UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 10-Q  

 
 (Mark One)
 
   x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
or
 
   o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from       to     
Commission file number 001-33493
 

GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)    

 
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
 
65 MARKET STREET
SUITE 1207, CAMANA BAY
P.O. BOX 31110
GRAND CAYMAN
CAYMAN ISLANDS
 
 
 
 
 
KY1-1205
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

(345) 943-4573
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
Yes x   No o

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 
Yes o   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 
Large accelerated filer o  Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)            Smaller reporting company 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
 
Class A Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
    30,200,835
Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
6,254,949
(Class)                      
(Outstanding as of October 29, 2010)
 
 


 
 
 


 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
Page
 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
     
     
3
 
     
4
 
     
5
 
     
6
 
     
7
 
Item 2.
   
19
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk                                                                                                               
   
29
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                            
   
30
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                            
   
31
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors                                                                                                                
   
31
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                                       
   
32
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                                                                                
   
32
 
Item 4.
   
32
 
Item 5.
Other Information                                                                                                                
   
32
 
Item 6.
Exhibits                                                                                                                
   
32
 
   
    
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 



 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD .
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
   
September 30, 
2010
 (unaudited)
   
December 31, 2009
   
Assets
             
Investments
             
Debt instruments, trading, at fair value
$
20,060
     
$
95,838
   
Equity securities, trading, at fair value
 
744,292
       
593,201
   
Other investments, at fair value
 
172,936
       
141,561
   
Total investments
 
937,288
       
830,600
   
Cash and cash equivalents
 
9,726
       
31,717
   
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
631,758
       
590,871
   
Financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
16,491
       
30,117
   
Reinsurance balances receivable
 
147,745
       
82,748
   
Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable
 
9,518
       
7,270
   
Deferred acquisition costs, net
 
85,172
       
34,401
   
Unearned premiums ceded
 
6,325
       
6,478
   
Notes receivable
 
14,491
       
15,424
   
Other assets
 
2,947
       
4,754
   
Total assets
$
1,861,461
     
$
1,634,380
   
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
                 
Liabilities
                 
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
$
578,790
     
$
570,875
   
Financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
25,653
       
16,200
   
Due to prime brokers
 
22,822
       
   
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
161,180
       
137,360
   
Unearned premium reserves
 
233,491
       
118,899
   
Reinsurance balances payable
 
35,239
       
34,301
   
Funds withheld
 
22,482
       
14,711
   
Other liabilities
 
10,859
       
12,796
   
Performance compensation payable to related party
 
4,145
       
   
Total liabilities
 
1,094,661
       
905,142
   
Shareholders’ equity
                 
Preferred share capital (par value $0.10; authorized, 50,000,000; none issued)
 
— 
       
   
Ordinary share capital (Class A: par value $0.10; authorized, 100,000,000; issued and outstanding, 30,200,835 (2009: 30,063,893); Class B: par value $0.10; authorized, 25,000,000; issued and outstanding, 6,254,949 (2009: 6,254,949))
 
3,646
       
3,632
   
Additional paid-in capital
 
484,535
       
    481,449
   
Non-controlling interest in joint venture
 
30,784
       
      30,597
   
Retained earnings
 
247,835
       
213,560
   
Total shareholders’ equity
 
766,800
       
729,238
   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
1,861,461
     
$
1,634,380
   

 
 
 
 
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
  integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.






GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 (UNAUDITED)
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
   
Three months ended 
September 30,
 
Nine months ended 
September 30,
 
       2010      2009     2010     2009  
Revenues
         
Gross premiums written
$
151,247
$
65,983
$
307,091
 
$
207,901
 
Gross premium ceded
 
(3,639
(2,894
(8,228
 
(10,725
Net premium written
 
147,608
 
63,089
 
298,863
   
197,176
 
Change in net unearned premium reserves
 
(68,207
(6,432
(114,745
 
(44,979
Net premiums earned
 
79,401
 
56,657
 
184,118
   
152,197
 
Net investment income
 
33,881
 
32,628
 
39,682
   
148,667
 
Other income (expense), net
 
(474
(145
(1,002
 
1,909
 
Total revenues
 
112,808
 
89,140
 
222,798
   
302,773
 
Expenses
                   
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net
 
50,257
 
34,643
 
114,936
   
88,386
 
Acquisition costs, net
 
28,807
 
17,767
 
60,183
   
46,591
 
General and administrative expenses
 
3,392
 
4,081
 
11,633
   
13,788
 
Total expenses
 
82,456
 
56,491
 
186,752
   
148,765
 
Net income before non-controlling interest and income tax expense
 
30,352
 
32,649
 
36,046
   
154,008
 
Non-controlling interest in income of joint venture
 
(1,313
(380
(1,687
 
(1,716
Net income before income tax expense
 
29,039
 
32,269
 
34,359
   
152,292
 
Income tax expense
 
(25
(11
(84
 
(28
Net income
$
29,014
$
32,258
$
34,275
 
$
152,264
 
Earnings per share
                   
Basic
$
0.80
$
0.89
$
0.94
 
$
4.21
 
Diluted
$
0.78
$
0.88
$
0.92
 
$
4.16
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of:
                   
Basic
 
36,452,224
 
36,286,514
 
36,408,859
   
36,202,860
 
Diluted
 
37,218,906
 
36,828,726
 
37,174,558
   
36,627,849
 
 
 



 
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
  integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 
 
 
 
 
4






 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2009
 
Ordinary share capital
           
Balance – beginning of period
 
$
3,632
   
$
3,604
 
Issue of Class A ordinary share capital, net of forfeitures
   
14
     
27
 
Balance – end of period
 
$
3,646
   
$
3,631
 
Additional paid-in capital
               
Balance – beginning of period
 
$
481,449
   
$
477,571
 
Issue of Class A ordinary share capital
   
32
     
578
 
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures
   
3,054
     
2,528
 
Options repurchased
   
     
(124
Balance – end of period
 
$
484,535
   
$
480,553
 
Non-controlling interest
               
Balance – beginning of period
 
$
30,597
   
$
6,058
 
Non-controlling interest (withdrawal) contribution from/to joint venture
   
(1,500
   
337
 
Non-controlling interest in income of joint venture
   
1,687
     
1,716
 
Balance – end of period
 
$
30,784
   
$
8,111
 
Retained earnings
               
Balance – beginning of period
 
$
213,560
   
$
4,207
 
Net income
   
34,275
     
152,264
 
Options repurchased
   
     
(89
Balance – end of period
 
$
247,835
   
$
156,382
 
Total shareholders’ equity
 
$
766,800
   
$
648,677
 




The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
  integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 
  
 
 
 
 
5



GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (UNAUDITED)
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash provided by (used in)
 Operating activities
           
Net income
 
$
34,275
   
$
      152,264
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
               
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments and financial contracts
   
1,258
     
(164,936
Net realized gains on investments and financial contracts
   
(52,153
   
(8,073
Foreign exchange (gain) loss on restricted cash and cash equivalents
   
(3,810
   
2,164
 
Non-controlling interest in income of joint venture
   
1,687
     
1,716
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
3,068
     
2,549
 
Depreciation expense
   
168
     
60
 
Net change in
               
Reinsurance balances receivable
   
(64,997
   
(27,519
Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable
   
(2,248
   
5,011
 
Deferred acquisition costs, net
   
(50,771
   
(19,551
Unearned premiums ceded
   
153
     
(452
Other assets
   
1,639
     
(1,763
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
   
23,820
     
50,186
 
Unearned premium reserves
   
114,592
     
45,432
 
Reinsurance balances payable
   
938
     
1,251
 
Funds withheld
   
7,771
     
(369
Other liabilities
   
(1,937
   
3,819
 
Performance compensation payable to related party
   
4,145
     
16,255
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
17,598
   
$
58,044
 
Investing activities
               
Purchase of investments and financial contracts
   
(885,146
   
(890,780
Sales of investments and financial contracts
   
860,347
     
1,024,623
 
Change in due to prime brokers
   
22,822
     
 
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents, net
   
(37,077
   
(247,589
Change in notes receivable, net
   
933
     
(14,383
Non-controlling interest (withdrawal) contribution from/to joint venture
   
(1,500
   
337
 
Fixed assets additions
   
     
(1,453
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(39,621
 
$
(129,245
Financing activities
               
Net proceeds from exercising of stock options
   
32
     
584
 
Options repurchased
   
     
(213
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
 $
32
 
 
$
371
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(21,991
   
(70,830
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
31,717
     
94,144
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
   9,726
   
$
        23,314
 
Supplementary information
               
Interest paid in cash
 
$
7,840
   
$
3,430
 
Interest received in cash
   
3,880
     
3,500
 
Income tax paid in cash
   
17
     
 
 
 
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
  integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 




GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
September 30, 2010
 
1.
GENERAL
 
Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. ("GLRE") was incorporated as an exempted company under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands on July 13, 2004. GLRE’s principal wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. ("Greenlight Reinsurance"), provides global specialty property and casualty reinsurance. Greenlight Reinsurance has an unrestricted Class "B" insurance license under Section 4(2) of the Cayman Islands Insurance Law. Greenlight Reinsurance commenced underwriting in April 2006. Effective May 30, 2007, GLRE completed an initial public offering of 11,787,500 Class A ordinary shares at $19.00 per share. Concurrently, 2,631,579 Class B ordinary shares of GLRE were sold at $19.00 per share in a private placement offering.  During 2008, Verdant Holding Company, Ltd. ("Verdant"), a wholly owned subsidiary of GLRE, was incorporated in the state of Delaware. During September 2010, GLRE established a new Dublin based reinsurance entity, Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd. (“GRIL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of GLRE. GRIL provides multi-line property and casualty reinsurance capacity to the European broker market and provides GLRE with a platform to serve clients located in Europe.
 
    The Class A ordinary shares of GLRE are listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "GLRE."
 
As used herein, the "Company" refers collectively to GLRE and its subsidiaries.
 
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all the normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations as of the dates and for the periods presented.
 
The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
 
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GLRE and the consolidated financial statements of all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation. 
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company is required to maintain cash and cash equivalents in segregated accounts with prime brokers and swap counterparties. The amount of restricted cash and cash equivalents held by prime brokers is used to support the liability created from securities sold, not yet purchased. Cash and cash equivalents held for the benefit of swap counterparties are used to collateralize the current value of any amounts that may be due to the counterparty under the financial contracts. 
 
Deferred Acquisition Costs
 
      Policy acquisition costs, such as commission and brokerage costs, relate directly to and vary with the writing of reinsurance contracts. These costs are deferred subject to ultimate recoverability and amortized over the related contract term. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs by determining if the sum of future earned premiums and anticipated investment income is greater than the expected future claims and expenses. If a loss is probable on the unexpired portion of policies in force, a premium deficiency loss is recognized. At September 30, 2010, the deferred acquisition costs were fully recoverable and no premium deficiency loss was recorded. 
 
        Acquisition costs reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income include profit commissions which are expensed when incurred. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, included in acquisition costs was profit commission expense of $1.1 million (2009: 5.7 million). Profit commissions are calculated and accrued based on the expected loss experience for contracts and recorded when the current loss estimate on a contract indicates that a profit commission is probable under the contract terms. At September 30, 2010, profit commission reserves of $28.4 million (December 31, 2009: $27.4 million) were included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet under reinsurance balances payable.
 
  Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves and Recoverable
 
The Company establishes reserves for contracts based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses, including losses incurred but not reported. These estimated ultimate reserves are based on the Company's own actuarial estimates derived from reports received from ceding companies, industry data, and historical experience. These estimates are reviewed by the Company periodically on a contract by contract basis and adjusted as necessary. Since reserves are estimates, the final settlement of losses may vary from the reserves established and any adjustments to the estimates, which may be material, are recorded in the period they are determined.
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable include the amounts due from retrocessionaires for paid and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses on retrocession agreements. Ceded losses incurred but not reported are estimated based on the Company’s actuarial estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjusted when deemed necessary. The Company may not be able to ultimately recover the loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable amounts due to the retrocessionaires’ inability to pay. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires and records provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable when recovery is no longer probable.
 

Notes Receivable
 
Notes receivable include promissory notes receivable from third party entities. These notes are recorded at cost along with accrued interest, if any, which approximates the fair value. The Company regularly reviews all notes receivable individually for impairment and records provisions for uncollectible and non-performing notes. At September 30, 2010, all notes receivable were considered current and performing. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the notes earned interest at annual interest rates ranging from 6% to 10% and had remaining maturity terms ranging from approximately 4 years to 9 years. Included in the notes receivable balance was accrued interest of $1.3 million at September 30, 2010 (December 31, 2009: $0.7 million), of which $1.2 million (December 31, 2009: $0.6 million) related to interest accrued on a note receivable which contractually requires any principal or interest payments to be approved in advance by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. This note receivable matures in December 2018 and based on management’s assessment, the accrued interest and principal are expected to be fully collectible and therefore no provision for uncollectible interest was deemed necessary at September 30, 2010. Interest income earned on notes receivable is included in the condensed consolidated statements of income in net investment income.
 
Deposit Assets and Liabilities
 
The Company accounts for reinsurance contracts in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In the event that a reinsurance contract does not transfer sufficient risk, or a contract provides retroactive reinsurance, deposit accounting is used. Any losses on such contracts are charged to earnings immediately. Any gains relating to such contracts are deferred and amortized over the estimated remaining settlement period. All such deferred gains are included in reinsurance balances payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortized gains are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income as other income. At September 30, 2010, included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets under reinsurance balances receivable and reinsurance balances payable were $3.9 million and $1.0 million of deposit assets and deposit liabilities (December 31, 2009: $2.1 million and $0.8 million), respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, included in other income (expense), net were ($0.7) million and ($1.1) million, respectively, relating to losses on deposit accounted contracts. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were no gains reported on deposit accounted contracts. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, included in other income (expense), net were ($0.2) million and ($0.4) million, respectively, relating to losses on deposit accounted contracts, and $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, relating to gains on deposit accounted contracts.
 
