with the TRIAE and TRIPRA extensions noted above, the Company has underwritten a very limited number of stand-alone terrorism coverage
policies in addition to coverage included within non-stand-alone policies. In the U.S., in addition to NBRC acts, the Company generally excludes coverage included under TRIA from the main catastrophe exposed policies. In other cases, both within and outside the U.S., the Company generally relies on either a terrorism
exclusion clause, which does not include personal lines, excluding NBRC, or a similar clause that excludes terrorism completely. There are a limited number of classes underwritten where no terrorism exclusion exists.
Property catastrophe reinsurance provides coverage on an excess of loss basis when aggregate losses and loss adjustment expenses from a single occurrence of a covered event exceed the attachment point specified in the policy. Some of the Companys property catastrophe contracts limit coverage to one occurrence in any
single policy year, but most contracts generally enable at least one reinstatement to be purchased by the reinsured.
The Company also writes property risk excess of loss reinsurance. Property risk excess of loss reinsurance covers a loss to the reinsured on a single risk of the type reinsured rather than to aggregate losses for all covered risks on a specific peril, as is the case with catastrophe reinsurance. The Companys property
proportional account includes reinsurance of direct property insurance. The Company seeks to limit the catastrophe exposure from its proportional and per risk excess business through extensive use of occurrence and cession limits.
Other specialty reinsurance products include energy, marine, aviation, space, engineering, fidelity, trade credit, and political risk. The Company underwrites a small portfolio of contracts covering political risk and trade credit. Exposure is assumed from a limited number of trade credit contracts.
Underwriting
Underwriting risks for the reinsurance property and casualty business are evaluated using a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type and layer of risk to be assumed, the actuarial evaluation of premium adequacy, the cedants underwriting and claims experience, the cedants financial condition and claims
paying rating, the exposure and/or experience with the cedant, and the line of business to be reinsured.
Other factors assessed by the Company include the reputation of the proposed cedant, the geographic area in which the cedant does business and its market share, a detailed evaluation of catastrophe and risk exposures, and historical loss data for the cedant where available and for the industry as a whole in the relevant
regions, in order to compare the cedants historical loss experience to industry averages. On-site underwriting reviews are performed where it is deemed necessary to determine the quality of a current or prospective cedants underwriting operations, with particular emphasis on proportional and working excess of loss
placements.
For property catastrophe reinsurance business, the Companys underwriting guidelines generally limit the amount of exposure it will directly underwrite for any one reinsured and the amount of the aggregate exposure to catastrophic losses in any one geographic zone. The Company believes that it has defined geographic
and peril zones such that a single occurrence, for example an earthquake or hurricane, should not affect more than one peril zone. While the exposure to multiple zones is considered remote for events such as a hurricane, the Company does manage its aggregate exposures for such a scenario where the Company considers it
appropriate to do so. The definition of the Companys peril zones is subject to periodic review. The Company also generally seeks an attachment point for its property catastrophe reinsurance at a level that is high enough to produce a low frequency of loss. The Company seeks to limit its aggregate exposure in the
proportional business through extensive use of occurrence and cession limits.
9
Reinsurance Retroceded
The Company uses third party reinsurance to support the underwriting and retention guidelines of each reinsurance subsidiary as well as seeking to limit the aggregate exposure of the Company to a particular risk or class of risks. Reinsurance is purchased at several levels ranging from reinsurance of risks assumed on
individual contracts to reinsurance covering the aggregate exposures. The benefits of ceding risks to other reinsurers include reducing exposure on individual risks, protecting against catastrophic risks, maintaining acceptable capital ratios and enabling the writing of additional business. Reinsurance ceded does not legally
discharge the Company from its liabilities in respect of the risk being reinsured. Reinsurance ceded varies by location and line of business based on factors including, among others, market conditions and the credit worthiness of the counterparty.
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty with a newly-formed Bermuda reinsurance company, Cyrus Re II. Pursuant to the terms of the quota share reinsurance treaty, Cyrus Re II assumed a 10% cession of certain lines of property catastrophe reinsurance and retrocession
business underwritten by certain operating subsidiaries of the Company for business that incepted between January 1, 2008 and July 1, 2008. In connection with such cessions, the Company paid Cyrus Re II reinsurance premium less a ceding commission, which included a reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses incurred
by the Company as well as a commission to the Company for generating the business. The quota share reinsurance treaty also provided for a profit commission payable to the Company. The quota share with Cyrus Re II was canceled after its original term and not renewed.
The Companys traditional catastrophe retrocession program was renewed in June 2009 to cover certain of the Companys exposures. These protections, in various layers and in excess of varying attachment points according to the territory exposed, assist in managing the Companys net retention to an acceptable level.
The Company has co-reinsurance retentions within this program. The Company renewed additional structures with a restricted territorial scope for 12 months at July 2009. The Company continued to buy additional protection for the Companys marine and offshore energy exposures. These covers provide protection in various
layers and excess of varying attachment points according to the scope of cover provided. The Company has co-reinsurance participations within this program.
The Company continues to buy specific reinsurances on its credit and bond, motor third party liability, property and aviation portfolios to manage its net exposures in these classes.
See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements Reinsurance for further information.
Premiums
The following table is an analysis of the Reinsurance segments gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned, by line of business for the year ended December 31, 2009:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross
Net
Net
Casualty professional lines
$
170,928
$
166,903
$
196,624
Casualty other lines
218,778
217,889
257,610
Property catastrophe
357,267
312,321
312,780
Other property
862,310
553,556
560,379
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
89,100
82,393
83,532
Other (1)
156,092
132,322
172,588
Structured indemnity
4,948
4,948
8,433
Total
$
1,859,423
$
1,470,332
$
1,591,946
(1)
Other includes credit and surety, whole account contracts and other lines.
Additional discussion and financial information about the Reinsurance segment is set forth in Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Segment Information.
Competition
The Company competes globally in the property and casualty markets.
10
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
The Companys major geographical markets for its property and casualty reinsurance operations are North America, Europe, Bermuda and Emerging Markets (covering Asia/Pacific and South America). The main competitors in each of these markets include the following:
North America Berkshire Hathaway, Munich Re Corporation, Swiss Re America Corporation, Transatlantic Re, Everest Re Group Ltd, Hannover Re, and PartnerRe Ltd.
Europe Munich Re, Swiss Re, Lloyds, SCOR Reinsurance Company, and PartnerRe Ltd.
Bermuda ACE Tempest Reinsurance Ltd, AXIS Specialty Limited, Arch Reinsurance Limited, Renaissance Reinsurance Limited, Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd, Platinum Underwriters Bermuda Ltd and PartnerRe Ltd.
See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Executive Overview for further discussion.
Marketing and Distribution
See Insurance Segment Marketing and Distribution and Item 8, Note 20(a) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Commitments and Contingencies Concentrations of Credit Risk for information in the Companys marketing and distribution procedures and information on the Companys major brokers.
Structure of Reinsurance Operations
The Companys reinsurance operations are structured geographically into Bermuda operations, North American operations, European/Asia Pacific operations and Latin American operations.
The segments most significant operating legal entities during 2009 were as follows: XL Reinsurance America Inc., XL Re Ltd, XL Re Europe Limited and XL Re Latin America Ltd.
Claims Administration
Claims management for the reinsurance operations includes the receipt of loss notifications, review and approval of claims through a claims approval process, establishment of loss reserves and approval of loss payments. Case reserves for reported claims are generally established based on reports received from ceding
companies with additional case reserves being established when deemed appropriate. Additionally, claims audits are conducted for specific claims and claims procedures at the offices of selected ceding companies, particularly in the U.S. and the U.K.
Life Operations Segment
During 2009, the Company completed a strategic review of its life reinsurance business. In relation to this initiative, the Company sold the renewal rights to its Continental European short-term life, accident and health business in December 2008. The Company also announced in March 2009 that it would run-off its
existing book of U.K. and Irish traditional life and annuity business, and not accept new business. In addition, during July 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. life reinsurance business. The transaction closed during the fourth quarter of 2009. In December 2009, the Company entered into an agreement
to novate and recapture a number of U.K. and Irish term assurance and critical illness treaties. The transaction closed during the fourth quarter of 2009.
The Life Operations segment provides life reinsurance on business written by life insurance companies, principally to help them manage mortality, morbidity, survivorship, investment and lapse risks.
Products offered included a broad range of underlying lines of life insurance business, including term assurances, group life, critical illness cover, immediate annuities and disability income. In addition, prior to selling the renewal rights, the products offered included short-term life, accident and health business. The
segment also covers a range of geographic markets, with an emphasis on the U.K., U.S., Ireland and Continental Europe.
The portfolio has three particularly significant components:
1) The portfolio includes a small number of large contracts relating to closed blocks of U.K. and Irish fixed annuities in payment. In relation to certain of these contracts, the Company receives cash and
11
investment assets at the inception of the reinsurance contract, relating to the future policy benefit reserves assumed. These contracts are long-term in nature, and the expected claims payout period can span up to 30 or 40 years with average duration of around 10 years. The Company is exposed to investment and survivorship
risk over the life of these arrangements.
2) The second component of the portfolio relates to life risks (in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland) and critical illness risks (in the U.K. and Ireland) where the Company is exposed to the mortality, morbidity and lapse experience from the underlying business, over the medium to long-term.
3) The third component relates to the annually renewable business covering life, accident and health risks written in Continental Europe. These contracts are short-term in nature and include both proportional and non-proportional reinsurance structures. While the renewal rights for this business have been sold, the existing
business remains with the Company.
Underwriting & Claims Administration
While the Company was closed to new business in March 2009, the information below reflects how new business was acquired prior to that date and hence is relevant to the in-force portfolio of business.
Life reinsurance transactions fall into two distinct forms. The first relates to the reinsurance of an existing and closed block of risks (in-force deal), where the nature of the underlying exposure is known at the date of execution. The second relates to the reinsurance of liabilities which are yet to be written by the ceding
company (new business treaty) where, provided the subsequent risks are within the agreed treaty parameters, these risks may be added to the portfolio.
The underwriting of an in-force deal is highly actuarial in nature, requiring detailed analytical appraisal of the key parameters which drive the ultimate profitability of the deal. This includes analysis of historic experience (claims, lapses, etc.) as well as the projection of these assumptions into the future.
For a new business treaty, in addition to the actuarial analysis required to set the terms, there is also a requirement to establish medical underwriting criteria that will apply to the new risks which may be added to the treaty. Once a treaty is accepted, there is then an ongoing need to monitor the risk selection by the
medical underwriters at the ceding company and to ensure that the criteria are being met.
The team includes many members with specialized actuarial and medical underwriting knowledge. Claims administration also relies on experience and specific medical expertise.
The Company maintains comprehensive terms of trade guidelines for all core product lines, which are regularly monitored and refined. These guidelines describe the approach to be taken in assessing and underwriting opportunities, including the approach to be taken to the setting of core parameters and to the
determination of appropriate pricing levels. The terms of trade are overseen by a separate team from the new business underwriters.
In addition, the Company maintains a medical underwriting manual which sets out the approach to be taken to underwriting specific medical impairments when setting terms for a new business treaty.
Reinsurance Retroceded
The Company purchases limited retrocession capacity on a per-life basis in the U.S. and Continental
Premiums
The following table is an analysis of the Life Operations gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the year ended December 31, 2009:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross
Net
Net
Other Life
$
413,831
$
400,345
$
422,594
Annuity
162,331
132,507
132,507
Total
$
576,162
$
532,852
$
555,101
12
Europe in order to cap the maximum claim arising from the death of a single individual. Cover is purchased
from professional retrocessionaires which meet the Companys criteria for counterparty exposures. Limited
retrocession of fixed annuity business has also been used to manage aggregate longevity capacity on specific deals.
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Additional discussion and financial information about the Life Operations is set forth in Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Segment Information.
Competition
In regards to the Life Operations segment, the core activity is in the U.S., U.K., Ireland and Continental Europe. While the Company no longer competes for new business, it retains an in-force portfolio and hence views companies with similar portfolios as competitors.
Within the new business treaty area, competition includes amongst others: Swiss Re; Munich Re; Reinsurance Group of America; Hannover Re; Transamerica Re; and General Re.
For the fixed annuity business, competition has historically come from less traditional reinsurance entities, such as Canada Life and Prudential (U.K.) or recently established entities such as Paternoster, Synesis, and PIC. However, in recent years, more traditional reinsurance players, in particular Swiss Re, have entered or
re-entered this market.
Marketing and Distribution
The Company predominantly marketed its long-term products directly to clients, with a smaller element sourced through reinsurance intermediaries. The Company primarily marketed the short-term life, accident and health business through reinsurance intermediaries. Following the closure to new business and the sale of
the renewal rights, the Company has ceased to market these product lines.
The Companys distribution strategy has been to avoid any undue concentration on any single client or market. Efforts were made to target ceding companies that were themselves strong and growing in their target segments.
Other Financial Lines Business
Following the streamlining of the Companys operating segments in the first quarter of 2009, the Other Financial Lines business is now included in Corporate. The Other Financial Lines Business is comprised of remaining contracts associated with the funding agreement (FA) business and previously included the
guaranteed investment contract (GIC) business. GICs and FAs provide users guaranteed rates of interest on amounts previously invested with the Company. FAs are very similar to GICs in that they have known cash flows. FAs were sold to institutional investors, typically through medium term note programs. At December
31, 2009, the remaining balance of FAs, excluding accrued interest of $6.5 million, was $450 million, with settlements scheduled for $450 million in August 2010.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses
Loss reserves are established due to the significant periods of time that may lapse between the occurrence, reporting and payment of a loss. To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses and loss expenses, the Company estimates future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses with respect to insured events. The
Companys reserving practices and the establishment of any particular reserve reflects managements judgment concerning sound financial practice and do not represent any admission of liability with respect to any claim. Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves are established for reported claims (case reserves) and incurred
but not reported (IBNR) claims.
The nature of the Companys high excess of loss liability and catastrophe business can result in loss payments that are both irregular and significant. Similarly, adjustments to reserves for individual years can be irregular and significant. Such adjustments are part of the normal course of business for the Company. Certain
aspects of the Companys business have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high
The tables below present the development of the Companys unpaid losses and loss expense reserves on both a net and gross basis. The cumulative redundancy (deficiency) calculated on a net basis differs from that calculated on a gross basis. As different reinsurance programs cover different underwriting years, net and
gross loss experience will not develop proportionately. The top line of the tables shows the estimated liability, net of reinsurance recoveries, as at the year end balance sheet date for each of the indicated years. This represents the estimated amounts of losses and loss expenses, including IBNR, arising
13
severity. This may result in volatility in the Companys results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
in the current and all prior years that are unpaid at the year end balance sheet date of the indicated year. The tables show the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded reserve liability based on experience as of the year end balance sheet date of each succeeding year. The estimate changes as more information becomes
known about the frequency and severity of claims for individual years. The cumulative redundancy (deficiency) represents the aggregate change with respect to that liability originally estimated. The lower portion of the first table also reflects the cumulative paid losses relating to these reserves. Conditions and trends that have
affected development of liabilities in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate redundancies or deficiencies into the future, based on the tables below. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Analysis of Losses and Loss Expense Reserve Development
(U.S. dollars in millions)
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007 (1)
2008
2009
ESTIMATED LIABILITY FOR UNPAID LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES, NET OF REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES
$
4,537
$
4,207
$
7,004
$
8,313
$
10,532
$
12,671
$
17,200
$
17,900
$
18,191
$
17,686
17,266
LIABILITY RE-ESTIMATED AS OF:
One year later
4,142
4,382
7,404
9,250
10,800
13,785
17,090
17,475
17,580
17,401
Two years later
4,085
4,345
8,423
9,717
11,842
13,675
16,828
16,631
17,286
Three years later
4,120
5,118
8,653
10,723
11,849
13,607
16,155
16,441
Four years later
4,624
5,294
9,727
10,738
11,860
13,258
16,067
Five years later
4,747
5,435
9,674
10,710
11,680
13,236
Six years later
4,858
5,419
9,718
10,642
11,794
Seven years later
4,872
5,508
9,680
10,824
Eight years later
4,927
5,496
9,921
Nine years later
4,926
5,571
Ten years later
4,942
CUMULATIVE REDUNDANCY (DEFICIENCY) (1)
(405
)
(1,364
)
(2,917
)
(2,511
)
(1,262
)
(565
)
1,133
1,459
905
285
CUMULATIVE PAID LOSSES, NET OF REINSURANCE RECOVERIES, AS OF:
One year later
$
1,252
$
1,184
$
2,011
$
2,521
$
1,985
$
2,008
$
3,437
$
3,188
$
3,207
3,436
Two years later
1,828
1,920
3,984
3,800
2,867
3,884
5,759
5,620
5,673
Three years later
2,306
2,683
4,703
4,163
4,380
5,181
7,590
7,528
Four years later
2,824
3,038
4,641
5,365
5,286
6,392
8,936
Five years later
3,035
3,290
5,526
6,018
6,225
7,386
Six years later
2,807
3,774
5,969
6,764
7,002
Seven years later
3,110
3,985
6,514
7,381
Eight years later
3,240
4,351
6,965
Nine years later
3,482
4,589
Ten years later
3,608
Analysis of Property and Casualty Losses and Loss Expense Reserve Development
(U.S. dollars in millions)
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007 (1)
2008
2009
ESTIMATED GROSS LIABILITY FOR UNPAID LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES
$
5,369
$
5,668
$
11,807
$
13,333
$
16,553
$
19,616
$
23,598
$
22,895
$
22,857
$
21,650
$
20,824
LIABILITY RE-ESTIMATED AS OF:
One year later
$
5,266
$
6,118
$
12,352
$
15,204
$
18,189
$
19,987
$
23,209
$
22,458
$
21,803
21,348
Two years later
5,147
6,105
14,003
16,994
18,520
19,533
22,937
21,337
21,445
Three years later
5,176
6,909
15,377
17,210
18,324
19,525
22,139
21,057
Four years later
5,663
7,086
15,441
17,048
18,362
19,153
21,992
Five years later
5,798
7,240
15,267
17,106
18,236
19,098
Six years later
5,890
7,223
15,401
17,051
18,328
Seven years later
5,881
7,317
15,381
17,189
Eight years later
5,957
7,370
15,602
Nine years later
5,960
7,460
Ten years later
5,977
CUMULATIVE REDUNDANCY (DEFICIENCY)
(608
)
(1,792
)
(3,795
)
(3,856
)
(1,775
)
518
1,606
1,838
1,412
302
(1)
14
Net of Reinsurance Recoveries
Gross of Reinsurance Recoverables
Excludes $351.0 million of financial guarantee reserves previously related to reinsurance agreements with Syncora.
The following table presents an analysis of the Companys paid, unpaid and incurred losses and loss expenses and a reconciliation of beginning and ending unpaid losses and loss expenses for the years indicated:
Reconciliation of Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Gross unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year
$
21,650,315
$
23,207,694
$
22,895,021
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,964,836
4,665,615
4,995,373
Financial guarantee reserves related to previous reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were recorded within Net loss from operating affiliates
(350,988
)
Net unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year
17,685,479
18,191,091
17,899,648
Increase (decrease) in net losses and loss expenses incurred in respect of losses occurring in:
Current year
3,453,577
4,573,562
4,266,444
Prior years
(284,740
)
(610,664
)
(425,441
)
Total net incurred losses and loss expenses
3,168,837
3,962,898
3,841,003
Exchange rate effects
287,752
(677,664
)
421,575
Net loss reserves (disposed) acquired (1)
(155,259
)
Less net losses and loss expenses paid in respect of losses occurring in:
Current year
439,638
584,120
627,748
Prior years
3,436,297
3,206,726
3,188,128
Total net paid losses
3,875,935
3,790,846
3,815,876
Net unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year
17,266,133
17,685,479
18,191,091
Financial guarantee reserves related to previous reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were recorded within Net loss from operating affiliates
350,988
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,557,391
3,964,836
4,665,615
Gross unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year
$
20,823,524
$
21,650,315
$
23,207,694
The Companys net unpaid losses and losses expenses relating to the Companys operating segments at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
December 31, 2009
December 31, 2008
Insurance
$
11,128
$
11,126
Reinsurance
6,138
6,559
Net unpaid loss and loss expense reserves
$
17,266
$
17,685
Current year net losses incurred
Net losses incurred decreased by $794.1 million in 2009 as compared to 2008, mainly as a result of the current year loss ratio decreasing by 9.4 loss percentage points during the same period. This decrease is due primarily to lower levels of large property risk and catastrophe losses occurring in 2009 combined with the
impact of anticipated sub prime and credit related losses in 2008. The lower level of property losses in 2009 as well as business mix changes more than offset the impacts of a softening rate environment. The decrease in net losses incurred is also due to a reduction in business volume as net premiums earned decreased 14.0%
in 2009 relative to 2008.
Net losses incurred increased by $307.1 million in 2008 as compared to 2007, mainly as a result, of the current year loss ratio increasing by 10.0 loss percentage points during the same period, mainly due to an increase in attritional and catastrophe-related property losses. Business volume reduced as net premiums earned
related to the Companys P&C operations decreased by 6.7% over this period. Overall, windstorm activity in the Atlantic and Gulf regions increased in 2008 as compared to 2007 and included the impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which both made landfall in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2008. Hurricane
15
Ike was estimated to have caused the third largest ever insured loss in the U.S. from a windstorm. Combined, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike had a significant impact on the results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008. In 2008, the Company incurred losses, net of reinsurance recoveries and reinstatement
premiums, of $22.5 million and $210.0 million related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, respectively.
See the Income Statement Analysis at Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information regarding the current year loss ratios for each of the years indicated within each of the Companys operating segments.
Prior year net losses incurred
The following tables present the development of the Companys gross and net, losses and loss expense reserves, excluding, for 2007, financial guarantee reserves related to previous reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were recorded within Net loss from operating affiliates. The tables also show the estimated
reserves at the beginning of each fiscal year and the favorable or adverse development (prior year development) of those reserves during such fiscal year.
Gross
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves at the beginning of the year
$
21,650
$
22,857
$
22,895
Net (favorable) adverse development of those reserves during the year
(302
)
(1,054
)
(437
)
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves re-estimated one year later
$
21,348
$
21,803
$
22,458
Net
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves at the beginning of the year
$
17,686
$
18,191
$
17,900
Net (favorable) adverse development of those reserves during the year
(285
)
(611
)
(425
)
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves re-estimated one year later
$
17,401
$
17,580
$
17,475
In 2009, gross prior year favorable development was in line with net favorable development in both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments. In 2008, gross prior year favorable development exceeded net prior year favorable development in both the Reinsurance and Insurance segments. Within the Reinsurance segment,
the gross impact of favorable loss experience related to a large crop program was mostly offset by the impact of retrocessional protection related to this program. In the Insurance segment, the impact of reductions in gross reported losses on older years in certain casualty lines was mostly offset by the impact of the
reinsurance recoverable component on such losses, while the impact of gross reserve releases in professional and specialty lines was mostly offset by the impact of a reduction in estimated ceded IBNR following a reserve review in these lines.
The following table presents the net (favorable) adverse prior year loss development of the Companys loss and loss expense reserves by operating segment for each of the years indicated:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Insurance segment
$
(62.9
)
$
(305.5
)
$
(158.1
)
Reinsurance segment
(221.8
)
(305.2
)
(267.3
)
Total
$
(284.7
)
$
(610.7
)
$
(425.4
)
The Company had net favorable prior year reserve development in property and casualty operations of $284.7 million, $610.7 million and $425.4 million for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See the Income Statement Analysis at Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Losses and Loss Expenses, for further information regarding the developments in prior year loss reserve estimates for each of the years indicated within each of the Companys operating segments.
Net loss reserves (disposed) acquired
The Company did not dispose of or acquire net loss reserves in 2009 or 2008.
16
(U.S. dollars in millions)
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Net losses disposed in the amount of $155.3 million in 2007 represent reserves associated with the de-consolidation of Syncora following the secondary offering on June 6, 2007 of $181.4 million, partially offset by net losses acquired of $26.2 million related to a reinsurance to close loss portfolio transfer.
Exchange rate effects
Exchange rate effects on net loss reserves in each of the three years ended December 31, 2009 related to the global operations of the Company primarily where reporting units have a functional currency that is not the U.S. dollar. The decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in 2009 and 2007 combined with the increase
in the value of the U.S. dollar in 2008 mainly compared to the Swiss franc, U.K. Sterling and the Euro, gave rise to translation and revaluation exchange movements related to carried loss reserve balances of $287.8 million, ($677.7) million and $421.6 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Net paid losses
Total net paid losses were $3.9 billion in 2009 and $3.8 billion in each of 2008 and 2007. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for further information.
Other loss related information
The Companys net incurred losses and loss expenses include actual and estimates of potential non-recoveries from reinsurers. As at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the reserve for potential non-recoveries from reinsurers was $189.8 million and $187.6 million, respectively. For further information, see Note 13 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements, Reinsurance.
Except for certain workers compensation the Company does not discount its unpaid losses and loss expenses. The Company utilizes tabular reserving for workers compensation unpaid losses that are considered fixed and determinable, and discounted such losses using an interest rate of 5% in 2009 and 2008. The tabular
reserving methodology associated with workers compensation liabilities results in applying uniform and consistent criteria for establishing expected future indemnity and medical payments (including an explicit factor for inflation) and the use of mortality tables to determine expected payment periods. Tabular unpaid losses and
loss expenses, net of reinsurance, at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $734.1 million and $755.8 million, respectively. The related discounted unpaid losses and loss expenses were $343.7 million and $346.0 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Investments
Investment structure and strategy
The Companys investment operations are managed centrally by the Companys Investment Group. The Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approves overall investment policy and guidelines, and reviews the implementation of the investment strategies on a regular basis.
Strategic Asset Allocation
During 2008, management initiated a Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) project that resulted in the development of an asset allocation benchmark for its property insurance, casualty insurance and reinsurance operations (P&C). This project was a stochastic dynamic financial analysis (DFA) model of investment assets
and liabilities by major line of business to changes in underlying economic variables (including interest rates, inflation and GDP). The final benchmark that was selected by management is believed to maximize the Companys enterprise value, over the strategic planning period, subject to accounting, regulatory, capital and risk
tolerance constraints. The Company is now focusing on optimizing the P&C investment portfolio through the process of an orderly transition towards the SAA benchmark.
17
Investment Portfolio Repositioning
For a discussion on the portfolio repositioning and risk reduction actions please see Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Other Key Focuses of Management.
Investment Portfolio Structure
The Companys investment portfolio consists of fixed income securities, equities, alternative investments, private investments, derivatives and other investments and cash. These securities and investments are denominated in both U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. The Companys direct use of investment derivatives
includes futures, forwards, swaps and option contracts that derive their value from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. When investment guidelines allow for the use of derivatives, these can generally only be used for the purpose of managing interest rate risk, foreign exchange rate risk,
credit risk and replicating permitted investments, provided the use of such instruments is incorporated in the overall portfolio evaluation. The direct use of derivatives to economically leverage the portfolio outside of the stated guidelines is generally not permitted. Derivatives may also be used to add value to the investment
portfolio where market inefficiencies are perceived to exist, to equitize cash holdings through the purchase of equity-indexed derivatives and to adjust the duration of a portfolio of fixed income securities as part of duration management activities for the P&C portfolio.
The Companys investment portfolio is structured to take into account a number of variables including local regulatory requirements, business needs, collateral management and risk tolerance. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, total investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, and net receivable
(payable) for investments sold (purchased), were $35.9 billion and $34.3 billion, respectively.
Functionally, the Companys investment portfolio is divided into two principle components:
1)
Property and casualty (P&C) investment portfolio
: The largest component is the P&C investment portfolio and its principal objective is to support the Companys insurance and reinsurance operations, the liabilities of which have some uncertainty as to the timing and/or amount. In addition, a smaller portion of the P&C
investment portfolio supports corporate operations as well as run-off financial businesses (Structured Indemnity and Other Financial Lines), in which the liabilities have a greater level of certainty.
The principal asset classes in the P&C investment portfolio are summarized in the following table:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Carrying Value
Percent of
Carrying
Percent of
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,388,806
11.5
%
$
3,973,249
13.9
%
Net receivable (payable) for investments sold (purchased)
54,167
0.2
%
185,977
0.6
%
Accrued investment income
214,023
0.7
%
241,717
0.8
%
Short-term investments
1,682,277
5.7
%
1,392,232
4.9
%
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
U.S. Government and Government-Related/ Supported (2)
2,500,342
8.5
%
3,770,871
13.2
%
Corporate
6,337,182
21.5
%
6,235,085
21.7
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
6,213,192
21.1
%
2,092,620
7.3
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
1,291,764
4.4
%
1,331,015
4.7
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,153,821
3.9
%
2,064,348
7.2
%
Collateralized debt obligations
698,561
2.4
%
638,779
2.2
%
Other asset-backed securities
756,901
2.6
%
2,008,039
7.0
%
U.S. states and political subdivisions of the states
911,672
3.1
%
468,770
1.6
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related (2)
2,225,946
7.6
%
1,904,972
6.6
%
Total fixed maturities
$
22,089,381
75.1
%
$
20,514,499
71.5
%
Equity securities
17,779
0.1
%
361,819
1.3
%
Investments in affiliates (3)
1,185,604
4.0
%
1,552,789
5.4
%
Other investments
783,189
2.7
%
459,481
1.6
%
Total investments and cash and cash equivalents
$
29,415,226
100.0
%
$
28,681,763
100.0
%
18
2009 (1)
Total
Value
2008 (1)
Total
(1)
Carrying value represents the fair value for available for sale fixed maturities and amortized cost for held to maturity securities.
(2)
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported and Non U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related include government-related securities with an amortized cost of $1,903.4 million and fair value of $1,909.1 million and U.S. Agencies with an amortized cost of $1,229.9 million and fair value of $1,261.8 million.
(3)
There are two main categories within Investments in affiliates: 1) investment funds and 2) operating affiliates. Investment funds include $0.5 billion of alternative investment funds, and $0.3 billion of private investment funds at December 31, 2009, as compared to $0.9 billion and $0.3 billion respectively at December 31, 2008. Alternative investment funds are classified by the Company into four
general style categories : (i) Event driven, which includes strategies that pursue merger arbitrage, distressed and special situations opportunities; (ii) Directional/tactical, which includes strategies that pursue long/short equity, managed futures and macro opportunities; (iii) Arbitrage, which includes strategies that pursue equity market neutral, fixed income arbitrage and convertible arbitrage opportunities;
and (iv) Multi-strategy, which includes strategies incorporating several aspects of the above.
Operating affiliates were valued at $0.4 billion at December 31, 2009 and $0.4 billion at December 31, 2008 respectively. Operating affiliates include investment and (re)insurance affiliates. As at December 31, 2009, the Companys allocation to investment and (re)insurance affiliates and investments in investment management companies securities was approximately 1.1% of the total investment
portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net receivable (payable) for investments sold (purchased)) as compared to approximately 1.5% as at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2009, the Companys investment in insurance affiliates included investments in ARX Holding Corporation and ITAÙ
XL Seguros Corporativos S.A., representing operations in the U.S.
homeowners insurance and Brazilian commercial insurance markets, respectively. At December 31, 2009, the Company owned minority stakes in nine independent investment management companies. The Company seeks to achieve strong returns on capital while accessing the investment expertise of professionals to help manage portions of the Companys investment assets. The Companys active
interactions with the managers of these investment firms provides it with an exchange of expertise that the Company believes enhances its overall financial performance.
Where the Company maintains significant influence over the decisions of an operating affiliate, through board representation or through certain voting and/or consent rights, the Companys proportionate share of the income or loss from these companies is reported as net income from operating affiliates. The Companys existing managers manage or sponsor a broad range of investment products,
providing institutional and high net worth investors access to a wide array of asset classes and investment strategies. See Item 8, Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Investments.
The investment strategy for the P&C investment portfolio is based on a SAA process, which establishes a portfolio asset allocation target (Benchmark) that is constructed to maximize enterprise value subject to business constraints and the risk tolerance of Management and approved by the Board of Directors Finance
Committee (Finance Committee). The SAA process involves a stochastic DFA model of XLs P&C General Operations that includes financial conditions, reserve volatility and payout patterns, premium expense and loss ratio projections, liability correlations and sensitivities to economic variables.
The primary performance objective is capital preservation through managing the risk profile of the P&C investment portfolio to be within Managements risk tolerance envelope as reflected in the Benchmark. The second performance objective is for the constrained total return of the P&C investment portfolio to meet or
exceed the total return of the Benchmark. The third performance objective is achieving the budget for Net Investment Income.
As part of the overall SAA process and framework the Company has developed and implemented a comprehensive limit framework which establishes limits and authorities that have been approved by Management and the Board of Directors. The objective of the limits is to control the range of exposures and the risk
profile within which the Portfolio will be managed to ensure consistency with SAA and to tie the Portfolio to the Benchmark. The limits permit active or tactical deviations from the benchmark therefore allowing the Company to be underweight or overweight certain components of the Benchmark. The limit framework has
been designed such that as the magnitude of these deviations increases or the resulting impact on the risk profile of the P&C investment portfolio reaches certain predetermined thresholds then additional levels of authority and approval are required, up to and including the Finance Committee. The limits are monitored by the
Investment Group Compliance Team on a monthly basis with any new approvals being documented and reviewed in accordance with the authorities set out in the limit framework. On at least a quarterly basis a limit report and update, detailing the limits for which the Finance Committee is the approval party, is provided to
the Finance Committee for their consideration, review and approval.
2) The second component of the investment portfolio is the Life investment portfolio, which was approximately $6.4 billion and $5.6 billion at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As at December 31, 2009, the Companys allocation to securities in the Life investment portfolio was approximately 18% of the total
investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net receivable (payable) for investments sold (purchased)) as compared to approximately 16% as at December 31, 2008.
19
The principal objective of the Life investment portfolio is to support the Companys Life Operations, which are now in run-off. The largest portion of the Life investment portfolio supports the policy benefit reserves associated with asset annuity transactions, with limited uncertainty as to the timing or amount of the
liability cash flows. A smaller portion of the Life investment portfolio supports life annuity liabilities that were assumed without portfolio asset transfer.
The principal asset classes in the Life investment portfolio are summarized in the following table:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Carrying Value
Percent of
Carrying
Percent of
Cash and cash equivalents
$
254,891
4.0
%
$
380,577
6.8
%
Net receivable (payable) for investments sold (purchased).
(6,529
)
(0.1
)%
(86,522
)
(1.5
)%
Accrued investment income
136,032
2.1
%
121,659
2.2
%
Short-term investments
95,083
1.5
%
74,091
1.3
%
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
164,283
2.5
%
207,471
3.7
%
Corporate
3,461,818
53.7
%
3,053,518
54.4
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
15,309
0.2
%
7,335
0.1
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
129,551
2.0
%
35,187
0.6
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
62,978
1.0
%
77,220
1.4
%
Other asset-backed securities
411,084
6.4
%
271,713
4.8
%
U.S. states and political subdivisions of the states
1,801
%
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related (2)
1,175,827
18.2
%
1,469,425
26.2
%
Total fixed maturities
$
5,422,651
84.0
%
$
5,121,869
91.2
%
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
546,067
8.5
%
%
Total investments and cash and cash equivalents
$
6,448,195
100.0
%
$
5,611,674
100.0
%
(1)
Carrying value represents the fair value for available for sale fixed maturities and amortized cost for held to maturity securities.
(2)
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported and Non U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related include government-related securities with an amortized cost of $422.0 million and fair value of $417.5 million and U.S. Agencies with an amortized cost of $131.7 million and fair value of $133.2 million.
The investment strategy for the Life investment portfolio is based on an Asset-Liability Management (ALM) process, which establishes liability-based Benchmarks for each of the asset annuity transactions. A project is currently underway to expand the SAA process to include the Life investment portfolio.
The primary performance objective for the asset annuity transactions is to achieve a steady credit-adjusted book yield of the Life investment portfolio in order to maximize Life embedded value and minimize statutory capital needs (owing to unique technical requirements of the statutory capital model). For the investments
supporting the other portions of the Life investment portfolio, which do not have this unique capital model, the performance objective is the constrained total return relative to the Benchmark.
Implementation of investment strategy
Although the Companys management within the Investment Group is responsible for implementation of the investment strategy, the day-to-day management of the investment portfolio is outsourced to investment management service providers in accordance with detailed investment guidelines provided and monitored by
the Company. This allows the Company an active management of its investment portfolio with flexible access to top talents specializing in various investment products and markets. Investment management service providers are selected directly by the Company on the basis of various criteria including investment style, track
record, performance, risk management capabilities, internal controls, operational risk, and diversification implications. Well-established, large institutional investment management service providers manage the vast majority of the Companys investment portfolio. Each investment management service provider may manage one or
more portfolios, each of which is governed by a detailed set of investment guidelines, including overall objectives, risk limits, and diversification requirements that
20
2009 (1)
Total
Value
2008 (1)
Total
fall within the Companys overall investment policies and guidelines, including but not limited to exposures to eligible securities, prohibited investments/transactions, credit quality and general concentrations limits.
Investment performance
See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for discussion of the Companys investment performance.
Investment portfolio credit ratings, duration and maturity profile
It is the Companys policy to operate the P&C and Life (aggregate) fixed income portfolio with a minimum weighted average credit rating of Aa3/AA. The aggregate credit rating is determined based on the weighted average rating of securities, where the average credit rating, where available, from Standard & Poors
(S&P), Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) is allocated to each security. The weighted average credit rating of the aggregate fixed income portfolio was AA at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
The Company did not have an aggregate direct investment in a single corporate issuer, in excess of 5% of shareholders equity at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008, which excludes government-backed, government-sponsored enterprises, government-guaranteed paper, cash and cash equivalents, and asset and
mortgage backed securities that were issued, sponsored or serviced by the parent.
The overall duration and currency denomination of the fixed income portfolio is managed relative to the SAA benchmark (for the P&C investment portfolio) and ALM benchmarks (for the Life investment portfolios), both of which incorporate matching currency and duration within a range relative to liabilities. Duration
measures bond price volatility and is an indicator of the sensitivity of the price of a bond (or a portfolio of bonds) to changes in interest rates, assuming a parallel change in all global yield curves reflecting the percentage change in price for a 100 basis point change in yield. Management believes that the duration of the
aggregate fixed income portfolio is the best single measure of interest rate risk for the aggregate fixed income portfolio and the table below summarizes the weighted average duration in years and currency of the main components of the aggregate fixed income portfolio at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
Aggregate Investment Portfolio Weighted Average Duration in Years
December 31,
December 31,
Fixed income portfolio by Liability Type:
Total Property and Casualty and Structured Products
2.9
3.1
Life Operations
8.7
8.9
Total Fixed income portfolio
4.0
4.2
Fixed income portfolio by Liability Currency:
U.S. Dollar
3.0
3.1
U.K. Sterling
7.6
7.6
Euro
5.6
6.3
Other
2.1
3.4
Aggregate Fixed income portfolio
4.0
4.2
The maturity profile of the aggregate fixed income portfolio is a function of the maturity profile of liabilities, the expected operating cash flows of the Company and, to a lesser extent, the maturity profile of common fixed income benchmarks. For further information on the maturity profile of the fixed income portfolio
see Item 8, Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Investments.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
Risk Management Framework
The Company faces strategic and operational risks related to, among others: underwriting activities, financial reporting, changing macro economic conditions, investment management risks, reserving estimates, changes in laws or regulation, information systems, business interruption and fraud. The Companys global
property and casualty business, other businesses that are in run-off (such as its Life Operations) and its
21
2009
2008
investment portfolios each have their own set of risks (see Item 1A, Risk Factors, for a discussion of such risks). From time to time, these risks may exhibit greater levels of correlation than might be expected over the longer term due to the presence of, to a greater or lesser degree, some common risk drivers (internal or
external to the Company) embedded in the Companys businesses that may manifest themselves simultaneously. An enterprise view of risk is required to identify and manage the consequences of these common risks and risk drivers on the Companys profitability, capital strength and liquidity.
The Companys ERM initiatives are led by the Chief Enterprise Risk Officer (CERO), who is a member of the Companys senior management team, and who reports to the Companys Chief Executive Officer. The CERO also acts as a liaison between the Companys Enterprise Risk Committee (see below) and the
Special Committee on Enterprise Risk Management (see below) and the Board (or other of its committees) with respect to risk matters. All of the Companys employees are expected to assist in the appropriate and timely identification and management of risks and to enhance the quality and effectiveness of ERM.
The Companys ERM framework is designed to allow management to identify and understand material risk concentrations, including concentrations that have unattractive risk/reward dynamics so that prompt, appropriate, corrective or mitigating actions can be taken. To do this, the Company has risk management
committees and processes to serve as points of managerial dialogue and convergence across its businesses and functional areas, creates risk aggregation methodologies and develops specific risk appetites to coordinate the identification, vetting and discussion of risk topics and metrics. As part of its ERM activities, the
Company applies a suite of stress tests, tools, risk indicators, metrics and reporting processes that examine the consequences of low probability/high severity events (including those related to emerging risks) in order to drive mitigating actions where required.
Risk Governance
Risk Governance relates to the processes by which oversight and decision-making authorities with respect to risks are granted to individuals within the enterprise. The Companys governance framework establishes accountabilities for tasks and outcomes as well as escalation criteria. Governance processes are designed to
ensure that transactions and activities, individually and in the aggregate, are carried out in accordance with the Companys risk policies, philosophies, appetites, limits and risk concentrations, and in a manner consistent with expectations of excellence of integrity, accountability and client service.
In order to enhance governance over its ERM activities, the Company established in 2009 the Special Committee on Enterprise Risk Management (the Special Committee) as a new Board Committee to oversee the Boards responsibilities relating to enterprise-wide management of the Companys key risks. The Special
Committee reviews, among other things, the methodology for establishing the Companys risk capacity, the overall risk appetite for the Company, and policies for the establishment of risk limit frameworks and adherence to such limits and recommends risk limits to the full Board, based on managements recommendations and
in consultation with the Finance Committee. The Special Committee also assesses the integrity and adequacy of the risk management function of the Company and evaluates the risk impact of any strategies under consideration to determine whether they are consistent with the Companys risk profile.
The Companys oversight of ERM is performed, in part, via a centralized Enterprise Risk Committee (ERC) which is chaired by the CERO. The ERC is comprised of the Companys most senior management from its businesses and functions and is charged with developing and monitoring enterprise risk policies, risk
appetites, risk limits and compliance with such limits, and risk aggregations, and identifying key emerging risks and ways to mitigate such risks.
In addition to the ERC, the Company has established a framework of separate yet complementary ERM subcommittees, each focusing on particular aspects of ERM, These subcommittees include:
1.
Economic Capital Model Subcommittee: This subcommittee oversees the development of economic capital models that support ERM activities, and helps set priorities and manage resources related to such models. It reviews assumptions and related methodologies used within the Companys economic capital model,
including assessments of model validation, model control and model risk.
22
2.
Liability Subcommittee: This subcommittee supports and assists the ERCs identification, measurement, management, monitoring and reporting of key underwriting liability and emerging risks.
3.
Asset Subcommittee: This subcommittee assists the ERC in its responsibilities in relation to governance and oversight of asset-related risks across the Company, including its Investment Portfolio. Among the activities under the responsibility of this subcommittee are (a) involvement in policy decisions on modeling and
quantification of risk measurements; and (b) providing an interpretation and assessment of asset-related risks, with a particular focus on market-related risks. Further, the subcommittee is responsible for coordinating on a regular basis with the Credit Subcommittee of the ERC on asset-related credit risks.
4.
Credit Subcommittee: This subcommittee develops and implements the metrics and supporting framework for allocation of credit risk capacity across major business units, including the amount and types of credit exposure.
5.
Operational Risk Subcommittee: This subcommittee supports the ERCs identification, measurement, management and oversight of key operational risks through its oversight over key operational risk management processes and through its review of related operational risk indicators, trends and metrics.
In addition to the above, risk management subcommittees within each of the Companys businesses function to ensure that risk is managed in accordance with the risk limits, guidelines and tolerances that have been allocated to them by the Company.
Risk Appetite Management
The Company believes that the management of risk appetite is fundamental to strong governance and necessary in order to produce, among other things, a high-quality earnings process. The Companys risk appetite framework establishes the risk preferences and risk agenda of the organization, which helps set a context
for where risk/capital should be deployed in pursuit of value, and hence, from which returns should arise. The Companys risk appetite standards are integrated into its overall business and strategic planning process.
The Companys risk appetites, tolerances and related limits are designed to take account of and balance the expectations of the Companys stakeholders by helping to reinforce the Companys risk and return culture and by helping to set a context in which its risk preferences can be associated with decision-making across
the organization.
The Companys risk appetite framework guides its strategies relating to, among other things, capital preservation, earnings volatility, net worth at risk, operational loss, liquidity standards, capital rating and capital structure. This framework also addresses the Companys tolerance to risks from material individual events
(e.g., natural or man made catastrophes such as terrorism), the Companys investment portfolio, realistic disaster scenarios that cross multiple lines of business and from risks related to some or all of the above that may actualize concurrently, with the objective of preserving the Companys capital base. For example, in relation
to catastrophe risk management, the Company considers the loss of capital due to a single large event and the loss of capital that would occur from multiple (but potentially smaller) events in any given year. The Company imposes a limit on catastrophe risk from any single loss in a given region/peril at a 1% exceedance
probability. Tier 1 limits, which include natural catastrophes and other realistic disaster scenarios, are targeted at a level not to exceed 15% of beginning of year tangible shareholders equity, and Tier 2 limits, which include pandemic, longevity and country risk, are established at no more than half of Tier 1 limits. These
target limits are established by a combination of commercially available models, internally developed probable maximum loss estimates and the judgment of management, as overseen by the Board.
Impact of ERM Processes
The Company believes that its ERM processes improve the quality and timeliness of strategic decisions, enhance the integration of strategic initiatives with the risks related to such initiatives and act as catalysts to improve risk awareness and informed action by and across the Company. The Company
23
believes that the integration of ERM with existing business processes and controls improves the quality of strategic decisions, optimizes the risk/reward characteristics of business strategies, and enhances the Companys overall risk management culture.
In addition, the Companys ERM processes complements the Companys overall internal control framework by helping to manage the complexity that is inherent within an organization of the Companys size, the variety of its businesses and investment activities, and geographical reach. However, internal controls and
ERM can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that control objectives will be met. As a result, the possibility of material financial loss remains in spite of the Companys ERM activities. An investor should carefully consider the risks and all information set forth in this report including the discussion included in
Item 1A Risk factors, Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk, and Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Ratings
The Companys ability to underwrite business is dependent upon the quality of its claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. As a result, in the event that the Company is downgraded, its ability to write business as well as its financial condition and/or results of operations,
could be materially adversely effected.
A downgrade below A of the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by either Standard & Poors (S&P) or A.M. Best Company, Inc. (A.M. Best), which is two notches below the current S&P financial strength rating of A (Negative) and the A.M. Best financial strength rating of A (Stable) of
these subsidiaries, may trigger termination provisions in a significant amount of the Companys assumed reinsurance agreements and may potentially require the Company to return unearned premiums to cedants. In addition, due to collateral posting requirements under the Companys letter of credit and revolving credit
facilities, such a downgrade may require the posting of cash collateral in support of certain in use portions of these facilities (see Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources, below). Specifically, a downgrade below A by A.M. Best
would trigger such collateral requirements for the Companys two largest credit facilities. In certain limited instances, such downgrades may require the Company to return cash or assets to counterparties or to settle derivative and/or other transactions with the respective counterparties. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, A downgrade
or potential downgrade in our financial strength and credit ratings by one or more rating agencies could materially and negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or liquidity.
During 2009, there was no change in financial strength rating from any of the rating agencies, however, the following changes in outlook occurred:
In August 2009, Fitch Ratings (Fitch) revised the outlook of the financial strength rating of the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to Negative from Rating Watch Negative. Also in this announcement Fitch affirmed the financial strength rating as A. In its public announcement, Fitch
noted that the removal of the Rating Watch Negative outlook was contingent upon the successful execution of the Companys plans to de-risk its investment portfolio, stabilization of investment performance and completion of its strategic review of life operations.
In December 2009, Moodys Investor Services, Inc. (Moodys) revised the outlook of the financial strength rating of the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to Stable from Negative. Also in this announcement Moodys affirmed the financial strength rating as A2. In its public
announcement, Moodys noted that the change in the outlook reflects the Companys improved capitalization and financial flexibility, as well as the stabilization of the business franchise.
In September 2009, A.M. Best affirmed the financial strength rating and outlook of the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries at A (Stable) and left the financial strength rating of XL Life Ltd unchanged at A- (Stable). In addition, in December 2009 S&P left the financial strength rating and
outlook of the Companys operating insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries unchanged at A (Negative).
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The following table summarizes the financial strength and claims paying ratings, as noted above, from internationally recognized rating agencies in relation to the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and pools as at February 26, 2010:
Rating
agency
Agencys description
Rating
Agencys rating
Ranking of Rating
A.M.
Best
An opinion of an insurers
financial strength and ability to
meet ongoing obligations to
policyholders.
A (Stable)
Excellent ability to meet
its ongoing obligations to
policyholders.
The A grouping is the third highest ratings category out of fifteen. It is assigned to companies that have, in A.M. Bests opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.
S&P
A current opinion of the
financial security characteristics
of an insurance organization
with respect to its ability to
pay under its insurance policies
and contracts in accordance
with their terms.
A
(Negative)
Strong financial security
characteristics.
The A grouping is the third highest out of nine main ratings. Main ratings from AA to CCC are subdivided into three subcategories: + indicating the high end of the main rating; no modifier, indicating the mid range of the main rating; and indicating the lower
end of the main rating.
Moodys
An opinion of the ability of
insurance companies to repay
punctually senior policyholder
claims and obligations.
A2 (Stable)
Good financial security.
The A grouping is the third highest out of nine rating categories. Each rating category is subdivided into three subcategories. Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. Numeric modifiers are used to
refer to the ranking within a group with 1 being the highest and 3 being the lowest.
Fitch
An assessment of the financial
strength of an insurance
organization, and its capacity
to meet senior obligations to
policyholders and contract
holders on a timely basis.
A
(Negative)
Strong capacity to meet
policyholder and contract
obligations.
The A rating is the third highest out of twelve ratings categories. A rated insurers are viewed as possessing strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. + or may be appended to a rating to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating
category.
In addition, as at February 26, 2010, XL Capital Ltd currently had the following long-term debt ratings: bbb (Stable) from A.M. Best, BBB+(Negative) from S&P, Baa2 (Stable) from Moodys and BBB+ (Negative) from Fitch.
The Company believes that the primary users of ratings include commercial and investment banks, policyholders, brokers, ceding companies and investors.
Tax Matters
See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Note 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Taxation.
Regulation
The Companys operations are subject to regulation and supervision in each of the jurisdictions where they are domiciled and licensed to conduct business. Generally, regulatory authorities can have broad supervisory and administrative powers over such matters as licenses, fitness of management, standards of
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of rating
definition
solvency, material transactions between affiliates, premium rates, policy forms, investments, security deposits, methods of accounting, form and content of financial statements, reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance, minimum capital and surplus requirements and/or risk based capital standards,
dividends and other distributions to shareholders, periodic examinations and annual and other report filings. In general, such regulation is for the protection of policyholders rather than shareholders.
Bermuda Operations
The Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda and related regulations, as amended (the Act), regulates the Companys (re)insurance operating subsidiaries in Bermuda, and it provides that no person may carry on any insurance business in or from within Bermuda unless registered as an insurer by the Bermuda Monetary Authority
(the BMA) under the Act. Insurance as well as reinsurance is regulated under the Act.
The Act imposes on Bermuda insurance companies, solvency and liquidity standards, certain restrictions on the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions, certain restrictions on the reduction of statutory capital, auditing and reporting requirements, and grants the Authority powers to supervise, investigate and
intervene in the affairs of insurance companies. Significant requirements include the appointment of an independent auditor, the appointment of a loss reserve specialist and the filing of the Annual Statutory Financial Return with the BMA. The Supervisor of Insurance is the chief administrative officer under the Act.
In early July 2008, the Insurance Amendment Act of 2008 was passed, which introduced a number of changes to the Act, such as allowing the BMA to prescribe standards for an enhanced capital requirement and a capital and solvency return that insurers and reinsurers must comply with. The Bermuda Solvency Capital
Requirement (BSCR) employs a standard mathematical model that can relate more accurately the risks taken on by (re)insurers to the capital that is dedicated to their business. (Re)insurers may adopt the BSCR model or, where an insurer or reinsurer believes that its own internal model better reflects the inherent risk of its
business, an in-house model approved by the BMA. Class 4 (re)insurers, such as the Company, were required to implement the new capital requirements under the BSCR model beginning with fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2008.
Under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981, as amended, a Bermuda company may not declare or pay a dividend or make a distribution out of contributed surplus if there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (a) the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (b) the
realizable value of the companys assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and its issued share capital and share premium accounts. For further information see Item 8, Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Statutory Financial Data.
United States
Within the United States, the Companys insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision by their respective states of incorporation and by other jurisdictions in which they do business. The methods of regulation vary, but in general have their source in statutes that delegate regulatory and
supervisory powers to an insurance official. The regulation and supervision relate primarily to approval of policy forms and rates, the standards of solvency that must be met and maintained, including risk-based capital standards, material transactions between an insurer and its affiliates, the licensing of insurers, agents and
brokers, restrictions on insurance policy terminations, the nature of and limitations on the amount of certain investments, limitations on the net amount of insurance of a single risk compared to the insurers surplus, deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders, methods of accounting, periodic examinations of the
financial condition and market conduct of insurance companies, the form and content of reports of financial condition required to be filed, and reserves for unearned premiums, losses, expenses and other obligations. All transactions between or among the insurance and reinsurance company subsidiaries must be fair and
equitable. In general, such regulation is for the protection of policyholders rather than shareholders.
Regulations generally require insurance and reinsurance companies to furnish information to their domestic state insurance department concerning activities that may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition and solvency of the company. Regulations vary from state to state but generally require
that each primary insurance company obtain a license from the department of insurance of a state to conduct business in that state. A reinsurance company is not generally required to have an
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insurance license to reinsure a U.S. ceding company from outside the U.S. However, for a U.S. ceding company to obtain financial statement credit for reinsurance ceded, the reinsurer must obtain an insurance license or accredited status from the cedants state of domicile or another U.S. state with equivalent insurance
regulation or must post collateral to support the liabilities ceded. In addition, regulations for reinsurers vary somewhat from primary insurers in that the form and rate of reinsurance contracts and the market conduct of reinsurers are not subject to regulator approval.
The Companys U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are required to file detailed annual and, in most states, quarterly reports with state insurance regulators in each of the states in which they are licensed. Such annual and quarterly reports are required to be prepared on a calendar year basis. In addition, the U.S.
insurance subsidiaries operations and accounts are subject to financial condition and market conduct examination at regular intervals by state regulators. Effective January 1, 2010, the Companys US insurance subsidiaries will also be required to comply with expanded state model audit laws which will require the filing of a
Managements Report of Internal Control over Financial Reporting. The report will provide managements assertion that it has responsibility for establishing and maintaining a system of adequate internal controls over financial reporting, and will provide managements assessment that the system is effective. In addition, these
new laws also expand the governance requirements of the insurance subsidiaries audit committees.
Statutory surplus is an important measure utilized by the regulators and rating agencies to assess the Companys U.S. insurance subsidiaries ability to support business operations and provide dividend capacity. The Companys U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to various state statutory and regulatory restrictions that
limit the amount of dividends that may be paid, within any twelve month period, from earned surplus without prior approval from regulatory authorities. These restrictions differ by state, but are generally based on a calculation of the lesser of 10% of statutory surplus or 100% of adjusted net investment income to the extent
that it has not previously been distributed.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the NAIC) promulgated, and all states have adopted, Risk-Based Capital (RBC) standards for property and casualty companies and life insurance companies as a means of monitoring certain aspects affecting the overall financial condition of insurance companies.
RBC is designed to measure the adequacy of an insurers statutory surplus in relation to the risks inherent in its business. The NAICs RBC Model Law provides for four incremental levels of regulatory attention for insurers whose surplus is below the calculated RBC target. These levels of attention range in severity from
requiring the insurer to submit a plan for corrective action to actually placing the insurer under regulatory control. The Companys current RBC ratios for its U.S. subsidiaries are satisfactory and such ratios are not expected to result in any adverse regulatory action. The Company is not aware of any such actions relative to it.
While the federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business in the U.S. (other than for flood, nuclear and reinsurance of losses from terrorism), federal legislation and administrative policies can affect the insurance industry. The federal government has also undertaken initiatives in several areas that may
impact the insurance industry including tort reform, corporate governance and the taxation of insurance companies. In addition, legislation has been introduced from time to time in recent years that, if enacted, could result in the federal government assuming a more direct role in the regulation of the insurance industry,
primarily as respects federal licensing in lieu of state licensing.
International Operations
A substantial portion of the Companys property and casualty insurance business and a majority of its life reinsurance business is carried on in countries other than Bermuda and the U.S. The degree of regulation in foreign jurisdictions can vary. Generally, the Companys subsidiaries must satisfy local regulatory
requirements. Licenses issued by foreign authorities to subsidiaries of the Company are subject to modification or revocation for cause by such authorities. The Companys subsidiaries could be prevented, for cause, from conducting business in certain of the jurisdictions where they currently operate. While each country
imposes licensing, solvency, auditing and financial reporting requirements, the type and extent of the requirements differ substantially. Key areas where countries may differ include: (i) the type of financial reports to be filed; (ii) a requirement to use local intermediaries; (iii) the amount of reinsurance permissible; (iv) the
scope of any regulation of policy forms and rates; and (v) the type and frequency of regulatory examinations.
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In addition to these requirements, the Companys foreign operations are also regulated in various jurisdictions with respect to currency, amount and type of security deposits, amount and type of reserves, amount and type of local investment and limitations on the share of profits to be returned to policyholders on
participating policies. For further information see Item 8, Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Statutory Financial Data.
European Union
Financial services including insurance, reinsurance, securities and Lloyds in the United Kingdom are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSAs Handbook of Rules and Guidance (the FSA Rules) covers all aspects of regulation including capital adequacy, financial and non-financial reporting and
certain activities of U.K.-regulated firms. The Companys subsidiaries carrying out regulated activities in the U.K. comply with the FSA Rules. The Companys Lloyds managing agency, its managed syndicates and its associated corporate capital vehicles are subject to additional Lloyds requirements.
FSA regulations also impact the Company as controller (an FSA defined term) of its U.K.-regulated subsidiaries. Through the FSAs Approved Persons regime, certain employees and Directors are subject to regulation by the FSA of their fitness and certain employees are individually registered at Lloyds.
The Companys network of offices in the European Union consists mainly of branches of U.K. as well as Irish (regulated by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority IFSRA) companies that are principally regulated under European Directives from their home states, the U.K. and Ireland, rather than by each
individual jurisdiction.
Employees
At December 31, 2009, the Company had 3,565 employees. At that date, 239 of the Companys employees were represented by workers councils and 410 of the Companys employees were subject to industry-wide collective bargaining agreements in several countries outside the United States.
Available Information
The public can read and copy any materials the Company files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-
SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SECs website is
http://www.sec.gov.
The Companys Internet website address is
http://www.xlcapital.com.
The information contained on the Companys website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other of the Companys documents filed with or furnished to the SEC.
The Company makes available free of charge, including through the Companys Internet website, the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
The Company adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, as well as written charters for each of the Audit Committee, the Management Development and Compensation Committee, the Finance Committee, the Nominating, Governance and External Affairs Committee and the Special Committee on Enterprise Risk
Management, as well as a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, a Code of Business Conduct & Ethics for employees and a related Compliance Program. Each of these documents is posted on the Companys web-site at
http://www.xlcapital.com
, and each is available in print to any shareholder who requests it by writing
to the Company at Investor Relations Department, XL Capital Ltd, XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda.
The Company intends to post on its website at http://www.xlcapital.com any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of its Code of Business Conduct & Ethics that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of the
code of ethics definition set forth in Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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RISK FACTORS
Any of the following risk factors could have a significant or material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity, in addition to the other information contained in this report. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Company
A downgrade or potential downgrade in our financial strength and credit ratings by one or more rating agencies could materially and negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows.
As our ability to underwrite business is dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies, a further downgrade by any of these institutions could cause our competitive position in the insurance and reinsurance industry to suffer and make it more
difficult for us to market our products.
A downgrade below A of our principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by either Standard & Poors (S&P) or A.M. Best Company (A.M. Best), which is two notches below the current S&P financial strength rating of A (Negative) and two notches below the current A.M. Best financial strength rating of A
(Stable) of these subsidiaries, may trigger termination provisions in a significant amount of our assumed reinsurance agreements and may potentially require us to return unearned premium to cedants. Whether a client would exercise its termination rights after such a downgrade would likely depend on, among other things, the
reasons for the downgrade, the extent of the downgrade, prevailing market conditions, the degree of unexpired coverage, and the pricing and availability of replacement reinsurance coverage. Based on premium value, approximately 54% of our reinsurance contracts that incepted at January 1, 2009 contained provisions allowing
clients to terminate those contracts upon a decline in our ratings. In the event of such a downgrade, we cannot predict whether or how many of our clients would actually exercise such termination rights or the extent to which any such terminations would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of
operations, cash flows or future prospects and could have a significant adverse effect on the market price for our securities. A downgrade could also result in a substantial loss of business for us as ceding companies and brokers that place such business may move to other insurers and reinsurers with higher ratings and the loss
of key employees. In addition, due to collateral posting requirements under our letter of credit and revolving credit facility agreements, such a downgrade may require the posting of cash collateral in support of certain in use portions of these facilities (see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources under Part II, Item 7 of this report). Specifically, a downgrade below A by A.M. Best would trigger such collateral requirements for the Companys two largest credit facilities. In certain limited instances, such downgrades may require us to return cash or assets to
counterparties or to settle derivative and/or other transactions with the respective counterparties.
In addition to the financial strength ratings of our principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, various rating agencies also publish credit ratings for XL Capital Ltd. Credit ratings are indicators of a debt issuers ability to meet the terms of debt obligations in a timely manner are part of our overall funding profile and
affect our ability to access certain types of liquidity. Downgrades in our credit ratings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and cash flows in a number of ways, including adversely limiting our access to capital markets, potentially increasing the cost of debt or requiring us to
post collateral.
We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, on a timely basis or at all.
Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover our losses. To the extent that the funds generated by our ongoing operations are insufficient to fund future operating requirements and
cover claim payments, or that our capital position is adversely impacted by mark-to-market changes on the investment portfolio, catastrophe events or otherwise, we may need to raise
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additional funds through financings or curtail our growth and reduce our assets. As a result of the current severe economic conditions that persist in the capital markets, any future financing may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, if at all. In addition, any future equity financings could be dilutive to our existing
shareholders or could result in the issuance of securities that have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our other securities. Our inability to obtain adequate capital could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our holding company structure and certain regulatory and other constraints affect our ability to pay dividends, make payments on our debt securities and make other payments.
As a holding company with no direct operations or significant assets other than the capital stock of our subsidiaries, we rely on investment income, cash dividends, loans and other permitted payments from our subsidiaries to make principal and interest payments on our debt, to pay operating expenses and common and
preferred shareholder dividends, to make capital investments in our subsidiaries and to pay certain of our other obligations that may arise from time to time. We expect future investment income, dividends and other permitted payments from these subsidiaries to be our principal source of funds to pay such expenses, preferred
and common stock dividends and obligations. The payment of dividends to us by our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries is regulated under the laws of various jurisdictions including Bermuda, the U.K., Ireland, and Switzerland and certain insurance statutes of various states in the United States in which our insurance and
reinsurance subsidiaries are licensed to transact business and the other jurisdictions where we have regulated subsidiaries. For further information regarding regulatory restrictions governing the payment of dividends by the Companys significant property and casualty subsidiaries in Bermuda and the U.S., see Note 26 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements Statutory Financial Data.
XL Capital Ltd is subject to certain regulatory constraints that affect its ability to pay dividends on its ordinary shares and preferred shares. Under Cayman Islands law, XL Capital Ltd may not declare or pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for believing that XL Capital Ltd is, or would after the payment be,
unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of business. Also, the terms of our preferred shares prohibit declaring or paying dividends on our ordinary shares unless full dividends have been declared and paid on our outstanding preferred shares. In addition, our ability to declare and pay dividends
may be restricted by covenants in our letters of credit and revolving credit facilities.
For a description of constraints under Irish law that may affect our ability to pay dividends as a result of the proposed redomestication, see the risk factor entitled If the redomestication becomes effective but our ordinary shareholders do not approve the Distributable Reserves Proposal, or if the Irish High Court does not
approve the creation of distributable reserves in XL-Ireland, XL-Ireland will not be able to pay dividends or redeem or buy back shares following the Transaction unless and until we generate earnings after the Effective Time, and only to the extent of such earnings below.
We are exposed to significant capital markets risk related to changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and foreign exchange rates as well as other investment risks, which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our assets are invested by a number of investment management service providers under the direction of the Companys management within the Investment Group in accordance, in general, with detailed investment guidelines set by us under the oversight of our Board of Directors, and established in accordance with our
SAA framework for our P&C operations, and in accordance with asset-liability benchmarks for our Life operations. Although our investment policies stress diversification of risks, conservation of principal and liquidity, our investments are subject to market-wide risks, as noted below, and fluctuations, as well as to risks inherent
in particular securities. We are exposed to significant capital markets risks related to changes in interest rates, credit spreads and defaults, market liquidity, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. If significant, continued market volatility, changes in interest rates, changes in credit spreads and defaults, a lack of
pricing transparency, a reduction in market liquidity, declines in equity prices, and the strengthening or weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, individually or in tandem, this could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows through realized losses,
impairments, and changes in unrealized positions. Levels of write-down or impairment are impacted by our assessment of the intent to sell securities which have declined in value as well as actual losses as a result of defaults or deterioration in
30
estimates of cash flows. We periodically review our investment portfolio structure and strategy. If, as a result of such review, we determine to reposition or realign portions of the investment portfolio and where we determine we will sell securities in an unrealized loss position, then we will incur an other than temporary
impairment charge. Any such charge may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, as a result of the prolonged and continued volatility and disruptions in the public debt and equity markets, we incurred realized and unrealized investment losses, as described in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under Part
II, Item 7 of this report. We continue to closely monitor current market conditions and evaluate the long term impact of this recent market volatility on all of our investment holdings. Depending on market conditions, we could incur additional realized and unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Companys results of operations, financial condition and business.
Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. Our investment portfolio contains interest rate sensitive instruments, such as fixed income securities, which have been and may continue to be adversely affected by changes in interest
rates from central bank monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. A rise in interest rates would increase the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio, offset by our ability to earn higher rates of return on funds reinvested. Conversely, a
decline in interest rates would decrease the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio, offset by lower rates of return on funds reinvested. We maintain a P&C investment portfolio with diversified maturities that has a weighted average duration that is determined in accordance with its SAA Benchmark based on a
dynamic financial analysis of investment assets and liabilities, and maximizing the Companys enterprise value subject to accounting, regulatory, capital and risk tolerances. However, our estimates of the time and size of the liability cash flow profile may be inaccurate and we may be forced to liquidate investments prior to
maturity at a loss in order to cover liabilities. We are exposed to interest rate risk relative to our liabilities.
Our exposure to credit spread risk relates primarily to the market price associated with changes in prevailing market credit spreads and the impact on our holdings of spread products such as corporate and structured credit. A portion of our aggregate fixed income portfolio consists of below investment-grade high yield
fixed income securities. These securities have a higher degree of credit or default risk. Certain sectors within the investment and below investment grade fixed income market, such as structured and corporate credit, may be less liquid in times of economic weakness or market disruptions. While we have put in place
procedures to monitor the credit risk and liquidity of our invested assets, in general and those impacted by recent credit market issues specifically, it is possible that, in periods of economic weakness or periods of turmoil in capital markets, we may experience default losses in both our investment-grade and below investment-
grade corporate and structured credit holdings. This may result in a material reduction of net income, capital and cash flows.
We invest a portion of our investment portfolio in common stock or equity-related securities, including in hedge funds and private equity funds. The value of these assets fluctuates, along with other factors, due to changes in the equity and credit markets. In times of economic weakness, the market value and liquidity of
these assets may decline, and may impact net income, capital and cash flows. In addition, certain of the products offered by our Life Operations segment offer fixed guaranteed returns while debt and equity yields may continue to decline. In addition, the amount of earnings from alternative funds and private investment funds
are not earned evenly across the year, or even from year to year. As a result, the amount of earnings that that we record from these investments may vary substantially from quarter to quarter. The timing of distributions from such private investment funds depends on particular events relating to the underlying investments.
The ability of an alternative fund to satisfy any redemption request from its investors depends on the underlying liquidity of the alternative funds investments. As a result, earnings, distributions and redemptions from these two asset classes may be more difficult to predict.
The functional currencies of our principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries include the U.S. dollar, U.K. sterling, the Euro, the Swiss Franc, and the Canadian dollar. Exchange rate fluctuations relative to the functional currencies may materially impact our financial position, results of operations and cash
31
flows. Many of our non-U.S. subsidiaries maintain both assets and liabilities in currencies different than their functional currency, which exposes us to changes in currency exchange rates.
In addition, locally-required capital levels are invested in local currencies in order to satisfy regulatory requirements and to support local insurance operations regardless of currency fluctuations. Foreign exchange rate risk is reviewed as part of our risk management process. While we utilize derivative instruments such as
futures, options and foreign currency forward contracts to, among other things, manage our foreign currency exposure, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of our foreign exchange rate risk.
Certain of our investments may be illiquid and are in asset classes that have been experiencing significant market valuation fluctuations.
We hold certain investments that may lack liquidity or for which the observability of prices or inputs may be reduced in periods of market dislocation, such as non-agency residential mortgage-backed and collateralized debt obligations securities. Even some of our high quality assets have been more illiquid as a result of
the recent challenging market conditions. Generally, securities classified as Level 3 pursuant to the fair value hierarchy set forth in authoritative accounting guidance over fair value measurements may be less liquid, more difficult to value and require significant judgment, and more likely to result in sales materially different
than fair values determined by management.
If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements or are required to post or return collateral in connection with certain of our reinsurance contracts, credit agreements, derivative transactions or our invested portfolio, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely
manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both.
The reported value of our relatively illiquid types of investments and, in certain circumstances, our high quality, generally liquid asset classes, do not necessarily reflect the lowest current market bid price for the asset. If we were forced to sell certain of our assets in the current market, there can be no assurance that we
will be able to sell them for the prices at which we have recorded them and we may be forced to sell them at significantly lower prices, particularly at times of extreme market illiquidity.
There can be no assurance as to the effect that governmental and regulatory actions will have on financial markets generally or on us in particular.
In response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to financial institutions, there have been numerous regulatory and governmental actions. Within the United States, the Federal Reserve has taken action through reduced federal funds rates and expansion of
acceptable collateral to provide additional liquidity. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been placed under conservatorship along with having received capital injections and enhanced liquidity, and numerous financial institutions have received capital both in the form of emergency loans and the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 which made available $700 billion of capital through direct Treasury equity investments, In early 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was enacted to provide further stimulus to institutions that have received or will receive financial assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief
Program. Certain of our competitors, such as companies that engage in both life and property insurance lines of business, are participating, or may in the future, in some or all of these government programs.
There is the potential for initiatives, including but not limited to, cram-down legislation specifically relating to mortgage-backed securities. In certain residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS), the losses from such a cramdown may be shared across all tranches of the security on a prorated basis. The Company
may absorb additional losses should any such investments that it holds become subject to any such cram-down provisions. At the present time, there is no clarity on how the rating agencies will react to such a development, and we may experience significant numbers of downgrades on our non-Agency RMBS holdings.
Within the United Kingdom and Euro-zone, similar actions including interest rate cuts and nationalization of certain financial institutions have been undertaken.
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We own a number of Tier 1 and Upper Tier 2 hybrid securities issued by financial institutions including those based in the U.S. and U.K. There is a risk that if the capital positions of financial institutions deteriorates further government intervention, particularly nationalization of such institutions, could occur. There is
also a risk of regulatory imposed deferral of coupons or decisions by bank management not to call the capital or defer the coupon payments. This may result in losses on the hybrid securities we hold. There is also the risk of further downgrades of these securities as rating agencies re-evaluate their rating methodologies, which
would negatively impact the regulatory capital of the Life operations.
The purpose of these legislative and regulatory actions is to stabilize the U.S. and international banking systems, improve the flow of credit and foster an economic recovery. However, there can be no assurance as to the success of such actions or the effect that any such governmental actions or future regulatory
initiatives may have on certain investment instruments in our investment portfolio, or on our competitive position, business and financial position.
Particularly within the Euro-zone, there is increasing market concern as to the potential default of government issuers. Should governments default on their obligations, there will be a negative impact on both the Companys direct holdings, as well as non-government issues held within the country of default.
If actual claims exceed our loss reserves, our financial results and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Our results of operations and financial condition depend upon our ability to assess accurately the potential losses associated with the risks that we insure and reinsure. We establish reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (LAE) liabilities, which are estimates of future payments of reported and unreported
claims for losses and related expenses with respect to insured events that have occurred. The process of establishing reserves for property and casualty claims can be complex and is subject to considerable variability as it requires the use of informed estimates and judgments. Actuarial estimates of unpaid loss and LAE
liabilities are subject to potential errors of estimation, which could be significant, due to the fact that the ultimate disposition of claims incurred prior to the date of such estimation, whether reported or not, is subject to the outcome of events that have not yet occurred. Examples of these events include the accuracy of the
factual information on which the estimates were based, especially as this develops, jury decisions, court interpretations, legislative changes, changes in the medical condition of claimants, public attitudes, and economic conditions such as inflation. Recent deficit spending by governments in the Companys major markets
exposes the Company to heightened risk of inflation. Inflation in relation to medical costs, construction costs and tort issues in particular impact the property and casualty industry, however, broader market inflation also poses a risk to overall loss costs.
Similarly, the actual emergence of claims for life business may vary from the assumptions underlying the policy benefit reserves, in particular, the future assumed mortality improvements on the blocks of in-payment annuities.
In relation to previously written financial guarantee business and related exposures, we establish reserves for losses and LAE on such business based on managements best estimate of the ultimate expected incurred losses. Establishment of such reserves requires the use and exercise of significant judgment by management,
including with respect to estimates regarding the occurrence and amount of a loss on an insured or reinsured obligation. Estimates of losses may differ from actual results and such difference may be material, due to the fact that the ultimate dispositions of claims are subject to the outcome of events that have not yet occurred.
Examples of these events include changes in the level of interest rates, credit deterioration of insured and reinsured obligations, and changes in the value of specific assets supporting insured and reinsured obligations. In general, guarantees on previously written credit default swaps are exposed to the same risks as noted above,
except in events of default by the guarantor. Credit default swaps, however, do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under authoritative accounting guidance over derivative instruments and hedging activities, and, therefore are reported at fair value with changes in the fair value included in earnings. Fair
value for such swaps are determined based on methodologies further described in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates under Item II, Part 7 of this report. Any estimate of future costs is subject to the inherent limitation on our
ability to
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predict the aggregate course of future events. It should therefore be expected that the actual emergence of losses and LAE will vary, perhaps materially, from any estimate.
We have an actuarial staff in each of our operating segments and a Chief Actuary who regularly evaluates the levels of loss reserves, taking into consideration factors that may impact the ultimate losses incurred. Any such evaluation could result in future changes in estimates of losses or reinsurance recoverable and
would be reflected in our results of operations in the period in which the estimates are changed. Losses and LAE, to the extent that they exceed the applicable reserves, are charged to income as incurred. The reserve for unpaid losses and LAE represents the estimated ultimate losses and LAE less paid losses and LAE, and
comprises case reserves and incurred but not reported loss reserves (IBNR). During the loss settlement period, which can span many years in duration for casualty business, additional facts regarding individual claims and trends often will become known and case reserves may be adjusted by allocation from IBNR without
any change in the overall reserve. In addition, application of statistical and actuarial methods may require the adjustment of the overall reserves upward or downward from time to time. Accordingly, the ultimate settlement of losses may be significantly greater than or less than reported loss and loss expense reserves.
The effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business are uncertain.
As industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected issues related to claims and coverage may emerge. These issues may adversely affect our business by either extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims, such as the
effects that recent disruptions in the credit markets could have on the number and size of reported claims under directors and officers liability insurance (D&O) and professional liability insurance lines of business. In some instances, these changes may not become apparent until some time after we have issued the insurance or
reinsurance contracts that are affected by the changes. Historically such claims and coverage issues have occurred at heightened levels during periods of very soft market conditions which often reflect an inflection point in the typical cycle of insurance industry market conditions. In addition, our actual losses may vary
materially from our current estimate of the loss based on a number of factors, including receipt of additional information from insureds or brokers, the attribution of losses to coverages that had not previously been considered as exposed and inflation in repair costs due to additional demand for labor and materials. As a result,
the full extent of liability under an insurance or reinsurance contract may not be known for many years after such contract is issued and a loss occurs.
The occurrence of disasters could adversely affect our financial condition.
We have substantial exposure to losses resulting from natural and man-made disasters and other catastrophic events. Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, hailstorms, explosions, severe weather, fires, war and acts of terrorism. Changing climate conditions may add to the
unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters in certain parts of the world and create additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposures. The incidence and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable, and it is difficult to predict the timing of such events with statistical certainty or estimate the amount of loss
any given occurrence will generate.
The occurrence of claims from catastrophic events is likely to result in substantial volatility in our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal quarter or year in which a catastrophic event occurs, as well as subsequent fiscal periods, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations and our ability to write new business. This risk is exacerbated due to accounting principles and rules that do not permit (re)insurers to reserve for such catastrophic events until they occur. We expect that future possible increases in the values and concentrations of insured property, the
effects of inflation and changes in cyclical weather patterns may increase the severity of catastrophic events in the future. Although we attempt to manage our exposure to catastrophic events, a single catastrophic event could affect multiple geographic zones and lines of business and the frequency or severity of catastrophic
events could exceed our estimates, in each case potentially having a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, while we may, depending on market conditions, purchase catastrophe reinsurance and retrocessional protection, the occurrence of one or more major
catastrophes in any given period could result in losses that exceed such reinsurance and retrocessional protection. This could have a material adverse
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effect on our financial condition and results of operations and may result in substantial liquidation of investments, possibly at a loss, and outflows of cash as losses are paid.
The failure of any of the underwriting risk management strategies that we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity.
We seek to limit our loss exposure by, among other things, writing a number of our reinsurance or retrocession contracts on an excess of loss basis, adhering to maximum limitations on reinsurance written in defined geographical zones, limiting program size for each client and prudently underwriting each program
written. In addition, in the case of proportional treaties, we generally seek to use per occurrence limitations or loss ratio caps to limit the impact of losses from any one event. We cannot be sure that all of these loss limitation methods will have the precise risk management impact intended. For instance, although we also seek
to limit our loss exposure by geographic diversification, geographic zone limitations involve significant underwriting judgments, including the determination of the area of the zones and the inclusion of a particular policy within a particular zones limits. Underwriting involves the exercise of considerable judgment and the
making of important assumptions about matters that are inherently unpredictable and beyond our control, and for which historical experience and probability analysis may not provide sufficient guidance. The failure of any of the underwriting risk management strategies that we employ could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Also, we cannot provide assurance that various provisions of our policies, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage or choice of forum, will be enforceable in the manner that we intend and disputes relating to coverage and choice of legal forum may arise,
which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The loss of one or more key executives or the inability to attract, motivate and retain qualified personnel could adversely affect our ability to conduct business.
Our success depends on our ability to attract new, highly skilled individuals and to motivate and retain our existing key executives and qualified personnel. The loss of the services of any of our key executives or the inability to attract, motivate and retain other highly skilled individuals in the future could adversely affect
our ability to conduct our business. In addition, we do not maintain key man life insurance policies with respect to our employees.
Although the market price of our Class A ordinary shares gained 395% during fiscal 2009 as compared to the market price as at December 31, 2008, it has not fully recovered from the very significant decline in market price during fiscal 2008. A substantial portion of our annual compensation paid to our senior
employees has, in recent years, been paid in the form of equity-based awards. In addition, we reduced the number of employees across nearly all of our locations in August 2008 as well as in the period between February and July 2009. The combination of these events could adversely affect our ability to hire, motivate and
retain qualified employees.
In addition, certain of our senior executives who work in our Bermuda operations are not Bermudian and our success in such operations may depend in part on the continued services of key employees working in Bermuda. Under Bermuda law, non-Bermudians (other than spouses of Bermudians and holders of permanent
resident certificates) may not engage in any gainful occupation in Bermuda without an appropriate governmental work permit. A work permit may be granted or renewed by the Bermuda government for a specific period of time, upon showing that, after proper public advertisement, no Bermudian (or spouse of a Bermudian or
holder of a permanent resident certificate) is available who meets the minimum standards reasonably required by an employer with respect to a certain position. The government of Bermuda places a six-year term limit on individuals with work permits, subject to certain exemptions for key employees. No assurances can be
given that any work permit will be issued or, if issued, renewed upon the expiration of the relevant term or that key employee status will be granted or revoked.
A decrease in the fair values of our reporting units may result in future goodwill impairments.
Our goodwill balance at December 31, 2009 was $826.0 million. When we acquire an entity, the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable assets acquired is allocated to goodwill. We conduct impairment tests on our reported goodwill at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators
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exist. In performing a goodwill impairment test, we use various methods and make various assumptions to determine the fair value of our reporting units, including the determination of expected future cash flows and/or profitability of such reporting units, and we take into account market value multiples and/or cash flows of
entities that we deem to be comparable in nature, scope or size to our reporting units. However, expected future cash flows and/or profitability may be materially and negatively impacted as a result of, among other things, a decrease in renewal activity and new business opportunities, a decrease in retention or our underwriting
teams, lower-than-expected yields and/or cash flows from our investment portfolio, higher-than-expected claims activity and magnitude of incurred losses and general economic factors that impact the reporting unit. In addition, previously determined market value multiples and/or cash flows may no longer be relevant as a
result of these potential factors. As a result of these potential changes, the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units may decrease, causing the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit to exceed the fair value of such net assets. If we determine an impairment exists, we adjust the carrying
value of goodwill to its implied fair value. The impairment charge is recorded in our income statement in the period in which the impairment is determined. If we are required in the future to write down additional goodwill, our financial condition and results of operations would be negatively affected. In connection with fair
value measurements and the accounting for goodwill, the use of generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and assumptions, and actual results may ultimately be materially different from such estimates
and assumptions.
Lawsuits, including putative class action lawsuits, have been filed against us by policyholders and security holders the ultimate outcome of which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, future operating results and/or liquidity
We are subject to lawsuits and arbitrations in the regular course of our business. See Item 3, Legal Proceedings. In addition, lawsuits have been filed against us as detailed in Item 8, Note 20(g) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Commitments and Contingencies Claims and Other Litigation. We believe that
we have substantial defenses to all outstanding litigation and intend to pursue our defenses vigorously, although an adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter or year.
There is a possibility that the Master Agreement and the related commutations and releases could be challenged or that we could be subject to litigation as a result of the Master Agreement. Any such challenge could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or the market
price of our securities.
We provided certain reinsurance protections (the Reinsurance Agreements) with respect to adverse development on certain transactions as well as indemnification under specific facultative and excess of loss coverages for subsidiaries of Syncora: Syncora Guarantee Re and Syncora Guarantee. As at June 30, 2008, our
total net exposure under facultative agreements with Syncora subsidiaries was approximately $6.4 billion of net par value outstanding. Pursuant to the closing of the Master Agreement, all of these Reinsurance Agreements were commuted.
In addition, through one or more of our subsidiaries, we entered into certain agreements with subsidiaries of Syncora pursuant to which we guaranteed certain obligations of Syncora Guarantee Re and Syncora Guarantee under specific agreements (the Guarantee Agreements). As at June 30, 2008, the total net par value
outstanding of business written by subsidiaries of Syncora which fell under the Guarantee Agreements was approximately $60 billion. Pursuant to the terms of, and required conditions under, the Master Agreement, Syncora Guarantee Res facultative quota share reinsurance agreement with Syncora Guarantee, and all individual
risk cessions thereunder, and the Financial Security Master Facultative Agreement, and all individual risk cessions thereunder, were commuted, thereby rendering the Syncora Guarantee Re guarantee and Financial Security guarantee of no further force and effect.
Following the closing of the Master Agreement, Syncora and its applicable subsidiaries are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commute the underlying financial guarantees that are the subject of the EIB Guarantees. There can be no assurances that such commutation will ultimately occur and that our
$920.5 million exposure (as of December 31, 2009) under the EIB Guarantees will be eliminated.
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As further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora), while the New York Insurance Department (NYID) and the BMA approved the Master Agreement and related agreements and transactions, including the commutation of the agreements described above, and
the Delaware Insurance Department (DID) approved the Master Agreement and the commutation of the Syncora Guarantee Re/Syncora Guarantee Quota Share, and although we believe the effect of the Master Agreement relieved us of all of our obligations under the Reinsurance Agreements and the Guarantee Agreements
(other than as noted above with respect to the EIB Guarantee), no assurance can be given that the enforceability of the Master Agreement, the agreements relating thereto and the transactions contemplated thereunder will not be challenged, including under applicable fraudulent transfer laws (described in the following
paragraph) and/or by asserting any number of other theories for recovery, including third-party beneficiary rights, or that other litigation will not be commenced against us as a result of the Master Agreement and such related agreements and transactions. We believe that we would have significant defenses to any such
challenges and would vigorously defend against any such claims. However, we cannot assure you that any such claims would not be made or, that any such claims would not ultimately be successful.
Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws (including those applicable in any state insurance insolvency proceeding) Syncoras commutation and release of our obligations pursuant to the Master Agreement and related agreements would constitute a voidable fraudulent transfer
if it was determined that Syncora or any applicable subsidiary thereto, at the time it entered into the Master Agreement or such related agreement:
intended to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors; or
received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair value consideration for such release; and either
was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such occurrence; or
was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature.
Among other regulatory approvals obtained in connection with the Master Agreement, the NYID issued an approval letter to Syncora Guarantee under Section 1505 of the New York Insurance Law and the DID issued an approval letter to Syncora Guarantee Re under Section 5005(a) of the Delaware Insurance Code
(effective upon Syncora Guarantee Res redomestication to Delaware) (both of which require that the terms of a transaction between an issuer and one or more of its affiliates be fair and equitable) stating, in the case of NYID, that the terms of the Master Agreement and each of the commutations are fair and equitable to
Syncora Guarantee and do not adversely affect policyholders of Syncora Guarantee and, in the case of the DID, stating that the terms of the Master Agreement and the commutation of the Syncora Guarantee Re/Syncora Guarantee Quota Share were fair and equitable to Syncora Guarantee. The BMA (the domiciliary regulator
of Syncora Guarantee Re) also issued an approval letter approving the Master Agreement and each commutation to which Syncora Guarantee Re is a party, including the Syncora Guarantee Re/Syncora Guarantee Quota Share. There can be no assurance that a court would agree with our, the NYIDs, the DIDs, the BMAs or
Syncoras conclusions, or as to what law or standard a court would ultimately apply in making any such determination or as to how such court would ultimately rule. Additionally, in the event of any liquidation or rehabilitation or similar proceeding of any insurance subsidiary of Syncora, there can be no assurance that any
insurance regulator or regulators responsible for such proceedings, in their capacity as liquidator or rehabilitator, would respect the insurance regulatory approvals obtained in connection with the Master Agreement.
If any such challenge were successful, we could be required to honor our original obligations under the Reinsurance Agreements and Guarantee Agreements or be subject to other remedies. Any challenge could have a material adverse effect on the market price for our securities and on our business and, if successful,
could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
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We may be unable to purchase reinsurance and, even if we are able to successfully purchase reinsurance, we are subject to the possibility of uncollectability. The impairment of other financial institutions also could adversely affect us.
We purchase reinsurance for our own account in order to mitigate the volatility that losses impose on our financial condition. Our clients purchase reinsurance from us to cover part of the risk originally written by them. Retrocessional reinsurance involves a reinsurer ceding to another reinsurer, the retrocessionaire, all or
part of the reinsurance that the first reinsurer has assumed. Reinsurance, including retrocessional reinsurance, does not legally discharge the ceding company from its liability with respect to its obligations to its insureds or reinsureds. A reinsurers or retrocessionaires insolvency, inability or refusal to make timely payments
under the terms of its agreements with us, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on us because we remain liable to our insureds and reinsureds. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $4.0 billion of reinsurance recoverables and reinsurance balances receivable, net of reserves for uncollectible recoverables. For
further information regarding our reinsurance exposure, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under Part II, Item 7 of this report.
From time to time, market conditions may limit or prevent us from obtaining the types and amounts of reinsurance that we consider adequate for our business needs such that we may not be able to obtain reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance from entities with satisfactory creditworthiness in amounts that we deem
desirable or on terms that we deem appropriate or acceptable.
We also have exposure to counterparties in various industries, including banks, hedge funds and other investment vehicles, and in transactions in addition to reinsurance agreements, including derivative transactions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event our counterparty fails to perform its
obligations. Even if we are entitled to collateral when a counterparty defaults, such collateral may be illiquid or proceeds from such collateral when liquidated may not be sufficient to recover the full amount of the obligation. We also have exposure to financial institutions in the form of secured and unsecured debt
instruments and equity securities.
Operational risks, including human or systems failures, are inherent in our business.
Operational risk and losses can result from, among other things, fraud, errors, failure to document transactions properly or to obtain proper internal authorization, failure to comply with regulatory requirements, information technology failures, or external events. Areas of operational risk can be heightened in discontinued
or exited business as a result of reduced overall resource allocation and the loss of relevant knowledge and expertise by departing management. The Company has exited a number of businesses in recent years potentially increasing operational risk in such businesses.
We believe that our modeling, underwriting and information technology and application systems are critical to our business. Moreover, our information technology and application systems have been an important part of our underwriting process and our ability to compete successfully. We have also licensed certain systems
and data from third parties. We cannot be certain that we will have access to these, or comparable, service providers, or that our information technology or application systems will continue to operate as intended. A major defect or failure in our internal controls or information technology and application systems could result
in management distraction, harm to our reputation or increased expense.
In particular, we have outsourced the day-to-day management, custody and record-keeping of our investment portfolio to third-party managers and custodians that we believe to be reputable. A major defect in those investment managers investment management strategy, information and technology systems, internal
controls or decision-making could result in management distraction and/or significant financial loss. A major defect in custodian internal controls or information and technology systems could result in management distraction or significant financial loss.
We believe appropriate controls and mitigation procedures are in place to prevent significant risk of defect in our internal controls, information technology, application systems, investment management and custody and record-keeping, but internal controls provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance as to the absence
of errors or irregularities and any ineffectiveness of such controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business.
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Since we depend on a few brokers for a large portion of our revenues, loss of business provided by any one of them could adversely affect us.
We market our insurance and reinsurance products worldwide primarily through insurance and reinsurance brokers. Marsh & McLennan Companies and AON Corporation and their respective subsidiaries each provided approximately 18% and 20% respectively, of our gross written premiums for property and casualty
operations for the year ended December 31, 2009. Loss of all or a substantial portion of the business provided by one or more of these brokers could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our reliance on brokers subjects us to credit risk.
In certain jurisdictions, when an insured or ceding insurer pays premiums for policies of insurance or contracts of reinsurance to brokers for further payment to us, such premiums might be considered to have been paid and the insured or ceding insurer will no longer be liable to us for such amounts, whether or not we
have actually received the premiums from the broker. In addition, in accordance with industry practice, we generally pay amounts owed on claims under our reinsurance contracts to brokers, and these brokers, in turn, pay these amounts over to the clients that have purchased reinsurance from us. Although the law is unsettled
and depends upon the facts and circumstances of the particular case, in some jurisdictions, if a broker fails to make such a claims payment to the insured or ceding insurer, we might remain liable to the insured or ceding insurer for that non-payment. Consequently, we assume a degree of credit risk associated with the brokers
with whom we transact business. Due to the unsettled and fact-specific nature of the law governing these types of scenarios and our lack of historical experience with such risks, we are unable to quantify our exposure to this risk.
Risks Related to the Insurance and Reinsurance Industries
The insurance and reinsurance industries are historically cyclical and we may experience periods with excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates.
The insurance and reinsurance industries have historically been cyclical, characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excess underwriting capacity as well as periods when shortages of capacity permitted favorable premium levels. An increase in premium levels is often followed by an increasing supply of
insurance and reinsurance capacity, either by capital provided by new entrants or by the commitment of additional capital by existing insurers or reinsurers, which may cause prices to decrease. Either of these factors could lead to a significant reduction in premium rates, less favorable policy terms and conditions and fewer
submissions for our underwriting services. In addition to these considerations, changes in the frequency and severity of losses suffered by insureds and insurers may affect the cycles of the insurance and reinsurance industries significantly.
