UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x

 

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

 

o

 

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

 

transition Period from                                  to                                 

Commission File No. 001-32141

ASSURED GUARANTY LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda

 

98-0429991

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

 

30 Woodbourne Avenue

Hamilton HM 08

Bermuda

(address of principal executive office)

 

(441) 299-9375

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES   x

 

NO   o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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   x

 

Accelerated filer   o

 

Non-accelerated filer   o

 

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

The number of registrant’s Common Shares ($0.01 par value) outstanding as of August 1, 2007 was 67,836,354 .

 




ASSURED GUARANTY LTD.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

6

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

7

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

26

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

65

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

65

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

66

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

66

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

66

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

66

 

2




PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share and share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,
2007

 

December 31,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (amortized cost: $2,419,652 in 2007 and $2,286,373 in 2006)

 

$

2,422,614

 

$

2,331,071

 

Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value

 

63,151

 

134,064

 

Total investments

 

2,485,765

 

2,465,135

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

23,743

 

4,785

 

Accrued investment income

 

25,771

 

24,195

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

224,813

 

217,029

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

11,010

 

7,500

 

Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses

 

10,444

 

10,889

 

Premiums receivable

 

38,708

 

41,565

 

Goodwill

 

85,417

 

85,417

 

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments

 

37,168

 

52,596

 

Other assets

 

29,652

 

26,229

 

Total assets

 

$

2,972,491

 

$

2,935,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

693,385

 

$

644,496

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

108,813

 

120,600

 

Profit commissions payable

 

17,886

 

35,994

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

2,846

 

7,199

 

Current income taxes payable

 

 

7,196

 

Deferred income taxes

 

17,479

 

39,906

 

Funds held by Company under reinsurance contracts

 

25,029

 

21,412

 

Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments

 

18,196

 

6,687

 

Senior Notes

 

197,391

 

197,375

 

Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures

 

149,723

 

149,708

 

Liability for tax basis step-up adjustment

 

10,453

 

14,990

 

Other liabilities

 

36,507

 

39,016

 

Total liabilities

 

1,277,708

 

1,284,579

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 67,836,065 and 67,534,024 shares issued and outstanding in 2007 and 2006)

 

678

 

675

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

719,297

 

711,256

 

Retained earnings

 

965,803

 

896,947

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

9,005

 

41,883

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,694,783

 

1,650,761

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,972,491

 

$

2,935,340

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3




Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

88,830

 

$

111,484

 

$

161,370

 

$

166,868

 

Ceded premiums

 

(3,901

)

(1,139

)

(8,059

)

(5,739

)

Net written premiums

 

84,929

 

110,345

 

153,311

 

161,129

 

Increase in net unearned premium reserves

 

(30,688

)

(62,161

)

(45,200

)

(64,890

)

Net earned premiums

 

54,241

 

48,184

 

108,111

 

96,239

 

Net investment income

 

30,860

 

27,255

 

62,342

 

53,493

 

Net realized investment losses

 

(1,540

)

(1,005

)

(1,819

)

(2,011

)

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(17,223

)

5,713

 

(26,937

)

5,742

 

Other income

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

Total revenues

 

66,338

 

80,170

 

141,697

 

153,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(9,101

)

(6,513

)

(13,830

)

(6,895

)

Profit commission expense

 

869

 

1,697

 

2,482

 

3,005

 

Acquisition costs

 

10,930

 

11,308

 

21,741

 

22,093

 

Other operating expenses

 

18,831

 

15,615

 

39,534

 

32,765

 

Interest expense

 

5,820

 

3,367

 

11,853

 

6,742

 

Other expense

 

651

 

692

 

1,252

 

1,306

 

Total expenses

 

28,000

 

26,166

 

63,032

 

59,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

38,338

 

54,004

 

78,665

 

94,470

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

1,452

 

6,165

 

5,123

 

8,808

 

Deferred

 

4,081

 

3,325

 

1,786

 

6,266

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

5,533

 

9,490

 

6,909

 

15,074

 

Net income

 

32,805

 

44,514

 

71,756

 

79,396

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding losses on fixed maturity securities arising during the year

 

(33,858

)

(18,852

)

(34,543

)

(43,079

)

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income

 

1,268

 

779

 

1,489

 

1,437

 

Change in net unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities

 

(32,590

)

(18,073

)

(33,054

)

(41,642

)

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

356

 

814

 

385

 

981

 

Cash flow hedge

 

(104

)

(104

)

(209

)

(209

)

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

 

(32,338

)

(17,363

)

(32,878

)

(40,870

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

467

 

$

27,151

 

$

38,878

 

$

38,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.60

 

$

1.06

 

$

1.08

 

Diluted

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.60

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.06

 

Dividends per share

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.035

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.07

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4




 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
For Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

$

675

 

$

711,256

 

$

896,947

 

$

41,883

 

$

1,650,761

 

Cumulative effect of FIN 48 adoption

 

 

 

2,629

 

 

2,629

 

Net income

 

 

 

71,756

 

 

71,756

 

Dividends ($0.08 per share)

 

 

 

(5,529

)

 

(5,529

)

Common stock repurchases

 

 

(523

)

 

 

(523

)

Shares cancelled to pay withholding taxes

 

(1

)

(3,923

)

 

 

(3,924

)

Stock options exercised

 

1

 

1,142

 

 

 

1,143

 

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

 

137

 

 

 

137

 

Shares issued under ESPP

 

 

322

 

 

 

322

 

Share-based compensation and other

 

3

 

10,886

 

 

 

10,889

 

Change in cash flow hedge, net of tax of $(113)

 

 

 

 

(209

)

(209

)

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

385

 

385

 

Unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities, net of tax of $(8,682)

 

 

 

 

(33,054

)

(33,054

)

Balance, June 30, 2007

 

$

678

 

$

719,297

 

$

965,803

 

$

9,005

 

$

1,694,783

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5




Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

71,756

 

$

79,396

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash interest and operating expenses

 

11,562

 

7,825

 

Net amortization of premium on fixed maturity securities

 

1,426

 

2,916

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

1,786

 

6,266

 

Net realized investment losses

 

1,819

 

2,011

 

Change in unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments

 

26,937

 

(5,742

)

Change in deferred acquisition costs

 

(7,784

)

(11,865

)

Change in accrued investment income

 

(1,576

)

23

 

Change in premiums receivable

 

2,857

 

(9,171

)

Change in prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

(3,510

)

36

 

Change in unearned premium reserves

 

48,889

 

64,781

 

Change in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net

 

(14,734

)

(7,841

)

Change in profit commissions payable

 

(18,108

)

(23,377

)

Change in funds held by Company under reinsurance contracts

 

3,617

 

1,153

 

Change in current income taxes

 

(7,327

)

(4,639

)

Change in liability for tax basis step-up adjustment

 

(4,537

)

(373

)

Other

 

(21,531

)

(10,783

)

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

91,542

 

90,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

(591,468

)

(434,471

)

Sales

 

443,976

 

433,607

 

Maturities

 

11,999

 

14,295

 

Sales (purchases) of short-term investments, net

 

71,399

 

(55,019

)

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(64,094

)

(41,588

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(5,523

)

(5,253

)

Share activity under option and incentive plans

 

(2,664

)

(2,310

)

Tax benefit from employee stock options

 

137

 

 

Debt issue costs

 

(425

)

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(523

)

(17,190

)

Repayment of notes assumed during formation transactions

 

 

(2,000

)

Net cash flows used in financing activities

 

(8,998

)

(26,753

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

508

 

732

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

18,958

 

23,007

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,785

 

6,190

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

23,743

 

$

29,197

 

Supplementary cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

$

16,451

 

$

13,440

 

Interest

 

$

11,877

 

$

7,081

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6




Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2007
(Unaudited)

1.  Business and Organization

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (the “Company”) is a Bermuda-based holding company which provides, through its operating subsidiaries, credit enhancement products to the public finance, structured finance and mortgage markets. Credit enhancement products are financial guarantees or other types of support, including credit derivatives, that improve the credit of underlying debt obligations. Assured Guaranty Ltd. applies its credit expertise, risk management skills and capital markets experience to develop insurance, reinsurance and derivative products that meet the credit enhancement needs of its customers. Under a reinsurance agreement, the reinsurer, in consideration of a premium paid to it, agrees to indemnify another insurer, called the ceding company, for part or all of the liability of the ceding company under one or more insurance policies that the ceding company has issued. A derivative is a financial instrument whose characteristics and value depend upon the characteristics and value of an underlying security. Assured Guaranty Ltd. markets its products directly to and through financial institutions, serving the U.S. and international markets. Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s financial results include four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. These segments are further discussed in Note 10.

Financial guaranty insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that protects the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due. Financial guaranty insurance may be issued to the holders of the insured obligations at the time of issuance of those obligations, or may be issued in the secondary market to holders of public bonds and structured securities. A loss event occurs upon existing or anticipated credit deterioration, while a payment under a policy occurs when the insured obligation defaults. This requires the Company to pay the required principal and interest when due in accordance with the underlying contract. The principal types of obligations covered by the Company’s financial guaranty direct and financial guaranty assumed reinsurance businesses are structured finance obligations and public finance obligations. Because both businesses involve similar risks, the Company analyzes and monitors its financial guaranty direct portfolio and financial guaranty assumed reinsurance portfolio on a unified process and procedure basis.

Mortgage guaranty insurance is a specialized class of credit insurance that provides protection to mortgage lending institutions against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans that, at the time of the advance, had a loan to value in excess of a specified ratio. Reinsurance in the mortgage guaranty insurance industry is used to increase the insurance capacity of the ceding company, to assist the ceding company in meeting applicable regulatory and rating agency requirements, to augment the financial strength of the ceding company, and to manage the ceding company’s risk profile. The Company provides mortgage guaranty protection on an excess of loss basis.

 The Company has participated in several lines of business that are reflected in its historical financial statements but that the Company exited in connection with its 2004 initial public offering (“IPO”).

2.  Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Company, have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements cover the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 (“Second Quarter 2007”), the three-month period ended June 30, 2006 (“Second Quarter 2006”), the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 (“Six Months 2007”) and the six-month period ended June 30, 2006 (“Six Months 2006”). Operating results for the three- and six-

7




month periods ended June 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.  Certain items in the prior year unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to U.S. and U.K. income tax. The provision for income taxes is calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. The Company’s provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective rate due to the variability in changes in fair value of its derivative financial instruments.  A discrete calculation of the provision is calculated for each interim period.

3.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, since the FASB had previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measure. Accordingly, FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt FAS 157 at the beginning of 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 157 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 allows entities to voluntarily choose, at specified election dates, to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities (as well as certain nonfinancial instruments that are similar to financial instruments) at fair value (the “fair value option”). The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, FAS 159 specifies that all subsequent changes in fair value for that instrument shall be reported in u nrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income . FAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Earlier adoption of FAS 159 is permitted, but we do not intend to early adopt.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that  FAS 159 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In April 2007, the FASB Staff issued FASB Staff Position No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FSP FIN 39-1”), which permits companies to offset cash collateral receivables or payables with net derivative positions under certain circumstances. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. FSP FIN 39-1 will not affect our results of operations or financial position, though it may affect the balance sheet classification of certain assets and liabilities.

4.  Analysis of premiums written, premiums earned and l oss and loss adjustment expenses

In order to limit its exposure on assumed risks, the Company at the time of the IPO entered into certain proportional and non-proportional retrocessional agreements with other insurance companies, primarily subsidiaries of ACE Limited (“ACE”), the Company’s former parent, to cede a portion of the risk underwritten by the Company, prior to the IPO. In addition, the Company enters into reinsurance agreements with non-affiliated companies to limit its exposure to risk on an on-going basis.

8




In the event that any or all of the reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations, the Company would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Direct, assumed, and ceded amounts were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Premiums Written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

62,729

 

$

68,418

 

$

112,249

 

$

98,666

 

Assumed

 

26,101

 

43,066

 

49,121

 

68,202

 

Ceded

 

(3,901)

 

(1,139)

 

(8,059)

 

(5,739)

 

Net

 

$

84,929

 

$

110,345

 

$

153,311

 

$

161,129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

29,321

 

$

21,887

 

$

58,811

 

$

43,115

 

Assumed

 

27,269

 

28,475

 

53,802

 

59,003

 

Ceded

 

(2,349)

 

(2,178)

 

(4,502)

 

(5,879)

 

Net

 

$

54,241

 

$

48,184

 

$

108,111

 

$

96,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

1,729

 

$

(12,644)

 

$

1,815

 

$

(15,675)

 

Assumed

 

(10,989)

 

7,250

 

(15,962)

 

10,542

 

Ceded

 

159

 

(1,119)

 

317

 

(1,762)

 

Net

 

$

(9,101)

 

$

(6,513)

 

$

(13,830)

 

$

(6,895)

 

 

Total net written premiums for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 were $84.9 million and $153.3 million, respectively, compared with $110.3 million and $161.1 million for Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

Direct written premiums decreased  $5.7 million in  Second Quarter 2007 compared with Second Quarter 2006  primarily attributable to  our international business,  which generated $19.9 million of direct written premium in Second Quarter 2007 compared with $41.0 million during Second Quarter 2006.   Partially offsetting this reduced international business premium was a $13.4 million increase in U.S. premium, primarily from our upfront public finance and installment structured finance business, as we continue to  execute our direct business strategy.  Direct written premiums  increased $13.6 million in Six Months 2007 compared with Six Months 2006 primarily due to a $18.3 million increase in U.S. generated business, mainly from our upfront public finance and installment structured finance business, as we continue to  execute our direct business strategy.  Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction of our international business to $31.7 million in Six Months 2007, compared with $41.0 million for Six Months 2006.

Assumed written premiums decreased to $26.1 million in Second Quarter 2007 compared with  $43.1 million in Second Quarter 2006 due primarily to a $14.7 million reduction in upfront treaty and facultative cessions from our cedants due to the non-renewal of certain treaties in 2006 and 2004.

Total net premiums earned for Second Quarter 2007 were $54.2 million compared with $48.2 million for Second Quarter 2006, while net premiums earned for Six Months 2007 were $108.1 million compared with $96.2 million for Six Months 2006.

Direct earned premiums increased $7.4 million,  to $29.3 million for Second Quarter 2007 compared with $21.9 million for Second Quarter 2006, reflecting the continued execution of our direct business strategy. Direct earned premiums increased $15.7 million,  to $58.8 million for Six Months 2007 compared with $43.1 million for Second Quarter 2006 for the same reason as above, but also our direct earned premiums for Six Months 2007 included $1.7 million of public finance refundings.   Six Months 2006 did not have any direct earned premiums from

9




public finance refundings.  Public finance refundings reflect the unscheduled pre-payment or refundings of underlying municipal bonds.

Assumed premiums earned decreased  $5.2 million in  Six Months 2007 compared with Six Months 2006  due to the non-renewal of certain treaties in 2006 and 2004.

Total loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) were $(9.1) million and $(6.5) million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 , respectively. Direct loss and LAE  for Second Quarter 2007 included $1.7 million of case reserve additions for two transactions written prior to our IPO, while Second Quarter 2006 included  a $10.1 million loss recovery from business which was exited in connection with the IPO .

Second Quarter 2007 assumed loss and LAE was $(11.0) million principally due to a  portfolio reserve release associated with the restructuring of a European infrastructure transaction. Second Quarter 2006 assumed loss and LAE was $7.3 million principally due to increased loss reserves of $3.8 million related to a ratings downgrade of a European infrastructure  transaction and $1.6 million related to the ratings downgrade of various credits.

Total loss and LAE were $(13.8) million and $(6.9) million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

In addition to Second Quarter 2007 activity, assumed loss and LAE for Six Months 2007 includes reserve releases  related to aircraft-related transactions.  In addition to Second Quarter 2006 activity, assumed loss and LAE for Six Months 2006 also contained a $2.5 million case reserve addition due to a U.S. public infrastructure transaction.

Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses and LAE as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were $10.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively and are all related to our other segment. Of these amounts, $10.4 million and $10.8 million, respectively, relate to reinsurance agreements with ACE.

5.  Commitments and Contingencies

Lawsuits arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, based upon the information available, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries assert claims in legal proceedings against third parties to recover losses paid in prior periods. The amounts, if any, the Company will recover in these proceedings are uncertain, although recoveries in any one or more of these proceedings during any quarter or fiscal year could be material to the Company’s results of operations in that particular quarter or fiscal year.

The Company is party to reinsurance agreements with all of the major monoline primary financial guaranty insurance companies. The Company’s facultative and treaty agreements are generally subject to termination (i) upon written notice (ranging from 90 to 120 days) prior to the specified deadline for renewal, (ii) at the option of the primary insurer if the Company fails to maintain certain financial, regulatory and rating agency criteria which are equivalent to or more stringent than those the Company is otherwise required to maintain for its own compliance with state mandated insurance laws and to maintain a specified financial strength rating for the particular insurance subsidiary or (iii) upon certain changes of control of the Company. Upon termination under the conditions set forth in (ii) and (iii) above, the Company may be required (under some of its reinsurance agreements) to return to the primary insurer all statutory unearned premiums, less ceding commissions, attributable to reinsurance ceded pursuant to such agreements after which the Company would be released from liability with respect to the ceded business. Upon the occurrence of the conditions set forth in (ii) above, whether or not an agreement is terminated,

10




the Company may be required to obtain a letter of credit or alternative form of security to collateralize its obligation to perform under such agreement or it may be obligated to increase the level of ceding commission paid .

6.  Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

The Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements  include long-term debt, used to fund the Company’s insurance operations, and related interest expense, as described below.

Senior Notes

Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc. (“AGUS”), a subsidiary of the Company, issued $200.0 million of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2034 for net proceeds of $197.3 million. The proceeds of the offering were used to repay substantially all of a $200.0 million promissory note issued to a subsidiary of ACE in April 2004 as part of the IPO related formation transactions. The coupon on the Senior Notes is 7.0%, however, the effective rate is approximately 6.4%, taking into account the effect of a cash flow hedge executed by the Company in March 2004. The Company recorded interest expense of $3.3 million, including $0.2 million of amortized gain on the cash flow hedge, for both Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006. The Company recorded interest expense of $6.7 million, including $0.3 million of amortized gain on the cash flow hedge, for both Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006. These Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Assured Guaranty Ltd.

Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures

On December 20, 2006, AGUS issued $150.0 million of Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “Debentures”) due 2066 for net proceeds of $149.7 million. The proceeds of the offering were used to repurchase 5,692,599 of Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s common shares from ACE Bermuda Insurance Ltd., a subsidiary of ACE. The Debentures pay a fixed 6.40% rate of interest until December 15, 2016, and thereafter pay a floating rate of interest, reset quarterly, at a rate equal to 3 month LIBOR plus a margin equal to 2.38%. AGUS may elect at one or more times to defer payment of interest for one or more consecutive periods for up to ten years. Any unpaid interest bears interest at the then applicable rate. AGUS may not defer interest past the maturity date. The Company recorded interest expense of $2.5 million and $4.9 million for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007, respectively. These Debentures are guaranteed on a junior subordinated basis by Assured Guaranty Ltd.

Credit Facilities

$300.0 million Credit Facility

On November 6, 2006, Assured Guaranty Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a $300.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “$300.0 million credit facility”) with a syndicate of banks. Under the $300.0 million credit facility, each of Assured Guaranty Corp. (“AGC”), Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd. (“AG (UK)”), Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (“AG Re”), Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (“AGRO”) and Assured Guaranty Ltd. are entitled to request the banks to make loans to such borrower or to request that letters of credit be issued for the account of such borrower.

Of the $300.0 million available to be borrowed, no more than $100.0 million may be borrowed by Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re or AGRO, individually or in the aggregate, and no more than $20.0 million may be borrowed by AG (UK). The stated amount of all outstanding letters of credit and the amount of all unpaid drawings in respect of all letters of credit cannot, in the aggregate, exceed $100.0 million.

The $300.0 million credit facility also provides that Assured Guaranty Ltd. may request that the commitment of the banks be increased an additional $100.0 million up to a maximum aggregate amount of $400.0 million. Any such incremental commitment increase is subject to certain conditions provided in the agreement and must be for at least $25.0 million.

The proceeds of the loans and letters of credit are to be used for the working capital and other general corporate purposes of the borrowers and to support reinsurance transactions.

11




At the closing of the $300.0 million credit facility, (i) AGC guaranteed the obligations of AG (UK) under such facility, (ii) Assured Guaranty Ltd. guaranteed the obligations of AG Re and AGRO under such facility and agreed that, if the Company Consolidated Assets (as defined in the related credit agreement) of AGC and its subsidiaries were to fall below $1.2 billion, it would, within 15 days, guarantee the obligations of AGC and AG (UK) under such facility, (iii) Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc., guaranteed the obligations of Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re and AGRO under such facility and (iv) Each of AG Re and AGRO guarantees the other as well as Assured Guaranty Ltd.

The $300.0 million credit facility’s financial covenants require that Assured Guaranty Ltd. (a) maintain a minimum net worth of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Consolidated Net Worth of Assured Guaranty Ltd. as of the most recent fiscal quarter of Assured Guaranty Ltd. prior to November 6, 2006 and (b) maintain a maximum debt-to-capital ratio of 30%. In addition, the $300.0 million credit facility requires that AGC maintain qualified statutory capital of at least 75% of its statutory capital as of the fiscal quarter prior to November 6, 2006. Furthermore, the $300.0 million credit facility contains restrictions on Assured Guaranty Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including, among other things, in respect of their ability to incur debt, permit liens, become liable in respect of guaranties, make loans or investments, pay dividends or make distributions, dissolve or become party to a merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of assets or enter into affiliate transactions. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The $300.0 million credit facility has customary events of default, including (subject to certain materiality thresholds and grace periods) payment default, failure to comply with covenants, material inaccuracy of representation or warranty, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, change of control and cross-default to other debt agreements. A default by one borrower will give rise to a right of the lenders to terminate the facility and accelerate all amounts then outstanding. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Assured Guaranty was in compliance with all of those financial covenants.

As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under this facility.

Letters of Credit for a total aggregate stated amount of approximately $64.2 million and $19.6 million, remain outstanding as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Non-Recourse Credit Facilities

AG Re Credit Facility

On July 31, 2007 AG Re entered into a non-recourse credit facility (“AG Re Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $200.0 million to satisfy certain reinsurance agreements and obligations. The AG Re Credit Facility expires in July 2014.

AG Re’s failure to comply with certain covenants under the AG Re Credit Facility could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default. This could require AG Re to repay potential outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

AGC Credit Facility

AGC is also party to a non-recourse credit facility (“AGC Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $175.0 million specifically designed to provide rating agency qualified capital to further support AGC’s claims paying resources. The AGC Credit Facility expires in December 2010. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under the life of this facility.

AGC’s failure to comply with certain covenants under the AGC Credit Facility could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default. This could require AGC to repay any outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

12




The AGC Credit Facility was terminated on July 31, 2007 and replaced by the AG Re Credit Facility discussed above.

Committed Capital Securities

On April 8, 2005, AGC entered into four separate agreements with four different unaffiliated custodial trusts pursuant to which AGC may, at its option, cause each of the custodial trusts to purchase up to $50.0 million of perpetual preferred stock of AGC. The custodial trusts were created as a vehicle for providing capital support to AGC by allowing AGC to obtain immediate access to new capital at its sole discretion at any time through the exercise of the put option. If the put options were exercised, AGC would receive $200.0 million in return for the issuance of its own perpetual preferred stock, the proceeds of which may be used for any purpose including the payment of claims. The put options have not been exercised through June 30, 2007. Initially, all of the CCS Securities were issued to a special purpose pass-through trust (the “Pass-Through Trust”). The Pass-Through Trust is a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act formed for the purposes of (i) issuing $200,000,000 of Pass-Through Trust Securities to qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (ii) investing the proceeds from the sale of the Pass-Through Trust Securities in, and holding, the CCS Securities issued by the Custodial Trusts and (iii) entering into related agreements. Neither the Pass-Through Trust nor the Custodial Trusts are consolidated in Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s financial statements.

During both Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, and Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, AGC incurred $0.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of put option premiums which are an on-going expense. These expenses are presented in the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income under other expense.

7. Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense in Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 was $3.9 million ($3.2 million after tax) and $3.1 million ($2.5 million after tax), respectively. Share-based compensation expense in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 was $9.5 million ($7.8 million after tax) and $6.3 million ($5.2 million after tax), respectively.  The effect of share-based compensation on both basic and diluted earnings per share for Second Quarter 2007 was $0.05.  The effect of share-based compensation on basic and diluted earnings per share for Six Months 2007 was $0.12 and $0.11, respectively. The effect on basic and diluted earnings per share for Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 was $0.03 and $0.07, respectively. Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 expense included $1.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees. Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 expense included $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees.

13




8. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income as reported

 

$

32,805

 

$

44,514

 

$

71,756

 

$

79,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic shares

 

67,779

 

73,633

 

67,690

 

73,695

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock awards

 

1,418

 

809

 

1,306

 

947

 

Diluted shares

 

69,197

 

74,442

 

68,996

 

74,642

 

Basic EPS

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.60

 

$

1.06

 

$

1.08

 

Diluted EPS

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.60

 

$

1.04

 

$

1.06

 

9.  Income Taxes

Adoption of FIN 48

The Company’s Bermuda subsidiaries are not subject to any income, withholding or capital gains taxes under current Bermuda law.  The Company’s U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries are subject to income taxes imposed by U.S. and U.K. authorities and file applicable tax returns.  In addition, AGRO, a Bermuda domiciled company, has elected under Section 953(d) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to be taxed as a U.S. domestic corporation.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed audits of all of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries’ federal income tax returns for taxable years though 2001.  The IRS is currently reviewing tax years 2002 through 2004 for Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries, which includes Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc., AGRO, Assured Guaranty Mortgage Insurance Company and AG Intermediary Inc.  In addition the IRS is reviewing AGUS for tax years 2002 through the date of the IPO.  AGUS includes Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc., AGC and AG Financial Products and were part of the consolidated tax return of a subsidiary of ACE, for years prior to the IPO. The Company is indemnified by ACE for any potential tax liability associated with the tax examination of AGUS as it relates to years prior to the IPO.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007.  As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company reduced its liability for unrecognized tax benefits and increased retained earnings by $2.6 million.  The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 was $12.9 million.  This entire amount, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

Subsequent to the adoption of FIN 48, the IRS published final regulations on the treatment of consolidated losses.  As a result of these regulations the utilization of certain capital losses is no longer at a level that would require recording an associated liability for an uncertain tax position.  As such, the Company decreased its liability for unrecognized tax benefits and its provision for income taxes $4.1 million during the period ended March 31,2007.  The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2007 is $8.8 million, and is included in other liabilities on the balance sheet.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  As of the date of adoption, the Company has accrued $2.7 million in interest and penalties.

Liability For Tax Basis Step-Up Adjustment

In connection with the IPO, the Company and ACE Financial Services Inc. (“AFS”), a subsidiary of ACE, entered into a tax allocation agreement, whereby the Company and AFS made a “Section 338 (h)(10)” election that has the effect of increasing the tax basis of certain affected subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets to fair value.

14




Future tax benefits that the Company derives from the election will be payable to AFS when realized by the Company.

As a result of the election, the Company has adjusted its net deferred tax liability to reflect the new tax basis of the Company’s affected assets. The additional basis is expected to result in increased future income tax deductions and, accordingly, may reduce income taxes otherwise payable by the Company. Any tax benefit realized by the Company will be paid to AFS. Such tax benefits will generally be calculated by comparing the Company’s affected subsidiaries’ actual taxes to the taxes that would have been owed by those subsidiaries had the increase in basis not occurred. After a 15 year period, to the extent there remains an unrealized tax benefit, the Company and AFS will negotiate a settlement of the unrealized benefit based on the expected realization at that time.

The Company initially recorded a $49.0 million reduction of its existing deferred tax liability, based on an estimate of the ultimate resolution of the Section 338(h)(10) election. Under the tax allocation agreement, the Company estimated that, as of the IPO date, it was obligated to pay $20.9 million to AFS and accordingly established this amount as a liability. The initial difference, which is attributable to the change in the tax basis of certain liabilities for which there is no associated step-up in the tax basis of its assets and no amounts due to AFS, resulted in an increase to additional paid-in capital of $28.1 million. The Company has paid ACE and correspondingly reduced its liability by $4.5 million and $0.4 million in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

10.  Segment Reporting

The Company has four principal business segments: (1) financial guaranty direct, which includes transactions whereby the Company provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that indemnifies the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due, and could take the form of a credit derivative; (2) financial guaranty reinsurance, which includes agreements whereby the Company is a reinsurer and agrees to indemnify a primary insurance company against part or all of the loss which the latter may sustain under a policy it has issued; (3) mortgage guaranty, which includes mortgage guaranty insurance and reinsurance whereby the Company provides protection against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans; and (4) other, which includes lines of business in which the Company is no longer active.

The Company does not segregate assets and liabilities at a segment level since management reviews and controls these assets and liabilities on a consolidated basis. The Company allocates operating expenses to each segment based on a comprehensive cost study. During 2006, the Company implemented a new operating expense allocation methodology to more closely allocate expenses to the individual operating segments. This new methodology was based on a comprehensive study and is based on departmental time estimates and headcount. Management uses underwriting gains and losses as the primary measure of each segment’s financial performance.

The following tables summarize the components of underwriting gain for each reporting segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

62.7

 

$

25.5

 

$

0.5

 

$

0.1

 

$

88.8

 

Net written premiums

 

59.0

 

25.5

 

0.5

 

 

84.9

 

Net earned premiums

 

28.3

 

23.7

 

2.3

 

 

54.2

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

1.7

 

(11.0

)

0.1

 

 

(9.1

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

0.5

 

0.4

 

 

0.9

 

Acquisition costs

 

2.3

 

8.6

 

 

 

10.9

 

Other operating expenses

 

14.5

 

3.9

 

0.5

 

 

18.8

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

9.8

 

$

21.7

 

$

1.3

 

$

 

$

32.7

 

 

 

15




 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

68.4

 

$

41.7

 

$

1.2

 

$

0.1

 

$

111.5

 

Net written premiums

 

67.8

 

41.3

 

1.2

 

 

110.3

 

Net earned premiums

 

21.2

 

23.1

 

3.7

 

 

48.2

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(2.5

)

5.7

 

0.4

 

(10.1

)

(6.5

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

1.0

 

0.7

 

 

1.7

 

Acquisition costs

 

2.3

 

8.5

 

0.3

 

 

11.3

 

Other operating expenses

 

12.0

 

3.4

 

0.3

 

 

15.6

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

9.4

 

$

4.6

 

$

2.0

 

$

10.1

 

$

26.1

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

112.2

 

$

44.2

 

$

1.5

 

$

3.4

 

$

161.4

 

Net written premiums

 

107.9

 

44.0

 

1.5

 

 

153.3

 

Net earned premiums

 

57.1

 

45.6

 

5.4

 

 

108.1

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

2.9

 

(15.8

)

0.2

 

(1.3

)

(13.8

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

1.4

 

1.1

 

 

2.5

 

Acquisition costs

 

5.3

 

16.3

 

0.2

 

 

21.7

 

Other operating expenses

 

30.4

 

8.3

 

0.8

 

 

39.5

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

18.5

 

$

35.3

 

$

3.1

 

$

1.3

 

$

58.1

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

98.6

 

$

60.5

 

$

3.8

 

$

3.9

 

$

166.9

 

Net written premiums

 

97.5

 

59.8

 

3.8

 

 

161.1

 

Net earned premiums

 

41.9

 

46.4

 

7.9

 

 

96.2

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(4.3

)

8.5

 

0.2

 

(11.3

)

(6.9

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

1.4

 

1.6

 

 

3.0

 

Acquisition costs

 

4.2

 

17.2

 

0.6

 

 

22.1

 

Other operating expenses

 

25.4

 

6.8

 

0.6

 

 

32.8

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

16.6

 

$

12.6

 

$

4.8

 

$

11.3

 

$

45.2

 

 

16




The following is a reconciliation of total underwriting gain to income before provision for income taxes for the periods ended:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total underwriting gain

 

$

32.7

 

$

26.1

 

$

58.1

 

$

45.2

 

Net investment income

 

30.9

 

27.3

 

62.3

 

53.5

 

Net realized investment losses

 

(1.5

)

(1.0

)

(1.8

)

(2.0

)

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(17.2

)

5.7

 

(26.9

)

5.7

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5.8

)

(3.4

)

(11.9

)

(6.7

)

Other expense

 

(0.7

)

(0.7

)

(1.3

)

(1.3

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

$

38.3

 

$

54.0

 

$

78.7

 

$

94.5

 

 

The following table provides the lines of businesses from which each of the Company’s segments derive their net earned premiums:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty direct:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

2.8

 

$

1.4

 

$

7.0

 

$

2.7

 

Structured finance

 

25.5

 

19.8

 

50.1

 

39.2

 

Total

 

28.3

 

21.2

 

57.1

 

41.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

16.9

 

14.4

 

32.9

 

30.0

 

Structured finance

 

6.8

 

8.7

 

12.7

 

16.4

 

Total

 

23.7

 

23.1

 

45.6

 

46.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage guaranty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

2.3

 

3.7

 

5.4

 

7.9

 

Total net earned premiums

 

$

54.2

 

$

48.2

 

$

108.1

 

$

96.2

 

 

The other segment had an underwriting gain of $10.1 million for Second Quarter 2006, and $1.3 million and $11.3 million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively, as loss recoveries were recorded in all periods. The other segment did not record an underwriting gain (loss) during Second Quarter 2007.

17




11. Subsidiary Information

The following tables present the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for Assured Guaranty Ltd., Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc., of which AGC is a subsidiary and other subsidiaries of Assured Guaranty Ltd. as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2007

(in thousands of U. S. dollars)

 

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments and cash

 

$

178

 

$

1,265,676

 

$

1,243,654

 

$

 

$

2,509,508

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

1,696,606

 

 

 

(1,696,606

)

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

74,623

 

150,190

 

 

224,813

 

Reinsurance recoverable

 

 

9,061

 

4,273

 

(2,890

)

10,444

 

Goodwill

 

 

85,417

 

 

 

85,417

 

Premiums receivable

 

 

26,423

 

27,352

 

(15,067

)

38,708

 

Other

 

7,337

 

150,082

 

48,290

 

(102,108

)

103,601

 

Total assets

 

$

1,704,121

 

$

1,611,282

 

$

1,473,759

 

$

(1,816,671

)

$

2,972,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Li abilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

 

$

307,408

 

$

464,740

 

$

(78,763

)

$

693,385

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

48,836

 

62,867

 

(2,890

)

108,813

 

Profit commissions payable

 

 

3,193

 

14,693

 

 

17,886

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

33,901

 

(16,422)

 

 

17,479

 

Senior Notes

 

 

197,391

 

 

 

197,391

 

Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures

 

 

149,723

 

 

 

149,723

 

Other

 

9,338

 

74,316

 

47,789

 

(38,412

)

93,031

 

Total liabilities

 

9,338

 

814,768

 

573,667

 

(120,065

)

1,277,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,694,783

 

796,514

 

900,092

 

(1,696,606

)

1,694,783

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,704,121

 

$

1,611,282

 

$

1,473,759

 

$

(1,816,671

)

$

2,972,491

 

 

 

18




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006
(in thousands of U. S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments and cash

 

$

1,523

 

$

1,258,865

 

$

1,209,532

 

$

 

$

2,469,920

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

1,648,358

 

 

 

(1,648,358

)

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

70,305

 

146,724

 

 

217,029

 

Reinsurance recoverable

 

 

8,826

 

4,547

 

(2,484

)

10,889

 

Goodwill

 

 

85,417

 

 

 

85,417

 

Premiums receivable

 

 

21,846

 

38,738

 

(19,019

)

41,565

 

Other

 

5,152

 

146,021

 

46,873

 

(87,526

)

110,520

 

Total assets

 

$

1,655,033

 

$

1,591,280

 

$

1,446,414

 

$

(1,757,387

)

$

2,935,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Li abilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

 

$

266,800

 

$

447,785

 

$

(70,089

)

$

644,496

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

65,388

 

57,696

 

(2,484

)

120,600

 

Profit commissions payable

 

 

3,683

 

32,311

 

 

35,994

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

41,415

 

(1,509

)

 

39,906

 

Senior Notes

 

 

197,375

 

 

 

197,375

 

Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures

 

 

149,708

 

 

 

149,708

 

Other

 

4,272

 

89,157

 

39,527

 

(36,456

)

96,500

 

Total liabilities

 

4,272

 

813,526

 

575,810

 

(109,029

)

1,284,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,650,761

 

777,754

 

870,604

 

(1,648,358

)

1,650,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,655,033

 

$

1,591,280

 

$

1,446,414

 

$

(1,757,387

)

$

2,935,340

 

 

19




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments *

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

51,778

 

$

33,151

 

$

 

$

84,929

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

26,087

 

28,154

 

 

54,241

 

Net investment income

 

 

15,215

 

15,650

 

(5

)

30,860

 

Net realized investment losses

 

 

(558

)

(982

)

 

(1,540

)

Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments

 

 

(12,320

)

(4,903

)

 

(17,223

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

36,888

 

 

 

(36,888

)

 

Other revenues

 

 

215

 

 

(215

)

 

Total revenues

 

36,888

 

28,639

 

37,919

 

(37,108

)

66,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

(15,589

)

6,488

 

 

(9,101

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

4,083

 

14,389

 

12,158

 

 

30,630

 

Other

 

 

6,470

 

1

 

 

6,471

 

Total expenses

 

4,083

 

5,270

 

18,647

 

 

28,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

32,805

 

23,369

 

19,272

 

(37,108

)

38,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

5,132

 

401

 

 

5,533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

32,805

 

$

18,237

 

$

18,871

 

$

(37,108

)

$

32,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*                     Due to the accounting for subsidiaries under common control, net income in the consolidating adjustment column does not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to 1) recognition of income by Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc. for dividends received from Assured Guaranty Ltd. and 2) the residual effects of the FSA agreement.

20




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments *

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

43,701

 

$

66,644

 

$

 

$

110,345

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

23,888

 

24,296

 

 

48,184

 

Net investment income

 

1

 

13,708

 

13,563

 

(17

)

27,255

 

Net realized investment losses

 

 

(216

)

(789

)

 

(1,005

)

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments

 

 

4,135

 

1,578

 

 

5,713

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

48,401

 

 

 

(48,401

)

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

Total revenues

 

48,402

 

41,515

 

38,671

 

(48,418

)

80,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

3,353

 

(9,866

)

 

(6,513

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

3,885

 

13,586

 

11,149

 

 

28,620

 

Other

 

3

 

4,055

 

1

 

 

4,059

 

Total expenses

 

3,888

 

20,994

 

1,284

 

 

26,166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

44,514

 

20,521

 

37,387

 

(48,418

)

54,004

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

4,399

 

5,091

 

 

9,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

44,514

 

$

16,122

 

$

32,296

 

$

(48,418

)

$

44,514

 


*                     Due to the accounting for subsidiaries under common control, net income in the consolidating adjustment column does not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to the residual effects of the FSA agreement.

21




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments*

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

84,249

 

$

69,062

 

$

 

$

153,311

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

54,382

 

53,729

 

 

108,111

 

Net investment income

 

1

 

30,963

 

31,384

 

(6

)

62,342

 

Net realized investment (losses) gains

 

 

(670

)

(1,180

)

31

 

(1,819

)

Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments

 

 

(18,249

)

(8,688

)

 

(26,937

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

80,931

 

 

 

(80,931

)

 

Other revenues

 

 

429

 

 

(429

)

 

Total revenues

 

80,932

 

66,855

 

75,245

 

(81,335

)

141,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

(22,465

)

8,635

 

 

(13,830

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

9,176

 

30,721

 

23,860

 

 

63,757

 

Other

 

 

13,074

 

31

 

 

13,105

 

Total expenses

 

9,176

 

21,330

 

32,526

 

 

63,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

71,756

 

45,525

 

42,719

 

(81,335

)

78,665

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

9,601

 

(2,703

)

11

 

6,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

71,756

 

$

35,924

 

$

45,422

 

$

(81,346

)

$

71,756

 


*                     Due to the accounting for subsidiaries under common control, net income in the consolidating adjustment column does not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to 1) recognition of income by Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc. for dividends received from Assured Guaranty Ltd. and 2) the residual effects of the FSA agreement.

22




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments*

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

68,818

 

$

92,311

 

$

 

$

161,129

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

50,617

 

45,622

 

 

96,239

 

Net investment income

 

1

 

26,537

 

26,984

 

(29

)

53,493

 

Net realized investment losses

 

 

(1,362

)

(649

)

 

(2,011

)

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments

 

 

4,855

 

887

 

 

5,742

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

86,743

 

 

 

(86,743

)

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

23

 

 

23

 

Total revenues

 

86,744

 

80,647

 

72,867

 

(86,772

)

153,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

5,398

 

(12,293

)

 

(6,895

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

7,335

 

28,880

 

21,648

 

 

57,863

 

Other

 

13

 

8,033

 

2

 

 

8,048

 

Total expenses

 

7,348

 

42,311

 

9,357

 

 

59,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

79,396

 

38,336

 

63,510

 

(86,772

)

94,470

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

7,904

 

7,150

 

20

 

15,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

79,396

 

$

30,432

 

$

56,360

 

$

(86,792

)

$

79,396

 


*                     Due to the accounting for subsidiaries under common control, net income in the consolidating adjustment column does not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to the residual effects of the FSA agreement.

23




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007
(in thousands of U. S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Dividends received

 

$

3,000

 

$

429

 

$

 

$

(3,429

)

$

 

Other operating activities

 

4,794

 

29,966

 

56,782

 

 

91,542

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

 

7,794

 

30,395

 

56,782

 

(3,429

)

91,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

(191,190

)

(400,278

)

 

(591,468

)

Sales

 

 

147,589

 

296,387

 

 

443,976

 

Maturities

 

 

6,180

 

5,819

 

 

11,999

 

Sales of short-term investments, net

 

1,345

 

26,709

 

43,345

 

 

71,399

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,345

 

(10,712

)

(54,727

)

 

(64,094

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(523

)

 

 

 

(523

)

Dividends paid

 

(5,952

)

 

(3,000

)

3,429

 

(5,523

)

Share activity under option and incentive plans

 

(2,664

)

 

 

 

(2,664

)

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

 

 

137

 

 

 

137

 

Debt issue costs

 

 

(425

)

 

 

(425

)

Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(9,139

)

(288

)

(3,000

)

3,429

 

(8,998

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

 

242

 

266

 

 

508

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

19,637

 

(679

)

 

18,958

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

2,776

 

2,009

 

 

4,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

22,413

 

$

1,330

 

$

 

$

23,743

 

 

24




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends received

 

$

25,390

 

$

 

$

 

$

(25,390

)

$

 

Other operating activities

 

1,883

 

77,430

 

11,303

 

 

90,616

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

 

27,273

 

77,430

 

11,303

 

(25,390

)

90,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

(237,714

)

(196,757

)

 

(434,471

)

Sales

 

 

222,630

 

210,977

 

 

433,607

 

Maturities

 

 

6,864

 

7,431

 

 

14,295

 

Purchases of short-term investments, net

 

(520

)

(46,075

)

(8,424

)

 

(55,019

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(520

)

(54,295

)

13,227

 

 

(41,588

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(17,190

)

 

 

 

(17,190

)

Dividends paid

 

(5,253

)

 

(25,390

)

25,390

 

(5,253

)

Share activity under option and incentive plans

 

(2,310

)

 

 

 

(2,310

)

Repayment of notes assumed during formation transactions

 

(2,000

)

 

 

 

(2,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(26,753

)

 

(25,390

)

25,390

 

(26,753

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

 

623

 

109

 

 

732

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

23,758

 

(751

)

 

23,007

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

2,923

 

3,267

 

 

6,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

26,681

 

$

2,516

 

$

 

$

29,197

 

 

25




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

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s (hereafter “Assured Guaranty,” “we,” “our” or the “Company”) expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and relate to future operating or financial performance.