Financial Instruments
 
                  Investments in Securities and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased 
 
    The Company’s investments in debt instruments and equity securities that are classified as “trading securities” are carried at fair value. The fair values of the listed equity and debt instruments are derived based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs). The fair values of private debt instruments are derived based on inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as market maker or broker quotes reflecting recent transactions (Level 2 inputs), and are generally derived based on the average of multiple market maker or broker quotes which are considered to be binding. Where quotes are not available, private debt instruments are valued using cash flow models using assumptions and estimates that may be subjective and non-observable (Level 3 inputs).
 
    The Company’s “other investments” may include investments in private and unlisted equity securities, limited partnerships, futures, commodities, exchange traded options and over-the-counter options (“OTC”), which are all carried at fair value. The Company maximizes the use of observable direct or indirect inputs (Level 2 inputs) when deriving the fair values for “other investments”. For limited partnerships and private and unlisted equity securities, where observable inputs are not available, the fair values are derived based on unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) such as management’s assumptions developed from available information using the services of the investment advisor, including the most recent net asset values. Amounts invested in exchange traded and OTC call and put options are recorded as an asset or liability at inception. Subsequent to initial recognition, unexpired exchange traded option contracts are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1 inputs). For OTC options or exchange traded options where a quoted price in an active market is not available, fair values are derived based upon observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) such as multiple market maker quotes.

For securities classified as "trading securities," and "other investments," any realized and unrealized gains or losses are determined on the basis of the specific identification method (by reference to cost and amortized cost, as appropriate) and included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Dividend income and expense are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The ex-dividend date is the date by which the underlying security must have been traded to be eligible for the dividend declared. Interest income and interest expense are recorded on an accrual basis.

Derivative Financial Instruments
 
U.S GAAP requires that an entity recognize all derivatives in the balance sheet at fair value. It also requires that unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value be included in income or comprehensive income, depending on whether the instrument qualifies as a hedge transaction, and if so, the type of hedge transaction. The Company’s derivative financial instrument assets generally are included in investments in securities or financial contracts receivable. Derivative financial instrument liabilities generally are included in financial contracts payable or investments in securities sold, not yet purchased. The Company's derivatives do not constitute hedges for financial reporting purposes.
 
 Financial Contracts

    The Company enters into financial contracts with counterparties as part of its investment strategy. Financial contracts, which include total return swaps, credit default swaps ("CDS"), and other derivative instruments, are recorded at their fair value with any unrealized gains and losses included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Financial contracts receivable represents derivative contracts whereby the Company is entitled to receive payments upon settlement of the contract. Financial contracts payable represents derivative contracts whereby the Company is obligated to make payments upon settlement of the contract.
 
    Total return swap agreements, included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as financial contracts receivable and financial contracts payable, are derivative financial instruments whereby the Company is either entitled to receive or obligated to pay the product of a notional amount multiplied by the movement in an underlying security, which the Company does not own, over a specified time frame. In addition, the Company may also be obligated to pay or receive other payments based on either interest rate, dividend payments and receipts, or foreign exchange movements during a specified period. The Company measures its rights or obligations to the counterparty based on the fair value movements of the underlying security together with any other payments due. These contracts are carried at fair value, based on observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) with the resultant unrealized gains and losses reflected in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Additionally, any changes in the value of amounts received or paid on swap contracts are reported as a gain or loss in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
   
 
         Financial contracts may also include exchange traded futures or options contracts that are based on the movement of a particular index or interest rate. Where such contracts are traded in an active market, the Company’s obligations or rights on these contracts are recorded at fair value measured based on the observable quoted prices of the same or similar financial contract in an active market (Level 1) or on broker quotes which reflect market information based on actual transactions (Level 2).    
 
         The Company purchases and sells CDS for the purpose of either managing its exposure to certain investments or for other strategic investment purposes. A CDS is a derivative instrument that provides protection against an investment loss due to specified credit or default events of a reference entity. The seller of a CDS guarantees to the buyer a specified amount if the reference entity defaults on its obligations or fails to perform. The buyer of a CDS pays a premium over time to the seller in exchange for obtaining this protection. A CDS trading in an active market is valued at fair value based on broker or market maker quotes for identical instruments in an active market (Level 2) or based on the current credit spreads on identical contracts (Level 2).
 
  Earnings Per Share
 
    Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable when stock options are exercised and are determined using the treasury stock method. In the event of a net loss, any stock options outstanding are excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share. U.S. GAAP requires that unvested stock awards which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid (referred to as "participating securities"), be included in the number of shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. The Company treats its unvested restricted stock as participating securities. In the event of a net loss, the participating securities are excluded from the calculation of both basic and diluted loss per share.
 
   
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
36,452,224
 
36,286,514
 
36,408,859
 
36,202,860
 
Effect of dilutive service provider share-based awards
 
177,559
 
148,729
 
178,483
 
125,767
 
Effect of dilutive employee and director share-based awards
 
589,123
 
393,483
 
587,216
 
299,222
 
   
37,218,906
 
36,828,726
 
37,174,558
 
36,627,849
 
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding
 
240,000
 
210,000
 
240,000
 
210,000
 

Taxation
 
Under current Cayman Islands law, no corporate entity, including the Company, is obligated to pay taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. The Company has an undertaking from the Governor-in-Cabinet of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Concessions Law, as amended, that, in the event that the Cayman Islands enacts any legislation that imposes tax on profits, income, gains or appreciations, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax will not be applicable to the Company or its operations, or to the Class A or Class B ordinary shares or related obligations, until February 1, 2025.
 
   Verdant is incorporated in Delaware, and therefore is subject to taxes in accordance with the U.S. federal rates and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Verdant’s taxable income is generally expected to be taxed at a rate of 35%.
 
   GRIL is incorporated in Ireland and therefore is subject to the Irish corporation tax rate of 12.5% on its trading income, and 25% on its non-trading income, if any.
  
   Any deferred tax asset is evaluated for recovery and a valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future. Neither Verdant nor GRIL has taken any tax position that is subject to significant uncertainty or that is reasonably likely to have a material impact to Verdant, GRIL, or the Company.
  
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
    In October 2010 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-26 (“ASU 2010-26”), Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. ASU 2010-26 modifies the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts. ASU 2010-26 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 and is to be applied prospectively upon adoption, although retrospective application is permitted. The Company is reviewing ASU 2010-26; however, the effects of implementing ASU 2010-26 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

    In June 2010 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-20 (“ASU 2010-20”), Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. ASU 2010-20 requires a reporting entity to provide a greater level of disaggregated information about credit quality of its financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. A financing receivable is a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the reporting entity’s balance sheet and includes loans, long term trade accounts receivable, credit card receivables, notes receivable and lease receivables. For public companies, certain disclosures required by ASU 2010-20 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010, while other disclosure requirements contained in ASU 2010-20 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company intends to begin providing the required disclosures, as required under ASU 2010-20, in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q thereafter.

    In January 2010 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2010-06 requires additional disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement.  ASU No. 2010-06 amends Codification Subtopic 820-10 to require a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. A reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). In addition, ASU No. 2010-06 clarifies the requirements of the existing disclosures. ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. As a result of adoption of ASU 2010-06, the Company started providing the required disclosures in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for periods beginning after December 31, 2009. The additional disclosures required under ASU 2010-06 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, will be included by the Company beginning with its Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2011.
 
 
  Reclassifications
 
Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation (see Note 9). The reclassifications resulted in no changes to net income or retained earnings for any of the periods presented.
 
3.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
 
 Fair Value Hierarchy
 
The Company’s financial instruments are carried at fair value, and the net unrealized gains or losses are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.   

The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2010:
 
  
 
Fair value measurements as of September 30, 2010
 
 
 
Description
 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Assets:
                               
Debt instruments
 
$
   
$
16,813
   
$
3,247
   
$
20,060
 
Listed equity securities
   
744,292
     
     
     
744,292
 
Commodities
   
122,195
     
     
     
122,195
 
Private and unlisted equity securities
   
     
1,892
     
39,630
     
41,522
 
Put options
   
     
5,533
     
     
5,533
 
Call options
   
     
3,686
     
     
3,686
 
Financial contracts receivable
   
     
16,064
     
427
     
16,491
 
   
$
866,487
   
$
43,988
   
43,304
   
953,779
 
Liabilities:
                               
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 
$
   
$
(1,871
 
$
   
$
(1,871
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
   
(576,394
   
     
     
(576,394
Call options
   
     
(525
   
     
(525
Financial contracts payable
   
     
(25,653
   
     
(25,653
   
$
(576,394
 
$
(28,049
 
$
   
$
(604,443

         The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as at December 31, 2009:
 
   
Fair value measurements as of December 31, 2009
 
 
 
Description
 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Assets:
                               
Debt instruments
 
$
   
$
94,301
   
$
1,537
   
$
95,838
 
Listed equity securities
   
593,201
     
     
     
593,201
 
Commodities
   
102,239
     
     
     
102,239
 
Private and unlisted equity securities
   
     
     
25,228
     
25,228
 
Put options
   
     
8,809
     
     
8,809
 
Call options
   
     
5,285
     
     
5,285
 
Financial contracts receivable
   
     
30,117
     
     
30,117
 
   
$
695,440
   
$
138,512
   
26,765
   
860,717
 
Liabilities:
                               
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(570,875
)
 
$
   
$
   
$
(570,875
)
Financial contracts payable
   
     
(16,200
)
   
     
(16,200
)
   
$
(570,875
)
 
$
(16,200
)
 
$
   
$
(587,075
)

 
 
The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010:
 
 
   
  Fair value measurements using  
significant unobservable inputs
   (Level 3)
Three months ended September 30, 2010
   
  Fair value measurements using  
significant unobservable inputs 
(Level 3)
Nine months ended September 30, 2010
 
   
Debt
 instruments
 
Private
and unlisted  equity
securities
   
Financial contracts receivable
 
Total
   
Debt
instruments
   
Private
and unlisted equity
securities
   
Financial contracts receivable
 
Total
 
   
   ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
1,090
 
 $
36,924
 
 $
  641
 
 $
38,655
 
 $
  1,537
 
 $
 25,228
 
 $
 $
 26,765
 
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net
   
1,575
 
 
2,452
 
 
   
4,027
 
 
  1,563
 
 
12,567
   
855
 
14,985
 
Total  realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
   
582
 
 
254
   
(214
 
622
   
147
 
 
1,835
   
(428
)
1,554
 
Transfers into (out of) Level 3, net
   
 —
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
Ending balance, September 30, 2010
 
3,247
 
 $
39,630
 
 $
427
 
 $
43,304
 
 $
3,247
 
 $
 39,630
 
 $
427
 $
43,304
 

 The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009:
 
   
Fair value measurements using
 significant unobservable inputs
 (Level 3)
Three months ended September 30, 2009
   
    Fair value measurements using
    significant unobservable inputs
 (Level 3)
Nine months ended September 30, 2009
 
     
Debt
 instruments
     
Private
and unlisted  
equity
securities
      Total    
Debt
instruments
   
Private
and unlisted
equity
securities
   
Total
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Beginning balance
 
$
6,806
 
$
9,530
 
16,336
 
$
4,115
 
$
11,776
 
$
15,891
 
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net
   
(3,231
)
 
3,140
   
(91
)
 
(1,481
)
 
3,259
   
1,778
 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings, net
   
129
   
2,196
   
2,325
   
(718
 
(169
)
 
(887
)
Transfers into Level 3, net
   
   
1,606
   
1,606
   
1,788
   
1,606
   
3,394
 
Ending balance, September 30, 2009
 
$
3,704
 
$
16,472
 
20,176
 
$
3,704
 
$
16,472
 
$
20,176
 
 
   During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we transferred, from Level 1 to Level 2, an equity security for which a quoted price on an active market was not available and as a result we relied on broker quotes to determine its fair value. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 classifications of fair value measurements. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, transfers into Level 3 represent the fair value on the date of transfer of securities for which multiple broker quotes were not available. The fair values of these securities were estimated using the last available transaction price, adjusted for credit risk, expected cash flows, and other non-observable inputs.
 
 For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income were realized losses of $0.1 million and realized gains of $0.6 million (2009: realized gains of $0.3 million and $0.6 million), respectively, and unrealized gains of $0.9 million and $1.4 million (2009: unrealized gains of $2.0 million and unrealized losses of $1.4 million), respectively, on securities still held at the reporting date and valued using unobservable inputs. In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, amortization expense of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, were recorded in net investment income relating to financial contracts receivable valued using unobservable inputs.

Debt instruments, trading

At September 30, 2010, the following investments are included in debt instruments:

2010
 
Cost/amortized
 cost
   
Unrealized
 gains
   
Unrealized
 losses
   
Fair 
value
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
18,492
   
5,944
   
(4,379
)
 
20,057
 
Corporate debt – Non U.S.
   
  16
     
     
(13
)
   
3
 
Total debt instruments
 
$
18,508
   
5,944
   
(4,392)
   
  20,060
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2009, the following investments are included in debt instruments:

2009
   
Cost / amortized cost
   
Unrealized gains
   
Unrealized  losses
   
Fair  value
 
     
($ in thousands)
 
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
 $
60,121
   
 $
36,040
   
$
(5,555
 
$
90,606
 
Corporate debt – Non U.S.
   