Competition in the insurance and reinsurance industries could reduce our operating margins.
The insurance and reinsurance industries are highly competitive. We compete on an international and regional basis with major U.S., Bermudian, European and other international insurers and reinsurers and with underwriting syndicates, some of which have greater financial and management resources and higher ratings
than we do. We also compete with new companies that continue to be formed to enter the insurance and reinsurance markets. In addition, capital market participants have created alternative products that are intended to compete with reinsurance products. Increased competition could result in fewer submissions, lower premium
rates and less favorable policy terms and conditions, which could reduce our margins.
Unanticipated losses from terrorism and uncertainty surrounding the future of the TRIPRA could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In response to the tightening of supply in certain insurance and reinsurance markets resulting from, among other things, the September 11 event, the TRIP was created upon the enactment of the TRIA of 2002 to ensure the availability of commercial insurance coverage for certain terrorist acts in the U.S. This law
established a federal assistance program through the end of 2005 to help the commercial property and casualty insurance industry cover claims related to future terrorism-related losses and required that coverage for terrorist acts be offered by insurers. TRIA was originally scheduled to expire at the end of 2005, but was
extended in December 2005 for an additional two years. On December 26, 2007, President George W.
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Bush approved the TRIPRA, extending TRIP through December 31, 2014 and also eliminating the distinction between foreign and domestic acts of terrorism.
TRIA voided in force terrorism exclusions as of November 26, 2002 for certified terrorism on all TRIA specified property and casualty business. TRIA required covered insurers to make coverage available for certified acts of terrorism on all new and renewal policies issued after TRIA was enacted. TRIA along with
further extensions to TRIP, as noted above, allows us to assess a premium charge for terrorism coverage and, if the policyholder declines the coverage or fails to pay the buy-back premium, certified acts of terrorism may then be excluded from the policy, subject, however, to state specific requirements. Terrorism coverage
cannot be excluded from workers compensation policies. Subject to a premium-based deductible and provided that we have otherwise complied with all the requirements as specified under TRIPRA, we are eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Government for up to 85% of our covered terrorism-related losses arising from
a certified terrorist attack. Such payment by the government will, in effect, provide reinsurance protection on a quota share basis. The maximum liability during a program year, including both the Federal Governments and insurers shares, is capped on an aggregated basis at $100 billion. While regulations have been
promulgated by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) requiring that Treasury advise participating insurers, such as the Company, in advance of reaching the $100 billion aggregate limit that such aggregate limit could be reached during the program year, there is a risk that the Company will not be given adequate notice
of the potential exhaustion of that aggregate limit. Accordingly, the Company could overpay with regard to such losses, and it is unlikely Treasury would reimburse the Company for such losses; moreover, it is unclear whether the Company, in the event of an overpayment, would be able to recover the amount of any such
overpayment.
We believe that TRIP and the related legislation has been an effective mechanism to assist policyholders and industry participants with the extreme contingent losses that might be caused by acts of terrorism. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that TRIPRA will be extended beyond 2014, and its expiration or a significant
change in terms could have an adverse effect on us, our clients or the insurance industry.
Potential government intervention in our industry as a result of recent events and instability in the marketplace for insurance products could hinder our flexibility and negatively affect the business opportunities that may be available to us in the market.
Government intervention and the possibility of future government intervention have created uncertainty in the insurance and reinsurance markets. Government regulators are generally concerned with the protection of policyholders to the exclusion of other constituencies, including shareholders of insurers and reinsurers.
While we cannot predict the exact nature, timing or scope of possible governmental initiatives, such proposals could adversely affect our business by, among other things:
providing insurance and reinsurance capacity in markets and to consumers that we target,
e.g.
, the creation or expansion of a state or federal catastrophe funds such as those in Florida;
requiring our participation in industry pools and guarantee associations;
expanding the scope of coverage under existing policies;
regulating the terms of insurance and reinsurance policies; or
disproportionately benefiting the companies of one country over those of another.
Government intervention has recently taken the form of financial support of certain companies in our industry. Governmental support of individual competitors can lead to increased pricing pressure, a distortion of market dynamics, and ultimately prolonging the current period of soft market conditions. The insurance
industry is also affected by political, judicial and legal developments that may create new and expanded theories of liability, which may result in unexpected claims frequency and severity and delays or cancellations of products and services by insureds, insurers and reinsurers which could adversely affect our business.
For further information regarding government regulation and/or intervention in response to the financial and credit crises, see risk factor entitled There can be no assurance as to the effect that governmental actions will have on such markets generally or on us in particular, above.
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Consolidation in the insurance industry could adversely impact us.
Insurance industry participants may seek to consolidate through mergers and acquisitions. Continued consolidation within the insurance industry will further enhance the already competitive underwriting environment as we would likely experience more robust competition from larger, better capitalized competitors. These
consolidated entities may use their enhanced market power and broader capital base to negotiate price reductions for our products and services, and reduce their use of reinsurance, and as such, we may experience rate declines and possibly write less business.
Risks Related to Regulation
The regulatory regimes under which we operate, and potential changes thereto, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries operate in 24 countries around the world as well as in all 50 U.S. states. Our operations in each of these jurisdictions are subject to varying degrees of regulation and supervision. The laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are
domiciled require, among other things, that these subsidiaries maintain minimum levels of statutory capital, surplus and liquidity, meet solvency standards, submit to periodic examinations of their financial condition and restrict payments of dividends and reductions of capital. Statutes, regulations and policies that our insurance
and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to may also restrict the ability of these subsidiaries to write insurance and reinsurance policies, make certain investments and distribute funds.
In recent years, the U.S. insurance regulatory framework has come under increased federal scrutiny. In addition, some state legislatures have considered or enacted laws that may alter or increase state regulation of insurance and reinsurance companies and holding companies. Moreover, the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners, which is the organization of insurance regulators from the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the four U.S. territories, as well as state insurance regulators regularly reexamine existing laws and regulations.
The European Commission is in the process of implementing changes to the prudential regulation of European insurers with a timeline to achieve full compliance by 2012. There remains significant uncertainty as to the impact of these efforts however such impacts could include the requirement for additional capital or
security to be provided in certain jurisdictions which may impact profitability.
We may not be able to comply fully with, or obtain desired exemptions from, revised statutes, regulations and policies that govern the conduct of our business. Failure to comply with, or to obtain desired authorizations and/or exemptions under, any applicable laws could result in restrictions on our ability to do business
or undertake activities that are regulated in one or more of the jurisdictions in which we operate and could subject us to fines and other sanctions. In addition, changes in the laws or regulations to which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject, or in the interpretations thereof by enforcement or regulatory
agencies, could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, if the proposed redomestication to Ireland discussed below is effected, we will be an Irish Company and will be required to comply with numerous Irish and European Union laws and regulations as from time to time in effect, which may have a
material adverse effect on XLs financial condition and results of operations.
If our Bermuda operating subsidiaries become subject to insurance statutes and regulations in jurisdictions other than Bermuda or if there is a change in Bermuda law or regulations or the application of Bermuda law or regulations, there could be a significant and negative impact on our business.
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, two of our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, are registered Bermuda Class 4 insurers. As such, they are subject to regulation and supervision in Bermuda. Bermuda insurance statutes and the regulations and policies of the Bermuda Monetary Authority require XL Insurance
(Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd to, among other things:
maintain a minimum level of capital and surplus;
maintain solvency margins and liquidity ratios;
restrict dividends and distributions;
obtain prior approval regarding the ownership and transfer of shares;
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maintain a principal office and appoint and maintain a principal representative in Bermuda;
file an annual statutory financial return;
file annual audited financial statements in accordance with applicable GAAP or International Financial Reporting Standards;
file annual Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement (BSCR), a risk-based capital adequacy model, and capital and solvency return;
allow for the performance of certain periodic examinations of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd and their respective financial conditions.
These statutes and regulations may restrict our ability to write insurance and reinsurance policies, distribute funds and pursue our investment strategy.
In 2008, the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) introduced new risk-based capital standards for insurance companies as a tool to assist the BMA both in measuring risk and in determining appropriate levels of capitalization. The amended Bermuda insurance statutes or regulations pursuant to the new risk-based
supervisory approach required additional filings by insurers to be made to the BMA for the year ended December 31, 2009. The required statutory capital and surplus of our Bermuda-based operating subsidiaries increased under the BSCR. While our Bermuda-based operating subsidiaries currently have excess capital and
surplus under these new requirements, there can be no assurance that such requirement or similar regulations, in their current form or as may be amended in the future, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The process of obtaining licenses is very time consuming and costly and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd may not be able to become licensed in jurisdictions other than Bermuda should we choose to do so. The modification of the conduct of our business that would result if we were required or chose to
become licensed in certain jurisdictions could significantly and negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our inability to comply with insurance statutes and regulations could significantly and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by limiting our ability to conduct
business as well as subjecting us to penalties and fines.
Because XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd are Bermuda companies, they are subject to changes in Bermuda law and regulation that may have an adverse impact on our operations, including through the imposition of tax liability or increased regulatory supervision. In addition, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and
XL Re Ltd will be exposed to any changes in the political environment in Bermuda, including, without limitation, changes as a result of the independence issues which have been discussed in Bermuda in recent years. While we cannot predict the future impact on our operations of changes in the laws and regulation to which
we are or may become subject, any such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in current accounting practices and future pronouncements may materially impact our reported financial results.
Unanticipated developments in accounting practices may require us to incur considerable additional expenses to comply with such developments, particularly if we are required to prepare information relating to prior periods for comparative purposes or to apply the new requirements retroactively. The impact of changes in
current accounting practices and future pronouncements cannot be predicted but may affect the calculation of net income, net equity and other relevant financial statement line items and the timing of when impairments and other charges are tested or taken. In particular, recent guidance and ongoing projects put in place by
standard setters globally have indicated a possible move away from the current insurance accounting models toward more fair value based models which could introduce significant volatility in the earnings of insurance industry participants.
Risks Related to Taxation
We and our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries may become subject to U.S. tax, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and your investment.
We take the position that neither we nor any of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries are engaged in a U.S. trade or business through a U.S. permanent establishment. Accordingly, we take the position that none
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of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries should be subject to U.S. tax (other than U.S. excise tax on insurance and reinsurance premium income attributable to insuring or reinsuring U.S. risks and U.S. withholding tax on some types of U.S. source investment income). However, because there is considerable uncertainty as to the
activities that constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the United States, we cannot be certain that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) will not contend successfully that we or any of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business in the United States. If we or any of our non-
U.S. insurance subsidiaries were considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States, any such entity could be subject to U.S. corporate income and additional branch profits taxes on the portion of its earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business, in which case our financial condition and results of
operations could be materially adversely affected.
Changes in U.S. tax law might adversely affect an investment in our shares.
The tax treatment of non-U.S. companies and their U.S. and non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries has been the subject of Congressional discussion and legislative proposals. For example, one legislative proposal would impose additional limits on the deductibility of interest by foreign-owned U.S. corporations. Another
legislative proposal would modify the standards which indicate when a non-U.S. corporation might be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it were considered to be primarily managed and controlled in the U.S. In addition, in 2009, legislation was proposed in the U.S. that would severely restrict
the ability of a company to utilize affiliate reinsurance to manage its U.S. risks and capital position. In general, the legislation as proposed in the House of Representatives (a virtually identical Senate Finance Draft release was issued in 2008), would permanently disallow the deduction for premiums ceded to affiliates, to the
extent the reinsurance exceeded industry aggregate levels of unrelated party reinsurance, calculated on a statutory line of business basis. The U.S. 2011 Fiscal Year Budget, issued on February 1, 2010, includes a provision that would disallow tax deductions for affiliate reinsurance premiums paid (net of ceding commissions) in
excess of 50% of written premium, determined on a statutory line of business basis. If any of these proposals is enacted, the associated impact could have an adverse impact on us or our shareholders. It is possible that other legislative proposals could emerge in the future that could also have an adverse impact on us or our
shareholders. We cannot assure you that future legislative action will not increase the amount of U.S. tax payable by us. If this happens, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Additionally, the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations, including those regarding whether a company is engaged in a trade or business (or has a permanent establishment) within the United States or is a PFIC, or whether U.S. holders would be required to include in their gross income subpart F income or the
RPII of a CFC, are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. There are currently no regulations regarding the application of the PFIC rules to insurance companies and the regulations regarding RPII are still in proposed form. New regulations or pronouncements interpreting or clarifying such rules may be forthcoming.
We cannot be certain if, when or in what form such regulations or pronouncements may be provided and whether such guidance will have a retroactive effect.
There is U.S. income tax risk associated with reinsurance between U.S. insurance companies and their Bermuda affiliates.
As discussed above, Congress has periodically considered legislation intended to eliminate certain perceived tax advantages of non-U.S. insurance companies and U.S. insurance companies with non-U.S. affiliates, including perceived tax benefits resulting principally from reinsurance between or among U.S. insurance
companies and their non-U.S. affiliates. In this regard, section 845 of the Code was amended in 2004 to permit the IRS to reallocate, recharacterize or adjust items of income, deduction or certain other items related to a reinsurance agreement between related parties to reflect the proper amount, source or character for each
item (in contrast to prior law, which only covered source and character). If the IRS were to successfully challenge our reinsurance arrangements under section 845, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected and the price of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected.
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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is considering measures that might change the manner in which we are taxed.
On July 17, 2008, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (the OECD) issued the final version of its Report on the Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments (the Report). The Report is the final report on the OECDs project to establish a broad consensus regarding the interpretation
and practical application of Article 7 of the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital (Article 7). Article 7 sets forth international tax principles for attributing profits to a permanent establishment and forms the basis of an extensive network of bilateral income tax treaties between OECD member countries
and between many OECD member and non-member countries. Part IV of the Report addresses the attribution of profits to a permanent establishment of an enterprise that conducts insurance activities.
The OECD has undertaken to implement the conclusions of the Report in two phases. First, to provide improved certainty for the interpretation of existing treaties based on the current text of Article 7, the OECD has revised the commentary to the current version of Article 7 to take into account the conclusions of the
Report that do not conflict with the existing interpretation of Article 7 reflected in the previous commentary. Second, to reflect the full conclusions of the Report, the OECD intends to issue a new version of Article 7 and related commentary to be used in the negotiation of new treaties and amendments to existing treaties. A
discussion draft of the new Article 7 and related commentary was released on July 7, 2008. A revised draft was released on November 24, 2009 and the final version of this new Article 7 and related commentary is expected to be released at a later date. The final version of new Article 7 and related commentary might
include provisions that could change the manner in which we are taxed.
If an investor acquires 10% or more of our ordinary shares, it may be subject to taxation under the controlled foreign corporation (the CFC) rules.
Under certain circumstances, a U.S. person who owns 10% or more of the voting power of a foreign corporation that is a CFC (a foreign corporation in which 10% U.S. shareholders own more than 50% of the voting power of the foreign corporation or more than 25% of a foreign insurance company) for an
uninterrupted period of 30 days or more during a taxable year must include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes such 10% U.S. Shareholders pro rata share of the CFCs subpart F income, even if the subpart F income is not distributed to such 10% U.S. Shareholder, if such 10% U.S. Shareholder owns
(directly or indirectly through foreign entities) any shares of the foreign corporation on the last day of the corporations taxable year. Subpart F income of a foreign insurance corporation typically includes foreign personal holding company income (such as interest, dividends and other types of passive income), as well as
insurance and reinsurance income (including underwriting and investment income) attributable to the insurance of risks situated outside the CFCs country of incorporation. Ownership of our equity security units by a U.S. person may cause such person to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of our
ordinary shares prior to the purchase contract settlement date. For purposes of interpreting the voting restrictions in our Articles of Association, we intend to treat the ordinary shares issuable upon settlement of a purchase contract underlying a unit as currently owned by the holder of that unit.
We believe that because of the dispersion of our share ownership, provisions in our organizational documents that limit voting power and other factors, no U.S. person or U.S. partnership that acquires our shares directly or indirectly through one or more foreign entities should be required to include its subpart F income
in income under the CFC rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). It is possible, however, that the IRS could challenge the effectiveness of these provisions and that a court could sustain such a challenge, in which case an investors investment could be materially adversely affected, if the
investor is considered to own 10% or more of our shares.
U.S. Persons who hold shares will be subject to adverse tax consequences if we are considered to be a Passive Foreign Investment Company (a PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If we are considered a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. person who owns any of our shares will be subject to adverse tax consequences, including a greater tax liability than might otherwise apply and tax on amounts in advance of when tax would otherwise be imposed, in which case an investors
investment could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if we were considered a PFIC, upon the
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death of any U.S. individual owning shares, such individuals heirs or estate would not be entitled to a step-up in the basis of the shares which might otherwise be available under U.S. federal income tax laws. We believe that we are not, have not been, and currently do not expect to become, a PFIC for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. We cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that we will not be deemed a PFIC by the IRS. If we were considered a PFIC, it could have material adverse tax consequences for an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation. There are currently no regulations regarding the application of the PFIC
provisions to an insurance company. New regulations or pronouncements interpreting or clarifying these rules may be forthcoming. We cannot predict what impact, if any, such guidance would have on an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation.
There are U.S. income tax risks associated with the related person insurance income of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries.
If (i) the related person insurance income, which we refer to as RPII, of any one of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries were to equal or exceed 20% of that subsidiarys gross insurance income in any taxable year and (ii) U.S. persons were treated as owning 25% or more of the subsidiarys stock (by vote or value), a
U.S. person who owns any ordinary shares, directly or indirectly, on the last day of such taxable year on which the 25% threshold is met would be required to include in its income for U.S. federal income tax purposes that persons ratable share of that subsidiarys RPII for the taxable year, determined as if that RPII were
distributed proportionately only to U.S. holders at that date, regardless of whether that income is distributed. The amount of RPII earned by a subsidiary (generally premium and related investment income from the direct or indirect insurance or reinsurance of any direct or indirect U.S. holder of shares of that subsidiary or any
person related to that holder) would depend on a number of factors, including the identity of persons directly or indirectly insured or reinsured by that subsidiary. Although we do not believe that the 20% threshold will be met in respect of any of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries, some of the factors that may affect the
result in any period may be beyond our control. Consequently, we cannot provide absolute assurance that we will not exceed the RPII threshold in any taxable year.
The RPII rules provide that if a holder who is a U.S. person disposes of shares in a non-U.S. insurance corporation that had RPII (even if the 20% gross income threshold was not met) and met the 25% ownership threshold at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition, and the holder owned
any stock at such time, any gain from the disposition will generally be treated as a dividend to the extent of the holders share (taking into account certain rules for determining a U.S. holders share of RPII) of the corporations undistributed earnings and profits that were accumulated during the period that the holder owned
the shares (possibly whether or not those earnings and profits are attributable to RPII). In addition, such a shareholder will be required to comply with specified reporting requirements, regardless of the amount of shares owned. We believe that these rules should not apply to dispositions of our ordinary shares because XL
Capital is not itself directly engaged in the insurance business. We cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the IRS will not successfully assert that these rules apply to dispositions of our ordinary shares.
We and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries may become subject to taxes in Bermuda after March 28, 2016, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and your investment.
We and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries have received from the Ministry of Finance in Bermuda exemptions from any Bermuda taxes that might be imposed on profits, income or any capital asset, gain or appreciation until March 28, 2016. The exemptions are subject to the proviso that they are not construed so as to
prevent the application of any tax or duty to such persons as are ordinarily resident in Bermuda (we and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are not so currently designated) and to prevent the application of any tax payable in accordance with the provisions of The Land Tax Act 1967 or otherwise payable in relation to the
land leased to us and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries. We, as a permit company under The Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, have received similar exemptions, which are effective until March 28, 2016. Our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are required to pay certain annual Bermuda government fees and certain business
fees as an insurer under The Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda. Currently there is no Bermuda withholding tax on dividends paid by our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries to us. Given the limited duration of the Ministry of Finances assurance, we cannot be certain that we or our Bermuda insurance
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subsidiaries will not be subject to any Bermuda tax after March 28, 2016. Such taxation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our ordinary shares.
We may become subject to taxes in the Cayman Islands after June 2, 2018, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and your investment.
Under current Cayman Islands law, we are not obligated to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on our income or gains. We have received an undertaking from the Governor-in-Council of the Cayman Islands pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Concessions Law, as amended, that until June 2, 2018, (i) no subsequently
enacted law imposing any tax on profits, income, gains or appreciation shall apply to us and (ii) no such tax and no tax in the nature of an estate duty or an inheritance tax shall be payable on any of our ordinary shares, debentures or other obligations. Under current law, no tax will be payable on the transfer or other
disposition of our ordinary shares. The Cayman Islands currently impose stamp duties on certain categories of documents; however, our current operations do not involve the payment of stamp duties in any material amount. The Cayman Islands also currently impose an annual corporate fee upon all exempted companies
incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Given the limited duration of the undertaking from the Governor-in-Council of the Cayman Islands, we cannot be certain that we will not be subject to any Cayman Islands tax after June 2, 2018. Such taxation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of
operations and your investment. As outlined in the Redomestication Proxy Statement it is proposed that XL Capital Ltd will become tax resident in Ireland with effect from July 1, 2010.
Risks Related to our Ordinary Shares
Provisions in our Articles of Association may reduce the voting rights of our ordinary shares.
Our Articles of Association generally provide that shareholders have one vote for each ordinary share held by them and are entitled to vote, on a non-cumulative basis, at all meetings of shareholders. However, the voting power that may be exercised by certain persons or groups may not equal or exceed 10% or more of
the voting power conferred by our shares.
In particular, our Articles of Association provide that if, and for so long as, the votes conferred by the Controlled Shares (as defined below) of any person constitute 10% or more of the votes conferred by all our issued shares, the voting rights with respect to the Controlled Shares of such person shall be limited, in the
aggregate, to a voting power equal to approximately (but slightly less than) 10%, pursuant to a formula set forth in the our Articles of Association. Controlled Shares of a person (as defined in our Articles of Association) include (1) all of our shares owned directly, indirectly or constructively by that person (within the
meaning of Section 958 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), and (2) all of our shares owned directly, indirectly or constructively by that person or any group of which that person is a part, within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act). If the redomestication is completed, the Articles of Association of XL- Ireland will contain the same provision.
Provisions in our Articles of Association may restrict the ownership and transfer of our ordinary shares.
Our Articles of Association provide that our Board of Directors shall decline to register a transfer of shares if it appears to our Board of Directors, whether before or after such transfer, that the effect of such transfer would be to increase the number of Controlled Shares of any person to 10% or more of any class of our
voting shares, of our total issued shares, or of the total voting power of our total issued shares. If the redomestication transaction is completed, the Articles of Association of XL- Ireland will contain the same provision.
Certain provisions in our charter documents could, among other things, impede an attempt to replace our directors or to effect a change of control, which could diminish the value of our ordinary shares.
Our Articles of Association contain provisions that may make it more difficult for shareholders to replace directors and could delay or prevent a change of control that a shareholder may consider favorable. These provisions include a staggered board of directors, limitations on the ability of shareholders to remove
directors, limitations on voting rights and certain transfer restrictions on our ordinary shares. See Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities,
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under Part II, Item 5 of this report. In addition, insurance regulations in certain jurisdictions may also delay or prevent a change of control or limit the ability of a shareholder to acquire in excess of specified amounts of our ordinary shares. For additional information regarding impediments to a change of control of the
Company as a result of the proposed redomestication, see the risk factor entitled After the Redomestication, attempted takeovers of XL will be subject to the Irish Takeover Rules and subject to review by the Irish Takeover Panel below.
It may be difficult to enforce judgments against XL Capital Ltd or its directors and executive officers.
XL Capital Ltd is incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands and our principal executive offices are in Bermuda. Similarly, following the proposed redomestication, XL-Ireland will be incorporated pursuant to the laws of Ireland. In addition, certain of our directors and officers reside outside the United States
and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of such directors and officers are located outside the United States. As such, it may be difficult or impossible to effect service of process within the United States upon those persons or to recover on judgments of U.S. courts against us or our directors and officers,
including judgments predicated upon civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws. We have been advised by our Cayman counsel that there is doubt as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would enforce:
judgments of U.S. courts based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws obtained in actions against XL Capital Ltd or its directors and officers who reside outside the United States; or
original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against these persons or XL Capital Ltd predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.
We have also been advised that there is no treaty in effect between the United States and the Cayman Islands providing for such enforcement and there are grounds upon which Cayman Islands courts may not enforce judgments of United States courts. Some remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions,
including some remedies available under U.S. federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Cayman Islands courts as contrary to public policy.
In connection with the proposed redomestication, we have been advised that there is no treaty between Ireland and the United States providing for the reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments. The following requirements must be met before the foreign judgment will be deemed to be enforceable in Ireland:
The judgment must be for a definite sum;
The judgment must be final and conclusive; and
The judgment must be provided by a court of competent jurisdiction.
An Irish court will also exercise its right to refuse judgment if the foreign judgment was obtained by fraud, if the judgment violated Irish public policy, if the judgment is in breach of natural justice or if it is irreconcilable with an earlier foreign judgment.
U.S. persons who own our ordinary shares may have more difficulty protecting their interests than U.S. persons who are shareholders of a U.S. corporation.
The law applicable to companies established in the Cayman Islands, under which we are governed, differs in certain material respects from laws generally applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. These differences include the manner in which directors must disclose transactions in which they have an interest
and their ability to vote notwithstanding a conflict of interest, the rights of shareholders to bring class action and derivative lawsuits and the scope of indemnification available to directors and officers. In addition, the law applicable to companies established in Ireland, under which we have proposed to be governed pursuant to
the redomestication, also differs in certain material respects from laws currently applicable to us as a Cayman Islands corporation. For additional information, see Risk Factors Related to the Redomestication below.
Risks Related to the Redomestication
For purposes of the following risk factors, Redomestication refers collectively to the proposed redomestication transaction. As described in greater detail in the Redomestication Proxy Statement,
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whereby, if the necessary approval of our ordinary shareholders and the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands have been obtained and the other conditions have been satisfied, then the ordinary shares of XL-Cayman will be cancelled and shareholders will receive, on a one-for-one basis, new ordinary shares of XL-
Ireland (the Ordinary Share Exchange), and, if the requisite approvals of the Series C and Series E preference shareholders and the Cayman Court have been obtained and the other applicable conditions satisfied, the cancellation of the preference shares of XL-Cayman in exchange for new preference shares of XL-
Ireland on a one-for-one basis. Effective Time refers to the date on which the Ordinary Share Exchange becomes effective, which is currently expected to be July 1, 2010, but could be later.
Your rights as an ordinary shareholder will change as a result of the Ordinary Share Exchange due to differences between Irish law and Cayman Islands law.
Because of differences between Irish law and Cayman Islands law, we will become subject to new legal requirements if the Ordinary Share Exchange is consummated. In addition, your rights as an ordinary shareholder will change if the Ordinary Share Exchange is consummated.
Among other differences, under Irish law there will be additional limitations on the payment of dividends and the repurchase of shares, the authority of the Board to issue new shares must be approved by the ordinary shareholders at least every five years, and certain shareholder resolutions will require the affirmative vote
of a higher or lower percentage of the ordinary shares voting. We discuss these and other differences in detail in the Redomestication Proxy Statement under the headings Description of XL Group plc Share Capital and Comparison of Rights of Shareholders and Powers of the Board of Directors.
Legislative or regulatory action could materially and adversely affect us after the Redomestication or eliminate or reduce some of the anticipated benefits of the Redomestication.
Our tax position could be adversely impacted by changes in tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof by the tax authorities in Ireland, the United States and other jurisdictions following the Transaction, and such changes may be more likely or become more likely in view of
recent economic trends in such jurisdictions, particularly if such trends continue. For example, Ireland has suffered from the consequences of worldwide adverse economic conditions and the credit ratings on its debt have been downgraded. Such changes could cause a material and adverse change in our worldwide effective tax
rate and we may have to take further action, at potentially significant expense, to seek to mitigate the effect of such changes. Any future amendments to the current income tax treaties between Ireland and other jurisdictions, including the United States, could subject us to increased taxation and/or potentially significant
expense. We cannot assure you that the Transaction will eliminate the risk that these changes, if made, will apply to us.
The Transaction may not allow us to maintain a competitive worldwide effective corporate tax rate.
We believe the Transaction should permit us to maintain a competitive worldwide effective tax rate. However, we cannot provide any assurance as to what our worldwide effective tax rate will be after the Transaction because of, among other things, uncertainty regarding the amount of business activities in any particular
jurisdiction in the future and the tax laws of such jurisdictions. Our actual worldwide effective tax rate may vary from our expectation and that variation may be material.
If the Redomestication becomes effective but our ordinary shareholders do not approve the Distributable Reserves Proposal, or if the Irish High Court does not approve the creation of distributable reserves in XL-Ireland, XL-Ireland will not be able to pay dividends or redeem or buy back shares following the
Redomestication unless and until we generate earnings after the Effective Time, and only to the extent of such earnings.
Under Irish law, dividends must be paid and share redemptions and buy backs generally must be funded out of distributable reserves, which XL-Ireland will not have immediately following the Effective Time. If the Ordinary Share Exchange is approved, the XL-Cayman ordinary shareholders will also be asked at the
extraordinary general meeting to approve the creation of distributable reserves in XL-Ireland (the Distributable Reserves Proposal). Creation of distributable reserves in XL-Ireland is being sought in connection with the Redomestication so that we would continue to be able to pay dividends and redeem and buy back shares,
before we generate sufficient post-Redomestication earnings as would otherwise be necessary under Irish law.
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If our ordinary shareholders approve such proposal and the Ordinary Share Exchange is consummated, we will seek to obtain the approval of the Irish High Court, as required for the creation of distributable reserves through a reduction of XL-Irelands share premium account. Although we are not aware of any reason
why the Irish High Court would not approve the creation of distributable reserves, the issuance of the required order is a matter for the discretion of the Irish High Court and there can be no assurance if or when such approval will be obtained. Even if the Irish High Court does approve the creation of distributable reserves, it
may take substantially longer than we anticipate and the Irish High Court may not approve the reduction of the share premium account in the entire amount sought by XL.
Approval of the Distributable Reserves Proposal by our ordinary shareholders is not a condition to the scheme of arrangement becoming effective, but in the absence of Irish High Court approval of the creation of distributable reserves, we would not continue to be able to pay dividends and redeem and buy back shares
before we generate sufficient post-Redomestication earnings, as would otherwise be necessary under Irish law. Further, we are seeking the approval of at least 75% of all ordinary shares present and voting, in person or by proxy, to increase the likelihood of obtaining Irish High Court approval with respect to the creation of
distributable reserves in XL-Ireland because such higher approval threshold would be required if the vote on the Distributable Reserves Proposal were being conducted under Irish law.
If the XL-Cayman ordinary shareholders approve the proposal to effect the Ordinary Share Exchange but do not approve the Distributable Reserves Proposal and the Redomestication is consummated, or if the Irish High Court does not approve the creation of distributable reserves, XL-Ireland will not have sufficient
distributable reserves to pay dividends or to buy back or redeem shares unless and until we generate earnings after the Effective Time, and only to the extent of such earnings. In addition, the Board may determine not to proceed with the Redomestication for any reason, including because the Distributable Reserves Proposal is
not approved or is approved by holders of fewer than 75% of all ordinary shares present and voting, in person or by proxy.
As a result of different shareholder voting requirements in Ireland relative to the Cayman Islands, we will have less flexibility with respect to certain aspects of capital management.
Under Cayman Islands law, our Board may issue, without shareholder approval, any shares authorized in our memorandum of association that are not already issued. Irish law allows shareholders to authorize a Board of Directors to subsequently issue shares without shareholder approval, but this authorization must be
renewed after five years. Additionally, subject to specified exceptions, Irish law grants statutory pre-emption rights to existing ordinary shareholders to subscribe for new issuances of shares for cash, but allows such shareholders to authorize the waiver of such statutory pre-emption rights for five years. Prior to the Effective
Time, the articles of association of XL-Ireland will provide such authority to the Board of Directors of XL-Ireland to issue shares without further shareholder approval and a waiver of these statutory pre-emption rights for a period of five years in each such case. These authorizations expire after five years, unless renewed by
XL-Irelands shareholders, and we can provide no assurance that these authorizations and waivers will always be renewed, which could limit our ability to issue equity in the future. While we do not believe that the differences between Cayman Islands law and Irish law relating to our capital management will have a material
and adverse effect on us, situations may arise where the flexibility we now have in the Cayman Islands would have provided benefits to our shareholders that will not be available in Ireland.
As a result of different shareholder voting requirements in Ireland relative to the Cayman Islands, we will have less flexibility with respect to our ability to amend our constituent documents and to take other actions requiring a special resolution of our shareholders than we now have.
Under Cayman Islands law and our current articles of association, our memorandum and articles of association may be amended by a special resolution of our ordinary shareholders, which requires approval by not less than 2/3 of the votes cast by XL-Caymans ordinary shareholders at a general meeting of such
shareholders at which holders of at least 2/3 of all ordinary shares are present. Under Irish law and the XL-Ireland articles of association, the special resolution required to amend XL-Irelands memorandum and articles of association will require the approval of not less than 75% of the votes cast by XL-Irelands ordinary
shareholders at a general meeting of such shareholders at which holders of at least 2/3 of all XL-Ireland ordinary shares are present. Additional corporate actions that require approval by special resolution in both the Cayman Islands and Ireland include, but are not limited to, approval of a name change,
49
approval of a reduction in share capital and approval of the winding-up of a company. As a result of the increased approval requirement for passage of a special resolution in Ireland, situations may arise where the flexibility we now have in the Cayman Islands would have provided benefits to our shareholders that will not be
available in Ireland.
We may be required to pay additional amounts in respect of dividends on our preference shares or interest payments on our debt after completion of the Redomestication.
After the Redomestication, XL-Ireland and/or its subsidiaries may have an obligation to pay additional amounts to our preference shareholders and holders of our debt under certain circumstances. Specifically, under Irish tax law, and subject to exceptions, dividends and interest are generally subject to a withholding tax
(currently at 20%), which could trigger an obligation to pay additional amounts with respect to our preference shares and debt obligations. We do not expect such obligations to be material, as we believe our current preference shareholders and the holders of our debt generally should qualify for dividend and interest
withholding tax exceptions, respectively. However, we are unable to predict the costs of such obligations or exclude as a possibility that the obligations to pay additional amounts could be material at some time in the future.
If the Cayman Court does not sanction the scheme of arrangement, XL-Cayman will not have the ability to effect the Redomestication.
We cannot proceed with the Transaction unless the Cayman Court sanctions the scheme of arrangement after conducting a hearing. Assuming that the scheme of arrangement meetings are conducted in accordance with the Cayman Courts order and that the ordinary shareholders approve the proposal to effect the Ordinary
Share Exchange by the majority required by the Cayman Companies Law, we are not aware of any reason why the Cayman Court would not sanction the scheme of arrangement. Nevertheless, the Cayman Courts sanction is a matter for its discretion and there can be no assurance if or when such sanction will be obtained.
If the Cayman Court does not sanction the scheme of arrangement, XL-Cayman will be unable to effect the Redomestication, even if the requisite ordinary shareholders have approved the scheme of arrangement. In addition, the Cayman Court may impose such conditions, modifications or amendments as it deems
appropriate in relation to the scheme of arrangement, but may not impose any material changes without the joint consent of XL-Cayman and XL-Ireland. If such conditions, modifications or amendments are imposed, XL will be unable to effect the Redomestication without amending the scheme of arrangement, which,
depending on the nature of such conditions, modifications or amendments, might require new shareholder approvals.
After the Redomestication, attempted takeovers of XL will be subject to the Irish Takeover Rules and subject to review by the Irish Takeover Panel.
After the Redomestication, we will become subject to the Irish Takeover Rules, under which the Board of Directors of XL-Ireland will not be permitted to take any action which might frustrate an offer for the XL-Ireland shares once the Board of Directors has received an offer or has reason to believe an offer is or
may be imminent without the approval of more than 50% of shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of XL-Irelands shareholders and/or the consent of the Irish Takeover Panel. This could limit the ability of the Board of Directors of XL-Ireland to take defensive actions even if the Board of Directors believes that
such defensive actions would be in the best interests of XL and its shareholders.
The Irish Takeover Rules also could discourage an investor from acquiring 30% or more of the outstanding ordinary shares of XL-Ireland unless such investor were prepared to make a bid to acquire all outstanding ordinary shares. Further, it could be more difficult for XL-Ireland to obtain shareholder approval for a
merger or negotiated transaction after the Redomestication because the shareholder approval requirements for certain types of transactions differ, and in some cases are greater, under Irish law than under Cayman Islands law.
After the Redomestication, a future transfer of your XL-Ireland ordinary shares, other than one effected by means of the transfer of book entry interests in DTC, may be subject to Irish stamp duty.
Transfers of XL-Ireland ordinary shares effected by means of the transfer of book entry interests in DTC will not be subject to Irish stamp duty. It is anticipated that the majority of XL-Ireland ordinary
50
shares will be traded through DTC, either directly or through brokers who hold such ordinary shares on behalf of customers through DTC. However, if you hold your XL-Ireland ordinary shares directly rather than beneficially through DTC (or through a broker that holds your ordinary shares through DTC), any transfer of
your XL-Ireland ordinary shares could be subject to Irish stamp duty (currently at the rate of 1% of the higher of the price paid or the market value of the ordinary shares acquired). Payment of Irish stamp duty is generally a legal obligation of the transferee. The potential for stamp duty could adversely affect the price of our
ordinary shares.
After the Redomestication, dividends you receive may be subject to Irish dividend withholding tax and Irish income tax.
Dividend withholding tax (currently at a rate of 20%) may arise in respect of dividends paid on XL-Ireland ordinary shares. However, a number of exemptions from dividend withholding tax exist such that ordinary shareholders resident in the U.S. and ordinary shareholders resident in the countries listed in Annex F
attached to the Redomestication Proxy Statement may be entitled to exemptions from dividend withholding tax if they complete and file certain dividend withholding tax forms. Ordinary shareholders resident in the U.S. that hold their ordinary shares through DTC will not be subject to dividend withholding tax provided the
addresses of the beneficial owners of such ordinary shares in the records of the brokers holding such ordinary shares are in the U.S. (so that such brokers can further transmit the relevant information to a qualifying intermediary appointed by XL-Ireland). Similarly, ordinary shareholders resident in the U.S. that hold their
ordinary shares outside of DTC will not be subject to dividend withholding tax if such ordinary shareholders held ordinary shares in XL-Cayman on January 12, 2010 and they have provided a valid Form W-9 showing a U.S. address to XL-Irelands transfer agent. However, other ordinary shareholders may be subject to
dividend withholding tax, which could adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares.
In addition, ordinary shareholders entitled to an exemption from Irish dividend withholding tax on dividends received from XL-Ireland should not be subject to Irish income tax in respect of those dividends, unless they have some connection with Ireland other than their ordinary shareholding in XL- Ireland. Ordinary
shareholders who receive dividends subject to Irish dividend withholding tax will generally have no further liability to Irish income tax on those dividends unless they have some connection with Ireland other than their ordinary shareholding in XL-Ireland.
The Redomestication will result in additional direct and indirect costs, even if it is not consummated.
We will incur additional costs and expenses in connection with and as a result of the Redomestication. These costs and expenses include professional fees to comply with Irish corporate and tax laws and financial reporting requirements (including the need to provide annual financial statements complying with Irish
requirements commencing with respect to XL-Irelands 2014 fiscal year), costs and expenses incurred in connection with holding a majority of the meetings of the XL-Ireland Board of Directors and certain executive management meetings in Ireland, as well as any additional costs we may incur going forward as a result of
our new corporate structure. In addition, we have incurred and expect to incur further legal fees, accounting fees, filing fees, mailing expenses and financial printing expenses in connection with the Redomestication, even if the proposal to effect the Ordinary Share Exchange is not approved or the Redomestication is not
consummated.
The market for the XL-Ireland ordinary shares may differ from the market for the XL-Cayman ordinary shares.
We will continue to list our ordinary shares on the NYSE under the symbol XL, the same trading symbol as the XL-Cayman ordinary shares. The market price, trading volume or volatility of the XL-Ireland ordinary shares could be different from those of the XL-Cayman ordinary shares.
Based on the recent experience of other companies, the change in our place of incorporation will likely result in XL being removed from the S&P 500 index and certain other indices, which could result in a negative impact on our ordinary share price if index-modeled shareholders are required to sell our ordinary shares.
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UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
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None.
51
PROPERTIES
The Company operates in Bermuda, the United States, Europe and various other locations around the world. In 1997, the Company acquired commercial real estate in Hamilton, Bermuda for the purpose of securing long-term office space for its worldwide headquarters. The development was completed in April 2001. The
total cost of this development, including land, was approximately $126.6 million. The Company has subsequently sub-leased portions of this property as a part of its broader expense reduction initiatives.
In July 2003, the Company acquired new offices at 70 Gracechurch Street, London, which have become the Companys new London headquarters. The acquisition was made through a purchase, sale and leaseback transaction. The move to the new offices was completed in 2004 and consolidated the Companys London
businesses in one location. The capital lease asset and liability associated with this transaction totaled $118.0 million at December 31, 2009.
The majority of all other office facilities throughout the world that are occupied by the Company and its subsidiaries are leased.
Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $34.4 million, $35.4 million and $34.5 million, respectively. See Item 8, Note 20(d) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Commitments and Contingencies Properties, for discussion of the Companys lease commitments for real
property.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
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In November 2006, a subsidiary of the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a subpoena from the SEC, both of which sought documents in connection with an investigation into the municipal GICs market and related products. In June 2008, subsidiaries of the Company also received a subpoena from the Connecticut Attorney General and an Antitrust Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Florida Attorney General in connection with a coordinated multi-state Attorneys General investigation into the matters referenced in the DOJ and SEC subpoenas. The Company is fully cooperating with these investigations.
Commencing in March 2008, the Company and two of its subsidiaries were named, along with approximately 20 other providers and insurers of municipal Guaranteed Investment Contracts and similar derivative products in the U.S. (collectively Municipal Derivatives) as well as fourteen brokers of such products, in several purported federal antitrust class actions. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that these be consolidated for pretrial purposes and assigned them to the Southern District of New York. The consolidated amended complaint filed in August 2008 alleges that there was a conspiracy among the defendants during the period from January 1, 1992 to the present to rig bids and otherwise unlawfully decrease the yield for Municipal Derivative products. The purported class of plaintiffs consists of purchasers of Municipal Derivatives. On October 21, 2008 most of the defendants filed motions to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. The District Judge granted the motions by order dated April 29, 2009, but allowed plaintiffs leave to file a second amended complaint within 20 days of the order. Plaintiffs filed a Second Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on June 18, 2009, but did not include the Company or any subsidiaries as a defendant. In addition, the Company and three subsidiaries of the Company were named in eleven individual (i.e., non-class) actions filed by various municipalities or other local government bodies in California state courts. The Defendants removed those cases to federal court and the cases were then transferred to the Southern District of New York by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. On February 9, 2010, the Company and subsidiaries filed a motion to dismiss all eleven actions and intends to vigorously defend them.
In August 2005, plaintiffs in a proposed class action (the Class Action) that was consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, captioned In re Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663, Civil Action No. 04-5184 (the MDL), filed a consolidated amended complaint (the Amended Complaint), which named as new defendants approximately 30 entities, including Greenwich Insurance Company, Indian Harbor Insurance Company and XL Capital Ltd. In the MDL, the Class Action plaintiffs asserted various claims purportedly on behalf of a class of commercial insureds against approximately 113 insurance companies and insurance brokers through which the named plaintiffs allegedly purchased insurance. The Amended Complaint alleged that the defendant insurance companies and insurance brokers conspired to manipulate bidding practices for insurance policies in certain
52
insurance lines and failed to disclose certain commission arrangements and asserted statutory claims under the Sherman Act, various state antitrust laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), as well as common law claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting a breach of
fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. By Opinion and Order dated August 31, 2007, the Court dismissed the Sherman Act claims with prejudice and, by Opinion and Order dated September 28, 2007, the Court dismissed the RICO claims with prejudice. The plaintiffs then appealed both Orders to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Third Circuit. Oral argument before the appellate court was held on April 21, 2009. In accordance with the Third Circuits April 23, 2009 directive, the parties submitted on May 13, 2009 their respective supplemental letter briefs addressing a question raised by the Court. The appeal remains pending.
Various XL entities have been named as defendants in three of the many tag-along actions that have been consolidated into the MDL for pretrial purposes. The complaints in these tag-along actions make allegations similar to those made in the Amended Complaint but do not purport to be class actions. On April 4, 2006,
a tag-along complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of New Cingular Wireless Headquarters LLC and several other corporations against approximately 100 defendants, including Greenwich Insurance Company, XL Specialty Insurance Company, XL Insurance America, Inc.,
XL Insurance Company Limited, Lloyds syndicates 861, 588 and 1209 and XL Capital Ltd.. On or about May 21, 2007, a tag-along complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of Henley Management Company, Big Bear Properties, Inc., Northbrook Properties, Inc., RCK Properties,
Inc., Kitchens, Inc., Aberfeldy LP and Payroll and Insurance Group, Inc. against multiple defendants, including XL Winterthur International. On October 12, 2007, a complaint in a third tag-along action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings
Corporation, Kmart Corporation and Lands End Inc. against many named defendants including X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance America, Inc., XL Specialty Insurance Company and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. The three tag-along actions are currently stayed. The Judge presiding over the MDL has set a conference for
March 2, 2010 to review whether he should suggest to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the remaining tag-along actions be remanded to the respective courts in which they were originally filed.
Three purported class actions on behalf of shareholders of Syncora have been filed in the Southern District of New York against the Company and one of its subsidiaries (collectively XL), Syncora, four Syncora officers, and various underwriters of Syncora securities. The Judge ordered that these be consolidated. The
consolidated amended complaint, filed in August 2008, alleges violations of the Securities Act of 1933 arising out of the secondary public offering of Syncora common shares held by XL on June 6, 2007 and sales/exchanges by Syncora of certain preferred shares as well as under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 arising
out of trading in Syncora securities during the asserted class period of March 15, 2007 to March 17, 2008. The principal allegations are that Syncora failed to appropriately and timely disclose its exposures under certain derivative contracts and insurance of tranches of structured securities. XL is named as a party that
controlled Syncora during the relevant time period. In October 2008, XL and other defendants filed motions to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint, which motions have been fully briefed. The Company intends to vigorously defend these actions.
In connection with the secondary offering of the Companys Syncora shares, the Company and Syncora each agreed to indemnify the several underwriters of that offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 for payment of legal fees and expenses, settlements and judgments
incurred with respect to litigation such as this. The Company and Syncora have agreed to each bear 50% of this indemnity obligation.
The Company is subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of its business. These lawsuits and arbitrations principally involve claims on policies of insurance and contracts of reinsurance and are typical for the Company and for the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry in general. Such
legal proceedings are considered in connection with the Companys loss and loss expense reserves. Reserves in varying amounts may or may not be established in respect of particular claims proceedings based on many factors, including the legal merits thereof. In addition to litigation relating to insurance and reinsurance
claims, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on insurance or reinsurance policies. This category of business litigation typically involves, amongst other things, allegations of underwriting errors or
misconduct, employment claims, regulatory activity, shareholder disputes or
53
disputes arising from business ventures. The status of these legal actions is actively monitored by management. The Company believes that the expected ultimate outcome of all outstanding litigation and arbitration will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, operating results and/or cash flow,
although an adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter or year.
Legal actions are subject to inherent uncertainties, and future events could change managements assessment of the probability or estimated amount of potential losses from pending or threatened legal actions. For further information in relation to legal proceedings, see Item 8, Note 20 (g) to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, Commitments and Contingencies Claims and Other Litigation.
RESERVED
Executive Officers of the Company
The table below sets forth the names, ages and titles of the persons who were the executive officers of the Company at February 26, 2010:
Name
Age
Position
Michael S. McGavick
52
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Simon Rich
46
Senior Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer (1)
James H. Veghte
53
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of Reinsurance Operations
David B. Duclos
52
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of Insurance Operations
Sarah E. Street
47
Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
Kirstin Romann Gould
43
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Susan L. Cross
49
Executive Vice President and Global Chief Actuary
Jacob D. Rosengarten
54
Executive Vice President and Chief Enterprise Risk Officer
Elizabeth L. Reeves
51
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
W. Myron Hendry
61
Executive Vice President and Chief Platform Officer
(1)
Michael S. McGavick, was appointed as Director of the Company in April 2008 and shortly prior to his commencement as the Companys Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2008. Previously, Mr. McGavick was President & CEO of the Seattle-based Safeco Corporation from January 2001 to December 2005. Prior to
joining Safeco, Mr. McGavick spent six years with the Chicago-based CNA Financial Corporation, where he held various senior executive positions before becoming President and Chief Operating Officer of the companys largest commercial insurance operating unit. Mr. McGavicks insurance industry experience also includes
two years as Director of the American Insurance Associations Superfund Improvement Project in Washington D.C. where he became the Associations lead strategist in working to transform U.S. Superfund environmental laws.
Simon Rich was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2010 in addition to his existing role of Senior Vice President and Controller of the Company, a position Mr. Rich has held since the first quarter of 2005. Prior to that Mr Rich held positions as the Finance Director of XL London Market, the
Companys Lloyds operations, Chief Financial Officer for the Companys Global Risk business and Head of Management Information for the Insurance Segment. Before joining XL in 2001, Mr. Rich worked with the financial services practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London.
James H. Veghte was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Executive of Reinsurance Operations in January 2006. Mr. Veghte has served as the Chief Executive Officer of XL Reinsurance America Inc. (XLRA) since 2004, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Companys reinsurance operations
and President, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Underwriting Officer of XL Re Ltd. Additional previously held roles with the Company include President of XL Re Latin America Ltd., Chief Operating Officer of Le Mans Re (now the French branch of XL Re Europe Ltd.), General Manager of XL Re Ltds London branch and
Executive Vice President and Underwriter of XL Mid Ocean Reinsurance Ltd in
54
During 2009, the Company and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Brian Nocco, agreed that Mr. Nocco would leave the Company effective December 31, 2009. The Company appointed Simon Rich, Controller since March 2005, to the position of Interim Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2010.
Bermuda. Prior to joining XL, Mr. Veghte was Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer of Winterthur Reinsurance Corp of America.
David B. Duclos was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Executive of Insurance Operations in April 2008. From 2006 to his appointment in April 2008, Mr. Duclos was the Chief Operating Officer of the Companys Insurance Operations and was responsible for product line underwriting, regional management and
sales, ceded reinsurance and risk management. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Duclos served as Executive Vice President of global specialty lines within the Companys Insurance Operations and in 2003, upon joining the Company, he served as Senior Vice President responsible for U.S. program operations. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Duclos worked for more than three years at Kemper Insurance Company in various senior level positions. Mr. Duclos began his career with CIGNA Corporation where he spent 21 years in various regional and national management roles in the field and home office.
Sarah E. Street was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer in October 2006. Ms. Street has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of XL Capital Investment Partners Inc. since April 2001. Prior to joining XL in 2001, Ms. Street held numerous leadership positions at
JPMorganChase and its predecessor organizations, working in a number of corporate finance units as well as in the capital markets business of the bank.
Kirstin Romann Gould was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President, General Counsel in September 2007 and this position includes her prior responsibilities as General Counsel, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary. Ms. Gould was previously Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Affairs
from July 2006 to September 2007 and has also served as Chief Corporate Legal Officer from November 2004 to July 2006, and Associate General Counsel from July 2001 to November 2004. Prior to joining the Company in 2000, Ms. Gould was associated with the law firms of Clifford Chance and Dewey Ballantine in
New York and London.
Susan L. Cross was appointed to the Companys senior leadership team in August 2008, serving as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Actuary. Ms. Cross has served as Global Chief Actuary since 2006 and previously was Chief Actuary of the Companys reinsurance operations from 2004 to 2006 and Chief
Actuary of XL Re Bermuda from 2002 to 2004. She also held various actuarial positions in the insurance and reinsurance operations of the Company from 1999 to 2002. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Cross was Principal and Consulting Actuary at Tillinghast Towers Perrin.
Jacob D. Rosengarten joined the Companys senior leadership team and was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Enterprise Risk Officer in September 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rosengarten served as Managing Director of Risk Management and Analytics for Goldman Sachs Asset Management
(GSAM) from 1998 to 2008. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Rosengarten served as Director of Risk and Quantitative Analysis at Commodities Corporation (now GSAMs Hedge Fund Strategy Unit).
Elizabeth L. Reeves was appointed to the Companys senior leadership team in June 2009, serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, where she is responsible for global compensation, employee benefits, employee relations, recruiting, learning, organizational development, performance
management, talent development, succession planning, HR information systems and Payroll. Prior to joining the Company, from August 2008 to May 2009 Ms. Reeves served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Liz Claiborne, Incorporated. Prior to that, from January 2005 to May 2008 Ms. Reeves
served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Lincoln Financial Group.
W. Myron Hendry joined the Companys senior leadership team and was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Platform Officer in December 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hendry served as Business Operations Executive of Bank of Americas Insurance Group, joining there from a merger with
Countrywide Insurance Services Group. Prior to the merger, Mr. Hendry served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for Countrywide and prior to this from 2004 to 2006 Mr Hendry served as Senior Vice President, Property and Casualty Services at Safeco. From 1971-2004, Mr. Hendry held various leadership
roles with CNA Insurance, with his last assignment being the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations.
55
MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Companys Class A ordinary shares, $0.01 par value per share, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol XL.
The following table sets forth the high, low and closing sales prices per share of the Companys Class A ordinary shares per fiscal quarter, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape:
High
Low
Close
2009:
1st Quarter
$
6.44
2.56
5.46
2nd Quarter
12.45
5.20
11.46
3rd Quarter
18.19
10.83
17.46
4th Quarter
19.03
15.78
18.33
2008:
1st Quarter
$
52.26
$
27.73
$
29.55
2nd Quarter
38.30
20.33
20.56
3rd Quarter
23.60
13.50
17.94
4th Quarter
17.94
2.65
3.70
Each Class A ordinary share has one vote, except if, and so long as, the Controlled Shares (defined below) of any person constitute ten percent (10%) or more of the issued Class A ordinary shares, the voting rights with respect to the Controlled Shares owned by such person are limited, in the aggregate, to a voting power
of approximately 10%, pursuant to a formula specified in the Companys Articles of Association. Controlled Shares includes, among other things, all Class A ordinary shares which such person is deemed to beneficially own directly, indirectly or constructively (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Section 958 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended).
The number of record holders of Class A ordinary shares as of December 31, 2009 was 357. This figure does not represent the actual number of beneficial owners of the Companys Class A ordinary shares because such shares are frequently held in street name by securities dealers and others for the benefit of individual
owners who may vote the shares.
In 2009, four quarterly dividends were paid at $0.10 per share to all ordinary shareholders of record as of March 13, June 15, September 15 and December 15. In 2008, two quarterly dividends of $0.38 per share were paid to all ordinary shareholders of record as of March 14 and June 13 and two quarterly dividends of $0.19
per share were paid to all ordinary shareholders on record as of September 12 and December 9.
The declaration and payment of future dividends by the Company will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Companys earnings, financial condition, business needs, capital and surplus requirements of the Companys operating subsidiaries and regulatory and
contractual restrictions.
As a holding company, the Companys principal source of income is dividends or other statutorily permissible payments from its subsidiaries. The ability to pay such dividends is limited by the applicable laws and regulations of the various countries in which the Company operates, including Bermuda, the U.S. and the
U.K., and those of the Society of Lloyds, and certain contractual provisions. In addition, if the proposed Redomestication is completed, but shareholders or the Irish High Court do not approve the creation of distributable reserves, the Company will not be able to pay dividends following the Redomestication unless sufficient
earnings are generated. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, Risks Related to Redomestication, Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 8, Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Statutory Financial Data, for further discussion.
56
Information concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans appears in Part III, Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliate Purchases
The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:
Period
Total Number
Average Price
Total Number
Approximate Dollar
October
$
375.5 million
November
3,023
$
16.41
$
375.5 million
December
$
375.5 million
Total
3,023
$
16.41
$
375.5 million
(1)
All shares were purchased in connection with the vesting of restricted shares granted under the Companys restricted stock plan. All of these purchases were made in connection with satisfying tax withholding obligations of those employees. These shares were not purchased as part of the Companys share repurchase program noted below.
(2)
On September 24, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $500.0 million of its Class A ordinary shares. During the year ended December 31, 2009, no share repurchases were made under the share repurchase program. As at December 31, 2009, the Company could repurchase $375.5 million of its equity securities
under the share repurchase program.
57
of Shares
Purchased
Paid
per share
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans
or Programs (1) (2)
Class A Ordinary Share Performance Graph
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly dollar change in the cumulative total shareholder return, with all dividends reinvested, over a five-year period on the Companys Class A ordinary shares from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009 as compared to the cumulative total return of the Standard &
Poors 500 Stock Index and the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poors Property & Casualty Insurance Index.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data below is based upon the Companys fiscal year end of December 31. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto presented under Item 8.
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Income Statement Data:
Net premiums earned
$
5,706,840
$
6,640,102
$
7,205,356
$
7,569,518
$
9,365,495
Net investment income
1,319,823
1,768,977
2,248,807
1,978,184
1,475,039
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
(921,437
)
(962,054
)
(603,268
)
(116,458
)
241,882
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments
(33,647
)
(73,368
)
(55,451
)
101,183
28,858
Net income (loss) income from investment fund affiliates (1)
78,867
(277,696
)
326,007
269,036
154,844
Fee income and other
43,201
52,158
14,271
31,732
19,297
Net losses and loss expenses incurred (2)
3,168,837
3,962,898
3,841,003
4,201,194
7,434,336
Claims and policy benefits life operations
677,562
769,004
888,658
807,255
2,510,029
Acquisition costs, operating expenses and foreign exchange gains and losses
1,994,194
1,921,940
2,188,889
2,374,358
2,188,357
Interest expense
216,504
351,800
621,905
552,275
403,849
Extinguishment of debt
22,527
Impairment of goodwill
989,971
Amortization of intangible assets
1,836
2,968
1,680
2,355
10,752
Income (loss) before non-controlling interests, net income from operating affiliates and income tax expense
134,714
(872,989
)
1,593,587
1,895,758
(1,261,908
)
Income (loss) from operating affiliates (1)(2)
60,480
(1,458,246
)
(1,059,848
)
111,670
67,426
Preference share dividends
80,200
78,645
69,514
40,322
40,322
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
206,607
(2,632,458
)
206,375
1,722,445
(1,292,298
)
58
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Per Share Data:
Net income (loss) per ordinary share basic (3)(7)
$
0.61
$
(10.94
)
$
1.14
$
9.55
$
(9.06
)
Net income (loss) per ordinary share diluted (3)(7)
$
0.61
$
(10.94
)
$
1.14
$
9.53
$
(9.06
)
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding diluted (3)(7)
340,966
240,657
181,209
180,799
142,649
Cash dividends per ordinary
$
0.40
$
1.14
$
1.52
$
1.52
$
2.00
Balance Sheet Data:
Total investments available for sale
$
29,307,171
$
27,464,510
$
36,265,803
$
39,350,983
$
35,724,439
Cash and cash equivalents
3,643,697
4,353,826
3,880,030
2,223,748
3,693,475
Investments in affiliates.
1,185,604
1,552,789
2,611,149
2,308,781
2,046,721
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,584,028
3,997,722
4,697,471
5,027,772
6,441,522
Premiums receivable.
2,597,602
3,135,985
3,637,452
3,591,238
3,799,041
Total assets
45,579,675
45,648,814
57,762,264
59,308,870
58,454,901
Unpaid losses and loss expenses
20,823,524
21,650,315
23,207,694
22,895,021
23,597,815
Future policy benefit reserves
5,490,119
5,452,865
6,772,042
6,476,057
5,776,318
Unearned premiums
3,651,310
4,217,931
4,681,989
5,652,897
5,388,996
Notes payable and debt
2,451,417
3,189,734
2,868,731
3,368,376
3,412,698
Shareholders equity
9,432,417
6,116,831
9,950,561
10,693,287
8,526,200
Fully diluted book value per ordinary share
$
24.60
$
15.46
$
50.29
$
53.01
$
44.31
Operating Ratios:
Loss and loss expense ratio (4)
61.5
%
66.2
%
59.8
%
62.2
%
107.4
%
Underwriting expense ratio (5)
32.1
%
28.7
%
29.0
%
27.3
%
25.6
%
Combined ratio (6)
93.6
%
94.9
%
88.8
%
89.5
%
133.0
%
share
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
The Company records the income related to alternative fund affiliates on a one month lag and the private investment fund affiliates on a three month lag in order for the Company to meet the accelerated filing deadlines as this is the most current information available at the date of filing. The Company records the income related to operating affiliates on a three month lag. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(2) |
|
In 2008, net loss from operating affiliates includes losses totaling approximately $1.4 billion related to the closing of the Master Agreement as well as losses recorded throughout 2008 and up until the closing of the Master Agreement that were associated with previous reinsurance and guarantee agreements with Syncora. In 2007, $351.0 million of financial guarantee reserves related to reinsurance agreements with Syncora were recorded within net loss from operating affiliates. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(3) |
|
Effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and for all interim periods within 2009, the Company adopted final authoritative guidance that addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing basic earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method described in EPS guidance. A share-based payment award that contains a non-forfeitable right to receive cash when dividends are paid to ordinary shareholders irrespective of whether that award ultimately vests is considered a participating security as these rights to dividends provide a non-contingent transfer of value to the holder of the share-based payment award. Accordingly, these awards are included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Under the terms of the Companys restricted stock awards, grantees are entitled to receive dividends on the unvested portions of their awards. There is no requirement to return these dividends in the event the unvested awards are forfeited in the future. Accordingly, this guidance had an impact on the Companys EPS calculations. All prior period EPS data presented has been adjusted retrospectively to conform to the provisions of this guidance. The adoption of this guidance reduced basic loss per ordinary share for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2005 by $0.08 and $0.08, respectively, and reduced basic earnings per ordinary share by $0.02, and $0.08 for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively, and reduced diluted loss per ordinary share for fiscal 2008 $0.08 and fiscal 2005 by $0.08, respectively, and reduced diluted earnings per ordinary share by $0.01 and $0.07, for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(4) |
|
The loss and loss expense ratio related to the property and casualty operations is calculated by dividing the losses and loss expenses incurred by the net premiums earned for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(5) |
|
The underwriting expense ratio related to the property and casualty operations is the sum of acquisition expenses and operating expenses for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments divided by net premiums earned for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments. See Item 8, Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Segment Information, for further information. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(6) |
|
The combined ratio related to the property and casualty operations is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio and the underwriting expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% represents an underwriting profit and over 100% represents an underwriting loss. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(7) |
|
Effective April 1, 2009 the Company adopted final authoritative guidance that addressed the treatment of credit losses on investments. This guidance was not applied retroactively. For additional information see Item 8, Note 2(r) to the Consolidated Financial Statements Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
|
59
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements which involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Companys beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements.
These statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. See Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, for a list of additional factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto presented under Item 8.
Certain aspects of the Companys business have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity. This may result in volatility in both the Companys results of operations and financial condition.
Index
61
64
67
71
74
89
90
90
93
96
98
98
99
101
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments
101
101
103
103
104
111
113
Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable
113
114
123
123
Variable Interest Entities and Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
124
125
125
60
Background
The Company through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty and specialty products to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. The Company operates in markets where it believes its underwriting
expertise and financial strength represent a relative advantage.
The Company has grown through acquisitions and development of new business opportunities. Acquisitions included Global Capital Re in 1997, Mid Ocean Limited in 1998, ECS, Inc. and NAC Re Corp. in 1999, Winterthur International in 2001 and Le Mans Re in 2002. All acquisitions were entered into in order to
further support the Companys strategic plan to develop a global platform in insurance and reinsurance. The Company competes as an integrated global business and at December 31, 2009 employed 3,565 employees in 24 countries. For further information in relation to the Companys Operations, see Item 1, Business.
Underwriting Environment
The Company earns its revenue primarily from net premiums written and earned. The property and casualty insurance and reinsurance markets have historically been cyclical, meaning that based on market conditions, there have been periods where premium rates are high and policy terms and conditions are more
favorable to the Company (a hard market) and there have been periods where premium rates decline and policy terms and conditions are less favorable to the Company (a soft market). Market conditions are driven primarily by competition in the marketplace, the supply of capital in the industry, investment yields and the
frequency and severity of loss events. Managements goal is to build long-term shareholder value by capitalizing on current opportunities and managing through any cyclical downturns by reducing its property and casualty book of business and exposures if and when rates deteriorate to unprofitable levels.
Insurance
Throughout 2009, renewal pricing in the Insurance segment experienced a modest overall increase of 1% across the entire book as compared to a 6% decrease in rates for the same period a year ago. There was overall a steady improvement in pricing throughout the year, resulting in full year increases in specialty lines
of 3% and casualty lines of 1% being offset by a decrease of 1 % in property lines while professional lines pricing has been flat. Premium volumes were also negatively impacted by global economic conditions, which drove ratable exposure bases down and reduced mergers and acquisitions activity. The impact of the ratings
downgrade by Standard & Poors (S&P) in December 2008 affected premiums particularly in certain longer tail lines, but this impact continued to lessen throughout the year as the Companys financial position improved. The Company exited certain lines of business, non-renewed certain programs, and was exposed to the
ongoing efforts of risk managers to reduce concentrations of risk (limits) with all of their insurers. However, retention rates ended the year at just less than 80% for all lines of business with property and casualty lines in the low to mid 80s. In the fourth quarter of 2009 pricing showed continued improvement with a positive
aggregate price change of 1.4% with notable positive price changes in professional of 2% and aerospace of 9% offset by a 2% reduction in property rates reflecting the markets recent pricing behavior. For further information on recent rate and renewal activity, see 2010 Underwriting Outlook below.
61
The following table provides an analysis of gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the Insurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008 (3)
2007 (3)
Gross
Net
Net
Gross
Net
Net
Gross
Net
Net
Casualty professional lines
$
1,423,756
1,336,541
1,276,005
$
1,472,874
$
1,351,237
$
1,369,668
$
1,516,412
$
1,376,819
$
1,404,567
Casualty other lines
947,121
570,887
655,126
1,273,016
793,512
822,252
1,342,817
848,919
819,687
Other property
649,592
361,841
426,441
886,418
503,387
471,283
886,321
592,208
587,863
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite
644,898
516,408
546,806
747,311
604,786
621,774
809,073
623,085
638,162
Other specialty lines (1)
577,804
483,166
634,436
850,404
712,307
660,322
786,074
666,208
582,565
Other (2)
5,257
1,077
12,217
22,736
(22,908
)
(11,055
)
36,698
27,439
33,416
Structured indemnity
3,460
3,460
8,762
56,155
42,505
62,801
56,871
52,177
50,328
Total
$
4,251,888
3,273,380
3,559,793
$
5,308,914
$
3,984,826
$
3,997,045
$
5,434,266
$
4,186,855
$
4,116,588
(1)
Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, specie, middle markets and excess and surplus lines.
(2)
Other includes credit and surety and other lines.
(3)
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to current year presentation.
Reinsurance
Across the Reinsurance segment, market conditions during 2009 remained stable but competitive, with the majority of classes experiencing flat rate movement. US property catastrophe margins improved as rates increased by up to 8% on an exposure adjusted basis. Non-US catastrophe rates were generally flat, but there
was rate fluctuation in some territories from -5% to +5%. Non-catastrophe property lines of business showed flat rates for the year. Loss activity provided momentum to increase aviation rates by 10% across the sector.
US casualty rates were flat to down 5%, while non-US casualty rates were flat where the market remained disciplined. July 1 is one of the main renewal periods for Latin American business and substantial capacity in the market for most lines, terms and conditions remained firm in the region.
The following table provides an analysis of gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the Reinsurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Gross
Net
Net
Gross
Net
Net
Gross
Net
Net
Casualty professional lines
$
170,928
$
166,903
$
196,624
$
213,519
$
213,498
$
247,979
$
256,280
$
256,327
$
273,494
Casualty other lines
218,778
217,889
257,610
356,723
347,849
425,541
543,251
527,860
602,452
Property catastrophe.
357,267
312,321
312,780
401,740
290,443
305,690
475,540
286,866
264,666
Other property
862,310
553,556
560,379
947,899
602,423
678,504
970,196
677,764
753,278
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite
89,100
82,393
83,532
119,593
104,346
126,761
150,548
128,942
141,619
Other (1)
156,092
132,322
172,588
220,332
194,237
205,433
239,418
204,845
240,049
Structured indemnity
4,948
4,948
8,433
671
671
3,298
28,261
28,261
26,481
Total
$
1,859,423
$
1,470,332
$
1,591,946
$
2,260,477
$
1,753,467
$
1,993,206
$
2,663,494
$
2,110,865
$
2,302,039
(1)
Other includes credit and surety, whole account contracts and other lines.
The following sets forth potential trends relevant to the Companys property and casualty operations in 2010:
2010 Underwriting Outlook
Given the challenging economic environment that has been experienced throughout 2008 and 2009 including the downgrade of the financial strength ratings of the Companys leading insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by leading rating agencies, the Company shifted focus to those lines of business
62
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
within its insurance and reinsurance operations that provide the best return on capital. As such, the Company has been highly selective on new business, emphasizing short-tail lines, where applicable, in the Companys reinsurance operations, exiting other businesses (e.g., Casualty facultative business), non-renewing certain
insurance programs, as well as continuing to reduce long-term agreements (within the insurance operations) in order to capture the benefit of hardening markets.
Following the catastrophe activity of 2008, most notably, losses resulting from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, and more importantly, following severe economic conditions and the impacts of the financial crisis, which reduced the available capital of many property and casualty (re)insurers, market capacity decreased and in
conjunction, market pricing across most insurance and reinsurance lines of business began to improve in the early part of 2009. Despite these early improvements, credit spreads narrowed sharply throughout 2009, and the credit markets brought capital back into the market, strengthening balance sheets and putting increased
pressure on market pricing. The following is a summary of the January 2010 rate indications and recent renewal activity for each of the Insurance and Reinsurance segments of the Company:
Insurance
With regard to market conditions within the core lines of business within the Insurance segment, fourth quarter 2009 renewals reflected modest improvement in market conditions as premium rates continued to stabilize across several lines of business and certain lines experienced rate increases. Overall, fourth quarter 2009
renewals reflected an aggregate price increase of 1% for the entire book. More specifically, premium rates increased approximately 2% in both the professional and the specie books of business, 1% in both casualty and offshore energy, and over 9% in the Companys aerospace book of business. Rates in both property and
environmental were down in the low single digits.
While the actions taken in 2009 have impacted both gross and net premiums written, the Companys decision to focus on those lines of business that provide the best return on capital was successfully implemented. In fact, indications from recent underwriting activity highlight that renewals from the Companys European
book, where just less than 50% of the book renews on January 1, were strong across all product lines, particularly casualty, at 88%, and property, at 86%. Pricing based on the January 2010 renewals continued to show rate improvement with an aggregate rate increase of 1% compared to rate declines in January 2009 of minus
2%.
Reinsurance
Across the Reinsurance segment, initial indications, based on January 1, 2010 renewals, points to an increase in renewable premium of 6% with almost half of this increase being driven by recaptured business that was lost at the end of 2008 due to security concerns by customers. The reminder of the increase was through
new business opportunities and increased catastrophe capacity in certain regions. However, there was a moderate decrease in premium rates across most major lines of business. Market rates are flat, with softening where loss activity was low in 2009. U.S. and non-U.S. catastrophe exposed property lines experienced rate
decreases of approximately 7.5% and 5.0% respectively, while other property lines in the U.S. were generally flat. While U.S. casualty rates, excluding D&O, were down slightly, casualty motor rates in Europe saw increases of up to 10% with rates in other casualty lines remaining flat. In addition, aviation and marine lines of
business experienced rate increases of up to 10% whereas rates for the large property risks in Latin America continue to weaken.
Looking ahead for the remainder of 2010, while the reinsurance market remains disciplined, the segment is impacted by the competitive conditions already outlined in the insurance segment above. The reinsurance segment will continue its philosophy of disciplined underwriting and will shrink the portfolio if market
conditions do not warrant deploying capital.
Investment Environment
The Company seeks to generate revenue from investment activities through returns on its investment portfolio. The Companys current investment strategy seeks to support the liabilities arising from the operations of the Company, generate investment income and build book value over the longer term.
63
During the year ended December 31, 2009, financial market conditions continued to be extremely volatile, characterized by increasing long term global interest rates over the course of the year, combined with deterioration in credit markets early in the year, followed by rallies in credit markets in the latter half of the
year. There was also significant quarter-to-quarter volatility during the year. The Companys results of operations and investment portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2009 were impacted by these trends. Net investment income yields were negatively impacted as a result of lower short-term interest rates, particularly
U.S. LIBOR, on floating rate assets, higher allocations to lower yielding government, agency and cash securities as a result of the Companys derisking efforts, and reduced prevailing yields on reinvestment income. Net realized losses resulted from sales transactions in relation to the Companys de-risking efforts, and other-
than-temporary impairment charges relating to the deterioration of future cash flow estimates, particularly in the non-agency RMBS and medium-term notes asset classes. Net unrealized losses for the Company declined as a result of both the mark-to-market impact of the credit rally during the year and the impact of realized
losses on the year, offset by the effect of increasing interest rates. For further information, see Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Investment Activities
Claims Environment
The Companys profitability in any given period is based upon its premium and investment revenues as noted above, less net losses incurred and expenses. Net losses incurred are based upon claims paid and changes to unpaid loss reserves. Unpaid loss reserves are estimated by the Company and include both reported
loss reserves and reserves for losses incurred but not reported, or IBNR. The Companys improved underwriting results for 2009 as compared to 2008 were largely due to minimal large loss activity in 2009 compared to the catastrophe and property risk losses experienced in 2008. In addition, included in the current year
incurred losses was $284.7 million of net favorable prior year reserve development in various lines of business within the Companys Insurance and Reinsurance segments. In contrast, the Companys lower underwriting results for 2008 as compared to 2007 were largely a reflection of the increase in catastrophe and property
risk losses experienced in 2008 offset by net favorable development of prior years reserves of $610.7 million. In addition, during 2007 and 2008, claims activity within the D&O and Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance markets overall, rose as a result of an increase in class action lawsuits filed against public companies due
to market losses and related stock price depreciation associated with the sub-prime mortgage and credit crisis in the U.S. This sub-prime related claim activity decreased during 2009. Management actively monitors its potential exposure to potential clash events such as sub-prime mortgage developments and gives due
consideration to emerging claim trends in determining its loss reserve requirements at each quarter end. For further analysis of this exposure, see Results of Operations below.
Results of Operations and Key Financial Measures
The following table presents an analysis of the Companys net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders and other financial measures (described below) for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
2009
2008
2007
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
206,607
$
(2,632,458
)
$
206,375
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share basic
$
0.61
$
(10.94
)
$
1.14
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share diluted
$
0.61
$
(10.94
)
$
1.14
Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents basic
340,612
240,657
180,353
Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents diluted
340,966
240,657
181,209
64
The following are some of the financial measures management considers important in evaluating the Companys operating performance in the Companys property and casualty operations:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios and per share amounts)
2009
2008
2007
Underwriting profit property and casualty operations
$
327,306
$
303,017
$
723,939
Combined ratio property and casualty operations
93.6
%
94.9
%
88.8
%
Net investment income property and casualty operations (1)
$
882,748
$
1,174,856
$
1,289,554
Book value per ordinary share
$
24.64
$
15.46
$
50.30
Fully diluted book value per ordinary share (2)
$
24.60
$
15.46
$
50.29
Return on average ordinary shareholders equity
3.1
%
NM*
2.2
%
(1)
Net investment income relating to property and casualty operations does not include the net investment income related to the net results from structured products.
(2)
Fully diluted book value per ordinary share, a non GAAP measure, represents book value per ordinary share combined with the impact from dilution of share based compensation including in-the-money stock options at any period end. The Company believes that fully diluted book value per ordinary share is a financial measure important to investors and other interested parties who benefit from having
a consistent basis for comparison with other companies within the industry. However, this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by companies either outside or inside of the insurance industry.
*
NM Not Meaningful
Key Financial Measures
Underwriting profit property and casualty operations
One way that the Company evaluates the performance of its insurance and reinsurance operations is the underwriting profit or loss. The Company does not measure performance based on the amount of gross premiums written. Underwriting profit or loss is calculated from premiums earned less net losses incurred and
expenses related to underwriting activities. The Companys underwriting profit in the year ended December 31, 2009 was primarily reflective of the combined ratio discussed below.
Combined ratio property and casualty operations
The combined ratio for property and casualty operations is used by the Company and many other insurance and reinsurance companies as another measure of underwriting profitability. The combined ratio is calculated from the net losses incurred and underwriting expenses as a ratio of the net premiums earned for the
Companys insurance and reinsurance operations. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit and greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss. The Companys combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2009, is slightly lower than the same period in the previous year, primarily as a result of
a decrease in the loss and loss expense ratio, partially offset by an increase in the underwriting expense ratio. The loss and loss expense ratio has declined as a result of lower levels of catastrophe losses in both the insurance and reinsurance segments and lower current year professional lines losses in the insurance segment
partially offset by larger prior year reserve releases reported in 2008. The increased underwriting expense ratio has been driven largely by increases in operating expenses against lower net premiums earned. Operating expenses increased mainly as a result of the Companys two restructuring activities as described further below.
Going forward, with the two restructuring initiatives now essentially complete, we expect our targeted cost savings will be reflected in a lower 2010 expense ratio.
The Companys combined ratio for the year ended December 31, 2008, was higher than the previous year, primarily as a result of an increase in the loss and loss expense ratio as well as the underwriting expense ratio. The higher loss and loss expense ratio resulted from higher current year attritional and catastrophe
losses, primarily in property lines, combined with lower net premiums earned in the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to 2007, as a result of the continuing competitive underwriting environment and softening market conditions noted above. The higher 2008 loss ratio also results from a higher level of loss activity
in professional lines due to the subprime and related credit crises. Partially offsetting the increase in incurred losses was higher favorable prior year reserve development during the year ended December 31, 2008. While acquisition expenses decreased during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, the increase
in operating expenses combined with the impact from the lower level of net premiums earned caused an increase in the underwriting expense ratio.
65
Net investment income property and casualty and corporate operations
Net investment income related to property and casualty and corporate operations is an important measure that affects the Companys overall profitability. The largest liability of the Company relates to its unpaid loss reserves, and the Companys investment portfolio provides liquidity for claims settlements of these
reserves as they become due. Thus, a significant part of the investment portfolio is invested in fixed income securities. Net investment income is influenced by a number of factors, including the amounts and timing of inward and outward cash flows, the level of interest rates and credit spreads and changes in overall asset
allocation. Net investment income related to property and casualty and corporate operations decreased by $398.6 million during 2009 as compared to same period in the prior year. Overall, portfolio yields have decreased as a result of the impact of declines in U.S. interest rates, and particularly the impact of decreased U.S.
Dollar Libor on the Companys floating rate securities previously supporting the GIC and funding agreement business. In addition, the Company increased its holdings in lower-yielding cash, government and agency RMBS securities in connection with its investment portfolio de-risking efforts as the Company re-aligns its
portfolio to one more typical of a P&C portfolio and to increase liquidity.
Net investment income related to property and casualty operations, excluding structured products, decreased by $114.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to 2007. Overall, investment portfolio yields decreased in 2008 as yields earned on investment of cash flows and reinvestment of maturing
or sold securities were generally lower than on securities previously held, as prevailing market interest rates, particularly in the U.S., decreased overall during 2008. The investment portfolio mix also changed as a result of the settlement of the GIC and funding agreement liabilities, as the property and casualty operations
assumed a number of the floating rate securities previously held in the Companys Other Financial Lines segment and accordingly, net investment income is more sensitive to changes in short-term interest rates. The Company also increased allocations to lower yielding cash, government and agency RMBS investments.
Book value per ordinary share
Management also views the change in the Companys book value per ordinary share as an additional measure of the Companys performance. Book value per share is calculated by dividing ordinary shareholders equity by the number of outstanding ordinary shares at any period end. Book value per ordinary share is
affected primarily by the Companys net income (loss), by any changes in the net unrealized gains and losses on its investment portfolio, currency translation adjustments and also the impact of any share repurchase or issuance activity.
Book value per ordinary share increased by $9.14 in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to a decrease of $34.83 during 2008. During 2009, there was a decrease in net unrealized losses of $2.2 billion, net of tax. Although there was significant quarter to-quarter volatility, in aggregate the impact of
tightening credit spreads combined with the benefit from declining interest rates resulted in overall increased book value. Book value was further increased by the issuance of 11,461,080 shares issued at $65.00 per share upon the maturity of the purchase contracts associated with the 7.0% Equity Security Units, as such
issuance was accretive to book value. In addition, book value per ordinary share increased as a result of net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of $206.6 million which included a $211.8 million gain associated with the purchase of a portion of the Companys Redeemable Series C Preference Ordinary Shares.
Book value per ordinary share decreased by $34.83 in the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to a decrease of $2.72 during 2007. The decrease in 2008 was primarily as a result of the Companys issuance of Class A ordinary shares issued at a discount to book value (as described below), the Companys net loss
of $2.6 billion during the year ended December 31, 2008 and the increase in net unrealized losses on investments of approximately $2.9 billion, net of tax, during the same period. In addition, book value per ordinary share decreased as a result of unfavorable foreign currency translation adjustments of $472.3 million during
the year ended December 31, 2008. In August 2008, the Company issued 143.8 million Class A ordinary shares at a price of $16.00 per share, which was lower than the Companys book value per ordinary share at the time and thus dilutive. The Companys net loss of $2.6 billion was mainly due to the impact of the closing
of the Master Agreement in August 2008 as described above, the goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2008 of $990.0 million, catastrophe and attritional losses, as well as from
66
net realized losses on investments and losses from investment fund affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in net unrealized losses on investments of $2.2 billion, net of tax, during the year ended December 31, 2009 was mainly as a result of tightening credit spreads on corporate and structured
credit assets and realized losses incurred during the year, offset by increases in prevailing government interest rates.
As noted above, fully diluted book value per ordinary share represents book value per ordinary share combined with the impact from dilution of share based compensation including in-the-money stock options at any period end. Fully diluted book value per ordinary share increased by $9.14 and decreased by $34.83
during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a result of the factors noted above.
Return on average ordinary shareholders equity
Return on average ordinary shareholders equity (ROE) is another financial measure that management considers important in evaluating the Companys operating performance. ROE is calculated by dividing the net income for any period by the average of the opening and closing ordinary shareholders equity. The
Company establishes minimum target ROEs for its total operations, segments and lines of business. If the Companys minimum ROE targets over the longer term are not met with respect to any line of business, the Company seeks to modify and/or exit these lines. In addition, among other factors, the Companys
compensation of its senior officers is dependent on the achievement of the Companys performance goals to enhance shareholder value as measured by ROE (adjusted for certain items considered to be non-operating in nature).
In 2009, ROE was 3.1%, significantly higher than the same period in the prior year when it was negative, mainly as a result of the closing of the Master Agreement in August 2008 as described above. Shareholders equity increased over the past twelve months mainly as a result of the decreases in unrealized losses on
investments and favorable foreign exchange translation adjustments during this period.
In 2008, ROE was negative, mainly as a result of the impact of the closing of the Master Agreement in August 2008 as described above, the goodwill impairment charge recorded in late 2008, as well as from catastrophe losses, net realized losses on investments and losses from the Companys investment fund affiliates
during the year ended December 31, 2008.
Significant Items Affecting the Results of Operations
The Companys net income (loss) and other financial measures as shown above for the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been affected by among other things, the following significant items:
1
)
impact of credit market movements in 2009, 2008 and 2007 on the Companys investment portfolio and investment fund affiliates;
2
)
impact of the closing of the Master Agreement (discussed below) in August 2008 and the impact in 2007 of the Companys investment in and relationships with Syncora;
3
)
continuing competitive underwriting environment;
4
)
net favorable prior year loss development;
5
)
impact of increased property risk and catastrophe activity in 2008 and limited property risk catastrophe activity in 2009 and 2007;
6
)
goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2008;
7
)
redemption of a portion of the Companys Series C Preference Ordinary Shares;
8
)
impact of restructuring and asset impairment charges.
1. Impact of credit market movements in 2009, 2008 and 2007 on the Companys investment portfolio and investment fund affiliates
During the year ended December 31, 2009, financial market conditions continued to be extremely volatile, characterized by increasing long-term global interest rates over the course of the year, combined with deterioration in credit markets early in the year, followed by rallies in credit markets in the last three
67
quarters of the year. The net impact of the market conditions on the Companys investment portfolio for the year resulted in a decrease in net unrealized losses on available for sale investments as compared to December 31, 2008 of $2.1 billion. This represents approximately a 4.5% appreciation on average assets for the year
ended December 31, 2009.
The following table provides further detail regarding the movements in the global credit markets, as well as in government interest rates using some sample market indices:
Interest Rate Movement for the year
Credit Spread Movement for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2)
United States
+ 114 basis points (5 year Treasury)
- 453 basis points (US Corporate A rated)
- 117 basis points (3 month LIBOR)
- 151 basis points (US Agency RMBS, AAA rated)
- 579 basis points (US CMBS, AAA rated)
United Kingdom
+ 100 basis points (10 year Gilt)
- 185 basis points (UK Corporate, AA rated)
Euro-zone
+ 11 basis points (5 year Bund)
- 265 basis points (Europe Corporate, A rated)
(1)
Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P.
(2)
Source: Merrill Lynch Global Indices.
Net realized losses on investments in the year ended December 31, 2009 totaled $921.4 million, included net realized losses of approximately $812.5 million related to the impairment of certain of the Companys fixed income, equity and other investments, where the Company determined that there was an other-than-
temporary decline in the value of those investments. For further analysis of this, see Results of Operations below.
Of the $921.4 million, there was net realized losses of $406.6 million related to credit impairments on structured credit securities. Primarily these represented below investment grade non-Agency RMBS, including those with sub-prime and Alt-A collateral. A further $226.9 million in net realized losses related to
impairments of medium term notes backed primarily by investment grade European credit and $160.6 million of impairments related primarily to the intent to sell certain Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities. The remaining impairment during the year was spread across the investment portfolio including equities and other
fixed income investments. Consistent with prior years, management continues to evaluate the impairment of the investment portfolio and satisfy itself that the remaining gross unrealized losses are temporary in nature.
2. Impact of the closing of the Master Agreement in August 2008 and the impact in 2007 of the Companys investment in and relationships with Syncora
On July 28, 2008, the Company announced that it and certain of its subsidiaries had entered into an agreement (the Master Agreement) with Syncora and certain of its subsidiaries (sometimes collectively referred to herein as Syncora) as well as certain counterparties to credit default swap agreements (the
Counterparties), in connection with the termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements. The transactions and termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements under the Master Agreement closed on August 5, 2008. For a description of the Master Agreement, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora).
After the closing of the Master Agreement on August 5, 2008, approximately $64.6 billion of the Companys total net exposure (which was $65.7 billion as at June 30, 2008) under reinsurance agreements and guarantees with Syncora subsidiaries was eliminated. Pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement, Syncora is
required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commute the agreements that are the subject of the Companys guarantee of Syncora Guarantees obligations under certain financial guarantees issued by Syncora Guarantee to the European Investment Bank (the EIB Policies), subject to certain limitations. As at December
31, 2009, the Companys exposure relating to the EIB Policies (which relate to project finance transactions) was approximately $920.4 million as compared to $955.4 million at December 31, 2008, decreasing mainly due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the currencies of the underlying obligations. As of
December 31, 2009, there had been no reported events of default on the underlying obligations. Accordingly, no reserves have been recorded.
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ended December 31, 2009 (1)
(+/- represents increases / decreases
in interest rates)
(- represents tightening of credit spreads)
The terms of the Master Agreement were agreed in consideration of a number of commercial and economic factors associated with all existing relationships with Syncora, including, but not limited to, a valuation of the consideration for the commuted agreements and any potential future claims there under and the impact
of outstanding uncertainty on both the ratings and business operations of the Company. The total value of the consideration noted above of $1.775 billion as well as the eight million ordinary shares of the Company transferred to Syncora valued at $128.0 million, significantly exceeded the carried net liabilities of
approximately $490.7 million related to such reinsurances and guarantees. Management considers the execution of the Master Agreement as the event giving rise to the additional liability. As detailed in the table below, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $1.4 billion in respect of the closing of the Master
Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Carried liabilities in relation to reinsurance and guarantee agreements commuted under the Master Agreement
$
490.7
Other accruals
(5.2
)
Cash payment made to Syncora in August 2008
(1,775.0
)
Value of XL common shares transferred under the Master Agreement
(128.0
)
Net loss associated with Master Agreement recorded in the year ended December 31, 2008
$
(1,417.5
)
Given managements view of the risk exposure along with the uncertainty facing the entire financial guarantee industry in the latter part of 2007, the Company reduced the reported value of its investment in Syncora to nil at December 31, 2007, from the reported equity method value of $669.8 million as at September
30, 2007. In addition, net losses were recorded in 2007 within loss from operating affiliates with respect to the previous excess of loss and facultative reinsurance of Syncora subsidiaries in the amounts of $300.0 million and $51.0 million, respectively. In addition, during 2007, the Company incurred $17.9 million in
additional mark-to-market losses related to those underlying contracts in credit default swap form subject to the provisions noted above.
3. Continuing competitive underwriting environment
Soft market conditions were experienced across most lines of business throughout 2007, 2008 and 2009, resulting in an overall decrease in gross and net premiums written. For further information in relation to the underwriting environment, including details relating to rates and retention, see Executive Overview -
Underwriting Environment, above.
4. Net favorable prior year loss development
Net favorable prior year loss development occurs when there is a decrease to loss reserves recorded at the beginning of the year, resulting from actual or reported loss development for prior years that is less than expected loss development. Net prior year adverse loss development occurs when there is an increase to loss
reserves recorded at the beginning of the year, resulting from actual or reported loss development for prior years exceeding expected loss development.
The following table presents the net (favorable) adverse prior year loss development of the Companys loss and loss expense reserves for its property and casualty operations which include the Insurance and Reinsurance segments for each of the years indicated:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Insurance segment
$
(62.9
)
$
(305.5
)
$
(158.1
)
Reinsurance segment
(221.8
)
(305.2
)
(267.3
)
Total
$
(284.7
)
$
(610.7
)
$
(425.4
)
During 2009, net favorable prior year development totaled $284.7 million in the Companys property and casualty operations and included net favorable development in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments of $62.9 million and $221.8 million, respectively. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Losses and Loss Expenses, for further information regarding the developments in prior year loss reserve estimates for each of the years indicated within each of the Companys operating segments.
69
5. Impact of increased property risk and catastrophe activity in 2008 and limited property risk and catastrophe activity in 2009 and 2007
Current year net losses in 2009 decreased by $794.1 million over 2008, primarily due to lower levels of large property risk and catastrophe losses occurring in the current year as compared to 2008. On September 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav hit the Louisiana coast of the U.S. as a Category 2 hurricane, causing
considerable damage to insured property and loss of life. On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall near Galveston, Texas as a strong Category 2 hurricane, causing significantly more damage and loss of life than Hurricane Gustav. Hurricane Ike was the third costliest hurricane to ever make landfall in the U.S. In
2008, the Company incurred losses, net of reinsurance recoveries and reinstatement premiums, of $22.5 million and $210.0 million related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, respectively. In addition to natural peril catastrophes, there was also an increase in large property risk losses globally during 2008 that contributed to higher
loss ratios in both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
Overall, 2009 and 2007 experienced a lower number of natural catastrophes as compared to 2008. In 2009, natural catastrophes included Hailstorm Wolfgang, Japanese earthquake, Windstorm Klaus, Typhoon Ketsana, Asian earthquake and tsunami and Australian wildfires. In 2007, six hurricanes formed in the Atlantic
region including two Category 5 hurricanes, while other natural catastrophes in 2007 included European windstorms Kyrill and Per/Hanno, California wildfires, floods in the U.K. and Mexico, the Peruvian earthquake and five hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific region.
6. Goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2008
Due to the financial market and economic events that occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company performed an interim impairment test for goodwill subsequent to its annual testing date of June 30. The interim impairment test resulted in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $990.0 million. The
charge relates primarily to certain reinsurance unit goodwill associated with the merger of Mid Ocean Limited (Mid Ocean) in 1998. The fair value of the Mid Ocean reporting unit was calculated using the methodologies as described within Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates below, and by comparison with similar
companies using their publicly traded price multiples as the basis for valuation. For further information, see Item 8, Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and see further discussion under Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.