Any or all of Assured Guaranty’s forward-looking statements herein may turn out to be wrong and are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. Assured Guaranty’s actual results may vary materially. Among factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: (1) downgrades of the financial strength ratings assigned by the major rating agencies to any of our insurance subsidiaries at any time, which has occurred in the past; (2) our inability to execute our business strategy; (3) reduction in the amount of reinsurance ceded by one or more of our principal ceding companies; (4) contract cancellations; (5) developments in the world’s financial and capital markets that adversely affect our loss experience, the demand for our products, our unrealized (losses)gains on derivative financial instruments or our investment returns; (6) more severe or frequent losses associated with our insurance products; (7) changes in regulation or tax laws applicable to us, our subsidiaries or customers; (8) governmental action; (9) natural catastrophes; (10) dependence on customers; (11) decreased demand for our insurance or reinsurance products or increased competition in our markets; (12) loss of key personnel; (13) technological developments; (14) the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; (15) changes in accounting policies or practices; (16) changes in general economic conditions, including interest rates and other factors; (17) other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time; and (18) management’s response to these factors . Assured Guaranty is not obligated to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if we later become aware that it is not likely to be achieved, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Executive Summary

Assured Guaranty Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company which provides, through its operating subsidiaries, credit enhancement products to the public finance, structured finance and mortgage markets. We apply our credit expertise, risk management skills and capital markets experience to develop insurance, reinsurance and credit derivative products that meet the credit enhancement needs of our customers. We market our products directly and through financial institutions. We serve the U.S. and international markets.

Our insurance company subsidiaries have been assigned the following insurance financial strength ratings:

 

 

Moody’s

 

S&P

 

Fitch

AGC

 

Aaa(Exceptional)

 

AAA(Extremely Strong)

 

AAA(Extremely Strong)

AG Re

 

Aa2(Excellent)

 

AA(Very Strong)

 

AA(Very Strong)

AGRO

 

Aa2(Excellent)

 

AA(Very Strong)

 

AA(Very Strong)

Assured Guaranty Mortgage

 

Aa2(Excellent)

 

AA(Very Strong)

 

AA(Very Strong)

Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd

 

Aaa(exceptional)

 

AAA(Extremely Strong)

 

AAA(Extremely Strong)

 

“Aaa” (Exceptional) is the highest ranking, which AGC and Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd. achieved in July 2007,  and “Aa2” (Excellent) is the third highest ranking of 21 ratings categories used by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”). A “AAA” (Extremely Strong) rating is the highest ranking and “AA” (Very Strong) is the third highest ranking of the 21 ratings categories used by Standard & Poor’s Inc. (“S&P”). “AAA” (Extremely Strong) is the highest ranking and “AA” (Very Strong) is the third highest ranking of the 24 ratings categories used by Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”). An insurance financial strength rating is an opinion with respect to an insurer’s ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms.

26




The opinion is not specific to any particular policy or contract. Insurance financial strength ratings do not refer to an insurer’s ability to meet non insurance obligations and are not a recommendation to purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer or to buy, hold, or sell any security issued by an insurer, including our common shares.

Our financial results include four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. The other segment represents lines of business that we exited or sold as part of our 2004 initial public offering (“IPO”).

We derive our revenues principally from premiums from our insurance, reinsurance and credit derivative businesses, net investment income, net realized gains and losses from our investment portfolio and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments. Our premiums are a function of the amount and type of contracts we write as well as prevailing market prices. We receive premiums on an upfront basis when the policy is issued or the contract is executed and/or on an installment basis over the life of the applicable transaction.

Investment income is a function of invested assets and the yield that we earn on those assets. The investment yield is a function of market interest rates at the time of investment as well as the type, credit quality and maturity of our invested assets. In addition, we could realize capital losses on securities in our investment portfolio from other than temporary declines in market value as a result of changing market conditions, including changes in market interest rates, and changes in the credit quality of our invested assets.

Unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments are a function of changes in the estimated fair value of our credit derivative contracts. We expect these unrealized gains and losses to fluctuate primarily based on changes in credit spreads and the credit quality of the referenced entities. We generally hold these derivative contracts to maturity. Where we hold a derivative contract to maturity, the cumulative unrealized gains and losses will net to zero if we incur no credit losses on that contract.

Our expenses consist primarily of losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), profit commission expense, acquisition costs, operating expenses, interest expense, put-option premium expense associated with our  committed capital securities (the “CCS Securities”) and income taxes. Losses and LAE are a function of the amount and types of business we write. Losses and LAE are based upon estimates of the ultimate aggregate losses inherent in the portfolio. The risks we take have a low expected frequency of loss and are investment grade at the time we accept the risk. Profit commission expense represents payments made to ceding companies generally based on the profitability of the business reinsured by us. Acquisition costs are related to the production of new business. Certain acquisition costs that vary with and are directly attributable to the production of new business are deferred and recognized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and other employee-related costs, including share-based compensation, various outside service providers, rent and related costs and other expenses related to maintaining a holding company structure. These costs do not vary with the amount of premiums written.  Interest expense is a function of outstanding debt and the contractual interest rate related to that debt. Put-option premium expense, which is included in “other expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income , is a function of the outstanding amount of the CCS Securities and the applicable distribution rate.  Income taxes are a function of our profitability and the applicable tax rate in the various jurisdictions in which we do business.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include amounts that, either by their nature or due to requirements of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) , are determined using estimates and assumptions. The actual amounts realized could ultimately be materially different from the amounts currently provided for in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. We believe the items requiring the most inherently subjective and complex estimates to be reserves for losses and LAE, valuation of derivative financial instruments, valuation of investments, other than temporary impairments of investments, premium revenue recognition, deferred acquisition costs and deferred income taxes. An understanding of our accounting policies for these items is of critical importance to understanding our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. The following discussion provides more information regarding the estimates and assumptions

27




used for these items and should be read in conjunction with the notes to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for non-derivative transactions in our financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty assumed reinsurance and mortgage guaranty business include case reserves and portfolio reserves. See the “Valuation of Derivative Financial Instruments” of the Critical Accounting Estimates section for more information on our derivative transactions. Case reserves are established when there is significant credit deterioration on specific insured obligations and the obligations are in default or default is probable, not necessarily upon non-payment of principal or interest by an insured. Case reserves represent the present value of expected future loss payments and LAE, net of estimated recoveries, but before considering ceded reinsurance. This reserving method is different from case reserves established by traditional property and casualty insurance companies, which establish case reserves upon notification of a claim and establish incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves for the difference between actuarially estimated ultimate losses and recorded case reserves. Financial guaranty insurance and assumed reinsurance case reserves and related salvage and subrogation, if any, are discounted at 6%, which is the approximate taxable equivalent yield on our investment portfolio in all periods presented. When the Company becomes entitled to the underlying collateral of an insured credit under salvage and subrogation rights as a result of a claim payment, it records salvage and subrogation as an asset, based on the expected level of recovery. Such amounts are included in the Company’s balance sheet within “Other assets.”

We record portfolio reserves in our financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty assumed reinsurance and mortgage guaranty business. Portfolio reserves are established with respect to the portion of our business for which case reserves have not been established. Portfolio reserves are not established for quota share mortgage insurance contract types, all of which are in run-off; rather case and IBNR reserves have been established for these contracts.

Portfolio reserves are not established based on a specific event, rather they are calculated by aggregating the portfolio reserve calculated for each individual transaction. Individual transaction reserves are calculated on a quarterly basis by multiplying the par in-force by the product of the ultimate loss and earning factors without regard to discounting. The ultimate loss factor is defined as the frequency of loss multiplied by the severity of loss, where the frequency is defined as the probability of default for each individual issue. The earning factor is inception to date earned premium divided by the estimated ultimate written premium for each transaction. The probability of default is estimated from historical rating agency data and is based on the transaction’s credit rating, industry sector and time until maturity. The severity is defined as the complement of historical recovery/salvage rates gathered by the rating agencies of defaulting issues and is based on the industry sector.

Portfolio reserves are recorded gross of reinsurance. We have not ceded any amounts under these reinsurance contracts, as our recorded portfolio reserves have not exceeded our contractual retentions, required by said contracts.

The Company records an incurred loss that is reflected in the statement of operations upon the establishment of portfolio reserves. When we initially record a case reserve, we reclassify the corresponding portfolio reserve already recorded for that credit within the balance sheet. The difference between the initially recorded case reserve and the reclassified portfolio reserve is recorded as a charge in our statement of operations. It would be a remote occurrence when the case reserve is not greater than the reclassified portfolio reserve. Any subsequent change in portfolio reserves or the initial case reserves are recorded quarterly as a charge or credit in our statement of operations in the period such estimates change. Due to the inherent uncertainties of estimating loss and LAE reserves, actual experience may differ from the estimates reflected in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, and the differences may be material.

The chart below demonstrates the portfolio reserve’s sensitivity to frequency and severity assumptions. The change in these estimates represent management’s estimate of reasonably possible material changes and are based upon our analysis of historical experience.  Portfolio reserves were recalculated with changes made to the default and severity assumptions. In all scenarios, the starting point used to test the portfolio reserve’s sensitivity to the changes in the frequency and severity assumptions was the weighted average frequency and severity by rating and asset class of our insured portfolio. Overall the weighted average default frequency was 0.7% and the weighted average severity was 16.4% at June 30, 2007. For example, in the first scenario where the frequency was increased

28




by 5.0%, each transaction’s contribution to the portfolio reserve was recalculated by adding 0.04% (i.e. 5.0% multiplied by 0.7%) to the individual transaction’s default frequency.

 

 

Portfolio
Reserve

 

Reserve
Increase

 

Percentage
Change

 

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Portfolio reserve as of June 30, 2007

 

$

63,891

 

$

 

 

5%   Frequency increase

 

66,800

 

2,909

 

4.55

%

10%  Frequency increase

 

69,709

 

5,818

 

9.11

%

5%   Severity increase

 

65,583

 

1,692

 

2.65

%

10%  Severity increase

 

67,276

 

3,385

 

5.30

%

5%   Frequency and severity increase

 

68,624

 

4,733

 

7.41

%

 

In addition to analyzing the sensitivity of our portfolio reserves to possible changes in frequency and severity, we have also performed a sensitivity analysis on our financial guaranty and mortgage guaranty case reserves. Case reserves may change from our original estimate due to changes in severity factors. An actuarial analysis of the historical development of our case reserves shows that it is reasonably possible that our case reserves could develop by as much as ten percent. This analysis was performed by separately evaluating the historical development by comparing the initial case reserve established to the subsequent development in that case reserve, excluding the effects of discounting, for each sector in which we currently have significant case reserves, and estimating the possible future development. Based on this analysis, it is reasonably possible that our current financial guaranty and mortgage guaranty case reserves of $35.2 million could increase by approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million in the future. This would cause an increase in incurred losses on our statement of operations and comprehensive income.

A sensitivity analysis is not appropriate for our other segment reserves and our mortgage guaranty IBNR, since the amounts are fully reserved or reinsured.

We also record IBNR reserves for our mortgage guaranty and other segments. IBNR is an estimate of losses for which the insured event has occurred but the claim has not yet been reported to us. In establishing IBNR, we use traditional actuarial methods to estimate the reporting lag of such claims based on historical experience, claim reviews and information reported by ceding companies. We record IBNR for mortgage guaranty quota-share reinsurance contracts, all of which are in run-off, within our mortgage guaranty segment. We also record IBNR for  trade credit reinsurance within our other segment.  The other segment represents lines of business that we exited or sold as part of our 2004 IPO.

For all other mortgage guaranty transactions we record portfolio reserves in a manner consistent with our financial guaranty business. While other mortgage guaranty insurance companies do not record portfolio reserves, rather just case and IBNR reserves, we record portfolio reserves because we write business on an excess of loss basis, while other industry participants write quota share or first layer loss business. We manage and underwrite this business in the same manner as our financial guaranty insurance and reinsurance business because they have similar characteristics as insured obligations of mortgage-backed securities.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“ FAS”) No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” (“FAS 60”) is the authoritative guidance for an insurance enterprise. FAS 60 prescribes differing reserving methodologies depending on whether a contract fits within its definition of a short-duration contract or a long-duration contract. Financial guaranty contracts have elements of long-duration insurance contracts in that they are irrevocable and extend over a period that may exceed 30 years or more, but for regulatory purposes are reported as property and liability insurance, which are normally considered short-duration contracts. The short-duration and long-duration classifications have different methods of accounting for premium revenue and contract liability recognition. Additionally, the accounting for deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) could be different under the two methods.

We believe the guidance of FAS 60 does not expressly address the distinctive characteristics of financial guaranty insurance, so we also apply the analogous guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 85-20, “Recognition of Fees for Guaranteeing a Loan” (“EITF 85-20”), which provides guidance relating to the

29




recognition of fees for guaranteeing a loan, which has similarities to financial guaranty insurance contracts. Under the guidance in EITF 85-20, the guarantor should assess the probability of loss on an ongoing basis to determine if a liability should be recognized under FAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“FAS 5”). FAS 5 requires that a loss be recognized where it is probable that one or more future events will occur confirming that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

The following tables summarize our reserves for losses and LAE by segment and type of reserve as of the dates presented. For an explanation of changes in these reserves see “—Consolidated Results of Operations.”

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2007

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By segment and type of reserve:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case

 

$

2.9

 

$

32.1

 

$

0.2

 

$

2.6

 

$

37.8

 

IBNR

 

 

 

 

7.1

 

7.1

 

Portfolio

 

9.4

 

52.2

 

2.3

 

 

63.9

 

Total

 

$

12.3

 

$

84.3

 

$

2.5

 

$

9.7

 

$

108.8

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By segment and type of reserve:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case

 

$

1.0

 

$

36.1

 

$

0.1

 

$

6.8

 

$

44.0

 

IBNR

 

 

 

 

7.4

 

7.4

 

Portfolio

 

8.3

 

58.7

 

2.2

 

 

69.2

 

Total

 

$

9.3

 

$

94.8

 

$

2.3

 

$

14.2

 

$

120.6

 

 

The following table sets forth the financial guaranty in-force portfolio by underlying rating:

 

 

As of June 30, 2007 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

Ratings (1)

 

 

 

Net par
outstanding

 

% of Net par
outstanding

 

Net par
outstanding

 

% of Net par
outstanding

 

 

 

(in billions of U.S. dollars)

 

AAA

 

$

64.7

 

45.2

%

$

57.0

 

43.1

%

AA

 

23.3

 

16.3

%

23.0

 

17.4

%

A

 

33.3

 

23.3

%

32.8

 

24.9

%

BBB

 

21.0

 

14.6

%

18.2

 

13.7

%

Below investment grade

 

0.9

 

0.6

%

1.3

 

0.9

%

Total exposures

 

$

143.2

 

100.0

%

$

132.3

 

100.0

%


(1)                                   These ratings represent the Company’s internal assessment of the underlying credit quality of the insured obligations. Our scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

Our surveillance department is responsible for monitoring our portfolio of credits and maintains a list of closely monitored credits (“CMC”). The closely monitored credits are divided into four categories: Category 1 (low priority; fundamentally sound, greater than normal risk); Category 2 (medium priority; weakening credit profile, may result in loss); Category 3 (high priority; claim/default probable, case reserve established); Category 4 (claim paid, case reserve established for future payments). The closely monitored credits include all below investment

30




grade (“BIG”) exposures where there is a material amount of exposure (generally greater than $10.0 million) or a material risk of the Company incurring a loss greater than $0.5 million. The closely monitored credits also include investment grade (“IG”) risks where credit quality is deteriorating and where, in the view of the Company, there is significant potential that the risk quality will fall below investment grade. As of June 30, 2007, the closely monitored credits include approximately 97% of our BIG exposure, and the remaining BIG exposure of $24.2 million is distributed across 51 different credits. As of December 31, 2006, the closely monitored credits include approximately 97% of our BIG exposure, and the remaining BIG exposure of $34.4 million was distributed across 68 different credits. Other than those excluded BIG credits, credits that are not included in the closely monitored credit list are categorized as fundamentally sound risks.

The following table provides financial guaranty net par outstanding by credit monitoring category as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2007

 

Description:

 

 

 

Net Par
Outstanding

 

% of Net Par
Outstanding

 

# of Credits
in Category

 

Case
Reserves

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fundamentally sound risk

 

$

142,245

 

99.4

%

 

 

 

 

Closely monitored:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category 1

 

683

 

0.5

%

24

 

$

 

Category 2

 

96

 

0.1

%

15

 

 

Category 3

 

85

 

0.1

%

19

 

16

 

Category 4

 

22

 

 

15

 

17

 

CMC total (1)

 

886

 

0.6

%

73

 

33

 

Other below investment grade risk

 

24

 

 

51

 

 

Total

 

$

143,155

 

100.0

%

 

 

$

33

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

Description:

 

 

 

Net Par
Outstanding

 

% of Net Par
Outstanding

 

# of Credits
in Category

 

Case
Reserves

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Fundamentally sound risk

 

$

130,944

 

99.0

%

 

 

 

 

Closely monitored:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category 1

 

855

 

0.6

%

43

 

$

 

Category 2

 

318

 

0.2

%

13

 

 

Category 3

 

123

 

0.1

%

18

 

18

 

Category 4

 

22

 

 

13

 

14

 

CMC total (1)

 

1,318

 

1.0

%

87

 

32

 

Other below investment grade risk

 

34

 

 

68

 

 

Total

 

$

132,296

 

100.0

%

 

 

$

32

 


(1)                                   Percent total does not add due to rounding.

31




 

The following table summarizes movements in CMC exposure by risk category:

Net Par
Outstanding

 

 

 

Category 1

 

Category 2

 

Category 3

 

Category 4

 

Total
CMC

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

$

855

 

$

318

 

$

123

 

$

22

 

$

1,318

 

Less: amortization

 

99

 

159

 

21

 

 

279

 

Additions from first time on CMC

 

27

 

15

 

4

 

 

46

 

Deletions–Upgraded and removed

 

90

 

73

 

33

 

 

196

 

Category movement

 

(10

)

(5

)

12

 

 

(3

)

Net change

 

(172

)

(222

)

(38

)

 

(432

)

Balance, June 30, 2007

 

$

683

 

$

96

 

$

85

 

$

22

 

$

886

 

 

Industry Methodology

The Company is aware that there are certain differences regarding the measurement of portfolio loss liabilities among companies in the financial guaranty industry. In January and February 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff had discussions concerning these differences with a number of industry participants. Based on those discussions, in June 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) staff decided additional guidance is necessary regarding financial guaranty contracts. On April 18, 2007, the FASB issued an exposure draft “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contacts-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60” (“Exposure Draft”).  This Exposure Draft would clarify how FAS 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the methodology to be used to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities. The scope of this Exposure Draft is limited to financial guarantee insurance (and reinsurance) contracts issued by insurance enterprises included within the scope of FAS 60.  Responses to the Exposure Draft were required by June 18, 2007.  We and the Association of Financial Guaranty Insurers have separately submitted responses before the required date.  Additionally, the FASB is planning to hold a roundtable discussion before issuing final guidance.  If this Exposure Draft is adopted as written, the effect on the consolidated financial statements, particularly with respect to revenue recognition and claims liability, could be material. Until a final pronouncement is issued, the Company intends to continue to apply its existing policy with respect to premium revenue and the establishment of both case and portfolio reserves.

Valuation of Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company follows FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”) and FAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 149”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. FAS 133 and FAS 149 require recognition of all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.

On January 1, 2007 the Company adopted FAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“FAS 155”).  The primary objectives of FAS 155 are: (i) with respect to FAS 133, to address the accounting for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets and (ii) with respect to FAS 140, eliminate a restriction on the passive derivative instruments that a qualifying special purpose entity may hold.  In particular, FAS 155 affects the Company’s determination of which transactions are derivative or non-derivative in nature.

We issue credit derivative financial instruments, that we view as an extension of our financial guaranty business but that do not qualify for the financial guaranty insurance scope exception under FAS 133 and FAS 149 and therefore are reported at fair value, with changes in fair value included in our earnings.

32




 

Since we view these derivative contracts as an extension of our financial guaranty business, we believe that the most meaningful presentation of these derivatives is to reflect revenue as earned premium, to record estimates of losses and LAE on specific credit events as incurred and to record changes in fair value as incurred. Reserves for losses and LAE are established on a similar basis as our insurance policies. Other changes in fair value are included in unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments. We generally hold derivative contracts to maturity. However, in certain circumstances such as for risk management purposes or as a result of a decision to exit a line of business, we may decide to terminate a derivative contract prior to maturity. Where we hold a derivative contract to maturity, the cumulative unrealized gains and losses will net to zero if we incur no credit losses on that contract. However, in the event that we terminate a derivative contract prior to maturity the unrealized gain or loss will be realized through premiums earned and losses incurred.  Changes in the fair value of our derivative contracts have no impact on statutory capital or rating agency models.

The fair value of these instruments depends on a number of factors including credit spreads, changes in interest rates, recovery rates and the credit ratings of referenced entities. Where available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of these credit derivatives. If the quoted prices are not available, particularly for senior layer collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), the fair value is estimated using valuation models for each type of credit protection. These models may be developed by third parties, such as rating agencies, or developed internally based on market conventions for similar transactions, depending on the circumstances. These models and the related assumptions are continuously reevaluated by management and enhanced, as appropriate, based upon improvements in modeling techniques and availability of more timely market information. Our exposures to CDOs are typically valued using a combination of rating agency models and internally developed models.

Valuation models include the use of management estimates and current market information. Management is also required to make assumptions on how the fair value of derivative instruments is affected by current market conditions. Management considers factors such as current prices charged for similar agreements, performance of underlying assets, and our ability to obtain reinsurance for our insured obligations. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the assumptions used in the valuation models to determine the fair value of these derivative products, actual experience may differ from the estimates reflected in our consolidated financial statements, and the differences may be material.

The fair value adjustment recognized in our statements of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2007 (“Second Quarter 2007”) was a $(17.2) million loss compared with a $5.7 million gain for the three months ended June 30, 2006 (“Second Quarter 2006”). The fair value adjustment recognized in our statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 (“Six Months 2007”) was a $(26.9) million loss compared with a $5.7 million gain for the six months ended June 30, 2006 (“Six Months 2006”).  The change in fair value for Second Quarter 2007  and Six Months 2007 is attributable to spreads widening and includes no credit losses.    With considerable volatility continuing in the market, this amount will fluctuate significantly in future periods.

Valuation of Investments

As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we had total investments of $2.5 billion, respectively. The fair values of all of our investments are calculated from independent market quotations.

As of June 30, 2007, approximately 97% of our investments were long-term fixed maturity securities, and our portfolio had an average duration of 4.6 years, compared with 95% and 3.9 years as of December 31, 2006. Changes in interest rates affect the value of our fixed maturity portfolio. As interest rates fall, the fair value of fixed maturity securities increases and as interest rates rise, the fair value of fixed maturity securities decreases.

Other than Temporary Impairments

We have a formal review process for all securities in our investment portfolio, including a review for impairment losses. Factors considered when assessing impairment include:

·               a decline in the market value of a security by 20% or more below amortized cost for a continuous period of at least six months;

33




 

·               a decline in the market value of a security for a continuous period of 12 months;

·               recent credit downgrades of the applicable security or the issuer by rating agencies;

·               the financial condition of the applicable issuer;

·               whether scheduled interest payments are past due; and

·               whether we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a sufficient period of time to allow for anticipated recoveries in fair value.

If we believe a decline in the value of a particular investment is temporary, we record the decline as an unrealized loss on our balance sheet in “accumulated other comprehensive income” in shareholders’ equity. If we believe the decline is “other than temporary,” we write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss in our statement of operations. Our assessment of a decline in value includes management’s current assessment of the factors noted above. If that assessment changes in the future, we may ultimately record a loss after having originally concluded that the decline in value was temporary.

The Company had no write downs of investments for other than temporary impairment losses for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

The following table summarizes the unrealized losses in our investment portfolio by type of security and the length of time such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated:

 

 

As of June 30, 2007

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss

 

 

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

$

285.9

 

$

(4.7

)

$

88.6

 

$

(0.5

)

7-12 months

 

17.2

 

(0.6

)

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

23.6

 

(0.7

)

24.0

 

(0.4

)

 

 

326.7

 

(6.0

)

112.6

 

(0.9

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

59.3

 

(1.4

)

47.0

 

(0.2

)

7-12 months

 

34.9

 

(1.2

)

3.4

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

40.7

 

(1.1

)

48.7

 

(1.2

)

 

 

134.9

 

(3.7

)

99.1

 

(1.4

)

U.S. Government obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

123.0

 

(2.0

)

20.2

 

(0.1

)

7-12 months

 

4.8

 

(0.2

)

32.9

 

(0.4

)

Greater than 12 months

 

52.1

 

(1.3

)

59.2

 

(0.9

)

 

 

179.9

 

(3.5

)

112.3

 

(1.4

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

383.3

 

(6.1

)

197.6

 

(1.7

)

7-12 months

 

103.2

 

(3.9

)

25.6

 

(0.3

)

Greater than 12 months

 

306.6

 

(11.3

)

382.7

 

(8.8

)

 

 

793.1

 

(21.3

)

605.9

 

(10.8

)

Total

 

$

1,434.6

 

$

(34.5

)

$

929.9

 

$

(14.5

)

 

34




The following table summarizes the unrealized losses in our investment portfolio by type of security and remaining time to maturity as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2007

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

Remaining Time to Maturity

 

 

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Due after one year through five years

 

11.1

 

(0.3

)

26.2

 

(0.1

)

Due after five years through ten years

 

34.5

 

(0.8

)

43.2

 

(0.5

)

Due after ten years

 

281.1

 

(4.9

)

43.2

 

(0.3

)

 

 

326.7

 

(6.0

)

112.6

 

(0.9

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

19.3

 

(0.1

)

13.0

 

 

Due after one year through five years

 

67.0

 

(1.3

)

55.1

 

(0.9

)

Due after five years through ten years

 

26.3

 

(1.2

)

25.1

 

(0.2

)

Due after ten years

 

22.3

 

(1.1

)

5.9

 

(0.3

)

 

 

134.9

 

(3.7

)

99.1

 

(1.4

)

U.S. Government obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

6.6

 

 

8.6

 

(0.1

)

Due after one year through five years

 

72.9

 

(1.1

)

11.9

 

(0.1

)

Due after five years through ten years

 

36.5

 

(0.7

)

42.9

 

(0.5

)

Due after ten years

 

63.9

 

(1.7

)

48.9

 

(0.7

)

 

 

179.9

 

(3.5

)

112.3

 

(1.4

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

793.1

 

(21.3

)

605.9

 

(10.8

)

Total

 

$

1,434.6

 

$

(34.5

)

$

929.9

 

$

(14.5

)

 

35




The following table summarizes, for all securities sold at a loss through June 30, 2007 and 2006, the fair value and realized loss by length of time such securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position prior to the date of sale:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Prior to Sale

 

 

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

$

16.1

 

$

(0.1

)

$

12.8

 

$

(0.1

)

7-12 months

 

 

 

6.0

 

(0.1

)

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

3.3

 

(0.1

)

 

 

16.1

 

(0.1

)

22.1

 

(0.3

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

7.4

 

(0.1

)

1.9

 

(0.1

)

 

 

8.0

 

(0.1

)

1.9

 

(0.1

)

U.S. Government securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

23.0

 

(0.4

)

32.2

 

(0.6

)

7-12 months

 

 

 

46.4

 

(0.3

)

Greater than 12 months

 

16.3

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

39.3

 

(0.6

)

78.6

 

(0.9

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

36.4

 

(0.1

)

3.8

 

(0.1

)

7-12 months

 

 

 

9.1

 

(0.1

)

Greater than 12 months

 

51.7

 

(0.9

)

 

 

 

 

88.1

 

(1.0

)

12.9

 

(0.2

)

Total

 

$

151.5

 

$

(1.8

)

$

115.5

 

$

(1.5

)

 

36




 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Prior to Sale

 

 

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

$

44.9

 

$

(0.2

)

$

18.2

 

$

(0.1

)

7-12 months

 

 

 

19.0

 

(0.4

)

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

3.3

 

(0.1

)

 

 

44.9

 

(0.2

)

40.5

 

(0.6

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

7.4

 

(0.1

)

1.9

 

(0.1

)

 

 

8.0

 

(0.1

)

1.9

 

(0.1

)

U.S. Government securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

24.0

 

(0.4

)

117.5

 

(1.9

)

7-12 months

 

 

 

76.5

 

(0.7

)

Greater than 12 months

 

17.0

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

41.0

 

(0.6

)

194.0

 

(2.6

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

36.4

 

(0.1

)

31.0

 

(0.2

)

7-12 months

 

 

 

9.1

 

(0.1

)

Greater than 12 months

 

77.6

 

(1.2

)

 

 

 

 

114.0

 

(1.3

)

40.1

 

(0.3

)

Total

 

$

207.9

 

$

(2.2

)

$

276.5

 

$

(3.6

)

 

37




Premium Revenue Recognition

Premiums are received either upfront or in installments. Upfront premiums are earned in proportion to the expiration of the amount at risk. Each installment premium is earned ratably over its installment period, generally one year or less. Premium earnings under both the upfront and installment revenue recognition methods are based upon and are in proportion to the principal amount guaranteed and therefore result in higher premium earnings during periods where guaranteed principal is higher. For insured bonds for which the par value outstanding is declining during the insurance period, upfront premium earnings are greater in the earlier periods thus matching revenue recognition with the underlying risk. The premiums are allocated in accordance with the principal amortization schedule of the related bond issue and are earned ratably over the amortization period. When an insured issue is retired early, is called by the issuer, or is in substance paid in advance through a refunding accomplished by placing U.S. Government securities in escrow, the remaining unearned premium reserves are earned at that time. Unearned premium reserves represent the portion of premiums written that is applicable to the unexpired amount at risk of insured bonds.

In our reinsurance businesses, we estimate the ultimate written and earned premiums to be received from a ceding company at the end of each quarter and the end of each year because some of our ceding companies report premium data anywhere from 30 to 90 days after the end of the relevant period. Written premiums reported in our statement of operations are based upon reports received from ceding companies supplemented by our own estimates of premium for which ceding company reports have not yet been received. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the assumed premium estimate and related ceding commissions included in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were $4.2 million and $1.2 million and $25.1 million and $7.9 million,  respectively. Key assumptions used to arrive at management’s best estimate of assumed premiums are premium amounts reported historically and informal communications with ceding companies. Differences between such estimates and actual amounts are recorded in the period in which the actual amounts are determined. Historically, the differences have not been material. We do not record a provision for doubtful accounts related to our assumed premium estimate. Historically there have not been any material issues related to the collectibility of assumed premium. No provision for doubtful accounts related to our premium receivable was recorded for June 30, 2007 or December 31, 2006.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Acquisition costs incurred, other than those associated with credit derivative products, that vary with and are directly related to the production of new business are deferred and amortized in relation to earned premiums. These costs include direct and indirect expenses such as ceding commissions, brokerage expenses and the cost of underwriting and marketing personnel. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we had deferred acquisition costs of $224.8 million and $217.0 million, respectively. Ceding commissions paid to primary insurers are the largest component of deferred acquisition costs, constituting 66% and 69% of total deferred acquisition costs as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Management uses its judgment in determining what types of costs should be deferred, as well as what percentage of these costs should be deferred. We annually conduct a study to determine which operating costs vary with, and are directly related to, the acquisition of new business and qualify for deferral. Ceding commissions received on premiums we cede to other reinsurers reduce acquisition costs. Anticipated losses, LAE and the remaining costs of servicing the insured or reinsured business are considered in determining the recoverability of acquisition costs. Acquisition costs associated with credit derivative products are expensed as incurred. When an insured issue is retired early, as discussed in the Premium Revenue Recognition section of these Critical Accounting Estimates, the remaining related deferred acquisition cost is expensed at that time.

Deferred Income Taxes

As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we had a net deferred income tax liability of $17.5 million and $39.9 million, respectively. Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to U.S. income tax. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Such temporary differences relate principally to deferred acquisition costs, reserves for losses and LAE, unearned premium reserves, net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), unrealized gains and losses on investments

38




and derivative financial instruments and statutory contingency reserves. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce a deferred tax asset to the amount that in management’s opinion is more likely than not to be realized.

As of June 30, 2007, Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (“AGRO”) had a stand-alone NOL of $55.6 million, compared with $50.0 million as of December 31, 2006, which is available to offset its future U.S. taxable income. The Company has $34.9 million of this NOL available through 2017 and $20.7 million available through 2023. AGRO’s stand-alone NOL is not permitted to offset the income of any other members of AGRO’s consolidated group due to certain tax regulations. Under applicable accounting rules, we are required to establish a valuation allowance for NOLs that we believe are more likely than not to expire before utilized. Management believes it is more likely than not that $20.0 million of AGRO’s $55.6 million NOL will not be utilized before it expires and has established a $7.0 million valuation allowance related to the NOL deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance is subject to considerable judgment, is reviewed quarterly and will be adjusted to the extent actual taxable income differs from estimates of future taxable income that may be used to realize NOLs or capital losses.

Adoption of FIN 48

The Company’s Bermuda subsidiaries are not subject to any income, withholding or capital gains taxes under current Bermuda law.  The Company’s U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries are subject to income taxes imposed by U.S. and U.K. authorities and file applicable tax returns.  In addition, AGRO, a Bermuda domiciled company, has elected under Section 953(d) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to be taxed as a U.S. domestic corporation.

 The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed audits of all of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries’ federal income tax returns for taxable years though 2001.  The IRS is currently reviewing tax years 2002 through 2004 for Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries, which includes Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc., AGRO, Assured Guaranty Mortgage Insurance Company and AG Intermediary Inc.  In addition the IRS is reviewing  Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (“AGUS”) for tax years 2002 through the date of the IPO.   AGUS includes Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc., AGC and AG Financial Products and were part of the consolidated tax return of a subsidiary of ACE Limited (“ACE”), our former Parent, for years prior to the IPO. The Company is indemnified by ACE for any potential tax liability associated with the tax examination of AGUS as it relates to years prior to the IPO.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007.  As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company reduced its liability for unrecognized tax benefits and increased retained earnings by $2.6 million.  The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 was $12.9 million.  This entire amount, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

Subsequent to the adoption of FIN 48, the IRS published final regulations on the treatment of consolidated losses.  As a result of these regulations the utilization of certain capital losses is no longer at a level that would require recording an associated liability for an uncertain tax position.  As such, the Company decreased its liability for unrecognized tax benefits and its provision for income taxes $4.1 million during the period ended March 31, 2007.  The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2007 is $8.8 million, and is included in other liabilities on the balance sheet.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  As of the date of adoption, the Company has accrued $2.7 million in interest and penalties.

Liability For Tax Basis Step-Up Adjustment

In connection with the IPO, the Company and ACE Financial Services Inc. (“AFS”), a subsidiary of ACE, entered into a tax allocation agreement, whereby the Company and AFS made a “Section 338 (h)(10)” election that has the effect of increasing the tax basis of certain affected subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets to fair value. Future tax benefits that the Company derives from the election will be payable to AFS when realized by the Company.

As a result of the election, the Company has adjusted its net deferred tax liability to reflect the new tax basis of the Company’s affected assets. The additional basis is expected to result in increased future income tax deductions and, accordingly, may reduce income taxes otherwise payable by the Company. Any tax benefit realized

39




by the Company will be paid to AFS. Such tax benefits will generally be calculated by comparing the Company’s affected subsidiaries’ actual taxes to the taxes that would have been owed by those subsidiaries had the increase in basis not occurred. After a 15 year period, to the extent there remains an unrealized tax benefit, the Company and AFS will negotiate a settlement of the unrealized benefit based on the expected realization at that time.

The Company initially recorded a $49.0 million reduction of its existing deferred tax liability, based on an estimate of the ultimate resolution of the Section 338(h)(10) election. Under the tax allocation agreement, the Company estimated that, as of the IPO date, it was obligated to pay $20.9 million to AFS and accordingly established this amount as a liability. The initial difference, which is attributable to the change in the tax basis of certain liabilities for which there is no associated step-up in the tax basis of its assets and no amounts due to AFS, resulted in an increase to additional paid-in capital of $28.1 million. The Company has paid ACE and correspondingly reduced its liability, $4.5 million and $0.4 million in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FAS No. 123 (revised), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”) using the modified prospective transition method. Share-based compensation expense in Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 was $3.9 million ($3.2 million after tax) and $3.1 million ($2.5 million after tax), respectively. Share-based compensation expense in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 was $9.5 million ($7.8 million after tax) and $6.3 million ($5.2 million after tax), respectively.  The effect of share-based compensation on both basic and diluted earnings per share for Second Quarter 2007 was $0.05.  The effect of share-based compensation on basic and diluted earnings per share for Six Months 2007 was $0.12 and $0.11, respectively. The effect on basic and diluted earnings per share for Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 was $0.03 and $0.07, respectively. Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 expense included $1.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees. Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 expense included $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees.

40




Information on Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (“RMBS”), Subprime RMBS, Collateralized Debt Obligations of Asset Backed Securities (“CDOs of ABS”) and Prime RMBS Exposures

The tables below provide information on the Company’s RMBS, subprime RMBS, CDOs  of ABS and Prime exposures as of June 30, 2007:

Distribution by Ratings 1 of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Category as of June 30, 2007

(dollars in millions)

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

 

US

 

International

 

Total Net Par

 

 

 

Ratings  1:

 

Prime

 

Subprime

 

Prime

 

Subprime 

 

Outstanding

 

% of Total

 

AAA/Aaa

 

$

1,484

 

$

6,332

 

$

4,093

 

$

28

 

$

11,937

 

$

66.6

%

AA/Aa

 

233

 

19

 

172

 

27

 

451

 

2.5

%

A/A

 

1,271

 

33

 

192

 

 

1,496

 

8.3

%

BBB/Baa

 

3,590

 

263

 

97

 

 

3,951

 

22.0

%

Below investment grade

 

 

100

 

 

 

100

 

0.6

%

Total exposures

 

$

6,578

 

$

6,746

 

$

4,554

 

$

55

 

$

17,933

 

$

100.0

%

 

Distribution of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Category and by Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

(dollars in millions)

 

US

 

International

 

Total Net Par

 

 

 

Year insured:

 

Prime

 

Subprime(2)

 

Prime

 

Subprime 

 

Outstanding

 

% of Total

 

2000 and prior

 

$

106

 

$

59

 

$

67

 

$

 

$

232

 

1.3

%

2001

 

17

 

19

 

208

 

 

244

 

1.4

%

2002

 

52

 

20

 

286

 

 

359

 

2.0

%

2003

 

120

 

376

 

104

 

48

 

648

 

3.6

%

2004

 

711

 

458

(2)

63

 

6

 

1,238

 

6.9

%

2005

 

1,989

 

109

(2)

1,264

 

1

 

3,363

 

18.8

%

2006

 

1,384

 

4,623

( 2)

2,561

 

 

8,568

 

47.8

%

2007 year to date

 

2,200

 

1,081

( 2)

 

 

3,281

 

18.3

%

 

 

$

6,578

 

$

6,746

 

$

4,554

 

$

55

 

$

17,933

 

100.0

%

 

Distribution of U.S. Subprime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Rating 1 and by Financial Guaranty Segment as of June 30, 2007

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Direct

 

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Net Par

 

% of Direct

 

Net Par

 

% of Reins.

 

Net Par

 

 

 

Ratings  1:

 

Outstanding

 

Segment

 

Outstanding

 

Segment

 

Outstanding

 

%  of Total

 

AAA/Aaa

 

$

6,112

 

95.3

%

$

220

 

66.4

%

$

6,332

 

93.9

%

AA/Aa

 

 

 

19

 

5.6

%

19

 

0.3

%

A/A

 

8

 

0.1

%

25

 

7.5

%

33

 

0.5

%

BBB/Baa

 

237

 

3.7

%

26

 

7.9

%

263

 

3.9

%

Below investment grade

 

58

 

0.9

%

42

 

12.7

%

100

 

1.5

%

 

 

$

6,414

 

100.0

%

$

332

 

100.0

%

$

6,746

 

100.0

%


(1)  Assured internal rating. Assured’s scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

(2)  100% of the $6.0 billion in U.S. subprime RMBS exposure insured by Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s Financial Guaranty Direct segment in 2004, 2005, 2006, and YTD 2007 is rated AAA/Aaa.

41




Distribution of U.S. Subprime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Rating 1 and Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

Consolidated
(dollars in millions)

Consolidated Net Par Outstanding by Rating 1and Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

 

Year

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

insured:

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

2000 and prior

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

1

 

$

7

 

$

14

 

$

35

 

$

59

 

2001

 

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

16

 

19

 

2002

 

 

8

 

 

0

 

9

 

3

 

20

 

2003

 

 

84

 

 

10

 

237

 

45

 

376

 

2004

 

 

455

 

1

 

3

 

 

 

458

 

2005

 

 

109

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

109

 

2006

 

3,000

 

1,620

 

 

1

 

1

 

 

4,623

 

2007 YTD

 

 

1,052

 

17

 

12

 

0

 

 

1,081

 

 

 

$

3,000

 

$

3,332

 

$

19

 

$

33

 

$

263

 

$

100

 

$

6,746

 

% of total

 

44.5

%

49.4

%

0.3

%

0.5

%

3.9

%

1.5

%

100.0

%

 

Financial Guaranty Direct
(dollars in millions)

Financial Guaranty Direct Net Par Outstanding by Rating 1and Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

 

Year

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

insured:

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

2000 and prior

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

9

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

3

 

2003

 

 

79

 

 

8

 

237

 

45

 

369

 

2004

 

 

300

 

 

 

 

 

300

 

2005

 

 

88

 

 

 

 

 

88

 

2006

 

3,000

 

1,600

 

 

 

 

 

4,600

 

2007 YTD

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

$

3,000

 

$

3,111

 

$

 

$

8

 

$

237

 

$

58

 

$

6,414

 

% of total

 

46.8

%

48.5

%

0.0

%

0.1

%

3.7

%

0.9

%

100.0

%

 

Financial Guaranty Reinsurance
(dollars in millions)

Financial Guaranty Reinsurance Net Par Outstanding by Rating 1and Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

 

Year

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

insured:

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

2000 and prior

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

1

 

$

7

 

$

14

 

$

35

 

$

59

 

2001

 

 

1

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

7

 

10

 

2002

 

 

8

 

 

0

 

9

 

 

17

 

2003

 

 

5

 

 

2

 

 

0

 

7

 

2004

 

 

155

 

1

 

3

 

 

 

158

 

2005

 

 

21

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

21

 

2006

 

 

20

 

 

1

 

1

 

 

22

 

2007 YTD

 

 

8

 

17

 

12

 

0

 

 

37

 

 

 

$

 

$

220

 

$

19

 

$

25

 

$

26

 

$

42

 

$

332

 

% of total

 

0.0

%

66.4

%

5.6

%

7.5

%

7.9

%

12.7

%

100.0

%


(1)  Assured internal rating. Assured’s scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

42




Financial Guaranty Direct U.S. Subprime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Net Par Outstanding Underwritten Since January 1, 2004 by Rating 1 and Year of Issue as of June 30, 2007

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

Issued

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

2004

 

$

 

$

300.3

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

300.3

 

2005

 

2,100.2

 

1,713.1

 

 

 

 

 

3,813.3

 

2006

 

900.1

 

975.0

 

 

 

 

 

1,875.1

 

2007

 

 

44.0

 

 

 

 

 

44.0

 

 

 

$

3,000.2

 

$

3,032.4

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,032.6

 

% of total

 

49.7

%

50.3

%

0.0

%

0.0

%

0.0

%

0.0

%

100.0

%


(1)  Assured internal rating. Assured’s scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

Financial Guaranty Direct Segment Originated U.S. Subprime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Net Par Outstanding by Year Insured from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007:

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Ratings as of June 30, 2007

 

Subordination1

 

 

 

 

 

Net Par

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Sub-

 

Current Sub-

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding,

 

 

 

 

 

Original AAA

 

ordination

 

ordination

 

 

 

 

 

as of

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-

 

Below

 

Below

 

Year Insured

 

Year Issued

 

June 30, 2007

 

S&P

 

Moody’s

 

ordination

 

Assured

 

Assured

 

2004

 

2004

 

$

139.4

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.5

%

21.5

%

74.6

%

2004

 

2004

 

115.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

17.1

%

17.1

%

70.3

%

2004

 

2004

 

45.8

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.3

%

23.3

%

88.3

%

2004 par insured:

 

 

 

$

300.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

2005

 

88.1

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.0

%

23.0

%

43.3

%

2005 par insured:

 

 

 

$

88.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)              Subordination refers to the level of credit protection provided by subordinate tranches within the deal structure. Total credit enhancement includes both subordination and the benefit from excess spread.