  2,961
     
  2,274
     
  (3
   
5,232
 
Total debt instruments
 
 $
63,082
   
$
38,314
   
$
(5,558
 
$
95,838
 
 
The maturity distribution for debt instruments held at September 30, 2010 is as follows:
 
   
Cost / amortized cost
   
Fair  value
 
   
 ($ in thousands)
 
Within one year
 
$
4,223
   
$
5,066
 
From one to five years
   
7,860
     
12,010
 
From five to ten years
   
  3,947
     
1,602
 
More than ten years
   
2,478
     
1,382
 
   
$
 18,508
   
$
20,060
 
 
Investment in Equity Securities, Trading
 
At September 30, 2010, the following long positions are included in investment securities, trading:
 
2010
 
Cost
   
Unrealized  gains
   
Unrealized  losses
   
Fair  value
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Equities – listed
 
$
652,760
   
105,942
   
(34,075
)
 
$
724,627
 
Exchange traded funds
   
7,002
     
12,663
     
 —
     
  19,665
 
   
$
  659,762
   
  118,605
   
(34,075
)
 
  744,292
 
 
At December 31, 2009, the following long positions are included in investment securities, trading:
 
2009
 
Cost
   
Unrealized  gains
   
Unrealized  losses
   
Fair  value
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Equities – listed
 
$
510,229
   
$
 104,768
   
$
(40,040
 
574,957
 
Exchange traded funds
   
7,879
     
10,365
     
     
18,244
 
   
$
518,108
   
115,133
   
$
(40,040
 
593,201
 
 
    Other Investments
 
    "Other investments” include options, commodities and private and unlisted equity securities. Options are derivative financial instruments that give the buyer, in exchange for a premium payment, the right, but not the obligation, to either purchase from (call option) or sell to (put option) the writer a specified underlying security at a specified price on or before a specified date. The Company enters into option contracts to meet certain investment objectives. For exchange traded option contracts, the exchange acts as the counterparty to specific transactions and, therefore, bears the risk of delivery to and from counterparties of specific positions. For OTC options, a dealer acts as the counterparty and therefore the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent the dealer is unable to meet its obligations. As of September 30, 2010, the Company held OTC call options (long), put options (long) and put options (short) with fair values of $3.7 million, $5.5 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. At December 31, 2009, the Company held OTC call options and put options with fair values of $0.2 million and $8.8 million, respectively. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, commodities were comprised of gold bullion.
 
At September 30, 2010, the following securities are included in other investments:
 
2010 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized  losses
 
Fair  value
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Commodities
 
96,551
 
$
25,644
 
$
 
$
122,195
 
Private and unlisted equity securities
   
  42,532
   
1,877
   
(2,887
)
 
41,522
 
Put options
   
  16,044
   
   
(10,511
)
 
  5,533
 
Call options
   
4,252
   
   
  (566
 
  3,686
 
   
159,379
 
27,521
 
$
(13,964
$
172,936
 

 
 
At December 31, 2009, the following securities are included in other investments:

2009
   
Cost
   
  Unrealized gains
   
  Unrealized losses
     
Fair value
 
     
($ in thousands)
 
Commodities
 
$
96,552
   
$
5,687
   
$
   
$
102,239
 
Private and unlisted equity securities
   
27,636
     
1,430
     
(3,838
)
   
25,228
 
Put options
   
6,269
     
2,540
     
     
8,809
 
Call options
   
6,406
     
51
     
(1,172
)
   
5,285
 
   
$
136,863
   
$
9,708
   
$
(5,010
)
 
$
141,561
 
 
     Included in private and unlisted equity securities are investments in private equity funds with a fair value of $2.1 million. The fair values of private equity funds were determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the funds' managers as of periods prior to the Company's reporting period. The private equity funds have varying lock-up periods and as of September 30, 2010, none of the funds was redeemable. The Company had unfunded commitments relating to a private equity fund of $2.4 million as of September 30, 2010, which are included in the schedule of commitments and contingencies in Note 8 of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
     Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
  
At September 30, 2010, the following securities are included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased:
 
2010  
 Proceeds
   
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
   
Fair
value
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Equities – listed
(561,218
)
 
78,343
 
(69,945
)
(552,820
)
Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
     
   
(538
)
 
(538
)
Exchange traded funds
 
(21,601
)
   
   
(1,435
)
 
(23,036
)
Debt instruments
 
(1,870
)
   
3
   
(4
)
 
(1,871
)
Call options
 
(827
)
   
302
   
   
(525
)
 
(585,516
)
 
$
  78,648
 
(71,922 
(578,790
)
 
At December 31, 2009, the following securities are included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased:
 
2009  
 Proceeds
   
Unrealized gains
   
Unrealized losses
   
Fair
value
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Equities - listed
$
(536,895
)
 
$
62,278
   
$
(79,525
)
$
(554,142
)
Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
     
     
(733
)
 
(733
)
Exchange traded funds
 
(15,678
)
   
     
(322
)
 
(16,000
)
 
$
(552,573
)
 
$
62,278
   
$
(80,580
)
$
(570,875
)

          Financial Contracts

As of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, the Company had entered into total return swaps, CDS, and interest rate options contracts with various financial institutions to meet certain investment objectives and not for hedging purposes. Under the terms of each of these financial contracts, the Company is either entitled to receive or is obligated to make payments which are based on the product of a formula contained within the contract that includes the change in the fair value of the underlying or reference security. In addition, as of September 30, 2010, the Company had entered into a non-exchange traded weather derivative swap contract, to manage its overall risk exposure to earthquake losses, under which the Company is entitled to receive a payment upon occurrence of certain specified earthquake events in the U.S. 

    At September 30, 2010, the fair value of financial contracts outstanding was as follows: 
 
Financial contracts
Listing
 currency
   
Notional amount of
 underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)  on financial  contracts
 
     
($ in thousands)
 
 Financial contracts receivable   
             
Interest rate options
USD
 
1,723,954
 
$
4,976
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
USD
 
117,353
   
  4,870
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
USD
 
  180,926
   
  239
 
Total return swaps – equities
USD
 
45,390
   
5,979
 
Weather derivative swap
USD
 
10,000
   
427
 
Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
       
$
16,491
 
               
  Financial contracts payable
             
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
USD
 
189,898
 
$
(3,456
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
USD
 
81,453
   
(4,801
)
Credit default swaps, issued – corporate debt
USD
 
35,890
   
(15,963
)
Total return swaps – equities
USD
 
13,410
   
(1,433
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
       
$
(25,653
)
 
 
   
   At December 31, 2009, the fair value of financial contracts outstanding was as follows:
 
Financial contracts
Listing
 currency
 
Notional amount of
 underlying instruments
      Fair value of net assets (obligations)   on financial  contracts  
   
($ in thousands)
 
Financial contracts receivable
             
Interest rate options
  USD     1,723,954  
$
20,325
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
  USD     315,722    
5,322
 
Total return swaps – equities
  USD     45,516    
4,470
 
Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
       
$
30,117
 
               
Financial contracts payable
             
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
  USD     20,811  
$
(128
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
  USD     121,118    
(7,281
)
Credit default swaps, issued – corporate debt
  USD     13,909    
(8,739
)
Total return swaps – equities
  USD     2,286    
(52
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
       
$
(16,200
)
 
As of September 30, 2010, the carrying amount of the weather derivative swap is the unamortized portion of the premium paid to purchase the weather derivative swap contract which expires on March 31, 2011. An estimate of fair value is not practicable since the weather derivative swap contract is a non-exchange traded instrument and the time and cost involved in creating a valuation model to estimate the fair value would be excessive based on the immaterial amount and the short term contract period.

As of September 30, 2010, included in interest rate options are contracts on U.S. and Japanese interest rates. As of September 30, 2010, included in financial contracts payable were CDSs issued by the Company relating to the debt issued by an unrelated entity ("reference entity"). The CDSs are scheduled to terminate in September 2011 and September 2013 and have  notional amounts of $7.2 million and $28.7 million, respectively. Under these contracts, the Company receives fees for guaranteeing the debt and in return will be obligated to pay the notional amount to the counterparty if the reference entity defaults under its debt obligations. As of September 30, 2010, the reference entity had a financial strength rating of (B3) and a surplus notes rating of (Caa3) from Moody’s Investors Service. The aggregate fair value of the CDSs at September 30, 2010 was $16.0 million which was determined based on broker quotes obtained for identical or similar contracts traded in an active market (Level 2 inputs). At September 30, 2010, based on an evaluation of the reference entity, management believed it was not probable that the Company would be required to pay the notional amount of the CDSs.
   
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company reported gains and losses on derivatives as follows:
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Location of gains and losses on derivatives recognized in income
 
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in
income for the three months ended
September 30,
   
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income for the nine months ended September 30,
 
       
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
       
($ in thousands)
   
($ in thousands)
 
Interest rate options
 
Net investment income
 
$
(2,047
)
 
$
(3,199
 
(15,350
)
$
2,608
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
Net investment income
   
(3,205
)
   
(7,189
 
(677
)
 
(13,425
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
Net investment income
   
(2,127
)
   
(3,233
 
  5,795
 
 
(12,829
Total return swaps – equities
 
Net investment income
   
  3,579
     
2,090
   
  5,194
   
3,992
 
Credit default swaps, issued – corporate debt
 
Net investment income
   
2,571
     
802
   
3,338
   
(1,008
Options, futures, warrants, and rights
 
Net investment income
   
(10,585
)
   
(3,097
 
(19,075
)
 
(10,010
Weather derivative swap
  Other income (expense)     
(214
)
         
(428
)
     
Total
     
$
(12,028
)
 
$
(13,826
$
(21,203
)
$
(30,672

The Company generally does not enter into derivatives for risk management or hedging purposes, and the volume of derivative activities varies from period to period depending on potential investment opportunities. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:

 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Three months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Entered
   
Exited
   
Entered
   
Exited
   
($ in thousands)
Credit default swaps
 
$
21,981
   
$
 
$
340,106
 
$
206,145
Total return swaps
   
4,372
     
12,905
   
34,471
   
17,323
Weather derivative swap
   
     
   
10,000
   
Options
   
188,528
     
57,999
   
510,929
   
199,582
Futures
   
     
   
44,436
   
41,762
Total
 
$
214,881
   
$
 70,904
 
$
939,942
 
$
464,812

 
 
      For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:

 
   
Three months ended
 September 30, 2009
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2009
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Entered
   
Exited
   
Entered
   
Exited
   
($ in thousands)
Credit default swaps
 
$
   
$
151
 
$
164,421
 
$
21,000
Total return swaps
   
     
8,713
   
   
20,857
Interest rate options
   
416,693
     
   
1,319,863
   
Options
   
86,268
     
38,458
   
214,068
   
60,486
Rights – equity
   
     
   
7,870
   
4,212
Total
 
$
502,961
   
$
47,322
 
$
1,706,222
 
$
106,555
 
    Due to Prime Brokers
 
    At September 30, 2010, the Company had an indebtedness of $22.8 million (December 31, 2009: $0) to its prime brokers relating to investments purchased on margin. In the normal course of business, the Company's investment guidelines allow for temporary (30 days) leverage up to 20% of net invested assets, and for an extended time period up to 5% of net invested assets. At September 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with the level of leverage allowed under its investment guidelines.
 
4.           REINSURANCE BALANCES RECEIVABLE
 
    At September 30, 2010, included in reinsurance balances receivable were $26.7 million (December 31, 2009: 0) due from a ceding insurer relating to a letter of credit issued by the Company which was drawn by the ceding insurer. These funds are being held in an interest bearing segregated account by the ceding insurer. 

5.
RETROCESSION
 
              The Company from time to time purchases retrocessional coverage for one or more of the following reasons: to manage its overall exposure, to reduce its net liability on individual risks, to obtain additional underwriting capacity and to balance its underwriting portfolio. Additionally, retrocession can be used as a mechanism to share the risks and rewards of business written and therefore can be used as a tool to align the Company's interests with those of its counter-parties. The Company currently has coverages that provide for recovery of a portion of loss and loss expenses incurred on certain contracts. Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable from the retrocessionaires are recorded as assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, and 2009, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $50.3 million and $34.6 million, respectively, reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $1.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and 2009, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $114.9 million and $88.4 million reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $4.0 million and $(2.1) million, respectively. Retrocession contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to the insureds. Failure of retrocessionaires to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires. At September 30, 2010, the Company had loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable of $0.3 million (December 31, 2009: $0.3 million) with a retrocessionaire rated “A+ (Superior)” by A.M. Best. Additionally, the Company has losses recoverable of $9.2 million (December 31, 2009: $7.0 million) with unrated retrocessionaires. At September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, the Company retained funds and other collateral from the unrated retrocessionaires for amounts in excess of the loss recoverable asset, and the Company had recorded no provision for uncollectible losses recoverable.
 
6.         SHARE CAPITAL 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company issued 100,720 (nine months ended September 30, 2009: 201,956) restricted Class A ordinary shares to employees pursuant to the Company’s stock incentive plan. These shares contain certain restrictions relating to, among other things, vesting, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Each of these restricted shares cliff vests after three years from date of issue, subject to the grantee's continued service with the Company.

 During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company also issued to non-employee directors an aggregate of 34,780 restricted Class A ordinary shares (nine months ended September 30, 2009: 35,875) as part of their remuneration for services to the Company. Each of these restricted shares issued to the directors contains similar restrictions to those issued to employees and will vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the share issuance or the Company’s next annual general meeting, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company.