7. Redemption of a portion of the Companys Series C Preference Ordinary Shares
On March 26, 2009, the Company completed a cash tender offer for its outstanding Series C Preference Ordinary Shares that resulted in approximately 12.7 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $317.3 million being purchased by the Company for approximately $104.7 million plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, combined with professional fees totaling $0.8 million. As a result, a book value gain to ordinary shareholders equity of approximately $211.8 million was recorded.
Subsequent to December 31, 2009 the Company repurchased 4.4 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $110.8 million for approximately $94.2 million.
8. Restructuring and asset impairment charges
During the third quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, expense reduction initiatives were implemented in order to reduce the Companys operating expenses. The goal of these initiatives was to achieve enhanced efficiency and an overall reduction in operating expenses by streamlining processes across all
geographic locations, with a primary emphasis on corporate functions. To date, this has been achieved through reductions in redundancies, increased outsourcing and the cessation of certain projects and activities. Charges have been recognized and accrued as restructuring and asset impairment charges and allocated to the
Companys reportable segments in accordance with authoritative guidance over accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and guidance over accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. Other costs that do not meet the criteria for accrual are being expensed as restructuring charges as they
are incurred. Restructuring charges relate mainly to employee termination benefits as well as costs associated with ceasing to use certain leased property accounted for as operating leases. Asset impairment charges relate primarily to the write-off of certain IT system and equipment costs
70
previously capitalized. The Company recognizes an asset impairment charge when net proceeds expected from disposition of an asset are less than the carrying value of the asset and reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 costs incurred in relation
to the restructuring and asset impairment charges noted above are $81.5 million and $50.8 million, respectively. These charges have been recorded in the Companys income statement under Operating Expenses. See Item 8, Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges, for
further information regarding the actual and expected costs for each of the years indicated within each of the Companys operating segments.
Other Key Focuses of Management
Throughout the latter part of 2008 and 2009 and into 2010, the Company remains focused on, among other things, simplifying the Companys business model to focus on core property and casualty business and enhancing its enterprise risk management capabilities. Details relating to these initiatives are highlighted below.
Simplify the Companys Business Model and Enhance Risk Management
In relation to this top management priority, certain initiatives that have taken place or are underway include the following:
Focus on P&C Businesses
: As previously announced, the Company is focusing on those lines of business within its Insurance and Reinsurance segments that provide the best return on capital. As such, the Company will continue to be highly selective on new business, emphasize short-tail lines, where applicable, in the
Companys Reinsurance segment, exit other businesses (e.g., Casualty facultative business), non-renew certain insurance programs. In addition, in December 2008 the Company completed a strategic review of its Life reinsurance business. In connection therewith, the Company announced that it sold renewal rights to a
portion of its European life, accident and health reinsurance business, a relatively small block of business, and it will run-off its existing book of U.K. and Irish life and annuity business. In addition, during December 2009, the Company sold its U.S. life reinsurance business.
Enterprise Risk Management
: The Company is focused on enhancing its risk management capabilities throughout all facets of its operations. This initiative is led by the Companys Chief Enterprise Risk Officer (CERO) and is supported by, among others, the Companys ERC comprised of the most senior risk
management executives of the Company. The ERM Committee will continue to assist with the efficient identification, assessment, monitoring and reporting of key risks across the Company. See Item 1, Business Enterprise Risk Management for further information.
Simplify P&C Investment Portfolio
: The Company has continued to reposition the Companys P&C investment portfolio to one that supports a P&C focused operation so that a) book value volatility, particularly related to credit spreads arising from the investment portfolio, is reduced, b) a reduction in lower rated corporate
securities and financial issuers is achieved, c) exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) is reduced and d) a reduction in asset classes such as sub-prime, Alt-A and Core collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) previously supporting the guaranteed investment contract and funding agreement
businesses is achieved.
The Company estimates that its derisking efforts within the P&C investment portfolio are now approximately 80% complete in terms of the potential mark-to-market that would arise from a repeat of the credit crisis of January 2007 to March 2009. The estimated mark to market represents estimated modeled portfolio
level results, rather than individual security level results. Although the actual P&C investment portfolio lost approximately $4.0 billion of mark to market over this period, it is estimated that the P&C investment portfolio, as structured at December 31, 2009, would have lost $1.6 billion over this period. The Companys
target P&C SAA benchmark would have lost approximately $1.0 billion over the same period. As a result of this progress, the Company will now focus on optimizing the P&C investment portfolio, as compared to its previous focus on pure de-risking. Accordingly, the remaining positions in legacy asset classes such as
Agency RMBS and
71
Core CDOs are most likely to be reduced through natural bond maturities and opportunistic sales based on underlying fundamentals and economics.
In conjunction with its risk reduction exercise, management executed targeted sales of certain assets and completed the sales of $1.5 billion of assets associated with the restructuring charge announced in the fourth quarter of 2008. The sales concentrated in certain holdings within the Companys BBB and lower
corporate, CMBS, equity and consumer ABS portfolios.
Consistent with this strategy, management continued the process of reducing risk in the investment portfolio during 2009. As a result of these sales, and additional derisking steps executed over the course of 2009, the Company reduced its exposures to more volatile asset classes.
Management reduced the aggregate CMBS and non-Agency US RMBS (includes sub-prime, Alt-A, second lien, ABS CDOs, and Prime assets) portfolio holdings significantly, through maturities and paydowns and certain opportunistic sales by $2.2 billion during 2009 ($4.6 billion cumulatively since 2008), in
particular $1.4 billion in the CMBS portfolio. As well, the aggregate corporate portfolio was reduced by $1.8 billion during 2009 ($2.9 billion cumulatively since 2008).
The Company reduced its exposure to alternative investments by approximately $0.4 billion during 2009 ($1.3 billion cumulatively since 2008), and its exposure to equities by $0.3 billion during 2009 ($0.5 billion cumulatively since the beginning of 2008) in response to adverse market conditions and in regards to
the risk reduction exercise ongoing within its investment portfolio.
Management further reduced interest rate risk exposure in 2009 by shortening the duration of the investment portfolio supporting the U.S. property and casualty segment operations, excluding structured products by 0.3 years (from 3.2 to 2.9).
Cash, government and agency holdings and government backed or guaranteed holdings were increased to approximately $18.9 billion representing approximately 55.8% of the aggregate fixed income portfolio at December 31, 2009 as compared to $13.3 billion or 42% of the portfolio at December 31, 2008.
Simplify Life Investment Portfolio:
Within its Life operations, management also took measures to reduce exposure to certain more volatile asset classes.
Management reduced overall exposure to hybrid bank capital securities by $126.0 million and reinvested those proceeds in higher quality issues.
In addition, management also reduced exposure to $51.0 million of other investment grade and below investment grade securities as market opportunities presented.
While the Company seeks to reduce the overall risk within its P&C and Life investment portfolios, it will continue to attempt to balance investment returns against market and credit risks taken. Market risk may arise due to interest rate variability and exposure to foreign denominated currencies, which the Company
seeks to manage through asset/liability management, and due to the allocation to non-fixed income assets, including global equity securities and alternative investments, which the Company seeks to manage through diversification. Credit risk arises from investments in fixed income securities and is managed with
aggregate and portfolio limits and by establishing minimum credit quality guidelines. The Company guidelines require a minimum Aa3/AA weighted-average rating for its fixed income portfolio.
Capital Management
Fundamental to supporting the Companys business model is its ability to underwrite business, which is largely dependent upon the quality of its claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. As a result, in the event that the Company is further downgraded, its ability to write
business as well as its financial condition and/or results of operations, could be materially adversely affected. See Item 1, Business Ratings for further information regarding recent rating actions by the various rating agencies, as well as details regarding the Companys financial strength and debt ratings.
72
In relation to the Companys capital position, several activities occurred throughout 2008 and early 2009, including the following:
In order to fund payments under the Master Agreement described above, in August 2008, the Company raised approximately $2.8 billion of additional capital through an issuance of both ordinary shares and equity security units (the ESUs). The ESUs consist of: (i) forward purchase contracts to purchase, and the
Company to issue, its ordinary shares and (ii) debt securities. For further details relating to the Master Agreement, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora).
In addition to the payments to Syncora, the Company used the net proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes, and the redemption of X.L. America, Inc.s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes due April 2011 (the 6.58% Notes) and capital funding of certain of the Companys subsidiaries.
Concurrent with the closing of the Master Agreement, the Company exercised the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500.0 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Series C
Preference Ordinary Shares. See Capital Resources below for further details relating to the Series C Preference Ordinary Shares.
In July 2008, the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.19 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend paid in September 2008.
Following the settlement of the purchase contracts associated with the 7.0% ESUs in February 2009, the Company issued 11,461,080 Shares for net proceeds of approximately $743.1 million, which was used to retire the senior notes previously due February 2011 which had a fixed coupon of 5.25% (the 2011 Senior
Notes).
In February 2009, the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.10 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend paid in March 2009.
On March 26, 2009, the Company completed a cash tender offer for its outstanding Series C Preference Ordinary Shares that resulted in approximately 12.7 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $317.3 million being purchased by the Company for approximately $104.7 million plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, combined with professional fees totaling $0.8 million. As a result, a book value gain of approximately $211.8 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2009 to ordinary shareholders.
Other capital management initiatives undertaken in 2008 and 2009 included the following:
Upon expiration of the Companys quota share reinsurance treaty with Cyrus Re which reduced the Companys catastrophe exposures, the Company, effective January 1, 2008, entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty with a newly-formed Bermuda reinsurance company, Cyrus Re II. Pursuant to the terms of the
quota share reinsurance treaty, Cyrus Re II assumed a 10% cession of certain lines of property catastrophe reinsurance and retrocession business underwritten by certain operating subsidiaries of the Company for business that incepted between January 1, 2008 and July 1, 2008. In connection with such cessions, the
Company paid Cyrus Re II reinsurance premium less a ceding commission, which included a reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses incurred by the Company as well as a commission to the Company for generating the business. The quota share reinsurance treaty also provided for a profit commission payable to
the Company. Cyrus Re II was canceled and not renewed at December 31, 2008.
In the second quarter of 2008, the Company purchased additional reinsurance including several tranches of industry loss warranty contracts attaching at various levels. Such industry loss warranty contracts were short-term in nature and are not considered to be a permanent component of the Companys long-term risk
management strategy. In relation to catastrophe risk management, the Company considers the loss of capital due to a single large event and the loss of capital that would occur from multiple (but potentially smaller) events in any given year. The Company imposes a limit to catastrophe risk from any single loss in a
given region/peril at a 1% exceedance probability.
73
The Company manages its limits to a catastrophe risk from a single loss in a given peril/region at a 1% exceedance probability. Tier 1 limits which include natural catastrophes and other realistic disaster scenarios are targeted at a level not to exceed 15% of tangible shareholders equity, where Tier 2 limits, which
include pandemic, longevity and country risk, are established at no more than half of Tier 1 limits. These target limits are established by a combination of commercially available models, internally developed probable maximum loss estimates and the judgment of management.
Subsequent to December 31, 2009 the Company repurchased 4.4 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $110.8 million for approximately $94.2 million.
Proposed Redomestication to Ireland from The Cayman Islands
On January 12, 2010 the Company announced that it proposes to change the parent holding companys place of incorporation to Ireland from the Cayman Islands, with the parent holding company to be renamed XL Group plc. To effect the redomestication, a new Irish public limited company, XL Group plc, would
replace XL Capital Ltd as the ultimate holding company of the XL group of companies, and the Companys ordinary shareholders would receive one ordinary share of the new Irish company in lieu of each ordinary share of the Company held by them. The Company intends to submit the proposal for redomestication, along
with related proposals, to its shareholders and complete the transaction on July 1, 2010. The proposed redomestication will be subject to approval by the Companys ordinary shareholders and the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, as well as satisfaction of other conditions. The company has operated in Ireland for most of its
corporate history and is very familiar with its regulatory and legal environment. Ireland has strong international relationships as a member of the Organisation for Economic Co- Operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union, a long history of international investment, and long-established commercial
relationships, trade agreements and tax treaties with the other European Union member states, the United States and other countries around the world. As a result, the Company believes Ireland offers a stable long-term legal and regulatory environment with the financial sophistication to meet the needs of XLs global business.
The Company does not expect the redomestication will have any material impact on its financial results. The Company will continue to be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and be subject to SEC reporting requirements. Further, the Company will continue to be subject to the mandates of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the applicable corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and will continue to report its financial results in U.S. dollars and under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, in addition to any reporting requirements under Irish law. The Companys shares
will continue to trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol XL.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The following are considered to be the Companys critical accounting policies and estimates due to the judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies and/or the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. If actual events
differ significantly from the underlying assumptions or estimates applied for any or all of the accounting policies (either individually or in the aggregate), there could be a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. These critical accounting policies have been discussed by
management with the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors.
Other significant accounting policies are nevertheless important to an understanding of the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements. Policies such as those related to revenue recognition, financial instruments and consolidation require difficult judgments on complex matters that are often subject to multiple sources of
authoritative guidance. See Item 8, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Significant Accounting Policies.
1) Unpaid Loss and Loss Expenses and Unpaid Loss and Loss Expenses Recoverable
As the Company earns premiums for the underwriting risks it assumes, it also establishes an estimate of the expected ultimate losses related to the premium. Loss reserves or unpaid loss and loss expenses are established due to the significant periods of time that may lapse between the occurrence, reporting and
74
settlement of a loss. The process of establishing reserves for unpaid property and casualty claims can be complex and is subject to considerable variability, as it requires the use of informed estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments are based on numerous factors, and may be revised as additional experience and
other data become available and are reviewed, as new or improved methodologies are developed or as current laws change. Loss reserves include:
a) Case reserves reserves for reported losses and loss expenses that have not yet been settled; and
b) IBNR losses reserves for incurred but not reported losses or for reported losses over and above the amount of case reserves.
Case reserves
for the Companys property and casualty operations are established by management based on amounts reported from insureds or ceding companies and consultation with legal counsel, and represent the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to or specifically identified by the
Company. The method of establishing case reserves for reported claims differs among the Companys operations.
With respect to the Companys insurance operations, the Company is notified of insured losses and records a case reserve for the estimated amount of the settlement, if any. The estimate reflects the judgment of claims personnel based on general reserving practices, the experience and knowledge of such personnel
regarding the nature of the specific claim and, where appropriate, advice of legal counsel. Reserves are also established to provide for the estimated expense of settling claims, including legal and other fees and the general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process. With respect to the Companys reinsurance
operations, case reserves for reported claims are generally established based on reports received from ceding companies. Additional case reserves may be established by the Company to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of a loss. The uncertainty in the reserving process for reinsurers is due, in part, to the time lags inherent in
reporting from the original claimant to the primary insurer to the reinsurer. As a predominantly broker market reinsurer for both excess-of-loss and proportional contracts, the Company is subject to a potential additional time lag in the receipt of information as the primary insurer reports to the broker who in turn reports to the
Company. As of December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any significant backlog related to its processing of assumed reinsurance information.
Since the Company relies on information regarding paid losses, case reserves and IBNR provided by ceding companies in order to assist it in estimating its liability for unpaid losses and LAE, the Company maintains certain procedures in order to help determine the completeness and accuracy of such information.
Periodically, management assesses the reporting activities of its ceding companies on the basis of qualitative and quantitative criteria. In addition to conferring with ceding companies or brokers on claims matters, the Companys claims personnel conduct periodic audits of specific claims and the overall claims procedures of its
ceding companies at their offices. The Company relies on its ability to effectively monitor the claims handling and claims reserving practices of ceding companies in order to help establish the proper reinsurance premium for reinsurance agreements and to establish proper loss reserves. Disputes with ceding companies have
been rare and generally have been resolved through negotiation.
As noted above, case reserves for the Companys reinsurance operations are generally established based on reports received from ceding companies. Additional case reserves may be established by the Company to reflect the Companys estimated ultimate cost of a loss. In addition to information received from ceding
companies on reported claims, the Company also utilizes information on the pattern of ceding company loss reporting and loss settlements from previous catastrophic events in order to estimate the Companys ultimate liability related to catastrophic events such as hurricanes. Commercial catastrophe model analyses and zonal
aggregate exposures are utilized to assess potential client loss before and after an event. Initial cedant loss reports are generally obtained shortly after a catastrophic event, with subsequent updates received as new information becomes available. The Company actively requests loss updates from cedants periodically for the first
year following an event. The Companys claim settlement processes also incorporate an update to the total loss reserve at the time a claim payment is made to a ceding company.
While the reliance on loss reports from ceding companies may increase the level of uncertainty associated with the estimation of total loss reserves for property reinsurance relative to direct property insurance, there are several factors which serve to reduce the uncertainty in loss reserve estimates for property reinsurance.
First, for large natural catastrophe events, aggregate limits in property catastrophe reinsurance contracts are generally fully exhausted by the loss reserve estimates. Second, as a reinsurer, the
75
Company has access to information from a broad cross section of the insurance industry. The Company utilizes such information in order to perform consistency checks on the data provided by ceding companies and is able to identify trends in loss reporting and settlement activity and incorporate such information in its
estimate of IBNR reserves. Finally, the Company also supplements the loss information received from cedants with loss estimates developed by market share techniques and/or from third party catastrophe models applied to exposure data supplied by cedants.
IBNR reserves
represent managements best estimate, at a given point in time, of the amount in excess of case reserves that is needed for the future settlement and loss adjustment costs associated with claims incurred. It is possible that the ultimate liability may differ materially from these estimates. Because the ultimate
amount of unpaid losses and LAE is uncertain, the Company believes that quantitative techniques to estimate these amounts are enhanced by professional and managerial judgment. Management reviews the IBNR estimates produced by the Companys actuaries and determines its best estimate of the liabilities to record in the
Companys financial statements. The Company considers this single point estimate to be the mean expected outcome.
IBNR reserves are estimated by the Companys actuaries using several standard actuarial methodologies including the loss ratio method, the loss development or chain ladder method, the Bornhuetter-Ferguson (BF) method and frequency and severity approaches. IBNR related to a specific event may be based on the
Companys estimated exposure to an industry loss and may include the use of catastrophe modeling software. On a quarterly basis, IBNR reserves are reviewed by the Companys actuaries, and are adjusted as new information becomes available. Any such adjustments are accounted for as changes in estimates and are reflected
in the results of operations in the period in which they are made.
The Companys actuaries utilize one set of assumptions in determining its single point estimate, which includes actual loss data, loss development factors, loss ratios, reported claim frequency and severity. The actuarial reviews and documentation are completed in accordance with professional actuarial standards with
reserves established on a basis consistent with US GAAP. The selected assumptions reflect the actuarys judgment based on historical data and experience combined with information concerning current underwriting, economic, judicial, regulatory and other influences on ultimate claim settlements.
When estimating IBNR reserves, each of the Companys insurance and reinsurance business units segregate business into exposure classes (over 150 classes are reviewed in total). Within each class, the business is further segregated by either the year in which the contract incepted (underwriting year), the year in which
the claim occurred (accident year), or the year in which the claim is reported (report year). The majority of the Insurance segment is reviewed on an accident year basis. Professional lines insurance business is reviewed on a report year basis due to the claims made nature of the underlying policies. The majority of the
Reinsurance segment is reviewed on an underwriting year basis.
Generally, initial actuarial estimates of IBNR reserves not related to a specific event are based on the loss ratio method applied to each class of business. Actual paid losses and case reserves (reported losses) are subtracted from expected ultimate losses to determine IBNR reserves. The initial expected ultimate losses
involve management judgment and are based on historical information for that class of business; which includes loss ratios, market conditions, changes in pricing and conditions, underwriting changes, changes in claims emergence, and other factors that may influence expected ultimate losses.
Over time, as a greater number of claims are reported, actuarial estimates of IBNR are based on the BF and loss development techniques. The BF method utilizes actual loss data and the expected patterns of loss emergence, combined with an initial expectation of ultimate losses to determine an estimate of ultimate
losses. This method may be appropriate when there is limited actual loss data and a relatively less stable pattern of loss emergence. The chain ladder method utilizes actual loss and expected patterns of loss emergence to determine an estimate of ultimate losses that is independent of the initial expectation of ultimate losses.
This method may be appropriate when there is a relatively stable pattern of loss emergence and a relatively larger number of reported claims. Multiple estimates of ultimate losses using a variety of actuarial methods are calculated for each of the Companys (150+) classes of business for each year of loss experience. The
Companys actuaries look at each class and determine the most appropriate point estimate based on the characteristics of the particular class and other relevant factors, such as historical ultimate loss ratios, the presence of individual large losses, and known occurrences that have not yet resulted in reported
76
losses. Once the Companys actuaries make their determination of the most appropriate point estimate for each class, this information is aggregated and presented to management for review and approval.
The pattern of loss emergence is determined using actuarial analysis, including judgment, and is based on the historical patterns of the recording of paid and reported losses by the Company, as well as industry information. Information that may cause historical patterns to differ from future patterns is considered and
reflected in expected patterns as appropriate. For property, marine and aviation insurance, losses are generally reported within 2 to 3 years from the beginning of the accident year. For casualty insurance, loss emergence patterns can vary from 3 years to over 20 years depending on the type of business. For other insurance,
loss emergence patterns fall between the property and casualty insurance. For reinsurance business, loss reporting lags the corresponding insurance classes by at least one quarter due to the need for loss information to flow from the ceding companies to the Company generally via reinsurance intermediaries. Such lags in loss
reporting are reflected in the actuarys selections of loss reporting patterns used in establishing the Companys reserves.
Such estimates are not precise because, among other things, they are based on predictions of future developments and estimates of future trends in claim severity, claim frequency, and other issues. In the process of estimating IBNR reserves, provisions for economic inflation and changes in the social and legal
environment are considered, but involve considerable judgment. When estimating IBNR reserves, more judgement is typically required for lines of business with longer loss emergence patterns.
Due to the low frequency and high severity nature of some of the business underwritten by the Company, the Companys reserve estimates are highly dependent on actuarial and management judgment and are therefore uncertain. In property classes, there can be additional uncertainty in loss estimation related to large
catastrophe events. With wind events, such as hurricanes, the damage assessment process may take more than a year. The cost of claims is subject to volatility due to supply shortages for construction materials and labor. In the case of earthquakes, the damage assessment process may take several years as buildings are
discovered to have structural weaknesses not initially detected. The uncertainty inherent in IBNR reserve estimates is particularly pronounced for casualty coverages, such as excess liability, professional liability coverages, and workers compensation, where information emerges relatively slowly over time.
The Companys three types of property and casualty reserve exposure with the longest tails are:
(1) high layer excess casualty insurance;
(2) casualty reinsurance; and
(3) discontinued asbestos and long-tail environmental business.
Certain aspects of the Companys casualty operations complicate the actuarial process for establishing reserves. Certain casualty business written by the Companys insurance operations is high layer excess casualty business, meaning that the Companys liability attaches after large deductibles including self insurance or
insurance from sources other than the Company. The Company commenced writing this type of business in 1986 and issued policies in forms that were different from traditional policies used by the industry at that time. Initially, there was a lack of industry data available for this type of business. Consequently, the basis for
establishing loss reserves by the Company for this type of business was largely judgmental and based upon the Companys own reported loss experience which was used as a basis for determining ultimate losses, and therefore IBNR reserves. Over time, the amount of available historical loss experience data has increased. As
a result, the Company has obtained a larger statistical base to assist in establishing reserves for these excess casualty insurance claims.
High layer excess casualty insurance
claims typically involve claims relating to (i) a shock loss such as an explosion or transportation accident causing severe damage to persons and/or property over a short period of time, (ii) a non-shock loss where a large number of claimants are exposed to injurious conditions
over a longer period of time, such as exposure to chemicals or pharmaceuticals or (iii) a professional liability loss such as a medical malpractice claim. In each case, these claims are ultimately settled following extensive negotiations and legal proceedings. This process typically takes 5 to 15 years following the date of loss.
Reinsurance operations
by their nature add further complications to the reserving process, particularly for casualty business written, in that there is an inherent lag in the timing and reporting of a loss event
77
from an insured or ceding company to the reinsurer. This reporting lag creates an even longer period of time between the policy inception and when a claim is finally settled. As a result, more judgment is required to establish reserves for ultimate claims in the Companys reinsurance operations.
In the Companys reinsurance operations, case reserves for reported claims are generally established based on reports received from ceding companies. Additional case reserves may be established by the Company to reflect the Companys estimated ultimate cost of a loss.
Casualty reinsurance business involves reserving methods that generally include historical aggregated claim information as reported by ceding companies, combined with the results of claims and underwriting reviews of a sample of the ceding companys claims and underwriting files. Therefore, the Company does not
always receive detailed claim information for this line of business.
Discontinued asbestos and long-tail environment business
had been previously written by NAC Re Corp. (now known as XL Reinsurance America Inc.), prior to its acquisition by the Company. As at December 31, 2009, total gross unpaid losses and loss expenses in respect of this business represented less than 1% of
unpaid losses and loss expenses.
Except for certain workers compensation liabilities (including long-term disability), the Company does not discount its unpaid losses and loss expenses. The Company utilizes tabular reserving for workers compensation unpaid losses that are considered fixed and determinable. For further discussion see the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Loss and loss expenses are charged to income as they are incurred. These charges include loss and loss expense payments and any changes in case and IBNR reserves. During the loss settlement period, additional facts regarding claims are reported. As these additional facts are reported, it may be necessary to increase or
decrease the unpaid losses and loss expense reserves. The actual final liability may be significantly different than prior estimates.
The Companys net unpaid losses and loss expenses relating to the Companys operating segments at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
December 31,
December 31,
Insurance
$
11,128
$
11,126
Reinsurance
6,138
6,559
Net unpaid loss and loss expense reserves
$
17,266
$
17,685
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Net Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses
Case
IBNR
Total
Insurance
Casualty professional lines.
$
1,443
2,962
4,405
Casualty other lines
1,529
2,329
3,858
Property
340
76
416
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite
578
492
1,070
Other specialty lines (2)
351
582
933
Other (3)
251
138
389
Structured indemnity
(8
)
65
57
Total
$
4,484
6,644
11,128
Reinsurance
Casualty (4)
$
1,723
2,321
4,044
Property catastrophe (1)
111
140
251
Other property
396
417
813
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite
439
35
474
Other (3)
233
262
495
Structured indemnity
61
61
Total
$
2,902
3,236
6,138
TOTAL
$
7,386
9,880
17,266
78
2009
2008
as at December 31, 2009
Reserves
Reserves
Reserves
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Net Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses
Case
IBNR
Total
Insurance
Casualty professional lines
$
1,558
$
2,764
$
4,322
Casualty other lines
1,551
2,190
3,741
Property
491
133
624
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite
635
534
1,169
Other specialty lines (2)
341
500
841
Other (3)
233
146
379
Structured indemnity
(7
)
57
50
Total
$
4,802
$
6,324
$
11,126
Reinsurance
Casualty (4)
$
1,715
$
2,427
$
4,142
Property catastrophe (1)
157
148
305
Other property
535
427
962
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite
443
72
515
Other (3)
256
301
557
Structured indemnity
78
78
Total
$
3,106
$
3,453
$
6,559
TOTAL
$
7,908
$
9,777
$
17,685
as at December 31, 2008
Reserves
Reserves
Reserves
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
Property catastrophe IBNR includes event specific reserves for losses that the Companys insureds and cedants have informed the Company they expect to incur but have not yet had reported known claims. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(2) |
|
Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, specie, middle markets and excess and surplus lines. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(3) |
|
Other includes credit and surety, whole account contracts and other lines. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(4) |
|
Within the Reinsurance segment, casualty-other and casualty-professional lines of business are shown in the aggregate.
|
As noted above, management reviews the IBNR estimates produced by the Companys actuaries and determines its best estimate of the liabilities to record in the Companys financial statements. The Company considers this single point estimate to be the mean expected outcome. Management believes that the actuarial methods utilized adequately provide for loss development.
Management does not build in a provision for uncertainty outside of the estimates prepared by the Companys actuaries.
While the proportion of unpaid losses and loss expenses represented by IBNR is sensitive to a number of factors, the most significant ones have historically been accelerated business growth and changes in business mix. Other factors that have affected the ratio in the past include additions to prior period reserves, catastrophic occurrences, settlement of large claims and changes in claims settlement patterns.
The ratio of IBNR to total reserves has increased in recent years due to the growth of casualty and professional business written over that period. The ratio of IBNR to total reserves is higher for more recent years business because these immature years have relatively fewer claims reported and, as a result, a higher proportion of claims reserves are based on experience in respect of incurred but not reported losses. As each prior year of business matures and claims become known, the ratio of IBNR to total reserves will typically decline, all other factors remaining constant. Since the Company has experienced premium volume growth in recent years, the ratio of IBNR to total reserves has increased because the Companys aggregate exposure has become relatively less mature. Conversely, in a situation of declining premium volume, this ratio will typically decline, all other factors remaining constant. The Company writes insurance and reinsurance business in many different lines. Typically, the ratio of IBNR to total reserves is greater for casualty (including professional) lines (which are longer-tail in nature) than for property lines due to the policy forms utilized and timing of loss reporting. In recent years, casualty lines have increased as a proportion of the Companys business when compared to property lines (which are shorter-tail in nature).
79
IBNR reserves are calculated by the Companys actuaries using standard actuarial methodologies as discussed above. Since the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company adopted a methodology that provides a single point reserve estimate separately for each line of business and also a range of possible outcomes
across each single point reserve estimate. This is discussed further below.
The following table shows the recorded estimate and the high and low ends of the range of the Companys net unpaid losses and loss expenses for each of the lines of business noted above at December 31, 2009:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Net Unpaid
Range of Net
Range of Net
High
Low
Insurance
Casualty professional lines
$
4,405
$
4,921
$
3,913
Casualty other lines.
3,858
4,344
3,394
Property
416
462
373
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite.
1,070
1,183
962
Other specialty lines (2)
933
1,020
848
Other (3)
389
448
333
Total (5)
$
11,071
$
12,071
$
10,106
Reinsurance
Casualty (4)
$
4,044
$
4,446
$
3,674
Property catastrophe (1).
251
317
192
Other property
813
915
718
Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite.
474
537
416
Other (3)
495
567
431
Total (5)
$
6,077
$
6,584
$
5,604
Structured Indemnity (5)
$
118
Total
$
17,266
(1)
Property catastrophe IBNR includes event specific reserves for losses that the Companys insureds and cedants have informed it they expect to incur but have not yet had reported known claims.
(2)
Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, and excess and surplus lines.
(3)
Other includes credit and surety, whole account contracts and other lines.
(4)
Within the Reinsurance segment, casualty-other and casualty-professional lines of business are shown in the aggregate.
(5)
The range for the total Insurance and Reinsurance segment reserves is narrower than the sum of the ranges for the lines of business shown in the table due to diversification benefits across the lines of business. In addition, the total for each of the Insurance and Reinsurance segments does not include reserves relating to structured indemnity business as the Company does not develop reserve ranges for
this line of business.
Actual development of recorded reserves as of December 31, 2008 during 2009 was within the estimated reserve range.
There are factors that would cause reserves to increase or decrease within the context of the range provided. The magnitude of any change in ultimate losses would be determined by the magnitude of any changes to the Companys assumptions or combined impact of changes in assumptions. Factors that would increase
reserves include, but are not limited to, increases in claim severity, increases in expected level of reported claims, changes to the regulatory environment which expand the exposure insured by the Company, changes in the litigation environment that increase claim awards, filings or verdicts, unexpected increases in loss
inflation, and/or new types of claims being pursued against the Company. Factors that would decrease reserves include, but are not limited to, decreases in claim severity, reductions in the expected level of reported claims, changes to the regulatory environment which contract the exposure
80
Losses and Loss
Expenses
Recorded as at
December 31,
2009
Unpaid Losses &
Loss Expenses
Estimated as at
December 31,
2009
Unpaid Losses &
Loss Expenses
Estimated as at
December 31,
2009
insured by the Company, changes in the litigation environment that decrease claim awards, filings or verdicts, and/or unexpected decreases in loss inflation.
The Companys methodology in 2009 for calculating reserve ranges around its single point reserve estimate is consistent with that used in 2008. The Company modeled a statistical distribution of potential reserve outcomes over a one year run-off period for each of the approximately 35 lines of business. In doing so the
Company evaluated a number of alternative models, and for each line of business the Companys actuaries selected the distribution parameters deemed to be most appropriate. Factors affecting this decision included an assessment of the model fit, availability and relevance of data and the impact of changes in business mix.
The Company used the modeled statistical distribution to calculate an 80% confidence interval for the potential reserve outcomes over this one year run-off period. The high and low end points of the ranges set forth in the above table are such that there is a 10% modeled probability that the reserve will develop higher than
the high point and a 10% modeled probability that the reserve will develop lower than the low point.
The development of a reserve range models the uncertainty of the claim environment as well as the limited predictive power of past loss data. These uncertainties and limitations are not specific to the Company. The ranges represent an estimate of the range of possible outcomes over a one year development period. A
range of possible outcomes should not be confused with a range of best estimates. The range of best estimates will generally be much narrower than the range of possible outcomes as it will reflect reasonable actuarial best estimates of the expected reserve.
Reserve volatility was analyzed for each line of business (excluding structured indemnity) within each of the Reinsurance and Insurance segments using the Companys historical data supplemented by industry data. These ranges were then aggregated to the lines of business shown above taking into account correlation
between lines of business. The practical result of the correlation approach to aggregation is that the ranges by line of business disclosed above, are narrower than the sum of the ranges of the individual lines of business. Similarly, the range for the Companys total reserves in the aggregate, is narrower than the sum of the
ranges for the lines of business disclosed above.
On an annual basis, the Company reviews the correlation assumptions between its various lines of business. Since 2006, the Company has utilized a simplified approach of assigning ratings of low, medium or high to its correlation assumptions for each line of business pairing based on the judgment of the reserving
actuaries. This simplified approach has been utilized due to the limited amount of historical experience within its portfolio as well as limited applicable industry data. However, the Companys actual historical experience and industry data were used to judgmentally select a range of values for the low, medium and high
correlations, respectively, of 15%, 30% and 50%. It should be noted that both the Companys own experience and the industry data exhibit negative correlations in reserve developments between certain lines of business. However, as a measure of prudence in evaluating the reserve ranges, the Company has used a minimum of
15% correlation between any two lines of business. The analysis of correlations and the reflection of potential diversification benefits across lines of business represent another area of uncertainty in the development of estimated reserve ranges.
The Company is not aware of any generally accepted model to perform the reserve range analysis described above. However, other models may be employed to develop these ranges.
See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Segments below for further discussion on prior year development of loss reserves.
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
The recognition of unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable requires two key judgments. The first judgment involves the Companys estimation of the amount of gross IBNR to be ceded to reinsurers. Ceded IBNR is generally developed as part of the Companys loss reserving process and consequently, its estimation is
subject to similar risks and uncertainties as the estimation of gross IBNR (see Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Unpaid losses and loss expenses and unpaid loss and loss expense recoverable). The second judgment involves the Companys estimate of the amount of the reinsurance recoverable balance that the
Company will ultimately be unable to recover from related reinsurers due to insolvency, contractual dispute, or for other reasons. Amounts estimated to be uncollectible are reflected in
81
a bad debt provision that reduces the reinsurance recoverable balance and shareholders equity. Changes in the bad debt provision are reflected in net income. See Item 8, Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Reinsurance, for further information.
The Company uses a default analysis to estimate uncollectible reinsurance. The primary components of the default analysis are reinsurance recoverable balances by reinsurer, net of collateral, estimated recovery rates and default factors used to determine the portion of a reinsurers balance deemed uncollectible. The
definition of collateral for this purpose requires some judgment and is generally limited to assets held in trust, letters of credit, and liabilities held by the Company with the same legal entity for which the Company believes there is a right of offset. Default factors require considerable judgment and are determined using the
current rating, or rating equivalent, of each reinsurer as well as other key considerations and assumptions.
2) Future Policy Benefit Reserves
Future policy benefit reserves relate to the Companys life operations and are estimated using assumptions for investment yields, mortality, expenses and provisions for adverse loss deviation. Uncertainties related to interest rate volatility and mortality experience make it difficult to project and value the ultimate benefit
payments.
Most of the Companys future policy benefit reserves relate to annuity portfolio reinsurance contracts under which the Company makes annuity payments throughout the term of the contract for a specified portfolio of policies.
For certain of these contracts, a single premium is paid at inception of the contract by way of a transfer of cash and investments to the Company.
The reserving methodology for these annuity portfolio reinsurance contracts is described in the authoritative guidance issued by the FASB for accounting and reporting by insurance for certain long-duration contracts as well as authoritative guidance over realized gains and losses from the sale of investments. These
contracts subject the Company to risks arising from policyholder mortality over a period that extends beyond the periods in which premiums are collected. Liabilities for future policy benefit reserves are established in accordance with the provisions of this guidance.
Claims and expenses for individual policies within these annuity reinsurance contracts are projected over the lifetime of the contract to calculate a net present value of future cash flows. Assumptions for each element of the basis (mortality, expenses and interest) are determined at the issue of the contract and these
assumptions are locked-in throughout the term of the contract unless a premium deficiency exists. The assumptions are best estimate assumptions plus provisions for adverse deviations on the key risk elements (i.e., mortality and interest). Provisions for adverse deviation are designed to cover reasonable deviations from the
best estimate outcome of the contract. As the experience on the contracts emerges, the assumptions are reviewed. This occurs at least annually and includes both an analysis of experience and review of likely future experience. If such review would produce reserves in excess of those currently held then lock-in assumptions
will be revised and a loss recognized. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, there were no adjustments to the locked-in assumptions for these annuity reinsurance contracts.
The future policy benefit reserves for these annuity portfolio reinsurance contracts amounted to $4.6 billion and $4.4 billion at December 31, 2009 and 2008 respectively. The Company holds the investment assets backing these liabilities. These investments are primarily fixed income securities with maturities that closely
match the expected claims settlement profile. A 0.1% decrease in the investment yield assumption would result in approximately a $34 million increase in the value of future claims related to annuity portfolio reinsurance.
As stated above, the future policy benefit reserves include provisions for adverse deviation in excess of best estimate assumptions that amounted to approximately $232 million and $178 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The future policy benefit reserves would only be increased if these provisions for
adverse deviation became insufficient in the light of emerging claims experience. The present value of future claims would increase by approximately $19 million if mortality rates were to decrease by 1% in all future years, relative to the reserving assumptions.
82
The Company also provides reinsurance of disability income protection, for an in-force block of business. The future policy benefit reserves for these contracts amounted to approximately $94 million and $97 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Future policy benefit reserves include the lock-in of
assumptions at inception with periodic review against experience. The liabilities relate to in-force blocks of business, comprising underlying insurance policies that provide an income if the policyholder becomes sick or disabled. The liabilities are therefore driven mainly by the rates at which policyholders become sick (where
sickness is defined by the policy conditions) and by the rates at which these policyholders recover or die. A 1% increase in the incidence rate would increase the value of future claims by approximately $1.6 million, while a 1% decrease in the termination rate would increase the value of future claims by approximately $3.0
million. While no changes to the locked-in assumptions were made in 2009 or in 2008, following a review of claim termination experience in 2007, the reserving assumptions were revised, resulting in a reduction in income of $10.0 million during the year.
The Company also provides reinsurance of term assurance and critical illness policies written in the U.K., Ireland and the US. The future policy benefit reserves for these contracts amounted to approximately $229 million and $279 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. $23 million of this reduction resulted
from the sale of the U.S. life reinsurance business, XL Re Life America Inc. $124 million of this reduction resulted from the novation and recapture of a number of U.K. and Irish term assurance and critical illness treaties, which was offset by increases in reserves due to new business, ageing of the portfolio and the
weakening of the U.S. dollar against the U.K. Pound Sterling and Euro in 2009. Future policy benefit reserves include the lock-in of assumptions at inception with periodic review against experience. The provisions for adverse deviation in these reserves amounted to approximately $20 million and $25 million at December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
The liabilities relate to in-force blocks of business and to treaties accepting new business through 2009, comprising underlying insurance policies that provide mainly lump sum benefits if the policyholder dies or becomes sick. For term assurance, the liabilities are therefore driven by the rates of mortality and for critical
illness cover, the liabilities are driven predominantly by the rates at which policyholders become sick, where sickness is defined by the treaty conditions (i.e., the morbidity rates). A 1% increase in the mortality rate relative to the reserving assumption would increase the value of future claims by approximately $2.0 million,
and a 1% increase in the morbidity rate would increase the value of future claims by approximately $1.2 million.
The term assurance and critical illness treaties have been written using a variety of structures, some of which incur acquisition costs during an initial period. For such treaties, a deferred acquisition cost (DAC) asset has been established and an increase in future lapse rates could impact the recoverability of such costs
from future premiums. The recoverability will also be influenced by the impact of lapses on future claims. An increase in the annual lapse rates by 1% could lead to a 5%-10% reduction in future margins available for amortizing the DAC asset.
The Company also provided reinsurance of a block of U.S. based term assurance, which was novated to the Company from an insurance affiliate in December 2002. The future policy benefit reserves for these contracts amounted to approximately $259 million and $254 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Future policy benefit reserves are established in accordance with the provisions of general authoritative guidance on accounting for insurance enterprises, including the lock-in of assumptions at inception with periodic review against experience.
The liabilities relate to in-force blocks of business, which are comprised of underlying insurance policies that provide mainly lump sum benefits if the policyholder dies. The liabilities are therefore driven by the rates of mortality, and a 1% increase in the mortality rate relative to the reserving assumption would increase
the value of future claims by approximately $9 million. The liabilities are also affected by lapse experience, and a 1% decrease in lapse rates relative to the reserving assumption would increase the reserve by approximately $1.5 million. While no changes to the locked-in assumptions were made in 2009 or in 2008, following
a review of mortality and lapse experience in 2007, the locked-in assumptions were revised, resulting in a reduction in income of $25.4 million during the year.
For further information see Item 8, Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Future Policy Benefit Reserves.
83
3) Derivative Instruments
With regards to derivative instruments, the Company conducts activities mainly in investment-related derivative instruments, which may include credit derivatives. In addition, outside of the Companys investment portfolio, the Company previously wrote credit derivatives. The estimate of fair value for credit derivatives
requires managements judgment. This is discussed below:
a) Credit Derivatives
The Company held credit derivative exposures through a limited number of contracts written as part of the Companys previous financial lines businesses, and through the Companys prior reinsurance agreements with Syncora, as described below. Following the secondary sale of Syncora common shares, the Company
retained some credit derivative exposures written by Syncora and certain of its subsidiaries through reinsurance agreements that had certain derivatives exposures embedded within them. The change in value of the derivative portion of the financial guarantee reinsurance agreements the Company had with Syncora was included
in Net (loss) income from operating affiliates. Following the closing of the Master Agreement during August 2008, as described in Item 8, Note 4, to the Consolidated Financial Statements Syncora Holdings Ltd. of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which terminated
certain reinsurance and other agreements, these credit derivative exposures were eliminated by virtue of the commutation of the relevant reinsurance agreements.
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008 the remaining credit derivative exposures outside of the Companys investment portfolio consisted of 2 and 23 contracts, respectively, written by the Company that provide credit protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions with total insured contractual payments
outstanding of $271.7 million ($244.9 million principal and $26.8 million interest), and $639.5 million ($499.5 million principal and $140.0 million of interest), weighted average contractual term to maturity of 6.0 years and 5.7 years, a total liability recorded of $18.4 million and $28.6 million, respectively, and an average
rating of AA underlying obligations at each of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2009, there were no reported events of default on the underlying obligations. Credit derivatives are recorded at fair value, which is determined using either models developed by the Company or third party prices
and are dependent upon a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, future default rates, credit spreads, changes in credit quality, future expected recovery rates and other market factors. The change resulting from movements in credit and credit quality spreads is unrealized as the credit derivatives are not traded to
realize this resultant value.
See Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for sensitivity analysis and Item 8, Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Derivative Instruments.
4) Other Than Temporary Declines in Investments (OTTI)
The Companys process for identifying declines in the fair value of investments that are other than temporary involves consideration of several factors. These primary factors include (i) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and financial condition of the issuer including consideration of credit ratings, (ii) the
significance of the decline, (iii) an analysis of the collateral structure and other credit support, as applicable, of the securities in question, and (iv), for debt securities, whether the Company intends to sell such securities. In addition, the authoritative guidance requires that OTTI for certain asset backed and mortgage backed
securities are recognized if the fair value of the security is less than its discounted cash flow value and there has been a decrease in the present value of the expected cash flows since the last reporting period. Where the Companys analysis of the above factors results in the Companys conclusion that declines in fair values
are other than temporary, the cost of the security is written down to discounted cash flow and the previously unrealized loss is therefore realized in the period such determination is made.
As mentioned above, the Company considers whether it has an intent to sell a debt security before the value recovers as part of the process of evaluating whether a securitys unrealized loss represents an other than temporary decline. However, this factor on its own does not dictate whether or not the Company
recognizes an impairment charge. The Companys belief that it will not be more likely than not required to sell securities is supported by positive and sufficient cash flow from its operations and from maturities within its investment portfolio in order to meet its claims payment obligations arising from its underwriting
operations without selling such investments.
84
There are risks and uncertainties associated with determining whether declines in the fair value of investments are other than temporary. These include subsequent significant changes in general economic conditions as well as specific business conditions affecting particular issuers, the Companys liability profile, subjective
assessment of issue-specific factors (seniority of claims, collateral value, etc.), future financial market effects, stability of foreign governments and economies, future rating agency actions and significant disclosure of accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues that may adversely affect certain investments. In addition,
significant assumptions and management judgment are involved in determining if the decline is other than temporary. If management determines that a decline in fair value is temporary, then a securitys value is not written down at that time. However, there are potential effects upon the Companys future earnings and
financial position should management later conclude that some of the current declines in the fair value of the investments are other than temporary declines. See Investment Activities hereinfor further information on other than temporary declines in the value of investments and unrealized loss on investments.
Key Assumptions used in determination of credit losses related to fixed maturities
The Company reviews, on a quarterly basis, the entirety of its investment portfolio in a gross unrealized loss position to assess whether it believes a credit loss, relative to the current amortized cost of the security, exists. The Company utilizes specific screening criteria to identify securities at risk for a credit loss, and if
any of these conditions exists, subject the individual security to a detailed review to determine if a credit loss exists. The screening criteria used by the Company include the absolute degree of impairment of the security as a percentage of amortized cost, the credit rating of the security, the market yield-to-maturity of the
security, and any securities that have previously been identified as impaired due to credit losses and thus are at elevated risk of further impairments. In addition, on a quarterly basis, the Company reviews any current market developments and identifies if there are new issues that may adversely impact the Companys
investment portfolio, and reviews any impacted holdings.
Credit loss methodology structured credit
Credit loss on structured credit securities is determined through a comparison of the securitys discounted cash flow to the amortized cost of the security. To the extent that the discounted cash flow is estimated to be lower than the amortized cost of the security, the security is impaired to the discounted cash flow value
of all security cash flows, including both coupon and principal repayment, discounted at the original security coupon, or for certain securities, the rate which represents the current yield of the securities.
The Company, in conjunction with its third-party investment management service providers, makes significant assumptions in its impairment analysis with regards to the following specific asset classes. These assumptions are as at December 31, 2009 and are subject to changes in both economic fundamentals and
managements estimates in future periods.
(1) Non-Agency RMBS
The Company utilizes assumptions specific to its individual holdings and accordingly individual assumptions will differ on a security by security basis depending on the quality of the collateral and the performance of the underlying pools. In general, the Company projects that future defaults will develop based on the
performance of the underlying collateral, measured by the number of loans currently in arrears.
Loans > 30 days in arrears
50% will ultimately default
Loans 30-60 days in arrears
60% will ultimately default
Loans 30-90 days in arrears
75% will ultimately default
Loans in foreclosure
100% default rate
Bank held
75% default rate
The Company estimates that the cumulative losses on the mortgage structures it owns will vary depending on the vintage and collateral of the underlying loans in the holdings. Cumulative deal loss expectations are projected based on the number of loans expected to take a loss and the severity of loss
85
upon default. Loan loss severities depend on the borrower, geographic location and loan to value characteristics of the underlying collateral. The Company estimates that loss severities will range from 40-60% for sub prime and Alt-A loans and 10-20% for Prime loans. These cumulative losses results are then compared to the
level of subordination within the Companys holdings to measure if impairment exists.
Vintage
2007
2006
2005
2004
2nd Lien
75
%
55
%
30
%
15
%
Alt-A non option ARM
30
%
25
%
14
%
6
%
Alt-A Option ARM
39
%
33
%
19
%
10
%
Prime
12
%
10
%
6
%
2
%
Subprime.
47
%
40
%
23
%
12
%
(2) Core CDOs
The Company utilizes a scenario based approach to reviewing the majority of its CDO portfolio, which consists primarily of collateralized loan obligations. The five significant scenarios utilized in the model consist of:
¡
2 base cases assuming asset defaults are equivalent to either the expected corporate default probabilities, or the cumulative default rates for similar time frames from the period of 1983 to 2008
¡
Optimistic/pessimistic cases assuming assets have a default rate equivalent to 1 rating notch higher/lower than their current rating and if on positive/negative watch then 2 notches higher/lower than their current rating
¡
A market implied scenario based on the current asset market price, assuming that lower priced loans have a higher default rate
The weighted scenario of the five scenarios above is used for the determination of a potential impairment. If losses are forecast to be below the subordination level for the tranche of holding held by the Company, the security is determined not to be impaired. The weighting between these scenarios varies over time depending
on market conditions, but the weighting used for the year-end 2009 evaluation consisted of 45% to the base cases noted above, 0% to the optimistic case, 25% to the pessimistic case, and 30% to the market implied case. For the non-CLO portion of the core CDO portfolio, the Company utilizes specific default scenarios
related to the particular underlying assets.
(3) Other structured credit assets classes
The remainder of the gross unrealized losses related to the Companys structured credit portfolio are concentrated in the following significant asset classes:
¡
Agency RMBS, which represent AAA rated holdings backed by either the explicit or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government. The Company considers the risk of loss in these asset classes remote and linked to the overall credit-worthiness of the U.S. government.
¡
CMBS, which are dominated by AAA rated holdings which generally have high levels of credit subordination, are highly diversified and despite recent volatility related to credit spreads, are priced reasonably close to par. The Company reviews these holdings on an individual security basis to the extent they meet the
screens noted above, but generally does not believe these securities to have a high risk of credit loss given their high subordination levels.
¡
Other ABS, which is a mix of mostly investment grade credit card, auto and non US ABS structures have risk and performance characteristics unrelated to the US housing market. In cases where these sectors have met Company screens the individual securities are evaluated based on fundamental credit analysis of the
underlying structure. Impairments in this category have been limited primarily to securities with inherent extension risk as opposed to risk of default or loss of cash flow.
Credit loss analysis corporates
Credit losses on corporate securities are generally determined on an individual security basis. The Company reviews the circumstances and conditions associated with its credit issuers, including considering credit rating and forecast operating and financing activities of the issuer, and will make a determination as to
whether it believes the issuer is likely to fully meet its contractual principal and interest obligations. To
86
the extent the Company does not believe the issuers will meet these obligations, it recognizes a credit loss as the difference between amortized cost and the estimated present value of cash flows expected to be received. The Company reviews the ability to pay at the lowest tier (i.e. most subordinated) of the capital structure
at which it holds securities, and to the extent it is satisfied in the performance of the lower tier, concludes that any more senior tiers are also likely to meet obligations.
The company evaluates separately credit losses associated with below investment grade hybrid securities, representing Tier One and Upper Tier Two perpetual preferred securities that have been rated below investment grade by at least one major rating agency. The Company completes a debt-based impairment review,
including an analysis of whether these securities are expected to meet their obligations, and whether the issuer has the ability to call these obligations at their call date. In addition, the Company uses an equity-impairment model to evaluate these holdings, including assessing the expected recovery period of the securities, the
length of time these securities have been rated below investment grade, and whether alternative ratings were available that indicates these securities remain investment grade, or only slightly below investment grade. In addition, the Company evaluates the likelihood of how various governments have treated the perpetual
preferred shareholdings in the event of government intervention in these institutions operations or managements decision to defer calls or coupons.
The Company evaluated the credit losses associated with its medium term notes, which generally represent notes backed primarily by investment grade European credit. The Company evaluates the cash flows expected from the notes over their remaining expected life, including an evaluation of the likelihood of current
holdings to meet their principal and interest obligations, and incorporates current reinvestment assumptions on any security maturities or reinvestment of cash flows. These cash flows are discounted at the original yield, adjusted for changes in interest rates for floating rate securities expected from these securities, and to the
extent the discounted cash flow value is below the amortized cost, recognizes an impairment charge.
5) Income Taxes
The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The
Company had capitalized net operating tax losses of $314.0 million and $317.3 million against which a valuation allowance of $220.7 million and $224.3 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was established. The Company had capitalized realized and unrealized capital losses of approximately $262.4 million
and $32.3 million, respectively, against which a valuation allowance of approximately $294.7 million at December 31, 2009 was established. Included within the capitalized realized losses are $168.7 million of losses arising from the sale of investments to a group company, against which a valuation allowance of $168.7
million has been established. The deferral of benefits from tax losses is evaluated based upon managements estimates of the future profitability of the Companys taxable entities based on current forecasts, the character of income and the period for which losses may be carried forward. A valuation allowance may have to be
established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized. Should the future income of these entities fall below expectations, a further valuation allowance would have to be established, which could be significant. In addition, if any further losses are generated by these entities, these
losses may not be tax affected.
For further information see Other Revenues and Expenses and Item 8, Note 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Taxation.
6) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Company has recorded goodwill in connection with various acquisitions in prior years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. In accordance with FASB issued final authoritative guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company tests goodwill for
potential impairment annually as of June 30 and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate that potential exists for the fair value of a reporting unit to be reduced to a level below its carrying amount. The Company tests for impairment at the reporting unit level in accordance with the
authoritative guidance on intangibles and goodwill. For the reinsurance segment, a
87
reporting unit is one level below the business segment, while for insurance, the segment is also the reporting unit. The first step is to identify potential impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to the estimated book value, including goodwill. The fair value of each reporting unit is derived based
upon valuation techniques and assumptions the Company believes market participants would use to value the business and this is then compared to the book value of the business. The Company derives the net book value of its reporting units by estimating the amount of shareholders equity required to support the activities of
each reporting unit. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are generally determined utilizing methodologies that incorporate price-to-net-tangible-book and price-to-earnings multiples of certain comparable companies, from an operational and economic standpoint. If such estimated fair value, combined with an estimate
of an appropriate control premium, indicates a close call or potential impairment, further analysis using discounted cash flows is performed. A control premium represents the value an investor would pay above minority interest transaction prices in order to obtain a controlling interest in the respective company. If the
estimated fair value exceeds the book value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not deemed to be impaired. If the book value exceeds the estimated fair value, the second step of the process is performed to measure the amount of impairment.
For further detailed information, see Item 8, Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
7) Reinsurance Premium Estimates
The Company writes business on both an excess of loss and proportional basis. In the case of excess of loss contracts, the subject written premium is generally outlined within the treaty and the Company receives a minimum and/or deposit premium on a quarterly basis which is normally followed by an adjustment
premium based on the ultimate subject premium for the contract. The Company estimates the premium written on the basis of the expected subject premium and regularly reviews this against actual quarterly statements to revise the estimate based on the information provided by the cedant.
On proportional contracts, written premiums are estimated to expected ultimate premiums based on information provided by the ceding companies. An estimate of premium is recorded at the inception of the contract. The ceding companys premium estimate may be adjusted based on their history of providing accurate
premium estimates. When the actual premium is reported by the ceding company, normally on a quarterly basis, it may be materially higher or lower than the estimate. Adjustments arising from the reporting of actual premium by the ceding companies are recorded in the period in which they are determined.
Written premiums on excess of loss contracts are earned in accordance with the loss occurring period defined within the treaty, normally 12 months following inception of the contract. Written premiums on proportional contracts are earned over the risk periods of the underlying policies issued and renewed, normally 24
months. For both excess of loss and proportional contracts, the earned premium is recognized ratably over the earning period, namely 12 - 24 months. The portion of the premium related to the unexpired portion of the policy at the end of any reporting period is reflected in unearned premiums.
Reinstatement premiums are recognized at the time a loss event occurs where coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms and are fully earned when recognized. Accrual of reinstatement premiums is based on the Companys estimate of loss and loss adjustment
expense reserves, which involves management judgment as described below.
Reinsurance operations by their nature add further complications in that generally the ultimate premium due under a specific contract will not be known at the time the contract is entered into. As a result, more judgment and ongoing monitoring is required to establish premiums written and earned in the Companys
reinsurance operations.
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the amount of premiums receivable related to the Companys reinsurance operations amounted to $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.
A significant portion of amounts included as premiums receivable, which represent estimated premiums written, net of commissions, are not currently due based on the terms of the underlying contracts. Management reviews the premiums receivable balance at least quarterly and provides a provision for amounts deemed to
be uncollectible. The Company recorded a provision for uncollectible premiums
88
receivable related to its reinsurance operations at December 31, 2009 and 2008 of $4.8 million and $19.0 million, respectively.
The amount of proportional and excess of loss reinsurance gross premiums written and gross acquisition expenses recognized by the Companys reinsurance operations for each line of business for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
Gross
Gross
Gross
Gross
Gross
Gross
Proportional Contracts:
Casualty other lines
44,924
12,075
47,791
16,777
133,444
52,062
Casualty professional lines
41,195
12,652
62,268
20,772
47,361
23,413
Other property
703,219
164,094
745,244
148,066
739,130
201,170
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
34,636
8,116
32,935
14,101
47,359
14,981
Other (1)
144,116
40,628
197,418
25,339
222,374
37,177
Total Proportional contracts
$
968,090
$
237,565
$
1,085,656
$
225,055
$
1,189,668
$
328,803
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31,
December 31,
December 31,
Gross
Gross
Gross
Gross
Gross
Gross
Excess of loss Contracts:
Property catastrophe
$
357,267
$
33,074
$
401,740
$
30,688
$
475,540
$
46,621
Casualty other lines
173,853
34,383
308,932
50,565
409,807
69,133
Casualty professional lines
129,733
26,241
151,251
29,696
208,919
45,476
Other property
159,091
12,892
202,655
18,096
231,066
21,724
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
54,463
5,429
86,658
9,191
103,189
11,121
Other (1)
11,978
2,642
22,914
8,792
17,044
2,956
Structured Indemnity
4,948
2,566
671
2,699
28,261
374
Total Excess of loss contracts
$
891,333
$
117,227
$
1,174,821
$
149,727
$
1,473,826
$
197,405
(1)
Following a streamlining of the Companys operating segments in the first quarter of 2009, the Company is organized into three operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance and Life Operations in addition to a Corporate segment that includes the general investment and financing operations of the Company.
The Company evaluates the performance of both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit and contribution from its Life Operations segment. Other items of revenue and expenditure of the Company are not evaluated at the segment level for reporting purposes. In addition, the Company does
not allocate investment assets by segment for its property and casualty (P&C) operations. Investment assets related to the Companys Life Operations and certain structured products included in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments and in Corporate are held in separately identified portfolios. As such, net investment income
from these assets is included in the contribution from each of these segments. See Item 8, Note 6 Segment Information for a reconciliation of segment data to the Companys consolidated financial statements.
89
2009
2008
2007
Premiums
Written
Acquisition
Expenses
Premiums
Written
Acquisition
Expenses
Premiums
Written
Acquisition
Expenses
2009
2008
2007
Premiums
Written
Acquisition
Expenses
Premiums
Written
Acquisition
Expenses
Premiums
Written
Acquisition
Expenses
Other includes credit and surety, whole account contracts and other lines.
The following table summarizes the underwriting profit (loss) for the Insurance segment:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
% Change
2008
% Change
2007
Gross premiums written
$
4,251,888
(19.9
)%
$
5,308,914
(2.3
)%
$
5,434,266
Net premiums written
3,273,380
(17.9
)%
3,984,826
(4.8
)%
4,186,855
Net premiums earned
3,559,793
(10.9
)%
3,997,045
(2.9
)%
4,116,588
Net losses and loss expenses.
2,399,747
(12.2
)%
2,733,344
5.3
%
2,594,812
Acquisition costs
429,170
(7.7
)%
465,044
(3.9
)%
484,014
Operating expenses
689,131
0.3
%
687,129
0.6
%
683,108
Underwriting profit
$
41,745
(62.6
)%
$
111,528
(68.6
)%
$
354,654
Net results structured products
$
16,660
NM
*
$
(14,713
)
NM
*
$
(2,480
)
Net fee income and other
(14,241
)
NM
*
(5,072
)
NM
*
11,812
*
NM Not Meaningful
Gross and net premiums written decreased by 19.9% and 17.9%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease in gross premiums was seen across virtually all lines of business due to a combination of factors including, strategic decisions to exit specific
lines of business, poor market and economic conditions, impacts of the S&P downgrade in December 2008 which directly affected retention early in the year and new business opportunities, decreases in insured values, fewer long term agreements which are being renewed on a single year basis and unfavorable foreign exchange
rate impacts. Offsetting the overall decrease was growth in professional lines and new business from the Companys middle market strategy. The renewal pricing has steadily improved throughout 2009 over most lines of business, with an overall modest increase of 1% across the entire book. Retention rates have largely
returned to historic levels. The decrease in net premiums written was due to the decrease in gross premiums written noted above partially offset by a reduction in ceded premiums as compared to the same period in 2008. The relative decrease in ceded premium was driven by a shift from proportional to excess of loss treaties
partially offset with increased rates in property and environmental lines.
Gross premiums written decreased by 2.3% during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared with 2007, primarily as a result of continued decreases in premium rates as market conditions continued to soften, a reduction in long-term agreements in late 2008, selective non-renewals and to a lesser extent, lost business
opportunities associated with rating agency downgrades that occurred in 2008. Such decreases in gross premiums written were primarily within casualty and professional lines of business as well as certain specialty lines including environmental, aerospace and marine portfolios. Partially offsetting these decreases was growth in
certain property lines, particularly in the construction book in Europe, as well as excess and surplus and middle market lines and favorable foreign exchange rate movements totaling $108.4 million. Net premiums written decreased by 4.8% during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 primarily as a result of
the decrease in gross premiums written described above coupled with an increase in ceded premiums written associated with growth in certain property lines, change in the mix of business including an increase in long-term agreements with higher cession ratios, the impact from the purchase of an adverse development cover
associated with a Company owned Lloyds syndicate and unfavorable foreign exchange rate impacts of $29.6 million.
Net premiums earned decreased by 10.9% in 2009 as compared to 2008 and by 2.9% in 2008 as compared to 2007. These decreases were primarily a reflection of the overall reduction of net premiums written over the last 12 to 24 months.
90
2009 vs 2008
2008 vs 2007
The following table presents the ratios for the Insurance segment for each of the last three years ended December 31:
2009
2008
2007
Loss and loss expense ratio
67.4
%
68.4
%
63.0
%
Underwriting expense ratio
31.4
%
28.8
%
28.4
%
Combined ratio
98.8
%
97.2
%
91.4
%
The loss and loss expense ratio noted above includes net losses incurred for both the reported year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss and loss expense reserves held at the beginning of the year.
The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development by line of business relating to the Insurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Property
$
(50.7
)
$
(106.0
)
$
(95.0
)
Casualty and Professional
(41.0
)
(214.1
)
(139.1
)
Specialty and Other
28.8
9.6
76.0
Structured Indemnity
5.0
Total
$
(62.9
)
$
(305.5
)
$
(158.1
)
Loss and loss expense ratio excluding prior year development
69.2
%
76.0
%
66.9
%
In addition, the following tables present the prior year (favorable) adverse development of the Companys gross and net loss and loss expense reserves within the Insurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
Gross:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves at the beginning of the year
$
14,373
$
14,856
$
14,528
Net (favorable) adverse development of those reserves during the year
(45
)
(610
)
(178
)
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves re-estimated one year later
$
14,328
$
14,246
$
14,350
Net:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves at the beginning of the year
$
11,126
$
11,138
$
10,608
Net (favorable) adverse development of those reserves during the year
(63
)
(305
)
(158
)
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves re-estimated one year later
$
11,063
$
10,833
$
10,450
Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased by 6.8 loss percentage points as compared 2008 due primarily to lower levels of large property risk and catastrophe losses occurring in 2009 combined with the impact of anticipated sub prime and credit related losses in
2008. These decreases were partially offset by increased current year loss ratios in certain casualty lines including US risk management. The remainder of the benefit was attributable to better loss experience on the excess and surplus lines of business as compared to 2008.
Net favorable prior year reserve development of $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 was mainly attributable to the following:
For property lines, net prior year development during the year was $50.7 million favorable largely as a result of a lower than expected level of attritional non-catastrophe claims across older accident years as well as reserve releases in the 2008 European general property portfolio due to lower than expected reported loss
activity. Prior year catastrophe loss estimates remained stable.
For casualty lines, net prior year development during the year was $29.4 million unfavorable due to reserve strengthening on the European excess lines for accident years 2000-2004, and the recognition of potential excess casualty exposures on the discontinued casualty lines. Offsetting this reserve
91
strengthening were reserve releases from the casualty primary business due to better than expected loss activity from the more recent accident years, and US risk management lines due to greater reliance on actual loss experience over initial target loss ratios.
For professional lines, net prior year development was $70.4 million favorable, primarily as a result of lower incurred activity than expected based on the Companys prior valuation in global D&O lines, primarily for underwriting years 2002 to 2006. This release was partially offset by strengthening of global E&O reserves
primarily in the 2000 and 2001 years due to large claims. In addition, there was a reallocation of subprime and related credit crisis reserves from the 2007 to 2008 report year to better reflect the indications of our latest exposure-based reserve analysis for these years.
For specialty and other lines, net prior year adverse development was $28.8 million due in part to a deterioration in environmental lines but mainly from discontinued specialty lines, specifically, for surety to reflect our assessment of the potential impact of the economic downturn on ultimate loss activity, the Lloyds
Accident & Health book where incurred development was higher than implied by the Companys selected benchmarks and the resulting lengthening of loss reporting patterns, and political risks where there was reserve strengthening on a specific potential claim. Offsetting the adverse development was favorable reserve
development on the aerospace and marine and offshore energy lines due to better than expected activity and an update of development assumptions to reflect recent historical experience.
Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by 9.1 loss percentage points as compared to 2007 with 2.6 points of the loss ratio increase attributable to a higher level of catastrophe losses in the 2008 year, including the impacts of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which
resulted in net incurred losses in the Companys Insurance segment of $54.0 million and $10.4 million, respectively, net of reinsurance recoverables and reinstatement premiums. The remainder of the increase in loss ratio was attributable to an increase in loss activity in the property line of business, loss activity anticipated for
professional lines related to sub-prime and related credit events, premium adjustments booked in the third and fourth quarters as well as the softening rate environment impacting most lines of business.
Net favorable prior year development of $305.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 was mainly attributable to the following:
For property and casualty lines, reserve releases in certain casualty lines primarily in 2003 to 2006 accident years due to lower than expected reported loss activity and favorable reserve development in global property lines of business as a result of favorable claim development. In addition, net reserve releases resulted
from an agreement with AXA/Winterthur of approximately $80.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 in regards to certain reinsurance recoverable balances relating to casualty lines and, to a lesser extent, certain property lines of business.
For professional lines, reserve releases in the 2003 to 2006 accident years were largely offset by strengthening of reserves in the 2007 year.
For specialty lines, modest reserve strengthening within specialty lines, primarily in the environmental lines of business, as well as strengthening associated with certain structured indemnity contracts.
The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to 2008, was due to an increase in the acquisition expense ratio of 0.5 points (12.1% as compared to 11.6%) combined with an increase in the operating expense ratio of 2.1 points (19.3% as compared to 17.2%). The increase
in the acquisition expense ratio was primarily as a result of changes in the mix of business given the decreases in property and casualty lines which carry the lowest levels of acquisition cost. The increase in the operating expense ratio is attributable to the lower level of earned premium combined with the costs associated
with the Companys expense reduction initiatives announced in the third quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009 including changes to the Companys previously communicated operational transformation program and the insurance segments recently announced internal business realignment.
The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to 2007, was due to an increase in the operating expense ratio of 0.6 points (17.2% as compared to 16.6%)
92
and partially offset by a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 0.2 points (11.6% as compared to 11.8%). The increase in the operating expense ratio was mainly as a result of a higher headcount, which increased compensation, increases in professional fees and the impact of employee termination benefits recorded in the
latter half of 2008, against lower net premiums earned. The increase in headcount and professional fees both supported new segment initiatives as well as the formation of XL GAPS in late 2007. Offsetting these increases in 2008 were decreases in performance related compensation. The acquisition expense ratio decreased
mainly due to a reduction in foreign excise taxes as a result of a decrease in the cession percentage of an internal quota share from 75% to 50%, lower guarantee fund assessments and the impact of changes in the mix of business written.
Fee income decreased in 2009 as compared to 2008 mainly as a result of lower engineering fee income associated with the Companys loss prevention consulting services business coupled with other expenses in professional lines due to the cost of the National Indemnity facility. Fee income increased in 2008 as
compared to 2007 mainly as a result of higher engineering fee revenue associated with XL GAPS.
Net results from structured insurance products include certain structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts. Net results from these products for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased compared to the same period in 2008 mainly due to an accretion adjustment based on changes in
expected cashflows of a structured indemnity contract recorded in 2008, lower operating expenses of this run-off line of business and favorable development in the liability interest rate hedges in place, partially offset by lower net investment income as a result of lower yields combined with a lower average investment asset
base. Results from these contracts for the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to lower net investment income and higher operating expenses, partially offset by lower interest expense. Net investment income decreased as a result of lower yields earned on investment
income while operating expenses increased as a result of costs recorded in the latter half of 2008 associated with employee termination benefits relating to the closure of the XLFS business unit as noted above. Interest expense decreased mainly due to negotiated cancellation of certain contracts in 2008 was partially offset by
an accretion adjustment recorded during the same period, based on changes in expected cash flows on a structured indemnity contract.
The following table summarizes the underwriting profit (loss) for this segment:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
% Change
2008
% Change
2007
Gross premiums written
$
1,859,423
(17.7
)%
$
2,260,477
(15.1
)%
$
2,663,494
Net premiums written
1,470,332
(16.1
)%
1,753,467
(16.9
)%
2,110,865
Net premiums earned
1,591,946
(20.1
)%
1,993,206
(13.4
)%
2,302,039
Net losses and loss expenses
769,090
(37.4
)%
1,229,554
(1.2
)%
1,244,764
Acquisition costs
346,699
(9.5
)%
383,136
(20.5
)%
482,024
Operating expenses
190,596
0.8
%
189,027
(8.2
)%
205,966
Underwriting profit
$
285,561
49.1
%
$
191,489
(48.1
)%
$
369,285
Net results structured products
26,374
2.6
%
25,694
0.7
%
25,520
Fee income and other
6,209
(32.9
)%
9,260
NM
*
1,698
*
NM Not meaningful
Gross and net premiums written decreased by 17.7% and 16.1%, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease in gross premiums written is mainly a result of the Companys focus on short-tail lines, certain lost renewals and reduced business as a result of the
S&P ratings downgrade in December 2008, strategic decisions to exit certain lines of business and unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements. Partially offsetting these decreases were rate increases in certain lines of business including property catastrophe, marine and aviation lines. The decrease in net premiums written was
due to the decrease in gross premiums written noted above partially offset by a reduction in ceded premiums as compared to the same period in 2008. This decrease was mainly as a result of the cancellation and non-renewal of Cyrus Re II at December 31, 2008 and a reduction in the ceded premium on the US agricultural
program. Cyrus Re II previously assumed a 10% cession of certain lines of
93
2009 vs 2008
2008 vs 2007
property catastrophe reinsurance and retrocession business underwritten by certain operating subsidiaries of the Company.
Gross and net premiums written decreased by 15.1% and 16.9%, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. These decreases resulted from the Company declining business due to competitive pressures continuing to drive certain rates below the Companys acceptable
underwriting return levels together with increased client retentions. Partially offsetting these decreases in gross premiums written were favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $55.0 million and increases of $118.4 million associated with a U.S. agricultural program whose rates are tied to commodity prices, which have
increased in 2008. Ceded premiums written decreased mainly as a result of the impact of a reduction in property catastrophe cessions to Cyrus Re II of 10% in 2008 as compared to a 35% cession to Cyrus Re throughout 2007, partially offset by ceded premiums totaling $23.3 million associated with the purchase of additional
catastrophe loss protection in the form of industry loss warranty covers. However, the overall ceded ratio increased mainly due to lower net retention in 2008 as compared to 2007, mainly due to higher cession ratios associated with the U.S. agricultural program noted above, causing net premiums written to decrease at a
higher percentage than gross premiums written.
Net premiums earned decreased by 20.1% in 2009 as compared to 2008 and by 13.4% in 2008 as compared to 2007. These decreases were primarily a reflection of the overall reduction of net premiums written over the last three years.
The following table presents the ratios for the Reinsurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
2009
2008
2007
Loss and loss expense ratio
48.3
%
61.7
%
54.1
%
Underwriting expense ratio
33.8
%
28.7
%
29.8
%
Combined ratio
82.1
%
90.4
%
83.9
%
The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred in the reported year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss reserves held at the beginning of the year.
The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development by line of business relating to the Reinsurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Property and other short-tail lines
$
(142.5
)
$
(138.4
)
$
(188.7
)
Casualty and other
(80.3
)
(166.8
)
(87.4
)
Structured Indemnity
1.0
8.8
Total
$
(221.8
)
$
(305.2
)
$
(267.3
)
Loss and loss expense ratio excluding prior year development
62.2
%
77.0
%
65.7
%
In addition, the following tables present the prior year (favorable) adverse development of the Companys gross and net loss and loss expense reserves within the Reinsurance segment for the last three years ended December 31:
Gross loss and loss expense reserves:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves at the beginning of the year
$
7,278
$
8,001
$
8,193
Net (favorable) adverse development of those reserves during the year
(257
)
(444
)
(260
)
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves re-estimated one year later
$
7,021
$
7,557
$
7,933
94
Net loss and loss expense reserves:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves at the beginning of the year
$
6,559
$
7,053
$
7,138
Net (favorable) adverse development of those reserves during the year
(222
)
(305
)
(267
)
Unpaid losses and loss expense reserves re-estimated one year later
$
6,337
$
6,748
$
6,871
Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased by 14.8 loss percentage points as compared to an increase in the same period in 2008 with 11.3 loss ratio points attributable primarily to the impact of catastrophe losses occurring in 2008 compared to 2009. Losses related
to 2009 catastrophes included Hailstorm Wolfgang, Japan Earthquake, Windstorm Klaus, Typhoon Ketsana, Asian Earthquake/Tsunami and Australian Wildfires. 2008 catastrophes included losses related to Hurricanes Ike & Gustav, Midwest Floods, Windstorm Emma, China Snowstorm, Australian Floods, Greece Earthquake,
China Earthquakes and Hailstorm Detmold.
Net favorable prior year reserve development for the Reinsurance segment of $221.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 was mainly attributable to the following:
Net favorable prior year development of $142.5 million for the short-tailed lines in the year and details of these by specific lines are as follows:
$46.2 million in favorable property catastrophe development due to lower than expected loss development, particularly on the 2008 underwriting year and $12.3 million in reserve reductions for several 2005 natural catastrophe events including European floods, windstorm Erwin and California wildfires.
$88.8 million in favorable development due primarily to lower than expected claim emergence from underwriting years 2005-2008 in Latin America ($27.5 million), Europe ($21.6 million), Bermuda ($20.6 million) and US ($13.8 million).
$7.5 million in marine and aviation lines due to lower than expected claim emergence in the European marine book for underwriting years 2007 and 2008 offset by minimal net reserve increases on the aviation book.
Net favorable prior year development of $79.3 million for the long-tailed lines in the year and details of these by specific lines are as follows:
$21.0 million in favorable casualty development related primarily to the European General Liability and UK Motor portfolios in underwriting years 2004-2007.
$40.7 million in favorable professional development due primarily to US exposures for underwriting years 2002 and prior in addition to professional indemnity exposures for European underwriting years 2006 and prior.
$17.6 million in favorable development in non-casualty long tail lines largely in Latin America due to favorable emergence from surety exposures.
Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by 11.3 loss percentage points as compared to the same period in 2007 with 7.7 points attributable to an increase in catastrophe losses occurring during 2008 (12.0 points in 2008 versus 4.3 points in 2007), mainly as a result
of the impacts of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which resulted in net incurred losses in the Companys Reinsurance segment of $155.9 million and $12.1 million, respectively, net of reinsurance recoverables and reinstatement premiums. The remaining increase of 3.6 loss ratio points was attributable to the softening rate
environment, higher attritional property losses and higher anticipated loss activity in the professional and trade credit portfolios.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, net favorable prior year development totaled $305.2 million as explained below.
Net favorable prior year development of $138.4 million for the property and other short-tailed lines development were attributable to most business units globally.
95
Net favorable prior year development of $166.8 million for the casualty and other lines in both European and U.S. casualty and professional portfolios as well as reserve releases associated with the reinsurance-to-close relating to the 2005 year of account on certain Lloyds sourced business.
The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to 2008, was due to an increase in both operating expense and acquisition expense ratios to 12.0% and 21.8%, respectively, as compared with 9.5% and 19.2%, in 2008. Despite the marginal increase in operating expenses,
there was a disproportionately larger increase in the operating expense ratio due to a greater percentage decrease in net premiums earned. The increase in the acquisition expense ratio relates to changes in the mix of business, increased commissions associated with the U.S. agricultural program as well as increased profit
related commissions associated with certain Bermuda-based property catastrophe business.
The decrease in the underwriting expense ratio in the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared with the same period in 2007, was due to a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 1.7 points (19.2% compared to 20.9%) and was partially offset by an increase in the operating expense ratio of 0.6 points (9.5%
compared to 8.9%). The decrease in the acquisition expense ratio was primarily due to a favorable variance in performance-related commissions in 2008 as compared to 2007. Although operating expenses were lower in the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, the lower level of net
premiums earned as noted above caused an increase in the operating expense ratio. The decrease in operating expenses was mainly as a result of a bad debt provision and higher performance related compensation expenses both recorded in 2007 and was partially offset by the impact in 2008 of costs associated with the
Companys restructuring activities as well as administrative expenses associated with the expansion of the Companys reinsurance operations in Brazil.
Fee income decreased by $3.1 million during 2009 as compared to 2008 mainly as a result of fees associated with capacity utilization with certain Lloyds syndicates in 2008 that were not repeated in 2009. Fee income increased by $7.6 million during 2008 as compared to 2007 mainly as a result of fees associated with
capacity utilization with certain Lloyds syndicates.
Net results from structured reinsurance products include certain structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts. Net results from these products for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased slightly compared to the same period in 2008 mainly due to lower operating expenses of this run-off
line of business and favorable development in the liability interest rate hedges in place partially offset by lower net investment income as a result of lower yields combined with a lower average investment asset base. Results from these products for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased slightly compared to the same
period in 2007 mainly due to lower interest expenses associated with a higher accretion rate recorded in 2007 on certain workers compensation coverage partially offset by lower net investment income from lower yields earned on invested assets in 2008 as compared to 2007 combined with the impact of a lower average
investment asset base.
As noted above, the Company completed a strategic review of its Life reinsurance business in early 2009. This resulted in the Company selling the renewal rights to a portion of its European life, accident and health reinsurance business, a relatively small block of business, in December 2008, as well as ceasing to write
new U.K. and Irish life and annuity business from March 2009. In July 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. life reinsurance business and this transaction concluded during the fourth quarter of 2009. Business previously written by the Life Operations segment was primarily European life reinsurance
and included term assurances, group life, critical illness cover, immediate annuities, disability income cover, and short-term life, accident and health business.
96
The following table summarizes the contribution from the life segment:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
% Change
2008
% Change
2007
Gross premiums written
$
576,162
(16.6
)%
$
690,915
(7.0
)%
$
743,220
Net premiums written
532,852
(18.0
)%
649,844
(7.0
)%
698,693
Net premiums earned
555,101
(14.6
)%
649,851
(7.3
)%
701,047
Claims and policy benefits
677,562
(11.9
)%
769,004
(13.5
)%
888,658
Acquisition costs
77,689
(19.3
)%
96,280
5.9
%
90,923
Operating expenses
16,009
(51.7
)%
33,178
(4.8
)%
34,838
Net investment income
332,425
(13.2
)%
382,995
(1.9
)%
390,227
Net fee income and other
290
(17.1
)%
350
(49.9
)%
698
Realized and unrealized (losses) on investments
(232,375
)
NM
*
(40,128
)
(18.8
)%
(33,770
)
Contribution from Life Operations
$
(115,819
)
NM
*
$
94,606
NM
*
$
43,783
*
NM Not meaningful
The following table is an analysis of the Life Operations gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the last three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Gross
Net
Net
Gross
Net
Net
Gross
Net
Net
Other Life
$
413,831
$
400,345
$
422,594
$
498,387
$
492,346
$
492,353
$
435,415
$
427,337
$
429,690
Annuity
162,331
132,507
132,507
192,528
157,498
157,498
307,805
271,356
271,357
Total
$
576,162
$
532,852
$
555,101
$
690,915
$
649,844
$
649,851
$
743,220
$
698,693
$
701,047
Gross premiums written relating to total life business decreased by $114.8 million in the year to December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 mainly due to $79.7 million of lower renewal premiums associated with the short-term life, accident and health business as the renewal rights for this business were
sold in late 2008. In addition, while premium growth of $25.6 million was experienced in the core underlying book of term assurance and critical illness business, unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements of $33.7 million more than offset such growth during the year. Partially offsetting these decreases was premium
growth of $3.2 million related to U.S. life business. Gross premiums written relating to annuity business decreased by $30.2 million during the year, mainly due to unfavorable exchange rate movements of $26.5 million. While gross premiums written decreased during the year to December 31, 2009, ceded premiums written
increased slightly by $2.2 million mainly as a result of the 100% retrocession ratio of the small amount of short-term life, accident and health business underwritten in the 2009 underwriting year, which occurred as part of the sale of the renewal rights as noted above.
While in 2009 and 2008 the Companys Life Operations did not assume any new long duration single premium annuity portfolios, gross and net premiums written, net premiums earned and claims and policy benefits in the year ended December 31, 2007 included the assumption of one Irish immediate annuity portfolio
bound, for which net premium earned totaled $94.6 million.
The Company acquired cash and investment assets related to the future policy benefit reserves assumed at inception of this large contract.
Gross premiums written relating to other life business increased by $63.0 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to premium growth in the core underlying book of term assurance and critical illness business of $47.0 million and premium growth in
U.S. business of $25.0 million, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements of $16.0 million. In addition, gross premiums written related to short-term life, accident and health business increased by $7.0 million primarily as a result of favorable foreign exchange rate movements and partially by decreases in
gross premiums written associated with soft market conditions experienced in 2008. Gross premiums written relating to annuity business decreased by $115.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to a single Irish immediate annuity contract totaling $94.6 million
written during 2007, unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements of $19.3 million
97
2009 vs 2008
2008 vs 2007
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Written
Premiums
Earned
and $1.4 million lower premiums from other annuity business which decreases through time as defined by the treaties. Ceded premiums written were roughly consistent with the prior year.
Net premiums earned in the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased 14.6% as compared to the same period in 2008 and in the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased by 7.3% as compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease in 2009 and 2008 were consistent with the movements in total gross and net
premiums written as described above.
Changes in claims and policy benefit reserves were generally consistent with movements in gross and net premiums written. Claims and policy benefit reserves decreased by $91.4 million or 11.9% in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of the factors noted
above affecting gross and net premiums written. Claims and policy benefit reserves decreased by $119.7 million or 13.5% in the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, primarily as a result of the factors noted above affecting gross and net premiums written, combined with a loss recognition
adjustment of $25.4 million recorded in 2007 relating to certain novated blocks of U.S.-based term life mortality reinsurance business and partially offset by higher incurred losses of $11.5 million associated with certain short-term life, accident and health business.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, acquisition costs decreased by 19.3% as compared to the same period in 2008, largely as a result of the lower renewal premiums associated with the short-term life, accident and health business as noted above and favorable foreign exchange rate impacts. Operating
expenses decreased by 51.7% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in the prior year mainly due to lower compensation expenses resulting from lower headcount and lower costs related to acquisition of new business.
Acquisition costs in 2008 increased by 5.9% as compared to the same period in 2007, largely as a result of the growth in regular premium business as noted above and partially offset by a favorable profit commission adjustment associated with the short-term life, accident and health business and favorable foreign
exchange rate impacts. Operating expenses decreased by 4.8% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year mainly due to lower performance-based compensation expenses and a decrease in professional fees as a result of costs recorded in 2007 related to an actuarial loss
reserve review.
Net investment income is included in the calculation of contribution from Life Operations, as it relates to income earned on portfolios of separately identified and managed life investment assets and other allocated assets. Net investment income decreased by $50.6 million or 13.2% in the year ended December 31, 2009,
as compared to the same period in 2008, primarily as a result of negative foreign exchange rate and yield impacts and partially offset by higher net investment income associated with growth in the average size of the investment asset balances and higher capital allocated to the Life operations. However, it should be noted
that, as at December 31, 2009, approximately $0.4 billion of the gross unrealized losses on the Companys investments related to portfolios of Life Operations investment assets primarily as a result of increases in credit spreads during this period, primarily in the U.K. and Euro-zone, and the long duration of the underlying
assets. Refer to Balance Sheet Analysis below for further discussion of unrealized losses and gains on investments.
Net investment income decreased by $7.2 million or 1.9% in 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily as a result of negative foreign exchange rate impacts and partially offset by increases in the average size of investment asset balances as a result of putting in more capital.
For further information on Syncora, see Results of Operations and Other Revenues and Expenses within Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. In addition, see Item 8, Notes 4 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Syncora Holdings Ltd. and
Investments in Affiliates, for further information.
The following table illustrates the change in net investment income from property and casualty operations, net income (loss) from investment fund affiliates, net realized (losses) on investments, and net
98
realized and unrealized (losses) on investment and other derivative instruments for each of the three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
% Change
2008
% Change
2007
Net investment income property and casualty operations (1)
$
882,748
(24.9
)%
$
1,174,856
(8.9
)%
$
1,289,554
Net income (loss) from investment fund affiliates (2)
78,867
NM
*
(277,696
)
NM
*
326,007
Net realized (losses) on investments (3)
(921,437
)
4.2
%
(962,054
)
(59.5
)%
(603,268
)
Net realized and unrealized (losses) on investment and other derivative instruments (4)
(33,647
)
54.1
%
(73,368
)
(32.3
)%
(55,451
)
(1)
Net investment income relating to property and casualty operations does not include the net investment income related to the net results from structured products.
(2)
The Company records the income related to alternative fund affiliates on a one-month lag and the private investment fund affiliates on a three-month lag in order for the Company to meet the accelerated filing deadlines.
(3)
Results to March 31, 2009 include charges for OTTI related to the non-credit impairment of unrealized losses. From April 1, 2009, the non-credit impairment is excluded from realized losses.
(4)
For a summary of realized and unrealized gains and losses on all derivative instruments, see Item 8, Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Derivative Instruments.
*
NM Not meaningful
Net investment income related to property and casualty operations decreased in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 due primarily to declining portfolio yields. Overall, investment portfolio yields have decreased as a result of the impact of declines in short-term U.S. interest rates,
and particularly the impact of decreased U.S. Dollar Libor on the Companys floating rate securities previously supporting the GIC and funding agreement business. In addition, the Company increased its holdings in lower-yielding cash, government and agency securities in connection with its portfolio de-risking efforts as the
Company re-aligns its portfolio to one more in line with a P&C portfolio and to increase liquidity.
Net income from investment fund affiliates includes earnings from the Companys investments in closed-end investment funds and partnerships and similar vehicles that are equity accounted.
Net income from investment fund affiliates in the year ended December 31, 2009 resulted from the significant improvement in market sentiment and rallies in risk assets. Credit sensitive and relative value managers particularly benefited from tightening credit spreads and normalization of previously dislocated relative
value relationships. Volatility remained high relative to historical levels, allowing alternative managers to be more opportunistic and take advantage of pricing dislocations, but offset by the negative mark-to-market in its private investment portfolio reflecting fair value adjustments, particularly from fourth quarter of 2008.
Net loss from investment fund affiliates in the year ended December 31, 2008 reflected negative returns in the companys alternative portfolio as a result of broad-based market declines, extreme volatility, a sharp pull-back in the availability of credit and short sale restrictions resulting from the market credit crisis. Net
income from investment fund affiliates in the year ended December 31, 2007 reflected exceptional results in the alternative portfolio, combined with a higher investment base.
The Company manages its investment grade fixed income securities in accordance with investment guidelines approved by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Due to the unique nature of the underlying liabilities, customized benchmarks are used to measure investment performance and comparison to
standard market indices is not meaningful. Investment performance is not monitored for certain assets primarily consisting of operating cash and special regulatory deposits. The following is a summary of the
99
2009 vs 2008
2008 vs 2007
investment portfolio returns for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 of the fixed income portfolio and non-fixed income portfolios:
2009(1)
2008(1)
Fixed income Portfolio
USD fixed income portfolio
7.9%
(9.2)%
GBP fixed income portfolio
11.2%
(5.0)%
EUR fixed income portfolio
7.9%
(1.0)%
Other Portfolios
Alternative portfolio (2).
16.0%
(16.3)%
Equity portfolio
(8.2)%
(44.1)%
High-Yield fixed income portfolio
47.1%
(22.9)%
(1)
Portfolio returns are calculated by dividing the sum of the net investment income or net income from investment fund affiliates, realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) by the average market value of each portfolio. Performance is measured in either the underlying asset currency or the functional currency.
(2)
Performance on the alternative portfolio reflects the twelve months ended November 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Net Realized Gains and Losses on Investments
Net realized losses on investments in the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 included net realized losses of approximately $812.5 million related to the write-down of certain of the Companys fixed income, equity and other investments, as compared to $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008. Impairment
charges to March 31, 2009 include charges of OTTI related to the non-credit impairment of unrealized losses. From April 1, 2009, as a result of changes in GAAP, the non-credit impairment is excluded from net impairments. In addition, included in the net realized losses noted above are net realized losses of $131.9 million
from sales of investments and net realized losses of $10.9 million from the sale of the U.S. life reinsurance business.
The significant assumptions and inputs associated with the net impairment charges of $812.5 million consist of:
For corporate securities, excluding medium term notes backed primarily by investment grade European credit, the Company recorded net impairments totaling $151.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The impairment charges consisted of below-investment grade securities and hybrids, where the Company
considered impairment factors consistent with both equity impairment model and debt impairment model, and, accordingly, recorded impairment charges to fair value, or securities in an unrealized loss position that management intended to sell.
In addition, the Company recorded impairments totaling $226.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 in relation to medium term notes backed primarily by investment grade European credit. Management has concluded that, following credit spread movements during 2009, future yields within the supporting
collateral were not sufficient to support the previously reported amortized cost.
For structured credit securities, the Company recorded net impairments of $406.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company determined that the likely recovery on these securities was below the carrying value, and, accordingly, impaired the securities to the discounted value of the cash flows of these
securities.
For equity securities, the Company recorded net impairments of $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, primarily representing securities in an unrealized loss position that management does not have the intent to hold to recovery.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, included in the above totals is $160.6 million related to changes to intent-to-hold up to March 31, 2009, or intent to sell from April, 2009, primarily representing exchanges of hybrid securities, and as part of the fourth quarter 2008 restructuring charge.
Net realized losses on investments in the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 included net realized losses of approximately $1,023.6 million related to the write-down of certain of the Companys fixed income, equity and other investments, including those relating to Lehman, where the Company
100
determined that there was an other than temporary decline in the value of those investments, including a charge of $400.0 million related to assets for which the Company could no longer assert its intent to hold until recovery. See below for further information.
During the fourth quarter of 2008, management recorded a charge for OTTI of $400.0 million on assets for which it could no longer assert its intent to hold until recovery. Although management believed that these securities were likely to recover to their current amortized cost, it determined that these securities were at-
risk for further mark-to-market declines, and potentially real economic losses, to the extent that economic conditions were to deteriorate further than present estimates and the Companys allocation to these asset classes is overweight relative to a traditional P&C investment portfolio.
In 2007, net realized losses on investments were $603.3 million which included $1,012.8 million of gross realized losses on fixed income and $46.9 million of gross realized losses on equity securities. Gross realized losses in 2007 included $611.0 million of provisions for declines in fair value considered to be other than
temporary. As a percentage of the total fixed income portfolio, the write-down for other than temporary declines was 1.5% in 2007.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses on Derivatives
Net realized and unrealized losses on investment derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 resulted from the Companys investment strategy to manage interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and credit risk, and to replicate permitted investments. Derivative losses in 2009 relate primarily to the
impact of tightening credit spreads on certain credit derivatives purchased within the investment portfolio. In 2008, derivative losses were driven by foreign currency exchange losses recognized on a Sterling forward currency contract hedging US dollar assets supporting Sterling liabilities in the life operations during the year.