43




 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Ratings as of June 30, 2007

 

Subordination1

 

 

 

 

 

Net Par

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Original

 

Subordination

 

Subordination

 

 

 

Year

 

as of

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

Below

 

Below

 

Year Insured

 

Issued

 

June 30, 2007

 

S&P

 

Moody’s

 

Subordination

 

Assured

 

Assured

 

2006

 

2005

 

$

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.2

%

34.2

%

46.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

19.0

%

29.0

%

41.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.1

%

30.1

%

44.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.5

%

35.5

%

51.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.7

%

30.7

%

46.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.1

%

32.1

%

39.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.6

%

34.6

%

56.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

26.5

%

36.5

%

50.4

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.2

%

31.2

%

43.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.9

%

31.9

%

67.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.6

%

32.6

%

58.4

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.1

%

30.1

%

39.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.8

%

31.8

%

57.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.7

%

31.7

%

49.3

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.9

%

32.9

%

50.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.6

%

33.6

%

45.6

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.6

%

30.6

%

41.3

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.6

%

33.6

%

48.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.7

%

35.7

%

50.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

18.2

%

28.2

%

45.7

%

2006

 

2005

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

17.6

%

27.6

%

39.2

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.5

%

32.5

%

46.6

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.4

%

31.4

%

38.8

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

26.0

%

36.0

%

47.0

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.6

%

30.6

%

37.6

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.6

%

32.6

%

37.4

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.7

%

31.7

%

40.7

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.0

%

31.0

%

42.0

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.7

%

35.7

%

45.1

%

2006

 

2006

 

100.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

16.4

%

26.4

%

34.5

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.2

%

24.2

%

36.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

19.0

%

19.0

%

31.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.1

%

20.1

%

34.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.5

%

25.5

%

41.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.7

%

20.7

%

36.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.1

%

22.1

%

29.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.6

%

24.6

%

46.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.2

%

21.2

%

33.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.9

%

21.9

%

57.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.6

%

22.6

%

48.4

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.1

%

20.1

%

29.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.8

%

21.8

%

47.0

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.7

%

21.7

%

39.3

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.9

%

22.9

%

40.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.6

%

23.6

%

35.6

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.6

%

20.6

%

31.3

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.6

%

23.6

%

38.9

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.7

%

25.7

%

40.8

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

18.2

%

18.2

%

35.7

%

2006

 

2005

 

80.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

17.6

%

17.6

%

29.2

%

2006 par insured:

 

 

 

$

4,600.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44




 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Ratings as of June 30, 2007

 

Subordination1

 

 

 

 

 

Net Par

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Original 

 

Subordination

 

Subordination

 

 

 

Year

 

as of

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

Below

 

Below

 

Year Insured

 

Issued

 

June 30,2007

 

S&P

 

Moody’s

 

Subordination

 

Assured

 

Assured

 

2007

 

2005

 

$

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

18.7

%

18.7

%

21.3

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.5

%

21.5

%

32.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

18.6

%

18.6

%

21.1

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.7

%

22.7

%

33.9

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.2

%

21.2

%

25.6

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.9

%

23.9

%

26.1

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.3

%

25.3

%

38.0

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.5

%

23.5

%

33.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

26.0

%

26.0

%

30.3

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.5

%

21.5

%

27.1

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.7

%

21.7

%

25.2

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.2

%

20.2

%

23.1

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

19.8

%

19.8

%

24.4

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

19.7

%

19.7

%

28.0

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.2

%

20.2

%

23.2

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

19.2

%

19.2

%

21.4

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.2

%

20.2

%

27.3

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.8

%

21.8

%

27.1

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.9

%

24.9

%

33.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.4

%

23.4

%

28.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

17.6

%

17.6

%

19.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.2

%

25.2

%

39.9

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.7

%

20.7

%

30.1

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.4

%

21.4

%

25.6

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.2

%

23.2

%

25.6

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.0

%

21.0

%

31.8

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

26.0

%

26.0

%

37.0

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.1

%

22.1

%

25.4

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.5

%

20.5

%

27.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.7

%

21.7

%

24.8

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

18.7

%

18.7

%

22.6

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

19.5

%

19.5

%

28.6

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.3

%

22.3

%

31.6

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

21.6

%

21.6

%

23.7

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.0

%

22.0

%

27.4

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

17.4

%

17.4

%

29.5

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.5

%

22.5

%

26.4

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.1

%

22.1

%

30.0

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

17.4

%

17.4

%

23.0

%

2007

 

2006

 

25.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.1

%

22.1

%

30.2

%

2007

 

2007

 

44.0

 

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.3

%

20.3

%

22.8

%(2)

YTD 2007 par insured:

 

 

 

1,044.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

6,032.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)   Subordination refers to the level of credit protection provided by subordinate tranches within the deal structure. Total credit enhancement includes both subordination and the benefit from excess spread.

(2)   This transaction is a secondary market execution on a deal that is wrapped by another AAA-rated financial guarantor. The underlying security is also rated AAA/Aaa.

45




 

Financial Guaranty Direct Collateralized Debt Obligations of Asset-Backed Securities (CDOs of ABS) 1 Net Par Outstanding by Type of CDO, by Year Insured and by Collateral:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Collateral as a Percent of Total Pool

 

Ratings as of
June 30,  2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 
Insured

 

Legal
Final
Maturity2

 

Net Par
Outstanding

 

ABS

 

RMBS
(Includes
Subprime)

 

Comm.
MBS
(CMBS)

 

CDOs of
Investment
Grade
Corporate

 

CDOs of
ABS

 

Total
Collateral
Pool

 

U.S.
Subprime
RMBS

 

S&P

 

Moody's

 

Original AAA
Sub-
ordination

 

Original Sub-
ordination
Below
Assured

 

Current Sub-
ordination
Below
Assured

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CDOs of Mezzanine ABS3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2001

 

2017

 

$

120.6

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

25.1

%

25.1

%

29.4

%

2001

 

2016

 

64.1

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

28.1

%

28.1

%

37.8

%

2002

 

2017

 

159.8

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.6

%

24.6

%

29.0

%

2002

 

2017

 

133.4

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

22.1

%

22.1

%

24.4

%

2002

 

2017

 

111.0

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

35.0

%

35.0

%

42.1

%

2002

 

2017

 

81.3

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

24.0

%

24.0

%

29.4

%

2003

 

2018

 

142.8

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

20.0

%

20.0

%

23.6

%

2003

 

2038

 

84.6

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

23.0

%

38.0

%

46.2

%

2003

 

2018

 

52.8

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

63.0

%

63.0

%

66.0

%

2004

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 YTD

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal:

 

$

950.4

 

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

27.0

%

28.4

%

33.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CDOs of High Grade ABS4:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

2008

 

280.8

 

0

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

7.0

%

45.0

%

45.0

%

2004

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 YTD

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal:

 

$

280.8

 

0

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

7.0

%

45.0

%

45.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CDOs of Pooled AAA ABS5:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

2010

 

640.1

 

35

%

34

%

26

%

5

%

0

%

100

%

0

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

0.0

%

12.5

%

12.5

%

2003

 

2008

 

594.0

 

37

%

57

%

6

%

0

%

0

%

100

%

32

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

0.0

%

10.0

%

10.0

%

2004

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007 YTD

 

No CDO of ABS business written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal:

 

$

1,234.1

 

36

%

45

%

16

%

3

%

0

%

100

%

15

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

0.0

%

11.3

%

11.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

 

$

2,465.2

 

18

%

23

%

47

%

13

%

0

%

100

%

8

%

AAA

 

Aaa

 

11.2

%

21.7

%

23.6

%

 


(1)  A CDO of ABS is a collateralized debt obligation (CDO) transaction whose collateral pool consists primarily of asset-backed securities (ABS), including mortgage-backed securities (MBS). ABS transactions securities generally represent an ownership interest in a trust that contains collateral supporting the notes. Those interests are divided into several tranches that can have varying levels of subordination, credit protection triggers and credit ratings.

(2)  "Legal Final Maturity" represents the final date for payment specified in the transaction documents and does not take into account prepayments that shorten the expected maturity and weighted average life.

(3)  "CDOs of Mezzanine ABS" is a market term that refers to transactions where the underlying collateral at issuance is comprised of mezzanine tranches rated BBB or lower. The collateral underlying Assured's exposure to CDOs of mezzanine ABS had weighted average ratings, based on rating information as of June 30, 2007, as follows: 17% AAA, 6% AA, 13% A, 46% BBB and 18% below investment grade (BIG).

(4)  "CDOs of High Grade ABS" is a market term that refers to transactions where the underlying collateral at issuance is comprised of mezzanine tranches rated single A or higher. The collateral underlying Assured's exposure to CDOs of High Grade ABS had weighted average ratings, based on rating information, as of June 30, 2007 as follows: 31% AAA, 25% AA, 23% A, 21% BBB and 0% below investment grade (BIG).

(5)  "CDOs of Pooled AAA ABS" is a market term that refers to transactions where the underlying collateral at issuance is comprised of the senior-most AAA rated securities. Assured's exposure to CDOs of Pooled AAA was rated, based on rating information as of June 30, 2007: 100% AAA/Aaa.

 

 

46




Distribution by Ratings1 of Prime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

US

 

 

 

Total Net Par

 

 

 

Ratings1 :

 

Prime

 

HELOC

 

Alt-A

 

International

 

Outstanding

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA/Aaa

 

$

439

 

$

50

 

$

996

 

$

4,093

 

$

5,577

 

$

50.1

%

AA/Aa

 

207

 

26

 

 

172

 

405

 

3.6

%

A/A

 

666

 

22

 

582

 

192

 

1,463

 

13.1

%

BBB/Baa

 

1,148

 

2,442

 

 

97

 

3,687

 

33.1

%

Below investment grade

 

0

 

 

 

 

0

 

0.0

%

Total exposures

 

$

2,460

 

$

2,540

 

$

1,578

 

$

4,554

 

$

11,132

 

$

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution of U.S. Prime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Rating1 as of June 30, 2007

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Reinsurance

 

 

 

Total 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net Par

 

 

 

Net Par

 

 

 

Net Par

 

 

 

Ratings1 :

 

Outstanding

 

%

 

Outstanding

 

%

 

Outstanding

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA/Aaa

 

$

1,230

 

24.8

%

$

255

 

15.8

%

$

1,484

 

22.6

%

AA/Aa

 

113

 

2.3

%

120

 

7.5

%

233

 

3.5

%

A/A

 

1,082

 

21.8

%

189

 

11.7

%

1,271

 

19.3

%

BBB/Baa

 

2,544

 

51.2

%

1,046

 

65.0

%

3,590

 

54.6

%

Below investment grade

 

 

0.0

%

0

 

0.0

%

0

 

0.0

%

 

 

$

4,968

 

100.0

%

$

1,610

 

100.0

%

$

6,578

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution of Prime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

(dollars in millions)

 

US

 

 

 

Total Net Par

 

 

 

Year insured :

 

Prime

 

HELOC

 

Alt-A

 

International

 

Outstanding

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 and prior

 

$

104

 

$

2

 

$

 

$

67

 

$

173

 

$

1.6

%

2001

 

17

 

0

 

 

208

 

224

 

2.0

%

2002

 

11

 

41

 

 

286

 

339

 

3.0

%

2003

 

96

 

6

 

17

 

104

 

224

 

2.0

%

2004

 

174

 

300

 

237

 

63

 

774

 

7.0

%

2005

 

290

 

1,193

 

505

 

1,264

 

3,253

 

29.2

%

2006

 

1,193

 

131

 

60

 

2,561

 

3,946

 

35.4

%

2007 year to date

 

575

 

867

 

758

 

 

2,200

 

19.8

%

 

 

$

2,460

 

$

2,540

 

$

1,578

 

$

4,554

 

$

11,132

 

$

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                                   Assured internal rating. Assured’s scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

 

47




Distribution of U.S. Prime Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities by Rating1, Exposure Type and Year Insured as of June 30, 2007

 

 

 

Prime RMBS Exposure

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

Year insured:

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 and prior

 

$

 

$

1

 

$

72

 

$

4

 

$

27

 

$

0

 

$

104

 

2001

 

 

11

 

 

2

 

3

 

0

 

17

 

2002

 

 

0

 

 

7

 

4

 

 

11

 

2003

 

 

10

 

 

86

 

 

 

96

 

2004

 

 

52

 

8

 

67

 

47

 

 

174

 

2005

 

 

253

 

15

 

 

22

 

 

290

 

2006

 

 

107

 

 

500

 

586

 

 

1,193

 

2007 YTD

 

 

4

 

113

 

 

458

 

 

575

 

 

 

$

 

$ 439

 

$

207

 

$

666

 

$

1,148

 

$

0

 

$

2,460

 

% of total

 

0.0

%

17.8

%

8.4

%

27.1

%

46.7

%

0.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Equity Line of Credit Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

Year insured:

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 and prior

 

$

 

$

 

$

1

 

$

1

 

$

0

 

$

 

$

2

 

2001

 

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

0

 

2002

 

 

1

 

22

 

10

 

8

 

 

41

 

2003

 

 

 

3

 

1

 

2

 

 

6

 

2004

 

 

49

 

 

 

251

 

 

300

 

2005

 

 

 

 

10

 

1,183

 

 

1,193

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

131

 

2007 YTD

 

 

 

 

 

867

 

 

867

 

 

 

$

 

$

50

 

$

26

 

$

22

 

$

2,442

 

$

 

$

2,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of total

 

0.0

%

2.0

%

1.0

%

0.9

%

96.1

%

0.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alt-A Exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Super

 

AAA

 

AA

 

A

 

BBB

 

BIG

 

 

 

Year insured:

 

Senior

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Rated

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2000 and prior

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

2004

 

 

237

 

 

 

 

 

237

 

2005

 

 

505

 

 

 

 

 

505

 

2006

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

2007 YTD

 

 

176

 

 

582

 

 

 

758

 

 

 

$

 

$

996

 

$

 

$

582

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% of total

 

0.0

%

63.1

%

0.0

%

36.9

%

0.0

%

0.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                                   Assured internal rating. Assured’s scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

48




 

Consolidated Results of Operations (1)

The following table presents summary consolidated results of operations data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

88.8

 

$

111.5

 

$

161.4

 

$

166.9

 

Net written premiums

 

84.9

 

110.3

 

153.3

 

161.1

 

Net earned premiums

 

54.2

 

48.2

 

108.1

 

96.2

 

Net investment income

 

30.9

 

27.3

 

62.3

 

53.5

 

Net realized investment losses

 

(1.5

)

(1.0

)

(1.8

)

(2.0

)

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(17.2

)

5.7

 

(26.9

)

5.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

66.3

 

80.2

 

141.7

 

153.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(9.1

)

(6.5

)

(13.8

)

(6.9

)

Profit commission expense

 

0.9

 

1.7

 

2.5

 

3.0

 

Acquisition costs

 

10.9

 

11.3

 

21.7

 

22.1

 

Operating expenses

 

18.8

 

15.6

 

39.5

 

32.8

 

Interest expense

 

5.8

 

3.4

 

11.9

 

6.7

 

Other expenses

 

0.7

 

0.7

 

1.3

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

28.0

 

26.2

 

63.0

 

59.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

38.3

 

54.0

 

78.7

 

94.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

5.5

 

9.5

 

6.9

 

15.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

32.8

 

$

44.5

 

$

71.8

 

$

79.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting gain by segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

9.8

 

$

9.4

 

$

18.5

 

$

16.6

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

21.7

 

4.6

 

35.3

 

12.6

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

1.3

 

2.0

 

3.1

 

4.8

 

Other

 

 

10.1

 

1.3

 

11.3

 

Total

 

$

32.7

 

$

26.1

 

$

58.1

 

$

45.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)           Some amounts may not add due to rounding.

We organize our business around four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. There are a number of lines of business that we have exited as part of our IPO in April 2004, which are included in the other segment. However, the results of these businesses are reflected in the above numbers. These businesses include equity layer credit protection, trade credit reinsurance, title reinsurance and auto residual value reinsurance.  These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements cover the Second Quarter 2007, Second Quarter 2006, Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006.

Net Income

Net income was $32.8 million and $44.5 million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, respectively. The decrease of $11.7 million in 2007 compared with 2006 is primarily due to the following factors:

·         a $17.2 million unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments in Second Quarter 2007 compared with a $5.7 million unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments in Second Quarter 2006, attributable to spreads widening

49




and includes no credit losses.    With considerable volatility continuing in the market, this amount will fluctuate significantly in future periods.

Offsetting this negative factor is:

·         an increase of $6.6 million in underwriting gain to $32.7 million in 2007, compared with a $26.1 million underwriting gain in 2006,

·         an increase of $3.6 million in net investment income to $30.9 million in Second Quarter 2007 from $27.3 million in Second Quarter 2006, which is primarily attributable to increased invested assets due to operating cash flows,

·         a $4.0 million reduction in our provision for income tax to $5.5 million in Second Quarter 2007, compared with $9.5 million in Second Quarter 2006.  This reduction is primarily attributable to the proportion of income recognized by each of our operating subsidiaries, with U.S. subsidiaries taxed at the U.S. marginal corporate income tax rate of 35%, UK subsidiaries taxed at the UK marginal corporate tax rate of 30%, and no taxes for our Bermuda holding company and subsidiaries.

Net income was $71.8 million for Six Months 2007, compared with $79.4 million for Six Months 2006. The decrease of $7.6 million in 2007 compared with 2006 is primarily due to the same reasons mentioned above. In addition,  Six Months 2007 provision for income taxes includes a $4.1 million reduction of the Company’s FIN 48 liability, which was reduced subsequent to the adoption of FIN 48, due to final regulations on the treatment of a tax uncertainty regarding the use of consolidated losses.

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

62.7

 

$

68.4

 

$

112.2

 

$

98.6

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

25.5

 

41.7

 

44.2

 

60.5

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

0.5

 

1.2

 

1.5

 

3.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial guaranty gross written premiums

 

88.7

 

111.4

 

158.0

 

163.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

3.4

 

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross written premiums

 

$

88.8

 

$

111.5

 

$

161.4

 

$

166.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums for Second Quarter 2007 were $88.8 million compared with $111.5 million for Second Quarter 2006. Gross written premiums from our financial guaranty direct operations decreased $5.7 million in Second Quarter 2007 compared with Second Quarter 2006.  The decrease is primarily attributable to our international business, which generated $19.9 million of gross written premium in Second Quarter 2007 compared with $41.0 million during Second Quarter 2006.  Partially offsetting this reduced international premium was a $13.4 million increase in U.S. generated premium, primarily from our upfront public finance and installment structured finance business, as we continue to  execute our direct business strategy.  Our financial guaranty reinsurance segment decreased $16.2 million in Second Quarter 2007 compared with Second Quarter 2006 attributable to decreased premiums from upfront treaty and facultative cessions from our cedants and the non-renewal of certain treaties in 2006 and 2004.

50




 

Gross written premiums for Six Months 2007 were $161.4 million, compared with $166.9 million for Six Months 2006.  Gross written premiums in our financial guaranty reinsurance segment decreased primarily due to the same reasons mentioned above. Gross written premiums in our financial guaranty direct operations increased $13.6 million for Six Months 2007 compared with Six Months 2006 primarily due to a $18.3 million increase in U.S. generated business, mainly from our upfront public finance and installment structured finance business, as we continue to  execute our direct business strategy.  Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction of our international business to $31.7 million in Six Months 2007, compared with $41.0 million for Six Months 2006.

Net Earned Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Net Earned Premiums

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

28.3

 

$

21.2

 

$

57.1

 

$

41.9

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

23.7

 

23.1

 

45.6

 

46.4

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

2.3

 

3.7

 

5.4

 

7.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial guaranty net earned premiums

 

54.2

 

48.2

 

108.1

 

96.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net earned premiums

 

$

54.2

 

$

48.2

 

$

108.1

 

$

96.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earned premiums for Second Quarter 2007 were $54.2 million compared with $48.2 million for Second Quarter 2006, while net earned premiums for Six Months 2007 were $108.1 million, compared with $96.2 million for Six Months 2006.  Financial guaranty direct segment net earned premiums were $28.3 million for Second Quarter 2007 an increase of $7.1 million compared with Second Quarter 2006.  Financial guaranty direct segment net earned premium was $57.1 million for Six Months 2007 an  increase of  $15.2 million compared with Six Months 2006. The increase for both periods reflects the continued execution of our direct business strategy.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income was $30.9 million for Second Quarter 2007, compared with $27.3 million for Second Quarter 2006. The $3.6 million increase is attributable to increasing investment yields during the year, combined with increased invested assets due to positive operating cash flows.

Net investment income was $62.3 million for Six Months 2007, compared with $53.5 million for Six Months 2006.  Pre-tax book yields were 5.1% for both the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. The $8.8 million increase for Six Months 2007 compared with Six Months 2006 is primarily due to the same reasons mentioned above.

Net Realized Investment Losses

Net realized investment losses, principally from the sale of fixed maturity securities were $(1.5) million and $(1.0) million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, respectively, and $(1.8) million and $(2.0) million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively. The Company had no write downs of investments for other than temporary impairment losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. Net realized investment losses, net of related income taxes, were $(1.3) million and $(0.8) million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, respectively, and $(1.5) million and $(1.4) million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

51




Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value as required by FAS 133 and FAS 149. However, as explained under “—Critical Accounting Estimates,” we record part of the change in fair value in the loss and LAE reserves as well as in unearned premium reserves.  The fair value adjustment for Second Quarter 2007 was a $(17.2) million loss compared with a $5.7 million gain in Second Quarter 2006.  The fair value adjustment for Six Months 2007 was a $(26.9) million loss compared with a $5.7 million gain for Six Months 2006. The change in fair value for both periods is attributable to spreads widening and includes no credit losses.    With considerable volatility continuing in the market, this amount will fluctuate significantly in future periods. Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments, net of related income taxes, were $(12.7) million and $4.3 million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, respectively, and $(19.6) million and $4.2 million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

The gain or loss created by the estimated fair value adjustment will rise or fall based on estimated market pricing and may not be an indication of ultimate claims. Fair value is defined as the amount at which an asset or liability could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. We generally plan to hold derivative financial instruments to maturity. Where we hold derivative financial instruments to maturity, these fair value adjustments would generally be expected to reverse resulting in no gain or loss over the entire term of the contract.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

1.7

 

$

(2.5

)

$

2.9

 

$

(4.3

)

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

(11.0

)

5.7

 

(15.8

)

8.5

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Total financial guaranty loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(9.1

)

3.6

 

(12.6

)

4.4

 

Other

 

 

(10.1

)

(1.3

)

(11.3

)

Total loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

(9.1

)

$

(6.5

)

$

(13.8

)

$

(6.9

)

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 were $(9.1) million and $(6.5) million, respectively.  During Second Quarter 2007 the financial guaranty direct segment had loss and loss adjustment expenses of $1.7 million due to case reserve additions for two transactions underwritten prior to our IPO, while Second Quarter 2006 results were primarily attributable to a $2.1 million  release of portfolio reserves as a result of the early termination of 20 swap transactions based on the counterparties’ right to terminate.  During Second Quarter 2007 we decreased loss reserves $11.0 million in our financial guaranty reinsurance segment, principally related to a portfolio reserve release associated with the restructuring of a European infrastructure transaction.  During Second Quarter 2006 we increased loss reserves $5.4 million in our financial guaranty reinsurance segment, of which $3.8 million related to a ratings downgrade of a European infrastructure  transaction and $1.6 million related to the ratings downgrade of various credits.  The other segment had loss recoveries of $10.1 million for Second Quarter 2006, while Second Quarter 2007 experienced no such recoveries.

Loss and LAE for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 were $(13.8) million and $(6.9) million, respectively.   In addition to Second Quarter 2007 and 2006  activity, results for the financial guaranty direct segment for Six Months 2007 includes a $1.0 million portfolio reserve increase, primarily attributable to downgrades of transactions in our CMC list related to the subprime mortgage market, while Six Months 2006 included a net

52




recovery of $2.5 million relating to the settlement of a subprime mortgage transaction.  In addition to the Second Quarter 2007 and 2006 activity mentioned above,  the financial guaranty reinsurance segment had $(4.8) million of incurred losses principally due to aircraft-related transactions during Six Months 2007,while  Six Months 2006 included a $2.5 million case reserve addition due to a U.S. public infrastructure transaction. The other segment had loss recoveries of $1.3 million and $11.3 million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

Profit Commission Expense

Profit commissions allow the ceding company to share favorable experience on a reinsurance contract due to lower than expected losses. Expected or favorable loss development generates profit commission expense, while the inverse occurs on unfavorable loss development. Portfolio reserves are not a component of these profit commission calculations. Profit commissions for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 were $0.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively, compared with $1.7 million and $3.0 million for the comparable periods in the prior year.     The decrease for both periods is primarily related a $0.5 million release of profit commission reserves during Second Quarter 2007 based on updated information received from cedants and the remainder of the decrease is associated with the run-off of mortgage guaranty experience rated quota share treaties.

Acquisition Costs

Acquisition costs primarily consist of ceding commissions, brokerage fees and operating expenses that are related to the acquisition of new business. Acquisition costs that vary with and are directly related to the acquisition of new business are deferred and amortized in relation to earned premium. For Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, acquisition costs incurred were $10.9 million and $11.3 million, respectively, while Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 acquisition costs incurred were $21.7 million and $22.1 million, respectively. These amounts are consistent with changes in net earned premium from non-derivative transactions.

Operating Expenses

For Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, operating expenses were $18.8 million and $15.6 million, respectively.  Operating expenses for Six Months 2007 were $39.5 million, compared with $32.8 million for Six Months 2006.  The $3.2 million increase for Second Quarter 2007 compared with Second Quarter 2006 and the $6.7 million increase for Six Months 2007 compared with Six Months 2006 was mainly due to the amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards, primarily due to the accelerated vesting of these awards for retirement eligible employees.  Also contributing to the increase are higher salaries and related employee benefits, due to staffing additions and merit increases.

Interest Expense

For Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, interest expense was $5.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, interest expense was $11.9 million and $6.7 million, respectively. Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 amounts are mainly comprised of $3.3 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of interest expense related to the issuance of our 7% Senior Notes (“Senior Notes”) in May 2004 and $2.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively, of interest expense related to the issuance of our 6.40% Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures in December 2006.  The coupon on the Senior Notes is 7.0%, however, the effective rate is approximately 6.4%, which reflects the effect of a cash flow hedge executed by the Company in March 2004. The $3.3 million and $6.7 million of  interest expense in both 2006 periods is related to the issuance of Senior Notes.

Other Expenses

For both Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, other expenses were $0.7 million, while for both Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, other expenses were $1.3 million. The 2007 and 2006 amounts reflect the put option premiums associated with Assured Guaranty Corp.’s (“AGC”) $200.0 million committed capital securities.

53




Income Tax

For Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, income tax expense was $5.5 million and $9.5 million, respectively.  For Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, income tax expense was $6.9 million and $15.1 million, respectively.  Our effective tax rate was 14.4% and 8.8% for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007, respectively, compared with 17.5% and 15.9% for Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006, respectively. Our effective tax rates reflect the proportion of income recognized by each of our operating subsidiaries, with U.S. subsidiaries taxed at the U.S. marginal corporate income tax rate of 35%, UK subsidiaries taxed at the UK marginal corporate tax rate of 30%, and no taxes for our Bermuda holding company and subsidiaries.  Accordingly, our overall corporate effective tax rate fluctuates based on the distribution of taxable income across these jurisdictions.  Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 include $(17.2) million and $(26.9) million, respectively, of unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments, the majority of which is associated with subsidiaries taxed in the U.S., compared with a $5.7 million  unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments in both First Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006. Six Months 2007 also  included a $4.1 million reduction of the Company’s FIN 48 liability, which was reduced subsequent to adoption of FIN 48, due to final regulations on the treatment of a tax uncertainty regarding the use of consolidated losses .   Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 includes $3.5 million of income tax expense related to the $10.1 million of loss recoveries from our other segment.

Segment Results of Operations

Our financial results include four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. Management uses underwriting gains and losses as the primary measure of each segment’s financial performance. Underwriting gain includes net premiums earned, loss and loss adjustment expenses, profit commission expense, acquisition costs and other operating expenses that are directly related to the operations of our insurance businesses. This measure excludes certain revenue and expense items, such as investment income, realized investment gains and losses, unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, and interest and other expense, that are not directly related to the underwriting performance of our insurance operations, but are included in net income.

Financial Guaranty Direct Segment

The financial guaranty direct segment consists of our primary financial guaranty insurance business and our credit derivative business. Financial guaranty insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that protects the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due. Financial guaranty insurance may be issued to the holders of the insured obligations at the time of issuance of those obligations, or may be issued in the secondary market to holders of public bonds and structured securities. As an alternative to traditional financial guaranty insurance, credit protection on a particular security or issuer can also be provided through a credit derivative, such as a credit default swap. Under a credit default swap, the seller of protection makes a specified payment to the buyer of protection upon the occurrence of one or more specified credit events with respect to a reference obligation or a particular reference entity. Credit derivatives typically provide protection to a buyer rather than credit enhancement of an issue as in traditional financial guaranty insurance.

54




The table below summarizes the financial results of our financial guaranty direct segment for the periods presented:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

62.7

 

$

68.4

 

$

112.2

 

$

98.6

 

Net written premiums

 

59.0

 

67.8

 

107.9

 

97.5

 

Net earned premiums

 

28.3

 

21.2

 

57.1

 

41.9

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

1.7

 

(2.5

)

2.9

 

(4.3

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition costs

 

2.3

 

2.3

 

5.3

 

4.2

 

Operating expenses

 

14.5

 

12.0

 

30.4

 

25.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

9.8

 

$

9.4

 

$

18.5

 

$

16.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

6.0

%

(11.7

)%

5.1

%

(10.2

)%

Expense ratio

 

59.4

%

67.4

%

62.5

%

70.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

65.4

%

55.7

%

67.6

%

60.4

%

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

36.2

 

$

47.6

 

$

58.0

 

$

56.5

 

Structured finance

 

26.5

 

20.8

 

54.2

 

42.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

62.7

 

$

68.4

 

$

112.2

 

$

98.6

 

 

For Second Quarter 2007 the financial guaranty direct segment contributed $62.7 million to gross written premiums, a decrease of $5.7 million, compared with $68.4 million for Second Quarter 2006. The decrease is mainly attributable to our international business which generated $19.9 million of gross written premium in Second Quarter 2007 compared with $41.0 million during Second Quarter 2006.  Partially offsetting this reduced international business premium was a $13.4 million increase in U.S. premium, primarily from our upfront public finance and installment structured finance business, as we continue to  execute our direct business strategy.  Gross written premiums for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 were $112.2 million and $98.6 million, respectively.  Gross written premiums in our financial guaranty direct operations increased $13.6 million for Six Months 2007 compared with Six Months 2006 primarily due to a $18.3 million increase in U.S. generated business, mainly from our upfront public finance and installment structured finance business, as we continue to  execute our direct business strategy.  Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction of our international business to $31.7 million in Six Months 2007, compared with $41.0 million for Six Months 2006.

Generally, gross and net written premiums from the public finance market are received upfront, while the structured finance and credit derivatives markets have been received on an installment basis. For Six Months 2007, 50% of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 50% were installment premiums. For Six Months 2006, 56% of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 44% were installment premiums.

55




 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Net Written Premiums

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

34.0

 

$

47.6

 

$

55.8

 

$

56.5

 

Structured finance

 

25.0

 

20.2

 

52.1

 

41.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

59.0

 

$

67.8

 

$

107.9

 

$

97.5

 

 

For Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007, net written premiums were $59.0 million and $107.9 million, respectively, compared with $67.8 million for Second Quarter 2006 and $97.5 million for Six Months 2006.  The variances in net written premiums are consistent with the variances in gross written premiums as we typically retain a substantial portion of this business.

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Net Earned Premiums

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

2.8

 

$

1.4

 

$

7.0

 

$

2.7

 

Structured finance

 

25.5

 

19.8

 

50.1

 

39.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

28.3

 

$

21.2

 

$

57.1

 

$

41.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in public finance direct net earned premiums are refundings of

 

$

 

$

 

$

1.7

 

$

 

 

Net earned premiums for Second Quarter 2007 were $28.3 million compared with $21.2 million for Second Quarter 2006, reflecting the continued execution of our direct business strategy.  Net earned premiums for Six Months 2007 increased $15.2 million compared with Six Months 2006.  Included in Six Months 2007 financial guaranty direct net earned premiums are $1.7 million of public finance refundings, which reflect the unscheduled pre-payment or refundings of underlying municipal bonds. These unscheduled refundings are sensitive to market interest rates.  There were no unscheduled refundings for Six Months 2006.  We evaluate our net earned premiums both including and excluding these refundings.

Losses and LAE were $1.7 million and $(2.5) million, respectively, for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, while Loss and LAE were $2.9 million and $(4.3) million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.  Second  Quarter 2007 includes case reserve additions of $1.7 million for two transactions underwritten prior to our IPO.  Second Quarter 2006 included a $2.1 million  release of portfolio reserves as a result of the early termination of 20 swap transactions based on the counterparties’ right to terminate.

 In addition to the reduction discussed above, Six Months 2007 includes a $1.0 million portfolio reserve increase, primarily attributable to downgrades of transactions in our CMC list related to the subprime mortgage market, while Six Months 2006 included a net recovery of $2.5 million relating to the settlement of a subprime mortgage transaction.

Acquisition costs incurred for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 were $2.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively. For Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 acquisition costs were $2.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The changes in acquisition costs incurred over the periods are directly related to changes in net earned premium from non-derivative transactions.

56




Operating expenses for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 were $14.5 million and $12.0 million, respectively.  Operating expenses for Six Months 2007 were $30.4 million, compared with $25.4 million for Six Months 2006. The increase in operating expenses for the periods is mainly due to the amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards, primarily due to the accelerated vesting of these awards for retirement eligible employees.  Also contributing to the increase are higher salaries and related employee benefits, due to staffing additions and merit increases.

Financial Guaranty Reinsurance Segment

In our financial guaranty reinsurance business, we assume all or a portion of risk undertaken by other insurance companies that provide financial guaranty protection. The financial guaranty reinsurance business consists of public finance and structured finance reinsurance lines. Premiums on public finance are typically written upfront and earned over the life of the policy, and premiums on structured finance are typically written on an installment basis and earned ratably over the installment period.

The table below summarizes the financial results of our financial guaranty reinsurance segment for the periods presented:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

      2007      

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

25.5

 

$

41.7

 

$

44.2

 

$

60.5

 

Net written premiums

 

25.5

 

41.3

 

44.0

 

59.8

 

Net earned premiums

 

23.7

 

23.1

 

45.6

 

46.4

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(11.0

)

5.7

 

(15.8

)

8.5

 

Profit commission expense

 

0.5

 

1.0

 

1.4

 

1.4

 

Acquisition costs

 

8.6

 

8.5

 

16.3

 

17.2

 

Operating expenses

 

3.9

 

3.4

 

8.3

 

6.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

21.7

 

$

4.6

 

$

35.3

 

$

12.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

(46.4

)%

24.6

%

(34.6

)%

18.3

%

Expense ratio

 

54.9

%

55.4

%

57.1

%

54.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

8.5

%

80.0

%

22.5

%

72.8

%

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

    2007    

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

19.6

 

$

33.2

 

$

32.2

 

$

44.6

 

Structured finance

 

5.9

 

8.5

 

12.0

 

15.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

25.5

 

$

41.7

 

$

44.2

 

$

60.5

 

 

Gross written premiums for our financial guaranty reinsurance segment include upfront premiums on transactions underwritten during the period, plus installment premiums on business primarily underwritten in prior periods. Consequently, this amount is affected by changes in the business mix between public finance and structured finance.  For Six Months 2007, 59% of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 41%

57




were installment premiums. For Six Months 2006, 67% of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 33% were installment premiums.

Gross written premiums for Second Quarter 2007 were $25.5 million, a decrease of $16.2 million, compared with $41.7 million for Second Quarter 2006, while gross written premiums for Six Months 2007 were $44.2 million, a decrease of $16.3 million, compared with $60.5 million for Six Months 2006. The decrease for both periods is attributable to  decreased premiums from upfront treaty and facultative cessions from our cedants in Second Quarter 2007, compared with  Second Quarter 2006 and the non-renewal of certain treaties in 2006 and 2004.

The following table summarizes the Company’s gross written premiums by type of contract:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treaty

 

$

16.9

 

$

29.1

 

$

31.1

 

$

41.1

 

Facultative

 

8.6

 

12.6

 

13.1

 

19.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

25.5

 

$

41.7

 

$

44.2

 

$

60.5

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s gross written premiums by significant client:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums by Client

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Security Assurance Inc

 

$

12.1

 

$

18.2

 

$

22.9

 

$

25.7

 

Ambac Assurance Corporation(1)

 

3.3

 

10.5

 

6.7

 

14.8

 

XL Capital Assurance Ltd.

 

5.0

 

0.3

 

5.6

 

0.5

 

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

 

2.5

 

9.5

 

4.8

 

12.9

 

MBIA Insurance Corporation

 

2.6

 

2.3

 

4.1

 

5.8

 


(1)  Effective July 1, 2006, Ambac Assurance Corporation provided notice of a non-renewal of the quota share treaty on a run-off basis.

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Net Written Premiums

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

19.6

 

$

32.9

 

$

32.0

 

$

44.0

 

Structured finance

 

5.9

 

8.4

 

12.0

 

15.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

25.5

 

$

41.3

 

$

44.0

 

$

59.8

 

 

For Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007, net written premiums were $25.5 million and $44.0 million, respectively, compared with $41.3 million and $59.8 million, respectively, for the same periods last year.  Both decreases of $15.8 million, are consistent with the decreases in gross written premium s because, to date, we have not retroceded a significant amount of premium to external reinsurers .

58




 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Net Earned Premiums

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

16.9

 

$

14.4

 

$

32.9

 

$

30.0

 

Structured finance

 

6.8

 

8.7

 

12.7

 

16.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

23.7

 

$

23.1

 

$

45.6

 

$

46.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in public finance reinsurance net earned premiums are refundings of

 

$

6.4

 

$

1.7

 

$

9.6

 

$

5.3

 

 

Net earned premiums for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 were $23.7 million and $45.6 million, respectively, compared with $23.1 million and $46.4 million for Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006, respectively. Public finance transactions traditionally have a longer weighted average life than structured finance transactions.  Public finance net earned premiums also include refundings, which reflect the unscheduled pre-payment or refundings of underlying municipal bonds. These unscheduled refundings, which were $6.4 million and $9.6 million for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 , respectively, compared with $1.7 million and $5.3 million, respectively, for the same periods last year, are sensitive to market interest rates.  We evaluate our net earned premiums both including and excluding these refundings. Excluding these refundings, our financial guaranty reinsurance segment net earned premiums decreased for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007, when compared with the same periods last year due to the non-renewal of certain treaties.

Losses and LAE were $(11.0) million and $5.7 million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, respectively.  During Second Quarter 2007 we had a portfolio reserve release  related to the restructuring of a European infrastructure transaction.   During Second Quarter 2006 we increased loss reserves $5.4 million, of which $3.8 million related to a ratings downgrade of a European infrastructure  transaction and $1.6 million related to the ratings downgrade of various credits.

Losses and LAE were $(15.8) million and $8.5 million for Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.  In addition to Second Quarter 2007 activity, discussed above,  the financial guaranty reinsurance segment had $(4.8) million of incurred losses principally due to aircraft-related transactions during Six Months 2007.  In addition to the reserve increases mentioned above,  Six Months 2006 included a $2.5 million case reserve addition due to a U.S. public infrastructure transaction. Also included in Six Months 2006 are various additions to case reserves totaling $0.7 million and incurred and paid LAE of $0.6 million related to the same European infrastructure transaction mentioned above.  Offsetting these additions was a $1.0 million release of portfolio reserves.

Profit commission expense was $0.5 million in Second Quarter 2007 compared to $1.0 million in Second Quarter 2006, and $1.4 million in both Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006.  Second Quarter 2007 includes  a $0.5 million release of profit commission reserves based on updated information received from cedants, while Six Months 2006 included  a $0.4 million release of profit commission reserves based on updated information received from cedants.

For Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, acquisition costs incurred were $8.6 million and $8.5 million, respectively, while acquisition costs incurred were $16.3 million for Six Months 2007 compared with $17.2 million for Six Months 2006. The changes in acquisition costs incurred over the periods are directly related to changes in net earned premium.

Operating expenses for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 were $3.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively.  Operating expenses for Six Months 2007 were $8.3 million, compared with $6.8 million for Six Months 2006. The increase in operating expenses for the periods is mainly due to the amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards, primarily due to the accelerated vesting of these awards for retirement eligible employees.  Also contributing to the increase are higher salaries and related employee benefits, due to staffing additions and merit increases.

59




Mortgage Guaranty Segment

Mortgage guaranty insurance provides protection to mortgage lending institutions against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans that, at the time of the advance, had a loan-to-value ratio in excess of a specified ratio. We primarily function as a reinsurer in this industry and assume all or a portion of the risks undertaken by primary mortgage insurers.

The table below summarizes the financial results of our mortgage guaranty segment for the periods presented:

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

0.5

 

$

1.2

 

$

1.5

 

$

3.8

 

Net written premiums

 

0.5

 

1.2

 

1.5

 

3.8

 

Net earned premiums

 

2.3

 

3.7

 

5.4

 

7.9

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Profit commission expense

 

0.4

 

0.7

 

1.1

 

1.6

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

Operating expenses

 

0.5

 

0.3

 

0.8

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

1.3

 

$

2.0

 

$

3.1

 

$

4.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

4.3

%

9.4

%

3.7

%

2.5

%

Expense ratio

 

39.1

%

36.4

%

38.3

%

36.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

43.4

%

45.8

%

42.0

%

38.7

%

 

Gross written premiums for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 were $0.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, compared with $1.2 million and $3.8 million for the comparable periods in 2006.  The decrease in gross written premiums is primarily related to the run-off of our quota share treaty business as well as commutations executed in the latter part of 2006.

Net written premiums for Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 were $0.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, compared with $1.2 million and $3.8 million for the comparable periods in 2006. This is consistent with gross written premiums, as we do not cede a significant amount of our mortgage guaranty business.

For Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, net earned premiums were $2.3 million and $3.7 million, respectively.  For Six Months 2007 net earned premiums were $5.4 million compared with $7.9 million for Six Months 2006.  The decrease in net earned premiums for both periods  reflects the run-off of our quota share treaty business as well as commutations executed in 2007 and the latter part of 2006.

Loss and LAE were $0.1 million and $0.4 million for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, respectively.  Loss and LAE for both Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 was $0.2 million. During Second Quarter 2006 portfolio reserves were increased $0.4 million reflecting  continued earnings from the  remaining in-force exposure on our excess of loss mortgage insurance contracts.  Offsetting the portfolio increase mentioned above, Six Months 2006, included a $0.2 million reduction of case reserves, reflecting the run-off of our quota share treaty business.

Profit commission expense for Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 was $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. For Six Months 2007 profit commission expense decreased to $1.1 million, compared with $1.6 million for Six Months 2006.  The decrease in profit commission expense for 2007 compared with 2006 is

60




primarily due to the run-off of mortgage guaranty experience rated quota share treaties, which have a large profit commission component.

Acquisition costs incurred for Second Quarter 2006 were $0.3 million.  Second Quarter 2007 had no incurred acquisition costs.  Acquisition costs incurred for Six Months 2007 were $0.2 million compared with $0.6 million for Six Months 2006. The decline in acquisition costs incurred in 2007 compared with 2006 is directly related to the decline in net earned premiums.

Operating expenses for  Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 were $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively,  while for Six Months 2007  they were $0.8 million compared with $0.6 million for Six Months 2006.  The increase in operating expenses for the periods is mainly due to the amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards, primarily due to the accelerated vesting of these awards for retirement eligible employees.  Also contributing to the increase are higher salaries and related employee benefits, due to staffing additions and merit increases.

Other Segment

The other segment represents lines of business that we exited or sold as part of our 2004 IPO.