The restricted share award activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were as follows: 

   
Number of non-vested
restricted shares
   
Weighted average
grant date fair value
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
   
474,782
   
$
16.51
 
Granted
   
135,500
     
24.62
 
Vested
   
(140,285
)
   
16.02
 
Forfeited
   
(898
)
   
16.17
 
Balance at September 30, 2010
   
469,099
 
   
19.00
 
 
 
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 80,000 Class A ordinary share purchase options (2009: 80,000) were granted to the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to his employment contract. These options vest 25% on the date of grant, and 25% each in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and expire 10 years after the grant date. The grant date fair value of these options was $10.39 per option, based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company’s shares have not been publicly traded for a sufficient length of time to reasonably estimate the expected volatility. Therefore, the Company determined the expected volatility based primarily on the historical volatility of a peer group of companies in the reinsurance industry while also considering the Company's own historical volatility in determining the expected volatility.
 
    The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the valuation of its options and has applied the assumptions set forth in the following table.
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Risk free rate
   
2.94
 %
   
3.55
 %
 
Estimated volatility
   
35.00
 %
   
30.00
 %
 
Expected term
 
10.00
 years
 
10.00
 years
 
Dividend yield
   
0.00
 %
   
0.00
 %
 

  
 During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 2,340 (nine months ended September 30, 2009: 47,000) Class A Ordinary share purchase options were exercised that had a weighted average exercise price of $13.85 (2009: $12.41) per share.  The Company issued new Class A ordinary shares from the shares authorized for issuance under the Company’s stock incentive plan.  The intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, was $26,500 (2009: $228,170). At September 30, 2010, 1,419,295 Class A ordinary shares were available for future issuance under the Company’s stock incentive plan.
 
Employee and director stock option activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, were as follows:

   
Number of options
   
Weighted average
exercise price
   
Weighted average
 grant date fair value
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
   
1,281,340
   
14.24
   
6.33
 
Granted
   
80,000
     
32.42
     
10.39
 
Exercised
   
(2,340
   
13.85
     
7.13
 
Forfeited
   
     
     
 
Expired
   
     
     
 
Balance at September 30, 2010
   
1,359,000
   
15.31
   
6.57
 
 
In addition to the above referenced employee and director stock options, at September 30, 2010, there were 300,000 service provider stock options outstanding, with an exercise price of $10.00 per share option, which will expire in 2014.
 
The following table is a summary of voting ordinary shares issued and outstanding:
 
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2009
 
   
Class A
   
Class B
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
Balance – beginning of period
   
30,063,893
     
6,254,949
     
29,781,736
     
6,254,949
 
Issue of ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
   
136,942
     
     
272,157
     
 
Balance – end of period
   
30,200,835
     
6,254,949
     
30,053,893
     
6,254,949
 

7.             RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 
The Company and its reinsurance subsidiaries are party to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the ‘‘Advisory Agreement’’) with DME Advisors, LP (“DME Advisors”) under which the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME Advisors created a joint venture for the purpose of managing certain jointly held assets. DME Advisors is a related party and an affiliate of David Einhorn, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.
  
    Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with DME Advisors, performance compensation equal to 20% of the net income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors is payable to DME Advisors, subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced incentive compensation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate investment loss is earned. DME Advisors is not entitled to earn performance compensation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. At September 30, 2010, the loss carry forward balance was $52.9 million. At September 30, 2010, $4.1 million (2009: $16.3 million) of performance compensation expense was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 at the reduced rate of 10%.
 
    Additionally, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, DME Advisors is entitled to receive a monthly management fee equal to 0.125% (1.5% on an annual basis) of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors. Included in net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, are management fees of $3.3 million and $9.7 million, respectively, (September 30, 2009: $2.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively). All management fees were fully paid as of September 30, 2010.
 
Service Agreement
 
    The Company has entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors, pursuant to which DME Advisors provides investor relations services to the Company for compensation of $5,000 per month (plus expenses). The agreement is automatically renewed for one year periods until terminated by the Company or DME Advisors for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party.
 
 
 
8.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
 
Operating Lease

    On July 9, 2008, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in the Cayman Islands. Under the terms of this lease agreement, the Company is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $253,539 to $311,821. The lease expires on June 30, 2018, and the Company has the option to renew the lease for a five-year term. Included in the schedule below are the minimum lease payment obligations relating to this lease as of September 30, 2010.
 
    The total rent expense relating to leased office spaces for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, was $216,279 (2009: $386,568).
 
Specialist Service Agreement
 
The Company has entered into a service agreement with a specialist whereby the specialist service provider provides administration and support in developing and maintaining business relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks relating to certain specialty lines of business. The service provider does not have any authority to bind the Company to any reinsurance contracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to quarterly payments to the service provider. If the agreement is terminated, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure contracts to which the Company is bound are adequately administered by the specialist service provider. Included in the schedule below are the minimum payment obligations relating to this agreement. 
 
Private Equity
 
Periodically, the Company makes investments in private equity vehicles. As part of the Company's participation in such private equity investments, the Company may make funding commitments. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had commitments to invest an additional $10.0 million in private equity investments. 
 
The following is a schedule of remaining future minimum payments required under the above commitments:
 
   
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
   
2014
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Operating lease obligations
 
$
69
   $
276
   $
276
   $
276
   $
276
   $
967
   $
2,140
 
Specialist service agreement
   
222
   
694
   
400
   
150
   
   
   
1,466
 
Private equity and limited partnerships  (1)
   
10,011
   
   
   
   
   
   
10,011
 
   
$
10,302
   $
970
   $
676
   $
426
   $
276
   $
967
   $
13,617
 

(1)   
Given the nature of these investments, the Company is unable to determine with any degree of accuracy when these commitments will be called. Therefore, for purposes of the above table, the Company has assumed that all commitments with no fixed payment schedules will be called during the year ending December 31, 2010.
 
Letters of Credit
 
    At September 30, 2010, the Company had the following letter of credit facilities, which automatically renew each year unless terminated by either party in accordance with the required notice period:

               
       
Available
     
Termination Date
 
Notice period required for termination
 
     
($ in thousands)
             
Citibank Europe plc
 
$
400,000
     
October 11, 2011
 
120 days prior to termination date
 
Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited
   
60,000
     
June 30, 2011
 
90 days prior to termination date
 
Bank of America, N.A
   
100,000
     
July 20, 2011
 
90 days prior to termination date
 
   
$
560,000
             

    At September 30, 2010, an aggregate amount of $252.7 million (December 31, 2009: $278.4 million) in letters of credit was issued under the above facilities. Under these facilities, the Company provides collateral that may consist of equity securities and cash equivalents. At September 30, 2010, total equity securities and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $310.4 million (December 31, 2009: $315.2 million) were pledged as security against the letters of credit issued. Each of the facilities contains customary events of default and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on liens on collateral, transactions with affiliates, mergers and sales of assets, as well as solvency and maintenance of certain minimum pledged equity requirements, and restricts issuance of any debt without the consent of the letter of credit provider. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the letter of credit facilities, Greenlight Reinsurance will be prohibited from paying dividends to its parent company. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants of each of these facilities as of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009. 
  
      Litigation
 
    From time to time in the normal course of business, we may be involved in formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, which may include arbitration or litigation, the outcomes of which determine our rights and obligations under our reinsurance contracts and other contractual agreements. In some disputes, we may seek to enforce our rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to us. In other matters, we may resist attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. While the final outcome of legal disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of existing disputes, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
 


 
9.
SEGMENT REPORTING
 
The Company manages its business on the basis of one operating segment, Property & Casualty Reinsurance.
 
The following tables provide a breakdown of the Company's gross premiums written by line of business and by geographic area of risks insured for the periods indicated: (1)
 
Gross Premiums Written by Line of Business
   
Three months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Three months ended
September 30, 2009
 
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
 
 Nine months ended
 September 30, 2009
 
   
($ in thousands)
   
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
Property
                                   
Commercial lines
  $
6,052
 
4.0
%
$
3,800
 
5.7
%
$
15,468
 
5.0
%
$
12,363
 
6.0
%
Personal lines
 
90,291
 
59.7
   
10,948
 
16.6
   
135,904
 
44.3
   
42,479
 
20.4
 
Total Property
 
96,343
 
63.7
   
14,748
 
22.3
   
151,372
 
49.3
   
54,842
 
26.4
 
Casualty
                                       
General liability
 
14,510
 
9.6
   
6,770
 
10.3
   
29,609
 
9.6
   
20,933
 
10.1
 
Marine liability
 
 
   
 
   
483
 
0.2
   
 
 
Motor liability
 
12,712
 
8.4
   
31,495
 
47.7
   
42,294
 
13.8
   
73,448
 
35.3
 
Motor physical damage
 
531
 
0.3
   
 
   
1,924
 
0.6
   
 
 
Professional liability
 
 
   
(47
   
1,307
 
0.4
   
4,498
 
2.2
 
Total Casualty
 
27,753
 
18.3
   
38,218
 
58.0
   
75,617
 
24.6
   
98,879
 
47.6
 
Specialty
                                       
Financial
 
3,949
 
2.6
   
 
   
19,599
 
6.4
   
 
 
Health
 
14,652
 
9.7
   
10,460
 
15.8
   
48,421
 
15.8
   
37,049
 
17.8
 
Medical malpractice
 
 
   
 
   
(1,929
)
(0.6
)
 
1,033
 
0.5
 
Workers’ compensation
 
8,550
 
5.7
   
2,557
 
3.9
   
14,011
 
4.5
   
16,098
 
7.7
 
Total Specialty
 
27,151
 
18.0
   
13,017
 
19.7
   
80,102
 
26.1
   
54,180
 
26.0
 
 
$
151,247
 
100.0
%
$
65,983
 
100.0
%
  $
307,091
 
100.0
%
$
207,901
 
100.0
%
 

Gross Premiums Written by Geographic Area of Risks Insured

   
Three months ended
September 30, 2010
Three months ended
September 30, 2009
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
Nine months ended
September 30, 2009
 
   
($ in thousands)
($ in thousands)
($ in thousands)
($ in thousands)
 
USA
$
140,940
 
93.2
%
$
62,238
 
94.3
%
$
268,299
 
87.4
%
$
182,053
 
87.6
%
Worldwide (2)
 
10,307
 
6.8
   
3,745
 
5.7
   
38,792
 
12.6
   
24,103
 
11.6
 
Caribbean
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
1,745
 
0.8
 
 
$
151,247
 
100.0
%
$
65,983
 
100.0
%
$
307,091
 
100.0
%
$
207,901
 
100.0
%
 
             During the second quarter of 2010, the Company refined its method of presenting the lines of business and geographic area of risks insured within its one operating segment. The historical comparative balances presented above have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

              "Worldwide" is comprised of contracts that reinsure risks in more than one geographic area and do not specifically exclude the USA.
 



 
Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
References to "we," "us," "our," "our company," "Greenlight Re," or "the Company" refer to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. ("GLRE") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. ("Greenlight Reinsurance"), Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd. ("GRIL") and Verdant Holding Company, Ltd. ("Verdant"), unless the context dictates otherwise. References to our "Ordinary Shares" refers collectively to our Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.
 
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and financial condition as of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "predict," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" (refer to Part I, Item 1A) contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward looking statements which speak only to the dates on which they were made.
 
We intend to communicate certain events that we believe may have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, including property and casualty catastrophic events and material losses in our investment portfolio, in a timely manner through a public announcement. Other than as required by the Exchange Act, we do not intend to make public announcements regarding reinsurance or investment events that we do not believe, based on management's estimates and current information, will have a material adverse impact to our operations or financial position.
 
General
 
We are a Cayman Islands headquartered global specialist property and casualty reinsurer with a reinsurance and investment strategy that we believe differentiates us from our competitors. We conduct our reinsurance operations through two licensed and regulated entities: Greenlight Reinsurance, based in the Cayman Islands, and GRIL, based in Ireland. Our goal is to build long-term shareholder value by offering select customized reinsurance solutions in markets where capacity and alternatives are limited, which we believe will provide us with favorable long-term returns on equity. In September 2010, we established GRIL, our Dublin based wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiary, to provide multi-line property and casualty reinsurance capacity to the European broker market and provide us with a platform to serve clients located in Europe.
 
We aim to complement our underwriting activities with a non-traditional investment approach in order to achieve higher rates of return over the long term than reinsurance companies that employ more traditional, fixed-income investment strategies. We manage our investment portfolio according to a value-oriented philosophy, in which we take long positions in perceived undervalued securities and short positions in perceived overvalued securities.
 
In addition, from time to time we may seek to form long-term strategic alliances with insurance companies and general agents to complement our property and casualty reinsurance business and our non-traditional investment approach. To facilitate such strategic alliances, we formed Verdant, which, among other activities, has made and may make strategic investments in a select group of property and casualty insurers and general agents in the United States.
 
Because we employ an opportunistic underwriting philosophy, period-to-period comparisons of our underwriting results may not be meaningful. In addition, our historical investment results may not be indicative of future performance. Due to the nature of our reinsurance and investment strategies, our operating results will likely fluctuate from period to period.
 
Segments
 
We manage our business on the basis of one operating segment, property and casualty reinsurance, in accordance with the qualitative and quantitative criteria established by U.S. GAAP. Within the property and casualty reinsurance segment, we analyze our underwriting operations using two categories:
 
•       Frequency business; and
 
•       Severity business.
 
Frequency business is characterized by contracts containing a potentially large number of relatively smaller losses emanating from multiple events. Clients generally buy this protection to increase their own underwriting capacity and typically select a reinsurer based upon the reinsurer’s financial strength and expertise. We expect the results of frequency business to be less volatile than those of severity business from period to period due to greater predictability of the frequency business. We also expect that over time the profit margins and return on equity of our frequency business will be lower than those of our severity business.
 