In 2007, the results were driven primarily from a mark-to-market loss of $37.0 million with respect to a total return swap on the capital notes of a structured investment vehicle impacted by the markdown in the underlying net asset value of the assets underlying the capital notes, combined with mark-to-market losses
associated with the Companys capital, investment and hedging activities.
For a further discussion see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and Liquidity and Capital Resources.
The following table sets forth other revenues and expenses of the Company for each of the three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
% Change
2008
% Change
2007
Net income (loss) from operating affiliates (1)
$
60,480
NM
*
$
(1,458,246
)
(37.6
)%
$
(1,059,848
)
Exchange (gains) losses
84,813
NM
*
(184,454
)
NM
*
(19,734
)
Corporate operating expenses
107,877
(35.9
)%
168,324
20.7
%
139,469
Extinguishment of debt
NM
*
22,527
NM
*
Interest expense (2)
172,764
(16.3
)%
206,455
(1.9
)%
210,449
Impairment of goodwill
NM
*
989,971
NM
*
Amortization of intangible assets
1,836
(38.1
)%
2,968
76.7
%
1,680
Income tax expense
120,307
(45.9
)%
222,578
(4.8
)%
233,922
Non-controlling interest in net (gain) loss of subsidiary
(104
)
NM
*
(100.0
)%
23,928
(1)
The Company records the income related to certain operating affiliates on a three-month lag in order for the Company to meet accelerated filing deadlines.
(2)
Interest expense does not include interest expense related structured products as reported within the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
*
NM Not meaningful
101
2009 vs 2008
2008 vs 2007
The following table sets forth the net income (loss) from operating affiliates for each of the three years ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
% Change
2008
% Change
2007
Net (loss) income from financial operating affiliates
$
3,629
100.2
%
$
(1,503,474
)
(26.3
)%
$
(1,190,161
)
Net income from investment manager affiliates
17,698
63.0
%
10,860
(88.5
)%
94,630
Net income from other strategic operating affiliates
39,153
13.9
%
34,368
(3.7
)%
35,683
Total
$
60,480
104.1
%
$
(1,458,246
)
(37.6
)%
$
(1,059,848
)
Equity earnings from financial operating affiliates increased during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period of 2008 as a result of the Companys disposition of its interest in Syncora. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $1.4 billion in losses related to reinsurance
and guarantee arrangements with Syncora. Net losses from financial operating affiliates in 2007 include the results and related write-downs associated with Syncora and Primus Guaranty Ltd as well as the impact of losses recorded on previous reinsurance transactions with Syncora. For further details relating to Syncora and the
closing of the Master Agreement, see Results of Operations above as well as Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora).
Investment manager affiliate income increased by 63.0% during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of the improved conditions for alternative asset managers in the second half of 2009 resulting in higher accrued fees. The Company also benefited from
a modest gain associated with its withdrawal at the end of 2009 from one of its investment manager affiliates. Investment manager affiliate income decreased by $83.8 million or 88.5% during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the prior year primarily as a result of the volatility in both the credit and equity
markets, impacting investment manager affiliates specializing in global equities and fixed income securities most significantly.
As a result of improving market conditions, there were small increases across the strategic operating affiliates portfolio, which increased income by 13.9% in the year ended December 31, 2009 over the same period of 2008. Net income from other strategic operating affiliates decreased in the year ended December 31,
2008 as compared to 2007 mainly due to lower earnings reported in 2008 from both an insurance affiliate which writes largely direct U.S. homeowners insurance and the Companys Brazilian joint venture ITAÚ
XL. Offsetting these decreases was earnings from an investment in an affiliate entered into in the second quarter of
2008 that provides reinsurance to certain Lloyds syndicates. Net income from other strategic operating affiliates in 2007 was primarily as a result of strong results from the same insurance affiliate noted above which writes largely U.S. homeowners insurance and the Companys Brazilian joint venture ITAÚ
XL.
Foreign exchange losses in the year ended December 31, 2009 were primarily to the change in the value of the U.S. dollar against certain currencies including the U.K. Sterling and Euro on certain inter-company balances.
Corporate operating expenses decreased by 35.9% during the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to 2008 primarily as a result of the cost savings achieved from the restructuring activities implemented in 2008 and early 2009 as well as higher professional fees associated with the capital raise and associated costs
related to the Master Agreement that was executed in July 2008. For further information, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges.
In connection with the early redemption of the 6.58% Notes noted above, the Company recorded debt extinguishment costs of approximately $22.5 million in 2008.
Interest expense from property and casualty operations includes costs related to the Companys debt and collateral facilities as well as certain deposit liability accretion. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 was lower mainly as a result of lower interest associated
with the retirement of the 2011 Senior Notes in February 2009 partially offset by interest
102
2009 vs 2008
2008 vs 2007
associated with 8.25% senior notes which are part of the 10.75% Equity Security Units issued in August 2008. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 was lower primarily due to costs associated with the retirement of the 2009 Senior Notes recorded in 2007, lower
interest expense as a result of the early redemption, in August 2008, of X.L. America, Inc.s 6.58% Notes and was partially offset by interest expense associated with the 10.75% Equity Security Units (the 10.75% Units) issued in August 2008. For more information on the Companys financial structure, see Liquidity and
Capital Resources.
Due to the financial market and economic events that occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company performed an interim impairment test for goodwill subsequent to its annual testing date of June 30. The interim impairment test resulted in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of approximately $990.0
million. For further information, see Item 8, Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and see further discussion under Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.
Amortization of intangible assets increased in 2008 as a result of the increase in intangible assets related to the XL GAPS acquisition in 2007. Amortization of intangible assets decreased in 2007 as a result of certain intangible assets that were fully amortized during 2006.
The decrease in the Companys income taxes in 2009 as compared to 2008 arose principally from the decrease in the profitability of the Companys U.S. and European operations. The decrease in the Companys income taxes in 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily a result of a change in the geographical locations of
the profits earned primarily by the Companys U.S. and European operations, including the impact of losses associated with the Master Agreement and goodwill impairment charges related to operating entities in jurisdictions not subject to income tax. The Companys effective tax rate for 2008 differed as compared to 2007
mainly due to significant charges for which no tax benefit accrued and which resulted in a loss before tax. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Item 8, Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Taxation.
Non-controlling interest expense in 2007 related primarily to the 37% ownership interest in Syncora common shares held by the public prior to the secondary offering of Syncora common shares on June 6, 2007.
The primary objectives of the investment strategy are to support the liabilities arising from the operations of the Company, generate stable investment income and build book value for the Company over the longer term. The strategy strives to balance investment returns against market and credit risks taken. The
Companys investment portfolio is structured to take into account a number of variables including local regulatory requirements, business needs, collateral management and risk tolerance.
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, total investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net receivable for investments sold were $35.9 billion and $34.3 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes the composition of the Companys invested assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
103
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Carrying value
Percent of
Carrying Value
Percent of
Cash and cash equivalents.
$
3,643,697
10.2
%
$
4,353,826
12.7
%
Net receivable for investments sold
47,638
0.1
%
99,455
0.3
%
Accrued investment income
350,055
1.0
%
363,376
1.1
%
Short-term investments
1,777,360
5.0
%
1,466,323
4.3
%
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
2,664,625
7.4
%
3,978,342
11.6
%
Corporate
9,799,000
27.3
%
9,288,603
27.1
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
6,228,501
17.4
%
2,099,955
6.1
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
1,421,315
4.0
%
1,937,946
5.6
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,216,799
3.4
%
2,141,568
6.2
%
Collateralized debt obligations
698,561
1.9
%
638,779
2.0
%
Other asset-backed securities
1,167,985
3.3
%
1,708,008
5.0
%
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
913,473
2.5
%
468,770
1.4
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,401,773
9.5
%
3,374,397
9.8
%
Total fixed maturities.
$
27,512,032
76.7
%
$
25,636,368
74.8
%
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
546,067
1.5
%
%
Equity securities
17,779
0.0
%
361,819
1.0
%
Investments in affiliates
1,185,604
3.3
%
1,552,789
4.5
%
Other investments
783,189
2.2
%
459,481
1.3
%
Total investments and cash and cash equivalents
$
35,863,421
100.0
%
$
34,293,437
100.0
%
2009 (1)
Total
2008 (1)
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
Carrying value represents the fair value for available for sale fixed maturities and amortized cost for held to maturity securities.
|
The Company reviews on a regular basis its issuer concentration, credit quality and compliance with established guidelines. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the average credit quality of the Companys total fixed income portfolio (including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net payable for investments purchased) was AA. At December 31, 2009, approximately 55.2% of the fixed income portfolio (including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net receivable for investments sold) was rated AAA by one or more of the principal ratings agencies. Approximately 3.5% of the fixed income portfolio was below investment grade or not rated.
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, total investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net receivable for investments sold were $35.9 billion and $34.3 billion, respectively. This increase of $1.5 billion was primarily due to the mark-to-market effect as a result of the improving credit markets.
Refer to Results of Operations for further discussion surrounding the impact of credit market movements on the Companys investment portfolio and exposure to sub-prime related assets.
Gross and Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments
At December 31, 2009, the Company had net unrealized losses on available for sale fixed maturities and short-term investments of $1,276.3 million and net unrealized gains on equity securities of $5.4 million. Of these amounts, gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short-term investments and equities were $1,847.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2008, the Company had net unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short-term investments of $3,388.6 million and net unrealized gains on equity securities of $24.1 million. Of these amounts, gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short-term investments and equities were $4,122.3 million and $7.6 million, respectively. The impact of tightening credit spreads during the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was the primary reason for the improvement in the net unrealized position on fixed maturities and short-term investments combined with net realized losses over the course of the year, offset by the impact of increasing government rates. The information shown below about the unrealized losses on the Companys investments at December 31, 2009
104
and 2008 may affect future earnings and financial position should management later conclude that some of the current declines in the fair value of these investments are other than temporary.
The following is an analysis of how long each of those investment securities with an unrealized loss at December 31, 2009 and 2008 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:
Type of Securities
Length of time in a continual
Amount of
Amount of
Fixed-Maturities and Short-Term Investments
Less than six months
$
160,313
$
798,866
At least 6 months but less than 12 months
93,474
664,593
At least 12 months but less than 2 years
466,656
1,955,760
2 years or more
1,127,407
703,104
Total
$
1,847,850
$
4,122,323
Equities
Less than six months
$
17
$
5,584
At least 6 months but less than 12 months
341
1,994
Total
$
358
$
7,578
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the following table sets forth the maturity profile of the fixed income securities that were in a gross unrealized loss position:
Maturity profile in years of fixed income
Amount of
Amount of
Less than 1 year remaining
$
6,736
$
38,702
At least 1 year but less than 5 years remaining (1)
175,142
622,011
At least 5 years but less than 10 years remaining (1)
93,427
438,837
More than 10 years but less than 20 years remaining (1)
92,321
205,371
At least 20 years or more remaining (1)
331,807
843,274
Residential mortgage-backed securities - Agency
37,921
2,466
Residential mortgage-backed securities - Non-Agency
608,236
951,507
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
67,910
365,330
Collateralized debt obligations
341,467
465,100
Other asset-backed securities
92,883
189,725
Total
$
1,847,850
$
4,122,323
(1)
Hybrids are allocated on the call date and medium term notes are allocated on contractual maturity.
105
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
unrealized loss position
unrealized loss at
December 31, 2009
unrealized loss at
December 31, 2008
securities in a gross unrealized loss position
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
unrealized loss at
December 31, 2009
unrealized loss at
December 31, 2008
The following table details the Companys corporate credit exposures by certain asset classes as well as ratings levels within the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio and the current net unrealized (loss) position as at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
As at December 31, 2009:
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB & Below
Total
Financials
Fair value
$
382.4
$
925.3
$
2,093.2
$
515.4
$
33.1
$
3,949.4
Net unrealized gain (loss)
$
(2.0
)
$
7.6
$
(186.7
)
$
(112.3
)
$
(4.8
)
$
(298.2
)
Non-Financials
Fair value
$
96.1
$
1,412.6
$
3,363.4
$
1,254.4
$
397.2
$
6,523.7
Net unrealized gain (loss)
$
2.3
$
6.0
$
28.0
$
(53.4
)
$
1.3
$
(15.8
)
Total
Fair value
$
478.5
$
2,337.9
$
5,456.6
$
1,769.8
$
430.3
$
10,473.1
Net unrealized gain (loss)
$
0.3
$
13.6
$
(158.7
)
$
(165.7
)
$
(3.5
)
$
(314.0
)
As at December 31, 2008:
Financials
Fair value
$
712.4
$
1,280.6
$
2,153.3
$
343.4
$
64.7
$
4,554.4
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(14.6
)
$
(145.4
)
$
(659.5
)
$
(158.2
)
$
(44.0
)
$
(1,021.7
)
Non-Financials
Fair value
$
521.8
$
711.4
$
2,213.2
$
1,511.6
$
552.9
$
5,510.9
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(14.7
)
$
(22.6
)
$
(307.2
)
$
(306.9
)
$
(216.6
)
$
(868.0
)
Total
Fair value
$
1,234.2
$
1,992.0
$
4,366.5
$
1,855.0
$
617.6
$
10,065.3
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(29.3
)
$
(168.0
)
$
(966.7
)
$
(465.1
)
$
(260.6
)
$
(1,889.7
)
At December 31, 2009, approximately $1.7 billion of the Companys $3.9 billion in corporate financial sector securities was held in the portfolios supporting the Companys life reinsurance business. Management completed a strategic review of the Companys life reinsurance business, which are now in run-off. The assets
associated with that business are more heavily weighted towards longer term securities from financial institutions, including Tier 1 and Upper Tier 2 securities, with a fair value of $0.7 billion representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equity of the financial institutions, and
accounted for $175.9 million of the Companys net unrealized loss as at December 31, 2009. As at December 31, 2009, subordinated debt securities (including Lower Tier Two) had a fair value of $0.5 million and a net unrealized loss of $54.3 million. As at December 31, 2009 approximately 42.7% of the overall sensitivity
to interest rate risk and 36.2% to credit risk was related to the Life investment portfolio, despite these portfolios accounting for only 19.0% of the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio.
106
The following table details the Companys structured credit exposures by certain asset classes as well as ratings levels within the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio and the current net unrealized gain (loss) position as at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
As at December 31, 2009:
Current Rating
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB & Below
Total
CMBS
Fair value
$
1,033.0
$
144.2
$
21.0
$
9.3
$
15.5
$
1,223.0
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(23.3
)
$
(15.0
)
$
(7.0
)
$
(0.9
)
$
(11.8
)
$
(58.0
)
Prime RMBS
Fair value
$
146.1
$
86.7
$
30.4
$
46.4
$
174.4
$
484.0
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(9.4
)
$
(28.8
)
$
(7.7
)
$
(7.7
)
$
(34.6
)
$
(88.2
)
Topical Assets (1)
Fair value
$
101.7
$
95.7
$
98.2
$
74.3
$
367.7
$
737.6
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(24.6
)
$
(38.4
)
$
(73.1
)
$
(52.6
)
$
(293.7
)
$
(482.4
)
Core CDOs (2)
Fair value
$
70.5
$
146.2
$
252.1
$
77.2
$
154.9
$
700.9
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(15.0
)
$
(34.2
)
$
(100.1
)
$
(39.7
)
$
(144.3
)
$
(333.3
)
Other Asset & Mortgage Backed Securities
Fair value
$
811.4
$
182.3
$
256.2
$
127.1
$
33.2
$
1,410.2
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(15.9
)
$
(16.0
)
$
(15.4
)
$
(26.9
)
$
(25.9
)
$
(100.1
)
Agency RMBS
Fair value
$
6,256.6
$
$
$
$
$
6,256.6
Net unrealized gain
$
64.4
$
$
$
$
$
64.4
Total
Fair value
$
8,419.3
$
655.1
$
657.9
$
334.3
$
745.7
$
10,812.3
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(23.8
)
$
(132.4
)
$
(203.3
)
$
(127.8
)
$
(510.3
)
$
(997.6
)
As at December 31, 2008:
CMBS
Fair value
$
2,101.5
$
15.2
$
15.4
$
11.8
$
10.6
$
2,154.5
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(331.8
)
$
(5.1
)
$
(4.9
)
$
(7.7
)
$
(12.4
)
$
(361.9
)
Prime RMBS
Fair value
$
752.6
$
132.1
$
57.1
$
14.6
$
36.3
$
992.7
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(218.8
)
$
(67.0
)
$
(45.5
)
$
(5.0
)
$
(13.0
)
$
(349.3
)
Topical Assets (1)
Fair value
$
558.3
$
183.7
$
98.9
$
48.0
$
74.6
$
963.5
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(312.5
)
$
(157.5
)
$
(63.4
)
$
(24.7
)
$
(36.5
)
$
(594.6
)
Core CDOs (2)
Fair value
$
166.1
$
324.4
$
51.7
$
110.3
$
13.7
$
666.2
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(61.7
)
$
(173.9
)
$
(46.6
)
$
(163.7
)
$
(24.1
)
$
(470.0
)
Other Asset & Mortgage Backed Securities
Fair value
$
1,253.3
$
108.1
$
267.6
$
61.7
$
28.2
$
1,718.9
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(57.3
)
$
(18.3
)
$
(74.1
)
$
(28.9
)
$
(2.3
)
$
(180.9
)
Agency RMBS
Fair value
$
2,109.8
$
$
$
$
$
2,109.8
Net unrealized (loss)
$
63.1
$
$
$
$
$
63.1
Total
Fair value
$
6,941.6
$
763.5
$
490.7
$
246.4
$
163.4
$
8,605.8
Net unrealized (loss)
$
(919.0
)
$
(421.8
)
$
(234.5
)
$
(230.0
)
$
(88.3
)
$
(1,893.6
)
(1)
Topical assets represent non-agency RMBS securities with sub-prime, Alt-A, second lien or ABS CDO collateral.
(2)
The Company defines Core CDOs as investments in non-sub-prime collateralized debt obligations, primarily consisting of collateralized loan obligations.
107
The following table details the current exposures to Topical Assets and Core CDOs within the Companys fixed income portfolio as well as the current net unrealized gain (loss) positions as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
As at
As at
Holding at
Percent
Net
Holding at
Percent
Net
Topical Assets:
Sub-prime first lien mortgages
$
377,609
1.1
%
$
(252,745
)
$
487,659
1.5
%
$
(311,435
)
Alt-A mortgages
316,795
0.9
%
(209,731
)
406,098
1.3
%
(270,486
)
Second lien mortgages (including sub-prime second lien mortgages)
37,776
0.1
%
(19,920
)
58,903
0.2
%
(5,313
)
ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral
5,429
%
32
10,595
0.0
%
(7,308
)
Total exposure to Topical Assets
$
737,609
2.1
%
$
(482,364
)
$
963,255
3.0
%
$
(594,542
)
Core CDOs
$
700,884
2.1
%
$
(333,257
)
$
666,239
2.1
%
$
(469,976
)
Of the total Topical Assets with fair value exposure as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $0.7 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, approximately $32.8 million and $40.5 million, respectively, of the related securities had ratings dependent on guarantees issued by third party guarantors (i.e., monoline
insurers). Decreases in the ratings of such third party guarantors would typically decrease the fair value of guaranteed securities; however, at December 31, 2009, in the event of non-performance at such date on the part of these third party guarantors, the Company estimated that the average credit quality of this portfolio
would be A and that approximately 90.9% would have remained investment grade at such date. In addition, of the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, of $33.9 billion and $31.9 billion, respectively, less than 2% were guaranteed by such third parties with no
individual third party representing more than 1%. In assessing these securities for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company reviews forecasted cash flows from the underlying collateral only, and does not assume that any payment will be made by these third party guarantors.
At December 31, 2009, the Companys sub-prime and Alt-A exposures had adequate underlying loan characteristics and the Company believed at such date that they were supported by adequate subordination levels based on current expectations of house price declines, loss severities and default levels. The Company had
approximately $696.8 million of Topical Assets downgraded during the year ended December 31, 2009. However, 50.1% of the Companys holdings remain rated investment grade at December 31, 2009.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, liquidations necessary to fund the repayment of the GIC liabilities following the downgrade of Syncora Guarantee and the maturity of certain funding agreements were funded through sales of assets in the Other Financial Lines segment investment portfolios as well as the
general investment portfolio. Managements approach was to avoid the sale of assets where current market prices did not reflect intrinsic values or where transaction costs for liquidation were excessive. As a result, the Company continues to hold Topical Assets and core CDOs, with a fair value of $1.4 billion which it has
primarily transferred to the general portfolio.
For a discussion on the significant drivers of the gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2009, please refer to Item 8, Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements Investments for further information.
108
December 31, 2009
December 31, 2008
Fair Value
of Fixed
Income
Portfolio
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Fair Value
of Fixed
Income
Portfolio
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
The following table summarizes the fair value, gross unrealized losses, credit rating and asset class of securities in a gross unrealized loss position within the Companys structured credit and corporate portfolios, which comprised $1.7 billion of the Companys total gross unrealized loss position of $1.8 billion at December
31, 2009:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Corporates
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB & Below
Total
Financials (1)
Fair value
$
160.7
$
280.5
$
1,389.4
$
474.7
$
21.2
$
2,326.5
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(8.4
)
$
(19.8
)
$
(215.5
)
$
(114.7
)
$
(9.2
)
$
(367.6
)
Non-Financials (2)
Fair value
$
24.3
$
536.8
$
1,267.7
$
532.7
$
174.8
$
2,536.3
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(0.4
)
$
(30.5
)
$
(70.0
)
$
(94.5
)
$
(20.5
)
$
(215.9
)
Total
Fair value
$
185.0
$
817.3
$
2,657.1
$
1,007.4
$
196.0
$
4,862.8
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(8.8
)
$
(50.3
)
$
(285.5
)
$
(209.2
)
$
(29.7
)
$
(583.5
)
% Impaired (of amortized cost) (3)
(4.6
)%
(5.9
)%
(9.9
)%
(17.5
)%
(13.4
)%
(10.9
)%
Structured Credit
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB & Below
Total
CMBS
Fair value
$
623.2
$
142.2
$
14.7
$
4.3
$
9.1
$
793.5
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(29.6
)
$
(15.4
)
$
(8.0
)
$
(1.3
)
$
(13.6
)
$
(67.9
)
Prime RMBS
Fair value
$
133.7
$
83.9
$
25.6
$
46.4
$
166.6
$
456.2
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(10.6
)
$
(29.4
)
$
(7.8
)
$
(7.7
)
$
(37.2
)
$
(92.7
)
Topical Assets
Fair value
$
101.7
$
88.2
$
97.7
$
67.6
$
356.6
$
711.8
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(24.6
)
$
(38.5
)
$
(73.1
)
$
(52.9
)
$
(295.9
)
$
(485.0
)
Core CDOs (4)
Fair value
$
70.3
$
146.2
$
251.6
$
77.0
$
145.7
$
690.8
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(15.0
)
$
(34.2
)
$
(100.1
)
$
(39.8
)
$
(153.1
)
$
(342.2
)
Other Asset & Mortgage Backed Securities
Fair value
$
514.9
$
137.9
$
199.2
$
110.5
$
33.2
$
995.7
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(26.4
)
$
(17.0
)
$
(16.7
)
$
(27.5
)
$
(36.2
)
$
(123.8
)
Agency RMBS
Fair value
$
2,963.4
$
$
$
$
$
2,963.4
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(37.9
)
(37.9
)
Total
Fair Value
$
4,407.2
$
598.4
$
588.8
$
305.8
$
711.2
$
6,611.4
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(144.1
)
$
(134.5
)
$
(205.7
)
$
(129.2
)
$
(536.0
)
$
(1,149.5
)
% Impaired (of amortized cost) (3)
(3.2
)%
(18.4
)%
(26.0
)%
(29.8
)%
(42.4
)%
(14.7
)%
(1)
Included in the gross unrealized losses on corporate financials are gross unrealized losses of $225.2 million on Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities of financial institutions (Hybrids), as well as $84.3 million on subordinated debt.
(2)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $587.7 million and an amortized cost of $707.9 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or
increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(3)
Management considers these impairments to be temporary.
(4)
The Company defines Core CDOs as investments in non-mortgage collateralized debt obligations, primarily consisting of collateralized loan obligations.
109
The following table summarizes the fair value, gross unrealized losses, credit rating and asset class of securities in a gross unrealized loss position within the Companys structured credit and corporate portfolios, which comprised $3.9 billion of the Companys total gross unrealized loss position of $4.1 billion at December
31, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Corporates
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB & Below
Total
Financials (1)
Fair value
$
435.2
$
1,014.2
$
2,079.8
$
222.1
$
36.5
$
3,787.8
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(25.4
)
$
(149.0
)
$
(660.5
)
$
(159.8
)
$
(44.0
)
$
(1,038.7
)
Non-Financials (2)
Fair value
$
184.9
$
302.4
$
1,407.9
$
1,211.2
$
463.0
$
3,569.4
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(25.5
)
$
(35.8
)
$
(335.3
)
$
(311.4
)
$
(230.1
)
$
(938.1
)
Total
Fair value
$
620.1
$
1,316.6
$
3,487.7
$
1,433.3
$
499.5
$
7,357.2
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(50.9
)
$
(184.8
)
$
(995.8
)
$
(471.2
)
$
(274.1
)
$
(1,976.8
)
% Impaired (of amortized cost) (3)
(7.8
)%
(12.5
)%
(22.6
)%
(25.1
)%
(35.9
)%
(21.6
)%
Structured Credit
AAA
AA
A
BBB
BB & Below
Total
CMBS
Fair value
$
1,426.6
$
7.9
$
6.7
$
9.5
$
8.8
$
1,459.5
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(331.9
)
$
(5.1
)
$
(4.9
)
$
(7.7
)
$
(12.4
)
$
(362.0
)
Prime RMBS
Fair value
$
618.4
$
125.5
$
56.6
$
8.0
$
24.8
$
833.3
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(220.3
)
$
(67.7
)
$
(45.7
)
$
(5.9
)
$
(13.9
)
$
(353.5
)
Topical Assets
Fair value
$
534.0
$
175.8
$
87.0
$
28.4
$
53.5
$
878.7
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(312.6
)
$
(157.5
)
$
(63.7
)
$
(29.9
)
$
(39.3
)
$
(603.0
)
Core CDOs (4)
Fair value
$
166.7
$
324.6
$
51.7
$
109.2
$
10.2
$
662.4
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(61.7
)
$
(173.9
)
$
(46.6
)
$
(163.7
)
$
(24.4
)
$
(470.3
)
Other Asset & Mortgage Backed Securities
Fair value
$
790.0
$
97.9
$
220.8
$
60.4
$
27.8
$
1,196.9
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(58.2
)
$
(18.4
)
$
(74.1
)
$
(28.9
)
$
(2.3
)
$
(181.9
)
Agency RMBS
Fair value
$
27.5
$
$
$
$
$
27.5
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(2.4
)
(2.4
)
Total
Fair Value
$
3,563.2
$
731.7
$
422.8
$
215.5
$
125.1
$
5,058.3
Gross unrealized loss (3)
$
(987.1
)
$
(422.6
)
$
(235.0
)
$
(236.1
)
$
(92.3
)
$
(1,973.1
)
% Impaired (of amortized cost) (3)
(21.8
)%
(36.8
)%
(35.9
)%
(52.7
)%
(42.8
)%
(28.2
)%
(1)
Included in the gross unrealized losses on corporate financials are gross unrealized losses of $637.1 million on Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities of financials institutions (Hybrids), as well as $159.2 million on subordinated debt.
(2)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $499.0 million and an amortized cost of $922.7 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or
increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(3)
Management considers these impairments to be temporary.
(4)
The Company defines Core CDOs as investments in non-sub-prime collateralized debt obligations, primarily consisting of collateralized loan obligations.
Structured credit securities with gross unrealized losses representing greater than 50% of amortized cost account for $379.4 million of gross unrealized losses, with a fair value of $202.3 million. Of these gross unrealized losses, $112.0 million are rated investment grade. The Company has evaluated each of these holdings
on a security-by-security basis in conjunction with its investment manager service providers and utilizing additional corroborative modeling techniques, and believes these securities will provide adequate principal and interest payments to satisfy the current amortized cost. These securities include $213.1 million
110
of Topical assets, $131.1 million of Core CDOs, $1.2 million of prime RMBS and $12.8 million of CMBS holdings.
As noted in Item 8, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Significant Accounting Policies, the determination of the amount of OTTI varies by investment type and is based upon managements periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such
evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Management considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer and uses their best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-
term recovery. Inherent in managements evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Management updates its evaluations regularly and reflects additional impairments in net income as determinations are made. Managements determination of the
amount of the impairment taken on investments is highly subjective and could adversely impact the Companys results of operations. There can be no assurance that management has accurately assessed the level of OTTI taken and reflected in the Companys financial statements. Furthermore, additional impairments may need
to be taken in the future. Historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments.
Levels of write down or OTTI are also impacted by the Companys assessment of the intent to sell securities which have declined in value. If, due to changes in circumstances, the Company determines to reposition or realign portions of the portfolio where the Company decides to sell certain securities in an unrealized
loss position, then the Company will incur OTTI charges, which charges could be significant.
Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities
As disclosed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Fair Value Measurements, effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and has accordingly provided required disclosures by level within the fair value hierarchy of the Companys assets and
liabilities that are carried at fair value. As defined in the hierarchy, those assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 have valuations determined using unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may include the entitys own assumptions about market participant assumptions, applied to a modeled valuation, however, this is not
the case with respect to the Companys Level 3 assets and liabilities. The vast majority of the assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are made up of those securities for which the values were obtained from brokers where either significant inputs were utilized in determining the value that were difficult to corroborate with
observable market data, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the broker were not obtained to support a Level 2 classification or the Company utilized internal valuation models.
At December 31, 2009, certain assets which were previously classified as Level 3 assets due to a lack of observable market data are now classified as Level 2 assets due to sufficient market data now being available to determine a price and to allow the use of broker quotes.
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company determined that for certain of its CDOs with a fair value of $483.2 million and a par value of $801.5 million, the Company considered the recent trading activity to be stressed transactions. The markets for CDOs had become extremely illiquid due to a number of factors
including risk aversion and reduction of purchases among institutional buyers. As a result, the Company believed that broker bids reflected loss expectations that did not reflect fair values at which willing buyers and sellers would transact. The Company determined that internal models were more appropriate and better
representative of the fair value at which these securities would be sold in an orderly market.
As a result of numerous recent market factors, including increased volumes of trading, the Company believes that transactions in this market are no longer distressed and, accordingly, has reverted to third-party vendor pricing sources where transactions are available as of December 31, 2009, and, where not available,
broker quotes. Accordingly, as at December 31, 2009, for those CDOs which were previously valued using internal models, the Company now carries these assets at a fair value of $538.5 million and a par value of $789.1 million. Of these holdings, $457.6 million were valued by third party vendors and, accordingly, are now
classified as Level 2, and $80.9 million were valued using broker quotations and, accordingly, remain classified as Level 3.
111
Controls over Valuation of Financial Instruments
The Company performs quarterly reviews of the prices received from its third party valuation sources to assess if the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. This process is completed by investment and accounting personnel who are independent of those responsible for obtaining the valuations. The
approaches taken to gain comfort include, but are not limited to, comparing valuations between external sources and completing recurring reviews of third party pricing services methodologies. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines there is a more appropriate fair value based upon available market data, the
price received from one third party may be substituted for another, or, in limited circumstances, management may determine that an adjustment is required to a third party value. In addition, similar valuation controls are followed by external parties responsible for sourcing appropriate valuations from third parties on the
Companys behalf, which provides additional comfort over the reasonableness of the fair values recorded in the Companys financial statements.
Valuation Methodology of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
Refer to Notes 2 and 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, Significant Accounting Policies and Fair Value Measurements for a description of the valuation methodology utilized to value Level 3 assets and liabilities, how the valuation methodology is validated as well as further details associated with various
assets classified as Level 3. As at December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any liabilities that were carried at fair value based on Level 3 inputs other than derivative instruments in a liability position at December 31, 2009.
Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
At December 31, 2009, the fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities as a percentage of the Companys total assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value was as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Total Assets and
Fair Value of
Level 3 Assets
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value
U.S. Government and Government agency-Related/Supported
$
2,664,625
$
%
Corporate
9,799,000
10,311
0.1
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
6,228,501
7,894
0.1
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
1,421,315
42,190
3.0
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,216,799
2,755
0.2
%
Collateralized debt obligations
698,561
190,663
27.3
%
Other asset-backed securities
1,167,985
38,179
3.3
%
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
913,473
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,401,773
3,217
0.1
%
Total Fixed maturities, at fair value
27,512,032
295,209
1.1
%
Equity securities, at fair value
17,779
%
Short-term investments, at fair value
1,777,360
6,486
0.4
%
Total investments available for sale
$
29,307,171
$
301,695
1.0
%
Cash equivalents (1)
2,633,206
%
Other investments (2)
417,589
75,584
18.1
%
Other assets (3)
84,447
185,455
219.6
%
Total assets carried at fair value
$
32,442,413
$
562,734
1.7
%
Liabilities
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (4)
$
36,979
$
%
Other liabilities (5)
59,958
84,940
141.7
%
Total liabilities carried at fair value
$
96,937
$
84,940
87.6
%
112
Liabilities Carried
at Fair Value at
December 31, 2009
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities
and Liabilities as
a Percentage of
Total Assets and
Liabilities
Carried at Fair
Value, by class
(1)
Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurements include certificates of deposit and money market funds.
(2)
The Other investments balance excludes certain structured transactions including certain investments in project finance transactions, a payment obligation (as described in Note 11, Other Investments), and has provided liquidity financing to a structured credit vehicle as a part of a third party medium term note facility. These investments are carried at amortized cost that totaled $365.6 million at
December 31, 2009 and $94.8 million at December 31, 2008.
(3)
Other assets include derivative instruments, reported on a gross basis.
(4)
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased are included within Net payable for investments purchased on the balance sheet.
(5)
Other liabilities include derivative instruments, reported on a gross basis.
As at December 31, 2009, the balance of Level 3 assets as a percentage of the Companys total assets that were carried at fair value was 1.7%. The comparable percentage at December 31, 2008 was 4.5%. The decrease was primarily as a result of a change in the mix of assets during 2009. During 2009, the Company
recorded the fair value of CDO holdings based upon pricing service valuations where available due to increased volumes of trading and increased new issuance of CDOs, resulting in transfers being recorded from Level 3 to Level 2.
Changes in the Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
See Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, Fair Value Measurements, for an analysis of the change in fair value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses
Unpaid losses and loss expenses reserves relate primarily to the casualty insurance and reinsurance business written by the Company. The balance was $20.8 billion at December 31, 2009, which is a decrease of $0.8 billion from December 31, 2008. The decrease was due primarily to favorable prior year reserve
development reducing losses and loss expenses incurred during 2009 and the impact of foreign exchange rate movements.
The table below presents a reconciliation of the Companys unpaid losses and loss expenses for the year ended December 31, 2009:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross unpaid
Unpaid
Net
Balance at December 31, 2008
$
21,650,315
$
(3,964,836
)
$
17,685,479
Losses and loss expenses incurred
3,990,455
(821,618
)
3,168,837
Losses and loss expenses paid/recovered (1)
(5,138,951
)
1,263,016
(3,875,935
)
Foreign exchange and other
321,705
(33,953
)
287,752
Balance at December 31, 2009
$
20,823,524
$
(3,557,391
)
$
17,266,133
(1)
Includes paid losses relating to loss reserves associated with previous reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were settled as part of the Master Agreement.
While the Company reviews the adequacy of established reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses regularly, no assurance can be given that actual claims made and payments related thereto will not be in excess of the amounts reserved. In the future, if such reserves develop adversely, such deficiency would have a
negative impact on future results of operations. See Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above and Item 8, Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Losses and Loss Expenses, for further discussion.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the potential amount of loss arising from claims events by reinsuring certain levels of risk assumed in various areas of exposure with other insurers or reinsurers. While reinsurance agreements are designed to limit the Companys losses from large exposures
and permit recovery of a portion of direct unpaid losses, reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its ultimate liability to the Companys insureds. Accordingly, the losses and loss expense reserves on the balance sheet represent the Companys total unpaid gross losses. Unpaid losses and loss
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losses and loss
expenses
losses and
loss expenses
recoverable
unpaid losses
and loss
expenses
expense recoverable relates to estimated reinsurance recoveries on the unpaid loss and loss expense reserves.
Unpaid losses and loss expense recoverables were $3.7 billion and $4.0 billion at December 31, 2009, and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, reinsurance balances receivable were $0.5 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively. The table below presents the Companys net reinsurance recoverable and
reinsurance balances receivable at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31,
December 31,
Reinsurance balances receivable
$
454,660
$
636,284
Reinsurance recoverable on future policy benefits
26,637
32,886
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses
3,667,344
4,079,860
Bad debt reserve on unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable
(189,769
)
(187,614
)
Net paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable
$
3,958,872
$
4,561,416
The Company has credit risk should any of its reinsurers be unable or unwilling to settle amounts due. Of the $4.0 billion total unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable at December 31, 2009, one individual reinsurer accounted for 15% or more of the total. The Company is the
beneficiary of letters of credit, trust accounts and funds withheld in the aggregate amount of $1.7 billion at December 31, 2009, collateralizing reinsurance recoverables with respect to certain reinsurers. The provision for uncollectible reinsurance is required principally due to the failure of reinsurers to indemnify the Company
primarily because of disputes under reinsurance contracts and insolvencies. As at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had a reserve for potential non-recoveries from reinsurers of $189.8 million and $187.6 million, respectively.
Approximately 88% of the total unpaid loss and loss expense recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable (excluding collateral held) outstanding at December 31, 2009, were due from reinsurers rated A or better by S&P. The following is an analysis of the total recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable at
December 31, 2009, by reinsurers owing more than 3% of such total:
Name of reinsurer
S&Ps rating
% of total
Munich Reinsurance Company
AA-/Stable
17.3%
Swiss Reinsurance Company
A+/Stable
10.9%
Lloyds Syndicates
A+/Stable
6.3%
Swiss Re Europe S.A.
A+/Stable
4.4%
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
A+/Stable
4.1%
The following table sets forth the ratings profile of the reinsurers that support the unpaid loss and loss expense recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable:
Standard and
% of total
AAA.
4.9
%
AA
33.3
%
A
49.5
%
BBB
0.8
%
BB and below
%
Captives
8.4
%
Not Rated
0.3
%
Other
2.8
%
Total
100.0
%
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of the Companys ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short- and long-term cash requirements of the Companys business operations.
114
2009
2008
Poors rating
As a global insurance and reinsurance company, one of the Companys principal responsibilities to its clients is to ensure that the Company has ready access to funds with which to settle large unforeseen claims. The Company would generally expect that positive cash flow from operations (underwriting activities and
investment income) will be sufficient to cover cash outflows under most future loss scenarios. However, there is a possibility that unforeseen demands could be placed on the Company due to extraordinary events and as such the Companys liquidity needs may change. Such events include, among other things, several
significant catastrophes occurring in a relatively short period of time resulting in material incurred losses; rating agency downgrades of the Companys core insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries that would require posting of collateral, return of unearned premium and/or the settlement of derivative transactions; large scale
uncollectible reinsurance recoverables on paid losses (as a result of coverage disputes, reinsurers credit problems or decreases in the value of collateral supporting reinsurance recoverables), etc. Any one or a combination of such events may cause a liquidity strain for the Company. In addition, a liquidity strain could also
occur in an illiquid market, such as that which was experienced in 2008. Investments that may be used to meet liquidity needs in the event of a liquidity strain may not be liquid, given inactive markets, or may have to be sold at a significant loss as a result of depressed prices. Because each subsidiary focuses on a more
limited number of specific product lines than is collectively available from the consolidated group of companies, the mix of business tends to be less diverse at the subsidiary level. As a result, the probability of a liquidity strain, as described above, may be greater for individual subsidiaries than when liquidity is assessed on a
consolidated basis. If such a liquidity strain were to occur in a subsidiary, XL Capital Ltd may be required to contribute capital to the particular subsidiary and/or curtail dividends from the subsidiary to support holding company operations.
A downgrade below A- of the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by either S&P or A.M. Best, which is two notches below the current S&P financial strength rating of A (Negative) and the A.M. Best financial strength rating of A (Stable) of these subsidiaries, may trigger cancellation
provisions in a significant amount of the Companys assumed reinsurance agreements and may potentially require the Company to return unearned premiums to cedants. In addition, due to collateral posting requirements under the Companys letter of credit and revolving credit facilities, such a downgrade may require the
posting of cash collateral in support of certain in use portions of these facilities. Specifically, a downgrade below A- by A.M. Best would trigger such collateral requirements for the Companys largest credit facility. In certain limited instances, such downgrades may require the Company to return cash or assets to
counterparties or to settle derivative and/or other transactions with the respective counterparties. See Item 1, Business Ratings, for further information. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, A downgrade or potential downgrade in our financial strength and credit ratings by one or more rating agencies could materially and
negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity.
Holding Company Liquidity
As a holding company, XL Capital Ltd has no operations of its own and its assets consist primarily of its investments in its subsidiaries. Accordingly, XL Capital Ltds future cash flows largely depend on the availability of dividends or other statutorily permissible payments from its subsidiaries. The ability to pay such
dividends is limited by the applicable laws and regulations of the various countries and states in which XL Capital Ltds subsidiaries operate, including, among others, Bermuda, New York, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. See Item 8, Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Statutory Financial Data,
for further discussion and details regarding dividend capacity of the Companys major operating subsidiaries. See Risk Factors Risks Related to the Company because we are a holding company, if our subsidiaries do not make dividend and other payments to us, we may not be able to pay dividends or make payments on
our debt securities and other obligations in Item 1A. The ability to pay such dividends is also limited by the regulations of the Society of Lloyds and certain contractual provisions. No assurance can be given that the Companys subsidiaries will pay dividends in the future to XL Capital Ltd.
During 2009, management changed the internal ownership structure of certain of the Companys operating subsidiaries in Bermuda and Ireland in order to more efficiently utilize capital and to improve overall liquidity. In connection with these changes, certain dividends were paid to XL Capital Ltd by operating
subsidiaries. As at December 31, 2009, the Holding Company, XL Capital Ltd, had cash and
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investments of $1.5 billion compared to $0.1 billion at December 31, 2008 (net of liabilities associated with cash sweeping arrangements).
XL Capital Ltds principal uses of liquidity are for dividend payments to holders of its ordinary shares and preferred shares, interest and principal payments on debt, capital investments in its subsidiaries and corporate operating expenses.
XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc (XLFE) is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of the XL Capital Ltd. In January 2002, XLFE issued $600 million par value 6.5% Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 2012. These notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by XL Capital Ltd.
The Company and its subsidiaries provide no guarantees or other commitments (express or implied) of financial support to the Companys subsidiaries or affiliates, except for such guarantees or commitments that are in writing.
See Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Sources of Liquidity for the Company
As at December 31, 2009, the consolidated Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.6 billion as compared to approximately $4.4 billion at December 31, 2008. There are three main sources of cash flows for the Companythose provided by operations, investing activities and financing activities.
Operating Cash Flows
Historically, cash receipts from operations, consisting of premiums and investment income, generally have provided sufficient funds to pay losses as well as operating expenses of the Companys subsidiaries and to fund dividends to XL Capital Ltd. However, as a result of the combination of current soft market conditions,
the decision to put the life segment and certain P&C lines into run-off and lower investment yields, operating cash flows excluding extraordinary events are expected to be lower than prior years. Cash receipts from operations is generally derived from the receipt of investment income on the Companys investment portfolio as
well as the net receipt of premiums less claims and expenses related to the Companys underwriting activities in its property and casualty operations as well as its Life Operations segment. The Companys operating subsidiaries provide liquidity in that premiums are generally received months or even years before losses are
paid under the policies related to such premiums. Premiums and acquisition expenses are settled based on terms of trade as stipulated by an underwriting contract, and generally are received within the first year of inception of a policy when the premium is written, but can be up to three years on certain reinsurance business
assumed. Operating expenses are generally paid within a year of being incurred. Claims especially for casualty business, may take a much longer time before they are reported and ultimately settled, requiring the establishment of reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses. Therefore, the amount of claims paid in any one
year is not necessarily related to the amount of net losses incurred, as reported in the consolidated statement of income.
During the year ended 2009, net cash flows used in operating activities were $42.8 million. This net cash outflow resulted primarily because lower premium levels did not offset the payment of claims. In addition, investment income during 2009 was significantly lower as a result of lower average invested balances and
lower overall yields.
During the year ended 2008, net cash flows used in operating activities were $427.3 million primarily as a result of the payment of approximately $1.8 billion to Syncora under the Master Agreement. The Company funded the payment to Syncora by using proceeds from the offering of both ordinary shares and ESUs, as
well as from the proceeds received following the exercise by the Company of the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility as described below. Excluding the payment to Syncora, net cash flows from operations was approximately $1.3 billion in 2008. For the same period in 2007, net cash flows from
operations was $2.2 billion. The decrease in net cash flow from operations, excluding the payment to Syncora, was primarily a result of decreases in net premiums written in the Companys P&C operations as described above and of lower net investment income related to both P&C operations and structured products mainly due
to a lower asset base and changes in the portfolio mix following the sale of assets used to settle the GIC liabilities. In addition, yields earned on investment of cash flows and
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reinvestment of maturing or sold securities have decreased, as prevailing market interest rates, in most major geographies, have decreased overall during the last twelve months.
Total net paid losses were $3.9 billion in 2009 and $3.8 billion in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Net losses incurred were $3.2 billion, $4.0 billion and $3.8 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Investing Cash Flows
Generally, positive cash flow from operations and financing activities is invested in the Companys investment portfolio, including affiliates or acquisition of subsidiaries.
Net cash provided by investing activities of $214.6 million in 2009 was mainly associated with normal purchase and sale of portfolio investments. During the year, the Company redeemed $441.5 million of alternative fund investments.
Net cash provided by investing activities of $3.8 billion in 2008 was mainly associated with the sale and redemption of the Companys investments in fixed maturities, short-term investments and equity securities. The sales of such securities exceeded related purchases, due mainly to the sale of assets used to settle the
GIC liabilities and as a result of the Companys intention to reposition its investment portfolio and increase its holdings of cash as well as government agency holdings.
Net cash used in investing activities in 2007 was primarily related to the purchase and sale of portfolio investments, with purchases of investments exceeding the related sales and redemptions. In addition, in 2007, the Company sold a portion of its interest in Syncora, through a secondary offering for $316.3 million.
However, as a result of the sale and subsequent deconsolidation of Syncora, investing cash flows were reduced by $110.8 million.
Certain of the Companys invested assets are held in trust and pledged in support of insurance and reinsurance liabilities. Such pledges are largely required by the Companys operating subsidiaries that are non-admitted under U.S. state insurance regulations, in order for the U.S. cedant to receive statutory credit for
reinsurance. In addition certain deposit liabilities and annuity contracts require the use of pledged assets. As at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $16.7 billion and $13.7 billion in pledged assets, respectively.
Financing Cash Flows
Cash flows related to financing activities include ordinary and preferred share related transactions, the payment of dividends, the issue or repayment of debt and deposit liability transactions.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, net cash flows used in financing activities were $962.6 million. Net cash outflows relate primarily to the repayment of debt and deposit liabilities and the payment of common and preferred dividends.
Following the settlement of the purchase contracts associated with the 7.0% ESUs in February 2009, the Company issued 11,461,080 Shares for net proceeds of approximately $743.1 million, which was used to retire the senior notes previously due February 2011, which had a fixed coupon of 5.25%.
On March 26, 2009, the Company completed a cash tender offer for its outstanding Series C Preference Ordinary Shares that resulted in approximately 12.7 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $317.3 million being purchased by the Company for approximately $104.7 million plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, combined with professional fees totaling $0.8 million. As a result, a book value gain of approximately $211.8 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2009 to ordinary shareholders.
In the year ended December 31, 2008, net cash flows used in financing activities was $2.8 billion. The main drivers for the cash outflow in 2008 are summarized below.
In order to fund the payment of approximately $1.8 billion to Syncora under the Master Agreement and the payment of approximately $283 million to consummate the redemption of X.L. America, Inc.s 6.58% Notes, the Company raised approximately $2.8 billion in August 2008 through an issuance of both ordinary
shares and ESUs. Concurrent with the execution of the Master Agreement, the Company exercised the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003, resulting in net
117
proceeds to the Company of approximately $500 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Series C Preference Ordinary Shares, par value U.S. $0.01 per share (the Series C Preference Shares). For further details on these transactions, see Capital Resources, below.
In July 2008, in conjunction with the issuance of ordinary shares and ESUs described above, the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.19 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend paid in September 2008. In addition, in
February 2009, the Board of Directors approved a further reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.10 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend payable in March 2009.
As noted above, the Company settled during 2008 approximately $4.0 billion of GIC liabilities through the sale of certain assets from its fixed income portfolio. In addition, $1.2 billion of funding agreements were settled during 2008. At December 31, 2008, a significant component of the investments held in the
Companys Other Financial Lines segment portfolios was comprised of Topical Assets and CDOs. Liquidations necessary to fund the repayment of the GIC liabilities following the downgrade of Syncora Guarantee and the maturity of certain funding agreements were funded through sales of assets in these portfolios as well as
the general investment portfolios. Managements approach was to avoid the sale of assets where current market prices did not reflect intrinsic values or where transaction costs for liquidation were excessive. As a result, the Company continues to hold a number of the Topical Assets and CDOs, which were transferred to the
general investment portfolio in exchange for those assets that were liquidated. At December 31, 2009, the remaining balance of funding agreements, excluding accrued interest of $6.5 million, was $450 million, with the full balance scheduled for settlement in August 2010. The Company continues to manage its liquidity needs
through changes in the mix of its investment portfolio as well as through other available capital resources and lines of credit as noted below.
In 2007, the Company repurchased approximately $1.1 billion of ordinary shares through its share repurchase programs and issued approximately $825.0 million of ordinary shares in connection with the maturity of the purchase contracts associated with the 6.5% Equity Security Units. In addition, the Company issued
Series E preference ordinary shares for $1 billion and redeemed both its Series A and Series B preference ordinary shares for $230.0 million and $287.5 million, respectively. With regards to debt transactions in 2007, the Company purchased and retired the 2009 Senior Notes for $825.0 million in connection with the 6.5%
Units and issued the 2027 Senior Notes for gross proceeds of approximately $324.4 million. In 2007, dividends paid were $274.0 million for ordinary shares and $69.5 million for preferred shares. In 2007, the Company paid out $360.0 million of net cash relating to deposit liability contracts.
The Company is considered a Well Known Seasoned Issuer (WKSI) under the rules of the SEC. The Company maintains a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and is eligible for automatically effective future registration statements for the potential offering and sale of an unlimited amount of debt and equity
securities. The Registration Statement allows for the following types of securities to be offered: (i) debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company, (ii) preferred securities of any of
one or more capital trusts organized by the Company and guarantees of such securities by the Company and (iii) debt securities of XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc and guarantees of such securities by the Company.
In addition the Company maintains letter of credit facilities which provide liquidity. Details of these facilities are described below in Capital Resources.
Capital Resources
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had total shareholders equity of $9.4 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively. In addition to ordinary share capital, the Company depends on external sources of financing to support its underwriting activities in the form of:
a.
debt;
b.
preference shares;
c.
contingent capital; and
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d.
letter of credit facilities and other sources of collateral.
In particular, the Company requires, among other things:
sufficient capital to maintain its financial strength and credit ratings, as issued by several ratings agencies, at levels considered necessary by management to enable the Companys key operating subsidiaries to compete;
sufficient capital to enable its regulated subsidiaries to meet the regulatory capital levels required in the U.S., the U.K., Bermuda, Ireland, Switzerland and other key markets;
letters of credit and other forms of collateral that are required to be posted or deposited, as the case may be, by the Companys operating subsidiaries that are non-admitted under U.S. state insurance regulations in order for the U.S. cedant to receive statutory credit for reinsurance. The Company also uses letters of
credit to support its operations at Lloyds; and
revolving credit to meet short-term liquidity needs.
The following risks are associated with the Companys requirement to renew its credit facilities:
the credit available from banks may be reduced resulting in the Companys need to pledge its investment portfolio to customers. This could result in a lower investment yield;
the Company may be downgraded by one or more rating agencies which could materially and negatively impact the Companys business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity; and
the volume of business that the Companys subsidiaries that are not admitted in the U.S. are able to transact could be reduced if the Company is unable to renew its letter of credit facilities at an appropriate amount.
Continued consolidation within the banking industry may result in the aggregate amount of credit provided to the Company being reduced. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by identifying and/or selecting additional banks that can participate in the credit facilities upon renewal.
The following table summarizes the components of the Companys current capital resources at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31,
December 31,
Preferred share capital
$
1,182,673
$
1,500,000
Ordinary share capital
8,432,417
5,116,831
Total Ordinary and Preferred capital
$
9,615,090
$
6,616,831
Notes payable and debt
2,445,733
3,189,734
Total capital
$
12,060,823
$
9,806,565
a) Ordinary Share Capital
The following table reconciles the opening and closing common equity positions at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31,
December 31,
Ordinary share equity beginning of period
$
5,116,831
$
8,950,561
Net income (loss) attributable to XL Capital Ltd
74,991
(2,553,813
)
Share repurchases
(626
)
(4,966
)
Share issues
741,291
2,388,561
Common share dividends
(136,804
)
(261,464
)
Preferred share dividends
(80,200
)
(78,645
)
Gain on redemption of Series C preference ordinary shares
211,816
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income
2,222,460
(3,374,086
)
Impact of adoption of new authoritative OTTI guidance, net of tax
229,670
Share based compensation and other
52,988
50,683
Ordinary equity end of period
$
8,432,417
$
5,116,831
119
2009
2008
2009
2008
b) Debt
The following tables present the Companys debt under outstanding securities and lenders commitments as at December 31, 2009:
Notes Payable and Debt
Commitment/
In Use/
Year of
Payments Due by Period
Less than
1 to 3
3 to 5
After 5
5-year revolvers (1)
$
1,000,000
$
2010/2012
$
$
$
$
5-year revolver
100,000
2010
6.50% Guaranteed Senior Notes
600,000
599,350
2012
600,000
5.25% Senior Notes
600,000
596,933
2014
600,000
8.25% Senior Notes
575,000
575,000
2021
575,000
6.375% Senior Notes
350,000
350,000
2024
350,000
6.25% Senior Notes
325,000
324,450
2027
325,000
$
3,550,000
$
2,445,733
$
$
600,000
$
600,000
$
1,250,000
In Use and Outstanding data represent December 31, 2009 accreted values. Payments Due by Period data represent ultimate redemption values.
(1)
The 2010 and 2012 5-year revolving credit facilities share a $1.0 billion revolving credit sublimit.
In addition, see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes Payable and Debt Financing Arrangements for further information.
At December 31, 2009, banks and investors provided the Company and its subsidiaries with $3.5 billion of debt capacity, of which $2.4 billion was utilized by the Company. These facilities consist of:
revolving credit facilities of $1.1 billion in aggregate.
senior Unsecured Notes of approximately $2.4 billion. These notes require the Company to pay a fixed rate of interest during their terms. At December 31, 2009, there were five outstanding issues of senior unsecured notes:
$600 million senior notes due January 2012, with a fixed coupon of 6.5%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at $99.469 and gross proceeds were $596.8 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $7.9 million.
$600 million senior notes due September 2014, with a fixed coupon of 5.25%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued in two tranches of $300 million aggregate principal amount eachone tranche at 99.432% and the other at 98.419%. Aggregate gross proceeds were $593.6 million. Related expenses of the
offering amounted to $4 million.
$575 million of senior notes due August 2021, with a fixed coupon of 8.25%. These securities are a component of the 10.75% Units that are publicly traded. In addition to the coupon paid on the senior notes, quarterly contract adjustment payments at an annual rate of 2.50% per annum are paid on forward purchase
contracts for the Companys common shares for a total distribution of 10.75% per annum. The purchase contracts mature in 2011, and the senior notes mature in 2021. In August 2011, the senior notes will be remarketed whereby the interest rate will be reset in order to generate sufficient remarketing proceeds to satisfy
the 10.75% Unit holders obligations under the purchase contract.
$350 million senior notes due November 2024, with a fixed coupon of 6.375%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 100.0% and gross proceeds were $350 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $2 million.
$325 million of senior notes due 2027, with a fixed coupon of 6.25%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 99.805% and gross proceeds were $324.4 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $2.5 million.
c) Preferred shares
As at December 31, 2009 the Companys preferred share capital is made up of $1.0 billion Series E Preference ordinary shares and $182.7 million Series C Preference ordinary shares. As at December 31,
120
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Debt
Outstanding
Expiry
1 Year
Years
Years
Years
2008 the companys preferred share capital is made up of $1.0 billion Series E Preference ordinary shares and $500 million Series C Preference ordinary shares.
On March 26, 2009, the Company completed a cash tender offer for its outstanding Series C Preference Ordinary Shares that resulted in approximately 12.7 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $317.3 million being purchased by the Company for approximately $104.7 million plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, combined with professional fees totaling $0.8 million. As a result, a book value gain of approximately $211.8 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2009 to ordinary shareholders. In addition, see Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Share Capital for further information.
d) Contingent Capital
At December 31, 2009, the Company has one contingent capital transaction where the outstanding put option has not been exercised. No up-front proceeds were received by the Company under this transaction. In the event that the associated irrevocable put option agreement is exercised, proceeds previously raised from
investors from the issuance of pass-through trust securities would be received in return for the issuance of preferred shares. See below for further details on this transaction.
On December 5, 2006, the Company and certain operating subsidiaries (Ceding Insurers) entered into a securities issuance agreement (the Securities Issuance Agreement), and certain of the Companys foreign insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries (Ceding Insurers) entered into an excess of loss reinsurance
agreement (the Reinsurance Agreement), with Stoneheath Re (Stoneheath). The net effect of these agreements to the Company is the creation of a contingent put option to issue $350.0 million of preference ordinary shares in the aggregate. The agreements provide the Company with a Reinsurance Collateral Account in
support of certain covered perils named in the Reinsurance Agreement. The covered perils include United States wind, European wind, California earthquake and terrorism worldwide. After an initial three-month period, the covered perils as well as the attachment points and aggregate retention amounts may be changed by the
Ceding Insurers in their sole discretion. This may result in a material increase or decrease in the likelihood of payment under the Reinsurance Agreement. On each date on which a Ceding Insurer withdraws funds from the Reinsurance Collateral Account, the Company shall issue and deliver to Stoneheath an amount of XL
Capital Ltd Series D Preference Shares (the XL Preferred Securities) having an aggregate liquidation preference that is equal to the amount of funds so withdrawn from the Collateral Account. The Company is obligated to reimburse Stoneheath for certain fees and ordinary expenses. The initial term of the Reinsurance
Agreement was for the period from the Closing Date through June 30, 2007, with four annual mandatory extensions through June 30, 2011 (unless coverage is exhausted thereunder prior to such date). The Ceding Insurers may thereafter extend the Reinsurance Agreement at their option for additional calendar quarters without
limit (unless coverage is exhausted thereunder). The contingent put option is recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The XL Preferred Securities, if issued, will pay dividends on a non-cumulative basis at a fixed rate of 6.868% per annum through October 15, 2011 and thereafter at a floating
rate based on 3-month LIBOR, plus 3.12%.
e) Letter of Credit Facilities and other sources of collateral
At December 31, 2009, the Company had six letter of credit facilities in place with total availability of $7.25 billion, of which $3.0 billion was utilized.
Other Commercial Commitments
Commitment
In Use
Year of
Amount of Commitment
Less than
1 to 3
3 to 5
After 5
Letter of Credit Facility
$
250,000
143,591
Continuous
Letter of Credit Facility (1)
2,250,000
2010
2,250,000
Letter of Credit Facility (1)
4,000,000
2,369,092
2012
4,000,000
Letter of Credit Facility
137
137
Continuous
Letter of Credit Facility
93
93
Continuous
Letter of Credit Facility
750,000
499,256
Continuous
Six letter of credit facilities
$
7,250,230
$
3,012,169
$
2,250,000
$
4,000,000
(1)
Of the total letter of credit facilities above, $1 billion is also included in the revolvers under notes payable and debt.
121
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Expiry
Expiration per period
1 Year
Years
Years
Years
In the event that such credit support is insufficient, the Company could be required to provide alternative security to cedants. This could take the form of insurance trusts supported by the Companys investment portfolio or funds withheld (amounts retained by ceding companies to collateralize loss or premium reserves)
using the Companys cash resources or combinations thereof. The face amount of letters of credit required is driven by, among other things, loss development of existing reserves, the payment pattern of such reserves, the expansion of business written by the Company and the loss experience of such business. In addition to
letters of credit, the Company has established insurance trusts in the U.S. that provide cedants with statutory credit for reinsurance under state insurance regulation in the U.S.
The Company reviews current and projected collateral requirements on a regular basis, as well as new sources of collateral. Managements objective is to maintain an excess amount of collateral sources over expected uses. The Company also reviews its liquidity needs on a regular basis.
The following letter of credit facilities were originated, renewed or terminated during 2009:
On December 14, 2009, the £450 million letter of credit facility issued on November 14, 2007 that was supporting the Companys syndicates at Lloyds of London terminated. This was replaced by a $750 million bilateral secured letter of credit facility.
Covenants
The Companys Credit Facilities contains a number of financial covenants that must be met and maintained, and that among other things, could restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our financial flexibility including the ability to:
engage in mergers or consolidations;
dispose of assets out with the ordinary course of business;
create liens on assets; and
engage in certain transactions with affiliates.
The following outlines the covenant requirements and actual amounts as of December 31, 2009:
Covenant Requirement
Actual Ratio or
Margin of Adverse
Ratio of Total Funded Debt to Total
Capitalization (1)
Less than 0.35:1.00
0.19:1.00
$4.6 billion
Maximum Secured Indebtedness (2)
Less than 15% of consolidated
0%
$1.6 billion
Consolidated Net Worth (3)
$6.4 billion
$10.6 billion
$4.2 billion
Financial Strength Ratings (4)
Better than B++ from A.M. Best
A (stable)
Two notch downgrade
(1)
The ratio of total funded debt to total capitalization not to be greater than 0.35:1.00. This ratio is defined as total funded debt to the sum of total funded debt plus consolidated net worth.
(2)
Secured indebtedness excludes secured letter of credit facilities as permitted under the schedules to the credit facilities. At December 31, 2009, such secured letter of credit facilities amounted to $642.8 million.
(3)
Consolidated net worth means, at any time, the consolidated stockholders equity of the Company excluding (a) the effect of any adjustments required under the authoritative accounting guidance for accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities; and (b) any exempt indebtedness (and the assets relating thereto) in the event such exempt indebtedness is consolidated on the consolidated
balance sheet the Company.
(4)
Covenants require that, none of the XL Capital Group, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd or XL Re Ltd have financial strength ratings of less than A- from A.M. Best. The financial strength ratings as at December 31, 2009 were XL Capital Group, A (Stable), XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd A (Stable) and XL Re Ltd A (Stable).
As noted in the table above, at December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants by significant margins and the Company currently remains in compliance.
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Balance at
December 31, 2009
Development from
December 31, 2009
Levels
net worth
Cross-Default and Other Provisions in Debt Instruments
The following describes certain terms of the documents referred to below. All documents referred to below have been filed with the SEC and should be referred to for an assessment of the complete contractual obligations of the Company.
In general, all of the Companys bank facilities, indentures and other documents relating to the Companys outstanding indebtedness, including the credit facilities discussed above (collectively, the Companys Debt Documents), contain cross default provisions to each other and the Companys Debt Documents contain
affirmative covenants. These covenants provide for, among other things, minimum required ratings of the Companys insurance and reinsurance operating subsidiaries and the level of secured indebtedness in the future. In addition, generally each of the Companys Debt Documents provide for an event of default in the event of
a change of control of the Company or some events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company.
A downgrade below A- of the Companys principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by either S&P or A.M. Best, which is two notches below the current S&P financial strength rating of A (Negative) and the A.M. Best financial strength rating of A (Stable) of these subsidiaries, may trigger cancellation
provisions in a significant amount of the Companys assumed reinsurance agreements and may potentially require the Company to return unearned premiums to cedants. In addition, due to collateral posting requirements under the Companys letter of credit and revolving credit facilities, such a downgrade may require the
posting of cash collateral in support of certain in use portions of these facilities (see Liquidity and Capital Resources). Specifically, a downgrade below A- by A.M. Best would trigger such collateral requirements for the Companys two largest credit facilities. In certain limited instances, such downgrades may require the
Company to return cash or assets to counterparties or to settle derivative and/or other transactions with the respective counterparties. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, A downgrade or potential downgrade in our financial strength and credit ratings by one or more rating agencies could materially and negatively impact our
business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity.
Under the Companys five-year U.S. credit facilities, in the event that the XL Capital Group, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd fail to maintain a financial strength rating of at least A from A.M. Best, an event of default would occur.
The 6.5% Guaranteed Senior Notes indenture contains a cross default provision. In general, in the event that the Company defaults in the payment of indebtedness in the amount of $50.0 million or more, an event of default would be triggered under the Guaranteed Senior Notes indentures. Given that all of the Companys
Debt Documents contain cross default provisions, this may result in all holders declaring such debt due and payable and an acceleration of all debt due under those documents. If this were to occur, the Company may not have funds sufficient at that time to repay any or all of such indebtedness.
Long-Term Contractual Obligations
The following table presents the Companys long term contractual obligations and related payments as at December 31, 2009, due by period. This table excludes further commitments of $134.4 million to the Companys related investment funds and certain limited partnerships, and letter of credit facilities of $3.0 billion.
See Item 8, Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Derivative Instruments, and Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Commitments and Contingencies. See Item 8, Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements, for further information.
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Contractual Obligations
Total
Less than
1 to 3
3 to 5
More than
Long-term debt obligations
$
2,450,000
$
$
600,000
$
600,000
$
1,250,000
Interest on long-term debt
947,018
114,943
267,124
160,950
404,001
Contingent capital facilities
33,280
8,320
16,640
8,320
Equity Units
560,564
49,231
143,692
142,313
225,328
Operating lease obligations
208,596
32,639
57,418
44,286
74,253
Capital lease obligations
257,406
11,116
23,072
24,241
198,977
Deposit liabilities (1)
3,430,711
699,319
304,549
289,440
2,137,403
Future policy benefits (2)
9,017,957
384,095
752,287
769,523
7,112,052
Unpaid losses and loss expenses property and casualty operations (3)
21,218,196
4,368,764
5,799,231
3,474,695
7,575,506
Total
$
38,123,728
$
5,668,427
$
7,964,013
$
5,513,768
$
18,977,520
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
1 year
years
years
5 years
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(1) |
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Deposit liabilities on the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009 were $2,208,699. The difference from the amount included above relates to the discount on payments due in the future. The payment related to these liabilities varies primarily based on interest rates. The ultimate payments associated with these liabilities could differ from the Companys estimate. See Item 8, Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Deposit Liabilities, for further information. |
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(2) |
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Future policy benefit reserves related to Life operations were $5,490,119 on the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009. Amounts reflected above include an allowance for future premiums in respect of contracts under which premiums are payable throughout the life of the underlying policy. The value of the discount is also included for those lines of business that have reserves where future claim payments and future premium receipts can be estimated using actuarial principles. The timing and amounts of actual claims payments and premium receipts related to these reserves vary based on the underlying experience of the portfolio. Typical elements of the experience include mortality, morbidity and persistency. The ultimate amount of the claims payments and premium receipts could differ materially from the Companys estimated amounts. |
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(3) |
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The unpaid loss and loss expenses were $20,823,524 on the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009. The difference from the amount included above relates to the discount on payments due in the future for certain workers compensation lines. The timing and amounts of actual claims payments related to these P&C reserves vary based on many factors including large individual losses, changes in the legal environment, as well as general market conditions. The ultimate amount of the claims payments could differ materially from the Companys estimated amounts. For information regarding the estimates for unpaid loss and loss expenses as well as factors effecting potential payment patterns of reserves for actual and potential claims related the Companys different lines of business see Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates above. Certain lines of business written by the Company, such as excess casualty, have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity. This may result in significant variability in loss payment patterns and, therefore, may impact the related asset/liability investment management process. In order to be in a position, if necessary, to make these payments, the Companys liquidity requirements are supported by having revolving lines of credit facilities available to the Company and significant reinsurance programs, in addition to the Companys general high grade fixed income investment portfolio.
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Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) and Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At times, the Company has utilized VIEs both indirectly and directly in the ordinary course of the Companys business.
The Company invests in CDOs, and other investment vehicles that are issued through variable interest entities as part of the Companys investment portfolio. The activities of these VIEs are generally limited to holding the underlying collateral used to service investments therein. Our involvement in these entities is passive in nature and we are not the arranger of these entities. The Company has not been involved in establishing these entities. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities as contemplated in current authoritative accounting guidance.
The company has a limited number of remaining outstanding credit enhancement exposures including written financial guarantee and credit default swap contracts. The obligations related to these transactions are often securitized through variable interest entities. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities as contemplated in current authoritative accounting guidance. For further details on the nature of the obligations and the size of the companys maximum exposure see Note 2(r), Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Note 17, Derivative Instruments.
The Company has utilized variable interest entities in certain instances as a means of accessing contingent capital. The Company has utilized unconsolidated entities in the formation of contingent capital facilities.
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On December 5, 2006, the Company and certain operating subsidiaries (Ceding Insurers) entered into a securities issuance agreement (the Securities Issuance Agreement), and certain of the Companys foreign insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries (Ceding Insurers) entered into an excess of loss reinsurance
agreement (the Reinsurance Agreement), with Stoneheath Re (Stoneheath). The net effect of these agreements to the Company is the creation of a contingent put option in the amount of $350.0 million in the aggregate. The Companys interests in Stoneheath represents an interest in a variable interest entity under current
authoritative accounting guidance, however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary as contemplated in that guidance. Given that there are no contractual requirements or intentions to enter into additional variable interests in this entity; management considers the likelihood of consolidating Stoneheath in the future to be
remote.
The agreements provide the Company with a Reinsurance Collateral Account in support of certain covered perils named in the Reinsurance Agreement. The covered perils include United States wind, European wind, California earthquake and terrorism worldwide. After an initial three-month period, the covered perils as
well as the attachment points and aggregate retention amounts may be changed by the Ceding Insurers in their sole discretion. This may result in a material increase or decrease in the likelihood of payment under the Reinsurance Agreement. On each date on which a Ceding Insurer withdraws funds from the Reinsurance
Collateral Account, the Company shall issue and deliver to the Issuer an amount of XL Capital Ltd Series D Preference Shares having an aggregate liquidation preference that is equal to the amount of funds so withdrawn from the Collateral Account. The Company is obligated to reimburse Stoneheath for certain fees and
ordinary expenses. The initial term of the Reinsurance Agreement was for the period from the Closing Date through June 30, 2007, with four annual mandatory extensions thereafter through June 30, 2011 (unless coverage is exhausted there under prior to such date). The Ceding Insurers may thereafter extend the Reinsurance
Agreement at their option for additional calendar quarters without limit (unless coverage is exhausted there under). The contingent put option is recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The Stoneheath preferred securities and, if issued, the XL Series D Preference Shares will pay dividends on a
non-cumulative basis at a fixed rate of 6.868% per annum through October 15, 2011 and thereafter at a floating rate based on 3-month LIBOR, plus 3.12%.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 8, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Significant Accounting Policies, for a discussion on recent accounting pronouncements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Any prospectus, prospectus supplement, the Companys Annual Report to ordinary shareholders, any proxy statement, any other Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K of the Company or any other
written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements that reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to the Company in general, and to the insurance and
reinsurance sectors in particular (both as to underwriting and investment matters). Statements that include the words expect, intend, plan, believe, project, anticipate, will, may and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the PSLRA or
otherwise.
All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. The Company believes that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (i)
changes in ratings, rating agency policies or practices; (ii) changes in the size of the Companys claims relating to natural catastrophe losses due to the preliminary nature of some reports and estimates of loss and damage to date; (iii) trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance; (iv) the timely and full
recoverability of reinsurance placed by the Company with third parties, or other amounts due to the Company; (v) changes in the projected amount of ceded reinsurance recoverables and the ratings and creditworthiness of reinsurers; (vi) the timing of claims payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables
being slower than anticipated by the Company; (vii) ineffectiveness or obsolescence of the
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Companys business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions; (viii) increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors; (ix) greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than the Companys underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate based on
historical experience or industry data; (x) the effects of inflation on our business, including on pricing and reserving; (xi) developments, including uncertainties related to the depth and duration of the current recession, and future volatility, in the worlds credit, financial and capital markets that adversely affect the performance
and valuation of XLs investments or access to such markets; (xii) the potential impact on the Company from government-mandated insurance coverage for acts of terrorism; (xiii) the potential for changes to methodologies, estimations and assumptions that underlie the valuation of the Companys financial instruments that
could result in changes to investment valuations; (xiv) changes to the Companys assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, or has the intent to sell, available for sale debt securities; (xv) developments in bankruptcy proceedings or other developments related to bankruptcies
of companies insofar as they affect property and casualty insurance and reinsurance coverages or claims that the Company may have as a counterparty; (xvi) availability of borrowings and letters of credit under the Companys credit facilities; (xvii) the ability of the Companys subsidiaries to pay dividends to the holding
company, XL Capital Ltd; (xviii) the potential effect of domestic and foreign regulatory developments, including those which could increase the Companys business costs and required capital levels; (xix) changes in regulation or tax laws applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries, brokers or customers; (xx) acceptance of
the Companys products and services, including new products and services; (xxi) changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance; (xxii) changes in the distribution or placement of risks due to increased consolidation of insurance and reinsurance brokers; (xxiii) loss of key personnel; (xxiv) the effects of mergers,
acquisitions and divestitures; (xxv) changes in accounting policies or practices or the application thereof; (xxvi) legislative or regulatory developments including, but not limited to, changes in regulatory capital balances that must be maintained by the Companys operating subsidiaries and governmental actions for the purpose
of stabilizing the financial markets; (xxvii) other changes in general economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, credit spreads, foreign currency exchange rates, inflation and other factors; (xxviii) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to war, terrorism or other hostilities; (xxix) changes in
tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof; (xxx) XLs ability to obtain approval of the Companys ordinary shareholders and the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands for, and to satisfy the other conditions to, XLs previously announced proposed redomestication to Ireland from the
Cayman Islands within the expected time frame or at all; (xxxi) XLs ability to realize the expected benefits from the redomestication; (xxxii) the occurrence of difficulties in connection with the redomestication; (xxxiii) any unanticipated costs in connection with the redomestication; and (xxxiv) the other factors set forth in
the Companys other documents on file with the SEC. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-
looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
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The following risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity and value-at-risk (VaR) analyses presented in this document are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially from these estimated results due to, among other things, actual developments in the global financial markets and changes in the composition of the Companys investment portfolio. The results of analysis used by the Company to assess and mitigate risk should not be considered projections of future events of losses. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial and other instruments. The Company is principally exposed to the following market risks: interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk; equity price risk; credit risk; legacy weather and energy-related risk, and other related market risks. For a discussion of related risks, see the risk factor titled We are exposed to significant capital markets risks related to changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and
126
foreign exchange rates which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in Item 1A Risk Factors, above.
The Companys investment market risk arises from its investment portfolio which consists of fixed income securities, alternative investments, public equities, private investments, derivatives, other investments, and cash, denominated in both U.S. and foreign currencies, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates, credit
spreads, equity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and other related market risks. The Companys fixed income and equity securities are classified as available for sale with the exception of certain Euro denominated Life assets, and as such, changes in interest rates, credit spreads on corporate and structured credit, equity
prices, foreign currency exchange rates or other related market instruments will have an immediate effect on comprehensive income or loss and shareholders equity but may not have an immediate effect on net income. Changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and other related market instruments affect
consolidated net income when, and if, a security is sold or impaired.
The Company conducts its derivative activities primarily in investment-related derivatives, which may include credit derivatives, and previously within weather and energy derivatives. From time to time, the Company uses investment derivative instruments such as futures, options, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps
and foreign currency forward contracts to manage the duration of its investment portfolio and foreign currency exposures and also to obtain exposure to a particular financial market. The Companys derivative transactions expose the Company to interest rate risk, credit derivative risk, weather and energy risk, foreign currency
exchange rate risk, equity risk, and other market risks. The Company attempts to manage these risks based on guidelines established by management and approved by the Finance Committee. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value with the resulting changes in fair value if not hedge accounted recognized in income in
the period in which they occur. Credit derivatives are purchased within the Companys investment portfolio, have been sold through a limited number of contracts written as part of the Companys previous XLFS business, and were previously entered into through the Companys prior reinsurance agreements with Syncora.
Following the closing of the Master Agreement, which terminated certain reinsurance and other agreements, these credit derivative exposures were eliminated by virtue of the commutation of the relevant reinsurance agreement. As of December 31, 2009, the remaining credit derivative exposure outside of the Companys
investment portfolio consisted of 2 contracts written by the Company that provide credit protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions with total insured contractual payments outstanding of $271.7 million ($244.9 million principal and $26.8 million interest), weighted average contractual term to maturity of 6.0
years, a total liability recorded of $18.4 million, and an average rating of AA on the underlying obligations. As of December 31, 2009, there have been no reported events of default on the underlying obligations.
This risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity and VaR analyses presented in this document are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially from these estimated results due to,
among other things, actual developments in the global financial markets and changes in the composition of the Companys investment portfolio. The results of analysis used by the Company to assess and mitigate risk should not be considered projections of future events of losses. See Item 7, Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Interest Rate Risk
The Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates generally would decrease the fair value of the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio, offset by the Companys
ability to earn higher rates of return on funds reinvested. Conversely, a decline in interest rates generally would increase the fair value of the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio, offset by lower rates of return on funds reinvested. The Company manages interest rate risk within the context of its overall asset liability
management strategy by setting duration targets for its investment portfolio in line with the estimated duration of its liabilities, thus mitigating the overall economic effect of interest rate risk. The Company remains nevertheless exposed to accounting interest rate risk since the assets are marked to market, thus subject to
market conditions, while liabilities are accrued at a static rate. The hypothetical case
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of an immediate 100 basis point adverse parallel shift in global bond curves as at December 31, 2009, would decrease the fair value of the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio by approximately 4.0% or $1.4 billion on both the Companys held to maturity and available for sale portfolios. Effective October 1, 2009, in
connection with the run-off of the Life investment portfolio, $546.1 million of Euro-denominated government securities with an average duration of 14.1 years were designated as held to maturity, and the mark to market impact from those securities does not impact the Companys book value.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Many of the Companys non-U.S. subsidiaries maintain both assets and liabilities in local currencies. Foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses arise for accounting purposes where net assets or liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the functional currency of those subsidiaries. While
unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on underwriting balances are reported in earnings, the offsetting unrealized gains and losses on invested assets are recorded as a separate component of shareholders equity, to the extent that the asset currency does not match that entitys functional currency. This results in an
accounting mismatch that will result in foreign exchange gains or loss in the consolidated statements of income depending on the movement in certain currencies. In order to improve administrative efficiencies as well as to address this accounting imbalance, the Company formed several branches with Euro and U.K. Sterling
functional currencies during 2006, 2007 and 2008. Management continues to focus on attempting to limit this type of exposure in the future.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk in general is reviewed as part of the Companys risk management process. Foreign exchange contracts within the investment portfolio are utilized to manage individual portfolio foreign exchange exposures, subject to investment management service providers guidelines established by
management. These contracts are not designated as specific hedges for financial reporting purposes and, therefore, realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in income in the period in which they occur. These contracts generally have maturities of three months or less. The Company also attempts
to manage the foreign exchange volatility arising on certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These include, but are not limited to, premium receivable, reinsurance contracts, claims payable and investments in subsidiaries.
The principal currencies creating foreign exchange risk for the Company are the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Swiss Franc, and the Canadian dollar. The Companys net notional foreign currency denominated exposure on foreign exchange contracts was $859.7 million and $186.2 million as at December 31, 2009
and 2008, respectively, with a net unrealized loss of $0.8 million and a net unrealized loss of $3.2 million as at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Equity Price Risk
The Companys equity portfolio as well as certain derivatives and certain affiliate investments are exposed to equity price risk. Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the market value of equities. An immediate hypothetical 10% change in the value of each equity position in the Companys equity
portfolio would affect the fair value of the equity portfolio by approximately $1.2 million as at December 31, 2009. This excludes exposures to equities in the Companys affiliate investments.
As at December 31, 2009, the Companys equity portfolio was approximately $12.0 million as compared to approximately $329.8 million as at December 31, 2008. This excludes fixed income fund investments and publicly traded alternative funds that generally do not have the risk characteristics of equity investments but
do have some correlation to equity markets. As at December 31, 2009, the Companys allocation to equity securities was a negligible % of the investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net receivable (payable) for investments sold (purchased) as compared to approximately 1.1%
as at December 31, 2008.
For further discussion of the exposure to equity market movements in the Companys investment portfolio see the Investment Value-at-Risk (VaR) section below.
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Credit Risk
The Companys exposure in the investment portfolio to credit spreads primarily relates to market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in credit spreads. A widening of credit spreads will increase the net unrealized loss position of the investment portfolio, will increase losses associated with credit
derivatives where the Company assumes credit exposure, and, if issuer credit spreads increase significantly or for an extended period of time, would likely result in higher other-than-temporary impairments. Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with new purchases of fixed maturities. In addition,
market volatility can make it difficult to value certain of the Companys securities if trading becomes less frequent. As such, valuations may include assumptions or estimates that may have significant period to period changes which could have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated results of operations or
financial condition.
The Companys exposure to market movements related to credit risk is primarily due to its investment portfolio, receivable and ceded reinsurance balances. Within the investment portfolio, credit risk is the exposure to adverse changes in the creditworthiness of individual investment holdings, issuers, groups of issuers,
industries or countries. The credit spread duration representing the average percentage increase (decrease) in the Companys fixed income portfolio resulting from a 100 bp spread decline (increase) evenly across all credit markets is 3.6 years at December 31, 2009 as compared to 3.2 years at December 31, 2008. The increase
in 2009 is as a result of purchases of spread products such as Agency RMBS, offset by the cumulative effects of the 2009 derisking efforts. The hypothetical case of an immediate 25 basis point increase in all the global corporate and structured credit spreads to which the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio is
exposed to at December 31, 2009 would decrease the fair value of the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio by approximately $251.0 million. This excludes exposure to credit in the Companys alternative investments. In addition, credit risk pertains to adverse change in the creditworthiness of the Companys reinsurers
and retrocessionaires, and their ability to pay certain reinsurance receivable and recoverable balances.
The Company manages credit risk in the investment portfolio, including fixed income, alternative and short-term investment through the credit research performed primarily by the investment management service providers and limitations on the investment portfolios exposure to individual credits. Credit limits for
corporate exposures are based on an internal model that allows the limits to be linked to the Companys balance sheet credit risk taking capacity while also taking into consideration internal views on specific issuers and on current or expected market credit conditions. Credit limits for other sectors are derived from the
corporate limits using multipliers as a way to quantify intrinsic credit quality characteristics differences with the corporate sector. Limits are reviewed regularly and ensure that potential losses from individual defaults should not exceed predetermined levels.
In the investment portfolio, the Company reviews on a regular basis its issuer concentration, credit quality and compliance with established credit limits. Any issuer over its credit limits, experiencing financial difficulties, material credit quality deterioration or potentially subject to forthcoming credit quality deterioration is
placed on a watch list for closer monitoring. Where appropriate, exposures are reduced or prevented from increasing.
The Company has also developed a proprietary model for the investment portfolio to assess corporate credit risk based upon its individual holdings mark-to-market exposure, credit rating, seniority in the capital structure, migration and default probabilities, durations, default correlations and loss severity given a default
event. Based upon these factors and related market based inputs, the Company can estimate the credit risk of the Companys corporate portfolio and its various components. Assumptions are reviewed regularly to ensure the risk estimates are reasonable and reflect underlying exposures.
The table below shows the Companys aggregate fixed income portfolio by credit rating in percentage terms of the Companys aggregate fixed income exposure (including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net payable for investments purchased) as at December 31, 2009.
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Percentage of Aggregate
AAA
55.2
AA
15.6
A
18.7
BBB
7.0
BB & below
3.5
NR
0.0
Total
100.0
%
Fixed Income Portfolio
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the average credit quality of the Companys aggregate fixed income investment portfolio was AA, excluding operating cash. The Companys $12.6 billion portfolio of government and government related, agency, sovereign and cash holdings were rated AAA at December 31, 2009. The Companys $10.5 billion portfolio of corporates is rated A. The Companys $10.8 billion structured credit portfolio is A+ rated.
The table below summarizes the Companys significant exposures (defined as having an amortized cost in excess of $50.0 million) to corporate bonds of financial issuers held within its investment portfolio, representing both amortized cost and unrealized gains (losses):
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(U.S. dollars in millions) |
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Issuer (by Global Ultimate Parent) |
Amortized Cost at
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Unrealized Gain
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Bank Of America Corporation |
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$ |
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266.2 |
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$ |
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(13.6 |
) |
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Lloyds Banking Group Plc |
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174.3 |
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1.5 |
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The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. |
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144.6 |
|
(0.9 |
) |
|
||||||||
Wells Fargo & Company |
|
143.4 |
|
0.5 |
||||||||||
Banco Santander, SA |
|
142.5 |
|
(27.5 |
) |
|
||||||||
Citigroup Inc. |
|
134.5 |
|
(10.7 |
) |
|
||||||||
HSBC Holdings Plc |
|
131.6 |
|
(4.3 |
) |
|
||||||||
JP Morgan Chase & Co. |
|
124.0 |
|
(7.2 |
) |
|
||||||||
Morgan Stanley |
|
123.8 |
|
2.6 |
||||||||||
Barclays Plc |
|
115.1 |
|
(26.4 |
) |
|
||||||||
AIG Inc. |
|
86.0 |
|
(14.7 |
) |
|
||||||||
Aviva Plc |
|
82.6 |
|
(13.7 |
) |
|
||||||||
Australia And New Zealand Banking Group Limited |
|
71.8 |
|
1.2 |
||||||||||
RFS Holdings B.V. |
|
69.5 |
|
2.4 |
||||||||||
BNP Paribas |
|
68.9 |
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
||||||||
Credit Suisse Group AG |
|
68.7 |
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
||||||||
Nationwide Building Society |
|
67.2 |
|
(5.5 |
) |
|
||||||||
Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A. |
|
65.6 |
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
||||||||
Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. |
|
61.0 |
|
(9.3 |
) |
|
||||||||
Legal & General Group Plc |
|
60.2 |
|
(12.0 |
) |
|
||||||||
Credit Agricole SA |
|
59.2 |
|
(7.8 |
) |
|
||||||||
Unicredit S.P.A. |
|
55.9 |
|
(11.0 |
) |
|
||||||||
Danske Bank A/S |
|
55.7 |
|
(11.1 |
) |
|
||||||||
Northern Rock Plc |
|
55.0 |
|
(5.0 |
) |
|
||||||||
Societe Generale |
|
53.3 |
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
||||||||
Metlife, Inc. |
|
53.2 |
|
0.6 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
Government-guaranteed paper has been excluded from the above figures.
|
Within the Companys corporate financial bond holdings, the Company is further monitoring its exposures to hybrid securities, representing Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities of various financial
130
institutions. The following table summarizes the top ten exposures to hybrid securities, listed by amortized cost representing both amortized cost and unrealized (losses):
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Issuer (by Global Ultimate Parent)
Tier One
Upper Tier Two
Total
Net Unrealized
Barclays, Plc
$
54.9
$
60.2
$
115.1
$
(26.4
)
Banco Santander, S.A.
49.1
61.3
110.4
(26.6
)
Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A
61.0
61.0
(9.3
)
Aviva PLC
5.8
55.2
61.0
(11.1
)
Danske Bank A/S
35.0
20.7
55.7
(11.1
)
Credit Agricole SA
10.8
42.6
53.4
(7.9
)
Unicredit S.P.A.
46.2
46.2
(11.2
)
Bank of America Corporation.
30.3
30.3
(9.8
)
Nordea Bank AB (PUBL)
29.4
29.4
(3.5
)
BNP Paribas
28.8
28.8
(4.8
)
Total
$
321.9
$
269.4
$
591.3
$
(121.7
)
As at December 31, 2009, the top 10 corporate holdings, which exclude government guaranteed and government sponsored enterprises, represented approximately 4.9% of the aggregate fixed income portfolio and approximately 16.0% of all corporate holdings. The top 10 corporate holdings listed below represent the direct
bond exposure to the corporations listed below, including their subsidiaries, and excludes any securitized, credit enhanced and collateralized asset or mortgage backed securities, cash and cash equivalents, pooled notes and any over-the-counter (OTC) derivative counterparty exposures, if applicable.
Top 10 Corporate Holdings (1)
Percentage of Aggregate
Bank of America Corporation
0.76
%
General Electric Company Citigroup Inc
0.60
%
Lloyds Banking Group PLC
0.53
%
Pfizer Inc.
0.51
%
AT&T Inc
0.46
%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc
0.43
%
Wells Fargo & Company
0.43
%
Glaxosmithkline PLC.
0.42
%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
0.42
%
HSBC Holdings Plc
0.38
%
(1)
Corporate issuers exclude government-backed, government-sponsored enterprises and cash and cash equivalents.
(2)
Includes fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net payable for investments purchased and excludes government-guaranteed paper.
As at December 31, 2009, the top 5 corporate sector exposures listed below represented 24.4% of the aggregate fixed income investment portfolio and 78.9% of all corporate holdings.
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Top 5 Sector Exposures
Fair Value
Percentage of
Financials (1)
$
3,950.5
11.7
%
Consumer, Non-Cyclical
1,553.5
4.6
%
Utilities
1,041.9
3.1
%
Communications
959.6
2.8
%
Industrials
756.4
2.2
%
Total
$
8,261.9
24.4
%
(1)
Government-guaranteed paper has been excluded from the above figures.
131
Amortized Cost
at December 31,
2009
Amortized Cost
at December 31,
2009
Amortized Cost
at December 31,
2009
(Loss)
at December 31,
2009
Fixed Income Portfolio (2)
Aggregate
Fixed Income
Portfolio
The Company also has exposure to market movement related to credit risk associated with its mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The table below shows the breakdown of the $10.8 billion structured credit portfolio, of which 77.9% is AAA rated:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Fair Value
Percentage of
CMBS
$
1,222.9
11.3
%
Agency RMBS
6,256.6
57.9
%
Prime RMBS
484.0
4.5
%
Core CDO (non-ABS CDOs and CLOs)
700.9
6.5
%
Other ABS:
ABS Auto
202.2
1.9
%
ABS Credit Cards
246.4
2.3
%
ABS Other
961.6
8.9
%
Topical:
Sub-prime first lien
377.6
3.5
%
Alt-A
316.8
2.9
%
Second lien (including sub-prime second lien mortgages)
37.8
0.3
%
ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral
5.4
0.0
%
Total
$
10,812.2
100.0
%
For further discussion of the exposure to credit market movements in the Companys investment portfolio see the Investment Value-at-Risk section below.
Credit derivatives are purchased within the Companys investment portfolio, have been sold through a limited number of contracts written as part of the Companys previous XL Financial Solutions business, and were previously entered into through the Companys prior reinsurance agreements with Syncora, as described
below. From time to time, the Company may purchase credit default swaps to hedge an existing position or concentration of holdings. The credit derivatives are recorded at fair value. Following the secondary sale of Syncora common shares, the Company retained some credit derivative exposures written by Syncora and
certain of its subsidiaries through reinsurance agreements that had certain derivatives exposures embedded within them. Following the closing of the Master Agreement which terminated certain reinsurance and other agreements, these credit derivative exposures were eliminated by virtue of the commutation of the relevant
reinsurance agreements. As of December 31, 2009, the remaining credit derivative exposure outside of the Companys investment portfolio consisted of 23 contracts written by the Company that provide credit protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions with total net par values outstanding of $639.5 million,
a weighted average contractual term to maturity of 5.7 years, a total liability recorded of $28.6 million, and an average rating of AA on the underlying obligations. As of December 31, 2009, there have been no reported events of default on the underlying obligations.
The Company has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, alternatives and other investment funds and other institutions. Many of these transactions
expose the Company to credit risk in the event of default of the Companys counterparty. In addition, with respect to secured transactions, the Companys credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Company cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the
loan or derivative exposure that is due. The Company also has exposure to financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions, revolving credit facility and letter of credit commitments and equity investments. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying
value of these assets would not materially and adversely affect the Companys business and results of operations.
With regards to unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable, the Company has credit risk should any of its reinsurers be unable or unwilling to settle amounts due to the Company; however, these exposures are not marked to market. For further information relating to reinsurer credit
risk, see Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable.