The other segment had no earned premiums during 2007 or 2006.  However, during  Six Months 2007, due to loss recoveries the other segment generated $1.3 million of  underwriting gains, as compared with $10.1 million and $11.3 million for Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006, respectively.  The other segment did not record an underwriting gain (loss) during Second Quarter 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity, both on a short-term basis (for the next twelve months) and a long-term basis (beyond the next twelve months), is largely dependent upon: (1) the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us, (2) external financings and (3) net investment income from our invested assets. Our liquidity requirements include the payment of our operating expenses, interest on our debt, and dividends on our common shares. We may also require liquidity to make periodic capital investments in our operating subsidiaries. In the ordinary course of our business, we evaluate our liquidity needs and capital resources in light of holding company expenses, debt-related expenses and our dividend policy, as well as rating agency considerations. Based on the amount of dividends we expect to receive from our subsidiaries and the income we expect to receive from our invested assets, management believes that we will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our needs over the next twelve months, including the ability to pay dividends on our common shares. Total cash paid in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 for dividends to shareholders was $5.5 million, or $0.08 per common share, and $5.3 million, or $0.07 per common share, respectively. Beyond the next twelve months, the ability of our operating subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends may be influenced by a variety of factors including market conditions, insurance and rating agencies regulations and general economic conditions. Consequently, although management believes that we will continue to have sufficient liquidity to meet our debt service and other obligations over the long term, it remains possible that we may be required to seek external debt or equity financing in order to meet our operating expenses, debt service obligations or pay dividends on our common shares.

We anticipate that a major source of our liquidity, for the next twelve months and for the longer term, will be amounts paid by our operating subsidiaries as dividends. Certain of our operating subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on their ability to pay dividends. See “Business—Regulation.” The amount available at AGC to pay dividends in 2007 with notice to, but without the prior approval of, the Maryland Insurance Commissioner is approximately $28.6 million. Dividends paid by a U.S. company to a Bermuda holding company presently are subject to a 30% withholding tax. The amount available at AG Re to pay dividends or make a distribution of contributed surplus in 2007 in compliance with Bermuda law is $599.6 million. However, any distribution which results in a reduction of 15% or more of AG Re’s total statutory capital, as set out in its previous years financial statements, would require the prior approval of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

61




Liquidity at our operating subsidiaries is used to pay operating expenses, claims, payment obligations with respect to credit derivatives, reinsurance premiums and dividends to AGUS for debt service and dividends to us, as well as, where appropriate, to make capital investments in their own subsidiaries. In addition, certain of our operating companies may be required to post collateral in connection with credit derivatives and reinsurance transactions. Management believes that these subsidiaries’ operating needs generally can be met from operating cash flow, including gross written premium and investment income from their respective investment portfolios.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $91.5 million and $90.6 million during Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively. Cash flows provided by operating activities remained relatively flat across both periods due to the large proportion of upfront premiums received in both our financial guaranty direct and financial guaranty reinsurance segments during both periods.   Six Months 2006 also included a $10.1 million loss recovery from business in our other segment, which was exited in connection with the IPO .

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $64.1  million and $41.6 million during Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively. These investing activities consist of net purchases and sales of fixed maturity securities and short-term investments.

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $9.0  million and $26.8 million during Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.  During Six Months 2007 we paid $5.5  million in dividends, $2.7 million, net, under our option and incentive plans and $0.4 million in debt issue costs related to $150.0 million of Series A Enhanced Junior Subordinated Debentures issued in December 2006. During Six Months 2006 we paid $5.3 million in dividends and $2.3 million, net, under our stock award plans. In addition, in April 2006, the Company repaid $2.1 million of notes outstanding and related interest to subsidiaries of ACE. These notes were assumed in connection with the IPO.

On May 4, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program for 1.0 million common shares. Share repurchases will take place at management’s discretion depending on market conditions. During Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, we paid $0.5 million and  $17.2 million to repurchase 18,300 shares and 0.7 million shares of our Common Stock, respectively.

As of June 30, 2007 our future cash payments associated with contractual obligations pursuant to our operating leases for office space and have not materially changed since December 31, 2006.

Credit Facilities

Non-Recourse Credit Facilities

AG Re Credit Facility

On July 31, 2007 AG Re entered into a non-recourse credit facility (“AG Re Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $200.0 million to satisfy certain reinsurance agreements and obligations. The AG Re Credit Facility expires in July 2014.

AG Re’s failure to comply with certain covenants under the AG Re Credit Facility could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default. This could require AG Re to repay potential outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

AGC Credit Facility

AGC is also party to a non-recourse credit facility (“AGC Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $175.0 million specifically designed to provide rating agency qualified capital to further support AGC’s claims paying resources. The AGC Credit Facility expires in December 2010. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under the life of this facility.

62




AGC’s failure to comply with certain covenants under the AGC Credit Facility could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default. This could require AGC to repay any outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

The AGC Credit Facility was terminated on July 31, 2007 and replaced by the AG Re Credit Facility discussed above.

Investment Portfolio

Our investment portfolio consisted of $2,422.6  million of fixed maturity securities, $63.2  million of short-term investments and had a duration of 4.6 years as of June 30, 2007, compared with $2,331.1 million of fixed maturity securities, $134.1 million of short-term investments and had a duration of 3.9 years as of December 31, 2006. Our fixed maturity securities are designated as available-for-sale in accordance with FAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“FAS 115”). Fixed maturity securities are reported at their fair value in accordance with FAS 115, and the change in fair value is reported as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. If we believe the decline in fair value is “other than temporary,” we write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss in our statement of operations.

Fair value of the fixed maturity securities is based upon quoted market prices provided by either independent pricing services or, when such prices are not available, by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications. Our investment portfolio does not include any non-publicly traded securities. For a detailed description of our valuation of investments see “—Critical Accounting Estimates.”

We review our investment portfolio for possible impairment losses. For additional information, see “—Critical Accounting Estimates.”

The following table summarizes the ratings distributions of our investment portfolio as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. Ratings are represented by the lower of the Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s Inc., a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., classifications.

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2007

 

As of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA or equivalent

 

82.4

%

81.8

%

AA

 

12.7

%

13.5

%

A

 

4.9

%

4.7

%

Total

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, our investment portfolio did not contain any securities that were not rated or rated below investment grade.

Short-term investments include securities with maturity dates equal to or less than one year from the original issue date. Our short-term investments are composed of money market funds, discounted notes and certain time deposits for foreign cash portfolios. Short-term investments are reported at cost, which approximates the fair value of these securities due to the short maturity of these investments.

Under agreements with our cedants and in accordance with statutory requirements, we maintain fixed maturity securities in trust accounts for the benefit of reinsured companies and for the protection of policyholders, generally in states where we or our subsidiaries, as applicable, are not licensed or accredited. The carrying value of such restricted balances as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was $600.7 million and $610.5 million, respectively.

63




Under certain derivative contracts, we are required to post eligible securities as collateral, generally cash or U.S. government or agency securities. The need to post collateral under these transactions is generally based on marked to market valuations in excess of contractual thresholds. The fair market values of our pledged securities totaled $0.9 million as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, since the FASB had previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measure. Accordingly, FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt FAS 157 at the beginning of 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 157 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 allows entities to voluntarily choose, at specified election dates, to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities (as well as certain nonfinancial instruments that are similar to financial instruments) at fair value (the “fair value option”). The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, FAS 159 specifies that all subsequent changes in fair value for that instrument shall be reported in u nrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income . FAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Earlier adoption of FAS 159 is permitted, but we do not intend to early adopt. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 159 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In April 2007, the FASB Staff issued FASB Staff Position No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FSP FIN 39-1”), which permits companies to offset cash collateral receivables or payables with net derivative positions under certain circumstances. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. FSP FIN 39-1 will not affect our results of operations or financial position, though it may affect the balance sheet classification of certain assets and liabilities.

64




Item 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential for losses that may result from changes in the value of a financial instrument as a result of changes in market conditions. The primary market risks that impact the value of our financial instruments are interest rate risk, basis risk, such as taxable interest rates relative to tax-exempt interest rates, and credit spread risk. Each of these risks and the specific types of financial instruments impacted are described below. Senior managers in our surveillance department are responsible for monitoring risk limits and applying risk measurement methodologies. The estimation of potential losses arising from adverse changes in market conditions is a key element in managing market risk. We use various systems, models and stress test scenarios to monitor and manage market risk. These models include estimates made by management that use current and historic market information. The valuation results from these models could differ materially from amounts that actually are realized in the market. See “—Critical Accounting Estimates—Valuation of Investments.”

Financial instruments that may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates consist primarily of investment securities. The primary objective in managing our investment portfolio is generation of an optimal level of after-tax investment income while preserving capital and maintaining adequate liquidity. Investment strategies are based on many factors, including our tax position, fluctuation in interest rates, regulatory and rating agency criteria and other market factors.

Item 4.         Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures . Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s management, with the participation of Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by Assured Guaranty Ltd. (including its consolidated subsidiaries) in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s quarter ended June 30, 2007, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

65




PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

Lawsuits arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, based upon the information available, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries assert claims in legal proceedings against third parties to recover losses paid in prior periods. The amounts, if any, the Company will recover in these proceedings are uncertain, although recoveries in any one or more of these proceedings during any quarter or fiscal year could be material to the Company’s results of operations in that particular quarter or fiscal year.

Item 1A — Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

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

Issuer’s Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table reflects purchases made by the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2007:

Period

 

(a) Total
Number of
Shares Purchased

 

(b) Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Program

 

(d) Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program

 

April 1 – April 30

 

72,614

(1)

$

28.63

 

 

150,460

 

May 1 – May 31

 

1,565

(1)

$

30.35

 

 

150,460

 

June 1 – June 30

 

18,395

(2)

$

28.60

 

18,300

 

132,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

92,574

 

$

28.66

 

18,300

 

 

 


(1)              72,614 shares and 1,565 shares were repurchased from employees in connection with the payment of withholding taxes due in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(2)              95 shares were repurchased from employees in connection with the payment of withholding taxes due in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards

Items 3, 4 and 5 are omitted either because they are inapplicable or because the answer to such question is negative.

Item 6 — Exhibits

See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed with this report.

66




 

 SIGNATURES

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

Assured Guaranty Ltd.(Registrant)

Dated: August 9, 2007

By:

 

/s/ Robert B. Mills

 

 

 

Robert B. Mills

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer
and Duly Authorized Officer)

 

 




 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

 


Description

10.1

 

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Outside Directors under Assured Guaranty Ltd. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan*

 

 

 

10.2

 

$200.0 million soft-capital credit facility

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of CEO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13A-14 and 15D-14, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of CFO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13A-14 and 15D-14, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

99.1

 

Assured Guaranty Corp.’s Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 


*                     Management contract or compensatory plan

 



 

Exhibit 10.1

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for
Outside Directors under
Assured Guaranty Ltd. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan

THIS AGREEMENT, entered into as of the Grant Date (as defined in paragraph 1), by and between the Director and Assured Guaranty Ltd. (the “Company”):

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Assured Guaranty Ltd. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), and the Director has been selected by the committee administering the Plan (the “Committee”) to receive a Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Plan; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED, by and between the Company and the Director, as follows:

1.  Terms of Award .  The following words and phrases used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in this paragraph 1:

(a)           The “Director” is                                    .

(b)           The “Grant Date” is                                .

Other words and phrases used in this Agreement are defined pursuant to paragraph 14 or elsewhere in this Agreement.

2.  Restricted Stock Unit Award .  This Agreement specifies the terms of the “Restricted Stock Unit Award” granted to the Director.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Director is hereby granted the right to receive            shares (“Restricted Stock Units”) at the “Delivery Date,” which shall be the                anniversary of the date the Director ceases to be a director of Assured Guaranty Ltd.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Director ceases to be a director of the Company by reason of his death or Disability (as defined in paragraph 3), and the Restricted Period with respect to the Restricted Stock Units has ended under the terms of paragraph 3, then the Delivery Date for the shares shall be the date immediately following the date on which the Director ceases to be a director, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

3.  Restricted Period .  Subject to the limitations of this Agreement, the “Restricted Period” for the Restricted Stock Units shall begin on the Grant Date and end on the day immediately prior to the next annual shareholders meeting during which elections for directors are held following the Grant Date.

The Restricted Period shall end prior to the date specified above to the extent set forth below:

(a)           The Restricted Period shall end on the date the Director ceases to be a director of the Company (and is not otherwise employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries), if the Director ceases to be a director of the Company by reason of his Disability or death. The Director shall be

 




 

considered to have a “Disability” if the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors determines that he is unable to serve as a Director as a result of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment.

(b)           The Restricted Period shall end upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), provided that such Change in Control occurs on or before the date the Director ceases to be a director of the Company.

4.  Transfer and Forfeiture of Shares .  If the Restricted Period with respect to the Restricted Stock Units ends on or before the date the Director ceases to be a director of the Company, then at the end of such Restricted Period, the Restricted Stock Units shall be fully vested, and shall be transferred to the Director free of all restrictions on the Delivery Date.  If the Restricted Period with respect to the Restricted Stock Units does not end on or before the date the Director ceases to be a director of the Company, then as of the date the Director ceases to be a director of the Company, the Director shall forfeit all Restricted Stock Units.

5.  Transferability .  Restricted Stock Units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered prior to the Delivery Date.  However, if the Director is indebted to the Company or a Subsidiary at the time otherwise scheduled for distribution of the Director’s stock under this Agreement then, at that time, the shares otherwise deliverable shall be reduced by the number of shares then having a value equal to the amount of such indebtedness.

6.  Dividends .  The Director will be credited with additional Restricted Stock Units to reflect dividends payable with respect to shares during the period between the Grant Date and the Delivery Date, with the increase in the number of Restricted Stock Units equal to the number of shares which could be purchased with the dividends (assuming each Restricted Stock Unit was a share), based on the value of such share at the time such dividends are paid.  The Restricted Stock Units credited on account of the preceding sentence (other than extraordinary dividends, as determined by the Committee) shall be fully vested at the time of crediting to the Director, and distribution shall be made with respect to such Restricted Stock Units on the Delivery Date.  Extraordinary dividends shall be vested in accordance with the same schedule as the Restricted Stock Units to which such extraordinary dividends are attributable.  No dividends shall be credited to or for the benefit of the Director for Restricted Stock Units with respect to record dates occurring prior to the Grant Date, or with respect to record dates occurring on or after the date, if any, on which the Director has forfeited those Restricted Stock Units.

7.  Director’s Rights to Shares .  Prior to the Delivery Date, (a) the Director shall not be treated as owner of the shares, shall not have any rights as a shareholder as to those shares, and shall have only a contractual right to receive them, unsecured by any assets of the Company or its subsidiaries; (b) the Director shall be not permitted to vote the Restricted Stock Units; and (c) the Director’s right to receive such shares will be subject to the adjustment provisions relating to mergers, reorganizations, and similar events set forth in the Plan.

8.  Heirs and Successors .  This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and business.  If any benefits deliverable to the Director under this Agreement have not

 

2




 

been delivered at the time of the Director’s death, such benefits shall be delivered to the Designated Beneficiary, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan.  The “Designated Beneficiary” shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Director in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee shall require.  If a deceased Director fails to designate a beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not survive the Director, any rights that would have been exercisable by the Director and any benefits distributable to the Director shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Director.  If a deceased Director designates a beneficiary and the Designated Beneficiary survives the Director but dies before the complete distribution of benefits to the Designated Beneficiary under this Agreement, then any benefits distributable to the Designated Beneficiary shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary.

9.  Administration .  The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of this Agreement shall be vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall have all powers with respect to this Agreement as it has with respect to the Plan.  Any interpretation of this Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to this Agreement is final and binding on all persons.

10.  Plan Governs .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by the Director from the office of the Secretary of the Company; and this Agreement is subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee from time to time pursuant to the Plan.

11.  Notices .  Any written notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail.  Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailing but in no event later than the date of actual receipt.  Notices shall be directed, if to the Director, at the Director’s address indicated by the Company’s records, or if to the Company, at the Company’s principal executive office.

12.  Fractional Shares .  In lieu of issuing a fraction of a share, resulting from an adjustment of the Restricted Stock Unit Award pursuant to the Plan or otherwise, the Company will be entitled to pay to the Director an amount equal to the fair market value of such fractional share.

13.  Amendment .  This Agreement may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and may otherwise be amended by written agreement of the Director and the Company without the consent of any other person.  However, no such amendment shall result in an acceleration or other distribution that would not satisfy the requirements of Code section 409A.

14.  Plan Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement, words and phrases shall be defined as follows:

(a)                                   Cessation as a Director .  References in this Agreement to a Director ceasing to be a director shall mean the director ceasing to serve on the board of directors of the Company and all the Related Companies, subject to the following:

 

3




 

(i)  The director relationship will be deemed to have ended at the time the Director and the Company reasonably anticipate that the level of bona fide services the Director would perform after such date as a member of the boards of directors of the Company and the Related Companies would permanently decrease to no more than 20% of the average level of bona fide director services performed over the immediately preceding 36 month period (or the full period of service as a member of the boards of directors of the Company and the Related Companies if the Director has performed services for the Company and the Related Companies as a director for less than 36 months).

(ii)  The director relationship will be treated as continuing intact while the Director is on a bona fide leave of absence (determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. §409A-1(h)).

(b)                                  Related Company .  The term “Related Company” means all persons with whom the Company is considered to be a single employer under section 414(b) of the Code and all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under section 414(c) of the Code.

Except where the context clearly implies or indicates the contrary, a word, term, or phrase used in the Plan is similarly used in this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Director has executed the Agreement, and the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

By:

/s/ James M. Michener

 

Its:

General Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director:

Donald H. Layton

 

 

 

4



EXECUTION COPY                                                                                                                                             EXHIBIT 10.2

CREDIT AGREEMENT

among

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH

as Syndication Agent

NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE NEW YORK BRANCH

as Documentation Agent

and

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH

as Administrative Agent


dated as of July 31, 2007


DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES, INC.

Lead Arranger

 

 




 

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

ARTICLE 1.   DEFINED TERMS

 

1

Section 1.1.

 

Definitions

 

1

Section 1.2.

 

Interpretation

 

11

Section 1.3.

 

Non-Dollar Currencies

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2.   LOANS

 

12

Section 2.1.

 

Commitment

 

12

Section 2.2.

 

Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement

 

12

Section 2.3.

 

Notes; Loan Account

 

12

Section 2.4.

 

Interest Rate

 

13

Section 2.5.

 

Repayment of Loans

 

13

Section 2.6.

 

Prepayments

 

13

Section 2.7.

 

Limitations on Sources of Payment

 

14

Section 2.8.

 

Several Obligations and Rights of Lenders

 

14

Section 2.9.

 

Pro Rata Treatment of Loans, Etc

 

14

Section 2.10.

 

Individual Recovery

 

14

Section 2.11.

 

Fronting Lenders

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3.   REDUCTION, TERMINATION AND EXTENSION OF COMMITMENT

 

18

Section 3.1.

 

Commitment, Administrative Agent and Fronting Fees

 

18

Section 3.2.

 

Termination, Reduction or Extension of Commitments

 

19

Section 3.3.

 

Yield Protection

 

20

Section 3.4.

 

Reimbursement

 

22

Section 3.5.

 

Manner of Payment; Calculations, etc

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

25

Section 4.1.

 

Conditions Precedent to Commitments

 

25

Section 4.2.

 

Conditions Precedent to Each Loan

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

29

Section 5.1.

 

Due Organization, Etc

 

29

Section 5.2.

 

Due Authorization, Etc

 

29

Section 5.3.

 

Approvals

 

29

Section 5.4.

 

Enforceability

 

29

Section 5.5.

 

Pari Passu Obligations

 

30

Section 5.6.

 

Financial Information, etc.

 

30

Section 5.7.

 

Litigation

 

32

Section 5.8.

 

Taxes

 

32

Section 5.9.

 

Absence of Defaults, etc

 

32

Section 5.10.

 

Permits

 

32

Section 5.11.

 

Properties

 

33

Section 5.12.

 

Compliance with Insurance Law

 

33

Section 5.13.

 

Covered Portfolio

 

34

Section 5.14.

 

Investment Company Status

 

34

 




 

Section 5.15.

 

Ownership; Subsidiaries

 

34

Section 5.16.

 

Legal Form; No Deductions

 

35

Section 5.17.

 

Choice of Law

 

35

Section 5.18.

 

Disclosure

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6.   COVENANTS

 

35

Section 6.1.

 

Use of Proceeds

 

36

Section 6.2.

 

Conduct of Business and Company Existence

 

36

Section 6.3.

 

Compliance with Laws

 

36

Section 6.4.

 

Obligations and Taxes

 

36

Section 6.5.

 

Maintenance of Insurance

 

36

Section 6.6.

 

Liens

 

36

Section 6.7.

 

Merger, Amalgamation or Sale of Assets

 

37

Section 6.8.

 

Limitation on Modification of Indebtedness; Modifications of Charter, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc

 

38

Section 6.9.

 

Affiliate Transactions

 

38

Section 6.10.

 

Underwriting Criteria

 

39

Section 6.11.

 

Collection of Pledged Recoveries and Pledged Premiums

 

39

Section 6.12.

 

Pledged Reserves Release Notice

 

39

Section 6.13.

 

Inspection of Books and Records

 

39

Section 6.14.

 

Financial Reporting Requirements

 

39

Section 6.15.

 

Information Requirements

 

41

Section 6.16.

 

Other Information

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

42

Section 7.1.

 

Events of Default

 

42

Section 7.2.

 

Remedies

 

44

Section 7.3.

 

No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative

 

45

Section 7.4.

 

Right of Setoff; etc

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8.   THE AGENTS

 

45

Section 8.1.

 

Appointments

 

45

Section 8.2.

 

Delegation

 

46

Section 8.3.

 

Agent Not Liable; Reliance

 

46

Section 8.4.

 

Indemnity

 

48

Section 8.5.

 

Liability of Agent

 

48

Section 8.6.

 

Agent May Act

 

48

Section 8.7.

 

Successor.

 

48

Section 8.8.

 

Determination by the Agent Conclusive and Binding

 

49

Section 8.9.

 

Titled Agents

 

49

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9.   NATURE OF OBLIGATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION

 

49

Section 9.1.

 

Nature of Obligations; Survival

 

49

Section 9.2.

 

Indemnification

 

50

 

ii




 

ARTICLE 10.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

50

Section 10.1.

 

Costs, Expenses and Taxes

 

50

Section 10.2.

 

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

 

51

Section 10.3.

 

Severability

 

51

Section 10.4.

 

Governing Law

 

52

Section 10.5.

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

 

52

Section 10.6.

 

Headings

 

52

Section 10.7.

 

Notices and Addresses for Notice

 

52

Section 10.8.

 

Successors and Assigns; Assignment and Assumption; Participations; Additional Lenders

 

52

Section 10.9.

 

Lending Office

 

55

Section 10.10.

 

Judgment Currency

 

55

Section 10.11.

 

No Immunity

 

55

Section 10.12.

 

Counterparts

 

55

Section 10.13.

 

Records

 

56

Section 10.14.

 

Register

 

56

Section 10.15.

 

Amendments and Waivers

 

56

Section 10.16.

 

Confidentiality

 

57

 

 

LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing

EXHIBIT B

 

 

Form of Note

EXHIBIT C

 

 

Form of Security Agreement

EXHIBIT D

 

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

EXHIBIT E

 

 

Form of Fronting Lender Supplement

EXHIBIT F

 

 

Form of Fronting Lender Note

EXHIBIT G

 

 

Form of Opinion of Special Bermuda Counsel to the Borrower

EXHIBIT H

 

 

Form of Opinion of Special New York Counsel to the Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

 

Schedule of Commitments

SCHEDULE 2

 

 

 

Covered Portfolio Guidelines

SCHEDULE 3

 

 

 

List of Excluded Insured Obligations

SCHEDULE 4

 

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

iii




 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of July 31, 2007, among ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Borrower ”), the financial institutions from time to time parties hereto as Lenders, ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH, as Syndication Agent (in such capacity, the “ Syndication Agent ”), NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE NEW YORK BRANCH, as Documentation Agent (in such capacity, the “ Documentation Agent ”), and DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”);

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders, subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, provide a credit facility to the Borrower, and, upon such terms and conditions, the Lenders are willing to make such credit facility available to the Borrower as provided for herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINED TERMS

Section 1.1.   Definitions .   As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Administrative Agent ” — Recitals.

Administrative Agent Fee Letter ” — Section 3.1(c).

Agreement ” shall mean this Credit Agreement.

Assignee ” — Section 10.8(b).

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” — Section 10.8(b).

Available Commitment ” as of any day shall mean (a) the Maximum Commitment (giving effect to any reduction thereof effective on or before such day), minus (b) the aggregate principal amount of Loans made by the Lenders hereunder determined without regard to any repayment or prepayment thereof.

Average Annual Debt Service ”, as of a specified date with respect to an Insured Obligation, shall mean the applicable Retained Percentage times the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Insured Obligation, and (ii) the aggregate amount of interest thereafter required to be paid on such Insured Obligation (giving effect to all mandatory sinking fund payments or other regularly scheduled required redemptions, prepayments or other retirement of principal), divided by the number of whole and fractional years from the date of

 




 

determination to the latest maturity date of such Insured Obligation and, with respect to the Covered Portfolio as of such date as specified, shall mean the sum of the Average Annual Debt Service as of such date of all Insured Obligations contained in the Covered Portfolio.  In the event that an Insured Obligation bears interest at a variable rate, the interest thereon for purposes of the determination of Average Annual Debt Service shall be calculated at the rate employed by the Borrower to compute average annual debt service with respect to such Insured Obligation in accordance with its customary business practices.

Bankruptcy Laws ” — Section 7.1(f).

Base Rate ” shall mean for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Lending Rate in effect on such day and (b) the sum of (i) one-quarter percent (0.25%) and (ii) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day.  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Lending Rate or the Federal Funds Rate will be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Lending Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, respectively.

Bermuda Insurance Law ” shall mean the Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda.

Borrower ” — Recitals.

Borrower Event of Insolvency ” shall mean an Event of Default described in any of paragraphs (f), (g) or (h) of Section 7.1 with respect to the Borrower.

Business Day ” shall mean any day excluding (i) Saturday and Sunday, and (ii) any day on which banks in New York City or Bermuda are authorized by law or other governmental action to close.

Certificate of Registration ” — Section 5.12.

Change of Control ” shall mean and include the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) any Person or entity (other than ACE Limited or one or its wholly owned subsidiaries) or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) shall have (i) acquired, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of 30% (based on voting) or more of any outstanding class of Voting Stock of the Parent, or (ii) the power (whether or not exercised) to elect the majority of the board of directors of the Parent, (b) the Borrower or either Principal Insurance Subsidiary shall cease to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent, (c) any Person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than the Parent or a Wholly-Subsidiary of the Parent shall have acquired, directly or indirectly, the power (whether or not exercised) to elect the majority of the board of directors of any of the Borrower or either Principal Insurance Subsidiary, or (d) a majority of the Board of Directors of the Parent, the Borrower or either Principal Insurance Subsidiary shall not be Continuing Directors thereof.

Code ” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Security Agreement.

 

2




 

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Security Agreement.

Collateral Account ” shall mean the Collateral Account established under the Security Agreement.

Commitment ” shall mean with respect to any Lender, the amount set forth opposite its name in Schedule 1 hereto (as amended or deemed amended pursuant to this Agreement) under the heading “Commitment,” as it may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2 or adjusted from time to time as a result of assignments to or from such Lender pursuant to Section 10.8(b).

Commitment Period ” shall mean the period commencing on the Effective Date then in effect and ending on the Maturity Date then in effect.

Contingent Obligation ” shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (x) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (y) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith.

Continuing Directors ”  shall mean, with respect to a Person, the directors of such Person on the date of this Agreement and each other director, if such director’s nomination for election to the board of directors of such Person is supported by a majority of the then Continuing Directors of such Person.

Covered Portfolio ” shall mean and include each Insured Obligation outstanding on the Effective Date then in effect and each Insured Obligation issued thereafter and prior to the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date, other than Excluded Insured Obligations; provided that (i) an Insured Obligation shall have met the Covered Portfolio Guidelines when it was first included in the Covered Portfolio (and otherwise shall be excluded therefrom) and (ii) no additional Insured Obligations shall become part of the Covered Portfolio from and after the date on which any Lender has given a notice to the Borrower pursuant to Section 7.2(b) hereof as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

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Covered Portfolio Guidelines ” shall mean the guidelines set forth on Schedule 2 hereto.

Cumulative Losses ” for a specified period shall mean the aggregate Losses of the Borrower determined cumulatively during such period without regard to Pledged Recoveries.

Declining Lender ” — Section 3.2(d).

Default ” shall mean any condition, event or act which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” shall mean a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the Base Rate, and (ii) four percent (4%), which interest rate shall change as and when the Base Rate shall change.

Defaulted Amount ” — Section 2.11(c).

Defaulting Lender ” — Section 2.11(c).

Department ” shall mean each of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the Bermuda Registrar of Companies and the Bermuda Ministry of Finance.

Documentation Agent ” — Recitals.

Dollars ”, “ U.S.$ ”, “ $ ” and “ U.S. dollars ” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.

Downgraded Lender ” shall mean a Fronting Lender which ceases to have the Required Ratings.

Effective Date ” shall mean June 30, 2007, as such date may be extended from time to time pursuant to
Section 3.2(c).

Eligible Insurer ” shall mean any of (i) a Principal Insurance Subsidiary or (ii) AMBAC Assurance Corporation, CIFG Assurance North America, Inc., Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, Financial Security Assurance Inc., MBIA Insurance Company, XL Capital Insurance Inc. or XL Financial Assurance Ltd.

Eligible International Security ” shall mean Public Finance Obligations, Infrastructure Obligations, Pooled Infrastructure Obligations or Regulated Utility Obligations, as to which the related obligor is located within the United Kingdom, Australia or Germany.

Eligible Municipal Security ” shall mean “municipal obligation bonds,” “special revenue bonds,” “utility first mortgage obligations” which an Eligible Insurer is permitted to insure under the provisions of Section 6904(b)(1)(A), (B) or (C) of the New York Insurance Law (without regard to clause (J) thereof) as in effect on the date hereof, issued by the United States of America, a state thereof or the District of Columbia, a municipality or governmental unit or other political subdivision of the foregoing or any public agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

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Event of Default ” — Section 7.1.

Excluded Insured Obligations ” shall mean and include (a) Insured Obligations listed on Schedule 3 hereto, (b) additional Insured Obligations which the Borrower hereafter elects in writing to exclude from the Covered Portfolio with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders (which writing and consent shall be deemed to constitute an amendment supplementing Schedule 3 hereto and shall not be unreasonably withheld) and (c) upon notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Participant, any Insured Obligation which any Lender or any Participant is obligated, or upon the occurrence of any contingency would be obligated, to purchase or in respect of which any Lender is obligated, or upon the occurrence of any contingency would be obligated, to make loans or otherwise extend credit under the terms of a line of credit, standby bond purchase agreement, letter of credit, liquidity agreement or similar agreement or other credit or liquidity enhancement arrangement.

Extending Lender ” — Section 3.2(d).

Extension Request ” — Section 3.2(c).

Federal Funds Rate ” shall mean for any period, a fluctuating interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal Funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal Funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

Fronting Lender ” shall mean, with respect to a Lender, another Lender which is designated as a “Fronting Lender” for such Lender, as set forth in a Fronting Lender Supplement.

Fronting Lender Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to a Fronting Lender and another Lender for which it acts as Fronting Lender, the commitment of such Fronting Lender to provide Loans in respect of the Commitment of such other Lender, as set forth in such Fronting Lender’s Fronting Lender Supplement.

Fronting Lender Loan ” shall mean a Loan made by a Fronting Lender pursuant to Section 2.11, unless otherwise provided in such Section.

Fronting Lender Note ” shall mean the Note issued to any Lender pursuant to Section 2.11 evidencing Loans made by such Lender in its capacity as a Fronting Lender, and any Notes issued by the Borrower and accepted by such Lender or a transferee in exchange, substitution or replacement therefor.

Fronting Lender Percentage ” shall mean, with respect to a Fronting Lender and the Commitment of another Lender for which it acts as Fronting Lender, its applicable Fronting Lender Commitment expressed as a percentage of the Commitment of such other Lender.

 

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Fronting Lender Supplement ” shall mean each supplement to this Agreement among a Fronting Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, which is in effect from time to time.

Increasing Extending Lender ” — Section 3.2(d).

Indebtedness ” shall mean, as to any Person, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness (including principal, interest, fees and charges) of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (ii) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and all drafts drawn thereunder, (iii) all liabilities secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such liabilities have been assumed by such Person, (iv) the aggregate amount required to be capitalized under leases under which such Person is the lessee and (v) all Contingent Obligations of such Person

Infrastructure Obligations ” shall mean obligations of investor-owned entities arising from essential public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, tunnels, schools, hospitals and government buildings that are operated pursuant to a public private partnership arrangement, but excluding any transactions where the underlying transaction is a toll-road greenfield project where the security for the bonds issued are revenues that rely solely on volume-based traffic.

Installment Premiums ” shall mean any and all premiums which are required to be paid or claimed to be required to be paid to or for the account of the Borrower in respect of Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio on a periodic basis rather than by payment in full on the date of the effectiveness of the relevant Insurance Contract.

Insurance Contracts ” — Section 5.12.

Insured Obligation ” shall mean shall mean (i) Eligible Municipal Security, and (ii) Eligible International Security, in any event to the extent that the payment of principal thereof, together with interest thereon, is insured, reinsured or otherwise guaranteed by an Eligible Insurer under an Insurance Contract and is in turn reinsured by the Borrower in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Bermuda Insurance Law.

Lenders ” shall mean the Lenders listed on Schedule 1 hereto and any assignees of such Lenders or New Lenders which hereafter become parties hereto pursuant to and in accordance with Section 10.8(b) or 10.8(d) hereof; and “ Lender ” shall mean any one of the foregoing Lenders.

Lending Office ” — Section 10.9.

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or other charge of any kind (including any lease in the nature thereof, and any conditional sale or other title retention agreement), and the filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar statute of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic.

Loan ” or “ Loans ” shall mean the loans extended to the Borrower by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.1(a) and shall include Fronting Lender Loans to the extent provided in Section 2.11(c).

 

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Loan Date ” shall mean, with respect to a Loan, the original date on which such Loan was made.

Loan Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Agreement, the Administrative Agent Fee Letter and each such other agreement or instrument evidencing, securing or pertaining to this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Agreement or any Loan, as shall, from time to time, be executed by the Borrower and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

Loss ” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate sum of (i) the amount paid by the Borrower at such time or required at such time to be paid by the Borrower under the Borrower’s reinsurance of Eligible Insurers for claims with respect to an Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio by reason of the failure by the issuer thereof or other obligor with respect thereto to pay insured amounts on such Insured Obligations when due (including adjustment expenses with respect to such claims), plus (ii) Permitted Reserves at such time, minus (iii) amounts paid at such time or reasonably expected by the Borrower at such time to be paid to the Borrower under reinsurance agreements (whether facultative or treaty) and similar arrangements with respect to the claims referred to in clause (i); provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Loss” shall not include any damages, penalties or similar amounts required to be paid by the Borrower in respect of an insurance contract by reason of the breach by the Borrower or an Eligible Insurer of its obligations thereunder or the cancellation or termina­tion thereof other than in accordance with its terms.

Loss Threshold Incurrence Date ” shall mean the date on which the Borrower has Cumulative Losses for the current Commitment Period that exceed the aggregate Pledged Recoveries received by the Borrower during the current Commitment Period by an amount equal to the greater of (i) $260,000,000 and (ii) 4.50% of Average Annual Debt Service on the Covered Portfolio as of such date.

Majority Lenders ” shall mean, at any time, Lenders and Fronting Lenders to which greater than 50% of the Loans in the aggregate are owing, or, if no Loans are outstanding, Lenders having greater than 50% in the aggregate of the Commitments (including the Fronting Lender Percentage of any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) excluding, in each case, Defaulting Lenders.

Maturity Date ” shall mean June 30, 2014 or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day, as such date may be extended from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2(c).

Maximum Commitment ” shall mean the aggregate of the Commitments of all Lenders, initially an amount equal to $200,000,000, as such amount may be reduced as provided in Section 3.2 or increased pursuant to Section 10.18(d).

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

New Lender ” — Section 10.8(d).

 

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New York Insurance Law ” shall mean the Insurance Law of the State of New York, as in effect from time to time.

Nonfunding Notice ” — Section 2.11(c).

Non-U.S. Lender ” — Section 3.5(c).

Note ” shall mean the limited recourse promissory note of the Borrower issued to any Lender pursuant to Section 2.3 evidencing such Lender’s Loan (including a Fronting Lender Note), and any notes issued by the Borrower and accepted by such Lender or a transferee in exchange, substitution or replacement therefor, and “ Notes ” shall mean all such Notes collectively.

Parent ” shall mean Assured Guaranty Ltd., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda.

Participant ” — Section 10.8(c).

Payment Office ” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, or such office as the Administrative Agent shall from time to time designate by notice to the Borrower.

Permitted Liens ” — Section 6.5.

Permitted Reserves ” shall mean, with respect to any Insured Obligation, an amount equal to the case based reserves, net of reinsurance, esta­blished in accordance with the Borrower’s statutory accounting practices which are deemed necessary or prudent in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower by reason of the failure or anticipated failure by the issuer of such Insured Obligation or other obligor with respect thereto to pay such Insured Obligation when due.

Person ” shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, an exempted company, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or political subdivision or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof.

Pledged Premiums ” shall mean an amount equal to any and all Installment Premiums which are paid or payable with respect to defaulted Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio on or after the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date, other than any Installment Premiums equal to the amount of reinsurance premiums paid or payable to any Person other than the Borrower under reinsurance agreements (whether facultative or treaty) and similar agreements.

Pledged Reserves Account ” shall mean shall mean the Pledged Reserves Account established under the Security Agreement.

Pledged Reserves Account Funds ” shall mean at any time the aggregate amount of proceeds of Loans borrowed hereunder for the purpose of establishing or maintaining

 

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Permitted Reserves, such proceeds to be deposited in the Pledged Reserves Account in accordance with Section 4(b) of the Security Agreement.

Pledged Reserve Release Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12.

Pledged Reserve Repayment Date ” shall mean the date on which the Borrower delivers the Pledged Reserve Release Notice required by Section 6.12.

Pooled Infrastructure Obligations ” shall mean, generally, financings supported by pools of obligations of investor-owned entities arising from essential public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, tunnels, schools, hospitals and  government buildings, that are operated pursuant to a public private partnership arrangement.

Pledged Recoveries ” shall mean the amount of (a) any and all moneys and other payments, property and other consideration and compensation received or receivable by or for the account of the Borrower (excluding the aggregate amount of any and all monies, payments, property, consideration and compensation paid or payable to any Person other than the Borrower under reinsurance agreements (whether facultative or treaty) and similar arrangements) from and after the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date which represent repayment of or reimbursement for payments made with respect to an Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio (without regard to whether such claim was paid from the proceeds of a Loan), whether from the issuer thereof or any other Person, including moneys and other payments, property and other consideration and compensation received or receivable under or pursuant to (i) an Insurance Contract, any reimbursement agreement, guaranty, letter of credit, security agreement, pledge agreement or other contract, agreement or arrangement, (ii) any account or account receivable, (iii) any cause of action, whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise, and any judicial, arbitration or other proceeding by or before any court, agency, tribunal, association or other governmental or private body or any compromise, settlement or similar arrangement (after providing for reasonable expenses), (iv) any voluntary payment or gift, (v) any reinsurance of such Insured Obligation to the extent that the payment under such reinsurance was not applied to reduce the related Loss in accordance with clause (iii) of the definition thereof attributable to the Borrower’s payment of such claim, (vi) any contractual, statutory, common law or other right of subrogation, (vii) any realization upon any security interest or other Lien, or (viii) any other legal or equitable right or claim, whether or not similar to the foregoing), (b) any and all Pledge Premiums, (c) Pledged Reserve Account Funds, to the extent not used by the Borrower to fund Losses and (d) all other general intangibles, chattel paper, receivables, documents and instruments arising from or related to the moneys and other payments, property and other consideration and compensation, Pledged Premiums or Pledged Reserve Account Funds referred to above.

Prime Lending Rate ” shall mean the rate as announced by Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch as its prime lending rate and shall change when and as such prime lending rate changes.  The Borrower acknowledges that the Prime Lending Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer, and that Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, and its affiliates may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Lending Rate.

 

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Principal Insurance Subsidiary ” shall mean each of Assured Guaranty Corp., a Maryland corporation, and Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd., an English company.

Public Finance Obligations ” shall mean obligations issued or guaranteed by sovereign or sub-sovereign entities local authorities in the United Kingdom.

Regulated Utility Obligations ” shall mean obligations of investor-owned utilities in  the water, gas and electric sectors that are regulated by a public or governmental authority.

Replacement Lender ” - Section 3.2(d).

Required Ratings ” shall mean, with respect to a Fronting Lender, the long term credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P specified as the Required Ratings for such Fronting Lender in the Fronting Lender Supplement to which it is a party (or such other ratings to which the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may consent).

Reserve ” shall mean, with respect to an Insured Obligation, any and all reserves established or maintained by the Borrower at such time which are deemed necessary or prudent in the reasonable judgment of the management of the Borrower by reason of the failure or anticipated failure by the issuer of an Insured Obligation or other obligor with respect thereto to pay such Insured Obligation when due as reflected on the Borrower’s books and which are or will be reported by the Borrower in its statutory financial statements in accordance with the Bermuda Insurance Law.

Retained Percentage ” of an Insured Obligation shall mean 100% minus the aggregate percentage of the risk under Insurance Contracts with respect thereto which has been ceded by the Borrower to other Persons under reinsurance agreements (whether facultative or treaty) and similar arrangements.

S&P ” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, and its successors.

Security Agreement ” shall mean the Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(d) of this Agreement.

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, association or other business entity (whether now existing or hereafter organized) of which at least a majority of the Voting Stock is, owned or controlled by the parent or one or more Subsidiaries of the parent, or by the parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the parent.

Syndication Agent ” — Recitals.

U.S. Borrower ” — Section 3.5(c).

Voting Stock ” shall mean stock or shares of any class or classes (or equivalent interests) or any other securities of a business entity if the holders of the stock or shares of such

 

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class or classes (or equivalent interests) or such securities are ordinarily, or may, upon the occurrence of contingencies be, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of  such business entity, even though the right so to vote has been suspended or such contingencies have not yet occurred.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any Subsidiary 100% of whose capital stock is or shares are at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or (ii) any Subsidiary in which such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person has a 100% equity interest at such time.

written ” or “ in writing ” shall mean any form of written communication or a communication by means of telex, telecopier device, telegraph or cable.

Section 1.2.   Interpretation .   In this Agreement and the Security Agreement, unless otherwise stated or a contrary intention appears:

(a)           the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined;

(b)           whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms;

(c)           the terms “hereof”, “hereby”, “hereto”, “hereunder” and similar terms mean this Agreement, and the term “heretofore” means before, and the term “hereafter” means after, the execution date hereof;

(d)           all references to sections, schedules and exhibits are to sections, schedules and exhibits in or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified;

(e)           the words “including” and “include” as used herein shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(f)            any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein);

(g)           reference to any law, rule, regulation, statute, treaty, code, ordinance or other applicable law means such applicable law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any applicable law means that provision of such applicable law from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such section or other provision; and

(h)           any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.

 

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Section 1.3.   Non-Dollar Currencies .   For purposes of any determination hereunder or under the Security Agreement with respect to the amount of Cumulative Losses or of Pledged Recoveries, all amounts paid or accrued in currencies other than US dollars shall be translated into US dollars at the currency exchange rates in effect on the date of such determination, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE 2.

LOANS

Section 2.1.   Commitment .   Each Lender, severally and not jointly, irrevocably agrees, upon the terms and subject only to the conditions of this Agreement, to lend from time to time to the Borrower on a limited recourse basis as set forth in Section 2.7, on and after the Effective Date and prior to the Maturity Date, amounts which in the aggregate do not exceed the Commitment of such Lender as set forth in Schedule 1 hereto or, in the case of a Fronting Lender, the Fronting Commitment of such Fronting Lender as set forth in the Fronting Lender Supplement to which such Fronting Lender is a party.

Section 2.2.   Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement .

(a)           The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the second (2 nd ) Business Day prior to each borrowing of Loans to be made hereunder.  Such notice shall specify (i) the date of the proposed borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, and (ii) the amount of the proposed borrowing and shall be substantially in the form of, and contain the certifications contained in, Exhibit A hereto.

(b)           Upon receipt of each notice described in Section 2.2(a), the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the contents thereof and the amount of such Lender’s Loan thereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall concurrently notify each Fronting Lender of the contents of such notice from the Borrower.  Each Lender shall, not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date specified in such notice and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2, make available through its applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent, at such account as the Administrative Agent shall designate, the amount of its Loan in immediately available funds.

(c)           On the date of a borrowing hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2, disburse the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders in like funds by transferring such amounts or by wire transfer to the account of the Borrower in the United States as specified in the Borrower’s notice described in Section 2.2(a).