Severity business is typically characterized by contracts with the potential for significant losses emanating from one event or multiple events. Clients generally buy this protection to remove volatility from their balance sheets, and accordingly, we expect the results of severity business to be volatile from period to period. However, over the long term, we also expect that our severity business will generate higher profit margins and return on equity than those of our frequency business.
 
 
 
Outlook and Trends
 
    We believe that the rebound in the financial markets during 2009 restored the financial strength of many participants in the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry. As a result, we believe that underwriting capacity has become more available in the property and casualty market, which in turn has increased competition and contributed to a delay in significant price increases for our specialty products. In addition, the lack of large natural catastrophes losses in 2009 and to date in 2010 has preserved industry capital. Further, we believe the slowdown in worldwide economic activity has decreased the overall demand for insurance. Notwithstanding, price reductions from prior years appear to have slowed, and in some areas reversed. We believe that pricing of the property and casualty industry will be relatively flat for the near term until insurers and reinsurers begin to realize that the current price levels are not economically rational. Given that prior years' reserve redundancies throughout the industry have been reduced substantially and current interest rates are low, which limits opportunities for traditional fixed maturity investment income, we believe the industry will eventually need to increase pricing. However, we do not expect to see the effects of this until 2011 or beyond. Price increases could occur earlier if financial and credit markets experience adverse shocks and loss of capital of insurers and reinsurers or if the industry suffers significant losses from natural catastrophes. 
 
    Despite an overall less attractive marketplace, we believe that we are well positioned to compete for frequency business due to our increasing market recognition, our expansion into the European market following the formation of GRIL, and the development of certain strategic relationships. During 2010, we have seen a number of large, frequency-oriented opportunities that we believe fit well within our business strategy.  Attractive underwriting opportunities could increase for us if financial and credit markets report large losses while we maintain our financial strength. We continue to see potential for some consolidation in the insurance and reinsurance industry. We believe if merger and acquisition activity in the reinsurance industry increases and the number of industry participants decreases we may benefit from increased opportunities since insurers may prefer to diversify their reinsurance placements. Finally, we believe that the implementation of Solvency II (see Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors) between now and 2014 may increase the capital surplus requirements for some insurance companies in the European Union. Any additional capital requirements under Solvency II may create opportunities for us to develop new relationships by offering reinsurance solutions that enhance the capital position of our clients in the European Union.
 
    If current challenges facing the insurance industry create significant dislocations, we believe we will be well positioned to capitalize on and compete for resulting opportunities. In some markets, such as subsectors of the credit and surety markets, we believe prices are rising substantially and reinsurance capacity was withdrawn due to recent loss activity. In 2010, we entered the credit and surety markets for the first time, as we believe recent dislocations will create above average opportunities for profit over the near term. Property catastrophe retrocession pricing has remained flat during 2010. At the same time, property catastrophe reinsurance pricing has continued to soften. We believe this soft pricing is due to the increased underwriting capacity of the industry, and in the absence of large catastrophe events, could further soften the property catastrophe retrocessional market later in 2010 and into 2011. If pricing softens significantly in property catastrophe retrocessional coverage, we expect to reduce our exposures accordingly. While it is unclear what other businesses could be significantly affected by the current economic downturn, we believe that opportunities are likely to arise in a number of areas, including the following: 
 
•   Lines of business that experience significant losses; 
 
•   Lines of business where current market participants are experiencing financial distress or uncertainty; and 
 
•   Business that is premium and capital intensive due to regulatory and other requirements. 
 
    Significant market dislocations that increase the pricing of certain insurance coverage could create the need for insureds to retain risks and therefore fuel the opportunity or need to form new captives. If this happens, a number of these captives could form in the Cayman Islands, enhancing our opportunity to provide additional reinsurance to the Cayman Islands' captive market. 
 
    During the first quarter of 2010, the U.S. government passed the Health Care Reform Bill – “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”.  In addition, in July 2010, the U.S government passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. We are monitoring the impact of these Acts on our business and the industry, but it is currently too early to predict with any degree of certainty the magnitude of any impact, and whether the Acts will positively or negatively impact our business.
 
    We believe our investment portfolio continues to be conservatively postured in 2010, with a relatively small net long position as of September 30, 2010, as the market appears to have priced in a sustained economic recovery, which may or may not hold. Our long portfolio is, for the most part, invested in what we believe are stable, less cyclical businesses. We intend to continue to hold short positions in businesses that we believe should be fundamentally challenged, especially in a difficult economic environment. We believe that there is a risk that the financial markets will contract the multiples of higher reported earnings, which we believe have been principally supported by significant government stimulus programs and one-time temporary inventory improvements. Given the challenging macroeconomic environment and higher government deficits, we continue to hold a significant position in gold and have other macro hedges in place in the form of options on higher interest rates and some corporate and sovereign credit default swaps. We will continue to evaluate select equity investments that we believe are mispriced as the credit contraction continues to bear out.
              
    We intend to continue to monitor both underwriting and financial market conditions to position ourselves to participate in future underserved or capacity-constrained markets as they may arise and intend to offer products that we believe will generate favorable returns on equity over the long term. Accordingly, our underlying results and product line concentrations in any given period may not be indicative of our future results of operations.           
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and disclosed amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the critical accounting policies set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, continue to describe the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. These accounting policies pertain to premium revenues and risk transfer, investments, loss and loss adjustment expenses reserves, acquisition costs, bonus accruals and share-based payments. If actual events differ significantly from the underlying judgments or estimates used by management in the application of these accounting policies, there could be a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Recently issued accounting standards and their impact to the Company have been presented under "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" in Note 2 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
Results of Operations
 
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we reported net income of $29.0 million, as compared to $32.3 million reported for the same period in 2009. We reported underwriting income of $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to underwriting income of $4.2 million reported for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in underwriting income was attributed in large part to adverse loss development on several commercial motor liability contracts currently in run-off.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we reported net income of $34.3 million, as compared to net income of $152.3 million reported for the same period in 2009. The decrease in net income is principally due to our investment portfolio reporting a net gain of $39.7 million, or a return of 4.2%, on our investment account, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to a net investment income of $148.7 million, or a return of 24.2%, for the same period in 2009. Underwriting income reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, decreased by $8.2 million to $9.0 million from $17.2 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in underwriting income was attributed in large part to adverse loss development on our commercial motor liability contracts and adverse development related to the California wildfire claims on a 2007 casualty clash contract.
  
During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the basic adjusted book value per share increased by $0.83 per share, or 4.3%, to $20.19 per share from $19.36 per share at June 30, 2010. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, fully diluted adjusted book value per share increased by $0.80 per share, or 4.2%, to $19.87 per share from $19.07 per share at June 30, 2010.

 During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the basic adjusted book value per share increased by $0.95 per share, or 4.9%, to $20.19 per share from $19.24 per share at December 31, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, fully diluted adjusted book value increased by $0.92 per share, or 4.9%, to $19.87 per share from $18.95 per share at December 31, 2009.

Basic adjusted book value per share is a non-GAAP measure which excludes the non-controlling interest in a joint venture from total shareholders' equity. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share is also a non-GAAP measure and represents basic adjusted book value per share combined with the impact from dilution of all in-the-money stock options issued and outstanding as of any period end. We believe that long-term growth in fully diluted adjusted book value per share is the most relevant measure of our financial performance. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share may be of benefit to our investors, shareholders, and other interested parties to form a basis of comparison with other companies within the property and casualty reinsurance industry.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share to the most comparable GAAP measure.

                                 
   
September 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2010
 
March 31, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
September 30, 2009
 
   
  ($ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
 
Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator:
                     
Total shareholders' equity (GAAP)
$
766,800
 
$
735,264
 
$
716,694
 
$
729,238
 
$
648,677
 
Less: Non-controlling interest in joint venture
 
(30,784
 
(29,471
 
(29,517
 
(30,597
 
(8,111
)
Basic adjusted book value per share numerator
$
736,016
 
$
705,793
 
$
687,177
 
$
698,641
 
$
640,566
 
Add: Proceeds from in-the-money options issued and outstanding
 
16,590
   
16,590
   
16,590
   
16,623
   
16,031
 
Fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator
$
752,606
 
722,383
 
703,767
 
$
 715,264
 
$
 656,597
 
Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator:
                             
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding for basic adjusted book value per share denominator
 
36,455,784
   
36,451,784
   
36,415,902 
   
36,318,842 
   
36,308,842
 
Add: In-the-money stock options issued and outstanding
 
1,419,000
   
1,419,000
   
 
1,419,000
   
1,421,340 
   
1,406,340
 
Fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator
 
37,874,784
   
37,870,784
   
37,834,902 
   
37,740,182 
   
37,715,182
 
                               
Basic adjusted book value per share
 
$
20.19
 
 
$
19.36
 
$
18.87
 
$
19.24
 
$
17.64
 
Fully diluted adjusted book value per share
$
19.87
 
$
19.07
 
$
18.60
 
$
18.95
 
$
17.41
 

 
 
 
Premiums Written
 
Details of gross premiums written are provided below:
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
   
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
   
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Frequency
$
144,889
 
95.8
%
 
$
62,238
 
94.3
%
 
$
283,950
 
92.5
%
  $
 
176,084
 
84.7
%
Severity
 
6,358
 
4.2
     
3,745
 
5.7
     
23,141
 
7.5
       
31,817
 
15.3
 
Total
$
151,247
 
100.0
%
 
$
65,983
 
100.0
%
 
$
307,091
 
100.0
%
  $
 
207,901
 
100.0
%
 
We expect quarterly reporting of premiums written to be volatile as our underwriting portfolio continues to develop. Additionally, the composition of premiums written between frequency and severity business may vary from quarter to quarter depending on the specific market opportunities that we pursue. While we analyze our underwriting operations based on frequency business and severity business, a summary of gross premiums written by line of business can be found in Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, frequency premiums written increased by $82.7 million, or 132.8%, driven primarily by approximately $47.5 million of incoming unearned premiums relating to a new personal property contract entered into during the quarter. Incoming unearned premiums represent premiums for future risks on the unexpired portion of the cedant’s in-force underlying insurance policies. We do not anticipate significant incoming unearned premiums to be recurring each quarter; however, we may periodically enter into contracts that include coverage of future risks on in-force underlying policies which provide incoming unearned premiums. Incoming unearned premiums are recorded at inception of a contract and are earned over the remaining future risk coverage period. In addition to the incoming unearned premiums mentioned above, our gross written premiums for personal lines increased by $31.8 million as a direct result of the increase in personal property contracts written during 2010. We have found what we believe are attractive opportunities in the Florida homeowners’ insurance market and continue to focus on this market. We also continue to generate growth in other areas, such as employer stop loss (specialty health), workers’ compensation and general liability, which collectively contributed $17.6 million of the increase in gross written premiums during the three months ended September 30, 2010. This increase was offset by decreases in our motor liability premiums as a result of several commercial motor contracts that were put into run-off in the first quarter of 2010. Our new financial line (surety and trade credit), which we entered into during 2010, added $3.9 million of frequency written premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, frequency premiums written increased by $107.9 million, or 61.3%, primarily driven by several new personal property contracts written as a result of our focus on the opportunities in the Florida homeowners’ market. Frequency premiums written in our personal lines increased by $101.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. Our specialty health contracts, general liability contracts, and surety and trade credit contract together contributed $38.0 million of the increase in gross written premiums during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, partially offset by decreases in our motor liability premiums as discussed in the above paragraph.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, severity premiums written increased by $2.6 million, or 69.8%, compared to the same period in 2009 principally due to the renewal of an excess of loss commercial property contract during the period. We renewed this contract at a lower attachment point (resulting in a higher rate of premium) and increased our proportionate share (resulting in a larger premium volume), which together contributed to higher written premiums.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, severity premiums written decreased by $8.7 million, or 27.3%, compared to 2009 principally due to our decision to significantly reduce our participation in a property catastrophe contract and to a lesser extent due to returned premiums upon commutation of a medical malpractice contract. The decreases were partially offset by increases in severity premiums written on commercial property and surety contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, our ceded premiums were $3.6 million compared to $2.9 million for the same period in 2009. The slight increase in ceded premiums was principally attributed to a multi-line frequency casualty contract writing higher premiums which in turn resulted in higher premiums ceded on the corresponding retroceded contract. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our ceded premiums were $8.2 million compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease in ceded premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, is the combined result of our decision to reduce the percentage retroceded on a casualty contract upon renewal, as well as one of our ceding insurer’s decision to retain the excess layer of coverage which in turn no longer required us to obtain retrocession for this cover.
 