132
Structured Portfolio
The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the other parties to its derivative instruments in general; however, the Company does not anticipate non-performance. The difference between the notional principal amounts and the associated market value is the Companys maximum credit
exposure.
Other Market Risks
The Companys private investment portfolio is invested in limited partnerships and other entities which are not publicly traded. In addition to normal market risks, these positions may also be exposed to liquidity risk, risks related to distressed investments, and risks specific to startup or small companies. As at December
31, 2009, the Companys exposure to private investments, excluding unfunded commitments, was $324.1 million representing 1.0% of the fixed income portfolio compared to $404.8 million as at December 31, 2008.
The Companys alternative investment portfolio, which is exposed to equity and credit risk as well as certain other market risks, had a total exposure of $800.2 million making up approximately 2.4% of the investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for
investments purchased) at December 31, 2009, as compared to December 31, 2008, where the Company had a total exposure of $1.1 billion representing approximately 3.2% of the investment portfolio. The VaR associated with the alternative investment portfolio at December 31, 2009 was approximately $60.5 million using
proxy indices. For further discussion of the VaR of the Companys investment portfolio see the Investment Value-at-Risk section below.
At December 31, 2009, bond and stock index futures outstanding had a net long position of $81.8 million as compared to a net long position of $101.7 million at December 31, 2008. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of the underlying exposure to these derivative instruments would have resulted in realized gains or
realized losses of $8.2 million as at December 31, 2009 and $10.2 million as at December 31, 2008, respectively. The Company may reduce its exposure to these futures through offsetting transactions, including options and forwards.
Investment Value-at-Risk (VaR)
Central to the Companys market risk management framework for Investments is VaR. VaR is a statistical risk measure, calculating the level of potential losses that could be expected to be exceeded, over a specified holding period and at a given level of confidence, in normal market conditions, due to adverse
movements in the investment portfolios underlying securities and investments valuations.
The Company uses VaR as a statistical risk measure of the two principal components of its investment portfolio:
1) Property and casualty (P&C) investment portfolio: The largest component of the investment portfolio is the P&C investment portfolio and its principal objective is to support the Companys insurance and reinsurance operations, the liabilities of which have some uncertainty as to the timing and/or amount. In addition, a
smaller portion of the P&C investment portfolio supports run-off financial businesses (Structured Indemnity and Other Financial Lines), in which the liabilities have a greater level of certainty.
2) The Life investment portfolio: The principal objective of the Life investment portfolio is to support the Companys life operations, which are now in run-off. The largest portion of the Life investment portfolio supports the policy benefit reserves associated with asset annuity transactions, with limited uncertainty as to
the timing or amount of the liability cash flows. A smaller portion of the Life investment portfolio supports life annuity liabilities that were assumed without portfolio asset transfer.
The Company calculates the VaR of the investment portfolio, the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio, using a one year holding period and a 95% level of confidence. This means that, on average, the Company could expect marked-to-market results greater than predicted by the VaR results 5% of the
time, or once every 20 years. The calculation of VaR is performed monthly using an analytical, or variance-covariance approach, based on the linear sensitivity of the investment portfolio and individual securities to a broad set of systematic market risk factors and idiosyncratic risk factors. The Company computes the
parametric sensitivity of every security in the investment portfolio to changes in key interest rates, spreads, implied volatility, equities, and foreign exchange rates. The parametric exposures are summed
133
using the appropriate investment portfolio weights to compute the investment portfolios exposure to these systematic and idiosyncratic market risk factors. Results for the investment portfolio are expressed both in terms of U.S. dollars and as a percentage of the Companys investment portfolio. Results for the P&C investment
portfolio and Life investment portfolio are expressed both in terms of U.S. dollars and as a percentage of the Companys P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio, respectively.
As part of the Companys ongoing initiatives to enhance its risk reporting activities, the Company expanded its modeling capabilities and analytics to measure the VaR of the investment portfolio, P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio, excluding the foreign exchange rate risk within the portfolios. Within
its asset liability framework for the investment portfolio, the Company pursues a general policy of holding the assets and liabilities in the same currency and as such the Company is not exposed to the risks associated foreign exchanges movements within the investment portfolio, as currency impacts on the assets are generally
matched by corresponding impacts on the related liabilities, and accordingly are neutral to the Companys book value. The Company considers that the investment portfolio VaR, P&C investment portfolio VaR and Life investment portfolio VaR, results excluding foreign exchange rate risk are the more relevant and appropriate
metrics to consider when assessing the actual risk of the portfolios.
The modeling of the risk of any portfolio, as measured by VaR, involves a number of assumptions and approximations. While the Company believes that its assumptions and approximations are appropriate, there is no uniform industry methodology for calculating VaR. The Company notes that different VaR results can be
produced for the same portfolio dependent not only on the approach used but also on the assumptions employed when implementing the approach.
The VaR approach uses historical data to determine the sensitivity of each of the underlying securities to the risk factors incorporated into the pricing models employed in the VaR calculations. In calculating these sensitivities, greater importance is placed on the more recent data points and information. Since the VaR
approach is based on historical positions and market data, VaR results should not be viewed as an absolute and predictive gauge of future financial performance or as a way for the Company to predict risk. There is no assurance that the Companys actual future losses will not exceed its VaR and the Company expects that
5% of the time the VaR will be exceeded.
Additionally, the Company acknowledges the fact that risks associated with abnormal market events can be significantly different from the VaR results and these are by definition not reflected or assessed in the VaR analysis, rather this is evaluated using the Companys stress testing framework.
The VaR of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2009 was approximately $1.8 billion including foreign exchange rate risk and $1.4 billion excluding foreign exchange rate risk. The VaR of all investment related derivatives excluding investments in affiliates and other investments was approximately $44.5 million.
In instances where the data or time series are insufficient to determine the risk factor sensitivities, the VaR approach uses proxy time series data available for similar instruments. As at December 31, 2009, approximately $5.2 billion used proxy time series data. Approximately $1.3 billion related to various fixed income
portfolios (of which $337.3 million was in mortgage backed and asset backed securities), $2.4 billion to various cash portfolios, $800.2 million to alternative investments, $319.6 million to private investments, $10.5 million to equity portfolios, and ($6.6 million) to derivatives. The Company reviews the proxies to ensure that
an appropriate data and time series is being used in the calculations. For $485.3 million related to strategic investments, proxy time series data was not available and accordingly risk results were not modelled.
The following tables show the Companys average, minimum and maximum VaR in percentage and dollar terms for the investment portfolio, P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2009, based upon the VaR at quarter end dates excluding foreign exchange rate risk, and
the Companys VaR in percentage and dollar terms, respectively, for the investment portfolio as at December 31, 2009. The Companys investment portfolio VaR, P&C investment portfolio VaR and Life investment portfolio VaR as at December 31, 2009 is not necessarily indicative of future VaR levels.
134
Average VaR
Minimum VaR
Maximum VaR
At December 31,
P&C investment portfolio VaR
4.20
%
3.19
%
5.12
%
3.19
%
Life investment portfolio VaR
10.61
%
9.07
%
13.64
%
9.76
%
Undiversified VaR (2)
5.33
%
4.37
%
6.52
%
4.37
%
Diversification VaR (3)
0.52
%
N/A
%
N/A
%
0.39
%
Investment portfolio VaR (4)(5)
4.81
%
3.98
%
5.64
%
3.98
%
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Average VaR
Minimum VaR
Maximum VaR
VaR as
P&C investment portfolio VaR (7)
$
1,148.7
$
931.2
$
1,357.1
$
931.2
Life investment portfolio VaR (7)
$
627.6
$
598.3
$
688.8
$
622.8
Investment portfolio VaR (4)(5)
$
1,604.7
$
1,415.0
$
1,802.4
$
1,415.0
% VaR (1)
% VaR (1)
% VaR (1)
2009
% VaR (1)
during 2009
$VaR (6)
during 2009
$VaR (6)
during 2009
$VaR (6)
at December 31,
2009
$VaR (6)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(1) |
|
Based on a 95% confidence level with a one year holding period, excluding foreign exchange rate risk as described above. Results for the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio are expressed as a percentage of the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio market values, respectively. Results for the investment portfolio, Undiversified VaR and Diversification VaR are expressed as a percentage of the investment portfolio market value. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(2) |
|
Average Undiversified VaR for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Undiversified VaR at December 31, 2009 is the market value weighted summation of the individual VaRs for the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio and, by construction, ignores any and all correlations between these portfolios (and their underlying asset classes). The Undiversified VaR therefore ignores diversification benefits that exist in between these portfolios (and their respective underlying asset classes). Maximum and Minimum Undiversified VaR is not necessarily the summation of the individual VaRs for each of the separate portfolios since the Maximum and Minimum VaR and the Maximum and Minimum Undiversified VaR do not necessarily refer to the same point in time. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(3) |
|
Diversification VaR equals the difference between the investment portfolio VaR and the Undiversified VaR. As the former explicitly accounts for the correlations and diversification benefits that exist between the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio and the latter explicitly does not, the difference in the two VaR results is due to the diversification benefits. These diversification benefits arise due to the risk reduction that occurs when different assets, that are not perfectly correlated, are combined in a portfolio. It will vary over time dependent on: changes in allocations; changes in the correlations between the different underlying asset classes; and changes in the underlying asset class risks. The NA reflects the fact that, since the Minimum and Maximum VaR do not refer to the same point in time, it is therefore not meaningful to calculate the Diversification VaR. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(4) |
|
Investment portfolio VaR is based on the prescribed methodology that explicitly accounts for the diversification benefits that occur when each of the allocations to the P&C investment portfolioand Life investment portfolio (and their underlying asset classes) are included in the investment portfolio. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(5) |
|
Investment portfolio refers to the aggregate of the two main components of the Companys investment portfolio the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(6) |
|
Based on a 95% confidence level with a one year holding period, expressed in millions of U.S. Dollars. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(7) |
|
P&C investment portfolio VaR and Life investment portfolio VaR are based on the prescribed VaR methodology applied separately and independently to the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio, respectively. The VaR results take into account the risk and diversification benefits associated with the actual underlying securities, asset classes and allocations held in the P&C investment portfolio and Life investment portfolio respectively.
|
The Companys investment portfolio VaR is driven by: the size and duration of the overall investment portfolio; the size of the allocations to the different asset classes and securities in the asset classes; the risks associated with each of the asset classes and securities; and the correlations and diversification benefits between each of the asset classes and securities. Changes in any of these variables will have a direct impact on the Companys VaR.
Stress Testing
VaR does not provide the means to estimate the magnitude of the loss in the 5% of occurrences when the Company expects the VaR level to be exceeded. To complement the VaR analysis based on normal market environments, the Company considers the impact on the investment portfolio in several different historical stress periods to analyze the effect of unusual market conditions. The Company establishes certain historical stress test scenarios which are applied to the actual investment portfolio. As these stress tests and estimated gains and losses are based on historical events, they will not necessarily reflect future stress events or gains and losses from such events. The results of the stress test scenarios are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they are appropriate, based on current shareholders equity, market conditions and the
135
Companys total risk tolerance. It is important to note that when assessing the risk of the Companys investment portfolio, the Company does not take into account either the value or risk associated with the liabilities arising from the Companys operations.
The table below shows the maximum impact on the Companys investment portfolio excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates if all events stress tested were to repeat themselves, given the actual investment portfolios allocations at the quarters ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2009. The
Company assumes that no action is taken during the stress period to either liquidate or rebalance the portfolio. The Company believes that this fairly reflects the potential decreased liquidity that is often associated with stressed market environments.
Stress Test
March 31,
June 30,
September 30,
December 31,
Maximum loss impact on investment portfolio
(3.6
)%
(5.0
)%
(5.2
)%
(3.8
)%
Maximum gain impact on investment portfolio
11.6
%
12.6
%
11.6
%
11.7
%
Given the investment portfolio allocations as at December 31, 2009, the Company would expect to lose approximately 3.8% of the investment portfolio if the most damaging event stress tested representing the period from September 2008 to November 2008 surrounding the Lehman bankruptcy was repeated, all other
things held equal. Given the investment portfolio allocations as at December 31, 2009, the Company would expect to gain approximately 11.7% of the investment portfolio if the most favorable event stress tested, representing the bond market rally from May 2000 to June 2003 was repeated, all other things held equal.
136
2009
2009
2009
2009
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
137
XL CAPITAL LTD
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
2009
2008
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities at fair value (amortized cost: 2009, $28,798,504; 2008, $28,990,477)
$
27,512,032
$
25,636,368
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2009, $12,344; 2008, $337,765)
17,779
361,819
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2009, $1,767,197; 2008, $1,500,767)
1,777,360
1,466,323
Total investments available for sale
29,307,171
27,464,510
Fixed maturities, held to maturity at amortized cost (fair value: 2009, $530,319; 2008, nil)
546,067
Investments in affiliates
1,185,604
1,552,789
Other investments
783,189
459,481
Total investments
31,822,031
29,476,780
Cash and cash equivalents
3,643,697
4,353,826
Accrued investment income
350,055
363,376
Deferred acquisition costs
654,065
713,501
Ceded unearned premiums
711,875
896,216
Premiums receivable
2,597,602
3,135,985
Reinsurance balances receivable
374,844
563,694
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,584,028
3,997,722
Net receivable from investments sold
84,617
125,991
Goodwill and other intangible assets
845,129
853,550
Deferred tax asset, net
193,868
331,348
Other assets
717,864
836,825
Total assets
$
45,579,675
$
45,648,814
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss expenses
$
20,823,524
$
21,650,315
Deposit liabilities
2,208,699
2,710,987
Future policy benefit reserves
5,490,119
5,452,865
Unearned premiums
3,651,310
4,217,931
Notes payable and debt
2,451,417
3,189,734
Reinsurance balances payable
378,887
726,736
Net payable for investments purchased
36,979
26,536
Other liabilities
923,650
1,056,879
Total liabilities
$
35,964,585
$
39,031,983
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares, 20,000,000 authorized, par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2009, 7,306,920; 2008, 20,000,000)
$
182,673
$
500,000
Shareholders Equity:
Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
$
2,305
$
1,598
Series E preference ordinary shares, 1,000,000 authorized, par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2009, 1,000,000; 2008, 1,000,000)
10
10
Class A ordinary shares, 999,990,000 authorized, par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2009, 342,118,986; 2008, 330,812,343)
3,421
3,308
Additional paid in capital
10,474,688
9,792,371
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,142,467
)
(3,364,927
)
Retained earnings(deficit)
94,460
(315,529
)
Total shareholders equity
$
9,432,417
$
6,116,831
Total liabilities, redeemable preference ordinary shares, and shareholders equity
$
45,579,675
$
45,648,814
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
138
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
XL CAPITAL LTD
(U.S dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2009
2008
2007
Revenues:
Net premiums earned
$
5,706,840
$
6,640,102
$
7,205,356
Net investment income
1,319,823
1,768,977
2,248,807
Realized investment gains (losses):
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold
(108,979
)
61,521
7,740
Other-than-temporary impairments on investments
(992,202
)
(1,023,575
)
(611,008
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on investments transferred to other comprehensive income
179,744
Total net realized (losses) on investments
(921,437
)
(962,054
)
(603,268
)
Net realized and unrealized (losses) on derivative instruments
(33,647
)
(73,368
)
(55,451
)
Income (loss) from investment fund affiliates
78,867
(277,696
)
326,007
Fee income and other
43,201
52,158
14,271
Total revenues
$
6,193,647
$
7,148,119
$
9,135,722
Expenses:
Net losses and loss expenses incurred
$
3,168,837
$
3,962,898
$
3,841,003
Claims and policy benefits
677,562
769,004
888,658
Acquisition costs
853,558
944,460
1,063,713
Operating expenses
1,055,823
1,161,934
1,144,910
Exchange (gains) losses
84,813
(184,454
)
(19,734
)
Interest expense
216,504
351,800
621,905
Extinguishment of debt
22,527
Impairment of goodwill
989,971
Amortization of intangible assets
1,836
2,968
1,680
Total expenses
$
6,058,933
$
8,021,108
$
7,542,135
Income (loss) before income tax and income (loss) from operating affiliates
$
134,714
$
(872,989
)
$
1,593,587
Provision for income tax
120,307
222,578
233,922
Income (loss) from operating affiliates
60,480
(1,458,246
)
(1,059,848
)
Net income (loss)
$
74,887
$
(2,553,813
)
$
299,817
Non-controlling interest in net (gain) loss of subsidiary
(104
)
23,928
Net income (loss) attributable to XL Capital Ltd
$
74,991
$
(2,553,813
)
$
275,889
Preference share dividends
(80,200
)
(78,645
)
(69,514
)
Gain on redemption of Series C Preference Ordinary Shares
211,816
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
206,607
$
(2,632,458
)
$
206,375
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding basic
340,612
240,657
180,353
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding diluted
340,966
240,657
181,209
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent basic
$
0.61
$
(10.94
)
$
1.14
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent diluted
$
0.61
$
(10.94
)
$
1.14
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
139
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
(U.S dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Net income (loss) attributable to XL Capital Ltd
$
74,991
$
(2,553,813
)
$
275,889
Impact of adoption of new authoritative OTTI guidance, net of taxes
(229,670
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
2,391,020
(2,893,060
)
(747,941
)
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax
(123,343
)
Change in underfunded pension liability
(3,427
)
(2,124
)
3,080
Change in value of cash flow hedge
438
439
4,338
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on future policy benefit reserves
6,554
(6,998
)
16,005
Foreign currency translation adjustments
180,888
(472,343
)
317,319
Realization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on sale of Syncora
4,953
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
2,297,451
$
(5,927,899
)
$
(126,357
)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
140
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Non-controlling Interest in Equity of Consolidated Subsidiaries:
Balance beginning of year
$
1,598
$
2,419
$
562,121
Sale of non-controlling interest
(583,622
)
Non-controlling interest in net income (loss) of subsidiary
(104
)
23,928
Non-controlling interest share in change in AOCI
811
(821
)
(8
)
Balance end of year
$
2,305
$
1,598
$
2,419
Series A, B, and E Preference Ordinary Shares:
Balance beginning of year
$
10
$
10
$
207
Issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares
10
Redemption of Series A and B preference ordinary shares
(207
)
Balance end of year
$
10
$
10
$
10
Ordinary Shares:
Balance beginning of year
$
3,308
$
1,779
$
1,810
Issuance of Class A ordinary shares
114
1,530
113
Exercise of stock options
9
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares
(1
)
(1
)
(153
)
Balance end of year
$
3,421
$
3,308
$
1,779
Additional paid in capital:
Balancebeginning of year
$
9,792,371
$
7,358,801
$
6,451,569
Issuance of Class A ordinary shares
741,177
2,387,031
874,172
Issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares
984,573
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares
(625
)
(4,965
)
(515,677
)
Redemption of Series A and B preference ordinary shares
(517,293
)
Fair value of purchase contracts associated with equity security units
(37,860
)
Outstanding accrued contingent capital put premium
51,064
Dividends on Series A, B and E preference ordinary shares
(42,126
)
Dividends on Class A ordinary shares
(68,389
)
Stock option exercise, expense and change in deferred compensation
52,280
38,300
81,457
Balance end of year
$
10,474,688
$
9,792,371
$
7,358,801
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
Balance beginning of year
$
(3,364,927
)
$
9,159
$
411,405
Impact of adoption of new authoritative OTTI guidance, net of taxes
(229,670
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment portfolio, net of tax
2,376,556
(2,846,989
)
(775,159
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on affiliate and other investments, net of tax
14,464
(46,071
)
27,218
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax
(123,343
)
Change in underfunded pension liability
(3,427
)
(2,124
)
3,080
Change in value of cash flow hedge
438
439
4,338
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on future policy benefit reserves
6,554
(6,998
)
16,005
Foreign currency translation adjustments
180,888
(472,343
)
317,319
Realization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on sale of Syncora
4,953
Balance end of year
$
(1,142,467
)
$
(3,364,927
)
$
9,159
Retained (Deficit) Earnings:
Balance beginning of year
$
(315,529
)
$
2,578,393
$
3,266,175
Impact of adoption of new authoritative OTTI guidance, net of tax
229,670
Net income (loss) attributable to XL Capital Ltd
74,991
(2,553,813
)
275,889
Dividends on Class A ordinary shares
(68,415
)
(261,464
)
(274,037
)
Dividends on Series A, B and E preference ordinary shares
(38,073
)
(78,645
)
(69,514
)
Repurchase of shares
(620,120
)
Gain on redemption of Series C preference ordinary shares
211,816
Balance end of year
$
94,460
$
(315,529
)
$
2,578,393
Total shareholders equity
$
9,432,417
$
6,116,831
$
9,950,561
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
141
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Cash Flows Provided by (used in) Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)
$
74,991
$
(2,553,813
)
$
275,889
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized losses on sales of investments
921,437
962,054
603,268
Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments
33,647
73,368
55,451
Amortization of (discounts) on fixed maturities
(8,183
)
(47,201
)
(86,826
)
Impairment of goodwill
989,971
Amortization of deferred compensation
32,231
57,617
49,666
Accretion of convertible debt
999
1,003
988
Accretion of deposit liabilities
88,752
146,588
421,074
(Income) loss from investment and operating affiliates
(139,347
)
1,735,942
733,841
Cash paid to Syncora
(1,775,000
)
Unpaid losses and loss expenses
(1,120,074
)
(849,069
)
(231,400
)
Unearned premiums
(675,946
)
(266,732
)
(230,834
)
Premiums receivable
634,893
111,789
33,879
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
443,510
644,968
387,263
Future policy benefit reserves
(340,690
)
30,996
93,668
Ceded unearned premiums
204,442
33,350
173,123
Reinsurance balances receivable
191,462
239,052
307,432
Reinsurance balances payable
(368,928
)
(13,229
)
(78,486
)
Deferred acquisition costs
64,736
(29,583
)
3,925
Deferred tax asset
(3,959
)
129,890
(20,100
)
Other assets
70,331
(53,450
)
(324,368
)
Other liabilities
(132,951
)
(210,483
)
12,227
Other
(14,113
)
214,712
61,186
Total adjustments
$
(117,751
)
$
2,126,553
$
1,964,977
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(42,760
)
$
(427,260
)
$
2,240,866
Cash Flows Provided By (used in) Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities and short-term investments
$
12,049,552
$
13,692,768
$
23,570,285
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities and short-term investments
4,594,672
3,065,326
1,923,459
Proceeds from sale of equity securities
394,002
866,346
937,994
Proceeds from sale of Syncora common shares, net of cash sold upon de-consolidation
(110,843
)
Purchases of fixed maturities and short-term investments
(17,481,304
)
(13,620,024
)
(25,229,000
)
Purchases of equity securities
(19,827
)
(659,911
)
(832,385
)
Net dispositions of affiliates and dividends received
770,883
384,130
77,500
(Acquisition) disposition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
41,446
(32,918
)
Other investments, net
(134,781
)
80,598
(185,734
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
214,643
$
3,809,233
$
118,358
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
142
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Cash Flows (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Class A ordinary shares and exercise of stock options
$
745,000
$
2,231,000
$
878,439
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares
500,000
Proceeds from issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares
984,583
Redemption of Series A preference ordinary shares
(230,000
)
Redemption of Series B preference ordinary shares
(287,500
)
Redemption of redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares
(104,718
)
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares
(626
)
(4,966
)
(1,135,950
)
Dividends paid on Class A ordinary shares
(136,757
)
(261,373
)
(274,037
)
Dividends paid on preference ordinary shares
(88,251
)
(65,000
)
(69,514
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt
557,750
322,836
Repayment of debt
(745,000
)
(255,000
)
(825,000
)
Deposit liabilities
(389,575
)
(5,628,177
)
(360,029
)
Collateral received on securities lending
108,906
3,088,755
320,890
Collateral returned on securities lending
(351,568
)
(2,992,286
)
(310,699
)
Proceeds from issuance of Syncora Series A perpetual preference ordinary
shares
247,248
Dividends paid to minority shareholders of Syncora
(16,130
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
$
(962,589
)
$
(2,829,297
)
$
(754,863
)
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash
80,577
(78,880
)
51,921
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(710,129
)
473,796
1,656,282
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year
4,353,826
3,880,030
2,223,748
Cash and cash equivalents end of year
$
3,643,697
$
4,353,826
$
3,880,030
Net taxes paid
$
134,948
$
154,216
$
156,315
Interest paid
$
172,927
$
181,944
$
171,677
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
143
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 (Continued)
XL CAPITAL LTD
1. General
XL Capital Ltd, through its operating subsidiaries (collectively the Company or XL), is a leading provider of insurance and reinsurance coverages to industrial, commercial and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. The Company and its various subsidiaries operate globally
in 24 countries, through its three business segments: Insurance, Reinsurance and Life Operations. These segments are further discussed in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Segment Information.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Preparation and Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). To facilitate period-to-period comparisons, certain
reclassifications have been made to prior year consolidated financial statement amounts to conform to current year presentation. There was no effect on net income from this change in presentation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. The Companys most significant areas of estimation include:
unpaid losses and loss expenses and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable;
future policy benefit reserves;
valuation of certain derivative instruments;
valuation and other than temporary impairments of investments;
income taxes;
reinsurance premium estimates; and
goodwill carrying value
While management believes that the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements reflect the Companys best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through March 1, 2010, which is the date the financial statements were issued.
(b) Fair Value Measurements
Financial Instruments subject to Fair Value Measurements
Accounting guidance over fair value measurements requires that a fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or
the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Instruments that the Company owns (long positions) are
marked to bid prices and instruments that the Company has sold but not yet purchased (short positions) are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs.
144
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(b) Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
Basis of Fair Value Measurement
Fair value measurements accounting guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to the respective valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and
the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). An asset or liabilitys classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described further below:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (unadjusted); no blockage factors.
Level 2
Other observable inputs (quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly)include quoted prices for similar assets/liabilities (adjusted) other than quoted prices in Level 1; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be
derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entitys own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and
liabilities include financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Details on assets and liabilities that have been included under the requirements of authoritative guidance on fair value measurements to illustrate the bases for determining the fair values of these items held by the Company are detailed in each respective significant accounting policy section of this note.
Fair values of investments and derivatives are based on published market values if available, estimates of fair values of similar issues, estimates of fair values provided by independent pricing services or, in limited circumstances, estimates of fair values determined by the Company. Fair values of financial instruments for
which quoted market prices are not available or for which the company believes current trading conditions represent distressed markets are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. The fair values estimated using such techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the
discount rates and the estimated amounts and timing of future cash flows. In such instances, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in a current market exchange.
(c) Total Investments
Investments Available For Sale
Investments that are considered available for sale (comprised of the Companys fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments) are carried at fair value. The fair values for available for sale investments are generally sourced from third parties. The fair value of fixed income securities is based upon quoted
market values where available, evaluated bid prices provided by third party pricing services (pricing services) where quoted market values are not available, or by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications where pricing services do not provide coverage for a particular security. To the extent the Company believes
current trading conditions represent distressed transactions, the Company may elect to utilize internally generated models. The pricing services use market approaches to valuations using primarily Level 2 inputs in the vast majority of valuations, or some form of discounted cash flow analysis, to obtain investment values for a
small percentage of fixed income securities for which they provide a price. Pricing services indicate that they will only produce an estimate of fair value if there is objectively verifiable
145
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(c) Total Investments (Continued)
information available to produce a valuation. Standard inputs to the valuations provided by the pricing services listed in approximate order of priority for use when available include: reported trades, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data.
The pricing services may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process on any given day for each security evaluation; however, the pricing services also monitor market indicators, industry and economic events. Information of this nature is
a trigger to acquire further corroborating market data. When these inputs are not available, they identify buckets of similar securities (allocated by asset class types, sectors, sub-sectors, contractual cash flows/structure, and credit rating characteristics) and apply some form of matrix or other modeled pricing to determine an
appropriate security value which represents their best estimate as to what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security in a current sale. While the Company receives values for the majority of the investment securities it holds from pricing services, it is ultimately managements responsibility to determine whether the
values received and recorded in the financial statements are representative of appropriate fair value measurements. It is common industry practice to utilize pricing services as a source for determining the fair values of investments where the pricing services are able to obtain sufficient market corroborating information to allow
them to produce a valuation at a reporting date. In addition, in the majority of cases, although a value may be obtained from a particular pricing service for a security or class of similar securities, these values are corroborated against values provided by other pricing services.
Broker quotations are used to value fixed maturities where prices are unavailable from pricing services due to factors specific to the security such as limited liquidity, lack of current transactions, or trades only taking place in privately negotiated transactions. These are considered Level 3 valuations, as significant inputs
utilized by brokers may be difficult to corroborate with observable market data, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the broker was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification.
Prices provided by independent pricing services and independent broker quotes can vary widely even for the same security. The use of different methodologies and assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. During periods of market disruption including periods of significantly rising or
high interest rates, rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain of the Companys securities, for example, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), Alt-A and sub-prime mortgage backed securities, if trading becomes less frequent and/or market data becomes less observable. There may be
certain asset classes that were in active markets with significant observable data that become illiquid due to the current financial environment. In such cases, more securities may fall to Level 3 meaning that more subjectivity and management judgment is required with regard to fair value. As such, valuations may include
inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation as well as valuation methods which are more sophisticated or require greater estimation, thereby resulting in values which may be different than the value at which the investments may be ultimately sold.
The net unrealized gain or loss on investments, net of tax, is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Short-term investments comprise investments with a remaining maturity of less than one year and are valued using the same external factors and in the same manner as fixed income securities.
Equity securities include investments in open end mutual funds and shares of publicly traded alternative funds. The fair value of equity securities is based upon quoted market values (Level 1), or monthly net asset value statements provided by the investment managers upon which subscriptions and redemptions can be
executed (Level 2).
All investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on sales of equities and fixed income investments are determined on the basis of average cost. Investment income is
146
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(c) Total Investments (Continued)
recognized when earned and includes interest and dividend income together with the amortization of premium and discount on fixed maturities and short-term investments. Amortization of discounts on fixed maturities includes amortization to expected recovery values for investments which have previously been recorded as
other than temporarily impaired. For mortgage-backed securities, and any other holdings for which there is a prepayment risk, prepayment assumptions are evaluated and revised as necessary. Prepayment fees or call premiums that are only payable to the Company when a security is called prior to its maturity are earned when
received and reflected in net investment income.
Investments Held to Maturity
Investments classified as held to maturity include securities for which the Company has the ability and intent to hold to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. During the current year, certain securities were transferred from an available for sale designation into held to maturity. For details see Note 9, Investments.
Investment In Affiliates
Investments in which the Company has significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are classified as investments in affiliates on the Companys balance sheet and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records its proportionate share of
income or loss from such investments in its results for the period as well as its portion of movements in certain of the investee shareholders equity balances. When financial statements of the affiliate are not available on a timely basis to record the Companys share of income or loss for the same reporting periods as the
Company, the most recently available financial statements are used. This lag in reporting is applied consistently.
The Company records its alternative and private fund affiliates on a one month and three month lag, respectively, and its operating affiliates on a three month lag. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist where the Company has an investment of 20% or more in the common stock of a corporation or an
investment of 3% or greater in closed end funds, limited partnerships, LLCs or similar investment vehicles. Significant influence is considered for other strategic investments on a case- by-case basis. Investments in affiliates are not subject to fair value measurement guidance as they are not considered to be fair value measured
investments under U.S. GAAP. However, impairments associated with investments in affiliates that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are calculated in accordance with fair value measurement guidance and appropriate disclosures included within the financial statements during the period the losses are recorded.
Other investments
Contained within this asset class are equity interests in investment funds, limited partnerships and unrated tranches of collateralized debt obligations for which the Company does not have sufficient rights or ownership interests to follow the equity method of accounting. The Company accounts for equity securities that do
not have readily determinable market values at estimated fair value as it has no significant influence over these entities. Also included within other investments are structured transactions which are carried at amortized cost.
Fair values for other investments, principally other direct equity investments, investment funds and limited partnerships, are primarily based on the net asset value provided by the investment manager, the general partner or the respective entity, recent financial information, available market data and, in certain cases,
management judgment may be required. These entities generally carry their trading positions and investments, the majority of which have underlying securities valued using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs, at fair value as determined by their respective investment managers; accordingly, these investments are generally classified as
Level 2. Private equity investments are classified as Level 3. The net unrealized gain
147
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(c) Total Investments (Continued)
or loss on investments, net of tax, is included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Any unrealized loss in value considered by management to be other than temporary is charged to income in the period that it is determined.
Overseas deposits include investments in private funds related to Lloyds Syndicates in which the underlying instruments are primarily cash equivalents. The funds themselves do not trade on an exchange and therefore are not included within available for sale securities. Also included in overseas deposits are restricted
cash and cash equivalent balances held by Lloyds syndicates for solvency purposes. Given the restricted nature of these cash balances, they are not included within the cash and cash equivalents line in the balance sheet. Each of these investment types are considered Level 2 valuations.
The Company historically participated in structured transactions which include cash loans supporting project finance transactions, providing liquidity facility financing to a structured project deal in 2009 and invested in a payment obligation with an insurance company. These transactions are carried at amortized cost. For
further details see Note 3, Fair Value Measurements and Note 11, Other Investments.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include fixed interest deposits placed with a maturity of under 90 days when purchased. Bank deposits are not considered to be fair value measurements and as such are not subject to fair value measurement disclosures. Money market funds are classified as Level 1 as these instruments are considered
actively traded and values are quoted, however, certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2.
(d) Premiums and Acquisition Costs
Insurance premiums written are recorded in accordance with the terms of the underlying policies. Reinsurance premiums written are recorded at the inception of the policy and are estimated based upon information received from ceding companies and any subsequent differences arising on such estimates are recorded in
the period they are determined.
Premiums are earned on a pro-rata basis over the period the coverage is provided. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Net premiums earned are presented after deductions for reinsurance ceded, as applicable.
Mandatory reinstatement premiums are recognized and earned at the time a loss event occurs.
Life and annuity premiums from long duration contracts that transfer significant mortality or morbidity risks are recognized as revenue and earned when due from policyholders. Life and annuity premiums from long duration contracts that do not subject the Company to risks arising from policyholder mortality or
morbidity are accounted for as investment contracts and presented within deposit liabilities.
The Company has periodically written retroactive loss portfolio transfer (LPT) contracts. These contracts are evaluated to determine whether they meet the established criteria for reinsurance accounting, and if so, at inception, written premiums are fully earned and corresponding losses and loss expense recognized. The
contracts can cause significant variances in gross premiums written, net premiums written, net premiums earned, and net incurred losses in the years in which they are written. Reinsurance contracts sold not meeting the established criteria for reinsurance accounting are recorded using the deposit method.
Acquisition costs, which vary with and are directly related to the acquisition of policies, consist primarily of commissions paid to brokers and cedants, and are deferred and amortized over the period that the premiums are earned. Acquisition costs are shown net of commissions earned on reinsurance ceded. Future earned
premiums, the anticipated losses and other costs (and in the case of a premium deficiency, investment income) related to those premiums, are also considered in determining the level of acquisition costs to be deferred.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(e) Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the potential amount of loss arising from claims events by reinsuring certain levels of risk assumed in various areas of exposure with other insurers or reinsurers. Reinsurance premiums ceded are expensed (and any commissions recorded thereon are earned)
on a monthly pro-rata basis over the period the reinsurance coverage is provided. Ceded unearned reinsurance premiums represent the portion of premiums ceded applicable to the unexpired term of policies in force. Mandatory reinstatement premiums ceded are recorded at the time a loss event occurs. Amounts recoverable
from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Provisions are made for estimated unrecoverable reinsurance.
(f) Fee Income and Other
Fee income and other includes fees received for insurance and product structuring services provided and is earned over the service period of the contract. Any adjustments to fees earned or the service period are reflected in income in the period when determined.
(g) Other Than Temporary Impairments (OTTI) of Available for Sale Securities
The Companys process for identifying declines in the fair value of investments that are other than temporary involves consideration of several factors. These primary factors include (i) the time period during which there has been a significant decline in value, (ii) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and financial
condition of the issuer, (iii) the significance of the decline, (iv) an analysis of the collateral structure and other credit support, as applicable, of the securities in question, (v) expected future interest rate movements, (vi) the Companys intent to sell the investment, and (vii) the Companys assessment as to whether it will more
likely than not be required to sell the security. Under the authoritative accounting guidance issued during April 2009, impairment is now considered to be other than temporary if an entity (1) intends to sell the security, (2) more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovering its amortized cost basis, or
(3) does not expect to recover the securitys entire amortized cost basis (even if the entity does not intend to sell the security).
If the Company intends to sell an impaired debt security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the impairment is other-than-temporary and is recognized currently in earnings in an amount equal to the entire difference between fair value and
amortized cost.
From April 1, 2009, in instances in which the Company determines that a credit loss exists but the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis, the OTTI is
separated into (1) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss and (2) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors (i.e. the noncredit portion). The amount of the total OTTI related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings and the amount of the total OTTI related to all other factors is
recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The total OTTI is presented in the income statement with an offset for the amount of the total OTTI that is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Absent the intent or requirement to sell a security, if a credit loss does not exist, any impairment is considered
to be temporary.
The noncredit portion of any OTTI losses on securities classified as available for sale is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income with an offsetting adjustment to the carrying value of the security. The fair value adjustment could increase or decrease the carrying value of the security. The noncredit portion
of any OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for debt securities classified as held to maturity would be accreted over the remaining life of the debt security (in a pro rata manner based on the amount of actual cash flows received as a percentage of total estimated cash
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(g) Other Than Temporary Impairments (OTTI) of Available for Sale Securities (Continued)
flows) as an increase in the carrying value of the security until the security is sold, the security matures, or there is an additional OTTI that is recognized in earnings.
In periods subsequent to the recognition of an OTTI loss, the other-than-temporarily impaired debt security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amount equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the credit-related OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for
which credit-related OTTI is recognized in earnings, the difference between the new cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the security in a prospective manner based on the estimated amount and timing of future estimated cash flows.
With respect to securities where the decline in value is determined to be temporary and the securitys amortized cost is not written down, a subsequent decision may be made to sell that security and realize a loss. Subsequent decisions on security sales are made within the context of overall risk monitoring, changing
information, market conditions generally and assessing value relative to other comparable securities. Day-to-day management of the Companys investment portfolio is outsourced to third party investment manager service providers. While these investment manager service providers may, at a given point in time, believe that the
preferred course of action is to hold securities with unrealized losses that are considered temporary until such losses are recovered, the dynamic nature of the portfolio management may result in a subsequent decision to sell the security and realize the loss, based upon a change in market and other factors described above. The
Company believes that subsequent decisions to sell such securities are consistent with the classification of the Companys portfolio as available for sale.
Management reviews any significant sales of securities for a loss to determine if such sale calls into question its previous intention with respect to that security. However, this factor on its own does not dictate whether or not the Company recognizes an impairment charge. The Company believes its assertion that it does
not have the intent to sell nor is it more likely than not it will be required to sell certain securities is supported by positive and sufficient cash flow from its operations and from maturities within its investment portfolio in order to meet its claims payment obligations arising from its underwriting operations without selling such
investments.
There are risks and uncertainties associated with determining whether declines in the fair value of investments are other than temporary. These include subsequent significant changes in general economic conditions as well as specific business conditions affecting particular issuers, the Companys liability profile, subjective
assessment of issue-specific factors (seniority of claims, collateral value, etc.), future financial market effects, stability of foreign governments and economies, future rating agency actions and significant disclosure of accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues that may adversely affect certain investments. In addition,
significant assumptions and management judgment are involved in determining if the decline is other than temporary. If management determines that a decline in fair value is temporary, then a securitys value is not written down at that time. However, there are potential effects upon the Companys future earnings and
financial position should management later conclude that some of the current declines in the fair value of the investments are other than temporary declines. For further details on the factors considered in evaluation other than temporary impairment see Note 9, Investments.
(h) Derivative Instruments
The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. The changes in fair value of derivatives are shown in the consolidated statement of income as net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments unless the
derivatives are designated as hedging instruments. The accounting for derivatives which are designated as hedging instruments is discussed below. Changes in fair value of derivatives may create volatility in the Companys results of operations from period to period. Amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral
(a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) are offset against net fair
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(h) Derivative Instruments (Continued)
value amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same netting arrangement.
Derivative contracts can be exchange-traded or over-the-counter (OTC). Exchange-traded derivatives (futures and options) typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether they are deemed to be actively traded or not. OTC derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market
evidence whenever possible, including market-based inputs to models, model calibration to market clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources where an understanding of the inputs utilized in arriving at the valuations is obtained. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to
value an OTC derivative depends upon the contractual terms and specific risks inherent in the instrument as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. The Company generally uses similar models to value similar instruments. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market
prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, prepayment rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as generic forwards, interest rate swaps and options, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment.
Such instruments comprise the majority of derivatives held by the Company and are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Certain OTC derivatives trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, or required model inputs which are not directly market corroborated, which causes the determination of fair value for these derivatives to be inherently more subjective. Accordingly, such derivatives are classified within Level 3 of the
fair value hierarchy. The valuations of less standard or liquid OTC derivatives are typically based on Level 1 and/or Level 2 inputs that can be observed in the market, as well as unobservable Level 3 inputs. Level 1 and Level 2 inputs are regularly updated to reflect observable market changes, with resulting gains and losses
reflected within Level 3. Level 3 inputs are only changed when corroborated by evidence such as similar market transactions, pricing services and/or broker or dealer quotations. The Company conducts its non-hedging derivatives activities in four main areas: investment related derivatives, credit derivatives, other non-
investment related derivatives, and until late 2008 it also utilized weather and energy derivatives.
The Company uses derivative instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, to manage the interest rate exposure associated with certain assets and liabilities. These derivatives are recorded at fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company may designate the derivative as a hedge of the fair value
of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge); a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a forecasted transaction or of amounts to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge); a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation; or the Company may not designate any hedging
relationship for a derivative contract. In addition, the company previously wrote a number of resettable strike swaps contracts relating to an absolute return index and diversified basket of funds which are recorded within Investment Related DerivativesFinancial Market Exposures.
Fair Value Hedges
Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, along with the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings (through net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative
instruments) with any differences between the net change in fair value of the derivative and the hedged item representing the hedge ineffectiveness. Periodic derivative net coupon settlements are recorded in net investment income with the exception of hedges of Company issued debt which are recorded in interest expense.
The Company may designate fair value hedging relationships where interest rate swaps are used to hedge the changes in fair value of certain fixed rate liabilities and fixed maturity securities due to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(h) Derivative Instruments (Continued)
Cash Flow Hedges
Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and are reclassified into earnings when the variability of the cash flow of the hedged item impacts earnings. Gains and losses on derivative contracts that are
reclassified from AOCI to current period earnings are included in the line item in the consolidated statements of operations in which the cash flows of the hedged item are recorded. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded immediately in current period earnings as net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative
instruments. Periodic derivative net coupon settlements are recorded in net investment income. The Company may designate cash flow hedging relationships where interest rate swaps are used to mitigate interest rate risk associated with anticipated issuances of debt or other forecasted transactions.
Hedges of the Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
Changes in fair value of a derivative used as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, to the extent effective as a hedge, are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustments account within AOCI. Cumulative changes in fair value recorded in AOCI are reclassified into earnings upon the sale or complete
or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded immediately in current period earnings as net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments.
Hedge Documentation and Effectiveness Testing
To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be highly effective in mitigating the designated changes in value or cash flow of the hedged item. At hedge inception, the Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective
and strategy for undertaking each hedge transaction. The documentation process includes linking derivatives that are designated as fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedges to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedges
inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. In addition, certain hedging relationships are considered highly effective if the changes in the fair value or discounted cash flows of the
hedging instrument are within a ratio of 80-125% of the inverse changes in the fair value or discounted cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness is measured using qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative methods may include comparison of critical terms of the derivative to the hedged item. Depending on
the hedging strategy, quantitative methods may include the Change in Variable Cash Flows Method, the Change in Fair Value Method, the Hypothetical Derivative Method and the Dollar Offset Method.
Discontinuance of Hedge Accounting
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; the derivative is dedesignated as a hedging instrument; or the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised. When
hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair-value hedge, the derivative continues to be carried at fair value on the balance sheet with changes in its fair value recognized in current period earnings through net realized and unrealized gains and losses on
derivative instruments. When hedge accounting is discontinued because the Company becomes aware that it is not probable that the forecasted transaction will occur, the derivative continues to be carried on the balance sheet at its fair value, and gains and losses that were accumulated in AOCI are recognized immediately in
earnings.
152
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(i) Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include fixed interest deposits placed with a maturity of under 90 days when purchased. Bank deposits are not considered to be fair value measurements and as such are not subject to the authoritative guidance on fair value measurement disclosures. Money market funds are classified as Level 1 as these
instruments are considered actively traded; however, certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2.
(j) Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities of foreign operations whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated at prevailing year end exchange rates. Revenue and expenses of such foreign operations are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The net effect of the translation adjustments for foreign operations, net
of applicable deferred income taxes, as well as any gains or losses on intercompany balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the applicable entity are revalued at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses are translated at the exchange rate on the date the transaction occurs with the resulting foreign exchange gains
and losses on settlement or revaluation recognized in income.
(k) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Company has recorded goodwill in connection with various acquisitions in prior years. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. In accordance with accounting guidance over goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company tests goodwill for potential impairment
annually as of June 30 and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate that potential exists for the fair value of a reporting unit to be reduced to a level below its carrying amount.
The Companys other intangible assets consist of both amortizable and non-amortizable intangible assets. The Companys amortizable intangible assets consist primarily of acquired customer relationships and acquired software. All of the Companys amortizable intangible assets are carried at net book value and are
amortized over their estimated useful lives. The amortization periods approximate the periods over which the Company expects to generate future net cash inflows from the use of these assets. Accordingly, customer relationships are amortized over a useful life of 10 years and acquired software is amortized over a useful life
of 5 years. The Companys policy is to amortize intangibles on a straight-line basis.
All of the Companys amortizable intangible assets, as well as other amortizable or depreciable long-lived assets such as premises and equipment, are subject to impairment testing in accordance with authoritative guidance for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets when events or conditions indicate that the
carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable from future cash flows. A test for recoverability is done by comparing the assets carrying value to the sum of the undiscounted future net cash inflows expected to be generated from the use of the asset over its remaining useful life. In accordance with the authoritative
guidance on property, plant and equipment under GAAP, impairment exists if the sum of the undiscounted expected future net cash inflows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Impairment would result in a write-down of the asset to its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of these assets are based on the
discounted present value of the stream of future net cash inflows expected to be derived over their remaining useful lives. If an impairment write-down is recorded, the remaining useful life of the asset will be evaluated to determine whether revision of the remaining amortization or depreciation period is appropriate.
The Companys indefinite lived intangible assets consist primarily of acquired insurance and reinsurance licenses. These assets are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and are therefore not subject to
153
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(k) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Continued)
amortization. In accordance with the authoritative guidance on intangibles and goodwill and other under GAAP, all of the Companys non-amortized intangible assets are subject to a test for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Pursuant to the
authoritative guidance, if the carrying value of a non-amortized intangible asset is in excess of its fair value, the asset must be written down to its fair value through the recognition of an impairment charge to earnings.
(l) Losses and Loss Expenses
Unpaid losses and loss expenses include reserves for reported unpaid losses and loss expenses and for losses incurred but not reported. The reserve for reported unpaid losses and loss expenses for the Companys property and casualty operations is established by management based on amounts reported from insureds or
ceding companies, and represents the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to or specifically identified by the Company.
The reserve for losses incurred but not reported is estimated by management based on loss development patterns determined by reference to the Companys underwriting practices, the policy form, type of program and historical experience. The Companys actuaries employ a variety of generally accepted methodologies to
determine estimated ultimate loss reserves, including the Bornhuetter-Ferguson incurred loss method and frequency and severity approaches.
Certain workers compensation and financial guarantee case reserve contracts are considered fixed and determinable and are subject to tabular reserving. Reserves associated with these liabilities are discounted.
Management believes that the reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses are sufficient to cover losses that fall within coverages assumed by the Company. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not exceed the Companys total reserves. The methodology of estimating loss reserves is periodically reviewed
to ensure that the assumptions made continue to be appropriate and any adjustments resulting from such reviews are reflected in income of the year in which the adjustments are made.
(m) Deposit liabilities
Contracts entered into by the Company which are not deemed to transfer significant underwriting and/or timing risk are accounted for as deposits, whereby liabilities are initially recorded at an amount equal to the assets received. The Company uses a portfolio rate of return of equivalent duration to the liabilities in
determining risk transfer. An initial accretion rate is established based on actuarial estimates whereby the deposit liability is increased to the estimated amount payable over the term of the contract.
The deposit accretion rate is the rate of return required to fund expected future payment obligations (this is equivalent to the best estimate of future cash flows), which are determined actuarially based upon the nature of the underlying indemnifiable losses. Accretion of the liability is recorded as interest expense. The
Company periodically reassesses the estimated ultimate liability. Any changes to this liability are reflected as adjustments to interest expense to reflect the cumulative effect of the period the contract has been in force, and by an adjustment to the future accretion rate of the liability over the remaining estimated contract term.
Funding agreements, when previously written by the Company, were initially recorded at an amount equal to the value of assets received. In relation to the payments to be made under these contracts, the Company used derivative instruments in order to hedge the Companys exposure to fluctuations in interest rates
related to these contracts. As described in Note 2(g), in relation to hedges in place on the remaining funding agreements, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument are recognized in income. The change in the fair value of the hedged item, attributable to the hedged risk, is recorded as an adjustment to the carrying
amount of the hedged item and is recognized in income.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(n) Future policy benefit reserves
The Company estimates the present value of future policy benefits related to long duration contracts using assumptions for investment yields, mortality, and expenses, including a provision for adverse deviation.
The assumptions used to determine future policy benefit reserves are best estimate assumptions that are determined at the inception of the contracts and are locked-in throughout the life of the contract unless a premium deficiency develops. As the experience on the contracts emerges, the assumptions are reviewed. If such
review would produce reserves in excess of those currently held then the lock-in assumptions will be revised and a claim and policy benefit is recognized at that time.
Certain life insurance and annuity contracts provide the holder with a guarantee that the benefit received upon death will be no less than a minimum prescribed amount. The contracts are accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance on Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for certain Long-
Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts, which requires that the best estimate of future experience be combined with actual experience to determine the benefit ratio used to calculate the policy benefit reserve.
(o) Income Taxes
The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The
deferral of tax losses is evaluated based upon managements estimates of the future profitability of the Companys taxable entities based on current forecasts and the period for which losses may be carried forward. A valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes will not be
realized. The Company continues to evaluate income generated in future periods by its subsidiaries in jurisdictions in determining the recoverability of its deferred tax asset. If it is determined that future income generated by these subsidiaries is insufficient to cause the realization of the net operating losses within a reasonable
period, a valuation allowance is established at that time.
(p) Stock Plans
The Company adopted authoritative guidance on the fair value recognition provisions for accounting for stock-based compensation, under the prospective method for options granted subsequent to January 1, 2003. Prior to 2003, the Company accounted for options under the disclosure-only provisions of the guidance and
no stock-based employee compensation cost was included in net income as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the Companys ordinary shares on the date of the grant. At December 31, 2009, the Company had several stock based Performance Incentive Programs, which are described more
fully in Item 8, Note 21, Share Capital. Stock-based compensation issued under these plans generally have a life of not longer than ten years and vest as set forth at the time of grant. Options currently vest annually over four years from the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation costs for stock options and
restricted stock on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (usually the vesting period) for each award.
Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options (for all grant years), are recognized in the financial statements over the vesting period based on their grant date fair values.
Authoritative guidance requires that compensation costs be recognized for unvested stock-based compensation awards over the period through the date that the employee is no longer required to provide future services to earn the award, rather than over the explicit service period. Accordingly, the Company follows a
policy of recognizing compensation cost to coincide with the date that the employee is eligible to retire, rather than the actual retirement date, for all stock based compensation granted.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(q) Per Share Data
Basic earnings per ordinary share is based on weighted average ordinary shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effects of options and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per ordinary share assumes the exercise of all dilutive stock options and conversion of convertible securities where the contingency for
conversion has occurred or been satisfied.
(r) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary was issued. This guidance requires a company to
clearly identify and present ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the company in the consolidated financial statements within the equity section but separate from the companys equity. It also requires the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be
clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income; requires any changes in ownership interest of the subsidiary be accounted for as equity transactions; and requires that when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary and the gain or
loss on the deconsolidation of the subsidiary be measured at fair value. This guidance is effective for interim and annual financial statements issued after January 1, 2009. While the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations, such adoption did result
in certain changes in the presentation and disclosure of noncontrolling interests as noted above.
In March 2008, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance surrounding disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities which requires enhanced disclosures about an entitys derivative and hedging activities. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2009. This guidance requires only additional
disclosures concerning derivatives and hedging activities, and therefore the adoption did not have an impact on the Companys financial condition and results of operations. See Note 2(g), Significant Accounting PoliciesDerivative Instruments and Note 17, Derivative Instruments for disclosures required under this standard.
In May 2008, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on accounting for financial guarantee insurance contracts to address current diversity in practice with respect to accounting for financial guarantee insurance contracts by insurance enterprises under the existing authoritative guidance over accounting and reporting
by insurance enterprises. That diversity resulted in inconsistencies in the recognition and measurement of claim liabilities because of differing views regarding when a loss has been incurred under guidance surrounding accounting for contingencies. This financial guarantee accounting guidance requires that an insurance
enterprise recognize a claim liability prior to an event of default (insured event) when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an insured financial obligation. The guidance also clarifies how the existing insurance accounting guidance applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition
and measurement to be used to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities. Those clarifications will increase comparability in financial reporting of financial guarantee insurance contracts by insurance enterprises. The guidance also requires expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts. The standard
was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance during 2009 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
As of December 31, 2009, the Companys outstanding financial guarantee contracts that were subject to the new accounting guidance included the reinsurance of 41 financial guarantee contracts with total insured contractual payments outstanding of $713.6 million ($568.2 million of principal and $145.4 million of interest)
with a remaining weighted-average contract period of 11.5 years. The total gross claim liability and unearned premiums recorded at December 31, 2009 were $14.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Of the contractual exposure existing at December 31, 2009, the Company has reinsured $401.9 million with
156
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(r) Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)
subsidiaries of Syncora Holdings Ltd (Syncora), however, as of December 31, 2009 there are no gross claim liabilities or recoverables recorded relating to this exposure. Of the 41 contracts noted above, 3 contracts with total insured contractual payments outstanding of $16.1 million had experienced an event of default and
were considered by the Company to be non-performing at December 31, 2009, while the remaining 38 contracts were considered to be performing at such date. As of December 31, 2008, the Companys outstanding financial guarantee contracts that were subject to the new accounting guidance included the reinsurance of 48
financial guarantee contracts with total insured contractual payments outstanding of $936.6 million ($798.5 million of principal and $138.1 million of interest) with a remaining weighted-average contract period of 7.9 years. The total gross claim liability and unearned premiums recorded at December 31, 2008 were $14.5
million and $3.1 million, respectively. Of the contractual exposure existing at December 31, 2008, the Company had reinsured $360.5 million with subsidiaries of Syncora Holdings Ltd (Syncora), however as at December 31, 2008 no reinsurance balances recoverable from Syncora had been recorded. Surveillance procedures
to track and monitor credit deteriorations in the insured financial obligations are performed by the primary obligors for each transaction on the Companys behalf. Information regarding the performance status and updated exposure values is provided to the Company on a quarterly basis and evaluated by management in
recording claims reserves.
In June 2008, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. This guidance addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions may be participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore,
need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing basic earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method described in authoritative earnings per share guidance. A share-based payment award that contains a non-forfeitable right to receive cash when dividends are paid to ordinary shareholders irrespective
of whether that award ultimately vests or remains unvested shall be considered a participating security as these rights to dividends provide a non-contingent transfer of value to the holder of the share-based payment award. Accordingly, these awards should be included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class
method. This guidance was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2009. All prior period EPS data presented was adjusted retrospectively to conform to the provisions of the guidance. Under the terms of the Companys restricted stock awards, grantees are entitled to the right to receive dividends on the unvested portions
of their awards. There is no requirement to return these dividends in the event the unvested awards are forfeited in the future. Accordingly, this guidance had an impact on the Companys EPS calculations. See Note 27, Computation of Earnings Per Ordinary Share and Ordinary Share Equivalent, for a description of the
impact of the adoption of this guidance on the 2008 and 2007 EPS figures.
In April 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not orderly, which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with existing fair
value measurements guidance. Guidance is also included on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly and amends certain fair value measurement disclosure guidance. This new authoritative guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this
standard did not have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
In April 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary Impairments (OTTI) which amends the OTTI guidance for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of OTTI on debt and equity securities in
the financial statements. This guidance does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to OTTI of equity securities. This guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009, which resulted in a net
after-tax increase to retained earnings and decrease to Accumulated Other Comprehensive
157
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(r) Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)
Income (Loss) of $229.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The disclosures required by this guidance are provided in Note 9, Investments.
In April 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments which amends existing guidance to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements. This guidance was effective
for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. This guidance affected disclosures only and accordingly did not have an impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations. The disclosures required by this guidance are provided in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on accounting for assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies. This guidance requires an asset acquired or liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency to be recognized at fair value
at the acquisition date, if the acquisition date fair value of that asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period. If the acquisition date fair value of an asset acquired or liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency cannot be determined during the measurement period, the asset
or liability shall be recognized at the acquisition date using the guidance governing accounting for contingencies. This guidance also amends disclosure requirements and is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The
Companys adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2009 did not have a material effect on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
In May 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance on accounting for and reporting of subsequent events. This standard incorporates into authoritative accounting literature certain guidance that already existed within generally accepted auditing standards, but the rules concerning recognition and disclosure of
subsequent events will remain essentially unchanged. Subsequent events guidance addresses events which occur after the balance sheet date but before the issuance of financial statements. Under the new guidance, as under current practice, an entity must record the effects of subsequent events that provide evidence about
conditions that existed at the balance sheet date and must disclose but not record the effects of subsequent events which provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date. This guidance was effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not
have any impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
In June 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance over accounting for transfers of financial assets which removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity from existing accounting guidance over transfers of financial assets and also removes the exception from applying guidance surrounding consolidation
of variable interest entities to qualifying special-purpose entities. This new guidance must be applied from January 1, 2010 for the Company, for both interim and annual periods. Earlier application is prohibited. The guidance must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. The Company is currently
evaluating the potential impact of this guidance. However, it is not currently expected to have a material impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
In June 2009, the FASB issued final authoritative accounting guidance in an effort to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities. This guidance retains the scope of the previous standard covering variable interest entities with the addition of entities previously considered qualifying
special-purpose entities, as the concept of these entities was eliminated in the new authoritative guidance. The new guidance requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprises variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity under revised guidelines
that are more qualitative than under previous guidance and amends previous guidance to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Before this update, previous guidance required reconsideration of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable
interest entity only when specific events occurred. The new guidance also
158
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(r) Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)
amends previous guidance to require enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprises involvement with a variable interest entity. The enhanced disclosures are required for any enterprise that holds a variable interest in a variable interest entity. The
content of the enhanced disclosures required by this new guidance is generally consistent with that required by the previous standards. This new guidance must be applied from January 1, 2010 for the Company, for both interim and annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on
its financial condition and results of operations.
In June 2009, the FASB issued its Accounting Standards Codification and guidance over the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles. This guidance specifies that the FASB Codification has become the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) recognized by the FASB to
be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. For financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, the
effective date of this final guidance, the Codification superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification became non-authoritative. While the Codification did not change GAAP, it introduced a new structure one
that is intended to be organized in an easily accessible, user-friendly online research system. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2009, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update discussing the measurement of liabilities at fair value, which provides clarification for circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available. The amendments are intended to reduce potential ambiguity in
financial reporting when measuring the fair value of liabilities. The guidance was effective for the Companys December 31, 2009 year end reporting. This guidance did not have an impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
In September 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance associated with estimating the fair value for investments in certain entities that do not have a quoted market price but calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent. This guidance covers investments often referred to as alternative investments that would
include hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, offshore fund vehicles and funds of funds. When certain criteria are met, this guidance would permit an entity, as a practical expedient, to estimate the fair value of an investment within the scope of this guidance using the net asset value per share of the
investment. Therefore, certain attributes of the investment (such as restrictions on redemption) and transaction prices from principal-to-principal or brokered transactions will not be considered in measuring the fair value of the investment if the practical expedient is used. The proposed amendments also require disclosures by
major category of investment about the attributes of those investments, such as the nature of any restrictions on the investors ability to redeem its investments at the measurement date, any unfunded commitments, and the investment strategies of the investees. These amendments were effective for the Company for the
December 31, 2009 year end reporting. The disclosures required by this standard are included in Note 11, Other Investments. This guidance did not have an impact on the Companys financial condition or results from operations.
In January 2010, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. The provisions of this authoritative guidance require new disclosures about recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2
fair value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for Level 3 reconciliation disclosures which are effective for
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. This standard affects disclosures only and accordingly will not have an impact on the Companys financial condition or results of operations.
159
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the authoritative accounting guidance over fair value measurements, which requires disclosures about the Companys assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value. As required by this guidance, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the
lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following tables set forth the Companys assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 by level within the fair value hierarchy (for further information, see Note 2(b), Significant Accounting Policies Fair Value Measurements:
December 31, 2009
Quoted Prices in
Significant Other
Significant
Collateral and
Balance
Assets
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
$
2,664,625
$
$
$
2,664,625
Corporate (7)
9,788,689
10,311
9,799,000
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
6,220,607
7,894
6,228,501
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
1,379,125
42,190
1,421,315
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,214,044
2,755
1,216,799
Collateralized debt obligations
507,898
190,663
698,561
Other asset-backed securities
1,129,806
38,179
1,167,985
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
913,473
913,473
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,398,556
3,217
3,401,773
Total fixed maturities, at fair value
$
$
27,216,823
$
295,209
$
$
27,512,032
Equity securities, at fair value
5,621
12,158
17,779
Short-term investments, at fair value (6)
1,770,874
6,486
1,777,360
Total investments available for sale
$
5,621
$
28,999,855
$
301,695
$
$
29,307,171
Cash equivalents (1)
1,496,938
1,136,268
2,633,206
Other investments (2)
342,005
75,584
417,589
Other assets (3)(4)
117,401
185,455
(218,409
)
84,447
Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
1,502,559
$
30,595,529
$
562,734
$
(218,409
)
$
32,442,413
Liabilities
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (5)
$
$
36,979
$
$
$
36,979
Other liabilities (3)(4)
24,337
84,940
(49,319
)
59,958
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$
$
61,316
$
84,940
$
(49,319
)
$
96,937
160
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Counterparty
Netting
as of
December 31,
2009
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
December 31, 2008
Quoted Prices in
Significant Other
Significant
Collateral and
Balance
Assets
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
$
3,978,342
$
$
$
3,978,342
Corporate (7)
9,226,097
62,506
9,288,603
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesAgency
2,099,955
2,099,955
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
1,858,517
79,429
1,937,946
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,097,757
43,811
2,141,568
Collateralized debt obligations
40,669
598,110
638,779
Other asset-backed securities
1,629,137
78,871
1,708,008
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
468,770
468,770
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,285,245
89,152
3,374,397
Total Fixed maturities, at fair value
$
$
24,684,489
$
951,879
$
$
25,636,368
Equity securities, at fair value
276,040
85,779
361,819
Short-term investments, at fair value (6)
1,445,577
20,746
1,466,323
Total investments available for sale
$
276,040
$
26,215,845
$
972,625
$
$
27,464,510
Cash equivalents (1)
1,082,813
1,227,461
2,310,274
Other investments (2)
299,325
65,354
364,679
Other assets (3)(4)
219,366
314,906
(411,316
)
122,956
Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
1,358,853
$
27,961,997
$
1,352,885
$
(411,316
)
$
30,262,419
Liabilities
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (5)
$
$
26,536
$
$
$
26,536
Other liabilities (3)(4)
53,101
88,088
(65,232
)
75,957
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$
$
79,637
$
88,088
$
(65,232
)
$
102,493
(1)
Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurement include certificates of deposit and money market funds. Operating cash balances are not subject to fair value measurement guidance.
(2)
The Other investments balance excludes certain structured transactions including certain investments in project finance transactions, a payment obligation (as described in Note 11, Other Investments), and has provided liquidity financing to a structured credit vehicle as a part of a third party medium term note facility. These investments are carried at amortized cost that totaled $365.6 million at
December 31, 2009 and $94.8 million at December 31, 2008.
(3)
Other assets and other liabilities include derivative instruments.
(4)
The derivative balances included in each category above are reported on a gross basis by level with a netting adjustment presented separately in the Collateral and Counterparty Netting column. The Company often enters into different types of derivative contracts with a single counterparty and these contracts are covered under a netting agreement. In addition, the Company held net cash collateral
related to derivative assets of approximately $169.1 million and $346.1 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. This balance is included within cash and cash equivalents and the corresponding liability to
161
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Counterparty
Netting
as of
December 31,
2008
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
return the collateral has been offset against the derivative asset within the balance sheet as appropriate under the netting agreement. The fair value of the individual derivative contracts are reported gross in their respective levels based on the fair value hierarchy.
(5)
Financial instruments sold, but not purchased represent short sales and are included within Net payable for investments purchased on the balance sheet.
(6)
Short-term investments consist primarily of corporate, U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported securities, Corporate and Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related securities.
(7)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $587.7 million and $499.0 million and an amortized cost of $707.9 million and $922.7 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of
the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
162
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
Level 3 Gains and Losses
The tables below present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which Level 3 inputs were utilized to determine fair value. The table reflects gains and losses for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 for all financial assets and
liabilities categorized as Level 3 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The tables do not include gains or losses that were reported in Level 3 in prior periods for assets that were transferred out of Level 3 prior to December 31, 2009 and 2008. Gains and losses for assets and liabilities classified within Level 3 in
the table below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3). Further, it should be noted that the following table does not take into consideration the effect of offsetting Level 1 and 2 financial instruments entered into by the Company that
are either economically hedged by certain exposures to the Level 3 positions or that hedge the exposures in Level 3 positions.
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Level 3 Assets and
Corporate
Residential
Residential
Commercial
Collateralized
Balance, beginning of period
$
62,506
$
$
79,429
$
43,811
$
598,110
Realized (losses) gains
(12,700
)
(13,263
)
(7,969
)
(41,490
)
Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
12,186
(126
)
21,999
2,221
48,790
Purchases, sales issuances and settlements, net
(21,713
)
8,020
(15,135
)
(3,343
)
(10,186
)
Transfers into Level 3
6,517
14,422
1,430
15,457
Transfers out of Level 3
(36,485
)
(45,262
)
(33,395
)
(415,025
)
Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change
(4,993
)
Balance, end of period
$
10,311
$
7,894
$
42,190
$
2,755
$
190,663
Movement in total (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
622
$
(126
)
$
15,788
$
(240
)
$
28,436
163
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Liabilities
Year Ended
December 31, 2009
mortgage-backed
securities
Agency
mortgage-backed
securities Non
Agency
mortgage-backed
securities
debt obligations
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
Level 3 Gains and Losses (continued)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Level 3 Assets and
Other asset
Non-U.S.
Short-term
Other
Derivative
Balance, beginning of period
$
78,871
$
89,152
$
20,746
$
65,354
$
226,818
Realized (losses) gains
(7,049
)
(8,701
)
2,807
Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
(5,594
)
(94
)
3,454
(913
)
(147,216
)
Purchases, sales issuances and settlements, net
(758
)
(6,882
)
(12,991
)
11,143
18,106
Transfers into Level 3
8,531
Transfers out of Level 3
(35,822
)
(76,740
)
(3,234
)
Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change
(2,219
)
7,212
Balance, end of period
$
38,179
$
3,217
$
6,486
$
75,584
$
100,515
Movement in total (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
(11,903
)
$
72
$
(887
)
$
(913
)
$
(147,216
)
164
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Liabilities
Year Ended
December 31, 2009 (Continued)
backed
securities
Sovereign
Government and
Supranationals
and Government
Related
Investments
investments
Contracts Net
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
Level 3 Gains and Losses (continued)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Level 3 Assets and
Corporate
Residential
Residential
Commercial
Collateralized
Balance, beginning of period
$
104,327
$
2,386
$
238,774
$
63,604
$
844,198
Realized (losses) gains
(12,493
)
(31,622
)
(11,671
)
(67,615
)
Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
(11,774
)
(42,951
)
(8,233
)
(313,394
)
Purchases, sales issuances and settlements, net
27,442
(8,754
)
(7,516
)
3,960
Transfers into Level 3
23,978
114,016
49,722
154,521
Transfers out of Level 3
(68,974
)
(2,386
)
(190,034
)
(42,095
)
(5,276
)
Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change
(18,284
)
Balance, end of period
$
62,506
$
$
79,429
$
43,811
$
598,110
Movement in total (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
(18,909
)
$
$
(38,789
)
$
(12,805
)
$
(318,235
)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Level 3 Assets and
Other asset
Non-U.S.
Short-term
Other
Derivative
Balance, beginning of period
$
131,149
$
1,163
$
15,606
$
40,354
$
12,283
Realized (losses) gains
(53,287
)
(175
)
24,207
Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
(20,427
)
(3,304
)
(2,750
)
(4,930
)
172,093
Purchases, sales issuances and settlements, net
(10,051
)
68,097
(10,219
)
29,930
18,235
Transfers into Level 3
86,655
23,196
Transfers out of Level 3
(55,168
)
Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change
18,284
Balance, end of period
$
78,871
$
89,152
$
20,746
$
65,354
$
226,818
Movement in total (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
(20,752
)
$
1,853
$
(2,938
)
$
(4,930
)
$
172,093
165
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Liabilities
Year Ended
December 31, 2008
mortgage-backed
securities
Agency
mortgage-backed
securities Non
Agency
mortgage-backed
securities
debt obligations
Liabilities
Year Ended
December 31, 2008 (continued)
backed
securities
Sovereign
Government and
Supranationals
and Government
Related
Investments
investments
Contracts Net
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
Level 3 Gains and Losses (continued)
In general, Level 3 assets include securities for which the values were obtained from brokers where either significant inputs were utilized in determining the value that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the broker was not available to
support a Level 2 classification. Level 3 assets also include securities for which the Company determined current market trades represent distressed transactions, and accordingly, the Company determined fair value using certain inputs that are not observable to market participants. Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 during the
year ended December 31, 2009, were primarily as a result of the Company utilizing values provided by pricing services not containing significant unobservable inputs, rather than other valuations for certain assets that would have been considered Level 3.
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
At December 31, 2009, certain assets which were previously classified as Level 3 assets due to a lack of observable market data are now classified as Level 2 assets as described further below.
For the period from December 31, 2008 through June 30, 2009, the Company had determined that internal models were more appropriate and better representative of the fair value of these securities. At June 30, 2009, the Company utilized internal valuation models for Collateralized Debt Obligations holdings (CDOs)
with a fair value of $450.5 million and a par value of $807.5 million. However, as a result of numerous market factors, including increased volumes of trading and increased new issuance of CDOs, the Company believes that transactions in this market are no longer distressed and accordingly has reverted to third-party vendor
pricing sources where transactions are available as of December 31, 2009, and where not available based the valuations on broker quotes. Accordingly, as at December 31, 2009, for those CDOs which were previously valued using internal models, the Company now carries these assets at a fair value of $538.5 million as
compared to a par value of $789.1 million. Of these holdings, $457.6 million were valued by third party vendors and for which inputs are observable and accordingly are now classified as Level 2, and $80.9 million were valued using broker quotations and for which inputs are unobservable and accordingly remain classified
as Level 3.
The remainder of the Level 3 assets relate to private equity investments where the nature of the underlying assets held by the investee include positions such as private business ventures and are such that significant Level 3 inputs are utilized in the valuation, and certain derivative positions.
Other investments
Included within the Other Investments component of the Companys Level 3 valuations are private investments and alternatives where the Company is not deemed to have significant influence over the investee. The fair value of these investments is based upon net asset values received from the investment manager or
general partner of the respective entity. The nature of the underlying investments held by the investee which form the basis of the net asset value include assets such as private business ventures and are such that significant Level 3 inputs are utilized in the determination of the individual underlying holding values and
accordingly the fair value of the Companys investment in each entity is classified within Level 3. The Company also incorporates factors such as the most recent financial information received, the values at which capital transactions with the investee take place, and managements judgment regarding whether any adjustments
should be made to the net asset value in recording the fair value of each position.
Derivative instruments
Derivative instruments classified within Level 3 include: (i) certain interest rate swaps where the duration of the contract the Company holds exceeds that of the longest term on a market observable input, (ii) weather and energy derivatives, (iii) GMIB benefits embedded within a certain reinsurance contract, (iv) a put option
included within the Companys remaining contingent capital facility and (v) credit derivatives sold providing protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions where the value is obtained directly from the investment bank counterparty for which sufficient information regarding the
166
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
3. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)
Derivative instruments (continued)
inputs utilized in the valuation was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification. The majority of inputs utilized in the valuations of these types of derivative contracts are considered Level 1 or Level 2; however, each valuation includes at least one Level 3 input that was significant to the valuation and accordingly the values
are disclosed within Level 3.
In addition, see Note 2(h), Significant Accounting Policies for a general discussion of types of assets and liabilities that are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as well as the Companys valuation policies for such instruments.
Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
Authoritative guidance over disclosures about fair value of financial instruments requires additional disclosure of fair value information for financial instruments not carried at fair value in both interim and annual reporting periods. Certain financial instruments, particularly insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair
value disclosure requirements. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, net receivable from investments sold, other assets, net payable for investments purchased, other liabilities and other financial instruments not included below approximated their fair values. The following table includes
financial instruments for which the carrying amount differs from the estimated fair values:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2009
As of December 31, 2008
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
$
546.1
$
530.3
$
$
Other investments structured transactions
$
365.6
$
341.4
$
94.8
$
93.3
Financial Assets
$
911.7
$
871.7
$
94.8
$
93.3
Deposit Liabilities
$
2,208.7
$
2,133.1
$
2,711.0
$
1,764.0
Notes payable and debt
2,451.4
2,504.4
3,189.7
1,215.0
Financial Liabilities
$
4,660.1
$
4,637.5
$
5,900.7
$
2,979.0
Redeemable series C preference ordinary shares
$
182.7
$
137.9
$
500.0
$
110.0
The Company historically participated in structured transactions which include cash loans supporting project finance transactions, providing liquidity facility financing to structured project deals and invested in a payment obligation with an insurance company. These transactions are carried at amortized cost. The fair value
of these investments held by the Company is determined through use of internal models utilizing reported trades, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data.
Deposit liabilities include obligations under structured insurance and reinsurance transactions as well as funding agreements issued. For purposes of fair value disclosures, the Company determines the fair value of the deposit liabilities by assuming a discount rate equal to the appropriate U.S. Treasury rate plus 108 basis
points and the appropriate U.S. Treasury Rate plus 902 basis points at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, to determine the present value of projected contractual liability payments through final maturity. The discount rate incorporates the Companys own credit risk into the determination of estimated fair
value.
The fair value of the Companys notes payable and debt outstanding are determined based on quoted market prices.
The fair value of the Companys redeemable series C preference ordinary shares outstanding is determined based on indicative quotes provided by brokers.
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Companys financial instruments as defined in the authoritative guidance over disclosures of fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value.
167
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
4. Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora)
On August 4, 2006, the Company completed the sale of approximately 37% of its then financial guarantee reinsurance and insurance businesses through an initial public offering (IPO) of 23.4 million common shares of Syncora for proceeds of approximately $446.9 million. On June 6, 2007, the Company completed the
sale of a portion of Syncoras common shares then owned by the Company through a secondary offering and thereby reduced its ownership of Syncoras outstanding common shares further from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. Accordingly, subsequent to June 6, 2007 and up until the execution of the Master
Agreement on August 5, 2008, as described below, the Company accounted for its remaining investment in Syncora using the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to August 5, 2008, the Company has no further ownership interest in Syncora.
Given managements view of the risk exposure along with the uncertainty facing the entire financial guarantee industry, the Company reduced the reported value of its investment in Syncora to nil at December 31, 2007. The Companys shares in Syncora were unregistered and thus illiquid. Throughout 2008 market
developments with respect to the monoline industry continued to be largely negative and Syncora was downgraded by several rating agencies during this period. Accordingly, throughout 2008 and up until the closing of the Master Agreement with Syncora which resulted in the transfer by the Company of all of the shares it
owned in Syncora, the Company reported its investment in Syncora at nil and less than the traded market value during this time, as it was believed the decline in value was other than temporary.
As described below, concurrent with the IPO of Syncora and subsequently, the Company entered into certain service, reinsurance and guarantee arrangements with Syncora and its subsidiaries, to govern certain aspects of the Companys relationship with Syncora. Prior to the sale of Syncora shares through the secondary
offering on June 6, 2007, the effect of these arrangements was eliminated upon consolidation of the Companys results. The income statement impacts of all transactions with Syncora subsequent to June 6, 2007, including the impact of the closing of the transactions subject to the Master Agreement on August 5, 2008, were
included in Net (loss) income from operating affiliates. In 2007, net losses were recorded with respect to the previous excess of loss and facultative reinsurance of Syncora subsidiaries in the amounts of $300.0 million and $51.0 million, respectively. In addition, during 2007, the Company incurred $17.9 million in additional
mark-to-market losses related to those underlying contracts in credit default swap form subject to the provisions noted above.
As at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, Syncora had total assets of $4.2 billion and $3.6 billion, total liabilities of $4.1 billion and $3.1 billion, outstanding preferred share equity of $246.6 million, and common shareholders (deficit) equity of $(183.1) million and $180.5 million, respectively. During the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007, Syncora had net earned premiums of $238.6 million and $215.7 million, total revenues of $(1.0) billion and $(356.8) million, and a net loss to common shareholders before minority interest of $2.0 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.
Service agreements
Previously, the Company had entered into a series of service agreements under which subsidiaries of the Company provided services to Syncora and its subsidiaries or received certain services from Syncora subsidiaries for a period of time after the IPO. As detailed below, subsequent to June 30, 2008 the Company
executed the Master Agreement in connection with, among other things, the termination of these service agreements.
Reinsurance agreements
As noted above, the Company previously provided certain reinsurance protections with respect to adverse development on certain transactions as well as indemnification under specific facultative and excess of loss coverages for subsidiaries of Syncora: Syncora Guarantee Re Inc. (Syncora Guarantee Re) (formerly XL
Financial Assurance Ltd. or XLFA) and Syncora Guarantee Inc. (Syncora Guarantee) (formerly XL Capital Assurance Inc. or XLCA). The adverse development cover related to a specific
168
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
4. Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora) (Continued)
project financing transaction while the facultative covers generally reinsured certain policies up to the amount necessary for Syncora Guarantee and Syncora Guarantee Re to comply with certain regulatory and risk limits. The excess of loss reinsurance provided indemnification for the portion of any individual paid loss covered
by Syncora Guarantee Re in excess of 10% of Syncora Guarantee Res surplus, up to an aggregate amount of $500 million, and excluded coverage for liabilities arising other than pursuant to the terms of the underlying policies. In 2007, in relation to the excess of loss and facultative reinsurance agreements described above,
the Company recorded within loss from operating affiliates, losses in the amount of $300.0 million and $51.0 million, respectively. As detailed below, subsequent to June 30, 2008 the Company executed the Master Agreement in connection with, among other things, the termination of these reinsurance agreements. As at
June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Companys total net exposure under its facultative agreements with Syncora subsidiaries was approximately $6.4 billion and $7.7 billion, respectively, of net par outstanding.
Guarantee agreements
Previously, the Company also entered into certain guarantee agreements with subsidiaries of Syncora. These guarantee agreements terminated with respect to any new business written by Syncora through the underlying agreements after the effective date of Syncoras IPO, but the agreements remained in effect with respect
to cessions or guarantees written under these agreements prior to the IPO. The agreements unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed: (i) Syncora Guarantee for the full and complete performance when due of all of Syncora Guarantee Res obligations under its facultative quota share reinsurance agreement with Syncora
Guarantee, (ii) the full and complete payment when due of Syncora Guarantees obligations under certain financial guarantees issued by Syncora Guarantee and arranged by Syncora Guarantee (U.K.) Limited for the benefit of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and (iii) Financial Security Assurance (Financial Security)
for the full and complete performance of Syncora Guarantee Res obligations under a Financial Security Master Facultative Agreement. The guarantees the Company provided contained a dual trigger, such that the guarantees responded only if two events were to occur. First, the underlying guaranteed obligation must have
defaulted on payments of interest and principal, and secondly, the relevant Syncora subsidiary must have failed to meet its obligations under the applicable reinsurance or guarantee. As detailed below, subsequent to June 30, 2008 the Company executed the Master Agreement in connection with, among other things, the
termination of reinsurance agreements with Syncora and its subsidiaries. As a result of the termination of these reinsurance agreements, the related guarantee agreements described above, with the exception of certain exposures relating to the European Investment Bank as described below, no longer have any force or effect. As
at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008, the Companys total net par outstanding falling under these guarantees was $59.2 billion and $75.2 billion, respectively.
Other agreements
As at December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $4.0 billion of deposit liabilities associated with guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) for which credit enhancement was provided by Syncora Guarantee. Based on the terms and conditions of the underlying GICs, upon the downgrade of Syncora Guarantee
below certain ratings levels, all or portions of the outstanding principal balances on such GICs would come due. Throughout 2008, several rating agencies downgraded Syncora and its subsidiaries and as a result, the Company settled all of the GIC liabilities during 2008.
Agreement with Syncora with Respect to Pre-IPO Guarantee and Reinsurance Agreements and Service Agreements
On July 28, 2008, the Company announced that it and certain of its subsidiaries had entered into an agreement (the Master Agreement) with Syncora and certain of its subsidiaries (sometimes collectively referred to herein as Syncora) as well as certain counterparties to credit default swap agreements (the
Counterparties), in connection with the termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements as
169
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
4. Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora) (Continued)
described below. The transactions and termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements under the Master Agreement closed on August 5, 2008. As part of the transaction, the Counterparties provided full releases to the Company and Syncora.
The Master Agreement provided for the payment by the Company to Syncora of $1.775 billion in cash, the issuance by the Company to Syncora of eight million of its Class A Ordinary Shares which were newly issued by the Company and the transfer by the Company of all of its voting, economic or other rights in the
shares it owned in Syncora (representing approximately 46% of Syncoras issued and outstanding shares) (the Syncora Shares) to an escrow agent in accordance with an escrow agreement between Syncora and the Counterparties. This consideration was made in exchange for, among other things, the full and unconditional:
commutation of the Third Amended and Restated Facultative Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty, effective July 1, 2006, between Syncora Guarantee Re and Syncora Guarantee and all individual risk cessions thereunder, as a result of which the guarantee by XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (XLIB) of Syncora Guarantee
Res obligations to Syncora Guarantee thereunder no longer has any force or effect;
commutation of the Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement, executed on October 3, 2001, pursuant to which XLIB agreed to reinsure certain liabilities of Syncora Guarantee Re (the Excess of Loss Agreement);
commutation of the Second Amended and Restated Facultative Master Certificate, effective March 1, 2007, pursuant to which XL Re America, Inc. (XLRA) agreed to reinsure certain liabilities of Syncora Guarantee, and all individual risk cessions thereunder; (the XLRA Master Facultative Agreement);
commutation of the Facultative Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, effective August 17, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to such agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, pursuant to which XLIB agreed to reinsure certain liabilities of Syncora Guarantee Re, and all individual risk cessions thereunder;
commutation of the Adverse Development Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, between Syncora Guarantee and XLRA, and the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, between Syncora Guarantee Re and XLIB; and
termination of certain indemnification and services agreements between the Company and Syncora.
The Company and Syncora obtained approval from the New York State Insurance Department for the Master Agreement and each of the commutations to which XLRA or Syncora Guarantee was a party. Syncora also complied with all applicable procedures of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the Delaware Insurance
Department and other regulators.
On August 5, 2008, and simultaneous with the closing of the Master Agreement, Syncora commuted the Amended and Restated Master Facultative Reinsurance Agreement, dated November 3, 1998, between Financial Security and Syncora Guarantee Re, and all individual risk cessions thereunder. As a result of this
commutation, the Companys guarantee of Syncora Guarantee Res obligations thereunder (the Financial Security Guarantee) no longer has any force or effect.
After the closing of the Master Agreement on August 5, 2008, approximately $64.6 billion of the Companys total net exposure (which was $65.7 billion as at June 30, 2008) under reinsurance agreements and guarantees with Syncora subsidiaries was eliminated. Pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement, Syncora is
required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commute the agreements that are the subject of the Companys guarantee of Syncora Guarantees obligations under certain financial guarantees issued by Syncora Guarantee to the European Investment Bank (the EIB Policies), subject to certain limitations. These guarantees
were provided for the benefit of EIB and are made up of transportation and public
170
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
4. Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora) (Continued)
building risk with an average rating of BBB, written between 2001 and 2006 with anticipated maturities ranging between 2027 and 2038. As at December 31, 2009, the Companys exposures relating to the EIB Policies (which relate to project finance transactions) was approximately $920.5 million, reduced from $1.1 billion at
June 30, 2008, mainly due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the currencies of the underlying obligations. As of December 31, 2009, there have been no reported events of default on the underlying obligations, accordingly, no reserves have been recorded.
The terms of the Master Agreement were determined in consideration of a number of commercial and economic factors associated with all existing relationships with Syncora, including, but not limited to, a valuation of the consideration for the commuted agreements and any potential future claims thereunder and the
impact of outstanding uncertainty on both the ratings and business operations of the Company. The total value of the consideration noted above of $1.775 billion as well as the eight million ordinary shares of the Company transferred to Syncora valued at $128.0 million, significantly exceeded the carried net liabilities of
approximately $490.7 million related to such reinsurances and guarantees. Management considers the execution of the Master Agreement as the event giving rise to the additional liability. As detailed in the table below, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $1.4 billion in respect of the closing of the Master
Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Carried liabilities in relation to reinsurance and guarantee agreements commuted under the Master Agreement
$
490.7
Other accruals
(5.2
)
Cash payment made to Syncora in August 2008
(1,775.0
)
Value of XL common shares transferred under the Master Agreement
(128.0
)
Net loss associated with Master Agreement recorded in the year ended December 31, 2008
$
(1,417.5
)
5. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges
During the third quarter of 2008 and during the first quarter of 2009, expense reduction initiatives were implemented in order to reduce the Companys operating expenses. The goal of these initiatives was to achieve enhanced efficiency and an overall reduction in operating expenses by streamlining processes across all
geographic locations, with a primary emphasis on corporate functions. To date, this has been achieved through redundancies, increased outsourcing and the cessation of certain projects and activities. Charges have been recognized and accrued as restructuring and asset impairment charges and allocated to the Companys
reportable segments in accordance with authoritative guidance over accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and guidance over accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. Other costs that do not meet the criteria for accrual are being expensed as restructuring charges as they are
incurred. Restructuring charges relate mainly to employee termination benefits as well as costs associated with ceasing to use certain leased property accounted for as operating leases. Asset impairment charges relate primarily to the write-off of certain IT system and equipment costs previously capitalized. The Company
recognizes an asset impairment charge when net proceeds expected from disposition of an asset are less than the carrying value of the asset and reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value. Restructuring and asset impairment charges noted above have been recorded in the Companys income statement
under Operating Expenses.
171
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
5. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Continued)
Total estimated costs the Company expects to incur in connection with the restructuring initiatives noted above as well as costs incurred during the year ended December 31, 2009 and total cumulative costs incurred through December 31, 2009 are as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Total
Costs Incurred
Cumulative
Employee Termination Benefits
$
95.8
$
51.1
$
94.9
Lease Termination and Other Costs
14.6
8.0
14.6
Asset Impairment
22.8
22.4
22.8
Total
$
133.2
$
81.5
$
132.3
These costs are allocated to the Companys segments as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Total
Costs Incurred
Cumulative
Insurance (1)
$
85.2
$
56.9
$
84.3
Reinsurance (1)
14.4
10.6
14.5
Corporate
33.6
14.0
33.5
Total
$
133.2
$
81.5
$
132.3
(1)
Includes allocated restructuring charges associated with eliminating the XL Financial Solutions business unit.
Activity related to restructuring and asset impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2009 was as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Accrual at
Costs
Amounts Paid and
Balance of Liability
Employee Termination Benefits
$
4.4
$
51.1
$
45.1
$
10.4
Lease Termination and Other Costs
5.3
8.0
10.3
3.0
Asset Impairment
22.4
22.4
Total
$
9.7
$
81.5
$
77.8
$
13.4
Costs incurred through December 31, 2008 and total estimated costs the Company expects to incur in connection with the restructuring and asset impairment implemented during the third quarter of 2008 were as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Total
Costs
Employee Termination Benefits
$
45.7
$
43.8
Lease Termination and Other Costs
6.6
6.6
Asset Impairment Charges
0.4
0.4
Total
$
52.7
$
50.8
172
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Expected
Costs
During the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
Costs Incurred
through
December 31,
2009
Expected
Costs
During the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
Costs Incurred
through
December 31,
2009
December 31,
2008
Incurred
Assets Impaired
at December 31,
2009
Expected
Costs
Incurred
through
December 31,
2008
XL CAPITAL LTD
5. Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Continued)
These costs are allocated to the Companys segments were as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Total
Costs
Insurance (1)
$
27.9
$
27.4
Reinsurance (1)
4.1
3.9
Other Financial Lines
0.6
0.5
Corporate
20.1
19.0
Total
$
52.7
$
50.8
(1)
Includes allocated restructuring charges associated with eliminating the XL Financial Solutions business unit.
Activity related to restructuring and asset impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2008 were as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Accrual at
Costs
Amounts Paid and
Balance of Liability
Employee Termination Benefits
$
$
43.8
$
39.4
$
4.4
Lease Termination and Other Costs
6.6
1.3
5.3
Asset Impairment
0.4
0.4
Total
$
$
50.8
$
41.1
$
9.7
6. Segment Information
Following a streamlining of the Companys operating segments in the first quarter of 2009, the Company is organized into three operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance and Life Operations in addition to a Corporate segment that includes the general investment and financing operations of the Company.
The Company evaluates the performance for both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit and contribution from its Life Operations segment. Other items of revenue and expenditure of the Company are not evaluated at the segment level for reporting purposes. In addition, the Company does
not allocate investment assets by segment for its property and casualty (P&C) operations. Investment assets related to the Companys Life Operations and certain structured products included in the Insurance, Reinsurance and Corporate segments are held in separately identified portfolios. As such, net investment income from
these assets is included in the contribution from each of these segments.
Insurance
Insurance business written includes risk management and specialty lines. Risk management products comprise global property and casualty insurance programs for large multinational companies, including umbrella liability, products recall, U.S. workers compensation, property catastrophe, and primary property and liability
coverages. Specialty lines products include the following lines of business: professional liability, environmental liability, aviation and satellite, marine and offshore energy insurance, equine and other insurance coverages including program business. In addition, certain structured indemnity products previously structured by XLFS
are included within the results of the Insurance segment covering a range of insurance risks including property and casualty insurance, certain types of residual value exposures and other market risk management products.
173
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Expected
Costs
Incurred
through
December 31,
2008
December 31,
2007
Incurred
Assets Impaired
at December 31,
2008
XL CAPITAL LTD
6. Segment Information (Continued)
Reinsurance
Reinsurance business written includes treaty and facultative reinsurance to primary insurers of casualty and property risks, principally: general liability; professional liability; automobile and workers compensation; commercial and personal property risks; specialty risks including fidelity and surety and ocean marine;
property catastrophe; property excess of loss; property pro-rata; marine and energy; aviation and satellite; and various other reinsurance to insurers on a worldwide basis. In addition, the results of certain transactions previously structured by XLFS that were generally written on an aggregate stop loss or excess of loss basis are
included within the results of the Reinsurance segment.
Life Operations
Life Operations covers life reinsurance business written with life insurance companies, principally to help them manage mortality, morbidity, survivorship, investment and lapse risks. This includes a broad range of underlying lines of life assurance business, including term assurances, group life, critical illness cover,
immediate annuities, disability income cover, and short-term accident and health business. This also covers a range of geographic markets, with an emphasis on the U.K., U.S., and Continental Europe.