Section 2.3.   Notes; Loan Account .

(a)           Each Lender’s Loans shall be evidenced by one or more Notes payable to the order of such Lender for the account of its Lending Office in an aggregate stated principal amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment and payable in the aggregate principal amount of the Loans evidenced thereby and otherwise substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

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(b)           Each Lender is irrevocably authorized from time to time to record the date, interest rate and amount of each Loan made by such Lender and each payment and prepayment with respect thereto on the grid attached to such Lender’s Note or on a continuation thereof which may be attached thereto by such Lender and made a part thereof, and any such notation shall, absent manifest error, constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information so recorded; provided , that the failure to make any such notations shall not affect the validity of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder or under such Note.

Section 2.4.   Interest Rate .

(a)           Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) below, each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof a rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) the Base Rate from time to time in effect plus (ii) two percent (2%), which interest rate will change as and when the Base Rate shall change.

(b)           Interest on Loans shall be payable in arrears (i) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, (ii) on the date on which such Loan is repaid in full, (iii) when such Loan is due (whether at maturity, after acceleration or otherwise), and (iv) if such Loan is overdue, on demand (and, if not demanded, as otherwise as provided in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above).

(c)           Any overdue principal of any Loan and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest thereon shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day from and including the date payment thereof was due to but excluding the date of actual payment (after as well as before judgment), at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

(d)           The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower and the Lenders by telefax or by telephone of each rate of interest so determined, and its determination thereof shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

Section 2.5.   Repayment of Loans .   Subject to Section 2.7, all Loans shall mature and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

Section 2.6.   Prepayments .

(a)           The Borrower shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, upon at least three (3) Business Days notice to the Administrative Agent to prepay, in whole or in part, Loans at the time outstanding.  Any such notice shall specify the amount of the Loans to be prepaid and the date of prepayment.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of the contents of each such notice.  Amounts to be prepaid pursuant to this paragraph shall irrevocably be due and payable on the date specified in the applicable notice of prepayment.  Interest on the amount prepaid, accrued to the prepayment date, and any amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 in respect of such prepayment, shall be paid on such date.  Each partial prepayment of Loans made pursuant to this paragraph shall be in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000.

 

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(b)           On each Pledged Reserve Repayment Date, an amount equal to 100% of the Pledged Reserves Account Funds with respect to which the Borrower has delivered a Pledged Reserves Release Notice as required by Section 6.12 shall be applied as a mandatory prepayment of principal of outstanding Loans.

(c)           Amounts prepaid or repaid in respect of Loans may not be reborrowed.

Section 2.7.   Limitations on Sources of Payment .   The obligations of the Borrower under this Article 2 to make payments of principal and interest on the Loans and the Notes are limited recourse obligations of the Borrower payable solely from the Pledged Recoveries, the Pledged Premiums, the Pledged Reserves Account Funds and the other Collateral, and none of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders or any other Person shall be entitled to procure any money judgment against any other assets or properties or to levy or foreclose upon or attach any other assets or properties of the Borrower for payment of such obligations; provided , however , that nothing herein contained shall limit, restrict or impair the lien created by the Security Agreement or the right of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders or any other Person to exercise any of their rights herein or in any of the other Loan Documents during the existence of an Event of Default, or to bring suit and obtain a judgment against the Borrower (recourse thereon being limited as to payment of principal and interest on the Loans and the Notes as provided in this Section 2.7).

Section 2.8.   Several Obligations and Rights of Lenders .   The failure of any Lender to make any Loan to be made by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to make its Loan on such date, but, except as provided in Section 2.11, no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make a Loan to be made by such other Lender.  The amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

Section 2.9.   Pro Rata Treatment of Loans, Etc .   Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each borrowing under Section 2.2 shall be made from the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their respective Commitments, and each prepayment and payment of principal of or interest on Loans shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Loans held by such Lenders.

Section 2.10.   Individual Recovery .   Each Lender agrees that if it shall, through the exercise of any right of counterclaim, setoff, banker’s lien, realization of security or otherwise, receive payment of a proportion of the amount due and payable to it hereunder or under its Note as principal or interest which is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the aggregate of such amounts due and payable to the Lender hereunder and under the Notes, the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase participations in, or if and to the extent specified by any such other Lenders, direct interests in, the rights of such Lenders hereunder and under their Notes (which it shall be deemed to have done simultaneously upon the receipt of such payment), so that all such recoveries with respect to such amounts due and payable hereunder and under all the Notes held by the Lenders (net of any

 

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expenses which may have been incurred by the respective Lenders in obtaining or preserving such recoveries) shall be pro rata in accordance with the unpaid principal and interest on the Loans held by each Lender.  In the event that any such payment is required to be returned or disgorged, or is otherwise disturbed by legal process, further appropriate adjustments shall be made.  The Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements.

Section 2.11.   Fronting Lenders .

(a)           From time to time the Borrower shall have the right, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and each affected Fronting Lender, to designate one or more commercial banks or other financial institutions as Fronting Lenders with respect to one or more other Lenders under this Agreement.  The designation of a Person as a Fronting Lender shall become effective when (i) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Person have entered into a Fronting Lender Supplement (or on such later date as may be set forth in such Fronting Lender Supplement), which shall set forth the Fronting Lender Commitment of such Person with respect to each other Lender for which it is acting as Fronting Lender, and (ii) the Borrower shall have duly executed and delivered to such Person a Fronting Lender Note in the stated principal amount of its Fronting Lender Commitments, dated the date of such Fronting Lender Supplement (or of any applicable modification thereto), payable to the order of such Person for the account of its applicable Lending Office and substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto.  Each Fronting Lender’s Fronting Lender Note shall evidence Fronting Lender Loans made by such Fronting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11 and otherwise shall constitute a Note for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  A Fronting Lender Supplement may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time or terminated with the written consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Lender which is a party thereto.

(b)           The Fronting Lender Commitment of each Fronting Lender with respect to a Lender shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to its applicable Fronting Lender Percentage of the amount of any reduction in such related Lender’s Commitment.  In addition, the Fronting Lender Commitment of each Fronting Lender with respect to its related Lender shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to its applicable Fronting Lender Percentage of the amount of the Commitment of such related Lender which is sold, assigned or otherwise transferred by such related Lender to another Person; provided that a participation granted by such related Lender in accordance with Section 10.8(c) shall not constitute a sale, assignment or transfer for purposes of this paragraph.  The Fronting Lender Commitment of each Fronting Lender with respect to its related Lender shall be automatically terminated upon the termination of the Commitment of such related Lender.

(c)           In the event that a Lender (including a Lender which is a Defaulting Lender) determines that, for any reason (other than the failure of the Borrower to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 4.2), it will not make available to the Administrative Agent the full amount of a Loan required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement on the date specified for a borrowing hereunder pursuant to Section 2.2, it will give notice (a “ Nonfunding Notice ”) thereof to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of such borrowing.  In the event that a Lender shall have given a Nonfunding Notice, or in the event that any Lender for any reason

 

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(other than the failure of the Borrower to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 4.2) fails to make available to the Administrative Agent the full amount of a Loan required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement by 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date specified for a borrowing hereunder pursuant to Section 2.2, such Lender shall thereupon become a “ Defaulting Lender ”, and the amount of the Loan identified in the Nonfunding Notice or any other amount of a Loan which a Defaulting Lender was required but failed to advance when required hereunder shall be a “ Defaulted Amount ”.

(d)           The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and each Fronting Lender (if any) with respect to a Defaulting Lender (i) promptly following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of any Nonfunding Notice from such Defaulting Lender, which notice shall  describe the contents of such Nonfunding Notice, identify the Defaulting Lender and state the date on which the Loan described in such Nonfunding Notice is required to be made, the Defaulting Lender’s Defaulted Amount and such Fronting Lender’s Fronting Lender Percentage thereof, and (ii) unless described in a notice given pursuant to clause (i), not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date on which such Defaulting Lender failed to make available to the Administrative Agent the full amount of a Loan required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement, which notice shall identify the Defaulting Lender and state the amount of the Defaulting Lender’s Loan which was not made available and such Fronting Lender’s Fronting Lender Percentage thereof.

(e)           Each Fronting Lender receiving a notice from the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.11(d) shall, (i) not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the funding date specified in such notice, if such notice was received prior to such date, or (ii) not later than 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on such date, if such notice was received on such date, in either case subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2, make available through its applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Payment Office for such account as the Administrative Agent shall designate, a Fronting Lender Loan in the amount of its Fronting Lender Percentage of the Defaulted Amount specified in such notice, in immediately available funds; provided that the aggregate amount of Fronting Lender Loans (determined without regard to any repayments or purchases thereof) which a Fronting Lender is required to make in respect of a Defaulting Lender shall not exceed its Fronting Lender Commitment with respect to such Defaulting Lender.  Such funds received by the Administrative Agent shall be disbursed to the Borrower as provided in Section 2.2(c).

(f)            Fronting Lender Loans shall constitute Loans for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except as otherwise provided herein.  Upon the making of a Fronting Lender Loan by a Fronting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11, such Fronting Lender, to the extent of such Fronting Lender Loan, shall have all the rights, but none of the obligations, of the Defaulting Lender hereunder in respect of the Fronting Lender Percentage of the Defaulted Amount, including the right to receive the Defaulting Lender’s pro rata share of any payment received in respect of Loans hereunder and the voting or consent rights of the Defaulting Lender in respect of the Fronting Lender Percentage of the Defaulted Amount and an amount of the Defaulting Lender’s Commitment equal to the Fronting Lender Percentage of such Defaulted Amount; provided that the Defaulting Lender’s pro rata share of any payment received in respect of principal of Loans hereunder shall be allocated first to its Fronting Lenders

 

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in respect of Fronting Lender Loans made in respect of such Defaulting Lender and then to the Loans of such Defaulting Lenders.

(g)           No Fronting Lender Loan made by a Fronting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall relieve any Defaulting Lender of its obligations under this Agreement.  Without limitation of other rights any party hereto may have against such Defaulting Lender, if one or more Fronting Lenders have made one or more Fronting Lender Loans in respect of a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender shall on demand by a Fronting Lender, advance funds in respect of the aggregate Defaulted Amount in respect of which such Fronting Lender made Fronting Lender Loans pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) below:

(i)            If such Fronting Lender elects to have funds provided under this clause (i), the Defaulting Lender, without regard to any failure of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 to be satisfied with respect to such Loan, shall make a Loan to the Borrower hereunder in the amount of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Fronting Lender Loans of such Fronting Lender in respect of such Defaulting Lender and simultaneously purchase from such Fronting Lender the right to receive the accrued and unpaid interest on such Fronting Lender Loans for a purchase price equal to the amount of such accrued and unpaid interest.  Any Loan described in this clause (i) shall be made available by the Defaulting Lender through its applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Payment Office for such account as the Administrative Agent shall designate, in immediately available funds.  On any date on which any such amounts are made available to the Administrative Agent by a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and each affected Fronting Lender and shall disburse such amounts in like funds by transferring such amounts to the affected Fronting Lenders, in proportion to their respective Fronting Lender Commitments relating to such Defaulting Lender.  Such disbursement received by a Fronting Lender, to the extent thereof, shall be deemed to constitute the prepayment of outstanding principal amount of its Fronting Lender Loans relating to such Defaulting Lender and the purchase by such Defaulting Lender of the right to receive the accrued and unpaid interest thereon concurrently with the making of the Loan by such Defaulting Lender, but as between such Defaulting Lender and the Borrower, such Fronting Lender Loans shall be deemed to be continued on such date as a Loan hereunder owed to such Defaulting Lender and interest thereon shall accrue from the date on which interest was last paid on such Fronting Lender Loans (or, if no interest has been paid thereon, from the date on which such Fronting Lender Loans were made).

(ii)           If such Fronting Lender elects to have funds provided under this clause (ii), the Defaulting Lender, without regard to any failure of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 to be satisfied with respect to such Loan, shall purchase the Fronting Lender Loans of such Fronting Lender in respect of such Defaulting Lender or participations therein, in either case for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Fronting Lender Loans or portion thereof being purchased or in which a participation is being purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  Such purchase price shall be made available by the Defaulting Lender through its applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Payment Office for such account as the Administrative Agent shall designate, in immediately

 

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available funds.  On any date on which any such amounts are made available to the Administrative Agent by a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and each affected Fronting Lender and shall disburse such amounts in like funds by transferring such amounts to the affected Fronting Lenders, in proportion to their respective Fronting Lender Commitments relating to such Defaulting Lender.  Upon payment in accordance with this clause (ii) and to the extent of the payment received by a Fronting Lender representing the outstanding principal amount of its Fronting Lender Loans to such Defaulting Lender, at the election of such Fronting Lender either (A) such Fronting Lender shall be deemed to have assigned to the Defaulting Lender such portion of such Loan, in which case such portion shall cease to be a Fronting Lender Loan and shall be continued as a Loan hereunder made pursuant to the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, and the outstanding principal amount thereof shall cease to be evidenced by the Fronting Lender Note held by such Fronting Lender and shall become evidenced by the Note held by such Defaulting Lender, without further action by any party, or (B) such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to have purchased a participation in such Fronting Lender’s Fronting Lender Loan pursuant to Section 10.8(c).

In addition to the foregoing and to the rights of Fronting Lenders to receive interest in respect of Fronting Lender Loans as provided herein (or payments of purchase price in respect thereof as provided in this Section 2.11), such Defaulting Lender shall pay compensation to its Fronting Lenders on demand in respect of the outstanding principal amount of each Fronting Lender Loan made in respect of such Defaulting Lender calculated at a per annum rate equal to two percent (2.0%) for the period commencing on the date on which such Fronting Lender Loan was made and continuing until the date such Loan is repaid (including pursuant to clause (i) above) or the purchase price described in clause (ii) above is received by such Fronting Lender.

ARTICLE 3.

REDUCTION, TERMINATION AND EXTENSION OF COMMITMENT

Section 3.1.   Commitment, Administrative Agent and Fronting Fees .

(a)           The Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders a nonrefundable commitment fee for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Maturity Date (or on such earlier date on which the Commitments shall have been terminated), at the rate of 55 basis points (0.55%) per annum on the Available Commitment.  Such fee shall be payable in immediately available funds quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing September 30, 2007, and on the Maturity Date (or on such earlier date on which the Commitments shall have been terminated) and shall be calculated on the average daily amount of the Available Commitment for the period commencing on and including the most recent payment date (or, in the case of the first payment date, commencing on and including the Effective Date), and ending on but excluding the applicable payment date.

(b)           Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each payment of the commitment fee accruing under Section 3.1(a) shall be made for the account of the Lenders, pro rata according to their respective Commitments; provided that, so long as a Lender is a Defaulted

 

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Lender, its share of the commitment fee shall instead be for the account of the Fronting Lenders with respect to such Defaulted Lenders, pro rata according to their respective related Fronting Lender Commitments.

(c)           The Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account the fees set forth in the fee letter between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent which refers to this Section 3.1(c) (the “ Administrative Agent Fee Letter ”).

(d)           The Borrower further hereby agrees to pay to each Fronting Lender the fees set forth in the Fronting Lender Supplement to which such Fronting Lender is a party.

Section 3.2.   Termination, Reduction or Extension of Commitments .

(a)           The Borrower may at any time terminate the Maximum Commitment by giving the Administrative Agent at least one (1) Business Day notice thereof and may at any time reduce the Maximum Commitment by giving the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days notice thereof.  Each such reduction shall reduce the Maximum Commitment only in integral multiples of $5,000,000.  Any notice of reduction or termination pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) shall be irrevocable.  Any such reduction shall be applied to the Commitment of each Lender pro rata based upon their respective Commitments as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, and any such termination shall terminate the Commitments of all Lenders.

(b)           If any Lender shall have become a Downgraded Lender, the Borrower may terminate the Commitment (and, if applicable, Fronting Lender Commitment) of such Lender by notice to the Administrative Agent and such Lender, unless prior to the effective date of such termination such Lender ceases to be a Downgraded Lender.  Any such termination shall be effective on the date of termination specified in such notice.  On the effective date of any termination referred to in this Section 3.2(b), the Commitment and any further obligation of such Downgraded Lender to make Loans hereunder shall terminate.  Subject to the foregoing, any notice of termination given pursuant to this Section 3.2(b) shall be irrevocable.

(c)           Before (but not earlier than 120 days nor later than 90 days before) each anniversary of the Maturity Date, the Borrower may make a written request (an “ Extension Request ”) to the Administrative Agent who shall forward a copy to each of the Lenders that the Effective Date and the Maturity Date be extended by one calendar year.  Such Extension Request shall include a certification by a senior officer of the Borrower that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and all representations and warranties contained herein and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material aspects on and as of the date of the Extension Request (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which expressly refers by its terms to a specified date shall be required to be true only as of such date).  If by the date occurring 45 days next succeeding the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such Extension Request, any Lender agrees thereto in writing by so indicating on counterparts of the Extension Request and delivering such counterpart to the Borrower and provided that no Loans have been made through the Maturity Date then in effect, the “Effective Date” as to such Lender shall mean the 30 th  day of June occurring in the year in which such extension occurs and the “Maturity Date” as to such Lender shall mean the 30 th  day of June occurring in the calendar year next succeeding the Maturity Date then in effect.  Any failure by a Lender to so notify the

 

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Borrower shall be deemed to be a disapproval by such Lender of the Borrower’s Extension Request.  If an extension has become effective as provided herein, the Commitment of any Lender which does not so agree to such extension, and the Fronting Commitment of such Lender if such Lender is a Fronting Lender, shall terminate on the 30 th  day of June in the year in which such extension occurs.  No Lender shall be obligated to grant any extension pursuant to this Section 3.2(c) and any such extension shall be in the sole discretion of each Lender.  The Borrower shall pay to each Lender which does not so agree all amounts owing under its Note and this Agreement on the effective date of the termination of such Lender’s Commitment.

(d)           If less than all of the Lenders consent to an Extension Request (each Lender that has not so consented being a “ Declining Lender ”, and each other Lender being an “ Extending Lender ”), the Borrower shall have the right to require any Declining Lender to assign in full its rights and obligations under this Agreement (i) to any one or more Extending Lenders designated by the Borrower that have offered in their returned counterpart of the Extension Request to increase their respective Commitments (and, if any such Extending Lender is a Fronting Lender, its Fronting Commitment) (each such Extending Lender being an “ Increasing Extending Lender ”) and/or (ii) to any one or more transferees designated by the Borrower and consented to by the Administrative Agent that agree to assume all of such rights and obligations (each such transferee being a “ Replacement Lender ”), provided that (1) such Declining Lender shall have received payment of all amounts owing under its Note and this Agreement on the effective date of such assignment, (2) such assignment shall otherwise have occurred in compliance with Section 10.8, (3) the aggregate amount of the increases in the Commitments (and, if applicable, Fronting Commitments) of Increasing Extending Lenders plus the new Commitments (and, if applicable, Fronting Commitments) of Replacements Lenders shall be equal to the amount of such Declining Lender’s Commitment (and, if applicable, its Fronting Commitment), and (3) the effective date of such assignment shall be the date specified by the Borrower and agreed to by each Replacement Lender or Increasing Extending Lender, as the case may be, which date shall be on or prior to the applicable Maturity Date.

(e)           The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to each Lender of any reduction, termination or extension of the Maximum Commitment or of the Commitment of any Lender pursuant to this Section 3.2.

Section 3.3.   Yield Protection .

(a)           If any law, rule, regulation or guideline, whether or not having the force of law (including any United States or foreign law, rule, regulation or guideline) or the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof by any court or any administrative or governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement (including pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) against credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, or participations therein by, or assets (funded or contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, or other acquisitions of funds by, any Lender or any Participant (or any Lending Office thereof), or (B) subject credits or commitments to extend credit extended by any Lender or any Participant (or any Lending Office thereof) to any assessment or other cost imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any successor

 

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thereto, or (C) impose on any Lender or any Participant (or any Lending Office thereof) any other or similar condition regarding this Agreement, the commitments or obligations of any Lender or any Participant (or any Lending Office thereof) hereunder or the participation of such Participant (or any Lending Office thereof) therein, and the result of any such event shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such Participant (or such Lending Office thereof) of making, funding or maintaining (or agreeing to make, fund or maintain) its Loans or its commitments or obligations hereunder or its participation therein by an amount which such Lender or such Participant shall in its reasonable judgment deem to be material (which increase in cost shall be the result of the reasonable allocation by such Lender or such Participant, as the case may be, of the aggregate of such cost increases resulting from such events), then , upon demand from such Lender in accordance with Section 3.3(c), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent (for the account of such Lender or such Participant, as the case may be) from time to time as specified by such Lender (which shall be at least 30 days after the related notice from such Lender or such Participant given pursuant to Section 3.3(c)) additional amounts which shall be sufficient to compensate such Lender or Participant, as the case may be, for such increased cost, together with interest on each such amount from the date payment is due until the date of payment in full thereof at the rate set forth in Section 3.5(f).

(b)           If any Lender or any Participant shall have determined in its reasonable judgment that the adoption after the date hereof of any law, rule, regulation or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) regarding capital adequacy (including any United States or foreign law, rule, regulation or guideline), or any change in any applicable law, rule, regulation or guideline, as the case may be, or any change in the enforcement or interpretation or administration thereof by any court or any administrative or governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender or any Participant (or any Lending Office thereof) with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of such Lender or such Participant or of its bank holding company, if any, as a consequence of the obligations of such Lender hereunder or under the participation of such Participant therein to a level below that which such Lender, such Participant or such bank holding company could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of such Lender or such Participant, as the case may be, and of its bank holding company, if any, with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or such Participant to be material, then upon demand from such Lender in accordance with Section 3.3(c), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent (for the account of such Lender or such Participant, as the case may be) from time to time as specified by such Lender (which shall be at least 30 days after the related notice from such Lender or such Participant given pursuant to Section 3.3(c)) such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, Participant or bank holding company, as the case may be, for such reduction, together with interest on each such amount from the date payment is due until the date of payment in full thereof at the rate set forth in Section 3.5(f).

(c)           Each demand by any Lender or any Participant for compensation pursuant to Section 3.3(a) or 3.3(b) shall be made by notice to the Borrower, accompanied by a certificate of such Lender or such Participant, as the case may be, in reasonable detail setting forth the computation of such compensation (including the reason therefor), which certificate shall be

 

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conclusive, absent manifest error.  In determining such amount, such Lender or such Participant may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.  A copy of any such demand shall be sent to the Administrative Agent concurrently when given to the Borrower.  The provisions of this Section 3.3 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Section 3.4.   Reimbursement .   Whenever any Lender or any Participant shall sustain or incur any losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by such Lender or such Participant to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry any Loan or its participation therein, any termination costs paid by such Lender or such Participant to other parties to interest rate swap or similar arrangements, and any loss, including lost profits sustained by such Lender or such Participant in connection with the re-employment of such funds) in connection with (i) the failure by the Borrower to borrow any Loan after having given notice of its intention to borrow in accordance with Section 2.2(a) (whether by reason of the Borrower’s election not to proceed or the nonfulfillment of any of the conditions set forth in Article 4), or (ii) the failure by the Borrower to pay the principal amount of any Loan when due (whether at maturity, on the date fixed for prepayment, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) other than solely by reason of the operation of the provisions of Section 2.7 and the unavailability or insufficiency of Pledged Recoveries or Pledged Premiums to pay such amounts, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (for the account of such Lender or Participant, as the case may be), upon demand by such Lender or Participant, an amount sufficient to compensate such Lender or such Participant for all such losses and out-of-pocket expenses.  The provisions of this Section 3.4 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Section 3.5.   Manner of Payment; Calculations, etc .

(a)           Each payment (including prepayments) by the Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans and any other amount owed to the Administrative Agent or any Lender under this Agreement or the Notes shall be made not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office, for the account of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and any payments received by the Administrative Agent after such time shall be deemed to have been paid on the next succeeding Business Day.  In the case of a payment for the account of a Lender, the Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter distribute the amount so received in like funds to such Lender.  If the Administrative Agent shall not have received any payment from the Borrower on any such date and at such time, the Administrative Agent will notify the Lenders accordingly.  All payments made by the Borrower hereunder or under any Note will be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense.

(b)           The Borrower will make all payments of principal, interest and any other amounts on, or in respect of, the Notes or the other Loan Documents without withholding or deduction at source for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, fees, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (“ Taxes ”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of Bermuda or any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is organized or any other jurisdiction from which or through which a payment is made by the Borrower (a “ Taxing Jurisdiction ”) or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, unless such Taxes are required to be withheld or deducted by (x) the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Taxing Jurisdiction or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or (y)

 

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an official position regarding the application, administration, interpretation or enforcement of any such laws, regulations or rulings (including a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a taxing authority in a Taxing Jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof).  If a withholding or deduction at source is required, the Borrower will, subject to certain limitations and exceptions described below, pay to the holder of Notes or other party to which such payment is owed such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment of principal, interest or any other amount made to such Person, after the withholding or deduction, will not be less than the amount provided for in such Note or other Loan Document to be then due and payable.

The Borrower will not be required to pay any additional amounts pursuant to the preceding paragraph to the holder of Notes or other party to which such amount is owed for or on account of:

(i)            any Tax which would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Person (A) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or otherwise had some connection with the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction other than by reason of the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, or enforcement of claims under such Note or other Loan Document, or (B) in the case of payments on a Note, presented such Note for payment in the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof, or presented such Note for payment more than 90 days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Note became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later;

(ii)           any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(iii)          (A) any Tax that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by such Person to comply with Section 3.5(c) of this Agreement or (B) with any reasonable request by the Borrower addressed to such Person within 60 days of such request (such request to include any relevant form required to provide the following information or declaration in English) (x) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Person or (y) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which is required or imposed by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(iv)          any withholding or deduction required to be made pursuant to EU Directive on the taxation of savings implementing the conclusions of ECOFIN council meetings of 26-27 November 2000 or 3 June 2003 or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such EU Directive; or

(v)           any combination of items (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above.

 

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In addition, the Borrower shall not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to any payment of principal, interest or any other amounts on, any Note to any holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such Note to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the relevant taxing jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or relevant taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or partner or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such additional amounts had it been the holder of such Note.

A certificate of any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent as to additional amounts due under this Section 3.5(b), stating in reasonable detail the amount and nature thereof, shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on the parties hereto.  The provisions of this Section 3.5(b) shall survive termination of this Agreement.

(c)           (i) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located or subject to tax, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement or other Loan Documents shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate, provided that such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice such Lender.  To the extent, if any, the Borrower is a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “ U.S. Borrower ”), each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a U.S. Person (a “ Non-U.S. Lender ”) shall deliver to the U.S. Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Form W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on payments by the U.S. Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Such forms shall be delivered by each Non U.S. Lender within 10 Business Days of the request by the U.S. Borrower.  If any Non-U.S. Lender provides a Form W-8IMY, such Non-U.S. Lender must also attach the additional documentation that must be transmitted with the Form W-8IMY.  Each Lender and Participant agrees to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower promptly of any change in circumstances or applicable law which would modify or render invalid any exemption claimed pursuant to this clause (i).

(ii)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 3.5(b), but subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the Borrower shall be entitled, to the extent it is required to do so by law, to deduct or withhold Taxes imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) from interest, fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (without any obligation to pay the respective Lender additional amounts with respect thereto) for the account of any Non-U.S. Lender which has not provided to the Borrower such forms required to be provided to the Borrower pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 3.5(c). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary

 

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contained in the preceding sentence, the Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender in the manner set forth in Section 3.5(b) in respect of any amounts deducted or withheld by it as described in the immediately preceding sentence as a result of any changes after the Effective Date in any applicable law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order, or in the interpretation thereof, relating to the deducting or withholding of Taxes.

(d)           If any payment under this Agreement or under the Notes shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing interest and fees, if any, in connection with such payment.

(e)           Interest on the Loans and commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 (or, if applicable, 366) days and for the actual number of days elapsed.

(f)            If any payment under this Agreement shall not be paid when due, such payment shall, unless otherwise specified herein or in the Notes, bear interest, payable on demand, for each day from and including the date payment thereof was due to but excluding the date of actual payment (after as well as before judgment), at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

(g)           If some but less than all amounts due from the Borrower are received by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such amounts in the following order of priority:  (i) to the payment of all other amounts not otherwise referred to in this Section 3.5(g) then due and payable hereunder or under the Notes, (ii) to the payment of interest then due and payable on the Loans, and (iii) to the payment of principal then due and payable on the Loans.

ARTICLE 4.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 4.1.   Conditions Precedent to Commitments .   The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans under this Agreement shall become effective upon the satisfaction of the following conditions on or before such date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

(a)           As of the date of this Agreement, (i) there shall exist no Default or Event of Default, and (ii) all representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein or in any of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made at and as of such time;

(b)           Each Lender shall have received a Note dated the date of this Agreement, in a principal amount equal to its Commitment and otherwise meeting the requirements of Section 2.3;

(c)           Each Fronting Lender shall have received a Fronting Lender Note dated the date of this Agreement and otherwise meeting the requirements of Section 2.11;

 

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(d)           The Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Borrower shall have entered into the Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “ Security Agreement ”);

(e)           The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) results of Uniform Commercial Code searches with respect to the name “Assured Guaranty Re Ltd.” from the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia, confirming the absence of Liens on the Collateral other than in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, (ii) Form Number 9, Particulars of a Mortgage or Charge, executed by the Borrower in form appropriate for registration, together with the Security Agreement, with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies; and Uniform Commercial Code financing statements naming the Borrower as debtor and the Collateral Agent as secured party, appropriate for the perfection of the Collateral Agent’s Lien on the Collateral created and held for the benefit of the Lenders under the Security Agreement, to the extent such Lien can be perfected by filing under the Uniform Commercial Code, shall have been duly filed with the appropriate office in the District of Columbia, and all fees, taxes and other charges in connection therewith shall have been paid and (iii) evidence of all other filings as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to register and perfect the security interests purported to be created by the Security Agreement and that all other actions necessary or, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect, register and protect the security interests purported to be created by the Security Agreement have been taken;

(f)            The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i)            A certificate of the President of the Borrower, dated the date of this Agreement, (A) to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 4.1(a) hereof have been satisfied and that no governmental filings, consents and approvals (except for the registration of Form Number 9, Particulars of a Mortgage or Charge, and the Security Agreement with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies and the filing of the UCC-1 Financing Statements with the appropriate office in the District of Columbia), are necessary to be secured by the Borrower in order to permit the borrowings hereunder, the grant of the Lien under the Security Agreement and the execution, delivery and performance in accordance with their respective terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (B) certifying the incumbency and signatures of the officers signing the Loan Documents on behalf of the Borrower;

(ii)           a certificate of compliance with respect to the Borrower issued as of a recent date by the Bermuda Registrar of Companies;

(iii)          a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower, to which is attached copies of the memorandum of association and certificate of incorporation of the Borrower, the by-laws of the Borrower and of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance in accordance with their respective terms of the Loan Documents, certifying (A) that the memorandum of association and certificate of incorporation of the Borrower

 

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are attached and are in full force and effect, (B) that the by-laws are attached and are in full force and effect, and (C) that such resolutions were duly adopted and are in full force and effect;

(iv)          a certificate of compliance with respect to the Borrower issued by the Bermuda Monetary Authority pursuant to the Bermuda Insurance Law;

(v)           opinions of Conyers, Dill & Pearman, special Bermuda counsel for the Borrower, and Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP, special New York counsel for the Borrower, each dated as of the date of this Agreement, which are substantially to the effect set forth in the forms attached hereto as, respectively, Exhibits G and H; and

(vi)          such other documents, instruments or approvals (and, if reasonably requested by either the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders, duplicates or executed copies thereof certified by an appropriate governmental official or an authorized officer of the Borrower) as either Agent or the Majority Lenders may reasonably request;

(g)           The Administrative Agent shall receive a certificate, dated within five (5) days of the date of this Agreement, signed by the president or a senior financial officer of the Borrower, setting forth in reasonable detail as of July 31, 2007 (i) a list of the largest 25 Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio and the largest 5 non-U.S. Insured Obligations contained in the Covered Portfolio by country and (ii) each claim paid by the Borrower under any Insurance Contract with respect to such Insured Obligations equal to or greater than $10,000,000;

(h)           All necessary governmental (Bermuda and non-Bermuda) and third party approvals in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and otherwise referred to herein or therein shall have been obtained and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and otherwise referred to herein or therein;

(i)            No litigation by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending or threatened with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or with respect to any material Indebtedness of the Borrower or which any Lender shall determine would reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the business, operations, property, assets, liabilities, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the Covered Portfolio, and there shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued or filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or other restraint pending or notified prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon the making of the Loans;

(j)            Nothing shall have occurred (and neither any Lender nor the Administrative Agent shall have become aware of any fact or condition not previously known) which is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the rights or remedies of the Lenders or on the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations to the Lenders, or which is reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect on the business, property, assets, liabilities,

 

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condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the Covered Portfolio;

(k)           The Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence that claims-paying ability of the Borrower is publicly assigned a rating of Aa2 by Moody’s and AA by S&P;

(l)            The Administrative Agent Fee Letter shall be satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and all fees payable on the date of this Agreement pursuant thereto or to any Fronting Lender Supplement shall have been paid; and

(m)          All legal proceedings and all instruments in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

A certificate of the Administrative Agent delivered to the Borrower stating that this Agreement has become effective shall be conclusive evidence thereof.

Section 4.2.   Conditions Precedent to Each Loan .   The obligation of each Lender to make each Loan is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions immediately prior to or contemporaneously with the making of such Loan, unless waived in writing by the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a)           The Administrative Agent shall have received the appropriate notice of borrowing pursuant to Section 2.2(a);

(b)           The Loss Threshold Incurrence Date shall have occurred;

(c)           Immediately after giving effect to each such Loan, the aggregate principal amount of Loans made hereunder, determined without regard to any repayments or prepayments thereof, shall not exceed the Cumulative Losses incurred after the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date;

(d)           The aggregate amount of such Loan does not exceed the aggregate Available Commitment in effect on such date (after giving effect to any reduction of the Maximum Commitment on such date pursuant to Section 3.2); and

(e)           The aggregate amount of such Loan to be made by any Lender (other than a Fronting Lender Loan) does not exceed the Commitment of such Lender in effect on such date (after giving effect to any reduction thereof on such date pursuant to Section 3.2) minus the aggregate principal amount of Loans theretofore made by such Lender (other than a Fronting Lender Loan) hereunder without regard to any repayment or prepayment thereof.

Each borrowing hereunder, whether or not accompanied by a written notice of borrowing, shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) above.

 

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ARTICLE 5.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; OTHER AGREEMENTS

In order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans, the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of each Loan:

Section 5.1.   Due Organization, Etc .   The Borrower is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Bermuda, is duly qualified as a foreign company in good standing in each jurisdiction in which failure to so qualify would materially adversely affect its business, assets, operations or financial condition, and has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals to conduct its business and to own its properties.

Section 5.2.   Due Authorization, Etc .   The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are within its company powers, have been duly authorized by the Borrower and do not and will not (i) violate any provision of any law, rule, regulation (including the Bermuda Insurance Law, the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940 or Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having applicability to the Borrower or of the memorandum of association, certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower, (ii) result in a breach of or constitute a default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected, or (iii) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower (other than as contemplated by the Loan Documents), other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), breaches, defaults or Liens which would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 5.3.   Approvals .   No consent, approval or other action by, or any notice to or filing with any court or administrative or governmental body, other than the registration and filings described in Section 4.1(e), each of which has been made prior to the date of this Agreement, is or will be necessary for the valid execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

Section 5.4.   Enforceability .   This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, the rights of creditors of insurers, the supervisory power of insurance regulatory authorities, and the availability of equitable remedies, whether such matter is heard in a court of law or a court of equity and to possible judicial action giving effect to foreign governmental actions or laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

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Section 5.5.   Pari Passu Obligations .   Except with respect to the Borrower’s obligations to pay the principal of and interest on the Loans (which the Lenders acknowledge are limited by Section 2.7), the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are recourse and general obligations of the Borrower which shall at all times rank at least pari passu in priority of payment and in all other respects with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Borrower; except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law and secured obligations to pay claims under Insurance Contracts.

Section 5.6.   Financial Information, etc .

(a)           The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent and, through the Administrative Agent, to each Lender the consolidated balance sheets of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and at March 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries for the fiscal years or three month period, as the case may be, ended on such dates.  Such financial statement present fairly, subject, in the case of such balance sheet as at March 31, 2007, and the related statements for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments, the consolidated financial condition of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries at such dates and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries for the respective periods ended on such dates.  All such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently applied, subject, in the case of such balance sheet as at March 31, 2007, and such related statements for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments.

(b)           The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent and, through the Administrative Agent, to each Lender the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and at March 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries for the fiscal years or three month period, as the case may be, ended on such dates.  Such financial present fairly, subject, in the case of such balance sheet as at March 31, 2007, and the related statements for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments, the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries at such dates and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries for the respective periods ended on such dates.  All such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently applied, subject, in the case of such balance sheet as at March 31, 2007, and such related statements for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments.

(c)           The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent and, through the Administrative Agent, to each Lender the consolidated balance sheets of the Assured Guaranty Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and at March 31, 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Assured Guaranty Corp. and its consolidated

 

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subsidiaries for the fiscal years or three month period, as the case may be, ended on such dates.  Such financial present fairly, subject, in the case of such balance sheet as at March 31, 2007, and such related statements for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments, the consolidated financial condition of the Assured Guaranty Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries at such dates and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Assured Guaranty Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries for the respective periods ended on such dates.  All such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently applied, subject, in the case of such balance sheet as at March 31, 2007, and such related statements for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments.

(d)           The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent and, through the Administrative Agent, to each Lender the Borrower’s annual statements and its financial statements as filed with the Department for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and its quarterly statements and financial statements as filed with the Department for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007.  Such financial statements present fairly, subject, in the case of such financial statements as at March 31, 2007 and for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments, the financial condition of the Borrower as of the respective dates of such statements.  Such annual and quarterly financial statements were prepared in accordance with the statutory accounting principles set forth in the Bermuda Insurance Law, all of the assets described therein were the absolute property of the Borrower at the dates set forth therein, free and clear of any liens or claims thereon, except as therein stated, and each such annual statement is a full and true statement of the assets and liabilities and of the condition and affairs of the Borrower as of the end of the respective periods covered thereby and of its income and deductions therefrom for such periods.

(e)           The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent and, through the Administrative Agent, to each Lender the annual statements of Assured Guaranty Corp. and its financial statements as filed with the Maryland Department of Insurance for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and its quarterly statements and financial statements as filed with the Maryland Insurance Administration for the three-month period ended March 31, 2007.  Such financial statements present fairly, subject, in the case of such financial statements as at March 31, 2007 and for the three months then ended, to normal year-end audit adjustments, the financial condition of Assured Guaranty Corp. as of the respective dates of such statements.  Such annual and quarterly financial statements were prepared in accordance with the statutory accounting principles set forth in the Insurance Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and related regulations, all of the assets described therein were the absolute property of Assured Guaranty Corp. at the dates set forth therein, free and clear of any liens or claims thereon, except as therein stated, and each such annual statement is a full and true statement of the assets and liabilities and of the condition and affairs of Assured Guaranty Corp. as of the end of the respective periods covered thereby and of its income and deductions therefrom for such periods

(f)            Since March 31, 2007, there has been no material adverse change in the business, operations, property, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole, the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries taken

 

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as a whole or Assured Guaranty Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.  Except as fully reflected in the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements described above in this Section 5.6, as of the date of such financial statements, there were no liabilities or obligations with respect to the Borrower or any of its consolidated subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in aggregate, would be material to the Borrower or to the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.  The Borrower does not know of any basis for the assertion against the Borrower of any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not fully reflected in such financial statements which, either individually or in the aggregate, would be material to the Borrower or to the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 5.7.   Litigation .   There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower, or any properties or rights of the Borrower, by or before any court, arbitrator or administrative or governmental body in which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision or determination which could materially and adversely affect the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or which in any way draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

Section 5.8.   Taxes .   The Borrower has filed all material income, franchise, excise and other tax returns which are required to be filed, and has paid all taxes as shown on said returns and all assessments received by it to the extent that such taxes have become due, other than taxes being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established.

Section 5.9.   Absence of Defaults, etc .   The Borrower is not in violation of any provision of any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having applicability to the Borrower or of the memorandum of association or by-laws of the Borrower, or in default under any material indenture, agreement, lease or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound where, in any such case, such violation or default may result in a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 5.10.   Permits .

(a)           The Borrower has all franchises, permits, licenses and other similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted by it and as planned to be conducted, the lack of which could materially and adversely affect the operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of such entity, and it is not in default in any material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses or other similar authority.

(b)           The Borrower owns or possesses all patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights and copyrights, (or valid licenses thereof) and is the exclusive owner or has valid rights to use all the technology and know-how necessary to

 

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conduct the Borrower’s business as now being conducted and as planned to be conducted without conflict with or infringement upon any valid rights of others and the lack of which could materially and adversely affect the operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and the Borrower has not received any notice of infringement upon or conflict with the asserted rights of others.

Section 5.11.   Properties .   The Borrower has title to all material personal property owned by it, in each case, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances and defects, except such as are described therein or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Borrower.  With respect to any property and assets leased by the Borrower, it is in compliance in all material respects with the terms of such leases and hold valid leasehold interests free of any liens, claims or encumbrances, except where failure to do so would not materially affect the operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 5.12.   Compliance with Insurance Law .   The Borrower is authorized under Bermuda law to conduct the business of insurance and/or reinsurance as permitted by its certificate of registration under Bermuda Insurance Law (the “ Certificate of Registration ”).  The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Bermuda Insurance Law and applicable regulations thereunder.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower (a) has all other requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals to conduct its insurance and other business as presently conducted and proposed to be conducted in Bermuda and each other jurisdiction, if any,  in which it writes or issues policies of insurance (including any form of financial guaranty insurance, fidelity and surety insurance or credit insurance), surety bonds, guaranties, contracts of reinsurance or other undertakings similar to the foregoing (collectively, “ Insurance Contracts ”) or in which it conducts business, except for failures, if any, to have such licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals which singly or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (b) where required, has made all filings of each of its forms of Insurance Contracts and of its rates and charges with the relevant Department and all other administrative or governmental bodies required for the use thereof and has obtained all requisite approvals thereof, except for failures, if any, to file or to obtain such approvals which singly or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (c) has duly established and maintains all reserves required under the Bermuda Insurance Law and the regulations of the relevant Department thereunder and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, except for failures, if any, to maintain reserves which do not have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (d) is in compliance with all conditions attached to its Certificate of Registration and continues to meet and maintain the relevant solvency margin(s), liquidity and other ratios applicable under the Bermuda Insurance Law, (e) has duly filed all annual statements, financial statements and other information and reports required to have been filed with the relevant Department and each other administrative or governmental body, except for

 

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failures, if any, to file which singly or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and (f) is in compliance (and has not received any notice from the relevant Department or similar administrative or governmental body or an authorized representative thereof claiming that it is not in compliance) with the Bermuda Insurance Law and the regulations of the relevant Department thereunder and with all other applicable foreign, federal, state and other laws, rules and regulations relating to its insurance and other business, except with respect to failures, if any, to comply which singly or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

Section 5.13.   Covered Portfolio .   Substantially all of the Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio on the date of this Agreement were insured or reinsured by the Borrower under Insurance Contracts in the form or forms heretofore supplied to the Administrative Agent, and each such Insurance Contract is the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except insofar as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, the supervisory power of insurance regulatory authorities and the availability of equitable remedies.  In the Borrower’s reasonable judgment, the Insured Obligations represent an overall risk of loss (based on all factors including investment quality and geographical and market diversification) which is not materially greater than the risk of loss represented by all of the Borrower’s Insured Obligations as of the Effective Date.  To the Borrower’s knowledge, its rights included among the Collateral are valid and binding against the obligors thereunder in accordance with their respective terms, except insofar as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, the supervisory power of insurance regulatory authorities and the availability of equitable remedies, except for such Collateral which, in the aggregate, will not have a material and adverse effect on the right and ability of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, in accordance with the Security Agreement, to realize upon the Collateral as a whole.

Section 5.14.   Investment Company Status .   Neither the Parent nor the Borrower is required to be registered as an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the United States Investment Company Act of 1940.