Details of net premiums written are provided below:
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
($ in thousands)
   
($ in thousands)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Frequency
$
141,250
 
95.7
%
$
59,493
 
94.3
%
 
$
275,722
     
92.3
%
 
$
166,262
     
84.3
%
Severity
 
6,358
 
4.3
   
3,596
 
5.7
     
23,141
     
7.7
     
30,914
     
15.7
 
Total
$
147,608
 
100.0
%
$
63,089
 
100.0
%
 
$
298,863
     
100.0
%
 
$
197,176
     
100.0
%

  
 Net Premiums Earned 
 
Net premiums earned reflect the pro rata inclusion into income of net premiums written over the life of the reinsurance contracts. Details of net premiums earned are provided below:
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
($ in thousands)
   
($ in thousands)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Frequency
$
72,684
 
91.5
%
$
47,176
 
83.3
%
 
$
161,295
     
87.6
%
 
$
117,208
     
77.0
%
Severity
 
6,717
 
8.5
   
9,481
 
16.7
     
22,823
     
12.4
     
34,989
     
23.0
 
Total
$
79,401
 
100.0
%
$
56,657
 
100.0
%
 
$
184,118
     
100.0
%
 
$
152,197
     
100.0
%

 
 
Premiums relating to quota share contracts are earned over the contract period in proportion to the period of protection. Similarly, incoming unearned premiums are earned in proportion to the remaining period of protection. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the frequency net premiums earned increased by $25.5 million, or 54.0%, of which approximately $21.1 million of the increase was attributable to the Florida homeowners’ property contracts written during 2010. The remaining increase in earned premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2010, related to surety and trade credit, general liability, and workers’ compensation contracts, which was partially offset by a decrease in motor liability business.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the frequency net premiums earned increased by $44.1 million, or 37.6%, of which approximately $32.5 million was attributable to the Florida homeowners’ property contracts. The remaining increase in earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, related to specialty health, surety and trade credit, and general liability lines, which was partially offset by a decrease in motor liability business.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the decreases in our severity earned premiums compared to the same period in 2009 were partially attributable to a multi-year professional liability contract written in 2007 that expired in 2010, and partially to our decision to significantly reduce our participation in a property catastrophe contract. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the decrease was also a result of commuting a medical malpractice contract and a professional liability aggregate stop-loss contract. These decreases were offset by the premiums earned from our recently added specialty financial line.
 
     Losses Incurred 
 
Losses incurred include losses paid and changes in loss reserves, including reserves for losses incurred but not reported, ("IBNR"), net of actual and estimated losses recoverable. Details of losses incurred are provided below:
 
 
     
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
     
($ in thousands)
   
($ in thousands)
 
     
2010
     
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Frequency
 
$
49,610
 
98.7
%
 
30,517
 
88.1
%
 
$
110,724
     
96.3
%
 
$
71,226
     
80.6
%
Severity
   
647
 
1.3
     
4,126
 
11.9
     
4,212
     
3.7
     
17,160
     
19.4
 
Total
 
$
50,257
 
100.0
%
 
34,643
 
100.0
%
 
$
114,936
     
100.0
%
 
$
88,386
     
100.0
%
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 68.3% and 64.7%, respectively. The increase in the frequency loss ratio is predominantly the result of unfavorable loss development relating to several commercial motor liability contracts that are currently in run-off.

 For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the loss ratios for our severity business were 9.6% and 43.5%, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, there were no major severity loss events reported. By comparison, during the same period in 2009, the severity losses included adverse loss development on a 2007 casualty clash contract relating to California wildfires. In addition, the severity loss ratio for three months ended September 30, 2009 included estimated losses relating to a professional liability contract that was placed into run-off during 2010, resulting in no further losses recorded on this contract during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 68.7% and 60.8%, respectively. The increase in frequency loss ratio is primarily due to unfavorable loss development on several commercial motor liability contracts that are currently in run-off.

The loss ratios for our severity business were 18.5% and 49.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We expect losses incurred on our severity business to be volatile from period to period. The decrease in the loss ratio for our severity business during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is due to a combination of the lack of any major severity loss events during 2010, the expiry of a professional liability contract during the second quarter of 2010, and the commutation of a medical malpractice contract during the first quarter of 2010. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our 2007 casualty clash contract experienced additional adverse losses relating to California wildfire and as a result we have recorded a full limit loss on this contract. 

Losses incurred in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, can be further broken down into losses paid and changes in loss reserves. Losses incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, were comprised of the following:

   
Three months ended September 30, 2010
   
Three months ended September 30, 2009
 
   
Gross
   
Ceded
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Ceded
   
Net
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Losses paid (recovered)
 
$
55,189
   
(770
)
 
54,419
   
$
18,889
   
$
(185
)
 
$
18,704
 
Change in reserves
   
(3,595
)
   
(567
)
   
(4,162
   
16,081
     
(142
)
   
15,939
 
Total
 
$
51,594
   
(1,337
)
 
50,257
   
$
34,970
   
$
(327
)
 
$
34,643
 
 

 
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2009
 
   
Gross
   
Ceded
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Ceded
   
Net
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Losses paid (recovered)
 
$
95,069
   
(1,720
)
 
93,349
   
$
36,079
   
$
(2,868
)
 
$
33,211
 
Change in reserves
   
23,835
     
(2,248
)
   
21,587
     
50,164
     
5,011
     
55,175
 
Total
 
$
118,904
   
(3,968
)
 
114,936
   
$
86,243
   
$
2,143
   
$
88,386
 
 
The increase in gross losses paid for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, is principally due to the frequency underwriting portfolio continuing to mature. 
 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the net unfavorable loss development on prior period contracts amounted to $12.0 million and was primarily related to the following:
 
§  
Adverse loss development of $9.1 million based on data received from the client and our quarterly reserve analysis relating to 2008 and 2009 motor liability contracts, both currently in run-off;
§  
Adverse loss development of $3.4 million based on data received from the client and our quarterly reserve analysis, relating to California wildfires on a 2007 casualty clash contract, resulting in losses being reserved at the full contract limit;
§  
Adverse loss development of $3.0 million on a 2007 multi-year professional liability excess of loss contract, based on data receive from the client and our quarterly reserve analysis;
§  
Elimination of $1.9 million of reserves held on a medical malpractice contract commuted during 2010;
§  
Favorable loss development of $1.6 million in aggregate, on two catastrophe contracts based on data received from the client and our quarterly reserve analysis;
§  
Adverse loss development of $1.2 million on a 2008 professional liability excess of loss contract, based on data received from the client and our quarterly reserve analysis; and
§  
Favorable loss development of $1.1 million in aggregate, on two 2007 professional liability excess of loss contracts, based on data received from the client and our quarterly reserve analysis.
  
          Acquisition Costs
 
Acquisition costs represent the amortization of commission and brokerage expenses incurred on contracts written as well as profit commissions and other underwriting expenses which are expensed when incurred. Deferred acquisition costs are limited to the amount of commission and brokerage expenses that are expected to be recovered from future earned premiums and anticipated investment income. Details of acquisition costs are provided below:
 
   
Three months ended September 30,
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
($ in thousands)
   
($ in thousands)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Frequency
$
27,799
 
96.5
%
$
16,193
 
91.1
%
 
$
57,370
     
95.3
%
 
$
43,809
     
94.0
%
Severity
 
1,008
 
3.5
   
1,574
 
8.9
     
2,813
     
4.7
     
2,782
     
6.0
 
Total
$
28,807
 
100.0
%
$
17,767
 
100.0
%
 
$
60,183
     
100.0
%
 
$
46,591
     
100.0
%
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, our acquisition cost ratios were 32.7% and 30.6%, respectively.

The frequency acquisition costs for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $11.6 million, or 71.7%, driven primarily by ceding commissions on a larger portfolio of personal homeowners and general liability contracts. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the acquisition cost ratio for frequency business was 38.3% compared to 34.3% for the same period in 2009. The ceding commissions on our homeowners' insurance contracts are generally higher than our average ceding commissions on other contracts, and to the extent that our frequency portfolio contains a greater proportion of homeowners' insurance contracts, we anticipate our acquisition cost ratio for frequency business to increase.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the acquisition cost ratio for frequency business was 35.6% compared to 37.4% for the corresponding 2009 period. The decrease in the acquisition cost ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is driven by a large profit commission that was accrued on a personal lines contract in 2009 whereas no additional profit commissions were accrued on this contract during 2010. In addition, the decrease in acquisition cost ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was also attributable to the elimination of a no-claims bonus accrued during 2009 on a motor liability contract. These decreases were offset by our homeowners' insurance contracts as discussed in the above paragraph.

We expect acquisition costs to be higher for frequency business than for severity business. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, the acquisition cost ratio for severity business was 15.0% compared to 16.6% for the same period in 2009.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the acquisition cost ratio for severity business was 12.3% compared to 8.0% for the same period in 2009. The acquisition cost ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was unusually low due to the reversal of profit commissions that were previously accrued on an aggregate catastrophe severity contract.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the acquisition cost ratio for severity business increased as a result of profit commissions accrued on a surety severity contract and a catastrophe contract due to favorable loss developments on both contracts.
  
     General and Administrative Expenses
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010, our general and administrative expenses were $3.4 million compared to $4.1 million reported during the same period in 2009. The decrease is principally due to a reduction in the estimated bonus accrual on the deferred component of the employees’ incentive compensation plan resulting from unfavorable developments on prior underwriting years.
 
Our general and administrative expenses of $11.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, were lower than the $13.8 million reported for the same period in 2009 due to a reduction in the estimated bonus accrual explained above. Our general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and 2009 include $3.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted to employees and directors.
 
 
  
   Net Investment Income
 
A summary of our net investment income is as follows:

   
Three months ended
September 30,
 
Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
   
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
 
Realized gains (losses) and movement in unrealized gains (losses), net
$
41,983
  $
39,648
$
55,133
$
170,846
 
Interest, dividend and other investment income
 
3,636
 
2,997
 
14,449
 
12,725
 
Interest, dividend and other investment expenses
 
(4,806
(3,570
(16,010
(11,006
Investment advisor compensation
 
(6,932
(6,447
(13,890
(23,898
Net investment income
$
33,881
  $
32,628
$
39,682
  $
148,667
 

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, investment income, net of all expenses, management fees and performance compensation, resulted in a net gain of 3.6% on our investment portfolio, compared to a gain of 4.3% for the corresponding 2009 period. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, gross gains of 10.4% on our long investments were partially offset by gross losses of 5.9% on our short investments.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, investment income, net of all expenses, management fees and performance compensation, resulted in a net gain of 4.2% on our investment portfolio, compared to a gain of 24.2% for the corresponding 2009 period.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, gross gains of 9.6% on our long investments were partially offset by gross losses of 3.4% on our long investments.
 
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, performance compensation equal to 20% of the net income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors is payable to DME Advisors, subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced incentive compensation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate investment loss is earned. As of September 30, 2010, the loss carry forward balance was $52.9 million. Included in investment advisor compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, was performance compensation of $3.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.   
 
Our investment advisor, DME Advisors, and its affiliates manage and expect to manage client accounts other than ours, some of which have investment objectives similar to ours. To comply with Regulation FD, our investment returns are posted on our website, www.greenlightre.ky, on a monthly basis. Additionally, on our website we provide the names of the largest disclosed long positions in our investment portfolio as of the last trading day of each month. Subject to applicable law, DME Advisors may choose not to disclose certain positions to its other clients in order to protect its investment strategy. Therefore, our website presents the largest long positions, as reported to us by DME Advisors, that are disclosed by DME Advisors or its affiliates to their other clients.
       
   Taxes
 
We are not obligated to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. We have been granted an exemption by the Governor-In-Cabinet from any taxes that may be imposed in the Cayman Islands for a period of 20 years, expiring on February 1, 2025.
 
 Verdant is incorporated in Delaware and, therefore, is subject to taxes in accordance with the U.S. federal rates and regulations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. Verdant’s taxable income is expected to be taxed at a rate of 35%. As of September 30, 2010, included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet under other assets is a deferred tax asset of $63,249 (December 31, 2009: $68,719) resulting solely from the temporary differences in recognition of expenses for tax purposes. An accrual of $80,434 (December 31, 2009: $19,529) was recorded for current taxes payable and included in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010. Based on the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and likelihood of generating sufficient taxable income to realize the future tax benefit, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully realized in the future and therefore no valuation allowance has been recorded. Verdant has not taken any tax positions that are subject to uncertainty or that are reasonably likely to have a material impact to Verdant or the Company.

GRIL is incorporated in Ireland and, therefore, is subject to the Irish corporation tax. GRIL is expected to be taxed at a rate of 12.5% on its trading income. GRIL has not taken any tax positions that are subject to significant uncertainty or that are reasonable likely to have a material impact to GRIL or the Company.
 
     Ratio Analysis
 
Due to the opportunistic and customized nature of our underwriting operations, we expect to report different loss and expense ratios in both our frequency and severity businesses from period to period. The following table provides the ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:
 
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2010
   
Nine months ended
September 30, 2009
 
   
Frequency
   
Severity
   
Total
   
Frequency
   
Severity
   
Total
 
Loss ratio
   
68.7
   
18.5
   
62.4
   
60.8
%
   
49.0
   
58.1
Acquisition cost ratio
   
35.6
   
12.3
   
32.7
   
37.4
%
   
8.0
   
30.6
Composite ratio
   
104.3
   
30.8
   
95.1
   
98.2
%    
57.0
   
88.7
Internal expense ratio
                   
6.3
                   
9.1
Combined ratio
                   
101.4
                   
97.8
 
    The loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned. We expect that our loss ratio will be volatile for our severity business and may exceed that of our frequency business in certain periods. Given that we underwrite a concentrated portfolio across several lines of business that have varying expected loss ratios, we can expect there to be significant annual variations in the loss ratios reported from our frequency business. In addition, the loss ratios for both frequency and severity business can vary depending on the lines of business written.
 
The acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned. This ratio demonstrates the higher acquisition costs incurred for our frequency business than for our severity business.
 
 
The composite ratio is the ratio of underwriting losses incurred, loss adjustment expenses and acquisition costs, excluding general and administrative expenses, to net premiums earned. Similar to the loss ratio, we expect that this ratio will be more volatile for our severity business depending on loss activity in any particular period.
  
The internal expense ratio is the ratio of all general and administrative expenses to net premiums earned. We expect our internal expense ratio to decrease as we continue to expand our underwriting operations.
 
The combined ratio is the sum of the composite ratio and the internal expense ratio. It measures the total profitability of our underwriting operations. This ratio does not take net investment income (loss) or other income (expense) into account. Given the nature of our opportunistic underwriting strategy, we expect that our combined ratio may be volatile from period to period.
  