174
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
6. Segment Information (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2009:
Insurance
Reinsurance
Total P&C
Life
Corporate
Total
Gross premiums written
$
4,251,888
1,859,423
6,111,311
576,162
6,687,473
Net premiums written
3,273,380
1,470,332
4,743,712
532,852
5,276,564
Net premiums earned
3,559,793
1,591,946
5,151,739
555,101
5,706,840
Net losses and loss expenses
2,399,747
769,090
3,168,837
677,562
3,846,399
Acquisition costs
429,170
346,699
775,869
77,689
853,558
Operating expenses (1)
689,131
190,596
879,727
16,009
895,736
Underwriting (loss) profit
$
41,745
285,561
327,306
(216,159
)
111,147
Net investment income
882,748
332,425
1,215,173
Net results from structured products (2)
16,660
26,374
43,034
16,609
59,643
Fee income and other (3)
(14,241
)
6,209
(8,032
)
290
(7,742
)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
(659,687
)
(232,375
)
(29,375
)
(921,437
)
Contribution from P&C, Life Operations and Corporate
585,369
(115,819
)
(12,766
)
456,784
Corporate & other:
Net realized & unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments
(33,647
)
(33,647
)
Net income from financial, investments and other operating affiliates
139,347
139,347
Exchange (gains) losses
84,813
84,813
Corporate operating expenses
107,877
107,877
Extinguishment of debt
Interest expense (4)
172,764
172,764
Non-controlling interest in net income (loss) of subsidiary
(104
)
(104
)
Impairment of goodwill
Income taxes & other
122,143
122,143
Net income
74,991
Ratios P&C operations: (5)
Loss and loss expense ratio
67.4
%
48.3
%
61.5
%
Underwriting expense ratio
31.4
%
33.8
%
32.1
%
Combined ratio
98.8
%
82.1
%
93.6
%
Notes:
(1)
Operating expenses exclude Corporate operating expenses, shown separately.
(2)
The net results from P&C and Corporate structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $79.3 million, $36.3 million and nil and $25.3 million, $7.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
(3)
Net fee income and other includes operating expenses from the Companys loss prevention consulting services business.
(4)
Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Corporate segments.
(5)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations.
(6)
Corporate includes institutional investment business with guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements. These items were included in the Other Financial Lines Segment prior to 2009.
175
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Operations
(6)
XL CAPITAL LTD
6. Segment Information (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2008:
Insurance
Reinsurance
Total P&C
Life
Corporate
Total
Gross premiums written
$
5,308,914
$
2,260,477
$
7,569,391
$
690,915
$
$
8,260,306
Net premiums written
3,984,826
1,753,467
5,738,293
649,844
6,388,137
Net premiums earned
3,997,045
1,993,206
5,990,251
649,851
6,640,102
Net losses and loss expenses
2,733,344
1,229,554
3,962,898
769,004
4,731,902
Acquisition costs
465,044
383,136
848,180
96,280
944,460
Operating expenses (1)
687,129
189,027
876,156
33,178
909,334
Underwriting (loss) profit
$
111,528
$
191,489
$
303,017
$
(248,611
)
$
$
54,406
Net investment income
1,174,856
382,995
1,557,851
Net results from structured products (2)
(14,713
)
25,694
10,981
18,144
29,125
Fee income and other (9)
(5,072
)
9,260
4,188
350
4,538
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
(801,388
)
(40,128
)
(120,538
)
(962,054
)
Contribution from P&C, Life Operations and Corporate
$
691,654
$
94,606
$
(102,394
)
$
683,866
Corporate & other:
Net realized & unrealized (losses) on derivative instruments
(73,368
)
(73,368
)
Net (loss) from financial, investments and other operating affiliates (3)
(1,735,942
)
(1,735,942
)
Exchange (gains) losses
(184,454
)
(184,454
)
Corporate operating expenses
168,324
168,324
Extinguishment of debt (4)
22,527
22,527
Interest expense (5)
206,455
206,455
Non-controlling interest in net income (loss) of subsidiary
Impairment of goodwill (6)
989,971
989,971
Income taxes & other
225,546
225,546
Net (loss)
$
(2,553,813
)
Ratios P&C operations: (7)
Loss and loss expense ratio
68.4
%
61.7
%
66.2
%
Underwriting expense ratio
28.8
%
28.7
%
28.7
%
Combined ratio
97.2
%
90.4
%
94.9
%
Notes:
(1)
Operating expenses exclude corporate operating expenses, shown separately.
(2)
The net results from P&C and Corporate structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $110.7 million, $72.8 million, and $27.0 million, and $100.4 million, $72.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively.
(3)
Net loss from financial, investments and other operating affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2008 included losses totaling approximately $1.4 billion related to the closing of the Master Agreement as well as losses recorded throughout 2008 and up until the closing of the Master Agreement that were associated with previous reinsurance and guarantee agreements with Syncora.
(4)
Represents debt extinguishment costs associated with the early redemption of the 6.58% Notes.
(5)
Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Corporate segments.
(6)
Represents goodwill impairment charges recorded in late 2008, mainly associated with the Companys reinsurance operations.
(7)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations.
(8)
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to current year presentation.
(9)
Net fee income and other includes operating expenses from the Companys loss prevention consulting services business.
176
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Operations
(8)
XL CAPITAL LTD
6. Segment Information (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2007:
Insurance
Reinsurance
Total P&C
Life
Corporate
Syncora (8)
Total
Gross premiums written
$
5,434,266
$
2,663,494
$
8,097,760
$
743,220
$
$
156,983
$
8,997,963
Net premiums written
4,186,855
2,110,865
6,297,720
698,693
130,445
7,126,858
Net premiums earned
4,116,588
2,302,039
6,418,627
701,047
85,682
7,205,356
Net losses and loss expenses
2,594,812
1,244,764
3,839,576
888,658
1,427
4,729,661
Acquisition costs
484,014
482,024
966,038
90,923
6,752
1,063,713
Operating expenses (1)
683,108
205,966
889,074
34,838
43,546
967,458
Underwriting profit (loss)
$
354,654
$
369,285
$
723,939
$
(313,372
)
$
$
33,957
$
444,524
Net investment income
1,289,554
390,227
48,468
1,728,249
Net results from structured products (2)
(2,480
)
25,520
23,040
48,140
(61
)
71,119
Fee income and other
11,812
1,698
13,510
698
63
14,271
Net realized & unrealized (losses) on investments
(204,131
)
(33,770
)
(365,151
)
$
(216
)
$
(603,268
)
Contribution from P&C, Life Operations, Corporate and Syncora
$
1,845,912
$
43,783
$
(317,011
)
$
82,211
$
1,654,895
Corporate & other:
Net realized & unrealized (losses) derivative instruments
(35,185
)
$
(20,266
)
$
(55,451
)
Net (loss) from financial, investments and other operating affiliates (4)
(733,841
)
(733,841
)
Exchange losses (gains)
(19,773
)
39
(19,734
)
Corporate operating expenses
139,469
139,469
Extinguishment of debt
Interest expense (5)
210,449
210,449
Non-controlling interest in net income (loss) of subsidiary
(66
)
23,994
23,928
Impairment of goodwill
Income taxes & other
235,529
73
235,602
Net Income
$
275,889
Ratios P&C operations: (6)
Loss and loss expense ratio
63.0
%
54.1
%
59.8
%
Underwriting expense ratio
28.4
%
29.8
%
28.9
%
Combined ratio
91.4
%
83.9
%
88.7
%
Notes:
(1)
Operating expenses exclude corporate operating expenses, shown separately.
(2)
The net results from P&C structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $131.5 million, $85.0 million, and $23.5 million, respectively.
(3)
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to current year presentation.
(4)
Net (loss) from financial, investments and other operating affiliates includes the equity earnings from the Companys investment in Syncora since June 6, 2007, reported on a one quarter lag as well losses, including OTTI, associated with this investment and losses relating to reinsurance agreements with Syncora.
(5)
Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Other Financial Lines segments.
(6)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations. The underwriting expense ratio excludes exchange gains and losses.
(7)
The Corporate segment is comprised of the guaranteed investment contract and funding agreement businesses. The net results from these products include net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $389.0 million, $326.4 million, and $14.5 million, respectively. While not reported within the contribution from the Other Financial Lines segment, it should be noted that
approximately $370.7 million of the reported realized losses on investments for 2007 related to portfolios associated with funding agreements and guaranteed investment contracts.
(8)
Net income from Syncora represents consolidated earnings for the period from January 1, 2007 through to June 6, 2007, the date on which the Company completed the sale of a portion of Syncoras common shares then owned by the Company, through a secondary offering and thereby reduced its ownership of Syncoras outstanding common shares from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. From
June 6, 2007 until the execution of the Master Agreement, the Company accounted for its remaining investment in Syncora using the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to August 5, 2008, the Company has no further ownership interest in Syncora.
177
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Operations
(3)
XL CAPITAL LTD
6. Segment Information (Continued)
The following tables summarize the Companys net premiums earned by line of business:
Year ended December 31, 2009:
Insurance
Reinsurance
Life
Total
P&C Operations:
Casualty professional lines
$
1,276,005
$
196,624
$
$
1,472,629
Casualty other lines
655,126
257,610
912,736
Property catastrophe
2,396
312,780
315,176
Other property
424,045
560,379
984,424
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
546,806
83,532
630,338
Other specialty lines (1)
634,436
634,436
Other (2)
12,217
172,588
184,805
Structured indemnity
8,762
8,433
17,195
Total P&C Operations
$
3,559,793
$
1,591,946
$
$
5,151,739
Life Operations:
Other Life
$
$
$
422,594
$
422,594
Annuity
132,507
132,507
Total Life Operations
$
$
$
555,101
$
555,101
Total
$
3,559,793
$
1,591,946
$
555,101
$
5,706,840
Year ended December 31, 2008:
Insurance
Reinsurance
Life
Total
P&C Operations:
Casualty professional lines
$
1,369,668
$
247,979
$
$
1,617,647
Casualty other lines
822,252
425,541
1,247,793
Property catastrophe
270
305,690
305,960
Other property
471,013
678,504
1,149,517
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
621,774
126,761
748,535
Other specialty lines (1)
660,322
660,322
Other (2)
(11,055
)
205,433
194,378
Structured indemnity
62,801
3,298
66,099
Total P&C Operations
$
3,997,045
$
1,993,206
$
$
5,990,251
Life Operations:
Other Life
$
$
$
492,353
$
492,353
Annuity
157,498
157,498
Total Life Operations
$
$
$
649,851
$
649,851
Total
$
3,997,045
$
1,993,206
$
649,851
$
6,640,102
178
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Operations
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Operations
XL CAPITAL LTD
6. Segment Information (Continued)
Year ended December 31, 2007:
Insurance (3)
Reinsurance
Life
Syncora
Total (3)
P&C Operations:
Casualty professional lines
$
1,404,567
$
273,494
$
$
$
1,678,061
Casualty other lines
819,687
602,452
1,422,139
Property catastrophe
52,541
264,666
317,207
Other property
535,322
753,278
1,288,600
Marine, energy, aviation and satellite
638,162
141,619
779,781
Other specialty lines (1)
582,565
582,565
Other (2)
33,416
240,049
273,465
Structured indemnity
50,328
26,481
76,809
Total P&C Operations
$
4,116,588
$
2,302,039
$
$
$
6,418,627
Life Operations:
Other Life
$
$
$
429,690
$
$
429,690
Annuity
271,357
271,357
Total Life Operations
$
$
$
701,047
$
$
701,047
Syncora
$
$
$
$
85,682
$
85,682
Total
$
4,116,588
$
2,302,039
$
701,047
$
85,682
$
7,205,356
(1)
Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, specie, middle markets and excess and surplus lines.
(2)
Other includes credit and surety, whole account contracts and other lines.
(3)
Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to current year presentation.
The following table shows an analysis of the Companys net premiums written by geographical location of subsidiary where the premium is written for the years ended December 31:
P&C operations and Syncora:
2009
2008
2007
Bermuda
$
545,965
$
607,824
$
660,480
United States
2,342,656
2,739,637
3,141,680
Europe and other
1,855,091
2,390,832
2,626,005
Total P&C operations and Syncora
$
4,743,712
$
5,738,293
$
6,428,165
Life Operations:
Bermuda
$
80,498
$
184,368
$
276,834
United States
31,478
27,423
5,232
Europe and other
420,876
438,053
416,627
Total Life Operations
$
532,852
$
649,844
$
698,693
Total
$
5,276,564
$
6,388,137
$
7,126,858
179
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Operations
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table presents an analysis of intangible assets broken down between goodwill, intangible assets with an indefinite life and intangible assets with a definite life for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Goodwill
Intangible
Intangible
Total
Balance at December 31, 2006
$
1,779,641
$
30,195
$
8,260
$
1,818,096
Addition
35,112
35,112
Deduction of Syncora goodwill upon deconsolidation
(11,529
)
(11,529
)
Amortization
(1,680
)
(1,680
)
Foreign Currency Translation
1,592
1,592
Balance at December 31, 2007
$
1,804,816
$
30,195
$
6,580
$
1,841,591
Reclassification
5,089
(11,529
)
6,440
Impairment
(989,971
)
(989,971
)
Amortization
(2,968
)
(2,968
)
Foreign Currency Translation
4,898
4,898
Balance at December 31, 2008
$
824,832
$
18,666
$
10,052
$
853,550
Reclassification
(4,440
)
(4,440
)
Impairment
Amortization
(3,300
)
(1,858
)
(5,158
)
Foreign Currency Translation
1,177
1,177
Balance at December 31, 2009
$
826,009
$
15,366
$
3,754
$
845,129
The Company has goodwill of $826.0 million as at December 31, 2009, of which $427.8 million relates to the Companys Insurance segment while $398.2 million relates to the Companys Reinsurance segment. The estimated fair values of these reporting units exceeded their net book values as of December 31, 2009 and
therefore no impairments were recorded during 2009. There were no goodwill impairment charges recorded by the Company in any year prior to the amount recorded during 2008, as described further below. Therefore, the opening goodwill balance of $1.78 billion as at December 31, 2006 represents the gross balance of
goodwill recorded by the Company. At December 31, 2009, the ending goodwill balance is comprised of gross goodwill of $1.82 billion offset by accumulated impairment charges of $990 million.
The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. The Company tests for impairment at the reporting unit level in accordance with the authoritative guidance on intangibles and goodwill. For the reinsurance segment, a reporting unit is one
level below the business segment, while for insurance, the segment is also the reporting unit. The first step is to identify potential impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to the estimated book value, including goodwill. The fair value of each reporting unit is derived based upon valuation
techniques and assumptions the Company believes market participants would use to value the business and this is then compared to the book value of the business. The Company derives the net book value of its reporting units by estimating the amount of shareholders equity required to support the activities of each reporting
unit. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are generally determined utilizing methodologies that incorporate price-to-net-tangible-book and price-to-earnings multiples of certain comparable companies, from an operational and economic standpoint. If such estimated fair value, combined with an estimate of an
appropriate control premium, indicates a close call or potential impairment, further analysis using discounted cash flows is performed. A control premium represents the value an investor would pay above minority interest transaction prices in order to obtain a controlling interest in the respective company. If the estimated
fair value exceeds the book value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not deemed to be impaired. If the book value exceeds the estimated fair value, the second step of the process is performed to measure the amount of impairment.
180
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
assets with an
indefinite life
assets with a
definite life
XL CAPITAL LTD
7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Continued)
The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing, as of June 30, 2009, June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007, which did not result in any goodwill impairments. The results of the annual impairment tests were revisited at each respective year end to confirm that no impairments were required. As at June 30,
2009, 2008 and 2007, estimated fair values exceeded the related net book values of the respective units carrying goodwill. However, at December 31, 2008, due to the financial market and economic events that occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Companys interim impairment testing resulted in a non-cash
goodwill impairment charge of $990.0 million. The charge related primarily to certain reinsurance unit goodwill associated with the merger of Mid Ocean Ltd. (Mid Ocean) in 1998.
The fair value of the Mid Ocean reporting unit was calculated using the discounted cash flow methodology noted below as well as by comparison with similar companies publicly traded price multiples as the basis for valuation. The most significant assumptions affecting the market multiples methodology were the choice
of comparable companies for each reporting unit and the level of control premium considered. The discounted cash flow methodology established fair value by estimating the present value of the projected future cash flows to be generated from the reporting unit. The discount rate applied to the projected future cash flows to
arrive at the present value was intended to reflect all risks of ownership and the associated risks of realizing the stream of projected future cash flows. The discounted cash flow methodology used the Companys projections of financial performance for a ten-year period combined with an estimated terminal value. The most
significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flow methodology were the discount rate, the terminal value and expected future revenues of each reporting unit, gross margins and operating margins, which vary among reporting units. The results of both the price to earnings and price to net tangible book value multiple
analyses indicated ranges of fair values of the reporting units within which goodwill is carried was sufficient to support the goodwill balances during the June 30, 2008 annual impairment testing. However, after considering the significantly reduced industry price to tangible book value market multiples during the fourth
quarter, and undertaking a discounted cash flows analysis applying stressed scenario assumptions within the discounted cash flow analysis as a result of the distressed environment during 2008, and applying an approximately equal weighting to each of the methodologies utilized (discounted cash flows, price to earnings
multiples and price to tangible book value multiples), management concluded the Mid Ocean reporting unit did not pass step one of the process outlined in the authoritative accounting rules and therefore step two was required to quantify the amount of goodwill impairment. Following the step two valuation process, the
resulting impairment was determined to be $975.0 million. Although the Company did not believe that the future earnings potential of this business or the cash flows it is expected to produce had declined significantly, as a result of the distressed state of investment and credit markets, the Company believed that the rate of
return a market participant would require at the end of 2008 was higher than it was during prior periods. In addition, the market multiples considered had also deteriorated from prior periods, particularly price to tangible book ratios. These factors taken together, combined with the significance of the goodwill value as a
percentage of the total net book value of the Mid Ocean reporting unit led to the conclusion that the impairment of $975.0 million was required.
In addition, consistent with the process and factors outlined above, the goodwill balances relating to certain Latin American reinsurance operations and certain life operations of $10.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively, were determined to be impaired and the full balances were written off during the fourth quarter of
2008.
During 2008, particularly during the fourth quarter, the financial services and insurance industries and the securities markets generally were materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes and by a serious lack of liquidity. The Companys stock price, consistent with stock
prices in the broader financial services and insurance sectors, declined significantly during that period of time. In addition to these market declines, the Company had additional downward pressure on market capitalization due to the nature of the Companys historic business model which included broader financial exposures
than would be typical for a commercial property and casualty insurer. While the Company has
181
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Continued)
substantially ended its relationship with Syncora and its involvement with financial guarantee business with the exception of certain limited residual guarantees, management believed that the Companys share price continued to be impacted by the perceived risk associated with both credit and other financial exposures. In
particular, analyst reports at the end of 2008 and early 2009 indicated that the continued general market volatility and uncertainties in the credit markets may disproportionately impact the Companys investment portfolio due to the weighting of certain asset classes held. For further details on certain risks associated with the
Companys investment portfolio, the Master Agreement and related commutations signed with Syncora, relationships with Rating Agencies and other factors that may have contributed to the downward pressure on the Companys stock price during 2008 and may still be impacting the Companys stock price, although to a
lesser degree during 2009, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, within this document. These risks combined with the downgrades from major rating agencies that XL experienced during 2008 increased investor uncertainty regarding the Companys operating model and overall value. While these factors impacted the trading value of the
Companys common shares during both 2008 and to a lesser degree during 2009, management believes that they do not directly impact the stand alone value of the Companys core property and casualty underwriting reporting units.
Although the results of the 2009 goodwill impairment analysis do not indicate the need for any impairment charges, if significant negative changes were to occur in items such as the premium volumes and/or the level of profitability within the business written by the Company, decreases in the Companys credit ratings,
deterioration in the overall financial markets in general, or any other significantly negative unforeseen circumstance, the Companys business and future prospects may be adversely affected, which could result in further goodwill impairments in the future.
The addition to goodwill during 2007 was related to the Companys purchase of Global Asset Protection Services LLC (GAPS). Following the determination of the final aggregate purchase price in 2008, total goodwill associated with the purchase of GAPS was adjusted by $6.4 million to $28.7 million. See Note 8,
Business Combinations (GAPS) for further details.
During July 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. life reinsurance business. The transaction closed during the fourth quarter of 2009. Accordingly, the full value of the licenses held relating to this business of $3.3 million was removed from intangible assets with an indefinite life as part of the sale
transaction.
In addition, during 2009 certain internal use software acquired as part of the GAPS acquisition, with a carried value of $4.4 million was reclassified from intangible assets with a definite life into other assets. No impairments were recorded on intangible assets during any of the years ended December 2009, 2008 and
2007.
8. Business Combinations
Global Asset Protection Services LLC (GAPS)
On November 30, 2007, the Company purchased all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests in GAPS, a loss prevention consulting service provider. GAPS is a provider of unbundled loss prevention consulting services, offering individually tailored risk management solutions to risk managers,
insurance brokers and insurance company clients operating on a global basis.
The GAPS operation and XL Insurances existing loss prevention services were merged to form XL GAPS. XL GAPS employs more than 150 engineers worldwide, with a strong presence in America, Europe, Asia and Australia and will remain independent of XLs underwriting operations and will continue to provide
loss prevention consulting services to existing clients as well as to clients of the Company. The acquisition is intended to help the Company achieve its long-term growth plans in both the loss prevention market and as a primary insurer. The focus is to offer XL GAPS clients high quality risk management solutions.
182
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
8. Business Combinations (Continued)
The aggregate purchase price after receipt of a final closing balance sheet in 2008 was $33.4 million. Of the final purchase price paid, $4.7 million was allocated to the identifiable net assets assumed, with the remaining $28.7 million recorded as goodwill. GAPS results of operations were included in the Companys
income statement from the date of purchase.
9. Investments
Net investment income is derived from the following sources:
Year ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
Fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash equivalents
$
1,369,503
$
1,799,758
$
2,262,615
Equity securities and other investments
13,753
27,803
37,932
Funds withheld
14,649
13,256
20,854
Total gross investment income
1,397,905
1,840,817
2,321,401
Investment expenses
(78,082
)
(71,840
)
(72,594
)
Net investment income
$
1,319,823
$
1,768,977
$
2,248,807
The cost (amortized cost for fixed maturities and short-term investments), fair value, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized (losses), and OTTI recorded in AOCI of the Companys available for sale investments at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:
December 31, 2009
Cost or
Included in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Fair Value
Gross
Gross Unrealized Losses
Related to
OTTI
Fixed maturities
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
$
2,619,731
$
73,611
$
(28,717
)
$
$
2,664,625
Corporate (3) (4)
10,121,973
260,451
(472,170
)
(111,254
)
9,799,000
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesAgency
6,169,707
96,715
(37,921
)
6,228,501
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesNon-Agency
2,015,593
13,958
(397,696
)
(210,540
)
1,421,315
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,276,602
8,107
(54,095
)
(13,815
)
1,216,799
Collateralized debt obligations
1,030,245
9,783
(332,403
)
(9,064
)
698,561
Other asset-backed securities
1,247,822
13,046
(82,438
)
(10,445
)
1,167,985
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
909,609
18,465
(14,601
)
913,473
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related (2)
3,407,222
60,506
(65,955
)
3,401,773
Total fixed maturities
$
28,798,504
$
554,642
$
(1,485,996
)
$
(355,118
)
$
27,512,032
Total short-term investments
$
1,767,197
$
16,899
$
(6,736
)
$
$
1,777,360
Total equity securities
$
12,344
$
5,793
$
(358
)
$
$
17,779
183
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Income (AOCI)
Unrealized
Gains
changes in
estimated
fair value
included in
other
comprehensive
income
(Loss)(1)
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
(1)
Represents the amount of OTTI losses in AOCI, which from April 1, 2009 was not included in earnings under authoritative accounting guidance.
(2)
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported and Non U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranationals and Government-Related includes government-related securities with an amortized cost of $2,325.4 million and fair value of $2,326.6 and U.S. Agencies with an amortized cost of $1,361.6 million and fair value of $1,395.0 million.
(3)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit leveraged by a factor of 0.44 (i.e. $144 of Bonds held for every $100 of note). The notes have a fair value of $587.7 million and an amortized cost of $707.9 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values,
which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(4)
Included in the table above are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions. These securities have a fair value of $904.3 million and an amortized cost of $1,104.6 million as at December 31, 2009.
December 31, 2008
Cost or
Included in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Fair Value
Gross
Gross Unrealized Losses
Related to
OTTI included
Fixed maturities
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
3,649,168
$
334,302
$
(5,128
)
$
$
3,978,342
Corporate (1) (2)
11,187,246
80,049
(1,978,692
)
9,288,603
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesAgency
2,039,783
62,638
(2,466
)
2,099,955
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesNon-Agency
2,873,478
15,975
(951,507
)
1,937,946
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,505,698
1,200
(365,330
)
2,141,568
Collateralized debt obligations
1,100,358
3,521
(465,100
)
638,779
Other asset-backed securities
1,895,229
2,504
(189,725
)
1,708,008
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
486,394
5,229
(22,853
)
468,770
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,253,123
224,094
(102,820
)
3,374,397
Total fixed maturities
$
28,990,477
$
729,512
$
(4,083,621
)
$
$
25,636,368
Total short-term investments
$
1,500,767
$
4,258
$
(38,702
)
$
$
1,466,323
Total equity securities
$
337,765
$
31,632
$
(7,578
)
$
$
361,819
(1)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $499.0 million and an amortized cost of $922.7 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or
increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(2)
Included in the table above are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions. These securities have a fair value of $980.6 million and an amortized cost of $1,632.5 million as at December 31, 2008.
The Company had gross unrealized losses totaling $1.8 billion at December 31, 2009 on its available for sale portfolio, which it considers to be temporarily impaired. Individual security positions comprising this balance have been evaluated by management, based on specified criteria, to determine if these impairments
should be considered other than temporary. These criteria include an assessment of the severity
184
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Income (AOCI)
Unrealized
Gains
changes in
estimated
fair value
in other
comprehensive
income
(Loss)
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
of impairment along with managements assessment as to whether it is likely to sell these securities, among other factors included below.
At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, approximately 3.5% and 2.5%, respectively, of the Companys fixed income investment portfolio at fair value was invested in securities which were below investment grade or not rated. The increase in below investment grade or not rated securities is primarily due to rating
agency action on non-Agency residential mortgage-backed securities and hybrids during 2009. Approximately 30.1% and 8.8% of the gross unrealized losses in the Companys fixed income securities portfolio at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, related to securities that were below investment grade or not rated.
The following is an analysis of how long each of those available for sale securities at December 31, 2009 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:
December 31, 2009
Less than 12 months
Equal to or greater
Fair Value
Gross
Fair Value
Gross
Fixed maturities and short-term investments:
U.S. Government and Government Related/Supported
$
792,605
$
15,527
$
84,105
$
13,691
Corporate (2) (3)
1,892,737
55,538
2,900,332
527,963
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesAgency
2,948,912
37,592
2,342
329
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesNon-Agency
208,914
71,999
1,140,549
536,237
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
231,230
9,347
558,551
58,563
Collateralized debt obligations
127,171
36,144
563,340
306,058
Other asset-backed securities
273,034
4,555
553,286
88,677
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
326,392
5,586
55,278
9,015
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
944,204
17,499
514,058
53,530
Total fixed maturities and short-term investments
$
7,745,199
$
253,787
$
6,371,841
$
1,594,063
Total equity securities
$
1,660
$
358
$
$
(1)
Time of impairment on securities impacted by April 1, 2009 changes to OTTI values is measured from the point at which securities returned to a net unrealized loss position (i.e. from April 1, 2009).
(2)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit leveraged by factor of 0.44 (i.e. $144 of Bonds held for every $100 of note). The notes have a fair value of $587.7 million and an amortized cost of $707.9 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values,
which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(3)
Included in the table above are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions. These securities have a fair value of $904.3 million and an amortized cost of $1,104.6 million as at December 31, 2009.
185
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
than 12 months
Unrealized
Losses (1)
Unrealized
Losses (1)
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
The following is an analysis of how long each of those available for sale securities at December 31, 2008 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:
December 31, 2008
Less than 12 months
Equal to or greater
Fair Value
Gross
Fair Value
Gross
Fixed maturities and short-term investments:
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
103,040
$
7,214
$
$
Corporate (1) (2)
3,641,376
633,371
4,005,267
1,363,661
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesAgency
32,279
1,276
3,162
1,190
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesNon-Agency
1,036,527
452,246
947,017
499,261
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
961,040
155,279
832,537
210,051
Collateralized debt obligations
66,409
26,134
693,943
438,966
Other asset-backed securities
1,170,797
85,489
444,667
104,236
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
201,048
9,774
37,328
13,079
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
612,380
92,676
168,834
28,420
Total fixed maturities and short-term investments
$
7,824,896
$
1,463,459
$
7,132,755
$
2,658,864
Total equity securities
$
188,614
$
7,578
$
$
(1)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $499.0 million and an amortized cost of $922.7 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or
increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(2)
Included in the table above are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions. These securities have a fair value of $980.6 million and an amortized cost of $1,632.5 million as at December 31, 2008.
The contractual maturities of available for sale fixed income securities are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2009 (1)
December 31, 2008 (1)
Amortized
Fair
Amortized
Fair
Due after 1 through 5 years
$
7,969,186
$
8,010,078
$
7,451,243
$
6,987,957
Due after 5 through 10 years
3,936,489
3,962,993
5,316,304
5,097,672
Due after 10 years
5,152,860
4,805,800
5,808,384
5,024,483
17,058,535
16,778,871
18,575,931
17,110,112
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesAgency
6,169,707
6,228,501
2,039,783
2,099,955
Residential mortgage-backed securitiesNon-Agency
2,015,593
1,421,315
2,873,478
1,937,946
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,276,602
1,216,799
2,505,698
2,141,568
Collateralized debt obligations
1,030,245
698,561
1,100,358
638,779
Other asset-backed securities
1,247,822
1,167,985
1,895,229
1,708,008
Total mortgage and asset-backed securities
11,739,969
10,733,161
10,414,546
8,526,256
Total
$
28,798,504
$
27,512,032
$
28,990,477
$
25,636,368
(1)
Included in the table above are $904.3 million and $980.6 million in Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions, at fair value
186
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
than 12 months
Unrealized
Losses
Unrealized
Losses
Cost
Value
Cost
Value
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. These securities have been distributed in the table based on their call date and have net unrealized losses of $225.2 million and $637.1 million as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
Factors considered in determining that the remaining gross unrealized loss is not other-than-temporarily impaired include managements consideration of current and near term liquidity needs and other available sources, an evaluation of the factors and time necessary for recovery, and the results of on-going retrospective
reviews of security sales and the basis for such sales.
Gross unrealized losses of $1.8 billion on available for sale assets at December 31, 2009 can be attributed to the following significant drivers:
gross unrealized losses of $428.3 million related to the Companys Life Operations investment portfolio, which had a fair value of $6.4 billion as at December 31, 2009. Of this, $262.7 million of gross unrealized losses related to $1.7 billion of exposures to corporate financial institutions including $904.3 million Tier
One and Upper Tier Two securities. At December 31, 2009, this portfolio had an average interest rate duration of 8.7 years, primarily denominated in U.K. Sterling and Euros. As a result of the long duration, significant gross losses have arisen as the fair values of these securities are more sensitive to prevailing
government interest rates and credit spreads. This portfolio is matched to corresponding long duration liabilities. A hypothetical parallel increase in interest rates and credit spreads of 50 and 25 basis points, respectively, would increase the unrealized losses related to this portfolio at December 31, 2009 by approximately
$273.8 million and $114.2 million, respectively on both the available for sale and held to maturity portfolios. Given the long term nature of this portfolio, and the level of credit spreads as at December 31, 2009 relative to historical averages within the U.K. and Euro-zone as well as the Companys liquidity needs at
December 31, 2009, the Company believes that these assets will continue to be held until such time as they mature, or credit spreads revert to levels more consistent with historical averages.
gross unrealized losses of $261.8 million related to the corporate holdings within the Companys non-life fixed income portfolios, which had a fair value of $6.9 billion as at December 31, 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2009, as a result of declining credit spreads, the gross unrealized losses on these
holdings has declined substantially. Despite the rally during the last three quarters of 2009, corporate credit spreads remain at elevated levels relative to historical averages. The Company continues to believe that the gross unrealized losses are a reflection of a premium being charged by the market for credit, rather than
fundamental deterioration in the debt service capabilities of the issuers.
Of the gross unrealized losses noted above $121.8 million relate to medium term notes primarily supported by pools of investment grade European credit with varying degrees of leverage. These had a fair value of $587.7 million at December 31, 2009. Management believes that expected cash flows over the expected
holding period from these bonds is sufficient to support the remaining reported amortized cost.
gross unrealized losses of $485.0 million related to the Topical Asset portfolio (which consists of the Companys holdings of sub-prime non-agency securities, second liens, ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral as well as Alt-A mortgage exposures), which had a fair value of $737.6 million as at December 31, 2009. The
Company undertook a security level review in conjunction with its investment manager service providers of these securities and recognized charges to the extent it believed the discounted cash flow value (to fair value in certain cases) of any security was below its amortized cost. The Company has recognized realized
losses, consisting of charges for OTTI and realized losses from sales, of approximately $826.7 million since the beginning of 2007 and through December 31, 2009 on these asset classes.
The Company purchased a number of these assets to support the previously written GIC and funding agreement contracts and has reduced its exposure to this asset class as part of its strategic portfolio
187
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
realignment. The Company believes that, based on market conditions and liquidity needs at December 31, 2009, this reduction will be realized through natural cash flows of the portfolio, and limited selective sales, rather than selling these assets into markets which continue to be illiquid and not reflective of the intrinsic
value of these assets. The weighted average terms-to-maturity of the sub-prime and Alt-A residential holdings within this portfolio at December 31, 2009 were 4.3 years and 4.4 years, respectively. The Company, based on current market conditions and liquidity needs as well as its assessment of the holdings, believes it
will continue to hold these securities until either maturity, or a return of liquidity and valuations more reflective of intrinsic value of these holdings.
gross unrealized losses of $342.2 million related to the non-life portfolio of Core CDO holdings (defined by the Company as investments in non-subprime collateralized debt obligations), which consisted primarily of CDOs and had a fair value of $700.9 million as of December 31, 2009. The Company undertook a
security level review in conjunction with its investment manager service providers of these securities and recognized charges to the extent it believed the discounted cash flow value of the security was below the amortized cost. The Company believes that the level of impairment is primarily a function of historically
wide spreads in the CDO market during the period, driven by the level of illiquidity in this market. The Company purchased a number of these assets to support the previously written GIC and Funding Agreement contracts and has announced its intention to reduce its exposure to this asset class over time as a part of
its strategic portfolio realignment. The Company, based on current market conditions and liquidity needs as well as its assessment of the holdings, believes it is likely that the Company will continue to hold these securities until either maturity or a recovery of value, following which the Company intends to reduce its
exposure to this asset class.
gross unrealized losses of $61.7 million related to the non-life portion of CMBS holdings, which had a fair value of $1.2 billion as at December 31, 2009. The Companys holdings in CMBS are 84.9% rated AAA. The Companys exposure to downgrades below investment grade has been small, and it believes that the
currently depressed pricing, which represents approximately 92.1% of the par value of the securities, is directly related to the aggregate 258 basis point widening in credit spreads within this market since June 2007, as a result of the heightened risk premium attached to the collateral. Credit spreads have improved
significantly during 2009. The Companys portfolio is highly diversified, has limited delinquencies and has experienced limited downgrades and has high levels of subordination relative to expected losses.
gross unrealized losses of $92.7 million related to the Companys holdings in non-agency RMBS secured by prime mortgages which had a fair value of $484.0 million at December 31, 2009. In the U.S., the average price on these securities declined to approximately 84.9% of par value at December 31, 2009, reflecting
concerns over rising unemployment in the U.S. and the potential impact on previously high quality borrowers to meet their obligations. The Company undertook a security level review in conjunction with its investment manager service providers of these securities and recognized charges to the extent it believed the
intrinsic value of any security was below its amortized cost.
Management, in its assessment of whether securities in a gross unrealized loss position are temporarily impaired, considers the significance of the impairments. The Company had structured credit securities with gross unrealized losses of $379.5 million, with a fair value of $202.3 million, which as at December 31, 2009
were impaired by greater than 50% of amortized costs. All of these are asset-backed securities. Of these gross unrealized losses, $112.0 million are rated investment grade. The Company has evaluated each of these securities in conjunction with its investment manager service providers and believes it is more likely than not
that the issuer will be able to fund sufficient principal and interest payments to support the current amortized cost, and believes that the current levels of impairments are a function of the currently extremely elevated levels of credit spreads. These securities include gross unrealized losses of $213.1
188
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
million on Topical assets, $131.1 million on Core CDOs, $1.2 million on prime RMBS and $12.8 million on CMBS holdings.
Included in the gross unrealized losses associated with the Companys corporate portfolio as of December 31, 2009 are gross unrealized losses of $8.6 million related to Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities that have been rated below investment grade by at least one major rating agency. Of this total, none have gross
unrealized losses representing greater than 50% of amortized cost. The Company has completed its review of this portfolio and believes, at this time, that these impairments remain temporary in nature. The primary basis for this conclusion was the analysis of the fundamentals of these securities using a debt-based impairment
model, which indicated these securities continue to meet their obligations, and the issuer has the ability to call these obligations at their call date. In addition, as these securities are below investment grade, the Company considered these securities using an equity-impairment model. Factors that were considered and supported
that these impairments were temporary included that the vast majority of these securities had only recently been rated below-investment-grade beginning in first quarter of 2009, in certain cases alternative ratings were available that indicated these securities remained investment grade, or the securities were only slightly below
investment-grade. At December 31, 2009, the Company believes that it is likely that the fair values of these securities will ultimately increase to equal the cost basis over a reasonable period of time. However, there is a high degree of judgment in reaching this conclusion, including an assessment of how various governments
will treat these securities in the event of governmental intervention in these institutions operations or managements decision to defer calls or coupons. Management will closely monitor the developments related to these securities.
The Company recorded net impairment charges of $812.5 million and $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009 and for the year ended December 31, 2008, respectively. Impairment charges to March 31, 2009 include charges of OTTI related to the non-credit impairment of unrealized losses. From April 1, 2009,
the non-credit impairment is excluded from net impairments. The significant assumptions and inputs associated with these securities consist of:
For corporate securities, excluding medium term notes backed primarily by investment grade European credit, the Company recorded net impairments totaling $151.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The impairment charges consisted of below-investment grade securities, below-investment grade hybrids,
where the Company considered impairment factors consistent with an equity impairment model, along with a debt impairment model, and accordingly recorded impairment charges to fair value, or securities in an unrealized loss position that management intends to sell.
In addition the Company recorded impairments totaling $226.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 in relation to medium term notes backed primarily by investment grade European credit. Management has concluded that, following recent credit spread movements during 2009, future yields within the
supporting collateral were not sufficient to support the previously reported amortized cost.
For structured credit securities, the Company recorded net impairments of $406.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company determined that the likely recovery on these securities was below the carrying value, and accordingly impaired the securities to the discounted value of the cash flows of these
securities.
For equity securities, the Company recorded net impairments of $27.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, respectively, primarily representing securities in an unrealized loss position that management does not have the intent to hold to recovery.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, included in the above totals is $160.6 million related to changes to intent-to-hold up to March 31, 2009, or intent to sell from April, 2009, primarily representing exchanges of hybrid securities, and as part of the fourth quarter 2008 restructuring charge.
189
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
During the fourth quarter of 2008, management recorded a charge for OTTI of $400.0 million on assets with a fair value of $1.0 billion for which it could no longer assert its intent to hold until recovery. Although management believed that these securities were likely to recover to their current amortized cost, it
determined that these securities were at risk for further mark-to-market declines, and potentially real economic losses, to the extent that economic conditions were to deteriorate further than the then present estimates and the Companys allocation to these asset classes is overweight relative to a traditional P&C portfolio.
Accordingly, in conjunction with its risk reduction exercise, management pursued targeted sales of these assets over the course of 2009. The assets were concentrated in certain holdings within the Companys BBB and lower corporate, CMBS, equity and consumer ABS portfolios.
The total amount of other than temporary declines in value in 2008 included $912.2 million related to fixed income securities and short-term investments, $109.9 million on equity securities and $1.5 million on other investments. The total amount of other than temporary declines in value in 2007 included $608.3 million
related to fixed income securities, $2.6 million on equity securities, and $0.1 million on other investments.
As discussed in Note 2, a portion of certain OTTI losses on fixed income securities and short-term investments are recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI). Under final authoritative accounting guidance effective April 1, 2009, other than in a situation in which the Company has the intent to sell a
security or more likely than not will be required to sell a security, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors (i.e., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). The net amount
recognized in earnings (credit loss impairments) represents the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. Any remaining difference between the fair value and
amortized cost is recognized in OCI. The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments on fixed income securities held by the Company as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in OCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts.
Year Ended December 31, 2009
OTTI related to
Balance, January 1, 2009
$
Credit losses remaining in retained earnings related to adoption of new authoritative guidance
187,773
Credit loss impairment recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired
316,917
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
(62,251
)
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities impaired to fair value during the period
(37,962
)
Additional credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired
139,456
Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected
(6,812
)
Balance, December 31, 2009
537,121
The determination of credit losses is based on detailed analyses of underlying cash flows. Such analyses require the use of certain assumption in developing the estimated performance of underlying collateral. Key assumptions used include, but are not limited to, items such as, RMBS default rates based on collateral
duration in arrears, severity of losses on default by collateral class, collateral reinvestment rates and expected future general corporate default rates.
190
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars and shares in thousands)
Credit Losses
recognized in
earnings
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
The Company previously participated in a securities lending program operated by a third party banking institution, whereby certain assets were loaned out and for which the Company earned an incremental return. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company discontinued its participation in this program, and no longer
holds any collateral, and has no remaining liabilities to the borrowers of the securities. Prior to discontinuation, for securities on loan, the lending agent received cash collateral generally worth 102 to 105% of the loaned securities which needed to be returned to the borrower upon return of the securities and which in the
meantime is invested in a collateral pool managed by the banking institution. The collateral pool was subject to written investment guidelines with key objectives which includes safeguard of principal and adequate liquidity to meet anticipated needs with a maximum weighted average maturity of ninety days. At December 31,
2009 and December 31, 2008 was nil and $238.5 million, respectively, of securities included in investments available for sale were loaned to various counter parties through the securities lending program. The cash collateral received as at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $nil and $242.8 million respectively.
At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the value of the Companys share of the collateral pool and investments available for sale held was nil and $231.0 million, respectively, in connection with these loans, and was included in cash and cash equivalents, with a corresponding liability reflected in net payable for
investments purchased.
191
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
The following represents an analysis of net realized gains (losses) and the change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments:
Year ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
Net realized gains (losses):
Fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents:
Gross realized gains
$
349,629
$
445,345
$
251,265
Gross realized losses
(1,217,212
)
(1,257,267
)
(1,012,805
)
Net realized (losses)
(867,583
)
(811,922
)
(761,540
)
Equity securities:
Gross realized gains
65,289
89,466
205,240
Gross realized losses
(129,516
)
(225,047
)
(46,930
)
Net realized (losses) gains
(64,227
)
(135,581
)
158,310
Other investments:
Gross realized gains
27,647
10,718
Gross realized losses
(6,351
)
(25,269
)
(38
)
Net realized gains (losses)
21,296
(14,551
)
(38
)
Realized loss on sale of U.S. life reinsurance business
(10,923
)
Net realized (losses) on investments
(921,437
)
(962,054
)
(603,268
)
Net realized and unrealized (losses) on investment related derivative instruments
(29,709
)
(62,428
)
(30,481
)
Net realized (losses) on investments and net realized and unrealized (losses) on investment related derivative instruments
(951,146
)
(1,024,482
)
(633,749
)
Change in unrealized gains (losses):
Fixed maturities and short-term investments, available for sale
2,112,244
(2,751,280
)
(777,055
)
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
(15,748
)
Equity securities
(18,619
)
(166,548
)
4,981
Affiliates and other investments
14,464
(46,071
)
27,218
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments
2,092,341
(2,963,899
)
(744,856
)
Total net realized (losses) on investments, net realized and unrealized (losses) on investment related derivative instruments, and net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments
$
1,141,195
$
(3,988,381
)
$
(1,378,605
)
Transfer of Available for Sale Securities to Held to Maturity
In November 2009, the Company formalized its intention to hold certain fixed income securities to maturity. Consistent with this intention, the Company has reclassified these securities from available for sale to hold to maturity in the consolidated financial statements. As a result of this classification, these fixed income
securities are reflected in the held to maturity portfolio and recorded at amortized cost in the consolidated balance sheet and not fair value. The held to maturity portfolio is comprised of long duration non-U.S. sovereign government securities. The Company believes this held to maturity strategy is achievable due to the
relatively stable and predictable cash flows of the Companys long-term liabilities within its Life operations along with its ability to substitute other assets at a future date in the event that liquidity was required due to changes in expected cash flows or other transactions entered into related to the long-term liabilities supported
by the held to maturity portfolio. The fair value of those securities transferred was $557.0 million on the date of reclassification, and this became the new cost base. The unrealized appreciation at the date of the transfer continues to be reported as a separate component of
192
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
9. Investments (Continued)
shareholders equity and is being amortized over the remaining lives of the securities as an adjustment to yield in a manner consistent with the amortization of any premium or discount. The unrealized appreciation on the date of transfer was $51.2 million and $49.7 million of this balance remains unamortized at December 31,
2009.
Fixed MaturitiesHeld to Maturity
The fair values and amortized cost of held to maturity fixed maturities at December 31, 2009 were:
December 31, 2009
Cost or
Gross
Gross
Fair
Fixed maturities
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
$
546,067
$
$
(15,748
)
$
530,319
Total fixed maturities held to maturity
$
546,067
$
$
(15,748
)
$
530,319
The Company has gross unrealized losses totaling $15.7 million at December 31, 2009, which it considers to be temporarily impaired. The Companys held to maturity portfolio consists entirely of Non-U.S. sovereign holdings.
There were no fixed income securities designated as held to maturity at December 31, 2008.
The maturity distribution for held to maturity fixed maturities held at December 31, 2009 was as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2009
December 31, 2008
Amortized
Fair
Amortized
Fair
Due after 10 years
$
546,067
$
530,319
$
$
Total
$
546,067
$
530,319
$
$
193
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Value
Cost
Value
Cost
Value
XL CAPITAL LTD
10. Investments in Affiliates
The Companys investment portfolio includes certain investments over which the company is considered to have significant influence and which therefore are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist where the Company has an investment of 20% or more in the common
stock of a corporation or an investment of 3% or greater in closed end funds, limited partnerships, LLCs or similar investment vehicles. The Company records its alternative and private fund affiliates on a one month and three month lag, respectively, and its operating affiliates on a three month lag. Investments in alternative
and private equity funds in which the Company owns less than 3% are accounted for as Other Investments See Note 11 Other Investments.
Investment Fund Affiliates
The Company has invested in certain closed end funds, certain limited partnerships, LLCs and similar investment vehicles, including funds managed by certain of its investment manager affiliates. Collectively, these investments in funds, partnerships and other vehicles are classified as investment fund affiliates.
The Companys equity investment in investment fund affiliates and equity in net income (loss) from such affiliates as well as certain summarized financial information of the investee as a whole are included below:
Year ended December 31, 2009:
XL Capital
Combined
Funds
Carrying
Equity in
Weighted
Total Net Assets
Alternative Funds (1):
Arbitrage
$
133,313
$
27,954
6.3
%
$
2,109,012
Directional
208,862
31,456
10.5
%
1,989,766
Event Driven
193,445
46,690
3.2
%
6,042,056
Multi-Style
1,276
224
13.2
%
9,688
Total alternative funds
536,896
106,324
5.3
%
10,150,522
Private equity funds (1)
249,277
(27,457
)
5.9
%
4,209,096
$
786,173
$
78,867
5.5
%
$
14,359,618
Year ended December 31, 2008:
XL Capital
Combined
Funds
Carrying
Equity in
Weighted
Total Net Assets
Alternative Funds (1):
Arbitrage
$
242,798
$
(27,248
)
13.5
%
$
1,803,927
Directional
214,577
(95,602
)
9.0
%
2,372,905
Event Driven
(2)
321,537
(103,304
)
2.9
%
11,223,528
Multi-Style
(3)
70,198
(37,352
)
1.2
%
5,926,406
Total alternative funds
849,110
(263,506
)
4.0
%
21,326,766
Private equity funds (1)
339,687
(14,190
)
9.3
%
3,662,931
$
1,188,797
$
(277,696
)
4.8
%
$
24,989,697
(1)
The Company records its alternative fund affiliates on a one month lag and its private equity fund affiliates on a one quarter lag. Total estimated net assets are generally as at November 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively.
(2)
Event Driven alternative funds includes two investments in which the Companys ownership percentage declined below 3% as at December 31, 2008. Effective January 1, 2009, these investments were reclassified to Other Investments.
(3)
Multi-Style alternative funds includes an investment in which the Companys ownership percentage declined below 3% as at December 31, 2008. Effective January 1, 2009, this investment was reclassified to Other Investments.
194
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except percentages)
Investment
Value
Net Income
(Loss) for
the Year
Average XL
Percentage
Ownership
(Estimated)
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except percentages)
Investment
Value
Net Income
(Loss) for
the Year
Average XL
Percentage
Ownership
(Estimated)
XL CAPITAL LTD
10. Investments in Affiliates (Continued)
Operating Affiliates
The company had no significant financial operating affiliates as at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008. Previously the Companys significant financial operating affiliate investments included Syncora and Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (Primus) with ownership of 46.9% and 33.1%, respectively. Given managements view
of the risk exposure, expected losses in 2007 by both Syncora and Primus, along with the uncertainty facing the entire financial guarantee industry, the Company reduced the reported value of its investment in both Syncora and Primus to nil at December 31, 2007.
Market developments with respect to the monoline industry continued to be largely negative throughout 2008 and during the same period, Syncora was downgraded by several rating agencies. Accordingly, throughout 2008 and up until the closing of the Master Agreement in August 2008 which resulted in the transfer by
the Company of all of the shares it owned in Syncora, the Company reported its investment in Syncora at nil and less than the traded market value during this time, as it was believed the decline in value was other than temporary. In addition to the transfer of the Companys shares it owned in Syncora as described above,
under the Master Agreement, the Company paid consideration to Syncora of $1.775 billion cash as well as eight million ordinary shares valued at $128.0 million. The Master Agreement terminated certain reinsurance and service agreements with Syncora and as a result, related guarantee agreements with Syncora, with the
exception of certain exposures relating to the European Investment Bank, no longer had any force or effect. As the total value of the consideration paid to Syncora significantly exceeded the liabilities related to such reinsurances and guarantees, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $1.4 billion, in net (loss) income
from operating affiliates, in respect of the closing of the Master Agreement in the third quarter of 2008. See Note 4, Syncora Holdings Ltd for further details.
While the Company continues to hold its shares in Primus, which continued to be valued at nil, no equity earnings were recorded during 2009 or 2008 in relation to Primus as a result of the significant losses and negative book value reported by Primus throughout 2009 and 2008.
The Companys other strategic operating affiliates at December 31, 2009 and included investments in ARX Holding Corporation and ITAÙ
XL Seguros Corporativos S.A. (ITAU), with ownership in these entities at 45.9% and 49.9%, respectively. The Company expects to complete the sale of its interest in ITAU in
2010.
The Companys larger investment manager affiliates include Highfields Capital Management LP, a global equity investment firm, MKP Capital Management, a fixed income investment manager, specializing in mortgage-backed securities, Stanfield Capital Partners, a credit-oriented asset management firm specializing in
collateralized loan obligations, Banquo Credit Management LLP, a European-based credit asset management firm, Polar Capital Holdings plc, an investment firm offering traditional and alternative products, HighVista Strategies LLC, a diversified wealth management firm, and Finisterre Cayman Limited, an emerging market
specialist asset management firm. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company recorded through net income in affiliates other than temporary declines in the values of certain investment manager affiliates totaling $6.9 million, $0.2 million, and $63.5 million, respectively.
195
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
10. Investments in Affiliates (Continued)
The Companys equity investment in operating affiliates and equity in net income (loss) from such affiliates as well as certain summarized financial information of the investee as a whole are included below:
(1)
The Company records its operating affiliates on a one quarter lag. Estimated assets and liabilities are generally at September 30, 2009.
(2)
Financial operating affiliates includes an investment in Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (Primus). In 2009 Primus reported significant gains and negative book value accounting for the excess of liabilities over assets and the majority of the total revenues and net income disclosed above under the combined investee summarized financial data.
Year ended December 31, 2008:
XL Capital
Combined Investee Summarized
Carrying
Equity in
Total
Total
Total
Net Income
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Operating affiliates:
Financial operating affiliates (2)
20,478
(1,503,474
)
5,805,760
7,333,990
(1,607,911
)
(1,678,904
)
Other strategic operating affiliates
131,832
34,368
1,108,720
848,237
388,827
79,882
Investment manager affiliates
211,682
10,860
863,953
135,937
984,142
849,458
Total
$
363,992
$
(1,458,246
)
$
7,778,433
$
8,318,164
$
(234,942
)
$
(749,564
)
(1)
The Company records its alternative and private fund affiliates on a one month lag.
(2)
Financial operating affiliates includes an investment in Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (Primus). In 2008 Primus reported significant losses and negative book value accounting for the excess of liabilities over assets and the majority of the total losses and net loss disclosed above under the combined investee summarized financial data.
In certain investments, the carrying value is different from the share of the investees underlying net assets. The differences represent goodwill on acquisition or OTTI recorded with respect to the investment.
See Note 20(c), Commitments and Contingencies Investments in Affiliates for further information regarding commitments related to investment in affiliates.
11. Other Investments
Contained within this asset class are equity interests in investment funds, limited partnerships and unrated tranches of collateralized debt obligations for which the Company does not have sufficient rights or ownership interests to follow the equity method of accounting. The Company accounts for equity securities that do
not have readily determinable market values at estimated fair value as it has no significant influence
196
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except percentages)
Investment
Financial Data (Estimated) (1)
Value
Net Income
(Loss) for
the Year
Assets
Liabilities
Revenue
(Loss)
(Loss)
XL CAPITAL LTD
11. Other Investments (Continued)
over these entities. Also included within other investments are structured transactions which are carried at amortized cost.
Other investments comprised the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
Year ended December 31,
2009
2008
Alternative Funds:
Arbitrage
$
39,615
$
57,770
Directional
125,882
119,017
Event Driven
45,677
Multi-Style
52,138
59,092
Total alternative funds
263,312
235,879
Private equity funds
61,635
51,405
Overseas deposits
78,694
63,447
Structured Transactions
379,548
108,750
Total other investments
$
783,189
$
459,481
Alternative and Private Equity Funds
As of December 31, 2009, the alternative fund portfolio employed four strategies invested in 11 underlying funds. The Company is able to redeem the hedge funds on the same terms that the underlying funds can be redeemed. In general, the funds in which the Company is invested require at least 30 days notice of
redemption, and may be redeemed on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, or longer basis, depending on the fund.
Certain funds have a lock-up period. A lock-up period refers to the initial amount of time an investor is contractually required to invest before having the ability to redeem. Funds that do provide for periodic redemptions may, depending on the funds governing documents, have the ability to deny or delay a redemption
request, called a gate, or suspend redemptions as a whole. The fund may implement this restriction because the aggregate amount of redemption requests as of a particular date exceeds a specified level, generally ranging from 15% to 25% of the funds net assets. The gate is a method for executing an orderly redemption
process that reduces the possibility of adversely affecting the remaining investors in the fund in the event of substantial redemption requests falling on a single redemption date. Typically, the imposition of a gate delays a portion of the requested redemption, with the remaining portion settled in cash shortly after the
redemption date.
The fair value of the Companys holdings in funds which could potentially have lockups or gates imposed as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $263.3 million and $235.9 million, respectively. The fair value of the Companys holdings in funds where a gate has been imposed as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was
$45.7 million and $95.2 million, respectively. In those funds where gates have been imposed, the underlying assets are expected to be liquidated by the investees over a period ranging between approximately one to three years.
Certain funds may be allowed to invest a portion of their assets in illiquid securities, such as private equity or convertible debt. In such cases, a common mechanism used is a side-pocket, whereby the illiquid security is assigned to a separate memorandum capital account or designated account. Typically, the investor
loses its redemption rights in the designated account. Only when the illiquid securities in the side-pocket are sold, or otherwise deemed liquid by the fund, may investors redeem that portion of their interest that has been side-pocketed. As at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the fair value of our funds held in side-pockets was
$45.4 million and $27.0 million, respectively. The underlying assets within these positions are expected to be liquidated by the investees over a period of approximately two to four years.
197
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
11. Other Investments (Continued)
An increase in market volatility and an increase in volatility of hedge funds in general, as well as a decrease in market liquidity, could lead to a higher risk of a large decline in value of the hedge funds in any given time period.
As these hedge funds, private equity and alternative investments included in other investments do not pay dividends, income is realized only on partial or ultimate sale of these investments. The Company had net unrealized gains of $51.9 million and $40.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009 and 2008, related to
these alternative investments. On sales related to the alternative investments, the Company had realized gains of $21.8 million and realized losses of $13.1 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively, with no gains or losses in 2007.
Overseas Deposits
Overseas deposits include investments in private funds related to Lloyds Syndicates in which the underlying instruments are primarily cash equivalents. The funds themselves do not trade on an exchange and therefore are not included within available for sale securities. Also included in overseas deposits are restricted
cash and cash equivalent balances held by Lloyds syndicates for solvency purposes. Given the restricted nature of these cash balances, they are not included within the cash and cash equivalents category in the balance sheet.
Structured Transactions
The Company historically participated in structured transactions in project finance related areas under which the Company provided a cash loan supporting trade finance transactions. These transactions are accounted for in accordance with guidance governing accounting by certain entities (including entities with trade
receivables) that lend to or finance the activities of others under which the loans are considered held for investment as the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. Accordingly, these funded loan participations are reported in the balance sheet at outstanding principal
adjusted for any allowance for loan losses as considered necessary by management. The Company has also provided liquidity facility financing to a structured credit vehicle as a part of a third party medium term note facility. These investments are not considered to be fair value measurements under U.S. GAAP and
accordingly they have been excluded from the fair value measurement disclosures. See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements for details surrounding the estimated fair value of these investments.
On June 9, 2009, XL Specialty Insurance Company (XL Specialty), a wholly-owned subsidiary of XL Capital Ltd, entered into an agreement with National Indemnity Company, an insurance company subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (National Indemnity). Under the agreement, and a related reinsurance
agreement, National Indemnity will issue endorsements (Endorsements) to certain directors and officers liability insurance policies known as Side A coverage policies underwritten by XL Specialty (the Facility).
The Endorsements entitle policyholders to present claims under such D&O policies directly to National Indemnity in the event that XL Specialty is unable to meet its obligations due to an order of insolvency, liquidation or an injunction that prohibits XL Specialty from paying claims. Under the terms of the Facility,
National Indemnity will issue Endorsements with aggregate premiums up to $140 million. In addition, XL Specialty has an irrevocable option, which may be exercised during the first eleven months of the Facility, to require National Indemnity to issue Endorsements on D&O policies with additional aggregate premiums up to
$100 million (the Option). The Endorsements will terminate on the tenth anniversary of their issuance. The Facility provides that National Indemnity will be obligated to issue Endorsements on D&O policies issued during an eighteen month period that commenced on June 8, 2009.
National Indemnitys obligations under the Facility to issue new Endorsements will terminate if XL Specialtys financial strength rating is downgraded to or below BBB+ by Standard & Poors Corporation or to or below A- by A.M. Best. In connection with the Facility, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (XLIB)
198
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
11. Other Investments (Continued)
will purchase a payment obligation in an aggregate principal amount of $150 million from National Indemnity. If XL Specialty elects to exercise the Option, XLIB will purchase a second obligation in an aggregate principal amount of $100 million. In addition, XL Specialty will establish a trust to hold the premiums (net of
commissions) on the D&O policies endorsed by National Indemnity. XL Specialty will also arrange to provide National Indemnity with a letter of credit in the event the assets in the trust are insufficient to meet XL Specialtys obligations under the Facility (the Letter of Credit). The trust, the Letter of Credit and the payment
obligations collateralize XL Specialtys indemnity obligations under the Facility to National Indemnity for any payments National Indemnity is required to make under the Endorsements.
The outstanding payment obligation was recorded in Other Investments at an estimated fair value of $128.1 million, pays a coupon of 3.5%, and will be accreted to $150 million over the 11.5 year term of the payment obligation. The difference between the estimated fair value of the Obligation and the cost of that
Obligation at the time of the transaction was approximately $21.9 million and is recorded in Other Assets. This difference is being amortized in relation to the earning of the underlying policies written. $5.5 million of amortization was recorded during the year ended December 30, 2009.
The Company regularly reviews the performance of these other investments. The Company recorded losses of $0.9 million, $1.5 million and $0.1 million in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, due to other than temporary declines in values of these other investments.
See Note 20(b), Commitments and Contingencies Other Investments, for further information regarding commitments related to other investments.
199
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses
Unpaid losses and loss expenses are comprised of:
Year Ended December 31
2009
2008
Reserve for reported losses and loss expenses
$
8,978,612
$
9,948,137
Reserve for losses incurred but not reported
11,844,912
11,702,178
Unpaid losses and loss expenses
$
20,823,524
$
21,650,315
Net losses and loss expenses incurred are comprised of:
Year Ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
Loss and loss expenses payments
$
5,138,951
$
5,157,388
$
5,410,635
Change in unpaid losses and loss expenses (1)
(1,148,495
)
(462,129
)
(352,150
)
Change in unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
441,397
634,181
377,277
Paid loss recoveries
(1,263,016
)
(1,366,542
)
(1,594,759
)
Net losses and loss expenses incurred
$
3,168,837
$
3,962,898
$
3,841,003
(1)
Does not include changes in losses incurred related to previous facultative and excess of loss reinsurance of Syncora as such changes are included in Net loss from operating affiliates.
The following table represents an analysis of the Companys paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses incurred and a reconciliation of the beginning and ending unpaid losses and loss expenses for the years indicated:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year
$
21,650,315
$
23,207,694
$
22,895,021
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,964,836
4,665,615
4,995,373
Financial guarantee reserves related to previous reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were recorded within Net loss from operating affiliates
(350,988
)
Net unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year
17,685,479
18,191,091
17,899,648
Increase (decrease) in net losses and loss expenses incurred in respect of losses occurring in:
Current year
3,453,577
4,573,562
4,266,444
Prior years
(284,740
)
(610,664
)
(425,441
)
Total net incurred losses and loss expenses
3,168,837
3,962,898
3,841,003
Exchange rate effects
287,752
(677,664
)
421,575
Net loss reserves (disposed) acquired
(155,259
)
Less net losses and loss expenses paid in respect of losses occurring in:
Current year
439,638
584,120
627,748
Prior years
3,436,297
3,206,726
3,188,128
Total net paid losses
3,875,935
3,790,846
3,815,876
Net unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year
17,266,133
17,685,479
18,191,091
Financial guarantee reserves related to previous reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were recorded within Net loss from operating affiliates
350,988
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,557,391
3,964,836
4,665,615
Unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year
$
20,823,524
$
21,650,315
$
23,207,694
200
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses (Continued)
Current year net losses incurred
Net losses incurred decreased by $794.1 million in 2009 as compared to 2008, mainly as a result of the current year loss ratio decreasing by 9.4 loss percentage points during the same period. This decrease is due primarily to lower levels of large property risk and catastrophe losses occurring in 2009 combined with the
impact of anticipated sub prime and credit related losses in 2008. The lower level of property losses in 2009 as well as business mix changes more than offset the impacts of a softening rate environment. The decrease in net losses incurred is also due to a reduction in business volume as net premiums earned decreased 14.0%
in 2009 relative to 2008.
Net losses incurred increased by $307.1 million in 2008 as compared to 2007, mainly as a result, of the 2008 year loss ratio increasing by 10.0 loss percentage points, mainly due to an increase in attritional and catastrophe-related property losses. Business volume reduced as net premiums earned related to the Companys
P&C operations decreased by 6.7% over this period. Overall, windstorm activity in the Atlantic and Gulf regions increased in 2008 as compared to 2007 and included the impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which both made landfall in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2008. Hurricane Ike was estimated to have caused the
third largest ever insured loss in the U.S. from a windstorm. Combined, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike had a significant impact on the results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2008. In 2008, the Company incurred losses, net of reinsurance recoveries and reinstatement premiums, of $22.5 million and $210.0
million related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, respectively.
Net losses incurred for 2007 (excluding financial guarantee reserves previously related to reinsurance agreements with Syncora that were recorded within Net loss from operating affiliates) decreased from 2006 due to a reduction in business volume as the Companys net premiums earned decreased by 4.6% from 2006
to 2007. However, the current year loss ratio increased by 2.4 loss percentage points from 2006 to 2007 as a result of an increase in attritional and catastrophe-related property experience as well as the impact of a softening rate environment. In 2007, six hurricanes formed in the Atlantic region including two Category 5
hurricanes, one of which, Hurricane Dean, resulted in a limited amount of insured damage to areas of Mexico affected by the hurricane. Other natural catastrophes in 2007 included European windstorms Kyrill and Per/Hanno, California wildfires, floods in the U.K. and Mexico, the Peruvian earthquake and five hurricanes in
the Eastern Pacific region.
Prior year net losses incurred
The following table presents the net (favorable) adverse prior years loss development of the Companys loss and loss expense reserves for its property and casualty operations by operating segment for each of the years indicated:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
2009
2008
2007
Insurance segment
$
(62.9
)
$
(305.5
)
$
(158.1
)
Reinsurance segment
(221.8
)
(305.2
)
(267.3
)
Total
$
(284.7
)
$
(610.7
)
$
(425.4
)
The significant developments in prior year loss reserve estimates for each of the years indicated within the Companys Insurance and Reinsurance segments are discussed below.
During 2009, net favorable prior year development totaled $284.7 million in the Companys property and casualty operations and included net favorable development in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments of $62.9 million and $221.8 million, respectively.
Insurance Segment
Net favorable prior year reserve development of $62.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 was mainly attributable to the following:
201
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses (Continued)
For property lines, net prior year development during the year was $50.7 million favorable largely as a result of a lower than expected level of attritional non-catastrophe claims across older accident years as well as reserve releases in the 2008 European general property portfolio due to lower than expected reported loss
activity. Prior year catastrophe loss estimates remained stable.
For casualty lines, net prior year development during the year was $29.4 million unfavorable due to reserve strengthening on the European excess lines for accident years 2000-2004, and the recognition of potential excess casualty exposures on the discontinued casualty lines. Offsetting this reserve strengthening were
reserve releases from the casualty primary business due to better than expected loss activity from the more recent accident years, and US risk management lines due to greater reliance on actual loss experience over initial target loss ratios.
For professional lines, net prior year development was $70.4 million favorable, primarily as a result of lower incurred activity than expected based on the Companys prior valuation in global D&O lines, primarily for underwriting years 2002 to 2006. This release was partially offset by strengthening of global E&O reserves
primarily in the 2000 and 2001 years due to large claims. In addition, there was a reallocation of subprime and related credit crisis reserves from the 2007 to 2008 report year to better reflect the indications of our latest exposure-based reserve analysis for these years.
For specialty and other lines, net prior year adverse development was $28.8 million due in part to a deterioration in environmental lines but mainly from discontinued specialty lines, specifically, for surety to reflect our assessment of the potential impact of the economic downturn on ultimate loss activity, the Lloyds
Accident & Health book where incurred development was higher than implied by the Companys selected benchmarks and the resulting lengthening of loss reporting patterns, and political risks where there was reserve strengthening on a specific potential claim. Offsetting the adverse development was favorable reserve
development on the aerospace and marine and offshore energy lines due to better than expected activity and an update of development assumptions to reflect recent historical experience.
Net favorable prior year development of $305.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 was mainly attributable to the following:
For property and casualty lines, reserve releases in certain casualty lines primarily in 2003 to 2006 accident years due to lower than expected reported loss activity and favorable reserve development in global property lines of business as a result of favorable claim development. In addition, net reserve releases resulted
from an agreement with Axa/Winterthur of approximately $80.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 in regards to certain reinsurance recoverable balances relating to casualty lines and to a lesser extent, certain property lines of business.
For professional lines, reserve releases in the 2003 to 2006 accident years were largely offset by strengthening of reserves in the 2007 year.
For specialty lines, modest reserve strengthening within specialty lines, primarily in the environmental lines of business, as well as strengthening associated with certain structured indemnity contracts.
Net favorable prior year reserve development of $158.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 consisted of $95.0 million in property and $162.1 million in casualty lines of business, partially offset by net adverse development of $23.0 million, $7.0 million and $69.0 million in certain professional, marine and
other lines of business, respectively. Casualty releases relate primarily to the European casualty portfolio in accident years 2002-2005. The professional lines development reflects net adverse prior year development of the Bermuda E&O portfolio and releases from the U.S. and European professional lines portfolios. Net adverse
prior year development in other insurance lines relates to adverse development in
202
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses (Continued)
discontinued specialty lines, surety and environmental, partially offset by favorable development in aerospace and political risk. Gross prior year releases totaled $177.6 million for the Insurance segment during 2007.
There is no assurance that conditions and trends that have affected the development of liabilities in the past will continue. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on the Companys historical results.
Reinsurance Segment
Net favorable prior year reserve development for the Reinsurance segment of $221.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 was mainly attributable to the following:
Net favorable prior year development of $142.5 million for the short-tailed lines in the year and details of these by specific lines are as follows:
$46.2 million in favorable property catastrophe development due to lower than expected loss development, particularly on the 2008 underwriting year and $12.3 million in reserve reductions for several 2005 natural catastrophe events including European floods, windstorm Erwin and California wildfires.
$88.8 million in favorable development due primarily to lower than expected claim emergence from underwriting years 2005-2008 in Latin America ($27.5 million), Europe ($21.6 million), Bermuda ($20.6 million) and US ($13.8 million).
$7.5 million in marine and aviation lines due to lower than expected claim emergence in the European marine book for underwriting years 2007 and 2008 offset by minimal net reserve increases on the aviation book.
Net favorable prior year development of $79.3 million for the long-tailed lines in the year and details of these by specific lines are as follows:
$21.0 million in favorable casualty development related primarily to the European General Liability and UK Motor portfolios in underwriting years 2004-2007.
$40.7 million in favorable professional development due primarily to US exposures for underwriting years 2002 and prior in addition to professional indemnity exposures for European underwriting years 2006 and prior.
$17.6 million in favorable development in non-casualty long tail lines largely in Latin America due to favorable emergence from surety exposures.
For the year ended December 31, 2008 net favorable prior year development totaled $305.2 million as explained below.
Net favorable prior year development of $138.4 million for the property and other short-tailed lines development were attributable to most business units globally.
Net favorable prior year development of $166.8 million for the casualty and other lines in both European and U.S. casualty and professional portfolios as well as reserve releases associated with the reinsurance-to-close relating to the 2005 year of account on certain Lloyds sourced business.
Gross prior year favorable development for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $144.3 million exceeded the corresponding net favorable development during the same period of $305.2 million as the impact of favorable loss experience related to a large crop program was mostly offset by the impact of retrocession
protection related to this program.
Net favorable prior year reserve development for the Reinsurance segment of $267.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 consisted of $188.7 million primarily in property and other short-tail lines
203
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses (Continued)
of business and $87.4 million in casualty and other lines, was partially offset by adverse prior year development of $8.8 million within the structured indemnity line of business. Releases in the short-tail lines relate primarily to the 2005 and 2006 accident years. The casualty and other lines favorable development of $87.4
million reflects the net result of releases of $121.4 million primarily in the U.S. and non-U.S. casualty portfolios, partially offset by net adverse development of $13.0 million associated with the results of an external review of the Companys asbestos and environmental reserves and $21.0 million related to a commutation of a
stop loss reinsurance agreement. Favorable gross prior year development of $259.7 million was in line with the net development.
There is no assurance that conditions and trends that have affected the development of liabilities in the past will continue. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on the Companys historical results.
Exchange rate effects
Exchange rate effects on net loss reserves in each of the three years ended December 31, 2009 related to the global operations of the Company primarily where reporting units have a functional currency that is not the U.S. dollar. The decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in 2009 and 2007 combined with the increase
in the value of the U.S. dollar in 2008 mainly compared to the Swiss franc, U.K. Sterling and the Euro, gave rise to translation and revaluation exchange movements related to carried loss reserve balances of $287.8 million, ($677.7) million and $421.6 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Net paid losses
Total net paid losses were $3.9 billion in 2009 and $3.8 billion in each of 2008 and 2007.
Other loss information
The Company did not dispose of or acquire net loss reserves in 2009 or 2008.
Net losses disposed in 2007 in the amount of $155.3 million represent reserves associated with the de-consolidation of Syncora following the secondary offering on June 6, 2007 of $181.4 million, partially offset by net losses acquired of $26.2 million related to a reinsurance-to-close loss portfolio transfer.
The Companys net unpaid losses and loss expenses included estimates of actual and potential non-recoveries from reinsurers. As at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the reserve for potential non-recoveries from reinsurers was $189.8 million and $187.6 million, respectively.
Except for certain financial guarantee and workers compensation liabilities, the Company does not discount its unpaid losses and loss expenses.
With respect to financial guarantee liabilities the amount of the case basis reserve is based on the net present value of the expected ultimate loss and loss adjustment expense payments that the Company expects to make, net of expected recoveries under salvage and subrogation rights. Case basis reserves are determined
using cash flow or similar models to estimate the net present value of the anticipated shortfall between (i) scheduled payments on the insured obligation plus anticipated loss adjustment expenses and (ii) anticipated cash flow from the proceeds to be received on sales of any collateral supporting the obligation and other
anticipated recoveries.
The net income impact in 2007 of case basis reserves with respect to reinsurance previously provided to Syncora subsequent to the secondary sale of Syncora common shares on June 6, 2007 of $351.0 million was included in Net loss from operating affiliates, and the unpaid case reserves related to such losses were
recorded in unpaid losses and loss expenses. However, following the closing of the Master Agreement
204
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses (Continued)
and the consideration paid to Syncora, the liabilities associated with the reinsurance previously provided to Syncora were settled. See Note 4, Syncora Holdings Ltd. (Syncora) for further information.
The Company utilizes tabular reserving for workers compensation (including long-term disability) unpaid losses that are considered fixed and determinable, and discounts such losses using an interest rate of 5% in 2009 and 2008. The interest rate approximates the average yield to maturity on specific fixed income
investments that support these liabilities. The tabular reserving methodology results in applying uniform and consistent criteria for establishing expected future indemnity and medical payments (including an explicit factor for inflation) and the use of mortality tables to determine expected payment periods. Tabular unpaid losses
and loss expenses, net of reinsurance, at December 31, 2009 and 2008 on an undiscounted basis were $734.1 million and $755.8 million, respectively. The related discounted unpaid losses and loss expenses were $343.7 million and $346.0 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The nature of the Companys high excess of loss liability and catastrophe business can result in loss events that are both irregular and significant. Similarly, adjustments to reserves for individual years can be irregular and significant. Such adjustments are part of the normal course of business for the Company. Conditions
and trends that have affected development of liability in the past may not continue in the future. Accordingly, it is inappropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based upon historical experience.
Asbestos and Environmental Related Claims
The Companys reserving process includes a continuing evaluation of the potential impact on unpaid liabilities from exposure to asbestos and environmental claims, including related loss adjustment expenses. Liabilities are established to cover both known and incurred but not reported claims.
A reconciliation of the opening and closing unpaid losses and loss expenses related to asbestos and environmental exposure claims for the years indicated is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2009
2008
2007
Net unpaid losses and loss expenses at beginning of year
$
111,860
$
120,656
$
112,963
Net incurred losses and loss expenses
(312
)
(3,173
)
16,618
Less net paid losses and loss expenses
10,626
5,623
8,925
Net increase (decrease) in unpaid losses and loss expenses
(10,938
)
(8,796
)
7,693
Net unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year
100,922
111,860
120,656
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable at end of year
151,963
170,132
204,192
Gross unpaid losses and loss expenses at end of year
$
252,885
$
281,992
$
324,848
Incurred but not reported losses, net of reinsurance, included in the above table was $68.5 million in 2009, $73.5 million in 2008 and $73.1 million in 2007. Unpaid losses recoverable are net of potential uncollectible amounts.
The Company utilizes industry standard asbestos and environmental claims models to estimate its ultimate liability for these exposures.
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 1,437 open claim files for potential asbestos exposures and 484 open claim files for potential environmental exposures. Approximately 50% of the open claim files are due to precautionary claim notices in 2009, 2008 and 2007. Precautionary claim notices are submitted by the
ceding companies in order to preserve their right to receive coverage under the reinsurance contract.
205
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
12. Losses and Loss Expenses (Continued)
Such notices do not contain an incurred loss amount to the Company. The development of the number of open claim files for potential asbestos and environmental claims is as follows:
Asbestos
Environmental
Total number of claims outstanding at December 31, 2006
1,447
589
New claims reported in 2007 (1)
338
128
Claims resolved in 2007
(69
)
(94
)
Total number of claims outstanding at December 31, 2007
1,716
623
New claims reported in 2008
257
47
Claims resolved in 2008
(427
)
(122
)
Total number of claims outstanding at December 31, 2008
1,546
548
New claims reported in 2009
221
38
Claims resolved in 2009
(330
)
(102
)
Total number of claims outstanding at December 31, 2009
1,437
484
(1)
A review in 2007 of older policy years revealed outstanding claims reported in prior years that were deemed to have asbestos exposure.
The Companys exposure to asbestos and environmental claims arises from the following three sources:
Reinsurance contracts written, both on a proportional and excess basis, after 1972. The Company discontinued writing contracts with these exposures in 1985. Business written was across many different policies, each with a relatively small contract limit. The Companys reported asbestos claims relate to both
traditional products and premises and operations coverage.
(2)
Winterthur business of Winterthur purchased by the Company from AXA Insurance (formerly Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company) in 2001. AXA reimburses the Company for asbestos claim payments pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
(3)
During 2006, the Company acquired $40.2 million in losses through a loss portfolio transfer contract of which $18.3 million in losses related to asbestos and environmental claims. Given the terms of the policy, the combined aggregate limit on the total acquired reserves is limited to $60.0 million, not including
coverage for claims handling costs over a defined period.
The estimation of loss and loss expense liabilities for asbestos and environmental exposures is subject to much greater uncertainty than is normally associated with the establishment of liabilities for certain other exposures due to several factors, including: (i) uncertain legal interpretation and application of insurance and
reinsurance coverage and liability; (ii) the lack of reliability of available historical claims data as an indicator of future claims development; (iii) an uncertain political climate which may impact, among other areas, the nature and amount of costs for remediating waste sites; and (iv) the potential of insurers and reinsurers to
reach agreements in order to avoid further significant legal costs. Due to the potential significance of these uncertainties, the Company believes that no meaningful range of loss and loss expense liabilities beyond recorded reserves can be established. As the Companys net unpaid loss and loss expense reserves related to
asbestos and environmental exposures are less than 1% of the total net reserves at December 31, 2009 and 2008, further adverse development is not expected to be material to the Companys overall net loss reserves. The Company believes it has made reasonable provision for its asbestos and environmental exposures and is
unaware of any specific issues that would significantly affect its estimate for loss and loss expenses.
13. Reinsurance
The Company utilizes reinsurance and retrocession agreements principally to increase aggregate capacity and to reduce the risk of loss on business assumed. The Companys reinsurance and retrocession
206
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Claims
Claims
(1)
XL CAPITAL LTD
13. Reinsurance (Continued)
agreements provide for recovery of a portion of losses and loss expenses from reinsurers and reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets. The Company is liable if the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements. Under its reinsurance security policy, the Company seeks to cede business to
reinsurers generally rated A or better by Standard & Poors (S&P) or, in the case of Lloyds syndicates, B+ from Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys). The Company considers reinsurers that are not rated or do not fall within the above rating categories and may grant exceptions to the Companys general policy on
a case-by-case basis. The effect of reinsurance and retrocessional activity on premiums written and earned from property and casualty operations is shown below:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Premiums Written
Premiums Earned
2009
2008
2007
2009
2008
2007
Direct
$
4,381,185
$
5,462,154
$
5,341,906
$
4,861,073
$
5,735,348
$
5,428,753
Assumed
1,730,126
2,107,237
2,755,854
1,877,634
2,128,468
2,977,516
Ceded
(1,367,599
)
(1,831,098
)
(1,800,040
)
(1,586,968
)
(1,873,565
)
(1,987,642
)
Net
$
4,743,712
$
5,738,293
$
6,297,720
$
5,151,739
$
5,990,251
$
6,418,627
The Company recorded reinsurance recoveries on losses and loss expenses incurred of $0.8 billion, $0.7 billion and $1.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Included in the figure noted above in 2008 was profit of approximately $80.9 million related to an agreement entered into
with AXA/Winterthur. For further information see AXA Agreement below.
The following table presents an analysis of total unpaid losses and loss expenses and future policy benefit reserves recoverable for the year ended December 31:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
P&C operations
$
3,557,391
$
3,964,836
Life operations
26,637
32,886
Total unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
$
3,584,028
$
3,997,722
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the total reinsurance assets of $4.0 billion and $4.6 billion respectively, included reinsurance receivables for paid losses and loss expenses of $0.4 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively, with $3.6 billion and $4.0 billion respectively, relating to the ceded reserve for losses and loss expenses,
including ceded losses incurred but not reported. Although the contractual obligation of individual reinsurers to pay their reinsurance obligations is based on specific contract provisions, the collectibility of such amounts requires significant estimation by management. The majority of the balance the Company has accrued as
recoverable will not be due for collection until sometime in the future. Over this period of time, economic conditions and operational performance of a particular reinsurer may impact its ability to meet these obligations and while it may continue to acknowledge its contractual obligation to do so, it may not have the financial
resources or willingness to fully meet its obligations to the Company.
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance relating to both reinsurance balances receivable and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable were $189.8 million and $187.6 million, respectively. To estimate the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, the reinsurance recoverable
must first be allocated to applicable reinsurers. As part of this process, ceded IBNR is allocated by reinsurer. The allocations are generally based on historical relationships between gross and ceded losses. If actual experience varies materially from historical experience, the allocation of reinsurance recoverable by reinsurer will
change.
The Company uses a default analysis to estimate uncollectible reinsurance. The primary components of the default analysis are reinsurance recoverable balances by reinsurer, net of collateral, and default factors used to determine the portion of a reinsurers balance deemed uncollectible. The definition of collateral for
207
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Year Ended December 31,
Year Ended December 31,
XL CAPITAL LTD
13. Reinsurance (Continued)
this purpose requires some judgment and is generally limited to assets held in trust, letters of credit, and liabilities held by the Company with the same legal entity for which the Company believes there is a right of offset. The Company is the beneficiary of letters of credit, trust accounts and funds withheld in the aggregate
amount of $1.7 billion at December 31, 2009, collateralizing reinsurance recoverables with respect to certain reinsurers. Default factors require considerable judgment and are determined using the current rating, or rating equivalent, of each reinsurer as well as other key considerations and assumptions.
At December 31, 2009, the use of different assumptions within the model could have a material effect on the bad debt provision reflected in the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements. To the extent the creditworthiness of the Companys reinsurers was to deteriorate due to an adverse event affecting the
reinsurance industry, such as a large number of major catastrophes, actual uncollectible amounts could be significantly greater than the Companys bad debt provision. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Approximately 88% of the total unpaid loss and loss expense recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable (excluding collateral held) outstanding at December 31, 2009 was due from reinsurers rated A or better by S&P. The following is an analysis of the total recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable at
December 31, 2009, by reinsurers owing more than 3% of such total:
Name of reinsurer
S&Ps rating
% of total
Munich Reinsurance Company
AA/Stable
17.3
%
Swiss Reinsurance Company
A+/Stable
10.9
%
Lloyds Syndicates
A+/Stable
6.3
%
Swiss Re Europe S.A.
A+/Stable
4.4
%
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
A+/Stable
4.1
%
The following table sets forth the ratings profile of the reinsurers that support the unpaid loss and loss expense recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable:
Standard and
% of total
AAA
4.9
%
AA
33.3
%
A
49.5
%
BBB
0.8
%
BB and below
%
Captives
8.4
%
Not Rated
0.3
%
Other
2.8
%
Total
100.0
%
AXA Agreement
On July 25, 2001, the Company completed the acquisition of certain Winterthur International insurance operations (the Winterthur Business) primarily to extend its predominantly North American-based large corporate insurance business globally. Under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, as amended, (the
SPA) between XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company (WSIC), WSIC provided the Company with post-closing protection with respect to third party reinsurance receivables and recoverables related to the acquisition of certain Winterthur International insurance operations (the Winterthur
Business). Such protection was provided in the form of Sellers Retrocession Agreements and a Liquidity Facility.
208
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Poors rating
XL CAPITAL LTD
13. Reinsurance (Continued)
On June 7, 2006, subsidiaries of the Company, entered into an agreement (the Agreement) with WSIC. The purpose of this Agreement was to release all actual or potential disputes, claims or issues arising out of or related in any way to: (i) the Liquidity Facility and the Sellers Retrocession Agreements, as well as (ii)
subject to certain exceptions, the SPA. The Agreement further provided for a four-year term, collateralized escrow arrangement (the Fund) of up to $185 million (plus interest) to protect certain subsidiaries from future nonperforming third party reinsurance related to the Winterthur Business. The Fund was structured to align
the parties interests by providing for any sums remaining in the Fund at the end of its term to be shared in agreed percentages.
On December 16, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with AXA Insurance Ltd (the successor company to WSIC) (AXA), (the AXA Agreement). The AXA Agreement releases to the parties all funds from the Fund that was put in place in June 2006 as described above and releases both parties from all
further obligations thereunder. Since the Fund was created, the Company was able to successfully collect more than 95% of such third-party reinsurance receivables on paid claims enabling the Company to agree with AXA to terminate the Fund early.
The AXA Agreement provided that the Fund, which contained approximately $172 million as at December 16, 2008, be terminated and that the Company be paid a greater share of the remaining funds than was originally agreed. In return, the Company released AXA, subject to certain exceptions, from the SPA, as
amended, between the Company and AXA, and commuted AXAs share of various reinsurance contracts where AXA reinsured subsidiaries of the Company relating to certain parts of the Winterthur Business. In addition, the Company and AXA reached a definitive claims handling agreement governing defined Excluded
Winterthur Business, including asbestos claims and business written prior to 1986, which remain the financial responsibility of AXA. In connection with the execution of the AXA Agreement and the adjustment of related provisions, the Company recorded income of approximately $80.9 million in 2008, which was recorded as
favorable net prior year development within the Companys Insurance segment.
14. Deposit Liabilities
At December 31, 2009, deposit liabilities include remaining funding agreement contracts as well as reinsurance and insurance deposits. Funding agreements do not meet the definition of an insurance contract under FASB issued authoritative guidance. These contracts were sold with a guaranteed rate of return and the
proceeds from the sale of such contracts were invested with the intent of realizing a greater return than is called for in the investment contracts. The Company has also entered into certain insurance and reinsurance policies that transfer insufficient risk under GAAP to be accounted for as insurance or reinsurance transactions
and are deposit accounted. These structured property and casualty agreements, guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements have been recorded as deposit liabilities and are initially matched by an equivalent amount of investments. The Company has investment risk related to its ability to generate sufficient
investment income to enable the total invested assets to cover the payment of the ultimate liability. See Note 9, Investments for further information relating to the Companys net investment income as well as realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains. Each deposit liability accrues at a rate equal to the internal rate of
return of the payment receipts and obligations due during the life of the agreement. Where the timing and/or amount of future payments are uncertain, cash flows reflecting the Companys actuarially determined best estimates are utilized. Deposit liabilities are initially recorded at an amount equal to the assets received. At
December 31, 2009, the remaining balance of funding agreements, excluding accrued interest of $6.5 million, was $450 million, with the full balance scheduled for settlement in August 2010.
209
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
14. Deposit Liabilities (Continued)
Total deposit liabilities are comprised of the following:
Year ended December 31,
2009
2008
Reinsurance and insurance deposit liabilities
$
1,752,180
$
2,087,212
Funding agreement and guaranteed investment contract deposit liabilities
456,519
623,775
Total deposit liabilities
$
2,208,699
$
2,710,987
Interest expense of $43.7 million, $145.3 million and $421.1 million was recorded related to the accretion of deposit liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
15. Future Policy Benefit Reserves
The Company enters into long duration contracts that subject the Company to mortality and morbidity risks and which were accounted for as life premiums earned. Future policy benefit reserves were established using appropriate assumptions for investment yields, mortality, and expenses, including a provision for adverse
deviation. The average interest rate used for the determination of the future policy benefits for these contracts was 4.5% and 4.4% at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Total future policy benefit reserves for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $5.5 billion and $5.5 billion, respectively. The decrease of
$156.9 million in the Traditional Life business is mainly due to the novation and recapture of part of the U.K. and Irish term assurance and critical illness business and sale of its U.S. life reinsurance business partially offset by the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the U.K. Pound Sterling and Euro in 2009. The increase
of $194.2 million in the Annuities is mainly due to foreign exchange movements.
Future policy benefit reserves are comprised of the following:
Year ended December 31,
2009
2008
Traditional Life
$
843,915
$
1,000,821
Annuities
4,646,204
4,452,044
Total future policy benefit reserves
$
5,490,119
$
5,452,865
210
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
16. Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements
As at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had bank and loan facilities available from a variety of sources, including commercial banks, totaling $3.5 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, of which $2.4 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, of debt was outstanding. In addition, at December 31, 2009 and 2008 the
Company had letter of credit facilities totaling $7.25 billion and $6.9 billion, respectively, available of which $3.0 billion and $3.7 billion, respectively, were outstanding as at December 31, 2009 and 2008, 21.3% and 3.9%, respectively, of which were collateralized by certain of the Companys investment portfolios, primarily
supporting U.S. non-admitted business and the Companys Lloyds Syndicates capital requirements. Of these amounts, $1.0 billion was available in the form of revolving credit or letters of credit.
The financing structure at December 31, 2009 was as follows:
Facility
Commitment/
In Use/
Debt:
5-year revolvers expiring 2010/2012 (2)
$
1,000,000
$
5-year revolver expiring 2010
100,000
6.50% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2012
600,000
599,350
5.25% Senior Notes due 2014
600,000
596,933
8.25% Senior Notes due 2021
575,000
575,000
6.375% Senior Notes due 2024
350,000
350,000
6.25% Senior Notes due 2027
325,000
$
324,450
Total debt
$
3,550,000
2,445,733
Adjustment to carrying valueimpact of fair value hedge
$
5,684
Carrying Value
$
3,550,000
2,451,417
Letters of Credit:
$
5 facilities total
$
7,250,230
3,012,169
(1)
In Use and Outstanding data represent December 31, 2009 accreted values.
(2)
The 2010 and 2012 5-year revolving credit facilities share a $1 billion revolving credit sub-limit.
The revolving credit facilities were unutilized at December 31, 2009.
The financing structure at December 31, 2008 was as follows:
Facility
Commitment/
In Use/
Debt:
5-year revolvers expiring 2010/2012 (2)
$
1,000,000
$
5-year revolver expiring 2010
100,000
5.25% Senior Notes due 2011
745,000
745,000
6.50% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2012
600,000
599,032
5.25% Senior Notes due 2014
600,000
596,283
5.25% Senior Notes due 2021
575,000
575,000
6.375% Senior Notes due 2024
350,000
350,000
6.25% Senior Notes due 2027
325,000
324,419
Total debt
$
4,295,000
$
3,189,734
Letters of Credit:
6 facilities total
$
6,850,648
$
3,665,196
(1)
In Use and Outstanding data represent December 31, 2008 accreted values.
(2)
The 2010 and 2012 5-year revolving credit facilities share a $1 billion revolving credit sub-limit.
211
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Debt
Outstanding (1)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Debt
Outstanding (1)
XL CAPITAL LTD
16. Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements (Continued)
The revolving credit facilities were not utilized at December 31, 2008.
Concurrent with the issuance of Class A ordinary shares and pursuant to the Companys shelf registration statement, the Company, in August 2008, issued 23.0 million 10.75% Equity Security Units (the 10.75% Units) in a public offering in order to fund payments described above in relation to the Master Agreement
and remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. The Company received approximately $557.0 million in net proceeds from the sale of the 10.75% Units after deducting underwriting discounts. Each 10.75% Unit has a stated amount of $25 and consists of (a) a purchase contract pursuant to which the
holder agreed to purchase, for $25, a variable number of shares of the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares on August 15, 2011 and (b) a one-fortieth, or 2.5%, ownership interest in a senior note issued by the Company due August 15, 2021 with a principal amount of $1,000. The senior notes are pledged by the holders to
secure their obligations under the purchase contract.
The number of shares issued under the purchase contract is contingently adjustable based on, among other things, the share price of the Company on the stock purchase date and the dividend rate of the Company. The Company will make quarterly payments at the annual rate of 2.50% and 8.25% under the purchase
contracts and senior notes, respectively. For all periods reported, the Company may defer the contract payments on the purchase contract, but not the senior notes, until the stock purchase date. In August 2011, the senior notes will be remarketed whereby the interest rate on the senior notes will be reset in order to generate
sufficient remarketing proceeds to satisfy the 10.75% Unit holders obligations under the purchase contracts. If the senior notes are not successfully remarketed, then the Company will exercise its rights as a secured party and may retain or dispose of the senior notes to satisfy, in full, the 10.75% Unit holders obligations to
purchase its ordinary shares under the purchase contracts.