Section 5.15.   Ownership; Subsidiaries .   As of the date hereof, the authorized share capital of the Borrower consists of 1,377,587 common shares all of which are issued.  All such shares have been duly and validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable (which term means that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of their shares). The Borrower does not have outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its common shares or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or claims of any character relating to, its common shares.  Set forth on Schedule 4 hereto is a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of all of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower, together with, for each subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, the Persons having an ownership interest therein and (ii) the nature of the ownership represented by such ownership interests. As of the date of this

 

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Agreement, (a) the Borrower and, to the extent applicable, the appropriate Subsidiary owns free and clear of Liens, and has the unencumbered right to vote all outstanding ownership interest in each Person shown to be held by it in Schedule 4, (b) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Person organized as a corporation has been duly and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable, and (c) no Subsidiary of the Borrower has any outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any option for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or claims of any character relating to, its capital stock except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.

Section 5.16.   Legal Form; No Deductions .   Other than the filings and registrations described in Section 4.1(j)(i), all formalities required in Bermuda for the validity and enforceability of this Agreement and each of the Loan Documents (including any necessary registration, recording, stamping or filing with any court or other government authority in Bermuda) have been accomplished, and no taxes (including stamp duties) remain required to be paid to the government of Bermuda or any political subdivision thereof or therein, and no notarization is required, for the validity and enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 5.17.   Choice of Law .   In any proceedings taken in Bermuda in relation to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents which by its terms is governed by New York law, the choice of New York law as the governing law of this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents and any judgment obtained in New York will be recognized and enforced.

Section 5.18.   Disclosure .   All factual information (taken as a whole) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (including all information contained in the Loan Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated herein is, and all other such factual information (taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in writing to the Lenders will be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided.  There is no fact known to the Borrower which materially adversely affects the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Loan Document which has not been set forth in this Agreement or in the financial statements referred to in Section 5.6.

ARTICLE 6.

COVENANTS

The Borrower agrees that, so long as any Loan remains outstanding or any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under the Notes or any other Loan Document remains unpaid or unsatisfied or any Lender has any obligation to make a Loan or advance other amounts

 

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hereunder, unless the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders otherwise consent in writing:

Section 6.1.   Use of Proceeds .   The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans only to pay or reimburse itself for the payment of Losses, including establishing or maintaining Reserves, in respect of the Covered Portfolio.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used by the Borrower to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Neither the making of any Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Section 6.2.   Conduct of Business and Company Existence .   The Borrower will continue to engage in business substantially as conducted on the date of this Agreement and do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence as an exempted company and material rights, licenses, permits and franchises, except where the failure to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect such rights, licenses, permits and franchises will not have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under any other Loan Document or where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

Section 6.3.   Compliance with Laws .   The Borrower will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and requirements of governmental authorities (including the Bermuda Insurance Law and the insurance laws of any other jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower) except where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

Section 6.4.   Obligations and Taxes .   The Borrower shall pay all its material obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and pay and discharge promptly all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become in default, as well as all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid, might become a Lien or charge upon such properties or any part thereof; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be required to pay and discharge or to cause to be paid and discharged any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

Section 6.5.   Maintenance of Insurance .   The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as is consistent and in accordance with industry practice and (ii) furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon its reasonable request, full information as to such insurance carried.

Section 6.6.   Liens .   The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any Pledged Recoveries, the Collateral Account or funds

 

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therein or other Collateral, provided that the provisions of this Section 6.5 shall not prevent the creation, incurrence, assumption or existence of the following (“ Permitted Liens ”):

(a)           the Liens in favor of the Lenders under the Security Agreement or otherwise permitted thereunder;

(b)           inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

(c)           (i) Liens in respect of property or assets of the Borrower imposed by law, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s and mechanics’ liens, (ii) other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, which relate to indebtedness which has not been paid when due and payable in accordance with its terms and which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien, and (iii) Liens on deposit and securities accounts which arise in the ordinary course of business and do not secure indebtedness for borrowed money;

(d)           Liens in respect of statutory preference or priorities granted to certain claims under Bermuda law;

(e)           good-faith pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure statutory or regulatory obligations; and

(f)            Liens on assets in respect of liabilities assumed by Borrower in the ordinary course of the reinsurance business of Borrower.

Section 6.7.   Merger, Amalgamation or Sale of Assets .   The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of  merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time) all or any substantial part of its property or assets, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of the property or assets (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment in the ordinary course of business) of any Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries so to do any of the foregoing, except that:

(i)            each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may in the ordinary course of business buy, sell or lease assets;

(ii)           any Subsidiary may wind up its affairs or liquidate or dissolve into, and may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower;

(iii)          the assets or stock or shares of any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be purchased or otherwise acquired by any Person in an arms-length transaction for fair value, or by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower;

 

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(iv)          the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties or assets of any Person (other than the Borrower) or acquire such Person by merger or amalgamation so long as (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto, (b) the consolidated net worth (determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole immediately after giving effect to such purchase, acquisition, amalgamation or merger is at least equal to such consolidated net worth immediately prior to such purchase, acquisition, amalgamation or merger, (c) such purchase, acquisition, amalgamation or merger shall not result in any downgrading of the rating assigned to the Borrower’s claims paying ability by Moody’s or S&P from that in effect immediately prior to such purchase, acquisition or merger and (d) the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate of the president or the treasurer of the Borrower stating that such purchase, merger, amalgamation or acquisition complied with the conditions contained in this clause (iv);

(v)           the Borrower or any Subsidiary may amalgamate or merge into another Person so long as (a) such amalgamation or merger is solely for the purpose of changing domicile, (b) the surviving corporation assumes all obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary under each of the Credit Documents and (c) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto;

(vi)          any Subsidiary may take any action not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.6 so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing to the extent such action is not in any manner adverse to the security interest created pursuant to the Security Agreement or otherwise materially adverse to the Borrower or the Lenders; and

(vii)         intercompany transfers shall be permitted in accordance with Section 6.9.

Section 6.8.   Limitation on Modification of Indebtedness; Modifications of Charter, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc .   The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Indebtedness or of any agreement (including any purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement or security agreement) in any manner materially adverse to the security interest created pursuant to the Security Agreement or otherwise materially adverse to the Lenders or (ii) amend, modify or change its company charter (including by the filing or modification of any certificate or designation) or by-laws, or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its share capital, or enter into any new agreement with respect to its share capital in any manner materially adverse to the security interest crated pursuant to the Security Agreement or otherwise materially adverse to the Lenders.

Section 6.9.   Affiliate Transactions .   The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or series of related transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in compliance with applicable law (including any applicable insurance law).

 

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Section 6.10.   Underwriting Criteria .   The Borrower shall maintain its criteria for underwriting Insurance Contracts and related reinsurance substantially as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

Section 6.11.   Collection of Pledged Recoveries and Pledged Premiums .   The Borrower shall at all times use commercially reasonable efforts to collect and otherwise realize upon all Pledged Recoveries and Pledged Premiums in compliance with applicable law unless, with respect to Pledged Recoveries, the account debtor, obligor or insurer has separately agreed with the Collateral Agent to deposit such Pledged Recoveries directly into the Collateral Account and (if such direction is a condition precedent to the obligation of such account debtor, obligor or insurer to make such deposits) the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent has so directed such Person to make such deposits pursuant to the Security Agreement.

Section 6.12.   Pledged Reserves Release Notice .   The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that if, at any time, it shall cease to maintain all or any portion of Permitted Reserves in respect of which Pledged Reserves Account Funds have been deposited in the Pledged Reserves Account, the Borrower as promptly as possible (and in any event within three Business Days) after it shall cease to maintain such Permitted Reserves shall give written notice thereof (each such notice, a “ Pledged Reserves Release Notice ”) to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent which notice shall provide the amount of such Pledged Reserves Account Funds that have been released.

Section 6.13.   Inspection of Books and Records .   The Borrower will keep and cause its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of record and account in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities; and, subject to Section 10.16, will permit representatives of any Lender or the Administrative Agent following reasonable notice to examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records and those of its Subsidiaries and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts with its and their officers, employees and independent public accountants, during regular business hours, and as often as may reasonably be desired.

Section 6.14.   Financial Reporting Requirements .   The Borrower will (x) furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent (with sufficient copies for distribution to the Lenders) or (y), in the case of the clauses (a) through (d) below, post or cause to be posted on the “Investor Information” portion of the Parent’s website, www.assuredguaranty.com, or at such other place at such website, or on another publicly accessible website, as the Borrower shall have designated by not less than 30 days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a)           Within 60 days after the close of each of the first three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Parent, the Borrower and Assured Guaranty Corp., the consolidated balance sheets of the Parent, the Borrower and Assured Guaranty Corp. and their respective consolidated subsidiaries as at the end of such quarterly period and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders equity and cash flows for such quarterly period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarterly period, in each case setting forth comparative figures for the related periods in the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of

 

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the Parent, the Borrower and Assured Guaranty Corp., as the case may be, subject to year end audit adjustments;

(b)           Within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Parent, the Borrower and Assured Guaranty Corp., the consolidated balance sheets of the Parent, the Borrower and Assured Guaranty Corp. and their respective consolidated subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, in each case setting forth comparative figures for the preceding fiscal year and certified, by the independent certified public accountants the Parent, the Borrower and Assured Guaranty Corp., as the case may be, who shall be of recognized national standing;

(c)           Promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after the filing thereof, a copy of the annual statement for each calendar year and quarterly statements for each calendar quarter as filed with the Department or other then comparable agency of other applicable jurisdictions and the financial statements of the Borrower for such calendar year or quarter prepared in accordance with applicable statutory accounting practices, accompanied by any and all letters, reports and/or certifications prepared by public accountants required to be filed with the Department or such other comparable agency, certified by the treasurer of the Borrower as presenting fairly in accordance with statutory accounting principles applied (except as specifically set forth therein) on a basis consistent with prior periods, the information contained therein;

(d)           Promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after the filing thereof, a copy of the annual statement for each calendar year and quarterly statements for each calendar quarter as filed with the Maryland Insurance Administration or other then comparable agency of other applicable jurisdictions and the financial statements of Assured Guaranty Corp. for such calendar year or quarter prepared in accordance with applicable statutory accounting practices, accompanied by any and all letters, reports and/or certifications prepared by public accountants required to be filed with the Maryland Insurance Administration or such other comparable agency, certified by the treasurer or other principal financial officer of Assured Guaranty Corp as presenting fairly in accordance with statutory accounting principles applied (except as specifically set forth therein) on a basis consistent with prior periods, the information contained therein;

(e)           together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.14,

(i)            a certificate of a principal financial officer of the Borrower (A) listing the Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio, individually and grouped by type of Insured Obligations, (B) identifying, by name and amount, for Eligible International Securities constituting Insured Obligations, the five largest single obligor exposures (treated each Person and its Affiliates as a single obligor for such purposes) for each of the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany, (C) calculating in reasonable detail as of the date of such financial statements the Average Annual Debt Service on the Covered Portfolio, (D) listing each Loss with respect to each Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio, (E) if the Loss Threshold Insurance Date has occurred, identifying the

 

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Insurance Contracts and each reinsurance agreement with respect thereto, (F) calculating in reasonable detail as of the date of such financial statements (1) prior to the Loss Threshold Insurance Date, the excess of the Borrower’s Cumulative Losses (stating separately any Permitted Reserves included therein) for the current Commitment Period over the Borrower’s aggregate Pledged Recoveries received during the current Commitment Period, and (2) if such date is on or after the Loss Threshold Insurance Date, (I) evidence of the occurrence thereof, (II) the amount of Installment Premiums with respect to defaulted obligations received on or prior to such date and thereafter payable in respect of the Covered Portfolio, (III) the aggregate amount of Pledged Recoveries received by or for the account of the Borrower during the current Commitment Period on or prior to such date, and (IV) the balance of the Collateral Account as of such date; and

(ii)           a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Borrower stating that the signer has reviewed the terms of this Agreement and has made, or caused to be made under his supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition of the Borrower during the period covered by such financial statements and that such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting period, and that the signer does not have knowledge of the existence as at the date of the officer’s certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower has taken or is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(f)            promptly after the filing thereof, a copy of the annual statement for each calendar year and quarterly statements for each calendar quarter as filed with the relevant Department or other then comparable agency of other jurisdictions and the financial statements of the Borrower for such calendar year or quarter prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices accompanied by a report thereon of the independent public accountants of the Parent, the Borrower or Assured Guaranty Corp. referred to in paragraph (b) above; and

(g)           promptly after the receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any “management letter” received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary from its certified public accountants and the management’s responses thereto.

Section 6.15.   Information Requirements .   The Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent (with sufficient copies for distribution to the Lenders) within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower has received written notice or otherwise has actual knowledge thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail:

(a)           the commencement of all proceedings and investigations by or before any Department or any other governmental body and any actions and proceedings in any court or before any arbitrator against or in any other way relating to the Borrower which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, singly or when aggregated with all other such proceedings, investigations and actions if adversely determined, to have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial position, results of operations or cash flows of

 

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the Borrower, or on the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(b)           any report known to and relating to the Borrower published by Moody’s, S&P or any other nationally recognized rating agency which, with the consent of the Borrower, rates the creditworthiness of the Borrower’s claims paying ability;

(c)           any material adverse change with respect to the business, assets, liabilities, financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Borrower; and

(d)           any Default or Event of Default.

Section 6.16.   Other Information .   The Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent (with sufficient copies for distribution to the Lenders):

(a)           promptly after the Borrower has received notice or otherwise has knowledge thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail:

(i)            each default by the issuer of any Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio or other obligor with respect thereto which could form the basis of a claim under an Insurance Contract;

(ii)           each material default by any party to any reinsurance agreement or similar arrangement with the Borrower which covers any material amount of Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio; and

(iii)          all Reserves (including Permitted Reserves) established by the Borrower with respect to any Loss or any matter referred to in clauses (i) above; and

(b)           from time to time and promptly upon each request, such material data, certificates, reports, statements, opinions of counsel addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, documents or further information regarding the Covered Portfolio, the Collateral or the business, assets, liabilities, financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Borrower, either Principal Insurance Subsidiary or the Parent as any Lender or the Administrative Agent reasonably may request.

ARTICLE 7.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 7.1.   Events of Default .   Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder (each herein called an “ Event of Default ”):

(a)           default in the payment when due of (i) the principal of any Loan or Note or (ii)  interest on any Loan or Note or any other interest, fees or other amounts payable under this Agreement, in any such case if such default described in this clause (ii) shall have continued for a period of two (2) Business Days; or

 

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(b)           any representation or warranty made by the Borrower herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or in any certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents shall be false or misleading in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

(c)           The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any of the provisions contained in Section 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 through 6.12, inclusive, or 6.15 hereof or in the Security Agreement; or

(d)           The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents on its part to be performed or observed and with respect to any such term, covenant or agreement contained herein, and such failure remains unremedied for 30 days after notice of such failure from the Administrative Agent or any Lender or, if by reason of the nature of such failure the same cannot be remedied within such 30 days, Borrower shall fail to proceed with reasonable diligence to remedy such failure;

(e)           The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be in default in the payment of any principal of or interest on any Indebtedness with an outstanding principal balance in excess of $10,000,000 beyond any period of grace stated with respect thereto in any instrument evidencing such Indebtedness or in any agreement under which any such Indebtedness is created, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the performance of any agreement under which any such Indebtedness is created beyond the grace period provided therein if the effect of such default is to cause such Indebtedness to become, or to permit any holder or beneficiary thereof, or a trustee on behalf thereof, with notice if required, to declare such Indebtedness to be, due prior to its stated maturity; or

(f)            The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence a voluntary case concerning it under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, relief or debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereinafter in effect (collectively, “ Bankruptcy Laws ”) or any involuntary case is commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Bankruptcy Laws and relief is ordered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the petition is controverted but is not dismissed within 60 days after the commencement of the case; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is not generally paying its debts as such debts become due; or a custodian or the like is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or substantially all of the property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries commences any other proceeding under any Bankruptcy Laws relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fails to controvert in a timely manner any such case under any Bankruptcy Law or any such proceeding or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding or in the appointment of any custodian or the like of or for it or any substantial part of its property or suffers any such appointment to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any action is taken by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or a receiver or trustee or other officer or representative of a court or of creditors, or any court, governmental officer or agency, shall under color of legal authority, take

 

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and hold possession of any substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for a period in excess of 60 days; or

(g)           entry against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of a decree or order of a court or any Department or other agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a conservator or receiver or rehabilitator or liquidator in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall have remained in force undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or

(h)           consent by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the appointment of a conservator or receiver or rehabilitator or liquidator in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings of or relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of or relating to all or substantially all of its property; or

(i)            this Agreement, any Note, the Security Agreement or any other material Loan Document shall not be or shall cease to be in full force and effect for any reason; or the Security Agreement shall fail to grant to the Lenders the Liens intended to be created thereby; or any Person other than the Lenders shall have any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any material portion of the Collateral; or any Pledged Recoveries shall be unavailable to pay the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof for any reason; or

(j)            one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries a liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance) of $10,000,000 or more at any one time, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days after the entry thereof; or

(k)           a Change of Control shall have occurred.

Section 7.2.   Remedies .   Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and while such Event of Default shall be continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Majority Lenders in their sole discretion, subject to the limitations of Section 2.7, take any one or more of the following actions; provided that the Lenders shall not in any event have the right to decline to make additional Loans when otherwise required by this Agreement except as otherwise provided in Section 4.2 hereof:

(a)           by notice to the Borrower and subject to Section 2.7, declare all amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become due and payable without demand, presentment, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; provided that no notice or declaration of any kind is required upon the occurrence of a Borrower Event of Insolvency;

(b)           by notice to the Borrower, exclude any additional Insured Obligations from the Covered Portfolio;

 

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(c)           exercise any or all of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, notify the Collateral Agent that an Event of Default has occurred, and direct the Collateral Agent to exercise in respect of the Collateral, the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent under the Security Agreement; and

(d)           take whatever other action at law or in equity may appear necessary or desirable to collect the amounts then due and thereafter to become due hereunder or to enforce any other of its rights hereunder.

Section 7.3.   No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative .   No failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any exercise or partial exercise of any right hereunder or under any other Loan Document preclude any other further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7, the remedies provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

Section 7.4.   Right of Setoff; etc .   Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7 hereof, in addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, during the continuance of any Event of Default hereunder, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower hereunder, the Administrative Agent and each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to the Borrower or to any other person or entity, any such notice being hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, to setoff and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or such Lender under this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not (i) the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder, or (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have declared the principal of and interest on the Loans and Notes and any other amounts due hereunder to be due and payable as permitted by Section 7.2.

ARTICLE 8.

THE AGENTS

Section 8.1.   Appointments .   Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as its agent to act as the Administrative Agent as specified herein and in the other Loan Documents; and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on behalf of such Lender under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to give such consents, approvals or directions and to exercise such other powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as applicable, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The Administrative Agent agrees to act as such upon the express conditions contained in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities (except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents) or any

 

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fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as its agent to act as the Collateral Agent as specified in the Security Agreement; and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on behalf of such Lender under the provisions of the Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to give such consents, approvals or directions and to exercise such other powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of the Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as applicable, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The provisions of this Article 8 are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall have no rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions hereof.  In performing functions and duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall act solely as agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with the Borrower.

Section 8.2.   Delegation .   The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

Section 8.3.   Agent Not Liable; Reliance .

(a)           Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or attorneys-in-fact shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (except in the case of the Administrative Agent, for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any Lender for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower or any of its officers contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any other document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other document of for any failure of the Borrower or its officers to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for the effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statement or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports, certificates or any other documents in connection herewith or therewith furnished or made by the Administrative Agent to any Lender or by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or

 

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agreements contained herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or of the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default.

(b)           The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take an action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Majority Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Lenders.

(c)           The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, unless it has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is furnished pursuant to Section 8.3(c) of this Agreement.  In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall give prompt notice thereof to each Lender.

(d)           Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or attorneys-in-fact have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and, if applicable, its Assignment and Assumption Agreement.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, assets, property, financial and other conditions, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or attorneys-in-fact.

 

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Section 8.4.   Indemnity .   The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral agent ratably according to their respective Commitments from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, reasonable expenses (including inspection expenses pursuant to Section 6.13 and reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel and other experts) or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including at any time following the payment of any Loan or the termination of this Agreement) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby or any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing is not paid by the Borrower; provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting solely from such agent’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  If any indemnity furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent for any purpose shall, in its opinion, be insufficient or become impaired, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished.  The agreements in this Section 8.4 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 8.5.   Liability of Agent .   In no event shall the Administrative Agent have any liabilities or responsibilities to the Borrower on account of the failure of any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder or to any Lender on account of the failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

Section 8.6.   Agent May Act .   The Administrative Agent may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower, all as though it were not Administrative Agent hereunder.  The terms “Lenders” and “Majority Lenders” and any similar terms shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual corporate capacity as a Lender or one of the Majority Lenders.

Section 8.7.   Successor .

(a)           The Administrative Agent may resign as such at any time upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Borrower and all Lenders, such resignation not to be effective until a successor Administrative Agent is in place.  If the Administrative Agent at any time shall resign, the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Borrower if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing) may appoint another Lender or an affiliate thereof reasonably acceptable to the Borrower as a successor Administrative Agent, which shall thereupon become the Administrative Agent hereunder.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring agent has given notice of resignation, then the retiring agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent (after consultation with the Borrower if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing).  Notwithstanding the resignation of an Administrative Agent hereunder, the provisions of Sections 8.2 through 8.5 shall continue to inure to the benefit of such Administrative Agent in respect of any action taken or omitted to be

 

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taken by it in its capacity as such while it was the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(b)           The Collateral Agent may resign as such at any time upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Borrower and all Lenders, such resignation not to be effective until a successor Collateral Agent is in place.  If the Collateral Agent at any time shall resign, the Majority Lenders may appoint another Lender or an affiliate thereof reasonably acceptable to the Borrower as a successor Collateral Agent, which shall thereupon become the Collateral Agent hereunder.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring agent has given notice of resignation, then the Administrative Agent shall act as Collateral Agent until a successor is appointed in accordance with this Section 8.7(b).  Notwithstanding the resignation of a Collateral Agent hereunder, the provisions of Sections 8.2 through 8.5 shall continue to inure to the benefit of such Collateral Agent in respect of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in its capacity as such while it was the Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 8.8.   Determination by the Agent Conclusive and Binding .   Any determination required or expressly permitted to be made by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement shall be made by the Administrative Agent, in good faith and, when made, shall be conclusive and binding on all parties.

Section 8.9.   Titled Agents .   Each of the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent, in its capacity as such, assumes no responsibility or obligation hereunder, including for servicing, enforcement or collection of any of the Loans, nor any duties as an agent hereunder for the Lenders.  The titles of “Syndication Agent” and “Documentation Agent” are solely honorific and imply no fiduciary responsibility on the part of the Syndication Agent or the Documentation Agent, in its capacity as such, to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or any Lender and the use of such titles does not impose on the Syndication Agent or the Documentation any duties or obligations greater than those of any other Lender or entitle the the Syndication Agent or the Documentation Agent to any rights other than those to which any other Lender is entitled.

ARTICLE 9.

NATURE OF OBLIGATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 9.1.   Nature of Obligations; Survival .   The obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the Notes and the other Loan Documents (other than payment of principal of and interest on the Loans or under any Note, which are limited recourse obligations subject to the provisions of Section 2.7) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, shall be full recourse and general obligations of the Borrower and shall be satisfied strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, under all circumstances whatsoever.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein or in any Note or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, document or instrument delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall survive the date of this Agreement, the making of each Loan and the occurrence of the Maturity Date and shall continue in full force and effect so long as principal of or interest on any Loan or any Note remains outstanding or unpaid, any other amount payable by the Borrower under this Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document remains unpaid or any other obligation of the Borrower to

 

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perform any other act hereunder or under any Note or any other Loan Document remains unsatisfied or any Lender has any obligation to make a Loan or any other advance of moneys to the Borrower hereunder.

Section 9.2.   Indemnification .   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.7 hereof, the Borrower hereby indemnifies and holds harmless the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Participant from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and reasonable costs and expenses whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document which the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Participant may incur (or which may be claimed against the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Participant by any person or entity whatsoever), including the failure of the Borrower to make payments of principal of and interest on the Loans and the Notes, by reason of or in connection with (a) the failure by the Borrower to deposit any amounts in the Collateral Account which are required to be deposited therein as provided in the Security Agreement or (b) the unavailability to any Lender or to any Participant for any reason of any Pledged Recoveries or other Collateral by reason of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or similar proceeding with respect to the Borrower, or (ii) the Borrower’s rescission or repudiation of any term hereof or of any other Loan Document or any Loan; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be liable to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Participant for the payment of any such claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Person or any of its Affiliates.

ARTICLE 10.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1.   Costs, Expenses and Taxes .   Upon the receipt of reasonable documentation evidencing such expenses, the Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be paid (a) to the Administrative Agent all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (including New York and Bermuda counsel) for the Administrative Agent incurred by the Administrative Agent from time to time (i) arising in connection with the preparation, execution, duplication, delivery and performance of this Agreement, any other Loan Documents and any documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in connection herewith and (ii) relating to any requested amendments, waivers or consents to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any such documents or instruments, and (b) to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, fees and expenses of counsel (including New York and Bermuda counsel) for the Administrative Agent or such Lender incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with the enforcement or preservation by any of them of rights under this Agreement or any such documents or instruments, including such expenses as may be incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in enforcing this Agreement or any of such other documents or instruments after an Event of Default shall have occurred.  The Borrower agrees to pay all stamp, document, transfer, recording or filing taxes or fees and similar impositions now or hereafter determined by the Administrative Agent or a Lender to be payable in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or any other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in connection herewith, and the Borrower agrees to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all present or future

 

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claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or delay in paying any such taxes, fees or impositions.  The provisions of this Section 10.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 10.2.   Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a)           Each party hereto hereby agrees that any legal action or proceeding against the others with respect to this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any of the agreements, documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York as the applicable party may elect, and, by execution and delivery hereof, the Borrower, for itself and in respect to its property, generally and unconditionally accepts and consents to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that such jurisdiction shall be exclusive, unless waived by the Administrative Agent in writing, with respect to any action or proceeding brought by it against either Agent or any Lender and any questions relating to usury.  Each party agrees that Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York shall apply to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and waives any right to stay or to dismiss any action or proceeding brought against it before said courts on the basis of forum non conveniens.  Except as specifically set forth herein, nothing herein shall limit the right of either party to bring proceedings against the other in any other court or tribunal otherwise having jurisdiction.

(b)           By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Borrower acknowledges that it has, by separate written instrument, irrevocably designated and appointed Assured Guaranty Corp., 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019 Attention:  Secretary, as its authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document that may be instituted in any court of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York or brought by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, and acknowledges that Assured Guaranty Corp. has accepted such designation, and agrees that service of process upon Assured Guaranty Corp. and written notice of said service to the Borrower (in accordance with Section 10.7), shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit or proceeding.  The Borrower further agrees to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of Assured Guaranty Corp. (or any other Person with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent) in full force and effect so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect or any of the Notes shall be outstanding.

Section 10.3.   Severability .   Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, unenforceability or nonauthorization without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 10.4.      Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

Section 10.5.      Waiver of Jury Trial .  EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER ARISING UNDER, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING, WHETHER ARISING UNDER STATUTE (INCLUDING ANY FEDERAL OR STATE CONSTITUTION) OR UNDER THE LAW OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE AND INCLUDING ANY CHALLENGE TO THE LEGALITY, VALIDITY, BINDING EFFECT OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS SECTION OR THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

Section 10.6.      Headings .  Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience or reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose.

Section 10.7.      Notices and Addresses for Notice .  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and, (a) if to the Borrower, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at 30 Woodbourne Ave., 5 th  Floor, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda, Attention: David Penchoff, President, with copy at the same address, Attention:  James M. Michener, General Counsel, (b) if to the Administrative Agent, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention:  John S. McGill, Director and (c) if to a Lender, mailed or delivered to it at its address as shown on Schedule 1 hereto or in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement by which it became a party hereto; or as to any party as such party may direct in a written notice to all other parties.  All such notices and other communications shall, when mailed, be effective three (3) days after the date of deposit in the mails, addressed as aforesaid.  In lieu of notice by mail or delivery, written notice may be given over telecopier at the appropriate numbers set forth below, such notice over telecopier to be effective when transmitted.

 

If to the Administrative Agent:

 

Telecopier No.: (212) 797-0270

 

 

 

 

 

If to the Borrower:

 

Telecopier No.: (441) 296-3379

 

 

 

 

 

If to a Lender:

 

To it at its telecopier number as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto or in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement by which it became a party hereto.

 

Section 10.8.      Successors and Assigns; Assignment and Assumption; Participations; Additional Lenders .

(a)       This Agreement is a continuing obligation and binds, and the benefits hereof shall inure to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their

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respective successors and assigns; provided that , except as specifically provided herein, the Borrower may not transfer or assign any or all of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and of each Lender.

(b)      Each Lender may, at any time, sell, assign, and transfer to another commercial bank or other financial institution (“ Assignee ”) which is approved in advance by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) all or a portion of its rights and obligations as Lender in this Agreement, its Note, the other Loan Documents or any Loan; provided that the approval of the Borrower shall not be required for an assignment by a Lender to an Affiliate of such Lender having an unsecured senior debt rating (or shadow rating as reflected in a letter) by each of Moody’s and S&P which is at least as high as the assigning Lender.  In addition, the approval of each Fronting Lender acting as such with respect to a Lender shall be required for the assignment by such Lender of all or a portion of its rights and obligations as Lender in this Agreement, its Note, the other Loan Documents or any Loan.  Any such sale or assignment of a portion of a Lender’s interest in such Lender’s Loan shall be in respect of integral multiples of $1,000,000 in principal amount (or such other amount to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may consent in writing).  Each assignment pursuant to this Section 10.8(b) shall be effected by the Administrative Agent, the assignor Lender and its Assignee executing an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (appropriately completed) (each, an  “ Assignment and Assumption Agreement ”) and the rights and duties of such Lender and the Assignee each to the other shall be as defined therein.  The parties hereto agree to execute such documents as may be necessary to effectuate any such assignment, including, in the case of the Borrower, to exchange the Note or Notes held by the assignor Lender for a new Note or Notes payable to such Lender (if it has retained any Commitment) and a new Note or Notes payable to the Assignee in the respective amounts which reflect the assignment being made under this Section 10.8(b).  Promptly following any assignment pursuant to this Section 10.8(b), the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders thereof.  From and after the effective date determined pursuant to such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder as set forth therein and (ii) the transferor Lender shall, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its Commitment and other obligations under this Agreement; provided , however , that after giving effect to such assignment, the obligations from which such Lender is released shall have been assumed by an Assignee or Assignees.  If a Fronting Lender shall cease to have the Required Ratings, such Lender shall, upon the request and at the expense of the Borrower and in accordance with this Section 10.8(b), sell, assign, and transfer its rights and obligations as Lender in this Agreement, its Note, the other Loan Documents and any Loan to one or more other commercial banks or other financial institutions identified by the Borrower which have an unsecured senior debt rating (or shadow rating as reflected in a letter) by each of Moody’s and S&P which is acceptable to the Borrower; provided that, after giving effect to such sale, assignment and transfer, the Commitment and, if applicable, Fronting Lender Commitment of the assigning Lender shall have terminated and such Lender shall have received (as purchase price or otherwise) an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of its Loans and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts owing to such Lender hereunder or any other Loan Document (whether or not then due and payable).

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(c)       Each Lender shall be entitled at any time to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise grant participations in the whole or any part of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement, its Assignment and Assumption Agreement (if applicable), the other Loan Documents or any Loan to any Person.  No such participation pursuant to this Section 10.8(c) shall relieve a Lender from its obligations hereunder.  Any such participant is referred to in this Agreement as a “ Participant ”, which term shall not include any sub-participant, assignee, purchaser or transferee of any such direct participant.  Except as specifically set forth below, no such Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement (the Participant’s rights against any Lender in respect of such participation or other arrangement or transfer to be those set forth in the agreement or agreements executed by such Lender in favor of such Participant).  The Borrower agrees that the provisions of Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.5(b), 3.5(c) and 9.2 shall run to the benefit of each Participant and its participations or interests herein, and each Lender may enforce such provisions on behalf of any of its Participants.  Each Lender shall use its best efforts to give the Administrative Agent and the Borrower at least 30 days prior written notice of any participation, assignment, sale or other transfer under this Section 10.8(c).  Each Lender agrees that without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, it will not enter into or grant any such participation to a Participant which has not delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower the forms and documents applicable to it contemplated by Section 3.5(c).  In entering into any participation agreement with a Participant, each Lender shall use reasonable efforts to provide that, if such Participant demands such materially excess compensation as described in Section 3.3(d), such agreement may be terminated by such Lender without the payment of any compensation or penalties.  Upon a participation, assignment, sale or transfer in accordance with the foregoing, the Borrower shall execute such documents and do such acts as such Lender may reasonably request to effect such transaction.

(d)      From time to time with the prior consent of the Administrative Agent and so long as no Loans have been made hereunder, the Borrower shall have the right to increase the Maximum Commitment by (i) increasing the amount of the Commitment of any Lender with the prior consent of such Lender, or (ii) adding as a Lender hereunder one or more commercial banks or other financial institutions (each, a “ New Lender ”).  No such increase in the Maximum Commitment shall be effective until (A) in the case of an increased Commitment of a Lender, the Borrower shall have exchanged the Note held by such Lender for a new Note payable to such Lender in the amount of the increased Commitment, and such Lender shall have entered into an amendment to Schedule 1 to this Agreement modifying the amount of such Lender’s Commitment, or (B) in the case of the addition of a New Lender, the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the New Lender a Note payable to such Lender in the amount of its Commitment, and the New Lender shall have executed and delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a joinder agreement by which it agrees to be bound hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as a Lender and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, confirms to the Administrative Agent and other Lenders the acknowledgments and representations as to the New Lender contained in Section 8.3(d) hereof as of the date of such joinder agreement and amends Schedule 1 to this Agreement to add the appropriate information with respect to the New Lender and its Commitment.

(e)       Each Lender shall endeavor to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower within 60 days after the date of this Agreement and, with respect to each new Participant or New Lender, within 60 days after such Person becomes a Participant or a Lender,

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of each Insured Obligation identified in the most recent certificate delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.14(c)(i) hereof which such Lender or such Participant, as the case may be, is obligated to purchase under the terms of a line of credit, standby bond purchase agreement, letter of credit, liquidity agreement or similar agreement or arrangement.

Section 10.9.      Lending Office .  Any Lender or any Participant may make, transfer and carry any Loan at, to or for the account of any branch office, Subsidiary or affiliate (its “ Lending Office ”); provided that no such Lender or Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.5(b) as a result of any voluntary action taken by such Lender or such Participant (other than for the purpose of complying with applicable law) pursuant to this Section 10.9 than such Lender or such Participant would have been entitled to receive absent such action except as a result of circumstances arising after the date of such action.

Section 10.10.    Judgment Currency .  This is an international credit transaction in which the specification of Dollars and payment in New York City is of the essence, and the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to make payment to (or for the account of) a Lender, a Participant, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in Dollars shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any other currency or in another place except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by such Lender or Participant, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, in New York City of the full amount of Dollars payable to such Lender or Participant, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, under this Agreement or such other Loan Document.  If a judgment is given in relation to any sum due to the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (in this Section called an “ entitled person ”), and such judgment is given in a currency (in this Section called the “ judgment currency ”) other than Dollars, the Borrower agrees to indemnify the entitled person to the extent that the amount of Dollars which could have been purchased by the Administrative Agent in accordance with normal banking procedures on the Business Day following receipt of such sum is less than the sum which could have been so purchased by the Administrative Agent had such purchase been made on the day on which such judgment was given or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the Business Day immediately preceding the giving of such judgment.

Section 10.11.    No Immunity .  To the extent that the Borrower may be or become entitled, in any jurisdiction in which judicial proceedings may at any time be commenced with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to claim for itself or its properties or revenues any immunity from suit, court jurisdiction, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment, execution of a judgment or from any other legal process or remedy relating to its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed such an immunity (whether or not claimed), the Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim and hereby irrevocably waives such immunity to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of such jurisdiction.

Section 10.12.    Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as the original and all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

55




Section 10.13.    Records .  The unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, the unpaid interest accrued thereon, the interest rate or rates applicable to such unpaid principal amount and the duration of such applicability, and the accrued and unpaid fees and other amounts due hereunder shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the Lenders.  Such records and the Administrative Agent’s records with respect to any loan account maintained pursuant to Section 2.3(b) shall be presumed to be correct unless the contrary shall be shown.

Section 10.14.    Register .  The Borrower shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes.  The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register.  Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes hereof, and the Borrower shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary.  Upon the request of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent hereby agrees to use its reasonable efforts to provide to the Borrower such information not otherwise available to the Borrower in order to enable it to maintain such register.

Section 10.15.    Amendments and Waivers .  Subject to the next succeeding sentence, any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended with the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders or compliance therewith may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders, and in any such event the failure to observe, perform or discharge any such covenant, condition or obligation (whether such amendment is executed or such consent or waiver is given before or after such failure) shall not be construed as a breach of such covenant, condition or obligation or an Event of Default.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, (a) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and certain Lenders may enter into amendments pursuant to Section 10.8(d) hereof without the consent of any other Lender, (b) without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, no amendment to or waiver under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender, (ii) alter the time for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Loans, the amount of principal thereof, the rate of interest thereon, or the requirement pursuant to Section 2.9(a) of the pro rata application of amounts received by the Administrative Agent, (iii) permit any subordination of the principal of or interest on any Loan, (iv) alter the amount of any fee to be paid to any Lender, (v) change the percentage of the Lenders required to constitute the Majority Lenders, (vi) amend or waive the provisions of Sections 2.7, 2.8, 2.10, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, 6.11, 9.2 or 10.8 of this Agreement, this Section 10.15 or the definition of “Loss Threshold Incurrence Date” set forth in Section 1.1 of this Agreement, (vii) amend or waive Section 7.1 of this Agreement applicable to an Event of Default relating to the timing or amount of any payment due under this Agreement, (viii) amend or waive Section 2 of, or the definitions of “Collateral” or “Secured Obligations” contained in, the Security Agreement, or (ix) waive, release or reduce any Collateral; and (c) without the prior consent of the Administrative Agent, if it is adversely affected thereby no such amendment or waiver shall alter the rights of the Administrative Agent.  Subsequent holders of the Notes shall be bound by any waiver hereunder or amendment hereof, whether or not any such subsequent holder had notice of such waiver or amendment and whether or not such waiver or amendment is reflected in any or all of the Notes.

56




Section 10.16.    Confidentiality .  The Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender and each Fronting Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or any Fronting Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, whether written or oral or otherwise recorded, whether or not specifically identified as “confidential”, together with analyses, compilations or other materials prepared by the directors, officers, employees, agents, auditors, attorneys, consultants or advisors to the parties hereto which may contain or otherwise reflect such information (collectively, the “ Information ”) but in any event may make disclosure: (a) to any of their respective affiliates (provided they shall agree to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms of this Section); (b) as reasonably requested by any bona fide assignee, Participant or other transferee in connection with the contemplated transfer of any Loan or participations therein as permitted hereunder (provided they shall agree to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms of this Section); (c) as required or requested by any governmental authority or representative thereof; (d) pursuant to legal process or in connection with any legal proceedings; (e) to the Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s independent auditors and other professional advisors (provided they shall be notified of the confidential nature of the information); (e) after the happening and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to any other Person, in connection with the exercise by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders of rights hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents; and (f) to the extent such information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Fronting Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any affiliate of the Borrower which source, to the knowledge of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or any Fronting Lender, is not prohibited from disclosing such information pursuant to a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation to the Borrower or a third party.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other written or oral understanding or agreement to which the parties hereto are parties or by which they are bound, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) any obligations of confidentiality contained herein and therein do not apply and have not applied from the commencement of discussions between the parties to the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (and any related transactions or arrangements), and (ii) each party (and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, all within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4; provided, however, that with respect to any document or similar item that in either case contains information concerning the tax treatment or tax structure of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents as well as other information, this sentence shall only apply to such portions of the document or similar item that relate to the tax treatment or tax structure of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; provided, further, however, to the extent not inconsistent with the immediately preceding clause (ii), the parties hereto do not intend anything contained in this sentence to be a waiver of any applicable privilege each may have to maintain (in its sole discretion) the confidentiality of a communication with its attorney or a confidential communication with a federally authorized tax practitioner under Section 7525 of the Internal Revenue Code relating to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

57




[Signature Pages Follow]

 

58




 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[Signature Pages to Credit Agreement]

 




 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK
BRANCH, as Administrative Agent and as a
Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[Signature Pages to Credit Agreement]

 




 

 

ING BANK N.V. LONDON BRANCH

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[Signature Pages to Credit Agreement]

 




 

 

 

BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK NEW
YORK BRANCH

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[Signature Pages to Credit Agreement]

 




 

 

 

LANDESBANK HESSEN-THÜRINGEN
NEW YORK BRANCH

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[Signature Pages to Credit Agreement]

 




 

 

 

NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK
GIROZENTRALE NEW YORK BRANCH
AND/OR CAYMAN BRANCH

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[Signature Pages to Credit Agreement]

 




EXHIBIT A
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING

[Date]

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

Attention:

 

 

 

Re:

Borrowing under Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among Assured Guaranty Re Ltd., the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto

 

Dear Sirs:

Assured Guaranty Re Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Borrower ”), hereby requests that a Loan be made to the Borrower by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement referred to above (the “ Credit Agreement ”) as follows (all capitalized terms herein having the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement):

1.              The aggregate amount of the Loans requested hereby (the “ Subject Loans ”) is $                  .

2.              The date on which the Subject Loans are requested to be made (the “ Loan Date ”) is                   , which is a Business Day not less than two (2) Business Days after the date hereof.

3.              The Loss Threshold Incurrence Date has occurred.

4.              The Available Commitment as of the Loan Date (determined after giving effect to any reduction of the Maximum Commitment on or prior to the Loan Date) will be $                  , which is at least equal to the amount of the Subject Loans.

5.              Immediately after giving effect to the Subject Loans, the aggregate principal amount of Loans made under the Credit Agreement, determined without regard to any repayments or prepayments thereof, does not exceed $              , which equals the Borrower’s Cumulative Losses incurred after the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date.

6.              Each of the conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement to the Lenders’ obligations to make the Subject Loans have been satisfied.

7.              The proceeds of the Subject Loans will be applied as provided in Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement, and Schedule 1 hereto contains a description in reasonable detail of the Loss which the proceeds of the Loans will be applied to pay, including an




identification of the Insured Obligation which is in default, the amount of such default, a calculation of the Permitted Reserves, if any, being established with respect to such Loss and the amount of Pledged Premiums, if any, received by the Borrower or hereafter payable in respect of such Insured Obligation.

8.              The statements set forth above shall be true and correct on and as of the Loan Date.

9.              The aggregate amount of the Pledged Recoveries received by or for the account of the Borrower during the current Commitment Period and the aggregate amount of Pledged Premiums received by or for the account of the Borrower since the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date as of [date within 15 days of the date of the Notice of Borrowing] equals $               , which amount has been deposited into the Collateral Account and has been applied or is available to pay the principal of and interest on Loans when due (whether at the stated or any accelerated maturity date thereof), and the balance of the Collateral Account as of such date equals $                   .

10.            The Subject Loans are to be disbursed to the following account of the Borrower:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.            The undersigned is duly authorized and empowered in the name and on behalf of the Borrower to present this Notice of Borrowing and to request and obtain the Subject Loans upon and in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed and delivered this Notice of Borrowing this          day of                           , 20  .

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

A-2




EXHIBIT B

TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

FORM OF PROMISSORY NOTE

 

US$

 

 

[Date]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD., a Bermuda exempted company (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to                                                     (the “Lender”), or its assigns, at the offices of Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds, the principal sum of                                           Dollars (US$                       ) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans (as defined in the hereinafter referred to Credit Agreement) outstanding and payable to the Lender by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”) in the amounts and on the dates set out in the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of such Loans from the date on which such Loans are made until the Loans are repaid in full at such interest rates and payable on such dates as are determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

If any payment on this Note shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day (as defined in the Credit Agreement), it shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing interest, if any, in connection with such payment.