Financial Condition
 
Investments and Due to Prime Brokers
 
    As of September 30, 2010, our long investments reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets increased by $106.7 million, or 12.8%, to $937.3 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our exposure to long investments increased from 85% as of December 31, 2009, to 90% as of September 30, 2010, while our exposure to short investments decreased from 65% as of December 31, 2009 to 62% as of September 30, 2010.  This exposure analysis is conducted on a notional basis and does not include cash (U.S. dollar and foreign currencies), gold, CDS, foreign exchange options or interest rate options. The increase in our long exposure was in part facilitated by utilizing unrestricted cash, and was in part facilitated by utilizing leverage. At September 30, 2010, we had an indebtedness of $22.8 million to our prime brokers. From time to time, we incur indebtedness to our prime brokers to implement our investment strategy in accordance with our investment guidelines. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the increase in our invested assets, on a net basis, was the result of contributing $55.7 million of net funds from our underwriting activities and a net investment gain of $39.7 million, offset by a $26.7 million letter of credit being redeemed by a ceding insurer.
 
Our investment portfolio, including derivatives, is valued at fair value and any unrealized gains or losses are reflected in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2010, 92.6% of our investment portfolio (excluding restricted and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) was comprised of securities valued based on quoted prices in actively traded markets (Level 1), 4.6% was comprised of securities valued based on observable inputs other than quoted prices (Level 2) and 2.8% was comprised of securities valued based on non-observable inputs (Level 3).
  
 In determining whether a market for a financial instrument is active or inactive, we obtain information from our investment advisor who makes the determination based on feedback from executing brokers, market makers and in-house traders to assess the level of market activity and available liquidity for any given financial instrument. Where a financial instrument is valued based on broker quotes, our investment advisor generally requests multiple quotes. The ultimate value is based on an average of the quotes obtained. Broker quoted prices are generally not adjusted in determining the ultimate values and are obtained with the expectation of the quotes being binding. As of September 30, 2010, $87.0 million of our investments were valued based on broker quotes, of which $60.3 million were based on observable market information and classified as Level 2, and $26.7 million were broker quotes based on non-observable inputs classified as Level 3.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we transferred, from Level 1 to Level 2, an equity security for which a quoted price on an active market was not available and as a result we relied on broker quotes to determine its fair value. There were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in our Level 3 investments was primarily due to private equity investments purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. 

Non-observable inputs used by our investment advisor include discounted cash flow models for valuing certain corporate debt instruments. In addition, other non-observable inputs include the use of investment manager statements and management estimates based on third party appraisals of underlying assets for valuing private equity investments.
 
Reinsurance Balances Receivable, Deferred Acquisition Costs, and Unearned Premiums Reserves
 
At September 30, 2010, reinsurance balances receivable were $147.7 million compared to $82.7 million as of December 31, 2009, an increase of $65 million, or 78.6%. The increase in the reinsurance balances receivable relates primarily to increase in premiums written including unearned premiums assumed at inception of several quota share frequency contracts. Included in reinsurance balances receivable is $26.7 million due from one of our ceding insurers which drew down a letter of credit we had issued to them. At September 30, 2010, the funds drawn under the letter of credit were being held in an interest-bearing segregated account. Interest on the account accrues to our benefit. The entire reinsurance balance receivable is considered current and collectible and therefore no provision for uncollectible balances was recorded at September 30, 2010.

At September 30, 2010, deferred acquisition costs and unearned premium reserves increased by 147.6% and 96.4%, respectively, compared to December 31, 2009. These increases were primarily driven by the increase in premiums written including unearned premiums assumed at inception of several quota share homeowners' insurance contracts written during 2010 on which we generally pay higher ceding commissions than our other frequency contracts. We evaluate the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs by determining if the sum of future earned premiums and anticipated investment income is greater than the expected future claims and expenses. If a loss is probable on the unexpired portion of policies in force, a premium deficiency loss is recognized. As of September 30, 2010, the deferred acquisition costs were fully recoverable and no premium deficiency loss was recorded.
 
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
We establish reserves for contracts based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses including IBNR as well as allocated and unallocated loss expenses. These estimated ultimate reserves are based on our own actuarial estimates derived from reports received from ceding companies, industry data, and historical experience. These estimates are reviewed quarterly on a contract by contract basis and adjusted when appropriate. Since reserves are based on estimates, the setting of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process. Our estimates are based upon actuarial and statistical projections and on our assessment of currently available data, predictions of future developments and estimates of future trends and other factors. The final settlement of losses may vary, perhaps materially, from the reserves initially established and any adjustments to the estimates are recorded in the period in which they are determined. Under U.S. GAAP, we are not permitted to establish loss reserves, which include case reserves and IBNR, until the occurrence of an event which may give rise to a claim. As a result, only loss reserves applicable to losses incurred up to the reporting date are established, with no allowance for the establishment of loss reserves to account for expected future occurrences.
 
For natural peril risk exposed business, once an event has occurred that may give rise to a claim, we establish loss reserves based on loss payments and case reserves reported by our clients. We then add to these case reserves our estimates for IBNR. To establish our IBNR loss estimates, in addition to the loss information and estimates communicated by ceding companies, we rely on industry information, knowledge of the business written and management’s judgment.
 
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses as of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, were comprised of the following:
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Case
Reserves
   
IBNR
   
Total
   
Case
Reserves
   
IBNR
   
Total
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Frequency
 
$
47,609
   
67,240
   
114,849
   
$
19,704
   
$
69,166
   
$
88,870
 
Severity
   
19,240
     
27,091
     
46,331
     
20,472
     
28,018
     
48,490
 
Total
 
$
66,849
   
94,331
   
161,180
   
$
40,176
   
$
97,184
   
$
137,360
 
 
The increase in loss reserves is principally due to the frequency underwriting portfolio continuing to mature, resulting in an increase in case reserves as losses are reported by our clients, and to a lesser extent due to unfavorable loss development on certain contracts as discussed above (see Losses Incurred ).  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the decrease in IBNR on frequency contracts is the net result of increases relating to the growth in our frequency contracts, offset by a portion of the IBNR being converted into case reserves. For most of the contracts written as of September 30, 2010, our risk exposure is limited by the fact that the contracts have defined limits of liability. Once the loss limit for a contract has been reached, we have no further exposure to additional losses from that contract. However, certain contracts, particularly quota share contracts which relate to first dollar exposure, may not contain aggregate limits.
 
Our severity business includes contracts that contain or may contain natural peril loss exposure. As of October 29, 2010, our maximum aggregate loss exposure to any series of natural peril events was $118.8 million . For purposes of the preceding sentence, aggregate loss exposure is equal to the sum of all the aggregate limits available in the contracts that contain natural peril exposure minus reinstatement premiums for the same contracts. We categorize peak zones as: United States, Europe, Japan and the rest of the world. The following table provides single event loss exposure and aggregate loss exposure information for the peak zones of our natural peril coverage as of the date of this filing:
 
Zone
 
Single Event
Loss
   
Aggregate
Loss
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
United States (1)
 
$
  99,906    
$
  118,843  
Europe
      57,113         57,113  
Japan
      69,613         69,613  
Rest of the world
      49,613         49,613  
Maximum Aggregate
      99,906         118,843  
 
(1)   
Includes the Caribbean

                Our natural peril loss exposure presented above excludes the impact of any potential recoveries from retrocessionaires or swap counterparties relating to natural peril events. We have currently entered into a weather derivative swap contract whereby upon the occurrence of certain specified earthquake events in the United States we would recover a maximum amount of $10.0 million.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
    We are organized as a holding company with no operations of our own. As a holding company we have minimal continuing cash needs, and most of such needs are principally related to the payment of administrative expenses. All of our underwriting operations are conducted through our wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiaries, Greenlight Reinsurance and GRIL, which underwrite risks associated with our property and casualty reinsurance programs. There are restrictions on Greenlight Reinsurance’s and GRIL’s ability to pay dividends which are described in more detail below. It is our current policy to retain earnings to support the growth of our business. We currently do not expect to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.

    As of October 29, 2010, the financial strength of both Greenlight Reinsurance and GRIL was rated “A- (Excellent)” with a stable outlook by A.M. Best Company, Inc. ("A.M. Best"). These ratings reflect A.M. Best’s opinion of our financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations and it is not an evaluation directed toward the protection of investors or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold our Class A ordinary shares.

Sources and Uses of Funds
 
    Our sources of funds primarily consist of premium receipts (net of brokerage and ceding commissions), investment income (net of advisory compensation and investment expenses), including realized gains, and other income. We use cash from our operations to pay losses and loss adjustment expenses, profit commissions and general and administrative expenses. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $26.7 million of our cash was used to fund a letter of credit drawn by one of our ceding insurers. Substantially all of our funds, including shareholders’ capital, net of funds required for cash liquidity purposes, are invested by our investment advisor in accordance with our investment guidelines. As of September 30, 2010, approximately 93.7% of our investments in securities were comprised of publicly-traded equity securities, actively traded debt instruments and gold bullion, which can be readily liquidated to meet current and future liabilities. As of September 30, 2010, the majority of our investments were valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). Given our value-oriented long and short investment strategy, if markets are distressed we would expect the liability of the short portfolio to decline. Any reduction in the liability would cause our need for restricted cash to decrease and thereby free cash to be used for any purpose. Additionally, since the majority of our invested assets are liquid, even in distressed markets, we believe securities can be sold or covered to generate cash to pay claims. Since we classify our investments as “trading”, we book all gains and losses (including unrealized gains and losses) on all our investments (including derivatives) in our condensed consolidated statements of income for each reporting period.    
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we reported an overall net cash outflow of $22.0 million. We generated $17.6 million of cash from operating activities and used $885.1 million for purchases of investments and financial contracts which included $22.8 million of funds borrowed on margin from our prime brokers, and generated $860.3 million from proceeds of sale of investments and financial contracts.

As of September 30, 2010, we believe we have sufficient projected cash flow from operations to meet our liquidity requirements. We expect that our operational needs for liquidity will be met by cash, funds generated from underwriting activities, and future net investment income, including realized gains. We have no current plans to issue debt or raise capital and expect to fund our operations for the next 12 months using operating cash flow. However, w e cannot provide assurances that in the future we will not incur indebtedness in our attempt to access equity capital markets to implement our business strategy, pay claims or make acquisitions.
 
 
Although Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. is not subject to any significant legal prohibitions on the payment of dividends, Greenlight Reinsurance and GRIL are both subject to regulatory minimum capital requirements and regulatory constraints that affect their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, any dividend payment would have to be approved by the relevant regulatory authorities prior to payment. As of September 30, 2010, Greenlight Reinsurance and GRIL both exceeded the regulatory minimum capital requirements.
   
Letters of Credit
 
 As of September 30, 2010, we were not licensed or admitted as a reinsurer in any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands and Ireland. Because many jurisdictions do not permit domestic insurance companies to take credit on their statutory financial statements unless appropriate measures are in place from reinsurance obtained from unlicensed or non-admitted insurers, we anticipate that all of our U.S. clients and some of our non-U.S. clients will require us to provide collateral through funds withheld, trust arrangements, letters of credit or a combination thereof.

Effective July 1, 2010, we increased our Bank of America, N.A. letter of credit facility from $50.0 million to $100.0 million. As of September 30, 2010, we had three letter of credit facilities totaling $560.0 million with various financial institutions. See Note 8 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for details on each of these facilities. As of September 30, 2010, an aggregate amount of $252.7 million (December 31, 2009: $278.4 million) in letters of credit was issued from these facilities. Under the letter of credit facilities, we provide collateral that may consist of equity securities and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2010, we had pledged an aggregate of $310.4 million (December 31, 2009: $315.2 million) of equity securities and cash equivalents as collateral for the letter of credit facilities. 
 
 Each of the facilities contains various covenants that, in part, restrict Greenlight Reinsurance's ability to place a lien or charge on the pledged assets and further restrict Greenlight Reinsurance's ability to issue any debt without the consent of the letter of credit provider. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the letter of credit agreements, Greenlight Reinsurance will be prohibited from paying dividends to us. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under each of these facilities.
  
Capital
 
As of September 30, 2010, total shareholders’ equity was $766.8 million compared to $729.2 million at December 31, 2009. This increase in total shareholders’ equity is principally due to the net income of $34.3 million reported during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Our capital structure currently consists entirely of equity issued in two separate classes of ordinary shares. We expect that the existing capital base and internally generated funds will be sufficient to implement our business strategy. Consequently, we do not presently anticipate that we will incur any material indebtedness in the ordinary course of our business, apart from the periodic indebtedness provided by our prime brokers to implement our business strategy in accordance with our investment guidelines. W e currently have a Form S-3 registration statement for an aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million in securities, in order to provide us with additional flexibility and timely access to public capital markets should we require additional capital for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes. We have not made any significant commitments for capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

        On April 28, 2010, our shareholders approved an amendment to our stock incentive plan to increase the number of Class A ordinary shares available for issuance from 2.0 million to 3.5 million Class A ordinary shares. At September 30, 2010, there were 1,419,295 Class A ordinary shares available for future issuance.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table shows our aggregate contractual obligations by time period remaining to due date as of September 30, 2010:
 
   
Less than
 1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
More than
 5 years
   
Total
 
   
($ in thousands)
 
Operating lease obligations (1)
 
$
276
    $
552
   
552
   
760
    $
2,140
 
Specialist service agreement
   
791
     
675
     
     
     
1,466
 
Private equity investments (2)
   
10,011
                             
10,011
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (3)
      73,729         56,472         24,643         6,336         161,180  
   
$
  84,807       57,699       25,195       7,096       174,797  
 
            
(1)  Reflects our contractual obligations pursuant to the July 9, 2008 lease agreement as described below.
 