In connection with this transaction, $37.9 million, which is the estimated fair value of the purchase contract, was charged to Additional paid in capital and a corresponding liability was established. Of the $18.0 million total accrued costs associated with the issuance of the 10.75% Units, $14.7 million was charged to
Additional paid in capital with the remainder deferred and amortized over the term of the senior debt.
The number of ordinary shares to be issued under each purchase contract depends on, among other things, the average market price of the ordinary shares on the settlement date. The maximum number of ordinary shares to be issued under the purchase contracts is approximately 35.9 million. The Company accounts for
the effect on the number of weighted average ordinary shares, assuming dilution, using the treasury stock method. The purchase contract component of the 10.75% Units will have no effect on the number of weighted average ordinary shares, assuming dilution, except when the average market price of the Companys ordinary
shares is above the threshold appreciation price of $18.88 per share. Because the average market price of the Companys ordinary shares during the period the 10.75% Units were outstanding was below this price, the shares issuable under the purchase contracts were excluded from the computation of net income per ordinary
share assuming dilution for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The Company utilized a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of the 10.75% Units and ordinary shares issued in August 2008, to redeem, X.L. America, Inc.s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2011. In connection with the early redemption of the 6.58% Notes, the Company incurred debt
extinguishment costs of approximately $22.5 million.
On December 14, 2009, the £450 million letter of credit facility issued on November 14, 2007 that was supporting the Companys syndicates at Lloyds of London terminated. This facility was replaced by a $750 million bilateral secured letter of credit facility.
On June 22, 2007, three facilities expireda $2 billion three-year unsecured credit and letter of credit facility issued in 2004, a $500 million 364-day letter of credit facility issued in 2006, and a bilateral 364-day $100 million credit and letter of credit facility issued in 2006.
On June 22, 2007, the Company closed a new $4 billion unsecured revolving credit and letter of credit facility. The new facility has a term of five years. The facility is available in the form of revolving credit
212
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
16. Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements (Continued)
in the amount of $1 billion (such limit is shared with the Companys other syndicated revolving credit facility that closed in June 2005) and in the form of letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $4 billion.
On December 31, 2008, a $150 million unsecured letter of credit facility expired and was not replaced.
In March 2004, the Company issued 33 million 6.5% Equity Security Units (the 6.5% Units) in a public offering. Each 6.5% Unit had a stated amount of $25 and consisted of (a) a purchase contract pursuant to which the holder agreed to purchase, for $25, a variable number of shares of the Companys Class A
ordinary shares on May 15, 2007 and (b) a one-fortieth, or 2.5%, ownership interest in a 2.53% senior note with a principal amount of $1,000, issued by the Company due May 15, 2009 (the 2009 Senior Notes). The 2009 Senior Notes were pledged by the holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts. The
number of shares issued under the purchase contracts was adjustable based on, among other things, the average share price of the Company for the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the third trading day immediately preceding the stock purchase date and the dividend rate of the Company. On May 2, 2007, the 2009
Senior Notes were remarketed whereby the interest rate was reset in order to generate sufficient remarketing proceeds to satisfy the 6.5% Unit holders obligations under the purchase contracts. The Company purchased and retired the aggregate principle amount of the 2009 Senior Notes as a part of that remarketing. On May
15, 2007, the purchase contracts matured and the Company issued Class A ordinary shares in connection therewith. Each purchase contract provided for the sale by the Company of 0.32727 Class A Ordinary shares (the Shares) at a price of $25.00. The settlement of the purchase contracts resulted in the Companys issuance
of an aggregate of 10,799,913 Shares for net proceeds of approximately $823 million, a portion of which was used to retire the 2009 Senior Notes.
On May 7, 2007, the Company issued $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% senior notes due 2027 (the 2027 Senior Notes). The 2027 Senior Notes were issued at 99.805% and gross proceeds were approximately $324.4 million. Related expenses of the offering, including underwriting discounts, amounted
to approximately $2.5 million. Interest on the 2027 Senior Notes is payable on May 15, and November 15 of each year, beginning November 15, 2007. The Company may redeem the 2027 Senior Notes in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, at a make-whole redemption price. The Company may also redeem the
2027 Senior Notes in whole, but not in part, at any time upon the occurrence of certain tax events. The 2027 Senior Notes are unsecured and rank equally with all the Companys existing and future unsecured senior debt.
In addition, during March 2007, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement in anticipation of the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes. This transaction, which met the requirements of a cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction under applicable accounting guidance, was entered into to mitigate the interest
rate risk associated with the subsequent issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes. The gain on the settlement of the swap transaction on May 2, 2007 of $3.8 million was credited to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is being amortized to interest expense over the 20-year term of the related debt.
On December 19, 2006, the Company replaced a $150 million letter of credit facility that matured in December 2006 with a new 364-day facility of the same amount.
On December 16, 2006, the Company replaced a $100 million credit facility that matured in December 2006 with a new 364-day facility of the same amount.
In December 2005, the Company issued 29.8 million 7.0% Equity Security Units (the 7.0% Units) in a public offering. Each 7.0% Unit had a stated amount of $25 and consisted of (a) a purchase contract pursuant to which the holder agreed to purchase, for $25, a variable number of shares of the Companys Class A
ordinary shares on February 15, 2009 and (b) a one-fortieth, or 2.5% in the 2011 Senior Notes. The 2011 Senior Notes were pledged by the holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts. The number of shares issued under the purchase contracts was adjustable based on, among other things, the average share
price of the Company for the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the third trading day immediately preceding the stock purchase date and the dividend rate of the Company. In mid-
213
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
16. Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements (Continued)
February 2009, the 2011 Senior Notes were remarketed whereby the interest rate was reset in order to generate sufficient remarketing proceeds to satisfy the 7.0% Unit holders obligations under the purchase contracts. The Company purchased and retired the aggregate principle amount of the 2011 Senior Notes as a part of
that remarketing. On February 15, 2009, the purchase contracts matured and the Company issued Class A ordinary shares in connection therewith. Each purchase contract provided for the sale by the Company of 0.38461 Class A Ordinary shares (the Shares) at a price of $25.00. The settlement of the purchase contracts
resulted in the Companys issuance of an aggregate of 11,461,080 Shares for net proceeds of approximately $743.1 million, which was used to retire the 2011 Senior Notes.
The Company has several letter of credit facilities provided on a syndicated and bilateral basis from commercial banks. These facilities are utilized primarily to support non-admitted insurance and reinsurance operations in the U.S. and capital requirements at Lloyds. The commercial facilities are scheduled for renewal
during 2010 through 2012. In addition to letters of credit, the Company has established insurance trusts in the U.S. that provide cedants with statutory relief required under state insurance regulation in the U.S. It is anticipated that the commercial facilities may be renewed on expiry but such renewals are subject to the
availability of credit from banks utilized by the Company. In the event that such credit support is insufficient, the Company could be required to provide alternative security to cedants. This could take the form of additional insurance trusts supported by the Companys investment portfolio or funds withheld using the
Companys cash resources. The value of letters of credit required is driven by, among other things, loss development of existing reserves, the payment pattern of such reserves, the expansion of business written by the Company and the loss experience of such business.
In general, all of the Companys bank facilities, indentures and other documents relating to the Companys outstanding indebtedness (collectively, the Companys Debt Documents), as described above, contain cross default provisions to each other and the Companys Debt Documents (other than the 6.5% Guaranteed
Senior Notes indentures) contain affirmative covenants. These covenants provide for, among other things, minimum required ratings of the Companys insurance and reinsurance operating subsidiaries and the level of secured indebtedness in the future. In addition, generally each of the Companys Debt Documents provide for
an event of default in the event of a change of control of the Company or some events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company. The Companys credit facilities also contain minimum consolidated net worth covenants.
Under the Companys five-year credit facilities, in the event that the Company XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd fail to maintain a financial strength rating of at least A from A.M. Best, an event of default would occur.
The 6.5% Guaranteed Senior Notes indenture contain a cross default provision. In general, in the event that the Company defaults in the payment of indebtedness in the amount of $50.0 million or more, an event of default would be triggered under both the 6.5% Guaranteed Senior Notes indentures.
Given that all of the Companys Debt Documents contain cross default provisions, this may result in all holders declaring such debt due and payable and an acceleration of all debt due under those documents. If this were to occur, the Company may not have funds sufficient at that time to repay any or all of such
indebtedness.
In addition, the Company maintains off-balance sheet financing arrangements in the form of a contingent capital facility. For details of this facility, see Note 18, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.
17. Derivative Instruments
The Company enters into derivative instruments for both risk management and speculative purposes. The Company is exposed to potential loss from various market risks, and manages its market risks based on guidelines established by management. The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in
the balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value with the changes in fair value of derivatives shown in the consolidated statement of income as net realized and unrealized gains and losses
214
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
17. Derivative Instruments (Continued)
on derivative instruments unless the derivatives are designated as hedging instruments. The accounting for derivatives which are designated as hedging instruments is described in Note 2(h), Significant Accounting PoliciesDerivative Instruments.
The following table summarizes information on the location and gross amounts of derivative fair values contained in the consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2009:
As at December 31, 2009
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Balance Sheet
Notional
Fair
Balance Sheet
Notional
Fair
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate contracts (1)
Other assets
$
2,169,642
$
238,639
Other Liabilities
$
95,948
$
(8,225
)
Foreign exchange contracts
Other assets
596,072
7,526
Other Liabilities
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
$
2,765,714
$
246,165
$
95,948
$
(8,225
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Investment Related Derivatives:
Interest rate exposure
Other assets
$
111,875
$
1,248
Other Liabilities
$
1,800
$
(6
)
Foreign exchange exposure
Other assets
545,319
9,070
Other Liabilities
314,361
(8,226
)
Credit exposure
Other assets
214,650
13,244
Other Liabilities
741,388
(18,198
)
Financial market exposure
Other assets
306,464
1,983
Other Liabilities
Financial Operations Derivatives:
Credit exposure
Other assets
Other Liabilities
271,704
(18,386
)
Other Non-Investment Derivatives:
Contingent capital facility
Other assets
350,000
Other Liabilities
Guaranteed minimum income benefit contract
Other assets
Other Liabilities
86,250
(22,909
)
Modified coinsurance funds withheld contract
Other assets
Other Liabilities
71,695
(266
)
Foreign exchange exposure
Other assets
Other Liabilities
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
1,528,308
$
25,545
$
1,487,198
$
(67,991
)
(1)
The company holds net cash collateral related to these derivative assets of $169.1 million. The collateral balance is included within cash and cash equivalents and the corresponding liability to return the collateral has been offset against the derivative asset within the balance sheet as appropriate under the netting agreement.
(a) Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges
The Company designates certain of its derivative instruments as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, or hedges of the net investment in a foreign operation and formally and contemporaneously documents all relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items and links the hedging derivative to specific assets
and liabilities. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedge, both at inception and on an on-going basis and determines whether the hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the linked hedged item.
As at December 31, 2009, a portion of the Companys liabilities are hedged against changes in the applicable designated benchmark interest rate. Interest rate swaps are also used to hedge the changes in fair value of certain fixed rate liabilities and fixed income securities due to changes in the designated benchmark
interest rate. In addition, the company utilizes foreign exchange contracts to hedge the fair value of certain fixed income securities as well as to hedge certain net investments in foreign operations.
The following table provides the total impact on earnings relating to derivative instruments formally designated as fair value hedges along with the impacts of the related hedged items for the year ended December 31, 2009:
215
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Location
Amount
Value
Location
Amount
Value
XL CAPITAL LTD
17. Derivative Instruments (Continued)
(a) Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges (Continued)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2009
Location of Gain (Loss)
Amount of Gain
Amount of Gain
Amount of Gain
Derivatives designated as fair value hedges and related hedged items:
Interest rate exposure
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
$
(212,215
)
$
$
(595
)
Interest rate exposure
Net investment income
12,568
Interest rate exposure
Interest Expense
29,974
Foreign exchange
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
7,526
221
Deposit liabilities
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
201,398
Fixed income securities
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
1,711
Notes payable and debt
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
1,206
Total
$
(162,147
)
$
204,315
$
(374
)
(b) Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
During March 2007, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement in anticipation of the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, as described in Note 16, Notes Payable and Debt Financing Arrangements. This transaction, which met the requirements of a cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction accounting
guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, was entered into to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with the subsequent issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes. The gain on the settlement of the swap transaction on May 2, 2007 of $3.8 million was credited to AOCI and is being amortized to interest expense
over the 20-year term of the related debt. In addition, the Company entered into a treasury rate guarantee agreement in anticipation of the issuance of $300.0 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due September 15, 2014 during 2004. The loss on the settlement of the treasury rate guarantee transaction on August 18, 2004 of $6.3
million was charged to AOCI and is being amortized to interest expense over the 10-year term of the related debt. The impact on earnings relating to these derivative instruments formally designated as cash flow hedges for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were increases to interest expense of $0.4
million.
(c) Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges of the Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
The company utilizes foreign exchange contracts to hedge the fair value of certain net investments in foreign operations. During 2009, the Company entered into foreign exchange contracts which were formally designated as hedges of foreign subsidiaries with functional currencies of U.K. Sterling and the Euro. The U.S.
Dollar equivalent of foreign denominated net assets of $425 million was hedged which resulted in a derivative gain of $7.5 million being recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account within AOCI. There was no ineffectiveness resulting from these transactions.
216
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Recognized in Income
(Loss)
Recognized
in Income on
Derivative
(Loss) on Hedged
Item Recognized
in Income
Attributable to
Risk Being Hedged
(Loss) Recognized
in Income
on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
XL CAPITAL LTD
17. Derivative Instruments (Continued)
(d) Derivative Instruments Not Formally Designated As Hedging Instruments
The following table provides the total impact on earnings relating to derivative instruments not formally designated as hedging instruments under authoritative accounting guidance. The impacts are all recorded through Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives in the income statement.
(U.S. dollars and shares in thousands)
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Year ended
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Investment Related Derivatives:
Interest rate exposure
$
9,124
Foreign exchange exposure
9,387
Credit exposure
(51,579
)
Financial market exposure
3,359
Financial Operations Derivatives:
Credit exposure
(2,667
)
Other Non-Investment Derivatives:
Contingent capital facility
(8,132
)
Guaranteed minimum income benefit contract
4,644
Modified coinsurance funds withheld contract
(388
)
Weather and Energy Derivatives:
Structured weather risk management products
2,979
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
(33,273
)
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income from ineffective portion of fair value hedges
(374
)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments
$
(33,647
)
The Companys objectives in using these derivatives are explained in sections (d) and (e) of this note below.
(d)(i) Investment Related Derivatives
The Company, either directly or through its investment managers, may use derivative instruments within its investment portfolio, including interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, credit derivatives (single name and index credit default swaps), options, forward contracts and financial futures (foreign exchange, bond and stock
index futures), primarily as a means of economically hedging exposures to interest rate, credit spread, equity price changes and foreign currency risk or in limited instances for investment purposes. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties under any swap contracts although
the Company generally seeks to use credit support arrangements with counterparties to help manage this risk.
Investment Related DerivativesInterest Rate Exposure
The Company utilizes risk management and overlay strategies that incorporate the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily to manage its fixed income portfolio duration and exposure to interest rate risks associated with certain of its assets and liabilities primarily in relation to certain legacy other financial lines
and structured indemnity transactions. The Company uses interest rate swaps to convert certain liabilities from a fixed rate to a variable rate of interest and may also use them to convert a variable rate of interest from one basis to another.
217
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Recognized in
Income on Derivative
December 31, 2009
XL CAPITAL LTD
17. Derivative Instruments (Continued)
(d)(i) Investment Related Derivatives (Continued)
Investment Related Derivatives Foreign Exchange Exposure
The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage its exposure to the effects of fluctuating foreign currencies on the value of certain of its foreign currency fixed maturities primarily within its Life operations portfolio. These contracts are not designated as specific hedges for financial reporting purposes and
therefore, realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in income in the period in which they occur. These contracts generally have maturities of twelve months or less.
In addition, certain of the Companys investment managers may, subject to investment guidelines, enter into forward contracts where potential gains may exist. The Company has exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through its operations and in its investment portfolio.
Investment Related Derivatives Credit Exposure
Credit derivatives are purchased within the Companys investment portfolio in the form of single name and basket credit default swaps, which are used to mitigate credit exposure through a reduction in credit spread duration (i.e. macro credit strategies rather than single-name credit hedging) or exposure to selected
issuers, including issuers that are not held in the underlying bond portfolio.
Investment Related Derivatives Financial Market Exposure
Stock index futures may be purchased with the Companys investment portfolio in order to create synthetic equity exposure and to add value to the portfolio with overlay strategies where market inefficiencies are believed to exist. The Company previously wrote a number of resettable strike swaps contracts relating to an
absolute return index and diversified baskets of funds. Finally, from time to time, the Company may enter into other financial market exposure derivative contracts on various indices including, but not limited to, inflation, commodity and correlation contracts.
(d)(ii) Financial Operations Derivatives Credit Exposure
The Company held credit derivative exposures through a limited number of contracts written as part of the Companys previous financial lines businesses, and through the Companys prior reinsurance agreements with Syncora, as described below. Following the secondary sale of Syncora common shares, the Company
retained some credit derivative exposures written by Syncora and certain of its subsidiaries through reinsurance agreements that had certain derivatives exposures embedded within them. The change in value of the derivative portion of the financial guarantee reinsurance agreements the Company had with Syncora was included
in Net (loss) income from operating affiliates. Following the closing of the Master Agreement during August 2008, as described in Note 4, Syncora Holdings Ltd. which terminated certain reinsurance and other agreements, these credit derivative exposures were eliminated by virtue of the commutation of the relevant
reinsurance agreements.
As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 the remaining credit derivative exposures outside of the Companys investment portfolio consisted of 2 and 23 contracts, respectively, written by the Company that provide credit protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions with total insured contractual
payments outstanding of $271.7 million ($244.9 million principal and $26.8 million interest), and $639.5 million ($499.5 million principal and $140.0 million of interest), weighted average contractual term to maturity of 6.0 years and 5.7 years, a total liability recorded of $18.4 million and $28.6 million, respectively, and an
average rating of A and AA underlying obligations at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2009, there were no reported events of default on the underlying obligations. Credit derivatives are recorded at fair value, which is determined using either models developed by the Company or
third party prices and are dependent upon a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, future default rates, credit spreads, changes in credit quality, future expected recovery rates and other market factors. The change resulting from movements in credit and credit quality spreads is unrealized as the credit derivatives
are not traded to realize this resultant value.
218
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
17. Derivative Instruments (Continued)
(d)(iii) Other Non-Investment Derivatives
The Company entered into derivatives as part of its contingent capital facility including put options, interest rate swaps, and asset return swaps. These derivatives are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings.
The Company also has derivatives embedded in certain reinsurance contracts. For a particular life reinsurance contract, the Company pays the ceding company a fixed amount equal to the estimated present value of the excess of guaranteed benefit GMIB over the account balance upon the policyholders election to take
the income benefit. The fair value of this derivative is determined based on the present value of expected cash flows. In addition, the Company has modified coinsurance and funds withheld reinsurance agreements that provide for a return based on a portfolio of fixed income securities. As such, the agreements contain
embedded derivatives. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the funds withheld balance and recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings through net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instrument.
(d)(iv) Weather and Energy Derivatives
Prior to August 2008, the Company offered weather and energy risk management products in insurance or derivative form to end-users and managed the risks in the OTC and exchange traded derivative markets or through the use of quota share or excess of loss arrangements. However, as part of the Companys strategy
to focus on its core lines of business within its Insurance and Reinsurance segments, the Company closed this unit in August 2008 and ceased writing such weather and energy risk management products. Weather and energy derivatives are recorded at fair value, which is determined through the use of quoted market prices
where available. Where quoted market prices are unavailable, the fair values are estimated using available market data and internal pricing models based upon consistent statistical methodologies. Estimating fair value of instruments that do not have quoted market prices requires managements judgment in determining amounts
that could reasonably be expected to be received from, or paid to, a third party in settlement of the contracts. The amounts could be materially different from the amounts that might be realized in an actual sale transaction. Fair values are subject to change in the near-term and reflect managements best estimate based on
various factors including, but not limited to, actual and forecasted weather conditions, changes in commodity prices, changes in interest rates and other market factors. The majority of existing weather and energy contracts expired at the end of 2008 and the remainder expired during 2009.
(e) Contingent Credit Features
Certain derivatives agreements entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries contain rating downgrade provisions that permit early termination of the agreement by the counterparty if collateral is not posted following failure to maintain certain credit ratings from one or more of the principal credit rating agencies. If the
Company were required to early terminate such agreements due to rating downgrade, it could potentially be in a net liability position at time of settlement. The aggregate fair value of all derivatives agreements containing such rating downgrade provisions that were in a liability position on December 31, 2009 was $30.8
million. The Company has not been required to post collateral under any of these agreements as of December 31, 2009.
18. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On December 5, 2006, the Company and certain operating subsidiaries (Ceding Insurers) entered into a securities issuance agreement (the Securities Issuance Agreement), and certain of its foreign insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries entered into an excess of loss reinsurance agreement (the Reinsurance Agreement)
with Stoneheath Re (Stoneheath or the Issuer). The net effect of these agreements to the Company is the creation of a contingent put option in the amount of $350.0 million in the aggregate. The
219
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
18. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements (Continued)
agreements provide the Company with a Reinsurance Collateral Account in support of certain Covered Perils named in the Reinsurance Agreement. The Covered Perils include United States wind, European wind, California earthquake and terrorism worldwide. The covered perils as well as the attachment points and aggregate
retention amounts may be changed by the Ceding Insurers in their sole discretion. This may result in a material increase or decrease in the likelihood of payment under the Reinsurance Agreement. On each date on which a Ceding Insurer withdraws funds from the Reinsurance Collateral Account, the Company shall issue and
deliver to the Issuer an amount of XL Capital Ltd Series D Preference Shares having an aggregate liquidation preference that is equal to the amount of funds so withdrawn from the Collateral Account. The Company is obligated to reimburse Stoneheath for certain fees and ordinary expenses. The initial term of the
Reinsurance Agreement was for the period from the Closing Date through June 30, 2007, with four annual mandatory extensions through June 30, 2011 (unless coverage is exhausted thereunder prior to such date). The Ceding Insurers may thereafter extend the Reinsurance Agreement at their option for additional calendar
quarters without limit (unless coverage is exhausted there under). The contingent put option is recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, a charge of $8.1 million and $8.2 million, respectively, was recorded in relation to this option. The
Stoneheath Preferred Securities and, if issued, the XL Capital Ltd Series D Preference Shares will pay dividends on a non-cumulative basis at a fixed rate of 6.868% per annum through October 15, 2011 and thereafter at a floating rate based on 3-month LIBOR, plus 3.12%.
Concurrent with the execution of the Master Agreement, the Company exercised the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Redeemable
Series C Preference Ordinary Shares, par value U.S. $0.01 per share.
19. Variable Interest Entities
At times, the Company has utilized VIEs both indirectly and directly in the ordinary course of the Companys business.
The Company invests in CDOs, and other investment vehicles that are issued through variable interest entities as part of the Companys investment portfolio. The activities of these VIEs are generally limited to holding the underlying collateral used to service investments therein. Our involvement in these entities is
passive in nature and we are not the arranger of these entities. The Company has not been involved in establishing these entities. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities as contemplated in current authoritative accounting guidance.
The Company has utilized variable interest entities in certain instances as a means of accessing contingent capital. The Company has utilized unconsolidated entities in the formation of contingent capital facilities. The Companys interests in Stoneheath represents an interest in a variable interest entity under current
authoritative accounting guidance, however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary as contemplated in that guidance. Given that there are no contractual requirements or intentions to enter into additional variable interests in this entity; management considers the likelihood of consolidating Stoneheath in the future to be
remote. For further details regarding Stoneheath see Note 18 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.
The company has a limited number of remaining outstanding credit enhancement exposures including written financial guarantee and credit default swap contracts. The obligations related to these transactions are often securitized through variable interest entities. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these
variable interest entities as contemplated in current authoritative accounting guidance. For further details on the nature of the obligations and the size of the companys maximum exposure see Note 2(r), Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Note 17, Derivative Instruments.
220
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
20. Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Concentrations of Credit Risk
The creditworthiness of any counterparty is evaluated by the Company, taking into account credit ratings assigned by rating agencies. The credit approval process involves an assessment of factors including, among others, the counterparty and country and industry credit exposure limits. Collateral may be required, at the
discretion of the Company, on certain transactions based on the creditworthiness of the counterparty.
The areas where significant concentrations of credit risk may exist include unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable (collectively, reinsurance assets) and investments balances.
The Companys reinsurance assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $4.0 billion and $4.6 billion respectively and resulted from reinsurance arrangements in the course of its operations. A credit exposure exists with respect to reinsurance assets as they may be uncollectible. The Company manages its credit
risk in its reinsurance relationships by transacting with reinsurers that it considers financially sound, and if necessary, the Company may hold collateral in the form of funds, trust accounts and/or irrevocable letters of credit. This collateral can be drawn on for amounts that remain unpaid beyond specified time periods on an
individual reinsurer basis.
The Company did not have an aggregate direct investment in any single corporate issuer, in excess of 5% of shareholders equity at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008, which excludes government-backed, government-sponsored enterprises, government-guaranteed paper, cash and cash equivalents, and asset and
mortgage backed securities that were issued, sponsored or serviced by the parent.
In addition, the Company underwrites a significant amount of its insurance and reinsurance property and casualty business through brokers and a credit risk exists should any of these brokers be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations with respect to the payments of insurance and reinsurance balances to the
Company. During the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately 18%, 17% and 18%, respectively, of the Companys consolidated gross written premiums from property and casualty operations were generated from or placed by Marsh & McLennan Companies. During 2009, 2008 and 2007,
approximately 20%, 19% and 19%, respectively, of the Companys consolidated gross written premiums from property and casualty operations were generated from or placed by AON Corporation and its subsidiaries. Both of these companies are large, well established companies and there are no indications that either of them
is financially troubled. No other broker and no one insured or reinsured accounted for more than 10% of gross premiums written from property and casualty operations in any of the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, or 2007.
(b) Other Investments
The Company has committed to invest in several limited partnerships and provide liquidity financing to a structured investment vehicle. As of December 31, 2009, the Company has commitments which include potential additional add-on clauses, to fund a further $97.8 million.
(c) Investments in Affiliates
The Company owns a minority interest in certain closed-end funds, certain limited partnerships and similar investment vehicles, including funds managed by those companies. The Company has commitments, which include potential additional add-on clauses, to invest a further $36.6 million over the next five years.
(d) Properties
The Company rents space for certain of its offices under leases that expire up to 2031. Total rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $34.4 million, $35.4 million and $34.5 million, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under existing
operating leases are expected to be as follows:
221
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
20. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
(d) Properties (Continued)
Year Ended December 31,
2010
$
32.6
2011
30.2
2012
27.2
2013
22.4
2014
21.8
2015-2031
74.2
Total minimum future rentals
$
208.4
During 2003, the Company entered into a purchase, sale and leaseback transaction to acquire new office space in London. The Company has recognized a capital lease asset of $118 million and $129.3 million, and deferred a gain of $35.9 million and $34.2 million related to this lease at December 31, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. The gain is being amortized to income in line with the amortization of the asset. The future minimum lease payments in the aggregate are expected to be $257.3 million and annually for the next five years are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2010
11.1
2011
11.4
2012
11.7
2013
11.9
2014
12.3
2015-2028
198.9
Total future minimum lease payments
$
257.3
(e) Tax Matters
The Company is a Cayman Islands corporation and, except as described below, neither it nor its non-U.S. subsidiaries have paid U.S. corporate income taxes (other than withholding taxes on dividend income) on the basis that they are not engaged in a trade or business or otherwise subject to taxation in the U.S.
However, because definitive identification of activities which constitute being engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. is not provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, regulations or court decisions, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not contend that the Company or its non-U.S.
subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business or otherwise subject to taxation in the U.S. If the Company or its non-U.S. subsidiaries were considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. (and, if the Company or such subsidiaries were to qualify for the benefits under the income tax treaty between the U.S. and
Bermuda and other countries in which the Company operates, such businesses were attributable to a permanent establishment in the U.S.), the Company or such subsidiaries could be subject to U.S. tax at regular tax rates on its taxable income that is effectively connected with its U.S. trade or business plus an additional
30% branch profits tax on such income remaining after the regular tax, in which case there could be a significant adverse effect on the Companys results of operations and financial condition.
(f) Letters of Credit
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, $3.0 billion and $3.7 billion of letters of credit were outstanding, of which 21.3% and 3.9%, respectively, were collateralized by the Companys investment portfolios, primarily supporting U.S. non-admitted business and the Companys Lloyds Syndicates capital requirements.
222
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
20. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
(g) Claims and Other Litigation
The Company is subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of its business. These lawsuits and arbitrations principally involve claims on policies of insurance and contracts of reinsurance and are typical for the Company and for the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry in general. Such
legal proceedings are considered in connection with the Companys loss and loss expense reserves. Reserves in varying amounts may or may not be established in respect of particular claims proceedings based on many factors, including the legal merits thereof. In addition to litigation relating to insurance and reinsurance
claims, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on insurance or reinsurance policies. This category of business litigation typically involves, amongst other things, allegations of underwriting errors or
misconduct, employment claims, regulatory activity, shareholder disputes or disputes arising from business ventures. The status of these legal actions is actively monitored by management. If management believed, based on available information, that an adverse outcome upon resolution of a given legal action was probable and
the amount of that adverse outcome was reasonable to estimate, a loss would be recognized and a related liability recorded. No such liabilities were recorded by the Company at December 31, 2009 and 2008. In addition, the Company believes that the expected ultimate outcome of all outstanding litigation and arbitration will
not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, operating results and/or cash flow, although an adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter or year. The following information highlights
ongoing legal proceedings related to the Company.
In November 2006, a subsidiary of the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a subpoena from the SEC, both of which sought documents in connection with an investigation into the municipal GICs market and related products. In June 2008,
subsidiaries of the Company also received a subpoena from the Connecticut Attorney General and an Antitrust Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Florida Attorney General in connection with a coordinated multi-state Attorneys General investigation into the matters referenced in the DOJ and SEC subpoenas.
The Company is fully cooperating with these investigations.
Commencing in March 2008, the Company and two of its subsidiaries were named, along with approximately 20 other providers and insurers of municipal Guaranteed Investment Contracts and similar derivative products in the U.S. (collectively Municipal Derivatives) as well as fourteen brokers of such products, in
several purported federal antitrust class actions. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that these be consolidated for pretrial purposes and assigned them to the Southern District of New York. The consolidated amended complaint filed in August 2008 alleges that there was a conspiracy among the defendants
during the period from January 1, 1992 to the present to rig bids and otherwise unlawfully decrease the yield for Municipal Derivative products. The purported class of plaintiffs consists of purchasers of Municipal Derivatives. On October 21, 2008 most of the defendants filed motions to dismiss the consolidated amended
complaint. The District Judge granted the motions by order dated April 29, 2009, but allowed plaintiffs leave to file a second amended complaint within 20 days of the order. Plaintiffs filed a Second Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on June 18, 2009, but did not include the Company or any subsidiaries as a
defendant. In addition, the Company and three subsidiaries of the Company were named in eleven individual (i.e., non-class) actions filed by various municipalities or other local government bodies in California state courts. The Defendants removed those cases to federal court and the cases were then transferred to the
Southern District of New York by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. On February 9, 2010, the Company and subsidiaries filed a motion to dismiss all eleven actions and intends to vigorously defend them.
223
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
20. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
(g) Claims and Other Litigation (Continued)
In August 2005, plaintiffs in a proposed class action (the Class Action) that was consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, captioned In re Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663, Civil Action No. 04-5184 (the MDL), filed a consolidated
amended complaint (the Amended Complaint), which named as new defendants approximately 30 entities, including Greenwich Insurance Company, Indian Harbor Insurance Company and XL Capital Ltd. In the MDL, the Class Action plaintiffs asserted various claims purportedly on behalf of a class of commercial insureds
against approximately 113 insurance companies and insurance brokers through which the named plaintiffs allegedly purchased insurance. The Amended Complaint alleged that the defendant insurance companies and insurance brokers conspired to manipulate bidding practices for insurance policies in certain insurance lines and
failed to disclose certain commission arrangements and asserted statutory claims under the Sherman Act, various state antitrust laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), as well as common law claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty and unjust
enrichment. By Opinion and Order dated August 31, 2007, the Court dismissed the Sherman Act claims with prejudice and, by Opinion and Order dated September 28, 2007, the Court dismissed the RICO claims with prejudice. The plaintiffs then appealed both Orders to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Oral
argument before the appellate court was held on April 21, 2009. In accordance with the Third Circuits April 23, 2009 directive, the parties submitted on May 13, 2009 their respective supplemental letter briefs addressing a question raised by the Court. The appeal remains pending.
Various XL entities have been named as defendants in three of the many tag-along actions that have been consolidated into the MDL for pretrial purposes. The complaints in these tag-along actions make allegations similar to those made in the Amended Complaint but do not purport to be class actions. On April 4, 2006,
a tag-along complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of New Cingular Wireless Headquarters LLC and several other corporations against approximately 100 defendants, including Greenwich Insurance Company, XL Specialty Insurance Company, XL Insurance America, Inc.,
XL Insurance Company Limited, Lloyds syndicates 861, 588 and 1209 and XL Capital Ltd.. On or about May 21, 2007, a tag-along complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of Henley Management Company, Big Bear Properties, Inc., Northbrook Properties, Inc., RCK Properties,
Inc., Kitchens, Inc., Aberfeldy LP and Payroll and Insurance Group, Inc. against multiple defendants, including XL Winterthur International. On October 12, 2007, a complaint in a third tag-along action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings
Corporation, Kmart Corporation and Lands End Inc. against many named defendants including X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance America, Inc., XL Specialty Insurance Company and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. The three tag-along actions are currently stayed. The Judge presiding over the MDL has set a conference for
March 2, 2010 to review whether he should suggest to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation that the remaining tag-along actions be remanded to the respective courts in which they were originally filed.
Three purported class actions on behalf of shareholders of Syncora have been filed in the Southern District of New York against the Company and one of its subsidiaries (collectively XL), Syncora, four Syncora officers, and various underwriters of Syncora securities. The Judge ordered that these be consolidated. The
consolidated amended complaint, filed in August 2008, alleges violations of the Securities Act of 1933 arising out of the secondary public offering of Syncora common shares held by XL on June 6, 2007 and sales/exchanges by Syncora of certain preferred shares as well as under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 arising
out of trading in Syncora securities during the asserted class period of March 15, 2007 to March 17, 2008. The principal allegations are that Syncora failed to appropriately and timely disclose its exposures under certain derivative contracts and insurance of tranches of structured securities. XL is named as a party that
controlled Syncora during the relevant time period. In October 2008, XL and other defendants filed motions to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint, which motions have been fully briefed. The Company intends to vigorously defend these actions.
224
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
20. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)
(g) Claims and Other Litigation (Continued)
In connection with the secondary offering of the Companys Syncora shares, the Company and Syncora each agreed to indemnify the several underwriters of that offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 for payment of legal fees and expenses, settlements and judgments
incurred with respect to litigation such as this. The Company and Syncora have agreed to each bear 50% of this indemnity obligation.
Legal actions are subject to inherent uncertainties, and future events could change managements assessment of the probability or estimated amount of potential losses from pending or threatened legal actions. Based on available information, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending or
threatened legal actions, both individually and in the aggregate, will not result in losses having a material effect on the Companys financial position at December 31, 2009.
21. Share Capital
(a) Authorized and Issued
The authorized share capital is 999,990,000 ordinary shares of a par value of $0.01 each, 20,000,000 Redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares of par value $0.01 each, 350,000 Series D preference shares of par value $0.01 each, and 1,000,000 Series E preferable ordinary shares of par value $0.01 each. Holders of
Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share. All ordinary shares in issue at December 31, 2009 are Class A ordinary shares.
The following table is a summary of Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding:
Year Ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
Balance beginning of year
330,812
177,910
180,984
Exercise of options
855
Net issuance of restricted shares
(17
)
1,335
418
Repurchase of shares (1)
(137
)
(183
)
(15,147
)
Issue of shares
11,461
151,750
10,800
Balance end of year
342,119
330,812
177,910
(1)
Pursuant to the Companys shelf registration statement, the Company issued 143.8 million Class A ordinary shares in August 2008 at a price of $16.00 per share. The net proceeds from this issuance totaled approximately $2.2 billion. The proceeds were used to fund the payments made under the Master Agreement as well
as to redeem X.L. Americas $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Notes as described below. In addition, proceeds were used for general corporate purposes and capital funding for certain of the Companys subsidiaries.
225
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(in thousands)
Includes share repurchases associated with authorized share repurchase programs as well as purchases related to satisfying tax withholding obligations of employees in connection with the vesting of restricted shares granted under the Companys restricted stock plan.
XL CAPITAL LTD
21. Share Capital (Continued)
(a) Authorized and Issued (Continued)
Concurrent with the execution of the Master Agreement, the Company exercised the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Redeemable
Series C Preference Ordinary Shares, par value U.S. $0.01 per share. The liquidation preference of the Series C Preference Shares is $25 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Company may redeem the Series C Preference Shares, in whole or in part, on or after July 15, 2013, at a redemption price of $25 per
share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Company may, under certain circumstances, redeem the Series C Preference Shares before July 15, 2013 at specific redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. These circumstances include an amalgamation, consolidation or other similar transaction involving the
Company in which the Series C Preference Shares are entitled to a class vote ($26 per share redemption price), or a change in tax laws that requires the Company to pay additional amounts with respect to the Series C Preference Shares ($25 per share redemption price). The Series C Preference Share may be redeemed by the
holders after July 15, 2033. Until July 15, 2013, dividends on the Series C Preference Shares are payable semiannually on a cumulative basis, when, as and if declared by the Companys Board of Directors, on January 15 and July 15 of each year at a fixed rate equal to 6.102% per annum on the liquidation preference. From
and after July 15, 2013, dividends on the Series C Preference Shares are payable quarterly on a cumulative basis, when, as and if declared by the Companys Board of Directors, on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.145% on the liquidation
preference. The Series C Preference Shares have no stated maturity and are not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and are not convertible into any of the Companys other securities.
On March 26, 2009, the Company completed a cash tender offer for its outstanding Series C Preference Ordinary Shares that resulted in approximately 12.7 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $317.3 million being purchased by the Company for approximately $104.7 million plus
accrued and unpaid dividends, combined with professional fees totaling $0.8 million. As a result, a book value gain to ordinary shareholders of approximately $211.8 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2009.
Subsequent to December 31, 2009 the Company repurchased 4.4 million Series C Preference Ordinary Shares with a liquidation value of $110.8 million for approximately $94.2 million.
In connection with the exercise of the put option under the Companys Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility as described above, the Company reduced to nil the remaining liability which totaled $51.1 million, associated with the fair value of the remaining put option payments, and recorded a corresponding credit to
Additional paid in capital.
In connection with the maturity of the purchase contracts associated with the 6.5% Units in May 2007, the Company issued 10,799,913 Class A ordinary shares for net proceeds of approximately $823.0 million, a portion of which was used to retire the 2009 Senior Notes.
As noted above, following the settlement of the purchase contracts associated with the 7.0% Units in February 2009, the Company issued 11,461,080 Shares for net proceeds of approximately $745.0 million, which was used to retire the 2011 Senior Notes.
On March 15, 2007, the Company issued 1.0 million Fixed/Floating Series E Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Ordinary Shares, par value $0.01 each, with liquidation preference $1,000 per share (the Series E Preference Shares). The Company received net proceeds of approximately $983.8 million from the offering.
The Series E Preference Shares are perpetual securities with no fixed maturity date and are not convertible into any of the Companys other securities.
In August 2002, the Company issued 9.2 million 8.00% Series A Preference Ordinary Shares at $25.00 per share. Gross proceeds were $230.0 million and related expenses were $7.2 million. On August 14,
226
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
21. Share Capital (Continued)
(a) Authorized and Issued (Continued)
2007, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding 8.0% Series A Preference Ordinary Shares (the Series A Preference Shares) for approximately $25.24 per Series A Preference Share including accrued dividends. The aggregate redemption price was approximately $232.2 million.
In November 2002, the Company issued 11.5 million 7.625% Series B Preference Ordinary Shares at $25.00 per share. Gross proceeds were $287.5 million and related expenses were $9.1 million. On November 18, 2007, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding 7.625% Series B Preference Ordinary Shares (the
Series B Preference Shares) for approximately $25.26 per Series B Preference Share including accrued dividends. The aggregate redemption price was approximately $290.5 million.
(b) Share Repurchases
On September 24, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $500.0 million of its Class A ordinary shares. During the year ended December 31, 2009, no share repurchases were made under the share repurchase program. As at
December 31, 2009, the Company could repurchase $375.5 million of its equity securities under the share repurchase program.
(c) Stock Plans
The Companys 1991 Performance Incentive Program, as amended and restated effective February 27, 2009, provides for grants of non-qualified or incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and stock appreciation rights (SARs). The plan is administered by the
Management Development & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Stock options may be granted with or without SARs. No SARs have been granted to date. Grant prices are established at the fair market value of the Companys common stock at the date of grant. Options and SARs have a life of not longer
than ten years and vest as set forth at the time of grant. Generally, options currently vest annually over three years from date of grant; however, options granted to NEOs in August, 2008, vest in full on the later of (i) three years from the grant date or (ii) the date that the closing price of the Companys common shares on
the NYSE equals or exceeds 130% of the option exercise price (approximately $25.51 per share) for a period of at least 10 consecutive trading days.
Restricted stock awards issued under the 1991 and 1999 Performance Incentive Programs vest as set forth in the applicable award agreements. These shares contained certain restrictions, prior to vesting, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. The award
recipients generally have the rights and privileges of a shareholder as to the restricted stock, including the right to receive dividends and the right to vote such restricted stock. The recipients are not entitled to receive delivery of a stock certificate prior to vesting, nor may any restricted stock be sold, transferred, pledged, or
otherwise disposed of prior to the satisfaction of all vesting requirements. As the shares are issued, deferred compensation equivalent to the fair market value on the date of the grant is charged to shareholders equity and subsequently amortized over the vesting period. See Note 21(e), Share CapitalRestricted Stock, for
additional disclosures of restricted stock awards.
All options granted to non-employee directors are granted under the Directors Stock & Option Plan (the Directors Plan). All options vest immediately on the grant date, and they expire ten years after the date of grant. For services performed prior to January 1, 2009, directors could make an irrevocable election preceding
the beginning of each fiscal year to defer cash compensation that would otherwise be payable as his or her annual retainer in increments of $5000. The deferred payments were credited in the form of ordinary share units calculated by dividing 100% of the deferred payment by the market value of the Companys stock on the
date the compensation would otherwise have been paid. These shares will be distributed under the terms of the Directors Plan.
227
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
21. Share Capital (Continued)
(c) Stock Plans (Continued)
Prior to January 1, 2009, directors also received grants of share units equal to their annual retainer divided by the market price of the Companys ordinary shares on the crediting date. These units receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional units equal to the cash value divided by the market price on the
dividend payment date. Shares equal to the total units held are distributed upon retirement from the Board.
(d) Options
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
2009
2008
2007
Dividend yield
3.25%
3.24%
2.10%
Risk free interest rate
2.38%
3.22%
4.54%
Volatility
94.27%
34.3%
27.0%
Expected lives
6.0 years
6.0 years
6.0 years
The risk free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury rates. The expected lives are estimated using the historical exercise behavior of grant recipients. The expected volatility is determined based upon a combination of the historical volatility of the Companys stock and the implied volatility derived from publicly traded
options.
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company granted 1,269,500, 5,889,000 and 52,500 options, respectively, to purchase its ordinary shares to directors and employees related to incentive compensation plans, with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $2.85, $7.48 and $20.98,
respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company recognized $10.3 million, $17.5 million and $13.1 million, respectively, of compensation expense, net of tax, related to its stock option plan. Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008 was nil and 2007 was $13.5 million.
The following is a summary of stock options as of December 31, 2009, and related activity for the year then ended for the Company:
Number of
Weighted
Weighted
Aggregate
Outstanding beginning of year
13,911,052
$
57.45
6.1 years
Granted
1,269,500
$
4.70
Exercised
Cancelled/Expired
(1,880,001
)
$
54.31
Outstanding end of year
13,300,551
$
52.86
5.8 years
$
17,240
Options exercisable
8,710,826
$
70.01
4.3 years
$
1,433
Options available for grant*
18,349,505
*
Available for grant includes shares that may be granted as either stock options or restricted stock.
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Companys closing stock price on the last trading day of the 2009 fiscal year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money-options) that would have been received by the option
holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2009. Total unrecognized stock based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $15.3 million as
228
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Shares
Average
Exercise
Price
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Intrinsic
Value
(000s)
XL CAPITAL LTD
21. Share Capital (Continued)
(d) Options (Continued)
of the end of December 31, 2009, related to approximately 4.6 million options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years. No options were exercised during 2008 or 2009.
The exercise price of the Companys outstanding options granted is the market price of the Companys Class A ordinary shares on the grant date, except that during 2004, 295,000 options were granted with an exercise price of $88.00 when the market price was $77.10.
(e) Restricted Stock
Restricted stock awards issued under the 1991 Performance Incentive Program vest as set forth in the applicable award agreements. These shares contained certain restrictions prior to vesting, relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability.
During 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company granted 146,895, 1,349,620 and 645,438 shares, respectively, of its restricted common stock to its directors and employees related to incentive compensation plans, with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $11.24, $37.61 and $70.89, respectively. During the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, $32.2 million, $57.6 million and $49.7 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to restricted stock awards. Total unrecognized stock based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards was approximately $28.3 million as of the
end of December 31, 2009, related to approximately 1.0 million restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over 1.8 years.
Non-vested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2009 and for the year then ended for the Company were as follows:
Number of
Weighted-
Unvested at December 31, 2008
1,924
$
51.50
Granted
147
$
11.24
Vested
(926
)
$
50.42
Forfeited
(98
)
$
51.18
Unvested at December 31, 2009
1,047
$
46.59
(f) Voting
The Companys Articles of Association restrict the voting power of any person to less than approximately 10% of total voting power.
(g) Expiration of Share Rights Plan
The Companys Rights Plan expired in accordance with its terms on September 30, 2008. Rights to purchase Class A ordinary shares (the Rights) were distributed as a dividend at the rate of one Right for each Class A ordinary share held of record as of the close of business on October 31, 1998. Each Right entitled
holders of Class A ordinary shares to buy additional ordinary shares with a value of $700 at the then current market price, at an exercise price of $350. The Rights would have been exercisable, and would have detached from the Class A ordinary shares, only if a person or group were to have acquired 20% or more of the
Companys outstanding Class A ordinary shares, or were to have announced a tender or exchange offer that, if consummated, would have resulted in a person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of Class A ordinary shares. Upon a person or group without prior approval of the Board acquiring 20% or more of Class A
ordinary shares, each Right would have entitled the holder (other than such an acquiring person or group) to purchase Class A ordinary shares (or, in certain circumstances, Class A ordinary shares of the acquiring person) with a value of twice the Rights exercise price upon payment of
229
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Shares
(thousands)
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
XL CAPITAL LTD
21. Share Capital (Continued)
(g) Expiration of Share Rights Plan (Continued)
the Rights exercise price. The Company would have been entitled to redeem the Rights at $0.01 per Right at any time until the close of business on the tenth day after the Rights became exercisable.
22. Retirement Plans
The Company provides pension benefits to eligible employees through various defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans sponsored by the Company, which vary for each subsidiary. Plan assets are invested principally in equity securities and fixed maturities.
Defined contribution plans
The Company has qualified defined contribution plans which are managed externally and whereby employees and the Company contribute a certain percentage of the employees gross compensation (base salary and annual bonus) into the plan each month. The Companys contribution generally vests over five years. The
Companys expenses for its qualified contributory defined contribution retirement plans were $38.6 million and $43.3 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Defined benefit plans
The Company maintains defined benefit plans that cover certain employees as follows:
U.S. Plan
A qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension plan exists to cover a number of its U.S. employees. This plan also includes a non-qualified supplemental defined benefit plan designed to compensate individuals to the extent that their benefits under the Companys qualified plan are curtailed due to Internal Revenue
Code limitations. Benefits are based on years of service and compensation, as defined in the plan, during the highest consecutive three years of the employees last ten years of employment. Under these plans, the Companys policy is to make annual contributions to the plan that are deductible for federal income tax purposes
and that meet the minimum funding standards required by law. The contribution level is determined by utilizing the entry age cost method and different actuarial assumptions than those used for pension expense purposes.
In addition, certain former employees have received benefit type guarantees, not formally a part of any established plan. The liability recorded with respect to these agreements as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $3.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively, representing the entire unfunded projected benefit obligations.
Several assumptions and statistical variables are used in the models to calculate the expenses and liability related to the plans. The Company, in consultation with its actuaries, determines assumptions about the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increase. The table below
includes disclosure of these rates on a weighted-average basis, encompassing all the international plans.
230
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
22. Retirement Plans (Continued)
Defined benefit plans (Continued)
2009
2008
Net Benefit Cost Weighted-average assumptions for the year ended December 31
Discount rate
6.00
%
6.25
%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
8.50
%
8.50
%
Benefit Obligation Weighted-average assumptions as of December 31
Discount rate
6.00
%
6.00
%
The US Retirement plan assets at December 31, 2009 consist of two mutual funds. The first fund employs a core bond portfolio strategy that seeks maximum current income and price appreciation consistent with the preservation of capital and prudent risk taking with a focus on investing in intermediate-term high quality
bonds from the fastest growing economies in the Pacific Rim, including Japan.
The second fund seeks long term growth of capital by investing in a diversified group of domestic and international companies. Using a quantitative approach, portfolio managers identify companies that are expected to outperform in the next six to twelve months and include them in the fund.
The fair value of the US Plan assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $22.0 million and $12.9 million, respectively. As both of the retirement plans investments are mutual funds, they fall within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
U.K. Plans
A contributory defined benefit pension plan exists in the U.K., but has been closed to new entrants since 1996. The Scheme has approximately 110 members, of whom approximately 70 are active or deferred members of the Scheme. Benefits are based on length of service and compensation as defined in the Trust Deed
and Rules, and the Plan is subject to triennial funding valuations, the most recent of which was conducted in 2009 and will be reported in 2010. Current contribution rates are 19.6% and 3% of pensionable salary for employer and employee respectively.
The U.K. pension plan assets are held in a separate Trustee administered fund to meet long term liabilities to past and present employees. The table below shows the composition of the Plans assets and the fair value of each major category of plan assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, as well as the potential
returns of the different asset classes. The total of the asset values held in various externally managed portfolios are provided by third party pricing vendors. There is no significant concentration of risk within plan assets.
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Expected
Value at
Expected
Value at
The assets in the scheme and the expected rates of return were as follows:
Equities
6.70
%
$
3,774
7.70
%
$
4,996
Gilts
3.70
%
1,951
4.70
%
1,720
Corporate Bonds
6.50
%
1,501
6.00
%
1,693
Other (cash)
2.00
%
318
5.50
%
451
Total market value of assets
$
7,544
$
8,860
In addition, during 2003 six members who are still employed by the Company in the U.K. transferred from a defined benefit plan into a defined contribution plan. These employees have a contractual agreement with the Company that provides a no worse than final salary pension guarantee in the event that they are
employed by the Company until retirement, whereby the Company guarantees to top-up their defined
231
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Return on
Assets for
2009
December 31,
2009
Return on
Assets for
2008
December 31,
2008
XL CAPITAL LTD
22. Retirement Plans (Continued)
Defined benefit plans (Continued)
contribution pension to the level of pension that they would have been entitled to receive had they remained in the defined benefit scheme. The pension liability recorded with respect to these individuals was $2.9 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, representing the entire unfunded projected
obligation.
European Plans
Certain contributory defined benefit pension plans exist in several European countries, most notably Germany, which are closed to new entrants. Benefits are generally based on length of service and compensation defined in the related agreements. In relation to these defined benefit schemes, the total unfunded projected
obligations recorded at December 31, 2009 and 2008 as included in the tables below, were $14.3 million and $10.7 million, respectively.
As a part of the purchase of GAPS, as described in Note 8, Business Combinations, the Company acquired certain defined benefit pension liabilities. The related balances are not included in the tables below as the liabilities are insured under an annuity type contract.
The status of the above mentioned plans at December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation beginning of year
$
54,134
$
52,692
Service cost (1)
977
1,212
Interest cost
2,980
3,032
Actuarial (gain) / loss
(1,210
)
2,508
Benefits and expenses paid
(1,359
)
(1,050
)
Foreign currency losses / (gains)
1,476
(4,260
)
Projected benefit obligation end of year
$
56,998
$
54,134
(1)
Service costs include cost of living adjustments on curtailed plans.
2009
2008
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets beginning of year
$
20,917
$
30,859
Actual return on plan assets
4,928
(6,121
)
Employer contributions
5,600
1,637
Benefits and expenses paid
(994
)
(750
)
Foreign currency gains (losses)
803
(2,930
)
Actuarial (losses) / gains
(1,706
)
Other transfers to defined contribution plan
(1,778
)
Fair value of plan assets end of year
$
29,548
$
20,917
Funded status end of year
$
(27,450
)
$
(33,217
)
Accrued pension liability
$
32,250
$
28,026
232
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
22. Retirement Plans (Continued)
Defined benefit plans (Continued)
The components of the net benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Components of net benefit cost:
Service cost
$
977
$
1,212
Interest cost
2,980
3,032
Expected return on plan assets
(1,610
)
(1,570
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
131
125
Net benefit cost
$
2,478
$
2,799
23. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The related tax effects allocated to each component of the change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Before Tax
Tax (Benefit)
Net of Tax
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
Unrealized gains on investments:
Unrealized gains arising during year
$
1,246,562
$
119,675
$
1,126,887
Less reclassification for (losses) realized in income
(921,437
)
(10,317
)
(911,120
)
Net unrealized gains on investments
2,167,999
129,992
2,038,007
Change in value of cash flow hedge
438
438
Change in net unrealized gain on future policy benefit reserves
6,554
6,554
Additional pension liability
(3,427
)
(3,427
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
169,261
(11,627
)
180,888
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income
$
2,340,825
$
118,365
$
2,222,460
Year Ended December 31, 2008:
Unrealized (losses) on investments:
Unrealized (losses) arising during year
$
(3,930,299
)
$
(87,957
)
$
(3,842,342
)
Less reclassification for (losses) realized in income
(962,054
)
(12,772
)
(949,282
)
Net unrealized (losses) on investments
(2,968,245
)
(75,185
)
(2,893,060
)
Change in value of cash flow hedge
439
439
Change in net unrealized gain on future policy benefit reserves
(6,998
)
(6,998
)
Additional pension liability
(2,124
)
(2,124
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(454,544
)
17,799
(472,343
)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(3,431,472
)
$
(57,386
)
$
(3,374,086
)
Year Ended December 31, 2007:
Unrealized (losses) on investments:
Unrealized (losses) arising during year
$
(1,391,797
)
$
(94,829
)
$
(1,296,968
)
Less reclassification for (losses) realized in income
(603,268
)
(54,241
)
(549,027
)
Net unrealized (losses) on investments
(788,529
)
(40,588
)
(747,941
)
Change in value of cash flow hedge
4,338
4,338
Change in net unrealized gain on future policy benefit reserves
16,005
16,005
Realization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on sale of Syncora
4,953
4,953
Additional pension liability
3,080
3,080
Foreign currency translation adjustments
300,283
(17,036
)
317,319
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(459,870
)
$
(57,624
)
$
(402,246
)
233
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Amount
Expense
Amount
XL CAPITAL LTD
24. Dividends
In February 2009, the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Companys Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.10 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend payable in March 2009. In 2009, four quarterly dividends were paid at $0.10 per share to all ordinary shareholders
of record as of March 13, June 15, September 15 and December 15.
In 2009, the Company paid dividends of $65.0 million and $23.2 million to Series E and Series C preference shareholders, respectively.
In 2008, two quarterly dividends of $0.38 per share were paid to all ordinary shareholders of record as of March 14 and June 13 and two quarterly dividends of $0.19 per share were paid to all ordinary shareholders on record as of September 12 and December 2009.
In 2008, the Company paid dividends of $65.0 million to Series E Preference shareholders.
In 2007, four quarterly dividends were paid at $0.38 per share to all ordinary shareholders of record as of March 15, June 11, September 10 and December 10. In 2007, the Company paid dividends of $69.5 million, respectively, to Series A, Series B and Series E preference shareholders.
25. Taxation
The Company is not subject to any taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains under current Cayman law. The Company has received an undertaking that the Company will be exempted from Cayman Islands income or capital gains taxes until June 2018 in the event of any such taxes being imposed.
The Companys Bermuda subsidiaries are not subject to any income, withholding or capital gains taxes under current Bermuda law. In the event that there is a change such that these taxes are imposed, the Bermuda subsidiaries would be exempted from any such tax until March 2016 pursuant to the Bermuda Exempted
Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966, and Amended Act of 1987.
The Companys Indian subsidiary is not subject to certain income and capital gains taxes under current Indian law. Following a change in the law this subsidiary is exempt from these taxes for a further year until March 31, 2011 pursuant to the Income Tax Act 1961. The subsidiary is subject to a Minimum Alternative
Tax as of April 1, 2007.
The Companys U.S. subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local corporate income taxes and other taxes applicable to U.S. corporations. The provision for federal income taxes has been determined under the principles of the consolidated tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations thereunder.
Should the U.S. subsidiaries pay a dividend to the Company, withholding taxes will apply.
The Company has operations in subsidiary and branch form in various other jurisdictions around the world, including but not limited to the U.K., Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, France, India, and various countries in Latin America that are subject to relevant taxes in those jurisdictions.
Deferred income taxes have not been accrued with respect to certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. If the earnings were to be distributed, as dividends or otherwise, such amounts may be subject to withholding taxation in the state of the paying entity. Currently however, no withholding taxes are accrued
with respect to the earnings, as it is the intention that such earnings will remain reinvested indefinitely. The company has a 50% interest in an affiliate, the undistributed earnings of which are recognized for deferred tax as earned.
The Company adopted the provisions of the final authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, on January 1, 2007. The Company did not recognize any liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as a result of its implementation.
The Company has open examinations by tax authorities in Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. The years under review are 2001 to 2005, 2007, and 2006 to 2008, respectively. The Company believes that these
234
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
25. Taxation (Continued)
examinations will be concluded within the next 24 months; however, it is not currently possible to estimate the outcome of these examinations.
The Company has open tax years, that are potentially subject to examinations by local tax authorities, in the following major tax jurisdictions, the U.S. 2009, the U.K. 2008 to 2009, Switzerland 2007 to 2009; Ireland 2005 to 2009, Germany 2006 to 2009 and France 2007 to 2009.
The Companys policy is to recognize any interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense and penalties in the tax charge. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had accrued liabilities, relating to interest and penalties of nil and $1.0 million, respectively.
The income tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
Year Ended December 31
2009
2008
2007
Current expense:
U.S
$
29,112
$
118,411
$
120,325
Non U.S
90,079
71,343
152,632
Total current expense
$
119,191
$
189,754
$
272,957
Deferred expense (benefit):
U.S
$
(4,604
)
$
(8,534
)
$
16,270
Non U.S
5,720
41,358
(55,305
)
Total deferred expense (benefit)
$
1,116
$
32,824
$
(39,035
)
Total Tax Expense
$
120,307
$
222,578
$
233,922
The weighted average expected tax provision has been calculated using the pre-tax accounting income (loss) in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdictions applicable statutory tax rate. The applicable statutory tax rates of the most significant jurisdictions contributing to the overall taxation of the Company are,
Cayman Islands and Bermuda 0%, the U.S. 35%, the U.K 28%, Switzerland 8.5%, Ireland 12.5%, Germany 15%, and France 34.43%. Reconciliation of the difference between the provision for income taxes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
is provided below:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Expected tax provision at weighted average rate
$
129,136
$
6,835
$
40,708
Permanent differences:
Non taxable investment income
(5,715
)
(3,568
)
(1,562
)
Non taxable income
(91,968
)
(15,095
)
Prior year adjustments
(15,360
)
(13,317
)
23,209
State, local and foreign taxes
59,835
54,622
27,974
Valuation allowance
11,439
192,703
84,323
Allocated investment income
20,045
(20,597
)
18,836
Stock options
6,222
3,401
2,630
Non deductible expenses
6,673
17,594
24,698
Contingency reserve
1,106
Non-deductible losses
12,000
Total tax expense
$
120,307
$
222,578
$
233,922
235
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
XL CAPITAL LTD
25. Taxation (Continued)
Significant components of the Companys deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Deferred Tax Asset:
Net unpaid loss reserve discount
$
102,656
$
100,815
Net unearned premiums
45,786
50,898
Compensation liabilities
48,904
46,649
Net operating losses
314,026
317,354
Investment adjustments
18,300
10,411
Deferred commission
4,237
Pension
6,356
7,079
Bad debt reserve
1,483
3,622
Guarantee fund recoupment
4,346
3,008
Currency translation adjustments
2,440
Untaxed Lloyds result
12,772
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
18,972
142,314
Stock options
16,270
14,873
Depreciation
16,680
23,708
Net unrealized capital losses
32,289
84,000
Net realized capital losses
86,440
1,113
Deferred intercompany capital losses
168,700
195,195
Other
23,328
16,968
Deferred tax asset, gross of valuation allowance
$
917,308
$
1,024,684
Valuation allowance
517,582
551,653
Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance
$
399,726
$
473,031
Deferred Tax Liability:
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
51,764
11,627
Unremitted earnings
1,015
524
Deferred acquisition costs
14,651
11,057
Currency translation adjustments
9,407
Deferred gain on investments
1,613
12,574
Regulatory reserves
127,186
87,282
Untaxed Lloyds result
16,009
Other
222
2,610
Deferred tax liability
$
205,858
$
141,683
Net Deferred Tax Asset
$
193,868
$
331,348
The valuation allowance at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $517.5 million and $551.6 million, respectively, related primarily to net operating loss carry forwards in Switzerland and net unrealized capital losses and realized capital loss carry forwards in the U.S. that may not be realized within a reasonable
period. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had net unrealized capital losses and realized capital loss carry forwards of approximately $92.2 million and $749.9 million respectively in the U.S., against which a valuation allowance of approximately $294.7 million had been established. Included within the capitalized
realized losses are $482.0 million of losses arising from the sale of investments to a group company, against which a valuation allowance of $168.7 million has been established. These losses cannot be utilized to offset any future U.S. realized capital gains until the underlying assets have been sold to unrelated parties.
Management believes it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized.
236
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
25. Taxation (Continued)
As of December 31, 2009, net operating loss carry forwards in the U.K. were approximately $166.6 million and have no expiration. As of December 31, 2009, net operating loss carry forwards in Switzerland were approximately $980.1 million and will expire in future years through 2015.
Management has reviewed historical taxable income and future taxable income projections for its U.K. group and has determined that in its judgment, the net operating losses will more likely than not be realized as reductions of future taxable income within a reasonable period. Specifically with regard to the U.K. group,
management has determined that the projected U.K. group taxable income (using U.K. rules for group loss relief) will be sufficient to utilize the net operating losses of approximately $166.6 million. Management will continue to evaluate income generated in future periods by the U.K. group in determining the reasonableness
of its position. If management determines that future income generated by the U.K. group is insufficient to cause the realization of the net operating losses within a reasonable period, a valuation allowance would be required for the U.K. portion of the net deferred tax asset, in the amount of $46.6 million.
Shareholders equity at December 31, 2009 and 2008 reflected tax benefits of nil million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to compensation expense deductions for stock options exercised by the Companys U.S. subsidiaries.
26. Statutory Financial Data
The Companys ability to pay dividends is subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by its subsidiaries. The payment of such dividends is limited by applicable laws and statutory requirements of the various countries in which the Company operates, including Bermuda, the U.S., Ireland and the
U.K., among others. Statutory capital and surplus for the principal operating subsidiaries of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized below. 2009 information is preliminary as many regulatory returns are due later in 2010 for many jurisdictions in which the Company does business.
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Bermuda (3)
U.S. (1)
U.K., Europe and Other
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
Required statutory capital and surplus
$
5,034,735
$
5,083,385
$
641,160
$
608,128
$
1,274,212
$
903,830
Actual statutory capital and surplus(2)
$
8,841,128
$
10,645,196
$
2,191,298
$
2,319,107
$
3,065,699
$
2,805,418
(1)
Required statutory capital and surplus represents 100% RBC level for principle U.S. operating subsidiaries.
(2)
Statutory assets in Bermuda include investments in other U.S. and international subsidiaries reported separately herein.
(3)
Required statutory capital and surplus represents 100% BSCR level for principle Bermuda operating subsidiaries.
The difference between statutory financial statements and statements prepared in accordance with GAAP varies by jurisdiction however the primary difference is that statutory financial statements do not reflect deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income tax net assets, intangible assets, unrealized appreciation on
investments and any unauthorized/authorized reinsurance charges.
Certain statutory restrictions on the payment of dividends from retained earnings by the Companys subsidiaries are further detailed below.
Management has evaluated the principal operating subsidiaries ability to maintain adequate levels of statutory capital, liquidity and rating agency capital and believes they will be able to do so. In performing this analysis, management has considered the current statutory capital position of each of the principal operating
subsidiaries as well as the ability of the holding company to allocate capital and liquidity around the group as and when needed.
237
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
26. Statutory Financial Data (Continued)
Bermuda Operations
In early July, the Insurance Amendment Act of 2008 was passed, which introduced a number of changes to the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978, such as allowing the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) to prescribe standards for an enhanced capital requirement and a capital and solvency return that insurers and reinsurers
must comply with. The Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement (BSCR) employs a standard mathematical model that can relate more accurately the risks taken on by (re)insurers to the capital that is dedicated to their business. (Re)insurers may adopt the BSCR model or, where an insurer or reinsurer believes that its own
internal model better reflects the inherent risk of its business, an in-house model approved by the BMA. Class 4 (re)insurers, such as the Company, were required to implement the new capital requirements under the BSCR model beginning with fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009. The Companys capital
requirements under the BSCR are highlighted in the table above. In addition to the BSCR based requirements, the BMA also prescribes minimum liquidity standards which must be met.
Under the Insurance Act 1978, amendments thereto and related regulations of Bermuda, the Companys Bermuda subsidiaries, XL Re Ltd and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. are prohibited from declaring or paying dividends of more than 25% of each of their prior years statutory capital and surplus unless the Company
filed with the Bermuda Monetary Authority a signed affidavit by at least two members of the Companys Board of Directors and the Companys Principal Representative attesting that a dividend in excess of this amount would not cause the company to fail to meet its relevant margins is required. At December 31, 2009 and
2008, the maximum dividend that the Bermuda operating entities could pay, without a signed affidavit, having met minimum levels of statutory capital and surplus and liquidity requirements, was approximately $1.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively.
U.S. Property and Casualty Operations
Unless permitted by the New York Superintendent of Insurance, the Companys lead property and casualty subsidiary in the United States (XLRA) may not pay dividends to shareholders which in any twelve month period exceeds the lesser of 10 percent of XLRAs statutory policyholders surplus or 100 percent of its
adjusted net investment income, as defined. The New York State insurance law also provides that any distribution that is a dividend may only be paid out of statutory earned surplus. At December 31, 2009, and 2008, XLRA had statutory earned surplus of $126.0 million and $287.8 million, respectively. At December 31,
2009, XLRAs statutory policyholders surplus was $2.2 billion, and accordingly, the maximum amount of dividends XLRA can declare and pay in 2009, without prior regulatory approval, is $126.0 million. One of the seven property and casualty subsidiaries directly or indirectly owned by XLRA had a statutory earned deficit
of $3.4 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
International Operations
The Companys international subsidiaries prepare statutory financial statements based on local laws and regulations. Some jurisdictions impose complex regulatory requirements on insurance companies while other jurisdictions impose fewer requirements. In some countries, the Company must obtain licenses issued by
governmental authorities to conduct local insurance business. These licenses may be subject to reserves and minimum capital and solvency tests. Jurisdictions may impose fines, censure, and/or impose criminal sanctions for violation of regulatory requirements. The majority of the actual statutory capital outside of the U.S. and
Bermuda is held in Ireland $1.8 billion and the U.K. $1.1 billion. Dividends from the U.K. and Ireland are limited to the equivalent of retained earnings. As a part of the restructuring that established XL Re (Europe), the Company is required to notify the regulator in order to reduce capital levels below $1.5 billion in Ireland.
238
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
27. Computation of Earnings Per Ordinary Share and Ordinary Share Equivalent
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Year Ended December 31
2009
2008 (1)
2007 (1)
Basic earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents:
Net income
74,991
(2,553,813
)
275,889
Less: preference share dividends
(80,200
)
(78,645
)
(69,514
)
Plus: gain on redemption of the Redeemable Series C Preference Ordinary shares
211,816
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
206,607
(2,632,458
)
206,375
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
340,612
240,657
180,353
Basic earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding
0.61
(10.94
)
1.14
Diluted earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents:
Net income
74,991
(2,553,813
)
275,889
Less: preference share dividends
(80,200
)
(78,645
)
(69,514
)
Plus: gain on repurchase of Redeemable Series C Preference Ordinary shares
211,816
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
206,607
(2,632,458
)
206,375
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding basic
340,612
240,657
180,353
Impact of share based compensation and certain conversion features
354
856
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding diluted
340,966
240,657
181,209
Diluted earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding
0.61
(10.94
)
1.14
Dividends per ordinary share
(1)
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share were adjusted for 2008 and 2007 as noted below.
In June 2008, the FASB issued final authoritative guidance that addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions may be participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method described in
EPS guidance. A share-based payment award that contains a non-forfeitable right to receive cash when dividends are paid to ordinary shareholders irrespective of whether that award ultimately vests or remains unvested shall be considered a participating security as these rights to dividends provide a non-contingent transfer of
value to the holder of the share-based payment award. Accordingly, these awards should be included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Under the terms of the Companys restricted stock awards, grantees are entitled to the right to receive dividends on the unvested portions of their awards.
There is no requirement to return these dividends in the event the unvested awards are forfeited in the future. Accordingly, this guidance had an impact on the Companys EPS calculations. The guidance was effective for the Company as of January 1, 2009. All prior period EPS data presented has been adjusted retrospectively
to conform to the provisions of this guidance.
239
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
XL CAPITAL LTD
27. Computation of Earnings Per Ordinary Share and Ordinary Share Equivalent (Continued)
The impact of the adoption of the FASBs authoritative guidance on the earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2008
2008 As adjusted
2008 As originally reported
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding basic
240,657
238,862
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding diluted
240,657
238,862
Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share
$
(10.94
)
$
(11.02
)
Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share
$
(10.94
)
$
(11.02
)
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2007
2007 As adjusted
2007 As originally reported
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding basic
180,353
178,500
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding diluted
181,209
179,693
Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share
$
1.14
$
1.16
Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share
$
1.14
$
1.15
28. Related Party Transactions
For detailed information regarding the Companys transactions with Syncora see Note 4 Syncora Holdings Ltd.
At December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company owned minority stakes in nine, nine and eleven independent investment management companies (Investment Manager Affiliates), respectively. The Company sought to develop relationships with specialty investment management organizations, generally acquiring an
equity interest in the business. The Company also invests in certain of the funds and limited partnerships and other legal entities managed by these affiliates and through these funds and partnerships pay management and performance fees to the Companys Investment Manager Affiliates.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain quota share reinsurance contracts with a subsidiary of one of its other strategic affiliates, ARX Holding Corporation. During the year ended December 31, 2009, these contracts resulted in reported net premiums written of $44.1 million, net paid claims of
$20.0 million and reported acquisition costs of $19.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2008, these contracts resulted in reported net premiums written of $60.1 million, net paid claims of $30.0 million and reported acquisition costs of $37.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2007, these contracts
resulted in reported net premiums written of $100.7 million, net paid claims of $29.7 million and reported acquisition costs of $52.9 million Management believes that these transactions are conducted at market rates consistent with negotiated arms-length contracts.
In addition, the Company has entered into a reinsurance contract with another strategic affiliate, ITAÙ XL Seguros Corporativos S.A. The reinsurance contract resulted in reported net premiums of approximately $3.1 million, loss reserves of $1.2 million, and reported acquisition costs of $1.4 million during the year ended
December 31, 2009, while in 2008, the same reinsurance contract resulted in reported net premiums of approximately $3.2 million, loss reserves of nil million, and reported acquisition costs of $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, and approximately $0.3 million, loss reserves of nil million, and reported
acquisition costs of $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2007.
240
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
equivalent basic
equivalent diluted
equivalent basic
equivalent diluted
XL CAPITAL LTD
28. Related Party Transactions (Continued)
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into cost sharing and service level agreement transactions with certain other strategic affiliates, which management believes to be conducted consistent with arms-length rates. Such transactions, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to the Companys
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
29. XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc
XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc (XLFE) is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of the Company. In January 2002, XLFE issued $600 million par value 6.5% Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 2012. These notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. The Companys ability to obtain funds from its
subsidiaries to satisfy any of its obligations under this guarantee is subject to certain contractual restrictions, applicable laws and statutory requirements of the various countries in which the Company operates including among others, Bermuda, the U.S., Ireland and the U.K. Required statutory capital and surplus for the
principal operating subsidiaries of the Company was $7.0 billion as of December 31, 2009.
30. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly financial data for 2009 and 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
First
Second
Third
Fourth
2009
Net premiums earned property and casualty operations
$
1,321,687
$
1,281,749
$
1,293,879
$
1,254,424
Net premiums earned life operations
129,834
147,951
151,840
125,476
Underwriting profit (loss) property and casualty operations
103,852
89,439
88,279
45,736
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
178,379
79,949
(11,402
)
(40,319
)
Net income (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent basic
$
0.53
$
0.23
$
(0.03
)
$
(0.12
)
Net income (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent diluted
$
0.53
$
0.23
$
(0.03
)
$
(0.12
)
2008
Net premiums earned property and casualty operations
$
1,552,780
$
1,508,787
$
1,525,023
$
1,403,661
Net premiums earned life operations
159,582
172,935
169,608
147,726
Underwriting profit property and casualty operations
109,856
126,356
(95,392
)
162,197
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
211,873
237,851
(1,649,024
)
(1,433,158
)
Net income (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent basic
$
1.19
$
1.33
$
(6.04
)
$
(4.33
)
Net income (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent diluted
$
1.19
$
1.33
$
(6.04
)
$
(4.33
)
During the third and fourth quarter of 2009 the Company recorded significant levels of other than temporary impairments on portfolio investments.
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Companys net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of $1.4 billion resulted primarily from the Companys goodwill impairment charge of $990.0 million, net realized losses from the Companys investment portfolio of $568.9 million and net losses from the Companys
investment fund affiliates of $214.2 million.
241
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
XL CAPITAL LTD
30. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Continued)
During the third quarter of 2008, the Company executed the Master Agreement with Syncora and the Counterparties in connection with the termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements, resulting in a net loss of approximately $1.4 billion. In addition, the Companys results of operations were negatively
impacted by both Hurricanes Gustav and Ike with estimated losses incurred at September 30, 2008, net of reinsurance recoveries and reinstatement premiums of $27.4 million and $194.4 million, respectively. Further contributing to the Companys net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of $1.6 billion during the third
quarter of 2008 were net realized losses from the Companys investment portfolio of $252.6 million and net losses from the Companys investment fund affiliates of $54.9 million.
242
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There have been no changes in or any disagreements with accountants regarding accounting and financial disclosure within the twenty-four months ending December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
||
|
|
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that all material information relating to the Company required to be filed in this report has been made known to them in a timely fashion.
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Companys management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Companys internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Companys management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
The Companys management assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (the Framework). Based on its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, the Companys internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the Framework criteria.
The effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears in Item 15, Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the Companys evaluation required pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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OTHER INFORMATION |
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|
|
None.
243
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Certain of the information required by this item relating to the executive officers of the Company may be found at the end of Part I under the heading Executive Officers of the Company. The balance of the information required by this item is omitted because a definitive proxy statement that involves the election of
directors will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A, and the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from that proxy statement.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This item is omitted because the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a definitive proxy statement that involves the election of directors that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
This Item is omitted because the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a definitive proxy statement that involves the election of directors that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
This item is omitted because the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a definitive proxy statement that involves the election of directors that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
This item is omitted because the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from a definitive proxy statement that involves the election of directors that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A.
244
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and Exhibits.
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
253
1. Financial Statements
Included in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Included in Part IV of this report:
Schedule
Page
Consolidated Summary of Investments Other than Investments in Related Parties, as at December 31, 2009
I
254
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, as at December 31, 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
II
256
Reinsurance, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
IV
259
Supplementary Information Concerning Property/Casualty Insurance Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
VI
260
Other Schedules have been omitted as they are not applicable to the Company
245
Number
3. Exhibits
In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or the other parties to the agreements. The
agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;
have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.
Exhibit
Description
3.1
Memorandum of Association of the Company, incorporated by reference to Appendix G to the Joint Proxy Statement of EXEL Limited and Mid Ocean Limited on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on July 2, 1998.
3.2
Articles of Association of the Company, incorporated by reference to Appendix G to the Joint Proxy Statement of EXEL Limited and Mid Ocean Limited on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on July 2, 1998.
4.1
Indenture, dated as of January 10, 2002, among XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc, XL Capital Ltd and State Street Bank and Trust Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16(a) to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on January 14, 2002.
4.2
Form of XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc Debt Security, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on January 14, 2002.
4.3
Excerpts from the Authorizing Resolutions of the Board of Directors of XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc, dated January 7, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16(b) to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on January 14, 2002.
4.4
Excerpts from the Authorizing Resolutions of the Special Finance Committee of XL Capital Ltd, dated July 3, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.11 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 1-10804) filed on August 14, 2003.
4.5
Excerpts from the Minutes of a Meeting of a Committee of the Board of Directors pursuant to Article 75 of the Companys Articles of Association held on March 15, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on March 15, 2007.
4.6
Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2003, between XL Capital Ltd and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-101288) filed on January 23, 2003.
4.7
Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2004, between XL Capital Ltd and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-116245) filed on June 7, 2004.
4.8
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 23, 2004, to the Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2004, between XL Capital Ltd and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 23, 2004.
246
Exhibit
Description
4.9
Form of 5.25% Senior Note due 2014 (included in Exhibit 4.8 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 23, 2004.
4.10
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2004, to the Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2004, between XL Capital Ltd and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on November 15, 2004.
4.11
Form of 6.375% Senior Note due 2024 (included in Exhibit 4.10 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on November 15, 2004.
4.12
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 9, 2005, to the Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2004, between XL Capital Ltd and The Bank of New York, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2005.
4.13
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 7, 2007, to the Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2004, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on May 7, 2007.
4.14
Purchase Contract Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2005, between XL Capital Ltd and The Bank of New York, as Purchase Contract Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2005.
4.15
Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2005, by and among XL Capital Ltd and The Bank of New York, as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary, and The Bank of New York, as Purchase Contract Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2005.
4.16
Form of Normal Units Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.14 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2005.
4.17
Form of Stripped Units Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.14 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2005.
4.18
Form of 5.25% Senior Note due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.12 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2005.
4.19
Form of 6.25% Senior Note due 2027 (included in Exhibit 4.13 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on May 7, 2007.
4.20
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 5, 2008, to the Indenture, dated as of June 2, 2004, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
4.21
Purchase Contract Agreement, dated August 5, 2008, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Purchase Contract Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
4.22
Pledge Agreement, dated August 5, 2008, by and among the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Purchase Contract Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Current Report
on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
4.23
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 5, 2008, by and among the Registrant, Syncora Guarantee Re Ltd. and Syncora Guarantee Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
247
Exhibit
Description
4.24
Form of Normal Units Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.21 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
4.25
Form of Stripped Units Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.21 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
4.26
Form of 8.25% Senior Note due 2021 (included in Exhibit 4.20 hereto), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on August 6, 2008.
10.1
+
1991 Performance Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective March 7, 2003), incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on April 4, 2003.
10.2
+
1991 Performance Incentive Program (as amended and restated effective April 29, 2005), incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on March 24, 2005.
10.3
+
1991 Performance Incentive Program (as amended and restated effective February 27, 2009), incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on March 9, 2009.
10.4
+
Amended and Restated Directors Stock & Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on April 4, 2003.
10.5
+
Amended and Restated Directors Stock & Option Plan, effective as of January 1, 2009, incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (No. 1-10804) filed on March 9, 2009.
10.6
+
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, between XL Capital Ltd and Sarah E. Street, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2006 (No. 1-10804).
10.7
+
Agreement of Tenants in Common between James H. Veghte and 37 Lambert Road LLC, dated as of June 23, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (No. 1-10804).
10.8
+
First Amendment, dated as of July 21, 2004, to the Agreement of Tenants in Common between James H. Veghte and 37 Lambert Road LLC, dated as of June 23, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (No. 1-10804).
10.9
+
Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (One-Time Vesting), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.10
+
Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (Incremental Vesting), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.11
+
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.12
+
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.13
+
Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (Renewal Form), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.14
+
Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (Non-Employee Director Renewal Form), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
248
Exhibit
Description
10.15
+
Form of Directors Restricted Stock Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.16
+
Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.17
+
Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.18
+
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.19
+
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (No. 1-10804).
10.20
Insurance Letters of Credit Master Agreement between XL Mid Ocean Reinsurance Ltd and Citibank, N.A., dated May 19, 1993, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Mid Ocean Limited (No. 333-63298) filed on June 25, 1993.
10.21
Second Amended and Restated Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Winterthur International, dated as of February 15, 2001, between Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (formerly XL Insurance Ltd), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(a) to the Companys Current Report
on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed August 9, 2001.
10.22
Amendment Agreement, dated July 19, 2002, between Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (No. 1-10804).
10.23
Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2001, made by XL Investments Ltd, XL Re Ltd, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Europe Ltd, as Grantors, in favor of Citibank, N.A., as Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 (No. 1-10804).
10.24
Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 1, 2003, to the Pledge Agreement, dated December 18, 2001, made by XL Investments Ltd, XL Re Ltd, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, and XL Europe Ltd, as Grantors, in favor of Citibank, N.A., as Bank, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.67 to the Companys Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003 (No. 1-10804).
10.25
Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2005, between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, as Account Parties and Guarantors, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on June 27, 2005.
10.26
Amendment No. 1, dated as of May 5, 2006, to the Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2005, between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, as Account Parties and Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative
Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on May 11, 2006.
10.27
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2005, between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, as Borrowers and Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto and Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc., as Administrative Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005 (No. 1-10804).
10.27
Amendment No. 1, dated as of May 9, 2006, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2005, between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, as Borrowers and Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto and Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc. as Administrative Agent,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on May 11, 2006.
249
Exhibit
Description
10.28
Subscription Agreement, dated as of December 5, 2006, among XL Capital Ltd, Stoneheath Re and Goldman Sachs International, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 11, 2006.
10.29
Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2006, by and among XLIB, Insurance Switzerland, XL Europe Limited, XL Insurance Company Limited, XL Re Latin America Ltd, XL Insurance Argentina S.A. Compania de Seguros, XL Insurance Company Ltd, XL Re Ltd, XL Re Europe
Limited, Vitodurum Reinsurance Company, Underwriting Members of Lloyds Syndicate #1209 and Stoneheath Re, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2006.
10.30
Securities Insurance Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2006 between XL Capital Ltd and Stoneheath Re, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2006.
10.31
Trust Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2006 among The Asset Swap Counterparty, The Ceding Insurers and XL Capital Ltd as Beneficiaries and Stoneheath Re, as Guarantor and Beneficiary and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Companys Current Report on
Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on December 12, 2006.
10.32
Replacement Capital Covenant, dated March 15, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on March 15, 2007.
10.33
+
Employment Agreement dated as of July 9, 2007 between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. Global Services, Inc. and Brian W. Nocco incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on July 10, 2007.
10.34
Service Agreement Relative to Sureties, Letters of Guarantees and International Stand-By Letters of Credit, dated April 25, 2003, between Société Le Mans Re and Credit Lyonnais, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.62 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (No.
1-10804).
10.35
First Renewal, dated November 27, 2000, between Le Mans Re and BNP Paribas, to the Reinsurance Stand-By Letter of Credit Agreement, dated October 7, 1999, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (No. 1-10804).
10.36
Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2007, between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, as Account Parties and Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 1-10804) filed on June 25, 2007.
10.37
Master Commutation, Release and Restructuring Agreement by and among XL Capital Ltd, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, XL Reinsurance America Inc., X.L. Global Services, Inc., XL Services (Bermuda) Ltd and X.L. America, Inc., Security Capital Assurance Ltd (SCA), certain of SCAs subsidiaries and certain
financial institutions who have entered into various credit default swaps with affiliates of SCA, dated as of July 28, 2008, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.38
Operational Transformation Services Agreement dated May 6, 2008, between Accenture LLP and XL Global Services, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008 (No. 1-10804).
10.39
+
Employment Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2008 by and between XL Capital Ltd and Michael S. McGavick, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 30, 2008 (No. 1-10804).
10.40
+
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2008, by and between XL Capital Ltd and David B. Duclos, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
250
Exhibit
Description
10.41
+
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2008, by and between XL Capital Ltd and David B. Duclos (amended in response to Internal Revenue Code Section 457A), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30,
2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.42
Consulting Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2009, between XL Capital Ltd and Brian OHara, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.43
+
2008 Form of Employment Agreement between XL Capital Ltd and certain Executive Officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.44
+
2008 Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement between XL Capital Ltd and certain Executive Officers (amended in response to Internal Revenue Code Section 457A), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-
10804).
10.45
+
2009 Form of Employment Agreement between XL Capital Ltd and certain Executive Officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.46
+
Amended Employment Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2008, by and between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. Global Services, Inc. and James H. Veghte (amended in response to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.47
+
Amendment to Amended Employment Agreement, dated as of December 2008, between XL Capital Ltd, X.L. Global Services, Inc. and Brian W. Nocco (amended in response to Internal Revenue Code Section 457A), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.48
+
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 2008, between XL Capital Ltd and Michael S. McGavick (amended in response to Internal Revenue Code Section 457A), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009
(No. 1-10804).
10.49
Letter Agreement, dated May 5, 2009, by and between X.L. Global Services, Inc. and Accenture LLP relating to early termination of the May 6, 2008 Operational Transformation Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30,
2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.50
Amendment to Letter Agreement, dated May 6, 2009, by and between X.L. Global Services, Inc. and Accenture LLP relating to early termination of the May 6, 2008 Operational Transformation Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended June 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.51
+
Agreement and Release between XL Capital Ltd and Brian W. Nocco, dated as of November 3, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009 (No. 1-10804).
10.52
+*
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, by and between XL Capital Ltd and Sarah E. Street.
10.53
+*
Form of Letter Agreement, dated December 15, 2009, relating to Employment Agreements between XL Capital Ltd and certain Executive Officers.
10.54
*
Insurance Letters of Credit Master Agreement, dated November 11, 2009, between XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and Citibank Europe plc.
10.55
*
Pledge Agreement, dated November 11, 2009, between XL Re Ltd and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, as Pledgors, and Citibank Europe plc, as Pledgee.
10.56
*
Amendment No. 1, dated November 23, 2009, to Pledge Agreement dated November 11, 2009 between XL Re Ltd and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, as Pledgors, and Citibank Europe plc, as Pledgee.
251
Exhibit
Description
10.57
*
Amendment No. 2, dated December 23, 2009, to Pledge Agreement dated November 11, 2009 between XL Re Ltd and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, as Pledgors, and Citibank Europe plc, as Pledgee.
12
*
Statements regarding computation of ratios.
21
*
List of subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23
*
Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP.
31
*
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.
32
*
Section 1350 Certifications.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
* |
|
Filed herewith |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
+ |
|
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
252
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of XL Capital Ltd:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (1), present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of XL Capital Ltd and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15 (2)
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in
conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in
Internal Control Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Companys management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedules, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included
under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedules, and on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements
included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As discussed in Note 2(g) to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted new accounting guidance that changed the manner in which it accounts for other than temporary impairments of available for sale securities in 2009.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
253
New York, New York
March 1, 2010
XL CAPITAL LTD
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE I
As at December 31, 2009
Type of Investment
Cost or
Fair
Amount
Fixed Maturities:
Bonds and notes:
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
2,619,731
$
2,664,625
$
2,664,625
Corporate
10,121,973
9,799,000
9,799,000
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
6,169,707
6,228,501
6,228,501
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
2,015,593
1,421,315
1,421,315
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
1,276,602
1,216,799
1,216,799
Collateralized debt obligations
1,030,245
698,561
698,561
Other asset-backed securities Government
1,247,822
1,167,985
1,167,985
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
909,609
913,473
913,473
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,407,222
3,401,773
3,401,773
Total fixed maturities (1)
$
28,798,504
$
27,512,032
$
27,512,032
Equity Securities
$
12,344
$
17,779
$
17,779
Short-term investments (1)
$
1,767,197
$
1,777,360
$
1,777,360
Fixed maturities, held to maturity (1)
$
546,067
$
530,319
$
546,067
Other investments
$
727,101
$
758,941
$
783,189
Total investments other than investments in related parties
$
31,851,213
$
30,596,431
$
30,636,427
(1)
Investments in fixed maturities, short-term investments and held to maturity are shown at amortized cost.
254
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER THAN
INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost (1)
Value
Presented
in the
Balance
Sheet
XL CAPITAL LTD
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE I
As at December 31, 2008
Type of Investment
Cost or
Fair
Amount
Fixed Maturities:
Bonds and notes:
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
3,649,168
$
3,978,342
$
3,978,342
Corporate
11,187,246
9,288,603
9,288,603
Residential mortgage-backed securities Agency
2,039,783
2,099,955
2,099,955
Residential mortgage-backed securities Non-Agency
2,873,478
1,937,946
1,937,946
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
2,505,698
2,141,568
2,141,568
Collateralized debt obligations
1,100,358
638,779
638,779
Other asset-backed securities Government
1,895,229
1,708,008
1,708,008
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
486,394
468,770
468,770
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
3,253,123
3,374,397
3,374,397
Total fixed maturities (1)
$
28,990,477
$
25,636,368
$
25,636,368
Equity Securities
$
337,765
$
361,819
$
361,819
Short-term investments (1)
$
1,500,767
$
1,466,323
$
1,466,323
Other investments
$
417,856
$
457,986
$
459,481
Total investments other than investments in related parties
$
31,246,865
$
27,922,496
$
27,923,991
(1)
Investments in fixed maturities, short-term investments and held to maturity are shown at amortized cost.
255
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER THAN
INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES (CONTINUED)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost (1)
Value
Presented
in the
Balance
Sheet
XL CAPITAL LTD
SCHEDULE II
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
Assets
Investments available for sale:
Fixed maturities at fair value (amortized cost: 2009, $1,292,670; 2008, $128,727)
$
1,296,865
$
124,718
Equity securities at fair value (cost: 2009, $238; 2008, $238)
2,400
1,603
Short-term investments at fair value (amortized cost: 2009, $338,589: 2008, $155,684)
339,927
155,178
Total investments available for sale
1,639,192
281,499
Cash and cash equivalents
600,993
1,733,815
Investments in subsidiaries on an equity basis
10,125,323
11,418,690
Investment in affiliates
281
1,105
Investments in limited partnerships
5,289
7,115
Fixed assets
102
2,303
Other assets
63,492
56,568
Total assets
$
12,434,672
$
13,501,095
Liabilities
Amount due to subsidiaries (1)
$
861,654
$
4,121,116
Notes payable and debt
1,852,067
2,590,703
Dividends payable
5,573
13,644
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
102,593
160,399
Total liabilities
$
2,821,887
$
6,885,862
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares, 20,000,000 authorized,
$
182,673
$
500,000
Shareholders Equity:
Series E preference ordinary shares, 1,000,000 authorized, par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2009, 1,000,000; 2008, 1,000,000)
10
10
Class A ordinary shares, 999,990,000 authorized, par value $0.01
3,421
3,308
Additional paid in capital
10,474,688
9,792,371
Accumulated other comprehensive Income (loss)
(1,142,467
)
(3,364,927
)
Retained earnings (deficit)
94,460
(315,529
)
Total shareholders equity
$
9,430,112
$
6,115,233
Total liabilities, redeemable preference ordinary shares, and shareholders equity
$
12,434,672
$
13,501,095
(1)
Included in amounts due to subsidiaries are $0.7 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, in amounts due as a result of the Companys internal cash sweeping arrangements.