The Lender is authorized to record the date and amount of each Loan and each payment, prepayment and conversion with respect thereto on the grid attached hereto or on a continuation thereof which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof, and any such notation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information so recorded; provided that the failure to make any such notations shall not affect the validity of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, presentment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor are hereby waived by the undersigned.

This Note evidences the Lender’s Loans under, and is entitled to the benefits and subject to the provisions of, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  This Note is secured by, and is entitled to the benefits and is subject to the provisions of, the Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment, dated as of July 31, 2007, between the Borrower and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Collateral Agent and securities intermediary. 




The Credit Agreement, among other things, contains provisions with respect to the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the happening of certain stated events, and for mandatory and optional prepayments of the principal of this Note prior to maturity, all upon the terms and conditions specified therein.

The payment obligations of the Borrower under this Note are limited as provided in Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement.

This Note is transferable only in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement.

This Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

B-2




 

GRID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

 

Amount of
Loan

 

Unpaid Principal
Paid or
Prepaid

 

Principal
Amount of
Note

 

Notation
Made by

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-3




EXHIBIT C

TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

EXECUTION COPY

SECURITY AGREEMENT

AND COLLATERAL DEED OF ASSIGNMENT

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND COLLATERAL DEED OF ASSIGNMENT, dated as of July 31, 2007, among ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “ Borrower ”), DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, in its capacity as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, as defined herein, and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS (“ DBTCA ”), as collateral agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as defined herein (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and as securities intermediary as provided herein;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to enter into this Deed (as defined below) as a condition to the effectiveness of the Credit Agreement,

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree, and this Deed witnesseth, as follows:

Section 1.   Definitions .

(a)           All terms defined in Article 1, 8 or 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect on the date of this Deed, are used herein with the meanings therein given; such terms include but are not limited to “account”, “chattel paper”, “collateral”, “control”, “deposit account”, “document”, ‘entitlement order”, “financial asset”, “general intangibles”, “instrument”, “money”, “proceeds”, “security” and “security interest”.  In addition, the terms “collateral” and “security interest”, when capitalized, have the respective meanings as specified in paragraph (c) below.

(b)           Except in the case of “Agreement” and as otherwise specified herein, all terms (including, without limitation, the terms “Lenders”, “Base Rate”, “Borrower”, “Covered Portfolio”, “Commitment Period”, “Event of Default”, “Insured Obligations”, “Lien”, “Loan”, “Loan Documents”, “Loss”, “Majority Lenders”, “Maximum Commitment”, “Note”, “Person”, “Pledged Premiums” and “Pledged Recoveries”) defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the meanings therein given, whether or not the Credit Agreement is otherwise in effect.

(c)           As used herein the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

Account ” means each the Collateral Account and the Pledged Reserves Account.

Collateral ” means all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in, to and under or arising out of the following, wherever located and now existing or hereafter arising:




 

(i)            all Pledged Recoveries including, without limitation:

(A)     all accounts, chattel paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles, letter of credit rights, deposit accounts, commercial tort claims from time to time listed on Schedule A hereto and other claims and causes of action (whether sounding in contract or otherwise) evidencing, securing, constituting, relating to the repayment or reimbursement of, or otherwise in respect of or arising out of, the payment of a claim by the Borrower under an Insurance Contract covering any Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio;

(B)     all interests in insurance and reinsurance as such insurance or reinsurance relates to the repayment or reimbursement of the payment of a claim by the Borrower under an Insurance Contract covering any Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio (to the extent that the payment under such insurance or reinsurance was not deducted in determining the Loss attributable to the Borrower’s payment of a claim giving rise to a Pledged Recovery); and

(C)     all claims, rights, powers, privileges and remedies under any of the foregoing, all rights to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, without limitation, election of remedies) or option, to give or receive any notice, consent, waiver or approval, to demand, receive, enforce, collect or receipt for any of the foregoing or any property subject thereto, to enforce or execute any checks, instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action which (in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent) may be necessary or advisable in connection with any of the foregoing;

(ii)           each Account and all amounts, moneys, securities (certificated and uncertificated), instruments, documents, general intangibles, financial assets or other investment property on deposit therein or distributable therefrom and all interest, dividends, gains and other earnings thereon; and

(iii)          all additions and accessions to, all replacements and substitutions for, all improvements to and all products and proceeds of any of the Collateral described in clauses (i) and (ii) above.

Collateral Account ” is defined in Section 8 of this Deed.

Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Deed ” means this Deed, from time to time as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Initial Funding Date ” means the date of the first Loan under the Credit Agreement.

Pledged Reserves Account ” is defined in Section 8 of this Deed.

2




Qualified Investments ” means (i) direct and general obligations of the United States Government or any agency thereof and obligations guaranteed by the United States Government, due within six months from the date of purchase and payable in the United States of America in dollars of the United States of America, (ii) certificates of deposit of, or demand or time deposits in, or money market funds of a commercial bank or financial institution rated Aa or P-1 or equivalent or better by Moody’s and AA or A-1 or equivalent or better by S&P approved by the Collateral Agent and the Borrower which are fully secured by securities of the type listed in clause (i) above, and (iii) certificates of deposit of, or demand or time deposits in, or money market funds of financial institutions approved by the Collateral Agent and the Borrower; provided , that the Borrower shall not invest any amounts in money market fund that would subject the Borrower to withholding or similar taxes in connection with such investment.

Secured Obligations ” means all principal at any time outstanding and all interest from time to time accrued or payable in respect of the Loans or the Notes, now existing or hereafter arising.

Secured Parties ” means the Lenders, the Fronting Bank Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each other party to whom a Secured Obligation is from time to time owed.

Security Interest ” means the Uniform Commercial Code security interest in the Collateral purported to be granted pursuant to Section 2.

Trigger Event ” means the date on which either (a) the Borrower has Cumulative Losses for the current Commitment Period, net of aggregate Pledged Recoveries received by the Borrower during the current Commitment Period, in an amount equal to 50% of the greater of (i) $260,000,000 and (ii) 4.50% of Average Annual Debt Service on the Covered Portfolio as of such date, or (b) the claims-paying ability of the Borrower is publicly assigned a rating of A2 or lower (or in unrated) by Moody’s or A or lower (or is unrated) by S&P.

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or, if applicable, in another specified jurisdiction.

Section   2.   Security Interests .  As security for the prompt payment and performance when due of all Secured Obligations, the Borrower does hereby grant, assign, transfer, deliver and set over, as collateral security and not as an absolute assignment of the whole, to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of, and as agent for, the Secured Parties, and does hereby grant to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a continuing security interest in, all of the Collateral, whether now existing or hereafter arising or acquired and wherever located.

Section   3.   General Representations , Warranties and Covenants.  The Borrower represents, warrants and covenants, which representations, warranties and covenants shall survive execution and delivery of this Deed, as follows:

3




(a)           So long as any Secured Obligations are outstanding, the Borrower’s right, title and interest in the Collateral is and will be free from any Lien, other than Permitted Liens.  The Borrower shall defend such right, title and interest against all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming the same or any interest therein adverse to the Collateral Agent or the Lenders (other than the holders of Permitted Liens).

(b)           This Deed is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in and assignment of all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral now owned or acquired from time to time after the date hereof by the Borrower under the laws of the State of New York, which security interest and assignment are entitled to all the rights, priorities and benefits afforded by the Uniform Commercial Code or other relevant law to perfected security interests or collateral assignments; provided that this Deed will create a security interest in commercial tort claims only when this Deed is amended and re-authenticated to add a description of any relevant commercial tort claim to Schedule A hereto.

(c)           The Borrower will file as soon as practicable following the date of this Deed (i) the Particulars of a Mortgage or Charge and a certified copy of this Deed with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda and (ii) a UCC financing statement relating to the Collateral with the applicable office in the District of Columbia.  Subject to the filing of continuation statements in respect of such financing statement required from time to time under the District of Columbia Uniform Commercial Code and, in the case of commercial tort claims, to the amendment and re-authentication of this Deed to update Schedule A hereto as contemplated by Section 5(d) below, (A) the Security Interest in and to the Collateral, to the extent the same can be perfected by filing of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code, constitutes and will constitute a perfected security interest therein, subject to no other security which is perfected by filing of financing statements, and (B) subject further to the Collateral Agent’s obtaining and maintaining possession or control over Collateral as to which a security interest can be perfected by possession or control under the Uniform Commercial Code, the Security Interest in and to the Collateral, to the extent the same can be perfected by possession or control under the Uniform Commercial Code, constitutes and will constitute a perfected first security interest therein, subject to no other Lien other than Permitted Liens; provided that continuation of such security interest in the proceeds of the Collateral is limited by the provisions of Sections 9-203, 9-315 and 9-322 of the Uniform Commercial Code.  Provided that the Collateral Agent complies with the terms of this Deed, the provisions of this Deed are sufficient to cause the Collateral Agent to have and maintain control over each Account and all financial assets credited thereto within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code.  The Lien upon the Collateral will, upon the filing of the Particulars of a Mortgage or Charge and a certified copy of this Deed with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda, constitute a security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties which is senior to any other Lien (other than Permitted Liens), now existing or hereafter arising, under the laws of Bermuda.

(d)           Upon delivery to the Collateral Agent of an agreement in favor of the Collateral Agent in form and substance comparable to Annex 1 hereto by the applicable insurer, the provisions of this Deed and such other agreement will be sufficient to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a Lien on all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to all reinsurance agreements described in such agreement, as executed and

4




delivered, to the extent such rights, title and interest relate to the repayment or reimbursement of a claim by the Borrower pursuant to such agreements covering any Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio, which Lien will be senior to any other Lien (other than any Permitted Liens) therein now existing or hereafter created.

(e)           There is no financing statement, particulars of a mortgage or charge (or similar statement or instrument of registration under the law of any jurisdiction) naming the Borrower or any of its predecessors in interest as debtor now on file or registered in any public office evidencing any Lien on the Collateral, which has not been terminated, and neither the Borrower nor any of its predecessors in interest has executed or filed, and so long as this Deed remains in effect or any of the Secured Obligations remain unpaid, the Borrower will not execute or file, any financing statement or particulars of a mortgage or charge (or similar statement or instrument of registration under the law of any jurisdiction) relating to any of its right, title or interest in or to any of the Collateral, except financing statements filed or to be filed in respect of and covering the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties granted and provided for in this Deed.

(f)            The registered office, chief executive offices and chief place of business of the Borrower are located at 30 Woodbourne Avenue, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, and the Borrower will not move its chief executive offices or its chief place of business except to such new location as the Borrower may establish in accordance with the last sentence of this Section 3(f).  Originals of all material documents evidencing Collateral which are held by the Borrower and the only original books of account and records of the Borrower relating thereto are, and will continue to be (so long as any Secured Obligations are outstanding), kept at such chief executive office or at such new location as the Borrower may establish in accordance with the last sentence of this Section 3(f).  The Borrower shall establish no such new location until (i) it shall have given to the Collateral Agent not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of its intention so to do, clearly describing such new location and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and (ii) with respect to such new location, it shall have taken such action, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, all action required by Section 5 hereto), to maintain the Lien of the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral intended to be granted in full force and effect.

(g)           The legal name of the Borrower is as set forth on the signature page hereto, and the Borrower shall not change such name, conduct its business in any name other than such name or take title to any Collateral in any name other than such name while this Deed remains in effect unless (i) it shall have given to the Collateral Agent not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of its intention so to do, setting forth such name or names and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, and (ii) with respect to such new name or names, it shall have taken such action, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, all action required by Section 5 hereto), to maintain the Lien of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral intended to be granted in full force and effect.  Neither the Borrower nor any predecessor to its business and assets has ever had any name, or conducted business under any name in any jurisdiction, other than the Borrower’s name set forth on the signature page

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hereto and (ii) the Borrower’s predecessor names, Capital Global Underwriters Limited, ACE Capital Re Limited, ACE Capital Re International Ltd. and Assured Guaranty Re International Ltd.

(h)           The Borrower shall mark its financial records as may be necessary or appropriate to evidence, protect and perfect the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral and shall cause its financial statements to reflect such security interest in accordance with generally accepted and statutory accounting principles.

(i)            The Borrower will not sell, transfer, change the registration, if any, of, dispose of, attempt to dispose of, or materially modify, compromise, settle, release, surrender or abandon the Collateral or any part thereof, or grant any material waiver, consent, extension or indulgence affecting rights of payment with respect thereto, other than (i) in the ordinary course of its business and in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.7 of the Credit Agreement or (ii) with the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.  The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its right, title or interest in or to any of the Collateral other than the Lien of this Deed and Permitted Liens without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

(j)            The Collateral Agent is authorized (but is under no obligation) to make, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Borrower (except in the case of exigent circumstances, in which circumstances upon such notice, if any, as may then be practical), any payments which in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders are necessary to discharge any Liens which have or may take priority over the Lien of this Deed other than Permitted Liens.  The Borrower shall have no claim against the Collateral Agent or any Lender by reason of its decision not to make any payments or perform such obligations permitted under this Section.  The Borrower shall repay to the Collateral Agent any sums paid by the Collateral Agent upon demand.  Any sums paid and expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this paragraph shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate and shall be payable upon demand.  In the event that the Borrower claims, by written notice to the Collateral Agent received within the five (5) Business Days immediately following the giving of any notice by the Collateral Agent pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph or, if any payment described therein shall have been made without notice, the five Business Days immediately following the giving of notice by the Collateral Agent of the making of such payment, that such payment is not necessary to discharge such Lien and to preserve the priority of the Lien of this Deed, and obtains a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction confirming such claim in a proceeding in which the Collateral Agent has the opportunity to participate fully, the Collateral Agent will upon demand reimburse the Borrower for its reasonable expenses incurred under this paragraph.

(k)           The Borrower will not assert against the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party any claim or defense which the Borrower may have against any obligor under the Collateral or any part thereof or any other Person with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof for so long as this Deed remains in effect.

(l)            The Borrower will within the five (5) Business Days immediately following a written request therefor pay to the Collateral Agent the amount of any and all

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reasonable and validly incurred expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and of agents, which the Collateral Agent may incur in connection with (i) the administration of this Deed, (ii) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or the Secured Parties hereunder or (iv) the failure by the Borrower to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

Section   4.   Special Provisions Concerning Pledged Recoveries, etc.   The Borrower represents, warrants and agrees as follows:

(a)           From and after the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date, (i) the Borrower will cause all Pledged Recoveries and Pledged Premiums to be promptly (and in any event within one Business Day following receipt thereof by the Borrower) to be deposited into the Collateral Account, and (ii) prior to such deposit the Borrower will hold any payments received by it representing Pledged Recoveries or Pledged Premiums in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent.

(b)           The Borrower hereby irrevocably instructs (i) the Administrative Agent to transfer all Pledged Reserves Account Funds to the Collateral Agent on the date a Loan is made in respect of such Pledged Reserves Account Funds within instructions to the Collateral Agent  to deposit such Pledged Reserves Account Funds directly into the Pledged Reserves Account, and (ii) the Collateral Agent, upon receipt of any funds accompanied by any such notice, to make such deposit.

(c)           On each date on which any payment of principal or interest is required to be paid under the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent, upon instruction from the Administrative Agent, shall transfer immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent  in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the credit balance of the Collateral Account on such date and (ii) the aggregate amount of such principal and/or interest required to be paid on such date in each case in payment for the account of the Borrower of such principal and interest.

(d)           Promptly upon receipt of any written instruction of the Borrower on any Business Day during regular business hours, the Collateral Agent shall transfer to the Administrative Agent immediately available funds in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the credit balance of the Accounts on such Business Day and (ii) the amount of (x) fees then due and payable on such Business Day pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Credit Agreement or (y) any prepayment of Loans to be made on such Business Day pursuant to Section 2.6(a) of the Credit Agreement, in payment for the account of the Borrower of such fees or the amount of such prepayment, as applicable.

(e)           Prior to the date of the first borrowing of Loans and so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may from time to time on any Business Day during regular business hours instruct the Collateral Agent (with a copy of such instruction to the Administrative Agent) to transfer immediately available funds in an amount equal to all or a portion of the credit balance in the Collateral Account to the Borrower, as determined below.  Any such instruction (i) shall contain a certification by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower that (x) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y)

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and to the best of such Authorized Officer’s knowledge, there is no reasonable likelihood that the initial Borrowing of Loans shall occur within three months of the date of such instruction and (ii) shall specify the amount requested to be so transferred.  Promptly upon receipt of any such instruction on any Business Day, the Collateral Agent shall transfer to the Borrower on such Business Day (at such account as the Borrower shall specify in such instruction) immediately available funds in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the credit balance of the Collateral Account on such Business Day and (b) the amount specified in such instruction.  Any transfer to the Borrower made pursuant to this Section 4(e) shall be made free and clear of any pledge or security interest hereunder.

(f)            Promptly upon receipt of a copy of a Pledged Reserves Release Notice on any Business Day during regular business hours, the Collateral Agent shall transfer to the Administrative Agent on such Business Day immediately available funds in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the credit balance of the Pledged Reserves Account on such Business Day and (ii) the sum of (A) the amount of Pledged Reserves Account Funds set forth in the related Pledged Reserves Release Notice to be applied to the Borrower’s obligations to prepay Loans under Section 2.6(b) of the Credit Agreement in payment for the account of the Borrower of such Secured Obligations plus (B) an amount equal to the interest and other earnings on such Pledged Reserves Account Funds to be applied to the Borrower’s obligations to pay interest on Loans under the Credit Agreement in payment for the account of the Borrower.

(g)           From time to time, the Borrower may apply Pledged Reserves Account Funds and other Collateral contained in the Pledged Reserves Account to Losses.  In the event that the Borrower shall so apply any Pledged Reserves Account Funds and/or any such other Collateral, it shall give written notice to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent thereof.  Any such notice shall (i) set forth in reasonable detail (x) the relevant Insured Obligation, (y) the default by the issuer of the relevant Insured Obligation, and (z) the amount of the Loss relating to such Insured Obligation to which such Pledged Reserves Account Funds and/or other Collateral shall be applied and (ii) shall contain a representation, warranty and covenant that promptly upon receipt of any Pledged Reserves Account Funds released in accordance with this Section 4(g), the Borrower shall apply the same to the Loss described in such request.  Notwithstanding the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall transfer to the Borrower promptly following receipt of any such notice on any Business Day during regular business hours, in immediately available funds and at such account as the Borrower shall specify in such instructions, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the credit balance of the Pledged Reserves Account on such Business Day and (ii) the amount set forth in such notice.  Any transfer to the Borrower made pursuant to this Section 4(g) shall be made free and clear of any pledge or security interest hereunder.

(h)           Any instruction given by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Sections 4(b) through 4(g) inclusive shall be deemed to have been given on a certain Business Day only if it is received by the Collateral Agent on or prior to 1:00 p.m.  (New York time) on such Business Day.  In the event that the Collateral Agent receives any such instruction after 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on any Business Day, such instruction shall be deemed to have been given on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

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(i)            Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, on and after the Initial Funding Date, regardless of whether an Event of Default shall have occurred, (i) upon request of the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall notify all account debtors and other obligors to make (and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause) all payments on account of Pledged Recoveries to be made directly to the Collateral Account, and (ii) the Collateral Agent may, at its option, and shall, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, at its option, directly notify such account debtors and other obligors with respect to any Pledged Recoveries to make payments with respect thereto as provided in the preceding clause (i).  The reasonable costs and expenses of collection (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) from such account debtors and other obligors and from account debtors, whether incurred by the Borrower or the Collateral Agent shall be borne by the Borrower.  The Collateral Agent shall deliver a copy of each notice referred to in the preceding clause (ii) to the Borrower, provided that the failure by the Collateral Agent to so notify the Borrower shall not affect the effectiveness of such notice or the other rights of the Collateral Agent created by this Deed.  In the event that any account debtor or other obligor (including any party to an Insurance Contract) is prohibited by applicable law or any direction of any regulatory authority from depositing any Collateral (including any cash) into the Collateral Account, within one Business Day of the date on which such account debtor or other obligor was required to deposit such Collateral into the Collateral Account, the Borrower shall deposit into the Collateral Account in accordance with Section 4(a) cash in an amount equal to the amount of the Collateral which should have been deposited into the Collateral Account by such account debtor or other obligor.

(j)            The Borrower will service and administer the Collateral in accordance with Section 6.11 of the Credit Agreement.

Section   5.   Financing Statements, etc.; Documentary Stamp Taxes .

(a)           The Borrower will, at its own expense, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file, register and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent from time to time such financing statements, particulars of mortgages and charges and other assurances or instruments and take such further steps relating to its right, title and interest in and to the Collateral, which the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders reasonably deem appropriate or advisable to perfect, register, preserve or protect the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties therein or to more fully grant, assign, transfer, deliver and set over to and vest in the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties all and singular the Collateral hereby granted, assigned, transferred, delivered or set over or intended to be so.  The Borrower authorizes the Collateral Agent to make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file, register and/or deliver from time to time such financing statements, particulars of mortgages and charges and other assurances or instruments and take such further steps relating to its right, title and interest in and to the Collateral, in the name and on behalf of the Borrower and without the signature of the Borrower if permitted, and the Borrower will pay all applicable filing fees and related reasonable expenses.  The Borrower authorizes the Collateral Agent to prepare and file, at the Borrower’s expense, such financing statements and continuation statements and other amendments thereto under any applicable the Uniform Commercial Code which the Collateral Agent or the Majority Lenders reasonably deem appropriate or advisable to perfect, preserve or protect the Security Interest in the Collateral.

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The Collateral Agent shall provide a copy of any such filing to the Borrower, together with an identification of the place of such filing and the filing number thereof.

(b)           If the Borrower owns or acquires any instrument constituting Collateral, from and after the Initial Funding Date the Borrower shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof, and upon written request by the Collateral Agent will promptly deliver such instrument to the Collateral Agent appropriately endorsed to the order of the Collateral Agent.

(c)           If the Borrower is at any time a beneficiary under a letter of credit constituting Collateral, from and after the Initial Funding Date the Borrower shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, at the written request of the Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, use its reasonable commercial efforts to (i) arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to the Collateral Agent of the proceeds of any drawing under such letter of credit or (ii) arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the transferee beneficiary of such letter of credit.

(d)           If Borrower shall at any time have or acquire a commercial tort claim constituting Collateral, from and after the Initial Funding Date the Borrower shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof in a writing signed by the Borrower.  The Borrower and the Collateral Agent shall enter into an amendment to this Deed which shall describe the details of the commercial tort claim, and the Collateral Agent shall update Schedule B hereto.

(e)           Upon the request of the Collateral Agent made at any time or from time to time from and after the Initial Funding Date, (i) the Borrower shall promptly furnish to the Collateral Agent a list of all electronic chattel paper held or owned by the Borrower and constituting Collateral, (ii) if requested in writing by the Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall promptly take all actions which are reasonably practicable so that the Collateral Agent has “control” of all such electronic chattel paper in accordance with the requirements of Section 9-105 of the Uniform Commercial Code, and (iii) the Borrower shall promptly following any request in writing by the Collateral Agent deliver all of its tangible chattel paper constituting Collateral to the Collateral Agent.

(f)            If the Borrower shall at any time enter into a reinsurance agreement or similar agreement which constitutes an insurance policy within the meaning of the applicable Uniform Commercial Code and cedes risk to the Borrower with respect to Insured Obligations in the Covered Portfolio, the Borrower shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent thereof.  At the written request of the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent at any time from and after the occurrence of a Trigger Event, the Borrower shall (i) provide notice to each counterparty insurer party to each such reinsurance agreement or similar agreement, now existing or hereafter entered into substantially in the form and substance set forth as Annex 1 hereto, (ii) use its best efforts to obtain the written acceptance of such notice by such counterparty insurer and (iii) deliver an original counterpart of each such agreement to the Collateral Agent.  Such obligation of the Borrower to provide such notice is without prejudice to any rights of the Collateral Agent to provide such a notice or any other notice to any such counterparty insurer now or hereafter granted under applicable law or under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

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(g)           The Borrower agrees to procure, pay for, affix to all documents any documentary tax stamps required by applicable law, and the Borrower will indemnify and hold the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party harmless against any liability (including, without limitation, interest and penalties) in respect of such documentary stamp taxes.

Section 6.   Events of Default .  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, in addition to any rights and remedies now or hereafter granted under applicable law or under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document and not by way of limitation of any such rights and remedies:

(a)           The Collateral Agent, acting on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar foreign law as enacted in any applicable jurisdiction with respect to the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral and any portion thereof, and the right, without notice to, or assent by, the Borrower, in the name of the Borrower or in the name of the Collateral Agent or otherwise:

(i)            with respect to any Collateral comprised of accounts or general intangibles, to ask for, demand, collect, receive, compound and give acquittance for all or any part of any payment to be made pursuant thereto, to extend the time of payment of, compromise or settle for cash, credit or otherwise, and upon any terms and conditions thereof, to endorse the name of the Borrower on any checks, drafts or other orders or instruments for the payment of moneys payable to the Borrower which shall be issued in respect thereof, to exercise and enforce any rights and remedies in respect thereof, to file any claims, commence, maintain or discontinue any actions, suits or other proceedings deemed by the Collateral Agent or the Majority Lenders necessary or advisable for the purpose of collecting or enforcing payment and performance thereof or to direct the Borrower to perform any of the foregoing, to make test verifications thereof or any portion thereof, to notify any or all account debtors thereunder to make payment thereof directly to the Collateral Agent for credit to the Collateral Account and to require the Borrower to forthwith give similar notice to the account debtors, and to require the Borrower forthwith to account for and transmit to the Collateral Agent in the same form as received for deposit into the Collateral Account all proceeds (other than physical property) of collection thereof received by the Borrower and, until so transmitted, to hold the same in trust for the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and not commingle such proceeds with any other funds of the Borrower;

(ii)           to exercise all claims, rights, powers, privileges and remedies under any of the Collateral, all rights to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, without limitation, election of remedies) or option, to give or receive any notice, consent, waiver or approval, to demand, receive, enforce, collect or receipt for any of the Collateral or any property subject thereto, to enforce or execute any checks, instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action which (in the opinion of the Collateral Agent or the Majority Lenders) may be necessary or advisable in connection with any of the foregoing;

 

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(iii)          to pay all payments or perform any obligations which are payable or to be performed by the Borrower under any of the Collateral (whether to the Secured Parties or others), upon the failure of the Borrower to make such payments or perform such obligations within the time permitted therein;

(iv)          to take possession of any of the Collateral and, for that purpose, to enter, with the aid and assistance of any Person or Persons and with or without legal process, any premises where the Collateral, or any part thereof, is, or may be, placed or assembled, and to remove any of such Collateral;

(v)           to execute any instrument and do all other things necessary and proper to protect and preserve and realize upon the Collateral and the other rights contemplated hereby;

(vi)          upon notice to such effect, to require the Borrower to deliver, at the Borrower’s expense, any Collateral which is reasonably movable to the Collateral Agent at a place designated by the Collateral Agent, and after delivery thereof the Borrower shall have no further claim to or interest in the Collateral; and

(vii)         without obligation to resort to other security, at any time and from time to time, to sell, re-sell, assign and deliver all or any of the Collateral, in one or more parcels at the same or different times, and all right, title and interest, claim and demand therein and right of redemption thereof, at public or private sale, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery, and at such price or prices and on such terms as the Collateral Agent may determine, with the amounts realized from any such sale to be applied to the Secured Obligations in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement or otherwise required by law.

The Borrower hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, that all of the foregoing may be effected without demand, advertisement or notice (except as hereinafter provided or as may be required by law), all of which (except as hereinafter provided) are hereby expressly waived, to the extent permitted by law.  The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to do any of the acts hereinabove authorized, but in the event that the Collateral Agent elects to do any such act, the Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to the Borrower except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably appointed the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of the Borrower in its name and stead, to make all necessary agreements, instruments and documents and to take all other actions and for such other purposes as are necessary or desirable to effectuate the provisions of this paragraph (a), and for that purpose it may substitute one or more Persons with like power, the Borrower hereby ratifying and confirming all that its said attorney, or such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do by virtue hereof.

(b)           The Collateral Agent may take legal proceedings for the appointment of a receiver or receivers (to which the Collateral Agent shall be entitled as a matter of right) to take possession of the Collateral pending the sale thereof pursuant either to the powers of sale granted by this Deed or to a judgment, order or decree made in any judicial proceeding for the foreclosure or involving the enforcement of this Deed.

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(c)           Upon any sale of any of the Collateral, whether made under the power of sale hereby given or under judgment, order or decree in any judicial proceeding for the foreclosure or involving the enforcement of this Deed,

(i)            the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party may bid for and purchase the property being sold, and upon compliance with the terms of sale may hold, retain and possess and dispose of such property for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties without further accountability, and may, in paying the purchase money therefor, deliver any instruments evidencing the Secured Obligations or agree to the satisfaction of all or a portion of the Secured Obligations in lieu of cash in payment of the amount which shall be payable thereon, and such instruments, in case the amounts so payable thereon shall be less than the amount due thereon, shall be returned to the Collateral Agent after being appropriately stamped to show partial payment;

(ii)           the Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably appointed the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of the Borrower in its name and stead, to make all necessary deeds, bills of sale and instruments of assignment and transfer of the property thus sold and for such other purposes as are necessary or desirable to effectuate the provisions of this Deed, and for that purpose it may execute and deliver all necessary deeds, bills of sale and instruments of assignment and transfer, and may substitute one or more Persons with like power, the Borrower hereby ratifying and confirming all that its said attorney, or such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do by virtue hereof; but if so requested by the Collateral Agent or by any purchaser, the Borrower shall ratify and confirm any such sale or transfer by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent or to such purchaser all property, deeds, bills of sale, instruments or assignment and transfer and releases as may be designated in any such request;

(iii)          all right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever, either at law or in equity or otherwise, of the Borrower of, in and to the property so sold shall be divested; such sale shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against the Borrower, its successors and assigns, and against all Persons claiming or who may claim the property sold or any part thereof from, through or under the Borrower, its successors or assigns;

(iv)          the receipt of the Collateral Agent or of the officer thereof making such sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers at such sale for his or their purchase money, and such purchaser or purchasers, and his or their assigns or personal representatives, shall not, after paying such purchase money and receiving such receipt of the Collateral Agent or of such officer therefor, be obliged to see to the application of such purchase money or be in any way answerable for any loss, misapplication or nonapplication thereof; and

(v)           to the extent that it may lawfully do so, the Borrower agrees that it will not at any time that the Secured Obligations are outstanding insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the advantage of, any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension or redemption laws, or any law permitting it to direct the order in which the Collateral or any part thereof shall be sold, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance or enforcement of this Deed or

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any Loan Document, and the Borrower hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such laws and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted or delegated to the Collateral Agent in this Deed, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such laws were in force.

In the event of any sale of Collateral pursuant to this Section, the Collateral Agent shall, at least 10 days before such sale, give the Borrower written notice of its intention to sell, except that, if the Collateral Agent shall determine in its sole discretion that any of the Collateral threatens to decline speedily in value, any such sale may be made upon three (3) days’ written or telecopied notice to the Borrower.

(d)           The Borrower upon written request of the Collateral Agent from time to time will deliver to the Collateral Agent executed counterparts or copies of each contract, agreement, document or instrument constituting part of the Collateral.

Section 7.   Application of Moneys .   All moneys which the Collateral Agent shall receive pursuant hereto shall be applied to the Secured Parties ratably in accordance with amounts then due to each Secured Party to discharge the Secured Obligations, in such order as is provided in the Credit Agreement or otherwise required by law.  After the termination of this Deed pursuant to Section 10 hereof, any balance then remaining shall be paid to the Borrower, unless a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise directs.

Section 8.  Accounts .

(a)           The Borrower shall within 30 days following the date hereof establish with DBTCA, as securities intermediary, two accounts for purposes of this Deed, each in the name of the Borrower for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, one such account (including any subaccounts therein) being the “ Collateral Account ” and the other such account (including any subaccounts therein) being the “ Pledged Reserves Account ”.  Subject to the provisions of this Deed, each Account shall be under the sole control of the Collateral Agent.  DBTCA, as securities intermediary, shall comply with the instructions of the Collateral Agent with respect to each Account and shall comply with any entitlement order received from the Collateral Agent, without further consent of the Borrower or any other person, with respect to all securities, financial assets or other investment property credited to each Account, and DBTCA, as securities intermediary, will not comply with entitlement orders or instructions concerning either Account or securities, financial assets or other investment property credited thereto originated by the Borrower.  Prior to the termination of this Deed and subject to the following provisions of this Section 8, amounts in the Accounts shall be applied only to pay and discharge Secured Obligations.  At the request of the Collateral Agent, the Borrower agrees promptly to cause each or both Accounts to be opened with and maintained by another bank or banks (the “ Depositary ”) acceptable to the Collateral Agent and the Borrower under an account agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Borrower and subject to an agreement providing the Collateral Agent with control over each applicable Account and all Collateral credited from time to time thereto, in form and substance similar hereto.  Each Account shall at all times be maintained within the United States.  The Borrower and DBTCA, as securities intermediary, agree that each Account constitutes a “securities account” for purposes of Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and that, so long as an Account is maintained with

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DBTCA, as securities intermediary, (i) DBTCA, as securities intermediary, will treat all of the Collateral credited from time to time to such Account as financial assets within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code to the fullest extent it may do so under the Uniform Commercial Code, and (ii) DBTCA, as securities intermediary, shall act as a securities intermediary with respect to such Account.  For purposes of Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, all matters relating to the Collateral and each Account shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

(b)           All cash, documents, instruments, securities general intangibles, financial assets and other investment property and Collateral from time to time on deposit in or credited to each Account, and all rights pertaining to investments of funds in each Account, shall immediately and without any need for any further action on the part of the Borrower or the Collateral Agent become subject to the security interest, lien and assignment set forth in this Deed.  Any earnings on investments of funds in either Account shall be deposited into or retained in the Collateral Account, as the case may be.

(c)           Without limitation of any other rights which the Collateral Agent may have in and to any funds in either Account, including interest accrued and accredited thereto, if the Loss Threshold Incurrence Date has occurred, (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the exclusive right to deliver instructions and entitlement orders to the issuer of or any securities intermediary for any securities, financial assets or other investment property in each Account without further consent from the Borrower, (ii) the proceeds of any investments in each Account which mature or which shall from time to time be sold may be reinvested in Qualified Investments for the account of such Account, (iii) any net income or gain on the investment of funds from time to time held in an Account shall be credited to such Account, and any net loss on any such investment shall be charged against such Account and (iv) the Collateral Agent shall be authorized to invest and reinvest the funds from time to time deposited in either Account in Qualified Investments in the sole discretion of the Collateral Agent.  The Collateral Agent shall not be a trustee for the Borrower, nor shall have any obligations or responsibilities, or shall be liable for anything done or not done, in connection with this Deed or any funds in the Collateral Account, except as expressly provided herein and except that the Collateral Agent shall have the obligations of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect from time to time in the State of New York.  In no event, however, shall the Collateral Agent have any obligations or responsibilities or be liable in any way for any investment decision made pursuant to this Section or for any decrease in the value of any funds pledged or invested pursuant to this Deed.  At any time after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent may sell any documents, instruments and securities held in the Collateral Account and deliver instructions and entitlement orders with respect thereto and may immediately apply the proceeds thereof and any other cash held in the Collateral Account against and on account of the Secured Obligations in the manner provided in Section 7.

(d)           In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, at any time after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to the Borrower or to any other person or entity, any such notice being hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, to appropriate and apply all moneys in each Account against and on account of the Secured Obligations in the manner provided in Section 7, irrespective of

15




whether or not the Collateral Agent shall have made any demand hereunder.  The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to debit each Account and to withdraw funds therefrom to pay interest and principal when due under the Credit Agreement and the Notes without further instruction from the Borrower.

(e)           From and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall transfer or direct the transfer of available funds from each Account to the Administrative Agent on each date any principal amount of the Loans or interest thereon are required to be paid pursuant to the Credit Agreement in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the available credit balance of such Account on such date and (ii) the aggregate amount of such principal and/or interest required to be paid on such date in payment for the account of the Borrower of such principal and interest.

Section 9.   Agreement as Security .   This Deed is being made as security for the Secured Obligations, and the Collateral Agent’s acceptance of this Deed shall not constitute a satisfaction of any indebtedness, liability, duty or obligation, or any part thereof, now or hereafter owed by the Borrower or relieve the Borrower of any of its indebtedness, liabilities, duties or obligations under the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party hereby assumes any indebtedness, liabilities, duties or obligations of the Borrower under or in respect of any of the Collateral, and neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any liability or obligation to any Person by reason of the failure of the Borrower to perform any thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party from and against all liability, loss or damage which it may suffer or incur and which arises out of or results from any claim or any alleged indebtedness, liability, duty or obligation on the part of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to perform or discharge any indebtedness, liabilities, duties or obligations of the Borrower under or in respect of any of the Collateral, together with all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) paid or incurred in connection therewith, except to the extent such liability, loss or damage results from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party.

Section 10.   Termination .   On the date on which all Loans and the indebtedness represented thereby (including, without limitation, the interest thereon) have been paid in full pursuant to and in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the Notes, all other Secured Obligations have been paid in full in accordance with the terms thereof, the Commitments have terminated and the Lenders have no further obligation to make Loans or otherwise to advance funds under the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents, this Deed shall terminate, any Collateral held by DBTCA in its capacities as securities intermediary or Collateral Agent shall be turned over to the Borrower or as the Borrower may otherwise direct, the grant, assignment and transfer contained in Section 2 shall become null and void, the Collateral shall be reassigned to the Borrower by DBTCA in its capacities as securities intermediary and Collateral Agent without recourse to DBTCA in either capacity and without any representations, warranties or agreements of any kind and DBTCA in its capacities as securities intermediary and Collateral Agent shall release in writing the Borrower from its obligations hereunder, subject, however, in each case to retroactive reinstatement if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by the Collateral Agent hereunder to any of the Secured Obligations is or must be rescinded, disgorged or returned for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy

16




or reorganization of the Borrower).  At the expense of the Borrower, DBTCA in its capacities as securities intermediary and Collateral Agent will execute all documents and make all filings required in order to release its Liens on the Collateral.

Section 11.   Miscellaneous .

(a)           All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and, if to the Borrower, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at 30 Woodbourne Ave., 5 th  Floor, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda, Attention: David Penchoff, President, with copy at the same address, Attention:  James M. Michener, General Counsel; if to the Administrative Agent, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention:  John S. McGill, Director;  if to the Collateral Agent, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention:  Laron Galea, if to any Lender, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it as indicated on Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement; or as to any party as such party may otherwise direct in a written notice.  All such notices and other communications shall, when mailed, be effective three days after the date of deposit in the mails, addressed as aforesaid.  In lieu of notice by mail or delivery, written notice may be given over telecopier at the appropriate numbers set forth below, such notice over telecopier to be effective when transmitted:

If to the Borrower:

Telecopier No.: (441) 296-3379

 

 

 

 

If to the Administrative Agent:

Telecopier No.:  (212) 797-0270

 

 

 

 

If to the Collateral Agent:

Telecopier No.:  (212) 797-8622

 

 

 

 

If to any Lender:

As specified in Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement

 

(b)           No delay on the part of the Collateral Agent in exercising any of its rights, remedies, powers and privileges hereunder or partial or single exercise thereof, shall constitute a waiver thereof.  None of the terms and conditions of this Deed may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by the Borrower and the Collateral Agent and consented to in the manner and to the extent required by Section 10.15 of the Credit Agreement.  No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of any of the rights of the Collateral Agent to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

(c)           The obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall remain in full force and effect subject to applicable law, any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, to the rights of creditors of insurers, to the supervisory powers of insurance regulatory authorities, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such principles are considered in a proceeding in equity or law) and to judicial action giving effect to foreign governmental actions or laws affecting creditors’ rights.  The obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be impaired by, (i) any exercise or non-exercise, or any waiver of, any right, remedy, power or privilege under or in respect of this Deed, the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents approved by the Borrower or any security for any of the Secured Obligations; and (ii) any amendment to or modification of any of the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents, the Secured Obligations or any security for any of the

17




Secured Obligations, provided that such amendment or modification was made in accordance with the terms of such document.  The rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties herein provided for are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party would otherwise have.

(d)           This Deed shall be binding upon the Borrower and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties and their successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any successor Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement), except that the Borrower may not transfer or assign any of its obligations, right or interest hereunder without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent and the Majority Lenders and the Secured Parties may only assign their rights and interests in compliance with Section 10.8 of the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that any Lender may assign all or any portion of its rights and interest herein as provided in Section 10.8 of the Credit Agreement, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” as used herein shall include any Assignee, any New Lender or any other party which at any time hereafter is deemed to be or have the rights of a “Lender” under the Credit Agreement.  All agreements, representations and warranties made herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Deed.

(e)           The Collateral Agent has been appointed as Collateral Agent hereunder by the Lenders and shall be entitled hereunder to the benefits of the Credit Agreement.  The Collateral Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right, hereunder to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral) solely in accordance with this Deed and the Credit Agreement.

(f)            Each party hereby agrees that any legal action or proceeding against the other with respect to this Deed, any of the Loan Documents or any of the agreements, documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York as the applicable party may elect, and, by execution and delivery hereof, the Borrower, for itself and in respect to its property, generally and unconditionally accepts and consents to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that such jurisdiction shall be exclusive, unless waived by the Collateral Agent in writing, with respect to any action or proceeding brought by it against the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party and any questions relating to usury.  Each party agrees that Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York shall apply to this Deed and the Loan Documents and waives any right to stay or to dismiss any action or proceeding brought against it before said courts on the basis of forum non conveniens.  Except as specifically set forth herein, nothing herein shall limit the right of either party to bring proceedings against the other in any other court or tribunal otherwise having jurisdiction.

(g)           THIS DEED AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

18




(h)           Any provision of this Deed which is prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, unenforceability or nonauthorization without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

(i)            Section headings in this Deed are included herein for convenience or reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Deed for any other purpose.

(j)            This Deed may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as the original and all of which shall constitute one and the same Deed.

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]

19




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Deed to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

SIGNED AS A DEED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF:

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.,

 

as Borrower

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNED AS A DEED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Collateral Agent and as Securities Intermediary

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNED AS A DEED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

[Signature Pages to Security Agreement]




 

SCHEDULE A to
SECURITY AGREEMENT AND
COLLATERAL DEED OF ASSIGNMENT

Description of Commercial Tort Claims
Included in the Collateral

As of the date of this Deed, none.

To be supplemented from time to time in accordance with Section 5(d).

 




ANNEX 1 to
SECURITY AGREEMENT
AND COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT

FORM OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT AGREEMENT

as of [                           ], 200    

Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as Administrative
  Agent
60 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas Branch, as Collateral
  Agent
60 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005

Re:          Assured Guaranty Re Ltd.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The undersigned (the “Company”) refers to [described reinsurance agreement] (each, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, a “ Reinsurance Agreement ” and, collectively, the “ Reinsurance Agreements ”).  Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (“AGR”) advised the Company that AGR is a party to a Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among AGR, the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and other parties, providing for a committed credit facility to AGR from the Lenders in reliance on, among other things, the security provided by the Security Agreement referred to therein (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”).

Pursuant to the Security Agreement, AGR will grant, assign, transfer, deliver and set over to the Collateral Agent, as agent for the Lenders and certain other Persons, and will grant to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and certain other Persons a

 




continuing security interest in, all of AGR’s right, title and interest, whether now existing or hereafter arising or acquired, in and to (i) the Reinsurance Agreements to the extent such right, title and interest relates to the repayment or reimbursement of the payment of a claim by AGR under the Reinsurance Agreements covering any Insured Obligation in the Covered Portfolio (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (ii) all claims, rights, powers, privileges and remedies under any of the foregoing, all rights to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, without limitation, election of remedies) or option, to give or receive any notice, consent, waiver or approval, to demand, receive, enforce, collect or receipt for any of the foregoing or any property subject thereto, to enforce or execute any checks, instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action which (in the opinion of the Collateral Agent) may be necessary or advisable in connection with any of the foregoing (the “ Assigned Collateral ”), as security for the prompt payment and performance of the obligations of AGR under the Credit Agreement.

In consideration of the credit facility being provided to AGR pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and acknowledging that the Lenders will rely on this letter in agreeing to extend credit to AGR pursuant thereto, the Company hereby:

(a)   (i) acknowledges and consents to AGR entering into the Security Agreement, the assignment by AGR of the Assigned Collateral to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Agreement, and to the grant of a security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Agreement, and (ii) agrees that such assignment and grant of a security interest will not diminish the rights of AGR under any Reinsurance Agreement nor impose on the Collateral Agent or any Lender or other Secured Party any duties or obligations of AGR under any Reinsurance Agreement.  The parties hereto agree that (x) such assignment and grant of a security interest shall not relieve AGR of any of its duties or obligations under any Reinsurance Agreement and (y) the Company shall retain all of its rights and remedies under each Reinsurance Agreement against AGR to the same extent as such assignment and grant had not occurred; and

(b)   agrees that if the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent shall have delivered to the Company notice that the Initial Funding Date has occurred, the Company will thereafter, unless prohibited by applicable law (including the direction of any regulatory authority) make all payments due to AGR under or with respect to Assigned Collateral, directly to, or in accordance with the instructions of, the Collateral Agent for deposit into the Collateral Account to be held and applied in accordance with the Security Agreement.

The Company agrees to make and maintain appropriate notations on its books and records to reflect the assignment of the Assigned Collateral as contemplated by this Agreement.

The Company acknowledges that the Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents (excluding the Reinsurance Agreements) may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including extensions thereof and increases or other changes in the commitments thereunder) from time to time without the consent of the Company

 




and that, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, shall continue to constitute the Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement or such Loan Document for purposes of this Agreement; provided that no such amendment, supplement or modification shall alter or otherwise adversely change the rights or obligations of the Company hereunder without the Company’s prior written consent.

The parties agree that the Company shall not have or incur any liability for any non-performance (or delay in performance) of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent such non-performance (or delay in performance) is caused by any unforeseen circumstance not within the reasonable control of the Company  including, without limitation, any act of God, strike, civil commotion, act of terrorism, riot, war, threat of war, political upheaval and any fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake or other natural physical disaster.  The parties also agree that in no event shall the Company be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or punitive losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including lost profits, relating to its obligations under this Agreement.

The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent that:

(a)           it has no notice or knowledge of any assignment relative to the right, title and interest of AGR in, to and under any Assigned Collateral, other than the assignment and grant of a security interest to the Collateral Agent referred to above,

(b)           as of the date hereof, there are no unresolved disputes between the parties under any Reinsurance Agreement, and

(c)           all amounts due on or prior to the date hereof to the Company under the Reinsurance Agreements have been paid in full.

The parties agree that all notices, instructions and other communications provided for herein shall be effective if in writing and, (i) if to the Company, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at                                        , Attention:                                        , (ii) if to Deutsche Bank, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10015, Attention:             , and (iii) if to AGR, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at  30 Woodbourne Avenue, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda, Attention: General Counsel, or as to any party as such party may direct from time to time in a written notice to all other parties.  All such notices and other communications shall be effective when received or, if mailed, on the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) business days after the date of deposit in the mails, addressed as aforesaid.  In lieu of notice by mail or delivery, written notice may be given over telecopier at the following numbers (i) if to the Company, at (      )       -        , (ii) if to Deutsche Bank, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, at (212) 797-0270, and (iii) if to AGR, at ( 441) 296-1083, or as to any party to such other number as such party may direct from time to time in a written notice to all other parties.  Any such notice over telecopier shall be effective when transmitted.

This Agreement may be amended, terminated or otherwise modified only with the written consent of the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and AGR.

 




No delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power, privilege or remedy hereunder or any other Loan Document or in failing to exercise the same shall operate as a waiver of such right, power, privilege or remedy; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Agreement or any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, privilege or remedy; and no notice to or demand on any party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of any obligation or duty of any other party or any such other party’s right to take further action without notice or demand.  The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents and all other agreements, instruments and documents referred to in any of the foregoing are cumulative and shall not be exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the delivery of notice to the Company by the Collateral Agent that (i) all Commitments under the Credit Agreement have terminated, (ii) there are no Loans outstanding and (iii) all obligations owing to the Secured Parties under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than indemnity obligations and other obligations contained in the Loan Documents which by their terms are expressed to survive the termination of the Loan Documents and which are not then due and payable) have been indefeasibly paid in full.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Assured Re and their respective successors and assigns, and shall also inure to the benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors, transferees and assigns.  Any Person which shall become the “Collateral Agent” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be the Collateral Agent hereunder; any Person which shall become the “Administrative Agent” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be the Administrative Agent hereunder; any Person which shall become a “Lender” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be a Lender hereunder; and any Person which shall become a “Secured Party” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be a Secured Party hereunder.

Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition, unenforceability or nonauthorization without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER ARISING UNDER, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING, WHETHER ARISING UNDER STATUTE (INCLUDING ANY FEDERAL OR STATE CONSTITUTION) OR UNDER THE LAW OF CONTRACT, TORT

 




OR OTHERWISE AND INCLUDING ANY CHALLENGE TO THE LEGALITY, VALIDITY, BINDING EFFECT OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS SECTION OR THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

Each party hereto hereby agrees that any legal action or proceeding against the others with respect to this Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York as the applicable party may elect, and, by execution and delivery hereof, the Company, for itself and in respect to its property, generally and unconditionally accepts and consents to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that such jurisdiction shall be exclusive, unless waived by the Collateral Agent in writing, with respect to any action or proceeding brought by it against the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender.  Each party agrees that Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York shall apply to this Agreement and waives any right to stay or to dismiss any action or proceeding brought against it before said courts on the basis of forum non conveniens.  Except as specifically set forth herein, nothing herein shall limit the right of either party to bring proceedings against the other in any other court or tribunal otherwise having jurisdiction.

[applicable to non-U.S. entities:  By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company (i) acknowledges that it has, by separate written instrument, irrevocably designated and appointed                                                 ,                                     , New York, New York             , as its authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement that may be instituted in any court of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York or brought by the Collateral Agent and acknowledges that                                                 , has accepted such designation, and agrees that service of process upon                                                 , and written notice of said service to the Company (in accordance with this Agreement), shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit or proceeding.  the Company further agrees to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment                                      in full force and effect so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect.]

[applicable to non-U.S. entities:  To the extent that the Company may be or become entitled, in any jurisdiction in which judicial proceedings may at any time be commenced with respect to this Agreement, to claim for itself or its properties or revenues any immunity from suit, court jurisdiction, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment, execution of a judgment or from any other legal process or remedy relating to its obligations under this Agreement, and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed such an immunity (whether or not claimed), the Company hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim and hereby irrevocably waives such immunity to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of such jurisdiction.]

[applicable to non-U.S. entities:  This is an international credit transaction in which the specification of U.S. Dollars and payment in the United States is of the essence, and the obligations of the Company under this Agreement to make payments to the Collateral Agent or any Depositary or for deposit into the Collateral Account shall not be discharged or satisfied

 




by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any other currency or in another place except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Collateral Agent or any Depositary, at its office in which the Collateral Account is maintained in the United States, of the full amount of U.S. Dollars payable under this Agreement.  If a judgment is given in relation to any sum payable hereunder to the Collateral Agent or any Depositary or for deposit into the Collateral Account (in this paragraph called an “ entitled person ”), and such judgment is given in a currency (in this Section called the “ judgment currency ”) other than U.S. Dollars, the Company agrees to indemnify the entitled person to the extent that the amount of U.S. Dollars which could have been purchased by the Administrative Agent in accordance with normal banking procedures on the Business Day following receipt of such sum is less than the sum which could have been so purchased by the Administrative Agent had such purchase been made on the day on which such judgment was given or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the Business Day immediately preceding the giving of such judgment.

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[NAME OF COMPANY]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Agreed to and accepted, as
of the date first above written:

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,
   as Administrative Agent

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 




 

DEUTSCHE BANK AMERICAS TRUST COMPANY,
   as Collateral Agent

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and agreed to, as

 

 

of the date first above written:

 

 

 

 

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 




EXHIBIT D
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

dated as of                         

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement described in Item 1 of Annex I annexed hereto (as such agreement may hereafter be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”).  Unless defined in Annex I attached hereto, terms defined in or defined for purposes of the Credit Agreement are used herein as so defined. Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”),                                                  (the “ Assignor ”) and                          (the “ Assignee ”), hereby agree as follows:

(a)           The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee without recourse and without representation or warranty (other than as expressly provided herein), and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, that interest in and to that portion of the Assignor’s Commitment and other rights, duties and obligations under the Credit Agreement, in and to that portion of the Assignor’s Loans (if any) as of the date hereof which represents the percentage interest specified in Item 2 of Annex I hereto (the “ Assigned Share ”).

(b)           Following the execution of this Agreement by the Administrative Agent, the Assignor and the Assignee, the consent hereto by Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (the “ Borrower ”) and payment by the Assignee to the Assignor of the purchase price for the Assigned Share as agreed upon by the Assignor and the Assignee, this Agreement shall become effective as of the Settlement Date specified in Item 3 of Annex I hereto (the “ Settlement Date ”).  As of the Settlement Date, [(i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided herein and therein, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Agreement and in the Credit Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents] [(i) the Assignee’s Commitment set forth in Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement shall be increased by the amount set forth in Item 2(d) of Annex I hereto and (ii) the Assignor’s Commitment set forth on said Schedule shall be decreased by the same amount].

(c)           The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties and representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition

 




of or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its obligations under the Credit Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (iv) requests that the Administrative Agent request that the Borrower exchange the Note held by the Assignor evidencing any Loans made by the Assignor under the Credit Agreement for a new Note payable to the Assignor (if the Assignor has retained any interest in the Commitment or any Loans) a new Note payable to the Assignee in the respective amounts which reflect the assignment being made hereby.

(d)           The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein, the Security Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor or the Administrative Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (iii) confirms its agreement with the provisions of Article 8 of the Credit Agreement and appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent on its behalf to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as are delegated to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent by the terms thereof and hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

(e)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Credit Agreement, (i) the Assignee’s pro rata share of commitment fees, interest payments and other periodic payments will be appropriately adjusted to reflect the period of time during which this Agreement has been in effect, and (ii) to the extent that the Assignee receives any such interest or other amount pursuant to the Credit Agreement in respect of any period of time during which this Agreement was not in effect, or that the Assignor receives any such interest or other amount pursuant to the Credit Agreement in respect of any period of time prior to the time during which this Agreement was in effect, the Assignor or the Assignee, as the case may be, will forthwith pay to the other its pro rata share thereof, appropriately adjusted as provided in clause (i) above.

(f)            Any amendment to, waiver of any provision of or consent pursuant to this Agreement, shall be effective with and only upon the prior written agreement of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the Assignor and the Assignee, unless otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement.

(g)           The addresses of Assignor and Assignee for purposes of all notices or other communications hereunder or under the Credit Agreement are as set forth on Item 4 of Annex I hereto, or to such other address as shall be designated by such party pursuant to Section 10.7 of the Credit Agreement.

(h)           All payments to be made to the Assignor or the Assignee hereunder or under the Credit Agreement shall be made by federal wire in accordance with the Credit Agreement, or as otherwise directed by the Assignor or the Assignee, as the case may be, by

 




notice to the other and to the Administrative Agent and as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(i)            This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that the Assignee may not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder except as permitted by Section 10.8(b) or 10.8(c) of the Credit Agreement.

(j)            THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and Assumption Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written, such execution also being made on Annex I hereto.

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

 

  as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR],

 

 

  as Assignor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 




 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

  as Assignee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE  LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

ANNEX FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

ANNEX I

1.              Name and Date of Credit Agreement:

Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among Assured Guaranty Re Ltd., the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto, as it may have been further amended.

2.              Amounts (as of date of Assignment and Assumption Agreement):

(a)

 

Aggregate Amount of Assignor’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

 

Aggregate Amount of Assignor’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fronting Lender Commitment

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

Aggregate Amount of Assignor’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans Currently Outstanding

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

 

Aggregate Amount of Assignor’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fronting Lender Loans Currently

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(e)

 

Percentage of Assignor’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment and Loans Assigned

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(f)

 

Assigned Amount of Commitment

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(g)

 

Assigned Amount of Fronting Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h)

 

Amount of Assigned Share of Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently Outstanding

$                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

 

Amount of Assigned Share of Fronting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lender Loans Currently Outstanding

$                        

 

 

 




3.              Settlement Date:

4.             Notice Addresses:

5.             Payment Instructions:




 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Name:

 

Title

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

EXHIBIT G

TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF FRONTING LENDER SUPPLEMENT

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto,                                                    , as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto (as such agreement may hereafter be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”).  Terms defined in or defined for purposes of the Credit Agreement are used herein as so defined.  The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lender identified in Item 1 on Annex I hereto (the “ Fronting Lender ”) hereby agree as follows:

1.              By this Supplement and effective on the date identified in Item 2 on Annex I hereto, the Fronting Lender hereby agrees to be bound by, and shall have rights and obligations under, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as a Fronting Lender.

2.              The Lenders for which the Fronting Lender is acting as Fronting Lender and the Fronting Lender Commitment and the Fronting Lender Percentage of the Fronting Lender for each such Lender are set forth in Item 3 on Annex I hereto, subject to adjustment as provided in the Credit Agreement.

3.              The entire Commitment of each Lender for which the Fronting Lender is acting as Fronting Lender is identified in the list of all Lenders and Commitments as of the date hereof set forth on Annex II hereto.

4.              The Administrative Agent hereby requests, on behalf of the Fronting Lender, that the Borrower deliver, and the Borrower does hereby agree to deliver, a Fronting Lender Note payable to the Fronting Lender in the aggregate amount of Fronting Lender Commitments of the Fronting Lender hereunder or under other Fronting Lender Supplements dated the date hereof.

5.              The Required Ratings for the Fronting Lender are those set forth in Item 4 on Annex I hereto.

6.              The Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Fronting Lender a fronting lender commitment fee as set forth in the fee letter among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Lender dated on or about the date hereof which refers to this Supplement.

7.              Any amendment to, waiver of any provision of or consent pursuant to this Supplement shall be effective with and only upon the prior written agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Lender, unless otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement.

8.              This Supplement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that the Fronting Lender may

 




 

not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder except as permitted by Section 10.8(b) or 10.8(c) of the Credit Agreement.

9.              THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written, such execution also being made on Annex I hereto.

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

[

]

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[

]

 

as Fronting Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

ANNEX I TO

FRONTING LENDER SUPPLEMENT

1.              Name of Fronting Lender:

2.              Effective Date:

3.              Fronting Lender Commitments and Percentages:

 

 

Name of Lender

 

Fronting Lender

Commitment

 

Fronting Lender 

Percentage of 

Total Lender

Commitment

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Fronting Lender Commitments hereunder:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.              Required Ratings:

Moody’s:

S&P:

 

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank, Signature Page to follow.]




 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 




 

[

]

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[

]

 

as Fronting Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 




 

ANNEX II TO
FRONTING LENDER SUPPLEMENT

SCHEDULE OF COMMITMENTS

 

 

Name and Notice Address of Lender

Commitment

 

 

 




EXHIBIT H
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF FRONTING LENDER NOTE

US$

[Date]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD., a Bermuda exempted company (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to                                                    (the “Lender”), or its assigns, at the offices of Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds, the principal sum of                                           Dollars (US$                    ) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Fronting Lender Loans (as defined in the hereinafter referred to Credit Agreement) outstanding and payable to the Lender by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2007, among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”), in the amounts and on the dates set out in the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of such Loans from the date on which such Loans are made until the Loans are repaid in full at such interest rates and payable on such dates as are determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

If any payment on this Note shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day (as defined in the Credit Agreement), it shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing interest, if any, in connection with such payment.

The Lender is authorized to record the date and amount of each Fronting Lender Loan and each payment, prepayment and conversion with respect thereto on the grid attached hereto or on a continuation thereof which shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof, and any such notation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information so recorded; provided that the failure to make any such notations shall not affect the validity of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, presentment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor are hereby waived by the undersigned.

This Note evidences the Lender’s Fronting Lender Loans under, and is entitled to the benefits and subject to the provisions of, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined therein).  This Note is secured by, and is entitled to the benefits and is subject to the provisions of, the Security Agreement and Collateral Assignment, dated as of July 25, 2007, between the Borrower and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as




Administrative Agent, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Collateral Agent and securities intermediary. The Credit Agreement, among other things, contains provisions with respect to the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the happening of certain stated events, and for mandatory and optional prepayments of the principal of this Note prior to maturity, all upon the terms and conditions specified therein.

The payment obligations of the Borrower under this Note are limited as provided in Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement.

This Note is transferable only in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement.

This Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

ASSURED GUARANTY RE LTD.

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 




 

GRID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

Amount of
Loan

 

Unpaid Principal
Paid or
Prepaid

 

Principal
Amount of
Note

 

Notation
Made by

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




EXHIBIT I
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF OPINION OF BERMUDA COUNSEL TO BORROWER]

[To be provided]




EXHIBIT H
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF OPINION OF NEW YORK COUNSEL TO THE BORROWER

[To be provided]




EXHIBIT I
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE BORROWER

[To be provided]




SCHEDULE 1
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE OF COMMITMENTS

Name and Notice Address of Lender

 

 

 

Commitment

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH

 

$

45,000,000

 

Address:

60 Wall Street   

 

 

 

 

New York, NY 10005

 

 

 

 

Attention: John S. McGill, Director

 

 

 

 

Telephone: 212-250-8666

 

 

 

 

Facsimile: 212-797-0270

 

 

 

 

Email: john-s.mcgill@db.com

 

 

 

ING BANK N.V. LONDON BRANCH

 

40,000,000

 

Address:

60 London Wall

 

 

 

 

London EC2M 5TQ

 

 

 

 

Attention: Nicola Haffner, Vice President

 

 

 

 

Telephone: 44 20 7787 5908

 

 

 

 

Facsimile: 44 20 7767 7507

 

 

 

 

Email: nicola.haffner@uk.ing.com

 

 

 

BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK NEW YORK BRANCH

 

55,000,000

 

Address:

560 Lexington Avenue

 

 

 

 

New York, NY 10022

 

 

 

 

Attention: Robert Albano, Vice President

 

 

 

 

Telephone: 212 310-9981

 

 

 

 

Facsimile: 212 230-9114

 

 

 

 

Email: ralbano@bayernlbny.com

 

 

 

LANDESBANK HESSEN-THÜRINGEN NEW YORK BRANCH

 

30,000,000

 

Address:

420 Fifth Avenue, 24 th  Floor

 

 

 

 

New York, NY 10018-2729

 

 

 

 

Attention: Samuel Bridges, Financial Institutions

 

 

 

 

Title: Loan Administrator

 

 

 

 

Telephone: 212 703-5309

 

 

 

 

Facsimile: 212 703-5256

 

 

 

 

Email: samuel.bridges@helabany.com

 

 

 

 




 

Name and Notice Address of Lender

 

 

 

Commitment

NORDDEUTSCHE LANDESBANK GIROZENTRALE
NEW YORK BRANCH AND/OR CAYMAN BRANCH

 

30,000,000

Address:

1114 Avenue of the Americas, 37 th  Floor

 

 

 

New York, NY 10036

 

 

 

Attention:  Stephanie Hoevermann. Vice President

 

 

 

Telephone:  212 812-6806

 

 

 

Facsimile:  212 812-6860

 

 

 

Email: stephanie.hoevermann@nordlb.com

 

 

 

TOTAL:

 

$200,000,000

 




 

SCHEDULE 2
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

COVERED PORTFOLIO GUIDLINES

At the time of inclusion into the Covered Portfolio, an Insured Obligation must meet each of the following criteria:

(ii)           Such Insured Obligation was underwritten by an Eligible Insurer as primary insurance provider;

(iii)          Such Insured Obligation was an Eligible Municipal Security or an Eligible International Security;

(iv)          Such Insured Obligation had a minimum rating of Baa3 and BBB- by Moody’s and S&P (without giving effect to any insurance or other guaranty of an Eligible Insurer);

(v)           No payment or interest was overdue in respect of such Insured Obligation;

(vi)          Such Insured Obligation was not in any default or “workout” situation (including suspension or deferment of repayment, repayment negotiations, or any other restructuring).

 




SCHEDULE 3
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

LIST OF EXCLUDED INSURED OBLIGATIONS

 No initial excluded obligations.

This Schedule 3 is subject to supplementation as provided in the definition of “Covered Portfolio” contained in Exhibit A to the Credit Agreement.




SCHEDULE 4
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

SUBSIDIARIES

None.



EXHIBIT 31.1

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Dominic J. Frederico, certify that:

1.                                        I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Assured Guaranty Ltd.;

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;

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;

4.                                        The registrant’s 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)) for the registrant and have:

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;

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;

c.                                        Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s 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

d.                                       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

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 registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.                                       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:

/s/ Dominic J. Frederico

 

 

Dominic J. Frederico

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

D ate: August 9, 2007



EXHIBIT 31.2

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert B. Mills, certify that:

1.                                        I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Assured Guaranty Ltd.;

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;

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;

4.                                        The registrant’s 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)) for the registrant and have:

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;

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;

c.                                        Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s 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

d.                                       Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

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 registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.                                       Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

By:

/s/ Robert B. Mills

 

 

Robert B. Mills

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: August 9, 2007



EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification of CEO Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Assured Guaranty Ltd. (the “Company”) for the period ended June 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Dominic J. Frederico, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1)                                   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)                                   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

      /s/ Dominic J. Frederico

 

 

 

 

Name:

Dominic J. Frederico

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date:

August 9, 2007

 

 



EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification of CFO Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Assured Guaranty Ltd. (the “Company”) for the period ended June 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Robert B. Mills, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1)                                   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)                                   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

      /s/ Robert B. Mills

 

 

 

 

Name:

Robert B. Mills

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:

August 9, 2007

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 99.1

ASSURED GUARANTY CORP.

INDEX

 

 

Page

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

2

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

3

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity (unaudited) for Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

4

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

5

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

6

 

 




Assured Guaranty Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share and share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,196,705 in 2007 and $1,159,822 in 2006)

 

$

1,216,175

 

$

1,202,417

 

Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value

 

20,707

 

47,279

 

Total investments

 

1,236,882

 

1,249,696

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

20,247

 

1,458

 

Accrued investment income

 

15,981

 

15,100

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

74,625

 

70,307

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

84,436

 

73,875

 

Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses

 

9,061

 

8,826

 

Premiums receivable

 

35,726

 

29,705

 

Goodwill

 

85,417

 

85,417

 

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments

 

30,436

 

38,781

 

Other assets

 

15,583

 

14,390

 

Total assets

 

$

1,608,394

 

$

1,587,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholder’s equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

307,408

 

$

266,800

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

48,836

 

65,388

 

Profit commissions payable

 

3,193

 

3,683

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

15,979

 

25,668

 

Deferred income taxes

 

32,723

 

40,201

 

Current income taxes payable

 

16,012

 

13,203

 

Funds held by Company under reinsurance contracts

 

5,601

 

5,537

 

Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments

 

15,766

 

5,862

 

Liability for tax-basis step-up adjustment

 

10,453

 

14,990

 

Other liabilities

 

20,827

 

28,895

 

Total liabilities

 

476,798

 

470,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder’s equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock ($1,000 liquidation preference, 200,004 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding in 2007 and 2006)

 

 

 

Common stock ($720.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized; 20,834 shares issued and outstanding in 2007 and 2006)

 

15,000

 

15,000

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

380,313

 

380,176

 

Retained earnings

 

721,499

 

692,760

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

14,784

 

29,392

 

Total shareholder’s equity

 

1,131,596

 

1,117,328

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

 

$

1,608,394

 

$

1,587,555

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2




Assured Guaranty Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

62,024

 

$

68,493

 

$

111,445

 

$

99,584

 

Ceded premiums

 

(10,990

)

(25,391

)

(28,662

)

(31,905

)

Net written premiums

 

51,034

 

43,102

 

82,783

 

67,679

 

Increase in net unearned premium reserves

 

(25,692

)

(19,816

)

(29,867

)

(18,200

)

Net earned premiums

 

25,342

 

23,286

 

52,916

 

49,479

 

Net investment income

 

15,133

 

13,526

 

30,789

 

26,252

 

Net realized investment losses

 

(558

)

(216

)

(670

)

(1,362

)

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(12,320

)

4,135

 

(18,249

)

4,855

 

Total revenues

 

27,597

 

40,731

 

64,786

 

79,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(15,589

)

3,353

 

(22,465

)

5,398

 

Profit commission expense

 

(401

)

 

(401

)

(447

)

Acquisition costs

 

2,531

 

4,699

 

6,403

 

9,661

 

Other operating expenses

 

11,404

 

8,632

 

23,037

 

19,072

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

111

 

 

Other expense

 

651

 

692

 

1,252

 

1,306

 

Total expenses

 

(1,404

)

17,376

 

7,937

 

34,990

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

29,001

 

23,355

 

56,849

 

44,234

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

3,254

 

1,547

 

12,958

 

5,103

 

Deferred

 

3,792

 

3,845

 

537

 

4,866

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

7,046

 

5,392

 

13,495

 

9,969

 

Net income

 

21,955

 

17,963

 

43,354

 

34,265

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding losses on fixed maturity securities arising during the year

 

(13,114

)

(7,681

)

(15,393

)

(15,637

)

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income

 

363

 

140

 

436

 

885

 

Change in net unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities

 

(12,751

)

(7,541

)

(14,957

)

(14,752

)

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

323

 

778

 

349

 

941

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

 

(12,428

)

(6,763

)

(14,608

)

(13,811

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

9,527

 

$

11,200

 

$

28,746

 

$

20,454

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3




 

Assured Guaranty Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity
For Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Preferred
Stock

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Total
Shareholder’s
Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

$

 

$

15,000

 

$

380,176

 

$

692,760

 

$

29,392

 

$

1,117,328

 

Cumulative effect of FIN 48 adoption

 

 

 

 

(2,490

)

 

(2,490

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

43,354

 

 

43,354

 

Dividends

 

 

 

 

(12,125

)

 

(12,125

)

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

137

 

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

349

 

349

 

Unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities, net of tax of $(8,168)

 

 

 

 

 

(14,957

)

(14,957

)

Balance, June 30, 2007

 

$

 

$

15,000

 

$

380,313

 

$

721,499

 

$

14,784

 

$

1,131,596

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4




Assured Guaranty Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

43,354

 

$

34,265

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash operating expenses

 

6,539

 

4,826

 

Net amortization of premium on fixed maturity securities

 

781

 

1,678

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

537

 

4,866

 

Net realized investment losses

 

670

 

1,362

 

Change in unrealized losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments

 

18,249

 

(4,855

)

Change in deferred acquisition costs

 

(4,318

)

1,489

 

Change in accrued investment income

 

(881

)

(106

)

Change in premiums receivable

 

(6,021

)

758

 

Change in prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

(10,561

)

(22,081

)

Change in unearned premium reserves

 

40,608

 

40,209

 

Change in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net

 

(25,513

)

16,371

 

Change in profit commissions payable

 

(490

)

(522

)

Change in funds held by Company under reinsurance contracts

 

64

 

1,335

 

Change in current income taxes

 

2,809

 

(1,906

)

Change in liability for tax basis step-up adjustment

 

(4,537

)

(373

)

Other

 

(19,996

)

5,697

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

41,294

 

83,013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

(191,190

)

(237,714

)

Sales

 

147,589

 

222,630

 

Maturities

 

6,180

 

6,864

 

Sales (purchases) of short-term investments, net

 

26,697

 

(50,752

)

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(10,724

)

(58,972

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(12,125

)

 

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

137

 

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(11,988

)

 

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

207

 

623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

18,789

 

24,664

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

1,458

 

951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

20,247

 

$

25,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplementary cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

$

10,010

 

$

7,000

 

Interest

 

$

111

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5




Assured Guaranty Corp.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2007
(Unaudited)

1.  Business and Organization

Assured Guaranty Corp. (the “Company”) is a Maryland domiciled company, which commenced operations in January 1988 and provides insurance and reinsurance of investment grade financial guaranty exposures, including municipal and nonmunicipal reinsurance and credit default swap transactions.  The Company’s ultimate parent is Assured Guaranty Ltd., a Bermuda-based insurance holding company, which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Company has financial strength ratings of AAA, AAA and Aa1 as of June 30, 2007 from Standard & Poor’s Inc., a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Fitch Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service, respectively, and is licensed in 51 jurisdictions. In July 2007, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the Company’s financial strength rating to Aaa. The Company owns 100% of Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd. (“AG (UK)”), a company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom.

Financial guaranty insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that protects the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due. Financial guaranty insurance may be issued to the holders of the insured obligations at the time of issuance of those obligations, or may be issued in the secondary market to holders of public bonds and structured securities.  A loss event occurs upon existing or anticipated credit deterioration, while a payment under a policy occurs when the insured obligation defaults.  This requires the Company to pay the required principal and interest when due in accordance with the underlying contract. The principal types of obligations covered by the Company’s financial guaranty direct and financial guaranty assumed reinsurance businesses are structured finance obligations and public finance obligations. Because both businesses involve similar risks, the Company analyzes and monitors its financial guaranty direct portfolio and financial guaranty assumed reinsurance portfolio on a unified process and procedure basis.

The Company’s financial results include three principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance and other.  These segments are further discussed in Note 9.

2.  Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Company, have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements cover the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 (“Second Quarter 2007”), the three-month period ended June 30, 2006 (“Second Quarter 2006”), the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 (“Six Months 2007”) and the six-month period ended  June 30, 2006 (“Six Months 2006”). Operating results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.  Certain items in the prior year unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the audited consolidated financial statements of Assured Guaranty Ltd. (“Assured Guaranty”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 99.1.

The Company is subject to U.S. income tax.  The provision for income taxes is calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”.  The Company’s provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective

6




 

rate due to the variability in changes in fair value of its derivative financial instruments.  A discrete calculation of the provision is calculated for each interim period.

3.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, since the FASB had previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measure. Accordingly, FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt FAS 157 at the beginning of 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 157 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 allows entities to voluntarily choose, at specified election dates, to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities (as well as certain nonfinancial instruments that are similar to financial instruments) at fair value (the “fair value option”). The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, FAS 159 specifies that all subsequent changes in fair value for that instrument shall be reported in u nrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income . FAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Earlier adoption of FAS 159 is permitted, but we do not intend to early adopt.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FAS 159 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In April 2007, the FASB Staff issued FASB Staff Position No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FSP FIN 39-1”), which permits companies to offset cash collateral receivables or payables with net derivative positions under certain circumstances. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. FSP FIN 39-1 will not affect our results of operations or financial position.

4.  Analysis of premiums written, premiums earned and loss and loss adjustment expenses

In order to limit its exposure on assumed risks, the Company at the time of the initial public offering (“IPO”) entered into certain proportional and non-proportional retrocessional agreements with other insurance companies, primarily subsidiaries of ACE Limited (“ACE”), the Company’s former parent, to cede a portion of the risk underwritten by the Company, prior to the IPO. In addition, the Company enters into reinsurance agreements with non-affiliated companies to limit its exposure to risk on an on-going basis.

7




 

In the event that any or all of the reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations, the Company would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Direct, assumed, and ceded amounts were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Premiums Written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

58,698

 

$

63,716

 

$

104,621

 

$

88,617

 

Assumed

 

3,326

 

4,777

 

6,824

 

10,967

 

Ceded

 

(10,990

)

(25,391

)

(28,662

)

(31,905

)

Net

 

$

51,034

 

$

43,102

 

$

82,783

 

$

67,679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

25,466

 

$

16,829

 

$

51,106

 

$

32,368

 

Assumed

 

8,906

 

11,335

 

19,911

 

27,196

 

Ceded

 

(9,030

)

(4,878

)

(18,101

)

(10,085

)

Net

 

$

25,342

 

$

23,286

 

$

52,916

 

$

49,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

646

 

$

(2,019

)

$

1,650

 

$

(2,101

)

Assumed

 

(15,945

)

3,855

 

(23,802

)

6,979

 

Ceded

 

(290

)

1,517

 

(313

)

520

 

Net

 

$

(15,589

)

$

3,353

 

$

(22,465

)

$

5,398

 

 

Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses and loss and loss adjustment expenses was $9.1 million and $8.8 million as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

5.  Commitments and Contingencies

Lawsuits arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, based upon the information available, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries assert claims in legal proceedings against third parties to recover losses paid in prior periods. The amounts, if any, the Company will recover in these proceedings are uncertain, although recoveries in any one or more of these proceedings during any quarter or fiscal year could be material to the Company’s results of operations in that particular quarter or fiscal year.

The Company is party to reinsurance agreements with all of the major monoline primary financial guaranty insurance companies. The Company’s facultative and treaty agreements are generally subject to termination (i) upon written notice (ranging from 90 to 120 days) prior to the specified deadline for renewal, (ii) at the option of the primary insurer if the Company fails to maintain certain financial, regulatory and rating agency criteria which are equivalent to or more stringent than those the Company is otherwise required to maintain for its own compliance with state mandated insurance laws and to maintain a specified financial strength rating for the particular insurance subsidiary or (iii) upon certain changes of control of the Company. Upon termination under the conditions set forth in (ii) and (iii) above, the Company may be required (under some of its reinsurance agreements) to return to the primary insurer all statutory unearned premiums, less ceding commissions, attributable to reinsurance ceded pursuant to such agreements after which the Company would be released from liability with respect to the ceded business. Upon the occurrence of the conditions set forth in (ii) above, whether or not an agreement is terminated, the Company may be required to obtain a letter of credit or alternative form of security to collateralize its obligation to perform under such agreement or it may be obligated to increase the level of ceding commission paid.

8




 

6.  Credit Facilities

$300.0 million Credit Facility

On November 6, 2006, Assured Guaranty Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a $300.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “$300.0 million credit facility”) with a syndicate of banks.  Under the $300.0 million credit facility, each of the Company, AG (UK), Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (“AG Re”), Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (“AGRO”) and Assured Guaranty Ltd. are entitled to request the banks to make loans to such borrower or to request that letters of credit be issued for the account of such borrower.

Of the $300.0 million available to be borrowed, no more than $100.0 million may be borrowed by Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re or AGRO, individually or in the aggregate, and no more than $20.0 million may be borrowed by AG (UK).  The stated amount of all outstanding letters of credit and the amount of all unpaid drawings in respect of all letters of credit cannot, in the aggregate, exceed $100.0 million.

The $300.0 million credit facility also provides that Assured Guaranty Ltd. may request that the commitment of the banks be increased an additional $100.0 million up to a maximum aggregate amount of $400.0 million.  Any such incremental commitment increase is subject to certain conditions provided in the agreement and must be for at least $25.0 million.

The proceeds of the loans and letters of credit are to be used for the working capital and other general corporate purposes of the borrowers and to support reinsurance transactions.

At the closing of the $300.0 million credit facility, (i) the Company guaranteed the obligations of AG (UK) under such facility, (ii) Assured Guaranty Ltd. guaranteed the obligations of AG Re and AGRO under such facility and agreed that, if the Company Consolidated Assets (as defined in the related credit agreement) of the Company and its subsidiaries were to fall below $1.2 billion, it would, within 15 days, guarantee the obligations of the Company and AG (UK) under such facility and (iii) Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc., guaranteed the obligations of Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re and AGRO under such facility and (iv) Each of AG Re and AGRO guarantees the other as well as Assured Guaranty Ltd.

The $300.0 million credit facility’s financial covenants require that Assured Guaranty Ltd. (a) maintain a minimum net worth of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Consolidated Net Worth of Assured Guaranty Ltd. as of the most recent fiscal quarter of Assured Guaranty Ltd. prior to November 6, 2006 and (b) maintain a maximum debt-to-capital ratio of 30%.  In addition, the $300.0 million credit facility requires that the Company maintain qualified statutory capital of at least 75% of its statutory capital as of the fiscal quarter prior to November 6, 2006.  Furthermore, the $300.0 million credit facility contains restrictions on Assured Guaranty Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including, among other things, in respect of their ability to incur debt, permit liens, become liable in respect of guaranties, make loans or investments, pay dividends or make distributions, dissolve or become party to a merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of assets or enter into affiliate transactions.  Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions.  The $300.0 million credit facility has customary events of default, including (subject to certain materiality thresholds and grace periods) payment default, failure to comply with covenants, material inaccuracy of representation or warranty, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, change of control and cross-default to other debt agreements.  A default by one borrower will give rise to a right of the lenders to terminate the facility and accelerate all amounts then outstanding. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Assured Guaranty was in compliance with all of those financial covenants.

As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under this facility.

Letters of Credit for a total aggregate stated amount of approximately $64.2 million and $19.6 million, remain outstanding as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

9




 

Non-Recourse Credit Facility

The Company is also party to a non-recourse credit facility with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $175.0 million specifically designed to provide rating agency-qualified capital to further support the Company’s claims paying resources. The facility expires in December 2010.  As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under the life of this facility.

The Company’s failure to comply with certain covenants under the Company’s credit facilities could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default.  This could require the Company to repay any outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

This credit facility was terminated on July 31, 2007.

Committed Capital Securities

On April 8, 2005, the Company entered into four separate agreements with four different unaffiliated custodial trusts pursuant to which the Company may, at its option, cause each of the custodial trusts to purchase up to $50.0 million of perpetual preferred stock of the Company.  The custodial trusts were created as a vehicle for providing capital support to the Company by allowing the Company to obtain immediate access to new capital at its sole discretion at any time through the exercise of the put option.  If the put options were exercised, the Company would receive $200.0 million in return for the issuance of its own perpetual preferred stock, the proceeds of which may be used for any purpose including the payment of claims.  The put options have not been exercised through June 30, 2007.  Initially, all of the CCS Securities were issued to a special purpose pass-through trust (the “Pass-Through Trust”).  The Pass-Through Trust is a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act formed for the purposes of (i) issuing $200,000,000 of Pass-Through Trust Securities to qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (ii) investing the proceeds from the sale of the Pass-Through Trust Securities in, and holding, the CCS Securities issued by the Custodial Trusts and (iii) entering into related agreements.  Neither the Pass-Through Trust nor the Custodial Trusts are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements.

During both Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006, and Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, the Company incurred $0.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of put option premiums which are an on-going expense. These expenses are presented in the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income under other expense.

7. Share-Based Compensation

The employees of the Company participate in Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s share-based compensation plans. Share-based compensation expense in Second Quarter 2007 and Second Quarter 2006 was $1.9 million ($1.2 million after tax) and $1.5 million ($1.0 million after tax), respectively. Share-based compensation expense in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006 was $4.5 million ($2.9 million after tax) and $3.0 million ($1.9 million after tax), respectively.  Second Quarter 2007 and Six Months 2007 expense included $0.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees. Second Quarter 2006 and Six Months 2006 expense included $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees.

8.  Liability For Tax Basis Step-Up Adjustment

Adoption of FIN 48

Assured Guaranty Corp. (“AGC”) and its U.K. subsidiary are subject to income taxes imposed by U.S. and U.K. authorities and file applicable tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed audits of AGC’s federal tax returns for taxable years though 2001.  The IRS is currently reviewing tax years 2002 through the date of the IPO.  The Company is indemnified by ACE for any potential tax liability associated with the tax examination as it relates to years prior to the IPO.

10




 

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007.  As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits and reduced retained earnings by $2.5 million.  The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 was $2.5 million.  This entire amount, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  As of the date of adoption, the Company has accrued $0.9 million in interest and penalties.

Liability For Tax Basis Step-Up Adjustment

In connection with the IPO, the Company and ACE Financial Services Inc. (“AFS”), a subsidiary of ACE, entered into a tax allocation agreement, whereby the Company and AFS made a “Section 338 (h)(10)” election that has the effect of increasing the tax basis of certain affected subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets to fair value.  Future tax benefits that the Company derives from the election will be payable to AFS when realized by the Company.

As a result of the election, the Company has adjusted its net deferred tax liability, to reflect the new tax basis of the Company’s affected assets.  The additional basis is expected to result in increased future income tax deductions and, accordingly, may reduce income taxes otherwise payable by the Company.  Any tax benefit realized by the Company will be paid to AFS.   Such tax benefits will generally be calculated by comparing the Company’s actual taxes to the taxes that would have been owed had the increase in basis not occurred.  After a 15 year period, to the extent there remains an unrealized tax benefit, the Company and AFS will negotiate a settlement of the unrealized benefit based on the expected realization at that time.

The Company initially recorded a $49.0 million reduction of its existing deferred tax liability, based on an estimate of the ultimate resolution of the Section 338(h)(10) election.  Under the tax allocation agreement, the Company estimated that, as of the IPO date, it was obligated to pay $20.9 million to AFS and accordingly established this amount as a liability. The initial difference, which is attributable to the change in the tax basis of certain liabilities for which there is no associated step-up in the tax basis of its assets and no amounts due to AFS, resulted in an increase to additional paid-in capital of $28.1 million.  The Company has paid ACE and correspondingly reduced its liability by $4.5 million and $0.4 million in Six Months 2007 and Six Months 2006, respectively.

9.  Segment Reporting

The Company has three principal business segments: (1) financial guaranty direct, which includes transactions whereby the Company provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that indemnifies the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due, and could take the form of a credit derivative; (2) financial guaranty reinsurance, which includes agreements whereby the Company is a reinsurer and agrees to indemnify a primary insurance company against part or all of the loss which the latter may sustain under a policy it has issued; and (3) other, which includes lines of business in which the Company is no longer active.

The Company does not segregate assets and liabilities at a segment level since management reviews and controls these assets and liabilities on a consolidated basis. The Company allocates operating expenses to each segment based on a comprehensive cost study. During 2006, the Company implemented a new operating expense allocation methodology to more closely allocate expenses to the individual operating segments. This new methodology was based on a comprehensive study and is based on departmental time estimates and headcount. Management uses underwriting gains and losses as the primary measure of each segment’s financial performance.

11




 

The following tables summarize the components of underwriting gain for each reporting segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

59.6

 

$

2.4

 

$

0.1

 

$

62.0

 

Net written premiums

 

48.8

 

2.3

 

 

51.0

 

Net earned premiums

 

17.9

 

7.5

 

 

25.3

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

0.3

 

(15.9

)

 

(15.6

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

(0.4

)

 

(0.4

)

Acquisition costs

 

(0.3

)

2.7

 

 

2.5

 

Other operating expenses

 

10.4

 

1.1

 

 

11.4

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

7.5

 

$

20.0

 

$

 

$

27.6

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

64.7

 

$

3.7

 

$

0.1

 

$

68.5

 

Net written premiums

 

39.9

 

3.2

 

 

43.1

 

Net earned premiums

 

13.9

 

9.4

 

 

23.3

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(0.1

)

3.4

 

 

3.4

 

Profit commission expense

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition costs

 

1.5

 

3.2

 

 

4.7

 

Other operating expenses

 

7.8

 

0.8

 

 

8.6

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

4.7

 

$

1.9

 

$

 

$

6.7

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

105.5

 

$

5.7

 

$

0.2

 

$

111.4

 

Net written premiums

 

77.5

 

5.3

 

 

82.8

 

Net earned premiums

 

35.3

 

17.6

 

 

52.9

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

1.2

 

(23.7

)

 

(22.5

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

(0.4

)

 

(0.4

)

Acquisition costs

 

0.1

 

6.3

 

 

6.4

 

Other operating expenses

 

20.8

 

2.3

 

 

23.0

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

13.3

 

$

33.2

 

$

 

$

46.5

 

 

12




 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

91.0

 

$

8.2

 

$

0.4

 

$

99.6

 

Net written premiums

 

60.0

 

7.7

 

 

67.7

 

Net earned premiums

 

27.8

 

21.7

 

 

49.5

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(0.5

)

5.9

 

 

5.4

 

Profit commission expense

 

 

(0.4

)

 

(0.4

)

Acquisition costs

 

2.3

 

7.4

 

 

9.7

 

Other operating expenses

 

17.4

 

1.7

 

 

19.1

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

8.6

 

$

7.1

 

$

 

$

15.7

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of total underwriting gain to income before provision for income taxes for the periods

ended:

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Total underwriting gain

 

$

27.6

 

$

6.7

 

$

46.5

 

$

15.7

 

Net investment income

 

15.1

 

13.5

 

30.8

 

26.3

 

Net realized investment losses

 

(0.6

)

(0.2

)

(0.7

)

(1.4

)

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(12.3

)

4.1

 

(18.2

)

4.9

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

Other expense

 

(0.7

)

(0.7

)

(1.3

)

(1.3

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

$

29.0

 

$

23.4

 

$

56.8

 

$

44.2

 

 

 

13