256
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS PARENT COMPANY ONLY
As at December 31, 2009 and 2008
par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2009, 7,306,920; 2008, 20,000,000)
Issued and outstanding: (2009, 342,118,986; 2008, 330,812,342)
XL CAPITAL LTD
SCHEDULE II
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Net investment income
$
20,245
$
9,526
$
32,151
Realized investment gains (losses):
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold
(5,453
)
(124
)
325
Other-than-temporary impairments on investments
(8,468
)
(6,157
)
(8
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on investments transferred to other comprehensive income
1,319
Total net realized gains (losses) on investments
(12,602
)
(6,281
)
317
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments
(8,830
)
(14,039
)
(12,010
)
Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiaries (Dividends were $2,091,474 in 2009, $90,000 in 2008 and nil in 2007)
310,490
(2,218,851
)
529,566
Equity in net earnings of affiliates
1,221
304
202
Total revenues
$
310,524
$
(2,229,341
)
$
550,226
Operating expenses
107,211
178,684
147,846
Foreign exchange (gains) losses
(122
)
6,884
(1,495
)
Interest expense
122,662
138,904
128,580
Total expenses
$
229,751
$
324,472
$
274,931
Income (loss) before income tax
80,773
(2,553,813
)
275,295
Provision for income tax
5,782
(594
)
Net income (loss)
$
74,991
$
(2,553,813
)
$
275,889
Preference share dividends
(80,200
)
(78,645
)
(69,514
)
Gain on redemption of Redeemable Series C Preference Ordinary Shares
211,816
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
206,607
$
(2,632,458
)
$
206,375
Net income (loss)
$
74,991
$
(2,553,813
)
$
275,889
Impact of adoption of new authoritative OTTI guidance, net of taxes
(229,670
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment portfolio, net of tax
2,391,020
(2,893,060
)
(747,941
)
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax
(123,343
)
Change in underfunded pension liability
(3,427
)
(2,124
)
3,080
Change in value of cash flow hedge
438
439
4,338
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on future policy benefit reserves
6,554
(6,998
)
16,005
Foreign currency translation adjustments
180,888
(472,343
)
317,319
Realization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on sale of Syncora
4,953
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
2,297,451
$
(5,927,899
)
$
(126,357
)
257
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (CONTINUED)
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME PARENT COMPANY ONLY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
SCHEDULE II
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2009
2008
2007
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income (loss)
$
74,991
$
(2,553,813
)
$
275,889
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized (gains) losses on investments and derivative instruments
21,432
20,320
11,693
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries
(310,490
)
2,218,851
(529,566
)
Equity in net (income) of affiliates
(1,221
)
(304
)
(202
)
Amortization of deferred compensation
32,231
57,617
49,666
Amortization of premiums (discounts) on fixed maturities
221
(11,184
)
21,927
Accretion of notes payable and debt
681
684
672
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(57,806
)
(29,639
)
15,647
Amounts due to (from) subsidiaries
(3,259,462
)
1,371,037
928,914
Dividends received from subsidiaries
2,091,474
90,000
Other
17,432
13,911
6,430
Total adjustments
(1,465,508
)
3,731,293
505,181
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
(1,390,517
)
$
1,177,480
$
781,070
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities and short-term investments
$
245,629
$
336,520
$
1,501,835
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities and short-term investments
2,860,755
982,770
778,231
Purchases of fixed maturities and short term investments
(4,475,472
)
(1,228,813
)
(2,094,646
)
Investment in subsidiaries
1,955,045
(2,865,618
)
(20,000
)
Investment in affiliates
1,743
2,092
1,985
Investment in limited partnerships
347
1,894
13,208
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
588,047
$
(2,771,155
)
$
180,613
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Class A ordinary shares and exercise of stock options
$
745,000
$
2,231,000
$
878,439
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares
500,000
Proceeds from issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares
984,583
Redemption of Series A and Series B preference ordinary shares
(517,500
)
Redemption of redeemable Series C preference ordinary shares
(104,718
)
Dividends paid
(225,008
)
(326,373
)
(343,551
)
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares
(626
)
(4,966
)
(1,135,950
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt
557,750
322,836
Repayment of debt
(745,000
)
(825,000
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
(330,352
)
$
2,957,411
$
(636,143
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(1,132,822
)
1,363,736
325,540
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year
1,733,815
370,079
44,539
Cash and cash equivalents end of year
$
600,993
$
1,733,815
$
370,079
258
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (CONTINUED)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS PARENT COMPANY ONLY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
XL CAPITAL LTD
SCHEDULE IV REINSURANCE
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross
Ceded
Assumed
Net
Percentage
2009
Life reinsurance in force(1)
$
565,048
129,797,640
129,232,592
100.4
%
Premiums Earned:
Property and casualty operations
$
4,861,073
1,586,968
1,877,634
5,151,739
36.4
%
Life operations
41,275
596,376
555,101
107.4
%
Total premiums earned:
$
4,861,073
1,628,243
2,474,010
5,706,840
43.4
%
2008
Life reinsurance in force(1)
$
1,570,020
157,671,142
156,101,122
101.0
%
Premiums Earned:
Property and casualty operations
$
5,735,348
1,873,565
2,128,468
5,990,251
35.5
%
Life operations
41,071
690,922
649,851
106.3
%
Total premiums earned:
$
5,735,348
1,914,636
2,819,390
6,640,102
42.5
%
2007
Life reinsurance in force(1)
$
1,213,281
150,876,977
149,663,696
100.8
%
Premiums Earned:
Property and casualty operations
$
5,428,753
1,987,642
2,977,516
6,418,627
46.4
%
Life operations
44,615
745,662
701,047
106.4
%
Syncora
90,249
16,803
12,236
85,682
14.3
%
Total premiums earned:
$
5,519,002
2,049,060
3,735,414
7,205,356
51.8
%
(1)
Represents the sum face value outstanding of in force life reinsurance policies.
259
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
Amount
to Other
Companies
from Other
Companies
Amount
of Amount
Assumed
to Net
XL CAPITAL LTD
SCHEDULE VI
(U.S.
Deferred
Reserves
Reserves
Net
Net
Losses and Loss
Net Paid
Amortization
Net
Current
Prior
2009 (1)
$
486,180
$
20,823,524
$
3,646,815
$
5,151,739
$
882,748
$
3,453,577
$
(284,740
)
$
3,875,935
$
775,869
$
4,743,712
2008(1)
$
533,179
$
21,650,315
$
4,185,487
$
5,990,251
$
1,174,856
$
4,573,562
$
(610,664
)
$
3,790,846
$
848,180
$
5,738,293
2007(1)
$
603,454
$
23,207,694
$
4,654,874
$
6,418,627
$
1,289,554
$
4,265,017
$
(425,441
)
$
3,815,082
$
966,038
$
6,297,720
(1)
260
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
CONCERNING PROPERTY/CASUALTY (RE)INSURANCE OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
dollars
in
thousands)
Acquisition
Costs
For
Losses
and Loss
Expenses
for
Unearned
Premiums
Earned
Premiums
Investment
Income
Expenses
incurred related to
Losses
and
Loss
Expenses
of Deferred
Acquisition
Costs
Premiums
Written
Year
Year
The information presented above includes balances from the property and casualty operations. The life operations and balances relating to Syncora prior to the secondary offering on June 6, 2007 have been excluded.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Date: March 1, 2010
XL Capital Ltd
/s/ M
ICHAEL
S. M
C
G
AVICK
Name: Michael S. McGavick
Date: March 1, 2010
/s/ S
IMON
R
ICH
Name: Simon Rich
261
(Registrant)
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Director
XL Capital Ltd
Title: Senior Vice President and
Interim Chief Financial Officer
XL Capital Ltd
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and executive officers of XL Capital Ltd, hereby severally constitute Michael S. McGavick, Simon Rich and Kirstin Romann Gould, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them and each of them to sign for us, and in our names in the capacities indicated
below, any and all amendments to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys to any and all amendments to said Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/ M
ICHAEL
S. M
C
G
AVICK
Michael S. McGavick
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive
March 1, 2010
/s/ S
IMON
R
ICH
Simon Rich
Senior Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
March
1, 2010
/s/ D
ALE
R. C
OMEY
Dale R. Comey
Director
March
1, 2010
/s/ R
OBERT
R. G
LAUBER
Robert R. Glauber
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors
March
1, 2010
/s/ H
ERBERT
N. H
AAG
Herbert N. Haag
Director
March
1, 2010
/s/ G. T
HOMPSON
H
UTTON
G. Thompson Hutton
Director
March
1, 2010
/s/ J
OSEPH
M
AURIELLO
Joseph Mauriello
Director
March
1, 2010
/s/ E
UGENE
M. M
CQUADE
Eugene M. Mcquade
Director
March
1, 2010
Clayton S. Rose
Director
/s/ E
LLEN
E. T
HROWER
Ellen E. Thrower
Director
March
1, 2010
/s/ S
IR
J
OHN
V
EREKER
Sir John Vereker
Director
March
1, 2010
262
Officer) and Director
Exhibit 10.52
AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (Amendment) dated as of December 16, 2009 between XL Capital Ltd, a Cayman Islands corporation (the Company) and Sarah E. Street (the Executive).
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are parties to an Amended Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 2006 (the Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to amend the Agreement as set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Agreement) and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. The penultimate sentence of Section 5 is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Any annual bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum after the end of the calendar year for which the annual bonus is paid and no later than March 15 following such calendar year, unless deferred at the Executives option in accordance with the provisions of any applicable deferred compensation plan of the Company or its subsidiaries in effect from time to time.
2. Clause (i) of Section 8(b) is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
(i) a cash lump sum payment made, subject to Section 25 below, 60 days after the date of termination in an amount equal to the Base Salary as provided in Section 4, above, that would have been paid to the Executive had she remained employed through the end of the sixth month after the month in which the Executives employment terminates due to disability,
3. Clause (iii) of Section 8(b) is amended by deleting within 45 and replacing it with 60.
4. The last sentence of clause (i) of Section 8(d) is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
For the avoidance of doubt, if a notice of non-renewal of this Agreement pursuant to Section 2 is issued by the Company, the termination of the Executives employment at the end of the term shall be considered a termination by the Company without Cause hereunder.
5. Clause (ii)(B) of Section 8(d) is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
(B) provided the Executive executes, on or before the date that is fifty (50) days following the date of her termination of employment, a general release of claims against the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below) in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and does not revoke such release prior to the end of the seven day statutory revocation period, a cash lump sum payment made sixty (60) days after termination of employment equal to (x) two times the Executives annual Base Salary, at the annual rate in effect in accordance with Section 4, above, immediately prior to such termination and (y) one times the higher of the targeted annual bonus for the year of such termination, if any, or the average of the Executives annual bonus payable by the Company for the three years immediately preceding the year of termination (or such shorter period during which the Executive has been employed by the Company),
6. Clause (iii) of Section 8(d) is amended by deleting (A) the first time it appears therein and by deleting within 30 and replacing it with 60.
7. Clause (iii)(A) of Section 8(d) is amended by adding the following at the end thereof: , to be paid in accordance with the Companys regular payroll practices,
8. Clause (iii)(G) of Section 8(d) is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
(G) full and immediate vesting under the Companys retirement plans as of the date of termination, to the extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however , that if such full and immediate vesting cannot be provided under a qualified employer plan (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(a)(2)) under applicable law, then the present value of economically equivalent benefits, determined using reasonable assumptions and on an after-tax basis to the Executive, shall be paid in a cash lump sum to the Executive, subject to Section 25 below, 60 days after termination of employment.
9. The last paragraph of Section 8(d)(iii) is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in (A)-(G) above, if the Executives employment with the Company is terminated by the Company (other than for Cause) within one year prior to the date on which a 409A Change in Control (as defined below) occurs, and it is reasonably demonstrated that such termination (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated or intended to effect the 409A Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the 409A Change in Control; provided , however , that in such event, amounts in excess of those otherwise payable to the Executive under Section 8(d)(ii) above will be payable hereunder only following the 409A Change in Control (and, subject to Section 25 below, on the date of the 409A
Change in Control). For purposes hereof, a 409A Change in Control means a change in control event (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)) with respect to the Company that also constitutes a Change in Control.
10. Section 9(a) is amended by deleting the word Code in the first place it appears therein and replacing it with United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
11. The fourth paragraph of Section 11 is amended by deleting within 30 days following termination of employment therefrom and inserting the following in its place: 60 days following her separation from service (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)) with the Company.
12. The first sentence of Section 17 is amended by adding the following at the end thereof:
against expenses incurred and damages paid or payable by the Executive with respect to claims based on actions or failures to act by the Executive in her capacity as an officer, director or employee of the Company or its Affiliates or in any other capacity, including any fiduciary capacity, in which the Executive served at the request of the Company or an Affiliate.
13. Section 25(b) is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Executive is deemed on the date of her separation from service (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)) with the Company to be a specified employee (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(i)), then with regard to any payment or benefit that is considered deferred compensation under Section 409A payable on account of a separation from service that is required to be delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code (after taking into account any applicable exceptions to such requirement), such payment or benefit shall be made or provided on the date that is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of the Executives separation from service, or (ii) the date of the Executives death (the Delay Period). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 25(b) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Executive in a lump sum and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment, references to the Executives termination of employment (and corollary terms) with the Company shall be construed to refer to the Executives separation from service (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)) with the Company. With respect to any reimbursement or in-kind
benefit arrangements of the Company and its subsidiaries that constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, the following conditions shall be applicable: (i) the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, under any such arrangement in one calendar year may not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, under such arrangement in any other calendar year (except that the health and dental plans may impose a limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), (ii) any reimbursement must be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days ( e.g ., payment shall be made within thirty (30) days after termination of employment), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. Whenever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each such installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any tax gross-up payment (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(v)) provided for in this Agreement shall be made to the Executive no later than the end of the Executives taxable year next following the Executives taxable year in which she remits the related taxes. No action or failure to act, pursuant to this Section 25 shall subject the Company to any claim, liability, or expense, and the Company shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise protect the Executive from the obligation to pay any taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
14. Except as set forth herein, the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
15. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Amendment and the Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.
16. This Amendment may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all of which counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date and year first above written.
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XL CAPITAL LTD |
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By: |
/s/ Kirstin R. Gould |
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GUARANTORS: |
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XL INSURANCE (BERMUDA) LTD (formerly XL INSURANCE LTD) |
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By: |
/s/ Kirstin R. Gould |
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XL RE LTD |
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By: |
/s/ Kirstin R. Gould |
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READ, ACCEPTED & AGREED |
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/s/ Sarah E. Street |
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Sarah E. Street |
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Exhibit 10.53
XL CAPITAL LTD
FORM OF LETTER AGREEMENT RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Re: Ordinary Share Exchange
Dear __________:
As you know, XL Capital Ltd, a Cayman Islands company (the Company ), is considering proposing a scheme of arrangement under Cayman Islands law to its ordinary shareholders, which effectively will change the Companys place of incorporation to Ireland from the Cayman Islands. Completion of the proposed scheme of arrangement will result in an exchange of all of the Class A ordinary shares of the Company for ordinary shares of XL Capital plc, an Irish company ( Irishco ), on a one-for-one basis (the Ordinary Share Exchange ).
Pursuant to our discussions regarding the terms of the employment agreement between you and the Company, dated ___________ (the Employment Agreement ), and the technical issues concerning whether the Ordinary Share Exchange might constitute or be deemed to constitute a change in control under the Employment Agreement, and in view of the fact that it would not result in a change in the ultimate economic owners and controlling persons in the Company, you agree and acknowledge that in the event the Company does effect the Ordinary Share Exchange, it will not constitute or result in (or be deemed to constitute or result in) a change in control under the terms of the Employment Agreement. In addition, you acknowledge that the Company would assign its rights and obligations under the Employment Agreement to Irishco upon the completion of the Ordinary Share Exchange. This letter agreement is for the benefit of the Company and its affiliates.
(signatures on following page)
If the terms of this letter agreement meet with your approval, please sign and return one copy to me.
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Sincerely, |
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XL CAPITAL LTD |
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED: |
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Executive |
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Date: ___________, 2009 |
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SCHEDULE 1
Each of the following executive officers signed the letter agreement, in form attached, as of December 15, 2009:
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David B. Duclos |
Kirstin R. Gould |
Michael S. McGavick |
Elizabeth L. Reeves |
Jacob D. Rosengarten |
Sarah E. Street |
James H. Veghte |
Exhibit 10.54
Master Agreement
Form 3/CEP
AGREEMENT DATED 11 November 2009
BETWEEN:
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(1) |
XL INSURANCE (BERMUDA) LTD whose offices and registered address are at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Company); |
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AND |
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(2) |
CITIBANK EUROPE PLC (CEP) whose offices and registered address are at 1 North Wall Quay, I.F.S.C., Dublin 1, Ireland. |
PREAMBLE
Subject to the Companys satisfaction of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, CEP agrees to establish letters of credit or similar or equivalent acceptable instruments (each a Credit and collectively the Credits) on behalf of the Company in favour of beneficiaries located in the United States of America or elsewhere (the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries as relevant). In furtherance of this Agreement, the parties have separately agreed the contractual or security arrangements that will apply in respect of the Companys obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement.
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1. |
ESTABLISHMENT OF CREDITS |
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It is agreed between us in relation to each Credit that:- |
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1.1 |
In order to establish a Credit, the Company is required to submit an application form to CEP (the Application Form). The Application Form must (a) be in such form as CEP is willing to accept for this purpose; Application Forms may, subject to CEPs agreement, be received via any electronic system(s) or transmission arrangement(s); (b) be completed by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Companys banking mandate(s) or other authorities lodged with CEP or in accordance with arrangement(s) made with CEP from time to time; and (c) indicate therein the name of the Beneficiary and the amount and term of the Credit required. Upon receipt of an Application Form that satisfies the above criteria, CEP shall establish on behalf of the Company an irrevocable clean sight Credit (or such other form of Credit as may be required by the Application Form relating thereto) available, in whole or in part, by the Beneficiarys sight draft (the Company hereby agreeing that CEP may accept as a valid sight draft any written or electronic demand or other request for payment under the Credit, even if such demand or other request is not In the form of a negotiable instrument) on CEP or otherwise as may be required by the terms of the Credit; provided, however, that the opening of any Credit hereunder shall, In every instance, be at CEPs option and nothing herein shall be construed as obliging CEP to open any Credit. |
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1.2 |
Prior to the establishment of any Credit or In order to maintain a Credit, the Company undertakes to (1) deposit cash or securities or a combination of cash and securities of such amount as is required under the pledge agreement entered into on or around the date hereof between, amongst others, the Company and CEP (the Pledge Agreement) in an account or account(s) in the name of the Company with Bank of New York Mellon that is or are subject to the terms of the Pledge Agreement or (2) to ensure that one or more other Pledgors (as defined In the Pledge Agreement) deposit cash or securities or a combination of cash and securities of such amount as required under the terms of the Pledge Agreement in an account or account(s) in the name of the relevant Pledgor with Bank of New York Mellon that is or are subject to the terms of the Pledge Agreement (in each case a Deposit). For the avoidance of doubt, the Deposit required for any Credit may be provided by the Company and/or by another Pledgor provided that the aggregate amount of the Deposit provided by the Company and/or any other Pledgor is at least equal to the |
Master Agreement
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amount required under the terms of the Pledge Agreement. In the event that a Pledgors Deposit is transferred, or is required to be transferred to an account with Citibank N.A. pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Pledge Agreement, then in relation to that Pledgor references in this Clause 1.2 to Pledge Agreement shall include that Pledgors charge referred to in Section 4(e) of the Pledge Agreement, and references to account or accounts shall include that Pledgors securities account with Citibank N.A. referred to in Section 4(e) of the Pledge Agreement. |
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2 |
REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY |
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2.1 |
The Company undertakes to reimburse CEP, on demand within 5 Business Days (as defined in Clause 9.4 below), the amount of any and all drawings (including, for the avoidance of doubt, drawings presented electronically) under each Credit. |
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2.2 |
The Company undertakes to Indemnify CEP, within 5 Business Days of demand, for and against all actions, proceedings, losses, damages, charges and all reasonable costs, expenses, claims and demands which CEP may incur, pay or sustain in connection with each Credit and/or this Agreement, howsoever arising (unless resulting from CEPs own fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct). |
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2.3 |
The Company hereby irrevocably authorises CEP to make any payments and comply with any demands which may be claimed from or made upon CEP in connection with any Credit without any reference to, or further authority from, the Company. The Company hereby agrees that it shall not be incumbent upon CEP to enquire or take notice of whether or not any such payments or demands claimed from or made upon CEP in connection with each Credit are properly made or whether any dispute exists between the Company and the Beneficiary thereof. The Company further agrees that unless resulting from the fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct of CEP, any payment CEP makes in accordance with the terms and conditions of each Credit shall be binding upon the Company and shall be accepted by the Company as conclusive evidence that CEP was liable to make such payment or comply with such demand. |
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3. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
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3.1 |
The Company represents and warrants to CEP that on the date of this Agreement:- |
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(i) |
it has the necessary power to enable it to enter into and perform the obligations expressed to be assumed by it under this Agreement; |
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(ii) |
this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation effective in accordance with its terms; |
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(iii) |
all necessary authorisations to enable or entitle it to enter into this Agreement have been obtained and are in full force and effect; |
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(iv) |
neither the Company nor any Pledgor is unable to pay its debts as they fall due; |
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(v) |
neither the Company nor any Pledgor has been deemed or declared to be unable to pay its debts under any applicable law; |
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(vi) |
neither the Company nor any Pledgor has suspended making payments on any of its debts; |
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(vii) |
neither the Company nor any Pledgor has, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commenced negotiations with any of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness; |
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(viii) |
the value of the assets of the Company or any Pledgor is not less than the Companys or that Pledgors (as the case may be) liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities); |
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(ix) |
no moratorium has been declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Company or any Pledgor; and |
Master Agreement
Master Agreement
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attributable to the person(s) (the Excluded Person(s)) who gave a notice of non-renewal to CEP or, as the case may be, for whom CEP do not wish to arrange the issuance of the Substitute Credit; and (II) the original term of the Substitute Credit will, subject to renewal as mentioned in Clause 5.1 above, be up to one year in duration (or such longer duration as may be required by any regulatory or other authority having jurisdiction as to the acceptability of the Substitute Credit); or |
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(b) |
such other arrangement, compromise, release or waiver as, CEP in its sole opinion, deems will result in the same effect being achieved as in Clause 5.2 (a). CEP will, as soon as reasonably possible, advise the Company (unless it is the, or one of the, Excluded Person(s)) of the matter(s) effected by it pursuant to this Clause 5.2. |
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6. |
UCP/ISP |
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CEP may, at its sole option, arrange for the issuance of any Credit as being subject to either (i) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision) ICC Publication No. 500 (the UCP) or (ii) the International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 - the International Standby Practices 1998 (the ISP), (or any subsequent version of either); provided however that CEP may agree such modifications thereof as may be required by any regulatory or other authority having jurisdiction as to the acceptability of the Credit in question. |
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7. |
CREDIT CHOICE OF LAW |
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If, at the Companys request, a Credit expressly chooses a state or country law other than New York, U.S.A. or English law, or is silent with respect to the UCP, the ISP or a governing law, CEP shall not be liable for any payment, cost, expense or loss resulting from any action or inaction it takes provided such action or inaction is justified under UCP, ISP, New York law, English law or the law governing the Credit. |
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8. |
INCREASES ETC/REINSTATEMENTS |
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8.1 |
The provisions of the foregoing Clauses shall be equally applicable to any increase, extension, renewal, partial renewal, modification or amendment of, or substitute instrument for, any Credit to which they apply provided that any such increase, extension, renewal, partial renewal, modification or amendment of, or substitution has been agreed by the Company and CEP. |
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8.2 |
If for any reason any amount paid under any Credit is repaid, in whole or in part, by the Beneficiary thereof (a Repayment), CEP may in its discretion (acting reasonably) treat (or procure the treatment of) the Repayment as a reinstatement of an amount (equal to the Repayment) under such Credit. The value date CEP applies to any such reinstatement shall not be earlier than the date of such Repayment and CEP shall not be liable for losses of any nature which the Company may suffer or incur and/or which may arise from any inadvertent or erroneous drawing unless such losses arise from the fraud or wilful misconduct of CEP. |
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8.3 |
In the event of a Repayment, CEP will promptly inform the Company in writing. Provided the Company has reimbursed CEP in relation to the amount paid to the Beneficiary under the relevant Credit, and CEP has reinstated that Repayment under that Credit, CEP shall promptly pay an amount equal to the Repayment to the Company. |
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9. |
NOTICES |
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9.1 |
Any notice to be served hereunder shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, served in person or by post, fax or any electronic method of communication approved by CEP to the relevant party at its address or fax number shown immediately after its name on the signature page of the Agreement or set out in the Novation Notice (as defined in Clause 10.3) by which it became party hereto or such other address or number notified by it to the other party to this Agreement. |
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9.2 |
Any notice or demand:- |
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(a) |
sent by post shall be deemed to have been served on the other party on the fifth Business Day after posting, or on delivery if delivered personally or by courier to the relevant address; or |
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(b) |
sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party on the date that it is dispatched so long as (i) the sending party is in possession of a transmission sheet confirming transmission to the correct fax number, and (ii) the facsimile is sent before 5pm local time at the place of receipt. If a facsimile is sent after 5pm, then it shall be deemed to have been served the following day. |
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9.3 |
In proving service by post it shall be sufficient to show that the letter containing the notice or demand was properly addressed and posted and such proof of service shall be effective notwithstanding that the letter was in fact not delivered or was returned undelivered. |
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9.4 |
In this Agreement, Business Day shall be construed as a reference to a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are generally open in London and Bermuda. |
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10. |
ASSIGNMENT/NOVATION |
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10.1 |
The Company may not assign any of its rights hereunder without CEPs prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
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10.2 |
CEP shall not (a) assign or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of its rights and/or benefits under this Agreement or (b) (subject to Clauses 10.3 to 10.6) novate or otherwise dispose of its rights and obligations under this Agreement except in each case to a Permitted Transferee (as defined in Clause 10.6 below) and provided in each case that the prior written consent of the Company is obtained, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The words CEP and CEPs wherever used in this Agreement shall be deemed to include any Permitted Transferee, who shall be entitled to enforce and proceed upon this Agreement in the same manner as if named herein. CEP shall be entitled to impart any information concerning the Company to any such assignee or novatee, successor or any sub-participant provided that the recipient of the information agrees (in favour of the Company) to keep such information confidential. |
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10.3 |
Any Permitted Transferee (in its capacity as transferor, a Transferring Bank) may, subject to obtaining the prior written consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, novate at any time, upon service of a notice on the Company in the form attached as Schedule One to this Agreement (a Novation Notice), any or all of its rights and obligations under, and the benefit of, this Agreement to, any other Permitted Transferee (for the purposes of Clause 10.4 below, the New Permitted Transferee). |
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10.4 |
With effect from the date that the novation comes into effect (the Novation Date): |
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10.4.1 |
the New Permitted Transferee shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement (as novated) in every way as if the New Permitted Transferee was and had been a party hereto in place of the Transferring Bank and the New Permitted Transferee shall undertake and perform and discharge all of CEPs obligations and liabilities under this Agreement (as novated) whether the same fell or fall to be performed or arose or arise on, before or after the Novation Date; |
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10.4.2 |
the Company shall release and discharge the Transferring Bank from further performance of its obligations arising in favour of the Company on and after the Novation Date under this Agreement and all claims and demands whatsoever in respect thereof against the Transferring Bank, and the Company and the New Permitted Transferee shall accept the liability in respect of such obligations in place of the liability of the Transferring Bank; |
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10.4.3 |
the Transferring Bank shall release and discharge the Company from further performance of its obligations arising in favour of the Transferring Bank on and after the Novation Date under this Agreement and all claims and demands whatsoever in respect thereof by the Transferring Bank; and |
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10.4.4 |
the Company shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement (as novated) in every way, and it shall undertake and perform and discharge in favour of the New Permitted Transferee each of its obligations whether the same fell or fall to be |
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performed or arose or arise on, before or after the Novation Date and expressed to be owed to CEP. |
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10.5 |
Without prejudice to the automatic novation of the Transferring Banks rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 10.4, the Company undertakes to sign and return promptly each acknowledgement of the Novation Notice from time to time delivered to it promptly following receipt of the same from the Transferring Bank. |
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10.6 |
For the purposes of this Clause 10, a Permitted Transferee shall mean a person in respect of which the Company has given its prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed (in accordance with Clause 10.2 or 10.3 above), being any holding company, subsidiary or affiliate of Citigroup Inc. |
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10.7 |
The Company shall ensure that each Pledgor signs any such documentation and takes any such action as CEP or the Transferring Bank may require to effectively novate, transfer and/or assign any secured asset, security documentation or other documentation to the Permitted Transferee. |
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11. |
GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION |
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This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of it shall be governed by English law and, both parties hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the English Courts in respect of any dispute which may arise from or in connection with this Agreement. |
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12. |
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
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12.1 |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any terms of this Agreement. |
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12.2 |
The terms of this Agreement may not be waived, modified or amended unless such waiver, modification or amendment is in writing and signed by both parties. |
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12.3 |
Unless the Company notifies CEP in writing to the contrary, CEP shall be entitled to impart any information concerning the Company to any Pledgor. |
Master Agreement
EXECUTED THIS DAY ABOVE WRITTEN BY:
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XL INSURANCE (BERMUDA) LTD |
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(Signature (s)) |
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Dated |
November 11, 2009 |
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Address: |
XL House |
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One Bermudiana Road |
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Hamilton HM08 |
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Bermuda |
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Attention: |
Senior Treasury Analyst at the Treasury Department, with a copy to the Company Secretary |
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Facsimile Number: |
+1 441 296 6399 (Treasury Department) |
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+1 441 294 7307 (Company Secretary) |
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AND |
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CITIBANK EUROPE PLC |
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(Signature(s)) |
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Dated |
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Address: |
1 North Wall Quay |
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IFSC |
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Dublin 1 |
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Ireland |
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Attention: |
Insurance Letter of Credit Department |
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Facsimile Number: |
+353 1622 1009 |
Master Agreement
EXECUTED THIS DAY ABOVE WRITTEN BY:
XL INSURANCE (BERMUDA) LTD
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(Signature(s)) |
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Dated |
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Address: |
XL House |
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One Bermudiana Road |
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Hamilton HM08 |
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Bermuda |
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Attention: |
Senior Treasury Analyst at the Treasury Department, with a copy to the Company Secretary |
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Facsimile Number: |
+1 441 296 6399 (Treasury Department) |
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+1 441 294 7307 (Company Secretary) |
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AND |
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CITIBANK EUROPE PLC |
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PEADAR MAC CANNA
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(Signature(s)) |
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Dated |
11 November 2009 |
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Address: |
1 North Wall Quay |
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IFSC |
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Dublin 1 |
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Ireland |
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Attention: |
Insurance Letter of Credit Department |
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Facsimile Number: |
+353 1622 1009 |
Master Agreement
SCHEDULE ONE
Form of Novation Notice for Clause 10
To: [ ]
Date:
Dear Sirs
Insurance Letters of Credit Master Agreement (Form 3/CEP) dated [ ] and made between Citibank Europe plc and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (the Agreement)
We refer to Clause 10 of the Agreement. We hereby notify you that we wish to exercise our option to novate under Clause 10 thereof so that with effect from todays date the rights, liabilities and obligations of [ name of Transferring Bank ] shall be novated to [ name of Permitted Transferee ] in the manner set out in Clause 10 thereof.
The relevant address for the purposes of Clause 9 is as follows:
[ Insert new address ]
Yours faithfully
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for and on behalf of
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for and on behalf of
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[NAME OF COUNTERPARTY]:
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(1) |
acknowledges receipt of the Novation Notice; and |
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(2) |
agrees that with effect from the date of the Novation Notice the rights, liabilities and obligations of [ ] are novated to [ ] in the manner set out in Clause 10 of the Agreement. |
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for and on behalf of |
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[NAME OF COUNTERPARTY] |
Exhibit 10.55
EXECUTION COPY
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
PLEDGE AGREEMENT , dated as of 11 November 2009 (this Agreement ) made among
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(1) |
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (with company registration number 12809) whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Applicant ); |
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(2) |
XL Re Ltd a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (with company registration number 21291) whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Second Pledgor ); |
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(the Applicant and the Second Pledgor, together referred to as the Original Pledgors , and, together with any Additional Pledgor from time to time becoming party hereto, the Pledgors ); and |
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(5) |
CITIBANK EUROPE PLC (the Pledgee ). |
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PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS. |
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(1) |
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The Applicant and the Pledgee have entered into the Master Agreement (as defined in Exhibit A) pursuant to which the Pledgee may from time to time in its sole discretion issue or procure the issuance of, for the account of the Applicant, letters of credit or similar or equivalent instruments (each a Credit and, collectively, the Credits ). |
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(2) |
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Each Pledgor has agreed to collateralize the obligations of the Applicant owed to the Pledgee that result from time to time under the Master Agreement and in respect of the Credits issued thereunder whether now existing or from time to time hereafter incurred or arising, as such obligations are more fully defined in Section 3 of this Agreement as the Secured Obligations. |
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(3) |
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The Pledgors and the Pledgee desire to execute and deliver this Agreement for the purpose of securing the Secured Obligations and subjecting the property hereinafter described to the Lien of this Agreement as security for the performance of the Secured Obligations. |
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(4) |
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The Pledgors have each opened an account with Bank of New York Mellon (the Securities Intermediary ) at its office at One BNY Mellon Center, 500 Grant Street, AIM 151-1035, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 U.S.A. as set out in Schedule 7 (as may be amended from time to time), and each Additional Pledgor will open such an account upon entering into this Agreement (in relation to each Pledgor, and together with any successor account or additional account (including any account established pursuant to Section 4(e) hereof) opened and maintained for this purpose, that Pledgors Account ). |
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(5) |
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Each of the Pledgors, the Pledgee, and the Securities Intermediary have entered into, and each Additional Pledgor will enter into, the Control Agreement (as defined in Exhibit A ) pursuant to which the Accounts and the Collateral will be administered and maintained. |
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Pledgee to enter into transactions with and to provide services to the Applicant, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Defined Terms Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in Exhibit A .
Section 2. Grant of Security. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, each Pledgor hereby pledges and grants to the Pledgee a first priority security interest in and a Lien on all of that Pledgors right, title and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in all of the following (collectively, the Collateral ):
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(i) |
that Pledgors Account; |
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(ii) |
the Securities and any Instruments or other Financial Assets from time to time credited to that Pledgors Account (the Pledged Securities ) including, without limitation, any Security Entitlement in respect of that Pledgors Account, the Pledged Securities or any of them, and any cash from time to time credited to that Pledgors Account; |
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(iii) |
all additional Investment Property (including without limitation) Securities, Security Entitlements, Financial Assets, or other property and all funds, cash or cash equivalents (together with any applicable Account or Securities Account of that Pledgor) from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange or substitution for any other Collateral (all such funds, cash or cash equivalents to be Financial Assets for the purposes of this Agreement; and |
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(iv) |
all Proceeds (including, without limitation, cash Proceeds) of any or all of the foregoing, including without limitation, Proceeds that constitute property of the types described in clauses (i) , (ii) and (iii) above. |
Section 3. Security for Obligations. In relation to each Pledgor, this Agreement (and the Collateral pledged by that Pledgor hereunder) secures the payment of all obligations of the Applicant now or hereafter existing under the Master Agreement (including all contingent obligations with respect to Credit(s) issued or procured for issuance by the Pledgee for the Applicants account or the account of an affiliate of the Applicant pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement), and further secures the payment of all present and future obligations of each Pledgor under this Agreement, in each case, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or otherwise, including the payment in accordance with terms hereof and thereof of any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Pledgee in enforcing any rights under this Agreement and the Master Agreement (all such obligations being the Secured Obligations ). In relation to each Pledgor, this Agreement is intended to convey to the Pledgee, and each Pledgor hereby grants to the Pledgee, the right and power to exercise exclusive control over all Security Entitlements in, and the sole right and power to direct dispositions of all cash deposits in that Pledgors Account for the purposes of sections 8-106, 9-106 and 9-104 of the NYUCC. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Master Agreement to the contrary, all amounts paid by any Pledgor, realised from a Pledgors Collateral or otherwise applied in respect of a Pledgor to the Secured Obligations shall be applied without duplication of any such amounts paid or applied with respect to the other Pledgors and shall, to the extent so paid or applied, satisfy the obligations of all Pledgors hereunder and under the Master Agreement with respect to such Secured Obligations.
Section 4. Delivery and Maintenance of Security Collateral
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(a) |
In connection with the issuance of Credits from time to time pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement, the Pledgors (in such combination as they may determine in their sole discretion) shall cause cash and/or Securities of the type specified in Schedule 1 (the Qualifying Collateral ) to be credited to the Accounts in accordance with the Control Agreement as Collateral so that the Letter of Credit Value of such Qualifying Collateral as of the date of issuance of such Credit or Credits shall, in the aggregate with respect to all Pledgors, equal or exceed an amount equal to the aggregate face amount of the then outstanding Credits, all as |
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determined in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, including Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 hereto (the Required Account Value). |
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(b) |
Pledgors may pledge additional Qualifying Collateral hereunder at any time. Unless and until an Event of Default shall exist and be continuing, each Pledgor may transfer, sell, exchange, settle, withdraw, redeem or invest that Pledgors Collateral from that Pledgors Account or substitute other Collateral for any Collateral then held in that Pledgors Account (and the security interest hereunder in favor of the Pledgee in any such Collateral removed from an Account shall automatically, without further action on the part of any party, be released), provided that upon giving effect to such transaction (and any contemporaneous transactions initiated by other Pledgors) the aggregate Letter of Credit Value of the Collateral credited to all Accounts shall equal or exceed an amount equal to the Required Account Value. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Pledgor may at any time cause cash to be paid from that Pledgors Account to the Pledgee for application to the payment of outstanding Secured Obligations. |
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(c) |
The Pledgee agrees that in the event that it delivers a written instruction to the Securities Intermediary under Article lll(3)(ii) of the Control Agreement requiring the Pledgees prior written approval to any transfer, withdrawal, sale, settlement, redemption, investment or substitution (each a trade) undertaken by any Pledgor in accordance with the foregoing clause (b), the Pledgee shall not unreasonably withhold or delay such written approval so as to enable the trade to settle in the ordinary course of business. |
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(d) |
In the event that the aggregate Letter of Credit Value of the Collateral credited to all Accounts shall be less than the Required Account Value for any reason, the Pledgors shall, within 5 Business Days after receipt of written notice from the Pledgee, cause additional Qualifying Collateral to be credited to one or more Accounts to the extent necessary to cause the aggregate Letter of Credit Value of the Collateral credited to all Accounts to equal or exceed the Required Account Value. |
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(e) |
In relation to any Pledgor, upon the occurrence of a Net Worth Deficiency (whether or not subsequently cured) or upon the announcement by any Pledgor of its decision to cease writing insurance or reinsurance business, the Pledgee may upon written notice to that Pledgor transfer, or require that Pledgor as promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt of such written notice to transfer, that Pledgors Collateral from that Pledgors Account to a securities account at Citibank, N.A. (London, England branch), and to execute as promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt of such written notice a charge governed by English law (in substantially the customary form used by the Pledgee, a copy of which charge has been provided to the relevant Pledgor) in substitution for or in addition to this Agreement. |
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Section 5. Use of Proceeds In relation to each Pledgor, Proceeds that are received in respect of any of the Collateral of that Pledgor shall be held as cash Collateral of that Pledgor as provided in Section 2 of this Agreement, but subject always to the Pledgors rights under Section 4(b) of this Agreement and the other terms of this Agreement. |
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Section 6. Representations. Warranties and Covenants |
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Each Pledgor represents, warrants and covenants as follows: |
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(a) |
It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation and has all requisite corporate power and authority (including, without limitation, all governmental licenses, permits and other approvals except where such failure would not have a material adverse effect on its business) to own or lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. |
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(b) |
The execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, are within its corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. |
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(c) |
All of its Collateral consisting of certificated securities and instruments has been delivered to the Pledgee or the Securities Intermediary with appropriate instruments of endorsement in blank. |
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(d) |
No consent of any other Person and no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or other third party is required for any of (i) for the grant by it of the security interest granted hereby, for the pledge by it of its Collateral pursuant hereto or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by it, (ii) for the perfection or maintenance of the pledge and security interest created hereby (including the first priority nature of such pledge or security interest), save that it may be preferable to register this Agreement in the Register of Charges in Bermuda (with respect to Pledgors organized in Bermuda), and the actions described in Section 4 of this Agreement with respect to its Collateral, which actions have been or, at the times required pursuant to Section 4, will be taken and are, or at such times or times will be, in full force and effect or (iii) for the exercise by the Pledgee of its rights provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of its Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with the disposition of any portion of its Collateral by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally. |
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(e) |
The execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (i) do not violate any provision of any law, rule or regulation applicable to it; (ii) do not and will not conflict with its charter or by-laws or substantively similar constitutive documents; or (iii) do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than the Lien in favour of the Pledgee created hereby) upon any of its property or assets (excluding Collateral) of itself or any of its subsidiaries, under any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument or agreement to which it or any of its subsidiaries may be or become a party or by which it may be or become bound or to which its property or assets or any of its subsidiaries may be or become subject, except as would not have a material adverse effect on such Pledgor or the rights of the Pledgee hereunder. |
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(f) |
It is the legal and beneficial owner (or, in the case of Financial Assets that underlie Security Entitlements from time to time credited to the Accounts, the beneficial owner) of the Collateral, and has and shall at all times have rights in, and good and marketable title to, the Collateral, free and clear of all Liens and adverse claims (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(1) of the NYUCC), save as exist under the Control Agreement or as may have been disclosed by it to the Pledgee in writing prior to the date of this Agreement. Liens in favour of Citibank, N.A. securing its reimbursement obligations to Citibank, N.A. in connection with the issuance of letters of credit shall be deemed to have been disclosed in writing to the Pledgee. No effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Collateral or listing it or any trade name of it as debtor with respect to the Collateral is on file in any recording office, except such as may have been filed in favour of the Pledgee. |
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(g) |
It undertakes upon a Change of Control promptly to inform the Pledgee of such fact and to enter into such additional documentation as is reasonably required by the Pledgee in order to ensure that the rights of the Pledgee under this Agreement are in no way prejudiced, including but not limited to, in the case of the Applicant, the entering into of any new Master Agreement on substantially the same terms as those existing at such time. |
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(h) |
(i) This Agreement and the pledge of its Collateral pursuant hereto create a valid security interest in its Collateral, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations, (ii) this Agreement and the Control Agreement are sufficient to perfect such security interest in its Account and all Financial Assets and cash from time to time credited thereto, and (iii) assuming the Pledgee has no notice of any Liens or adverse claims (as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(1) of the NYUCC) |
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with respect to its Collateral, the Pledgee will take its Collateral free and clear of any Liens and adverse claims. |
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(i) |
No Pledgor is, or is controlled by, an investment company, within the meaning of such terms in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and no Pledgor is otherwise subject to regulation under said Act. |
Section 7. Further Assurances
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(a) |
Each Pledgor agrees that from time to time and at its own cost, it will promptly execute and deliver, or otherwise authenticate, all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary, or that the Pledgee may reasonably request, in order to continue, perfect and protect any pledge or security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Pledgee to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any of its Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor will execute and file such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary, or as the Pledgee may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the pledge and security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby, and will furnish to the Pledgee at or prior to the establishment of the initial Credit or Credits under the Master Agreement, and thereafter from time to time as the Pledgee may reasonably request upon the occurrence of a change in law, addition of an Additional Pledgor hereunder or other appropriate change in circumstances, an opinion of counsel, from outside counsel reasonably acceptable to the Pledgee, to the effect that the Pledgee has a perfected security interest in the Collateral granted hereunder. |
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(b) |
Each Pledgor will furnish to the Pledgee from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing its Collateral and such other reports in connection with its Collateral as the Pledgee may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail. |
Section 8. Post-Closing Changes Immediately after any change in its name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number or location of its principal or registered office from those set forth on the first page of this Agreement, such Pledgor will inform Pledgee of such fact and take all action reasonably required by the Pledgee for the purpose of perfecting or protecting the security interest granted by this Agreement. No Pledgor will become bound by a security agreement authenticated by another Person (determined as provided in Section 9-203(d) of the NYUCC) in relation to its Collateral. Each Pledgor will hold and preserve its records relating to its Collateral and will permit representatives of the Pledgee at any time during normal business hours on the Pledgor being given 5 Business Days prior notice of such inspection in writing to inspect and make abstracts from such records and other documents. If any Pledgor does not have an organizational identification number and later obtains one, it will forthwith notify the Pledgee of such organizational identification number.
Section 9. Entitlement Order The Pledgee covenants and agrees, for the benefit of each Pledgor, that it will not (i) originate any Entitlement Order or (ii) deliver any Notice of Exclusive Control (as defined in the Control Agreement) to the Securities Intermediary unless and until an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 10. Distributions Other than upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
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(i) |
each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to its Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose; and |
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(ii) |
any and all distributions paid in respect of the Pledged Securities shall be paid into the relevant Pledgors Account (but subject always to the Pledgors rights under Section 4(b) of this Agreement and the other terms of this Agreement); |
In each case as further provided for in the Control Agreement.
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Section 11. Transfer and Other Liens Except in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 hereof, no Pledgor shall (i) sell, assign or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of its Collateral, or (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of its Collateral, including any right to give any Entitlement Order with respect to its Collateral, except for the pledge and security interest created by this Agreement.
Section 12. Pledgee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints the Pledgee as its attorney-in-fact, with full authority upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in the place and stead of that Pledgor and in the name of that Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time during the continuance of such Event of Default, in the Pledgees discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation:
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(a) |
to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of its Collateral, |
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(b) |
to receive, indorse and collect any drafts or other instruments or documents, in connection with clause (a) above, and |
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(c) |
to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Pledgee may deem necessary for the collection of any of its Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Pledgee with respect to any of its Collateral. |
Section 13. Pledgee May Perform If any Pledgor fails to perform any agreement contained herein within ten Business Days of a notice from the Pledgee to do so, the Pledgee may, but without any obligation to do so and without further notice, itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Pledgee incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by that Pledgor under Section 17(b) hereof. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, if at any time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Pledgee will not be required to provide the Pledgor with any such notice and the Pledgee may, but without any obligation to do so itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Pledgee incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by that Pledgor under Section 17(b) hereof.
Section 14. The Pledgees Duties The powers conferred on the Pledgee hereunder are solely to protect its interest in any Pledgors Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Pledgee shall have no duty as to any Collateral, as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not the Pledgee has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Pledgee shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Pledgee accords its own property.
Section 15. Security Interest Absolute The obligations of each Pledgor under this Agreement are independent of the Secured Obligations and any agreement with respect to the Secured Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against any Pledgor to enforce this Agreement, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the Applicant under the Master Agreement or whether that Pledgor is joined in any such action or actions. All rights of the Pledgee and the pledge and security interest hereunder, and all obligations of each Pledgor hereunder, shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and each Pledgor irrevocably waives (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) any defenses it may now have or may hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:
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(a) |
any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Master Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto; |
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(b) |
any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from this Agreement or the Master Agreement, including, without limitation, any increase in the Secured Obligations; |
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(c) |
any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any other collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty for all or any of the Secured Obligations; |
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(d) |
any manner of application of its Collateral, or Proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any of its Collateral for all or any of the Secured Obligations or any other assets of any Pledgor or any of its subsidiaries; |
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(e) |
any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Pledgor or any of its subsidiaries; or |
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any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Pledgor in its capacity as such. |
Section 16. Remedies In relation to any Pledgor, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:
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(a) |
The Pledgee may exercise in respect of that Pledgors Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the NYUCC and also may without notice except as specified below, sell that Pledgors Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Pledgees offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Pledgee may deem commercially reasonable. Each Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days written notice to that Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any sale of that Pledgors Collateral regardless of a notice of sale having been given. The Pledgee may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. |
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The Pledgee may, without notice to or consent by any Pledgor, give a Notice of Exclusive Control (as defined in the Control Agreement) to the Securities Intermediary or other Person holding any Account, whereupon such Pledgor shall have no right to give further entitlement orders or other instructions to the Securities Intermediary or such Person (and for the avoidance of doubt, the Pledgors acknowledge that the Pledgees exclusive control may include, without limitation, the right to instruct the Securities Intermediary to liquidate any or all Collateral, convert the same to cash, and convert such cash from any currency to any other currency and to reinvest such cash in other investments, whether or not Qualifying Collateral). |
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All rights of each Pledgor to exercise all voting and other consensual rights and receive and retain distributions and all other rights and privileges described in Section 10 shall automatically terminate, and all such rights shall automatically become vested in the Pledgee, which shall immediately be entitled to exercise all voting and other consensual rights and receive and retain distributions and exercise all other rights and privileges described in said Section. |
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(d) |
Any cash held by or on behalf of the Pledgee and all cash Proceeds received by the Pledgee in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of that Pledgors Collateral may, in the discretion of the Pledgee, be held by the Pledgee as that Pledgors Collateral for, and/or then or at any time thereafter applied (after payment of any amounts payable to the Pledgee pursuant to Section 17 ) in whole or in part by the Pledgee against all or any part of the Secured Obligations in such order as the Pledgee shall elect. Any surplus of such cash or cash Proceeds held by the Pledgee and remaining after payment in full or other discharge of all the Secured Obligations shall be paid over to the relevant Pledgor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus. |
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(e) |
The Pledgee may, without notice to any Pledgor, except as required by law and at any time or from time to time, charge, set-off and otherwise apply all or any part of the Secured Obligations against that Pledgors Collateral or any part thereof. |
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(f) |
The Pledgor expressly authorises the Pledgee, and the Pledgee shall, at any time it reasonably determines is necessary to enable the Pledgee to better perfect or protect the security interests granted hereunder, upon written notice to that Pledgor, transfer to or register in the name of the Pledgee or any of its nominees any or all of that Pledgors Collateral in order to preserve the rights and interests of the Pledgee in that Pledgors Collateral. |
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(g) |
All payments received by any Pledgor in respect of its Collateral shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Pledgee, shall be segregated from other funds of that Pledgor that do not constitute Collateral and shall be forthwith paid over to the Pledgee or credited to that Pledgors Account in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement). |
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(h) |
At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, if, by reason of a decrease in the maximum aggregate stated amount of all Credits then outstanding and scheduled to remain outstanding, the aggregate Letter of Credit Value of all Collateral of all Pledgors exceeds 125% of the Required Account Value, then notwithstanding the continuance of such Event of Default, the Pledgee will reasonably consider a request by the Pledgors to release Collateral in excess of 125% of the Required Account Value. If such request is granted, such release shall occur within 30 days of the Pledgors request therefor and the security interest hereunder in favor of the Pledgee in such Collateral shall automatically, without further action on the part of any party, be released. |
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Section 17. Indemnity and Expenses |
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(a) |
Each Pledgor jointly and severally undertakes to indemnify the Pledgee, within 5 Business Days of demand, for and against all actions, proceedings, losses, damages, charges and all reasonable costs, expenses, claims and demands which the Pledgee may incur, pay or sustain in connection with this Agreement, howsoever arising (unless resulting from the Pledgees own bad faith, gross negligence or wilful misconduct). |
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(b) |
Each Pledgor will, within 5 Business Days of demand, jointly and severally pay to the Pledgee the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel, and of any experts and agents that the Pledgee may incur in connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from or other realization upon, any of its Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of any of the rights of the Pledgee hereunder or (iv) the failure by any Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof. |
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Section 18. Currency |
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(a) |
For the purpose of or pending the discharge of any of the Secured Obligations, the Pledgee may convert any monies received, recovered or realised or subject to application by the Pledgee under this Agreement (including the proceeds of any previous conversion under this Section 18 ) |
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from their existing currency of denomination into such other currency of denomination as the relevant Secured Obligation may be denominated (to the extent of any mismatch at such time, in the aggregate, between the currencies of such monies and the currencies in which the relevant Secured Obligations to be discharged are denominated), and any such conversion shall be effected at the Pledgees then prevailing spot rate of exchange for obtaining such other currency with the existing currency. |
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(b) |
References herein to any currency extend to any funds of that currency and for the avoidance of doubt funds of one currency may be converted into different funds of the same currency. |
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Section 19. Additional Pledgors |
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Subject to compliance with any provisions of Section 19(e) ( Know your customer checks), the Applicant may at any time request that any person become an Additional Pledgor. That person shall become an Additional Pledgor if: |
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the Pledgee has received the following: |
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a resolution of the board of directors (or its equivalent) from the Additional Pledgor approving the terms of the Accession Letter and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Accession Letter and authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Accession Letter and/or despatch all other documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement; |
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(2) |
a Control Agreement Accession Letter duly completed and executed by such Additional Pledgor and the Applicant; and |
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(3) |
such other certificates, opinions and other documents that the Pledgee may reasonably request, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Pledgee; and |
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(ii) |
the Additional Pledgor delivers to the Pledgee a duly completed and executed Accession Letter. |
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(b) |
Upon satisfaction of the requirements set out in subsection (a) above, the Pledgee shall in its absolute discretion countersign and deliver the Accession Letter and the Control Agreement Accession Letter, and the Additional Pledgor shall be deemed from and after the date on which the Pledgee counter-signs the Accession Letter and Control Agreement Accession Letter to have assumed all rights and obligations under this Agreement as if it had been an Original Pledgor. |
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(c) |
Delivery of an Accession Letter by the Additional Pledgor
will constitute confirmation by it that the representations set out in
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For the avoidance of doubt, each existing Pledgor hereby agrees jointly and severally to indemnify the Pledgee for and against costs and expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) that may be incurred by the Pledgee, in each case arising out of or in connection with the accession or potential accession of any Additional Pledgor to this Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17(a). |
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(e) |
Each Pledgor shall promptly comply and provide such information reasonably requested from time to time by the Pledgee to carry out any know your customer or other similar checks. |
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Section 20. Resignation of a Pledqor |
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The Applicant may request that a Pledgor (a Resigning Pledgor) cease to be a Pledgor by delivering to the Pledgee a Resignation Letter. |
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(b) |
The Pledgee shall (but may decline to do so if any of the conditions in paragraphs (i) - (iii) below are not met at that time) countersign and deliver a Resignation Letter and a Control Agreement Resignation Letter, and such Resigning Pledgor shall cease to be a Pledgor hereunder effective as of the date specified in the Resignation Letter, if: |
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the Resigning Pledgor delivers to the Pledgee a duly completed and executed Resignation Letter and Control Agreement Resignation Letter, in each case countersigned by the Applicant; |
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(ii) |
no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the effectiveness of such resignation (and the Applicant has confirmed this is the case); and |
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(iii) |
as a result of the resignation, the aggregate Letter of Credit Value of the Collateral (which, to avoid doubt, shall not include any assets of the Resigning Pledgor) would not be less than the Required Account Value. |
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Section 21. Release of Resigning Pledgor |
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If a Resigning Pledgor ceases to be a Pledgor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement then on and as of the date such Resigning Pledgor ceases to be a Pledgor: |
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that Resigning Pledgor is released by the Pledgee from any liability (whether past, present or future and whether actual or contingent) under this Agreement; |
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(b) |
each other Pledgor waives any rights it may have by reason of the performance of its Secured Obligations to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Pledgee under this Agreement or of any other security taken pursuant to, or in connection with this Agreement, where such rights or security are granted by or in relation to the assets of the Resigning Pledgor; |
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(c) |
For the avoidance of doubt, each existing Pledgor hereby agrees jointly and severally to indemnify the Pledgee for and against costs and expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) that may be incurred by the Pledgee, in each case arising out of or in connection with the actual or proposed resignation of any Pledgor, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17(a). |
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(d) |
the pledge and security interest granted under this Agreement by that Resigning Pledgor shall terminate and that Resigning Pledgors Collateral shall be returned to that Resigning Pledgor; |
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(e) |
the Pledgee shall instruct the Securities Intermediary to transfer the Resigning Pledgors Collateral in accordance with the Resigning Pledgors instructions; and |
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upon the request of any Pledgor, the Pledgee will, at the joint and several expense of the Pledgors, execute and deliver to that Pledgor such documents as that Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination. |
Section 22. Amendments; Waivers; Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by any party hereto, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Pledgee and the Applicant, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No failure on the part of any party hereto to exercise, and no delay in exercising any right hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
Section 23. Addresses for Notices All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be either (i) in writing (including facsimile communication) and mailed, transmitted or otherwise delivered or (ii) by electronic mail (if electronic mail addresses are designated as provided below) confirmed immediately in writing, in the case of the Pledgee, addressed to:
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Citibank Europe Plc |
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1 North Wall Quay |
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Dublin 1 |
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Ireland |
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Attention: |
Insurance Letter of Credit Department |
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Facsimile Number: |
+353 1622 1009 |
and, in the case of any Pledgor, to the address shown under its name on the signature page to this Agreement; or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such notices and other communications shall, when mailed, transmitted, sent by electronic mail or otherwise, be effective when deposited in the mails, sent by electronic mail and confirmed in writing, or otherwise delivered (or confirmed by a signed receipt), respectively, addressed as aforesaid; Delivery by facsimile or electronic transmission (i.e. PDF or TIFF files) of an executed counterpart of any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of any Schedule hereto shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.
Section 24. Continuing Security Interest: Assignment In relation to any Pledgor, this Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in that Pledgors Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect with respect to that Pledgor until the earlier of (i) the resignation of that Pledgor pursuant to the provisions hereof and (ii) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 25 hereof, (b) be binding upon each Pledgor and the Pledgee and their respective successors and permitted assigns and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Pledgee, to the benefit of the Pledgee and its respective successors, permitted transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), the Pledgee may assign or otherwise transfer to any other Person all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to the Pledgee herein or otherwise; provided that such assignment or transfer is to a Permitted Transferee as defined under the terms of the Master Agreement to whom the Pledgee in its capacity as provider of Credits under the Master Agreement is making a contemporaneous assignment of its rights and obligations under the Master Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. Each Pledgor will, at the expense of the Pledgee, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file and/or deliver to the Pledgee such confirmatory assignments, conveyances, transfer endorsements, powers of attorney, certificates, reports and other assurances or instruments and take such further steps related to that Pledgors Collateral and other property or rights covered by the security interest hereby granted, which the Pledgee deems reasonably advisable to perfect, preserve or protect its security interest in that Pledgors Collateral, including any actions which may be required or advisable as a result of any amendment or supplement to applicable laws, including the NYUCC.
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Section 25. Release and Termination Except in relation to the prior resignation of any Resigning Pledgor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, upon the later of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations and (ii) the termination of the Master Agreement, the pledge and security interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to any Pledgors Collateral shall revert to the relevant Pledgor and the Pledgee shall instruct the Securities Intermediary to transfer the Pledgors Collateral in accordance with that Pledgors instructions. Upon any such termination, the Pledgee will, at the joint and several expense of the Pledgors, execute and deliver to that Pledgor such documents as that Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.
Section 26. Governing Law; Terms This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (including Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of said State, which is expressly made applicable hereto).
Section 27. Jurisdiction, Venue
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Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States federal court (to the extent such court has subject matter jurisdiction) sitting in New York City and any appellate court from any such court in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment, and each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or in such Federal court. Each party hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any New York State or federal court. Each party hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at its address specified in Section 23. |
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Nothing in this Section 27 shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable law or affect any right which any party would otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding against any other party or its property in the courts of any other jurisdiction. |
SECTION 28. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PLEDGOR AND THE PLEDGEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF THE PLEDGEE IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
Section 29. Execution in Counterparts This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission (i.e. PDF or TIFF files) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 30. Severability If any term or provision of this Agreement is or shall become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall remain legal, valid and enforceable in such jurisdiction and such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision shall be legal, valid and enforceable in any other jurisdiction.
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Section 31. Termination of Prior Agreement The parties agree that any prior pledge agreement between any Pledgor and the Pledgee with respect to its Collateral is terminated as of the effective date of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any other pledge or security agreement relating to security other than the Collateral which has been entered into between any Pledgor or any of their affiliates and the Pledgee or any of its affiliates shall be unaffected by this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms contained therein.
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EXECUTION COPY
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd
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BY: |
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Name: C. Stanley Lee |
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Title: Chief Financial Officer |
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Address: |
XL House
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Attention: |
Senior Treasury Analyst at the Treasury Department. with a copy to the Company Secretary |
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Facsimile Number: |
+1 441 296 6399 (Treasury Department)
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XL Re Ltd
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BY: |
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Name: Greg Hendrick |
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Title: President |
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Address: |
XL House
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Attention: |
Senior Treasury Analyst at the Treasury Department. with a copy to the Company Secretary |
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Facsimile Number: |
+1 441 296 6399 (Treasury Department)
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Citibank Europe Plc |
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BY: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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EXECUTION COPY
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
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Citibank Europe Plc |
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BY: |
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Name: |
PEADAR MAC CANNA |
Title: |
DIRECTOR |
15
SCHEDULE 1
Letter of Credit Value and Pledgees Requirements
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Letter of Credit Value |
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Maximum
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Maturity (years) |
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Qualifying Collateral |
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Rating |
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<5 |
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5-10 |
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11-20 |
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1. |
OECD Government Bonds including agencies and agency RMBS backed by the full faith and credit of their respective OECD governments (eg Ginnie Mae, KFW, AGF etc) |
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AA- or better |
|
|
95.0 |
% |
|
92.5 |
% |
|
90 |
% |
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
US and OECD Government Agencies and agency guaranteed RMBS not covered under 2 above |
|
AA- or better |
|
|
92.0 |
% |
|
92.0 |
% |
|
88.0 |
% |
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
Supranational Bonds |
|
AA- or better |
|
|
90.0 |
% |
|
90.0 |
% |
|
85.0 |
% |
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. |
Government Guaranteed Debt to include debt guaranteed by agencies carrying the full faith and credit of their respective OECD governments (eg SFEFR) |
|
AA- or better |
|
|
95.0 |
% |
|
92.5 |
% |
|
90.0 |
% |
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. |
Corporate Bonds |
|
AA- or better |
|
|
90.0 |
% |
|
90.0 |
% |
|
85.0 |
% |
|
25 |
% |
*Subject to further adjustment pursuant to the provisions set forth in Schedule 2.
NB. Debt issued by the Pledgor is not eligible and money market cash
sweeps are not eligible.
No single corporate bond issuer is to be more than 10% of total.
SCHEDULE 2
Currency Margins
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|
1. |
Where the Qualifying Collateral or a portion thereof is denominated in the same currency as a Credit (the Credit Currency ), the Qualifying Collateral or such portion thereof shall have a value of 100% of its value in the relevant Credit Currency; and for this purpose the Pledgee shall notionally match each Credit with the Collateral or a portion thereof denominated in the relevant Credit Currency. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Where the Qualifying Collateral or a portion thereof is denominated in a currency other than the relative Credit Currency, both the Letter of Credit Value (or, where only a portion of the Qualifying Collateral is in the relative Credit Currency, the balance of the Letter of Credit Value remaining unmatched) and the Qualifying Collateral or such portion thereof shall be notionally converted into a common base currency (as the Pledgee may in its discretion determine); and following such notional conversion the Qualifying Collateral or such portion thereof shall suffer a deduction of the Relevant Percentage, to cover exchange movements that may from time to time affect the value of the underlying unmatched Qualifying Collateral or a portion thereof and the contingent obligations to which it relate. |
|
|
|
|
3. |
The Relevant Percentage means: |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
where the Qualifying Collateral or a portion is denominated in U.S. dollars, Euro or English Pounds Sterling, 10% (For the avoidance of doubt, the margin of no more than 10% applies where there is a discrepancy between the Credit Currency and the currency of the Qualifying Collateral relating such to U.S. dollars, Euro or English Pound Sterling); |
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|
|
|
(b) |
where the Qualifying Collateral or a portion thereof is denominated in Swiss Francs, Canadian dollars or Japanese yen, 15%; and |
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|
|
|
(c) |
where the Qualifying Collateral or portion thereof is denominated in any other currency, 25%. |
|
|
|
4. |
For the purposes of each notional conversion to be effected hereunder the provisions of Section 18(a) shall apply mutatis mutandis. |
SCHEDULE 3
[RESERVED]
SCHEDULE 4
[RESERVED]
SCHEDULE 5
Form of Accession Letter
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|
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|
7. |
This Accession Letter will take effect from the date falling on and after the date on which (if at all) the Pledgee has counter-signed this Accession Letter. |
executed on behalf of
{insert name of additional pledgor}
as Additional Pledgor
|
|
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|
|
(Sign) |
|
|
(Sign) |
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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|
executed on behalf of
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd
as Applicant
|
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|
(Sign) |
|
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(Sign) |
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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|
|
We hereby consent to and countersign this Accession Letter as of {insert date}.
Citibank Europe Plc
as Pledgee
|
|
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|
|
(Sign) |
|
|
(Sign) |
|
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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|
|
SCHEDULE 6
Form of Resignation Letter
|
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|
To: |
Citibank Europe Plc (as Pledgee) |
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|
|
From: |
[resigning Pledgor) |
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|
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (as Applicant) |
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||
Dated: |
{ } |
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|
|
Dear Sirs |
||
|
||
Pledge Agreement dated { ● } 2009 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the Pledge Agreement) made between XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, as pledgors, and Citibank Europe Plc as pledgee |
||
|
||
1. |
We refer to the Pledge Agreement. This is a Resignation Letter. Terms defined in the Pledge Agreement have the same meaning in this Resignation Letter unless given a different meaning in this Resignation Letter. |
|
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|
2. |
Pursuant to Section 20 (Resignation of a Pledgor) of the Pledge Agreement, we request that [resigning Pledgor] be released from its obligations as a Pledgor under the Pledge Agreement. |
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3. |
We confirm that: |
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|
(a) |
no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the effectiveness of this resignation; and |
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|
(b) |
as a result of the resignation, the aggregate Letter of Credit Value of the Collateral (which, to avoid doubt, shall not include any assets of the resigning Pledgor) will not be less than the Required Account Value. |
|
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|
4. |
This Resignation Letter shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of said State, which is expressly made applicable hereto. |
|
|
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|
5. |
This Resignation Letter will take effect from the date falling on and after the date on which (if at all) the Pledgee counter-signs this Resignation Letter. |
executed on behalf
of
{insert name of resigining pledgor}
as Resigning Pledgor
|
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|
(Sign) |
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(Sign) |
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Name: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Title: |
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|
|
executed on behalf
of
XL Insurance (Bormuda) Ltd
as Applicant
|
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|
|
(Sign) |
|
|
(Sign) |
|
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|
|
Name: |
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|
Name: |
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|
|
Title: |
|
|
Title: |
|
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|
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|
|
We hereby consent to and countersign this Resignation Letter as of {insert date}.
Citibank Europe Plc
as Pledgee
|
|
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|
|
(Sign) |
|
|
(Sign) |
|
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|
|
Name: |
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|
Name: |
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|
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Title: |
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|
Title: |
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|
|
SCHEDULE 7
Account details
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Pledgor |
|
Account Name & Number |
|
IBAN Number |
|
|
|
|
|
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
||||
XL Re Ltd |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
||||
XL Re Ltd |
|
|
|
N/A |
EXHIBIT A
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
|
|
(a) |
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them below: |
Accession Letter means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Form of Accession Letter) and (as the context requires) duly executed by the parties thereto.
Additional Pledgor means any person which the Pledgee may approve from time to time as a pledgor and/or (as the context requires) who is the subject of a duly executed Accession Letter.
Applicant means XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda, whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which the banks are generally open for business in London and Bermuda.
Change of Control is deemed to have occurred if in relation to any Pledgor:
(a) the Persons owning the Voting Interests of that Pledgor as of the date hereof shall cease to own 51% or more of the Voting Interests of that Pledgor; or
(b) Continuing Directors shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the board of directors of that Pledgor.
Collateral has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2 hereof.
Consolidated Net Worth, with respect to any Person, means the consolidated stockholders equity of such Person and its consolidated subsidiaries, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices in the United States of America.
Continuing Directors means, in relation to any Pledgor, the directors of that Pledgor on the date hereof and each other director if, in each case, such other directors nomination for election to that Pledgors board of directors is recommended by at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors.
Control Agreement means the Collateral Account Control Agreement dated on or around the date of this Agreement (as from time to time amended, varied, supplemented, novated or assigned) between the Pledgors, the Pledgee and the Securities Intermediary, pursuant to which the Securities Intermediary agrees to act as custodian to hold the Collateral upon the terms contained therein.
Control Agreement Accession Letter means an accession letter substantially in the form attached to the Control Agreement.
Control Agreement Resignation Letter means a resignation letter substantially in the form attached to the Control Agreement.
Disruption Event means either or both of:
|
|
|
|
(a) |
a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for |
|
|
|
|
|
payments to be made in connection with this Agreement or the Master Agreement (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Master Agreement to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the parties; or |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a party preventing that, or any other party: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
from performing its payment obligations under this Agreement or the Master Agreement; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
from communicating with other parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the Master Agreement, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the party whose operations are disrupted. |
Entitlement Holder means a Person that (a) is an entitlement holder as defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the NYUCC (except in respect of a Book-entry Security); and (b) in respect of any book-entry Security, is an entitlement holder as defined in 31 C.F.R. 357.2 (or, as applicable to such book-entry Security, the corresponding Federal Book-Entry Regulations governing such book-entry Security) which, to the extent required or permitted by the Federal Book-Entry Regulations, is also an entitlement holder as defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the NYUCC.
Entitlement Order has the meaning set forth in Section 8-102(a)(8) of the NYUCC and shall include, without limitation, any notice or related instructions from the Pledgee directing the transfer or redemption of the Collateral or any part thereof.
Event of Default means:
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
a failure by any Pledgor to pay on its due date any reimbursement amount payable pursuant to the Master Agreement, or within three Business Days of its due date any other amount payable pursuant to this Agreement or the Master Agreement, in each case at the place and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable, unless the failure to pay is caused by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
administrative or technical error; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
a Disruption Event; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
payment is made within two Business Days of its due date, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) |
any Pledgor does not comply with its obligations under sections 4(a) or 4(d) of this Agreement, or clause 1.2 of the Master Agreement is not satisfied, unless such failure is caused by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
administrative or technical error; or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
a Disruption Event; and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
such obligation is complied with within two Business Days of the date required pursuant to such provisions, |
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
any Pledgor does not comply with its obligations under sections 4(e) or 11 of this Agreement, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) |
a failure by any Pledgor to comply with any provision of this Agreement or the Master Agreement (other than those referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above), unless the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within ten Business Days of the earlier of (1) the Pledgee giving written notice thereof to the Applicant and (2) the relevant Pledgor becoming aware of the failure to comply. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) |
any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by any Pledgor under this Agreement or by the Applicant under the Master Agreement or in either case under any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Pledgor under or in connection with this Agreement or the Master Agreement is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made, unless such breach is capable of remedy and is remedied within ten Business Days of the earlier of (1) the Pledgee giving written notice thereof to the Applicant and (2) the relevant Pledgor becoming aware of such breach. |
Federal Book-Entry Regulations means the federal regulations contained in Subpart B (Treasury/Reserve Automated Debt Entry System (TRADES) governing book-entry securities consisting of United States Treasury securities, U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and bills) and Subpart D (Additional Provisions) of 31 C.F.R. Part 357, 31 C.F.R. 357.10 through 357.14 and 357.41 through 357.44 (including related defined terms in 31 C.F.R. 357.2), as amended by regulations published at 61 Fed. Reg. 43626 (August 23, 1996) and as amended by an subsequent regulations.
Letter of Credit Value means
(a) in respect of each component of the Qualifying Collateral, (x) the market value of the Security or (y) the cash value, in each case
|
|
|
|
|
(i) |
subject to the provisions of Schedules 1 and 2 and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
multiplied by the percentage specified in the table set out in Schedule 1 under the column headed Letter of Credit Value for that type of Security or for cash; and if at any time there is more than one component part to the Qualifying Collateral, the Letter of Credit Value for the Qualifying Collateral shall be the sum of the Letter of Credit values for each component part of the Qualifying Collateral; or |
(b) such other amount calculated in such other manner as may be from time to time be agreed by the Pledgee and the Applicant.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, attachment, lien, charge, claim, encumbrance, lease or security interest, easement, right of first or last refusal, right of first offer or other option or contingent purchase right.
Master Agreement means the agreement dated on or around the date of this Agreement (as from time to time amended, varied, supplemented, novated or assigned) between the Applicant and the Pledgee, pursuant to which the Pledgee has established, maintained, amended, renewed or substituted or arranged for the establishment, maintenance, amendment, renewal or substitution of a Credit.
Net Worth Deficiency means that at any time, the Consolidated Net Worth of XL Capital Ltd, a company organised and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, is less than US$3,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies).
NYUCC means the Uniform Commercial Code from time to time in effect in the State of New York.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, foundation, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any political subdivision thereof or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof.
Resignation Letter means a letter substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 ( Form of Resignation Letter ) ;
Securities Intermediary means a Person that (a) is a securities intermediary as defined in Section 8-102(a)(14) of the NYUCC and (b) in respect of any U.S. Government Obligations, is also a securities intermediary as defined in 31 C.F.R. 357.2.
Secured Obligations has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3 hereof.
Security Control means control as defined in Section 8-106 of the NYUCC.
Security Entitlement means (a) security entitlement as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC (except in respect of a U.S. Government Obligation); and (b) in respect of any U.S. Government Obligation, a security entitlement as defined in 31 C.F.R. 357.2 which, to the extent required or permitted by the Federal Book-Entry Regulations, is also a security entitlement as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC.
STRIPS has the meaning thereof set forth in Section 357.2 of the Federal Book-Entry Regulations.
U.S. Government Obligations means all of the United States Treasury securities (including STRIPS) maintained in the commercial book-entry system entitled Treasury/Reserve Automated Debt Entry System ( TRADES ) pursuant to the Federal Book-Entry Regulations or pursuant to a successor system.
Voting Interests of any Person means shares of capital stock issued by a corporation, or equivalent equity interests in any other Person, the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even if the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.
(b) NYUCC Terms . Terms defined or referenced in the NYUCC and not otherwise defined or referenced herein are used herein as therein defined or referenced. In particular, the following terms are used herein as defined or referenced in the respective NYUCC sections indicated below: Deposit Account: Section 9-102(a)(29); Entitlement Order: Section 8-102(a)(8); Financial Asset : Section 8-102(a)(9); Instrument : Section 9-102(a)(47); Investment Property : Section 9-102(a)(49); Proceeds : Section 9-102(a)(64); Securities Account : Section 8-501(a); Security : Section 8-102(a)(15).
(c) Other Interpretive Provisions . As used herein, (i) references to specific sections, articles, annexes, schedules and exhibits are to this agreement; (ii) references to any agreement include amendments, restatements, modifications and supplements thereto in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; (iii) references to any applicable law include amendments, supplements and successors thereto; (iv) references to any Person include such Persons successors and assigns (subject to any applicable restrictions on assignment by such Person hereunder or under the Master Agreement) and, in the case of any governmental authority, any Person succeeding to its functions and capacities; (v) words importing any gender include the other gender; (vi) the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular; and (vii) the words including, include and includes shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation.
Exhibit 10.56
AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of November 23 , 2009, to Pledge Agreement dated as of 11 November, 2009 (the Pledge Agreement ) between XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (with company registration number 12809) whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Applicant ), XL Re Ltd, company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (with company registration number 21291) whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Second Pledgor ) (the Applicant and the Second Pledgor, together referred to as the Original Pledgors , and, together with any Additional Pledgor (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), the Pledgors ) and Citibank Europe PLC (the Pledgee )
WHEREAS, the Pledgors and the Pledgee are parties to the Pledge Agreement, and wish to enter into this Amendment No. 1 to clarify certain provisions of the Pledge Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Pledgors and the Pledgee hereby agree as follows:
|
|
|
1. |
DEFINED TERMS. Except as expressly provided in this Amendment, capitalized terms defined in the Pledge Agreement and used in this Amendment shall have their respective defined meanings when used herein. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
AMENDMENTS. Effective upon the signature by the Pledgors and the Pledgee of this Amendment, the Pledge Agreement is hereby amended as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Schedule 7 of the Pledge Agreement is deleted in its entirety and replaced with Schedule 7 hereto. |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
References in the Pledge Agreement to this Agreement and the words hereof, hereto, herein and the like shall refer to the Pledge Agreement as amended by this Amendment, except that references to the date of this Agreement and the date hereof shall continue to refer to 11 November, 2009. |
|
|
|
3. |
MISCELLANOUS |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Except as expressly amended by this Amendment, the Pledge Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
This Amendment and the Pledge Agreement as amended hereby and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Amendment and the Pledge Agreement as amended hereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, which is expressly made applicable hereto and thereto). |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective when signed by both parties. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic mail transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Amendment. |
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
-2-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.
|
|
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd |
|
BY: |
|
|
|
Name: C. Stanley Lee |
|
Title: SVP, Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
XL Re Ltd |
|
BY: |
|
|
|
Name: |
Gregory S. Hendrick |
Title: |
President &
|
|
|
Citibank Europe Plc |
|
BY: |
|
|
|
Name: |
|
Title: |
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.
Schedule 7
Account details
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Pledgor |
|
Account Name & Number |
|
IBAN Number |
|
|
|
|
|
XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
XL Re Ltd |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
XL Re Ltd |
|
|
|
N/A |
Exhibit 10.57
AMENDMENT NO. 2, dated as of December 23 , 2009 (Amendment), to Pledge Agreement dated as of 11 November, 2009 (the Pledge Agreement ) between XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, a company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (with company registration number 12809) whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House. One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Applicant ), XL Re Ltd, company organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda (with company registration number 21291) whose address of its registered or principal office is at XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM08, Bermuda (the Second Pledgor ) (the Applicant and the Second Pledgor, together referred to as the Original Pledgors , and, together with any Additional Pledgor (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), the Pledgors ) and Citibank Europe PLC (the Pledgee )
WHEREAS, the Pledgors and the Pledgee are parties to the Pledge Agreement, and wish to enter into this Amendment No. 2 to amend certain provisions of the Pledge Agreement pursuant to the terms of Section 22 of the Pledge Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Pledgors and the Pledgee hereby agree as follows:
|
|
|
1. |
DEFINED TERMS. Except as expressly provided in this Amendment, capitalized terms defined in the Pledge Agreement and used in this Amendment shall have their respective defined meanings when used herein. |
|
|
|
|
2. |
AMENDMENTS. Effective upon the signature by the Pledgors and the Pledgee of this Amendment, the Pledge Agreement is hereby amended as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Schedule 7 of the Pledge Agreement is deleted in its entirely and replaced with Schedule 7 hereto, |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
References in the Pledge Agreement to this Agreement and the words hereof, hereto, herein and the like shall refer to the Pledge Agreement as amended by this Amendment, except that references to the date of this Agreement and the date hereof shall continue to refer to 11 November, 2009. |
|
|
|
3. |
MISCELLANOUS |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Except as expressly amended by this Amendment, the Pledge Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
This Amendment and the Pledge Agreement as amended hereby and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Amendment and the Pledge Agreement as amended hereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, which is expressly made applicable hereto and thereto). |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective when signed by the parties. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic mail transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Amendment. |
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
- 2 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.
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XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd |
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BY: |
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Name: |
C. Stanley Lee |
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
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Address: |
XL House
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Attention: |
Senior Treasury Analyst at the Treasury Department with a
copy to
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Facsimile Number: |
+1 441 296 6399 (Treasury
Department)
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XL Re Ltd |
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BY: |
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Name: |
Gregory. S. Hendrick |
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Title: |
President
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Address: |
XL House
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Attention: |
Senior Treasury Analyst at the Treasury Department, with a
copy to
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Facsimile Number: |
+1 441 296 6399 (Treasury
Department)
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Citibank Europe Plc |
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BY: |
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Name: |
-s- (ILLEGIBLE) |
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Title: |
VP. |
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Schedule 7
Account details
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Name of Pledgor |
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Account Name & Number |
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IBAN Number |
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XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd |
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N/A |
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XL Re Ltd |
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N/A |
Exhibit 12
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XL CAPITAL |
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS |
000s of U.S. Dollars |
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Re-presented |
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Yr End
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Yr End
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Yr End
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Yr End
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Yr End
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Earnings: |
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Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations |
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55,847 |
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(595,293 |
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1,267,580 |
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1,626,722 |
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(1,416,752 |
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Fixed charges |
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308,325 |
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443,401 |
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702,826 |
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603,332 |
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457,533 |
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Distributed income of equity investees |
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243,176 |
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335,411 |
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93,465 |
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84,203 |
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41,669 |
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Subtotal |
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607,348 |
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183,519 |
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2,063,871 |
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2,314,257 |
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(917,550 |
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Less: Minority interest |
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(104 |
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23,928 |
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25,016 |
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8,210 |
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Preference share dividend |
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80,200 |
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78,645 |
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69,514 |
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40,322 |
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40,322 |
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Total Earnings (Loss) |
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527,252 |
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104,874 |
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1,970,429 |
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2,248,919 |
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(966,082 |
) |
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Fixed Charges: |
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Interest costs |
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180,353 |
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205,212 |
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200,831 |
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202,222 |
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176,106 |
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Accretion of deposit liabilities |
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36,151 |
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146,588 |
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421,074 |
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350,053 |
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227,743 |
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Rental expense at 30% (1) |
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11,621 |
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12,956 |
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11,407 |
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10,735 |
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13,362 |
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Total Fixed charges |
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228,125 |
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364,756 |
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633,312 |
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563,010 |
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417,211 |
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Preference share dividends |
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80,200 |
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78,645 |
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69,514 |
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40,322 |
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40,322 |
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Total fixed charges and pref dividends |
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308,325 |
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443,401 |
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702,826 |
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603,332 |
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457,533 |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
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2.3 |
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0.3 |
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3.1 |
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4.0 |
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(2.3 |
) |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges & Preference Dividends |
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1.7 |
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0.2 |
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2.8 |
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3.7 |
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(2.1 |
) |
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Deficiency - fixed charges only |
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N/A |
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259,882 |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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1,383,293 |
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Deficiency - fixed charges and preference dividends (2) |
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N/A |
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338,527 |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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1,423,615 |
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Notes: |
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(1) |
30% represents a reasonable approximation of the interest factor |
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(2) |
For the year ended December 31, 2008, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $551.6 million. |
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(3) |
For the year ended December 31, 2005, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $1,423.6 million. |
Exhibit 21
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4th Quarter 2009 |
PUBLIC |
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10-K |
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% |
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JURISDICTION |
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XL CAPITAL LTD |
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Cayman |
XL Investment Management Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL Capital Partners Corporation |
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Cayman |
XL Capital Principal Partners I, L.L.C. |
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Delaware |
EXEL Holdings Limited |
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Cayman |
EXEL Acquisition Ltd. |
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Cayman |
Reeve Court Holdings Ltd |
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Bermuda |
X.L. Property Holdings Limited |
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Bermuda |
X.L. Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd |
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Bermuda |
Mid Ocean Limited |
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Cayman |
Mid Ocean Holdings Limited |
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Bermuda |
Ridgewood Holdings Limited |
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Bermuda |
XL London Market Group Ltd |
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UK |
Brockbank Holdings Limited |
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UK |
Baltusrol Holdings Limited |
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Bermuda |
County Down Limited |
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UK |
Dornoch Limited |
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UK |
Stonebridge Underwriting Limited |
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UK |
XL London Market Services Ltd |
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UK |
Brockbank Personal Lines Limited (in liquidation) |
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UK |
Cassidy Brockbank Limited - (in liquidation) |
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UK |
Denham Syndicate Management Limited ( in liquidation) |
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UK |
Denham Direct Underwriters Ltd ( in liquidation) |
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UK |
Denham Legal and Professional Risks Ltd ( in liquidation) |
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UK |
Denham Tower Underwriting Agents (PTY) Limited ( in liquidation ) |
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South Africa |
XL London Market Ltd- Syndicates 588/861/990/1209 |
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UK |
Brockbank Syndicate Services Limited (in liquidation) |
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UK |
XL Financial Products Ltd. |
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UK |
XL Re Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL BCM Limited |
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UK |
XL FC Limited |
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UK |
XL CCM Ltd |
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UK |
ECS Reinsurance Company Inc. |
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Barbados |
Global Capital Underwriting Ltd. |
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UK |
XL Mid Ocean Re Limited |
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UK |
XL Re Europe Limited |
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R of Ireland |
XL Re Latin America Ltd |
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Switzerland |
XL Latin America Investments Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL Re Brazil Holdings AG |
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Switzerland |
XL Re Participacoes Brasil Ltda |
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Brazil |
XL Resseguros Brasil S.A. |
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Brazil |
XL Re Latin America (Argentina SA) |
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80 |
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Argentina |
XL Re Latin Escritorio de Represantacao no Brasil Ltda |
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Brazil |
XL Re Europe Services AG |
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Germany |
XL PP Limited |
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UK |
InQuisCapital Holdings (Bermuda) Limited |
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Bermuda |
InQuisLogic (Bermuda) Limited |
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Bermuda |
Risk Connect Limited |
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Bermuda |
XL International (Bermuda) Ltd (formerly XL Winterthur International (Bermuda) Ltd) |
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91 |
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Bermuda |
XL International Services Ltd (formerly XL Winterthur International Services Ltd) |
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Bermuda |
International Insurance Consulting Services Limited |
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Bermuda |
XL (Brazil) Holdings Ltd (formerly Winterthur Administracao e Participacoes Ltda) |
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Brazil |
XL Financial Solutions Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL Services (Bermuda) Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL Life Ltd |
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Bermuda |
Reeve Court General Partner Limited |
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Bermuda |
Reeve Court 4 Limited Partnership |
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Bermuda |
Reeve Court 6 Limited Partnership |
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Bermuda |
XL Gracechurch Limited |
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UK |
XL Insurance (UK) Holdings Limited |
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UK |
XL Capital International Limited |
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UK |
XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc |
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UK |
XL I Insurance Argentina S.A. Compañia de Seguros (formerly Winterthur International Argentina SA Compañia de Seguros) |
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90 |
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Argentina |
XL Services UK Limited |
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UK |
XL Insurance Company Limited |
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UK |
XL Insurance Argentina S.A. Compañia de Seguros (formerly Winterthur International Argentina SA Compañia de Seguros) |
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10 |
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Argentina |
XL Holdings (Proprietary) Limited (formerly XL Winterthur Holdings (Proprietary) Limit ed) |
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South Africa |
XL Insurance Company Limited ( formerly XL Winterthur International Insurance Company Limited) |
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South Africa |
XL Financial Holdings (Ireland) Limited |
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R of Ireland |
XL Finance (Ireland) Limited |
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R of Ireland |
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4th Quarter 2009 |
PUBLIC |
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10-K |
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% |
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JURISDICTION |
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XL Services Canada Ltd. (Formerly XL Re Europe Management Company Ltd.) |
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Canada |
*X.L. America, Inc. |
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Delaware |
XL Financial Solutions, Inc. |
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Delaware |
XL Capital Investment Partners Inc. |
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Delaware |
XL Weather & Energy Inc. (formerly Element Re Capital Products Inc.) |
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Delaware |
XLA Garrison L.P. |
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Delaware |
NAC Re Corporation |
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Delaware |
XL Reinsurance America Inc. *(A-65%) - NY |
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New York |
Greenwich Insurance Company *(A-12%) |
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Delaware |
Global Asset Protection Services, LLC |
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Connecticut |
Global Asset Protection Services Company Limited |
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Japan |
Global Asset Protection Services Consultancy (Beijing) Company Limited |
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China |
XL Insurance America, Inc. *(A-10%) (formerly Winterthur International America Insurance Company) |
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Delaware |
XL Select Insurance Company *(A-2%)(formerly Winterthur International America Underwriters Insurance Co.) |
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Delaware |
XL Insurance Company of New York, Inc. * (A-3%) |
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New York |
XL Specialty Insurance Company *(A-6%) |
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Delaware |
Indian Harbor Insurance Company *(A-2%) |
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North Dakota |
37 Lambert Road LLC |
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Delaware |
XL Global, Inc. |
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Delaware |
XL Insurance, Inc. |
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Delaware |
X.L. Global Services, Inc. |
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Delaware |
XL Investment Management (USA) LLC |
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Delaware |
Eagleview Insurance Brokerage Services, LLC |
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Delaware |
XL Life and Annuity Holding Company |
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Delaware |
XL Life Insurance and Annuity Company (formerly Lyndon Life Insurance Company) |
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Illinois |
XL Asset Funding Company I LLC |
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Delaware |
ECS, Inc. (In Liquidation) |
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Pennsylvania |
ECS Child Care Center, Inc. |
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Pennsylvania |
XL Environmental Ltd ( in liquidation ) |
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UK |
XL Investments Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL Capital Products Ltd |
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Bermuda |
XL SGS Holdings Inc. |
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Delaware |
Garrison Investments Inc. (**) |
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Barbados |
Kensington Investments Inc. |
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Barbados |
XLB Partners Inc. |
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Barbados |
X.L. Investment Private Trustee Ltd. |
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Bermuda |
X.L. Investments (Barbados) Inc. |
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Barbados |
ClearWater Opportunity Fund Ltd. |
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Cayman |
XL (LUXEMBOURG) S.a.r.l. |
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Luxembourg |
XL (FINANCE) S.a.r.l. |
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Luxembourg |
XL (INTERNATIONAL) S.a.r.l. |
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Luxembourg |
XL (SERVICES) S.a.r.l. |
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Luxembourg |
XL (SPECIALTY) S.a.r.l. |
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Luxembourg |
XL (WESTERN EUROPE) S.a.r.l. |
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Luxembourg |
XL Swiss Holdings Ltd |
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Switzerland |
XL Re Latin America (Argentina SA) |
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20 |
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Argentina |
XL Insurance Switzerland Ltd. (formerly XL Winterthur International Insurance Switzerland) |
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Switzerland |
Vitodurum Reinsurance Company Ltd. (Formerly XL Winterthur International Re) |
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Switzerland |
XL Services Switzerland AG |
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Switzerland |
XL India Business Services Private Limited |
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India |
XL Insurance Mexico |
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Mexico |
XL Trading Partners Ltd (In Liquidation) |
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Bermuda |
XL Weather & Energy Ltd ( formerly Element Reinsurance Ltd ) (In Liquidation) |
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Bermuda |
XL Europe Holdings Ltd (formerly X.L. Two Ltd.) |
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Bermuda |
XL Financial Services (Ireland) Ltd (In Liquidation) |
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R of Ireland |
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*A = Company is a member of the Reinsurance America Inc. Pooling Agreement with individual company pooling% noted |
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(**) - Limited Partner of XLA Garrison L.P. |
Exhibit 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of XL Capital Ltd. on Form S-3 (File No. 333-155777), Form S-3 (File No. 333-130537), Form S-3 (File No. 333-116245), Form S-3 (File No. 333-101288), Form S-3 (File No. 333-76988), Form S-3 (File No. 333-72018), Form S-3 (File No. 333-66976), Form S-3 (File No. 333-130036), Form S-8 (File No. 333-161124), Form S-8 (File No. 333-161122),Form S-8 (File No. 333-89568), Form S-8 (File No. 333-81451), and Form S-8 (File No. 333-46250) of our report dated March 1, 2010 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
New York, New York |
March 1, 2010 |
Exhibit 31
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
XL Capital Ltd
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Chapter 98, Title 15 U.S.C.
Section 7241)
I, Michael S. McGavick, certify that:
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1. |
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of XL Capital Ltd; |
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2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
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4. |
The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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(a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
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(b) |
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
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(c) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
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(d) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
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5. |
The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
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(a) |
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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(b) |
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Dated: March 1, 2010
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/s/ Michael S. McGavick |
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Michael S. McGavick |
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Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer
XL Capital Ltd
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Chapter 98, Title 15 U.S.C.
Section 7241)
I, Simon D. Rich, certify that:
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1. |
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of XL Capital Ltd; |
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2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
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4. |
The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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(a) |
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
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(b) |
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
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(c) |
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
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(d) |
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
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5. |
The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the |
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audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
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(a) |
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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(b) |
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Dated: March 1, 2010
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/s/ Simon D. Rich |
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Simon D. Rich |
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Senior Vice President and |
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Interim Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32
Certification Accompanying Form 10-K Report
of
XL Capital Ltd
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350(a) and (b))
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chapter 63, Title 18 U.S.C. ss.ss. 1350(a) and (b)), each of the undersigned hereby certifies that the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009 of XL Capital Ltd (the Company) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
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Dated: March 1, 2010 |
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/s/ Michael S. McGavick |
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MICHAEL S. McGAVICK |
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR |
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XL CAPITAL LTD |
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Dated: March 1, 2010 |
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/s/ Simon D. Rich |
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SIMON D. RICH |
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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND |
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INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER |
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XL CAPITAL LTD |
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to XL Capital Ltd and will be retained by XL Capital Ltd and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.