(2)
As of September 30, 2010, we had made commitments to invest a total of $23.4 million in private investments. As of September 30, 2010, we had invested $13.4 million of this amount, and our remaining commitments to these investments were $10.0 million. Given the nature of these investments, we are unable to determine with any degree of accuracy when the remaining commitment will be called. Therefore, for purposes of the above table, we have assumed that all commitments with no fixed payment schedules will be made within one year. Under our investment guidelines, in effect as of the date hereof, no more than 10% of the assets in the investment portfolio may be held in private equity securities without specific approval from the Board of Directors.
 
(3)
Due to the nature of our reinsurance operations the amount and timing of the cash flows associated with our reinsurance contractual liabilities will fluctuate, perhaps materially, and, therefore, are highly uncertain.
 
On July 9, 2008, we signed a ten year lease agreement for office space in the Cayman Islands with the option to renew for an additional five year term. The lease term is effective from July 1, 2008, and ends on June 30, 2018. Under the terms of the lease agreement, our minimum annual rent payments will be $253,539 for the first three years, increasing by 3% thereafter each year to reach $311,821 by the tenth year. The minimum lease payments are included in the above table under operating lease obligations and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

We have entered into a service agreement with a specialist service provider for the provision of administration and support in developing and maintaining business relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks relating to certain specialty lines of business. The specialist service provider does not have any authority to bind the Company to any reinsurance contracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to quarterly payments to the specialist service provider. If the agreement is terminated, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure any contracts to which the Company is bound are adequately administered by the specialist service provider. The minimum payments are included in the above table under specialist service agreement and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 On January 1, 2008, we entered into an agreement wherein the Company and DME Advisors agreed to create a joint venture for the purposes of managing certain jointly held assets. This agreement was amended effective August 31, 2010, to include GRIL as a participant to the agreement. The term of the amended agreement is August 31, 2010, through December 31, 2013, with automatic three-year renewals unless 90 days prior to the end of the then current term, either DME Advisors terminates the agreement or any of the participants notifies DME Advisors of its desire to withdraw from the Agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company pays a monthly management fee of 0.125% on the Company’s share of the assets managed by DME Advisors and performance compensation of 20% on the net investment income of the Company’s share of assets managed by DME Advisors subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced incentive compensation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate loss is earned. DME Advisors is not entitled to earn performance compensation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. As of September 30, 2010, the loss carry forward balance was $52.9 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $4.1 million was accrued relating to performance compensation for DME Advisors at the reduced rate of 10% of profits.
 
    In February 2007, we entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors pursuant to which DME Advisors will provide investor relations services to the Company for monthly compensation of $5,000 plus expenses. The agreement had an initial term of one year, and will continue for subsequent one year periods until terminated by us or DME Advisors. Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
 
 We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, other than those derivatives in our investment portfolio that are disclosed in the condensed consolidated financial statements, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. 
 
Item 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We believe we are principally exposed to the following types of market risk:
 
• equity price risk;
• foreign currency risk;
• interest rate risk;
• credit risk;
• effects of inflation; and
• political risk.
 
Equity price risk.

As of September 30, 2010, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of long and short equity securities, along with certain equity-based derivative instruments, the carrying values of which are primarily based on quoted market prices. Generally, market prices of common equity securities are subject to fluctuation, which could cause the amount to be realized upon the closing of the position to differ significantly from their current reported value. This risk is partly mitigated by the presence of both long and short equity securities. As of September 30, 2010, a 10% decline in the price of each of these listed equity securities and equity-based derivative instruments would result in a $23.6 million, or 2.6%, decline in the fair value of our total investment portfolio.
 
Computations of the prospective effects of hypothetical equity price changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of investment securities and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
Foreign currency risk.

Certain of our reinsurance contracts provide that ultimate losses may be payable in foreign currencies depending on the country of original loss. Foreign currency exchange rate risk exists to the extent that there is an increase in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which losses are ultimately owed. As of September 30, 2010, we had $1.3 million of reported losses which would be payable in foreign currencies. 
 
While we do not seek to specifically match our liabilities under reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with investments denominated in such currencies, we continually monitor our exposure to potential foreign currency losses and would consider the use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts in an effort to hedge against adverse foreign currency movements.
 
Through cash, options and investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies, we are also exposed to foreign currency risk. Foreign currency exchange rate risk is the potential for adverse changes in the U.S. dollar value of investments (long and short), speculative foreign currency options and cash positions due to a change in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which cash and financial instruments are denominated. As of September 30, 2010, some of our currency exposure resulting from foreign denominated securities (longs and shorts) was reduced by offsetting cash balances (shorts and longs) denominated in the corresponding foreign currencies. The following table summarizes the net impact that a 10% increase and decrease in the value of the United States dollar against select foreign currencies would have on the value of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2010:
 
     
   10% increase in U.S. dollar
     
10% decrease in U.S. dollar
   
Foreign Currency
   
Change in
fair value
   
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
     
Change in
fair value
   
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
   
     
 ($ in thousands)
   
Chinese Yuan
 
$
9,068
   
1.0
 %
 
$
(408
)
 
0.0
%
 
Euro
   
(4,779
)
 
(0.5
)
   
4,915
   
0.5
   
Indian Rupee
   
1,395
   
0.2
     
(1,395
)
 
(0.2
 
Japanese Yen
   
9,563
   
1.0
     
(5,062
)
 
(0.5
 
Swiss Franc
   
(1,262
)
 
(0.1
)
   
1,262
   
0.1
   
Other
   
(623
)
 
(0.1
)
   
623
   
0.1
   
Total 
 
13,362
   
1.5
 
(65
)
 
0.0
 
 
Computations of the prospective effects of hypothetical currency price changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of investment securities denominated in foreign currencies and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
  
Interest rate risk.

Our investment portfolio includes interest rate sensitive securities, such as corporate debt instruments, CDS, and interest rate options. The primary market risk exposure for any debt instrument is interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, the market value of our long fixed-income portfolio falls, and the opposite is also true as interest rates fall. Additionally, some of our derivative investments may also be credit sensitive and their value may indirectly fluctuate with changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the impact that a 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would have on the value of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2010:

   
100 basis point increase
in interest rates
     
100 basis point decrease
in interest rates
   
   
Change in
fair value
 
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
     
Change in
fair value
 
Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
   
   
($ in thousands)
   
 Debt instruments
$
(66
)
(0.0
)%
    $
66
 
0.0
%
 
 Credit default swaps
 
45
 
0.0
       
(45
)
0.0
   
 Interest rate options
 
7,057
 
0.8
       
(2,683
)
(0.3
)
 
 Net exposure to interest rate risk
$
7,036
 
0.8
%    
(2,662
)
(0.3
)%
 
 
Credit risk.

We are exposed to credit risk primarily from the possibility that counterparties may default on their obligations to us. The amount of the maximum exposure to credit risk is indicated by the carrying value of our financial assets including notes receivable. Our notes receivable are due from parties whom we consider our strategic partners and we evaluate their financial condition and monitor our exposure to their credit risk on a regular basis.

 In addition, the securities of our investment portfolio are held with several prime brokers, subjecting us to the related credit risk from the possibility that one or more of them may default on their obligations to us. We closely and regularly monitor our concentration of credit risk with each prime broker and if necessary, transfer cash or securities between prime brokers to diversify and mitigate our credit risk. Other than our investment in derivative contracts and corporate debt, if any, and the fact that our investments and majority of cash balances are held by prime brokers on our behalf, we have no significant concentrations of credit risk.
 
 Effects of inflation.

 We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our combined results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates and assets values in our investment portfolio.
 
 Political risk.

 We are exposed to political risk to the extent that our investment advisor, on our behalf and subject to our investment guidelines, trades securities that are listed on various U.S. and foreign exchanges and markets. The governments in any of these jurisdictions could impose restrictions, regulations or other measures, which may have a material adverse impact on our investment strategy.


Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, the Company has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in such rules) as of the end of the period covered under this quarterly report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all frauds. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
 
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Company continues to review its disclosure controls and procedures, including its internal control over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company’s systems evolve with its business.
 
 
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time in the normal course of business, we may be involved in formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, which may include arbitration or litigation, the outcomes of which determine our rights and obligations under our reinsurance contracts and other contractual agreements. In some disputes, we may seek to enforce our rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to us. In other matters, we may resist attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. While the final outcome of legal disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of existing disputes, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
 
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this report are any of the risks described in Item 1A "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and as updated in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.
 
   As of October 29, 2010, except as updated below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC. In addition, we may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.
 
    The following updates the risk factor, “Insurance regulators in the United States or elsewhere may review our activities and claim that we are subject to that jurisdiction’s licensing requirements” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
 
         Insurance regulations to which we are, or may become, subject, and potential changes thereto, could have a significant and negative effect on our business.
 
        We currently are admitted to do business in the Cayman Islands and Ireland.  Our operations in each of these jurisdictions are subject to varying degrees of regulation and supervision. The laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries are domiciled require, among other things, that these subsidiaries maintain minimum levels of statutory capital, surplus and liquidity, meet solvency standards, submit to periodic examinations of their financial condition and restrict payments of dividends and reductions of capital. Statutes, regulations and policies that our subsidiaries are subject to may also restrict the ability of these subsidiaries to write insurance and reinsurance policies, make certain investments and distribute funds.
 
        More specifically with respect to our Irish subsidiary, European legislation known as “Solvency II” which will govern the prudential regulation of insurers and reinsurers, is due to come into force in December 2012. Solvency II will require insurers and reinsurers in Europe to meet risk-based solvency requirements. It will also impose group solvency and governance requirements on groups with insurers and/or reinsurers operating in the European Economic Area.
 
        Although we do not presently expect that we will be admitted to do business in any other jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands and Ireland (which Irish license entitles us to write reinsurance business across the European Economic Area), we cannot assure you that insurance regulators in the United States or elsewhere will not review our activities and claim that we are subject to such jurisdiction’s licensing requirements. In addition, we are subject to indirect regulatory requirements imposed by jurisdictions that may limit our ability to provide reinsurance. For example, our ability to write reinsurance may be subject, in certain cases, to arrangements satisfactory to applicable regulatory bodies and proposed legislation and regulations may have the effect of imposing additional requirements upon, or restricting the market for, non-U.S. reinsurers such as us with whom domestic companies may place business. We do not know of any such proposed legislation pending at this time.
 
        We may not be able to comply fully with, or obtain desired exemptions from, revised statutes, regulations and policies that currently, or may in the future, govern the conduct of our business. Failure to comply with, or to obtain desired authorizations and/or exemptions under, any applicable laws could result in restrictions on our ability to do business or undertake activities that are regulated in one or more of the jurisdictions in which we operate and could subject us to fines and other sanctions. In addition, changes in the laws or regulations to which our subsidiaries are subject or may become subject, or in the interpretations thereof by enforcement or regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
    The following are additional risk factors to supplement the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
 
        Our Irish subsidiary is subject to minimum capital and surplus requirements, and our failure to meet these requirements could subject us to regulatory action.
 
     Our Irish subsidiary is required to maintain statutory reserves, particularly in respect of underwriting liabilities and a solvency margin as provided for in the regulations relating to reinsurance business promulgated under the European Communities Act 1972, and directions and guidelines and codes of conduct, issued by the Central Bank of Ireland. Assets constituting statutory reserves must comply with admissibility, diversification, localization and currency matching rules. Statutory reserves must be actuarially certified annually.
 
        Any failure to meet applicable requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements could subject us to further examination or corrective action by regulators, including limitations on our writing of additional business or engaging in finance activities, supervision, suspension of our license, the appointment of an administrator to take over the running of the Irish business, or liquidation. Further, any changes in existing risk based capital requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements may require us to increase our statutory capital levels, which we might be unable to do.
 
        We are a holding company that depends on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends.
 
        We are a holding company and do not have any significant operations or assets other than our ownership of the shares of our subsidiaries. Dividends and other permitted distributions from our subsidiaries are our primary source of funds to meet ongoing cash requirements, including future debt service payments, if any, and other expenses, and to pay dividends to our shareholders if we choose to do so. Some of our subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and pay dividends.  The inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our cash requirements at the holding company level could have an adverse effect on our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders if we choose to do so and/or meet our debt service obligations, if any.
 
      To the extent we look to declare dividends at subsidiaries located in other jurisdictions, we are required to comply with restrictions set forth under applicable law and regulations in such other jurisdictions. These restrictions could act in a way as to impact adversely on the Company.
 
 
Item 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 
 
On August 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to purchase up to two million of its Class A ordinary shares. Shares may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under the plan. The plan, which expires on June 30, 2011, does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were no repurchases of our Class A ordinary shares.
 
Item 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
 
 None.
 
Item 4.    REMOVED AND RESERVED
 
Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
 None.
 
Item 6.    EXHIBITS
 
10.1
Letter of Credit Agreement, dated August 20, 2010, between Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Citibank Europe plc.
 10.2 Master Reimbursement Agreement dated August 20, 2010, between Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Citibank Europe plc. 
 10.3 Reinsurance Deposit Agreement, dated August 20, 2010, between Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Citibank Europe plc.
10.4
Amended and Restated Agreement, effective as of August 31, 2010, between Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd., and DME Advisors, LP.
12.1 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 

 

 



 

 
 
S IGNATURES
 
 
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.
 
 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
/s/ Leonard Goldberg                                      
 
Name:
Leonard Goldberg
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
Date:
November 2, 2010
 
 
/s/ Tim Courtis                                                            
  Name: Tim Courtis
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date:
November 2, 2010
 
 
 
 


 
Peadar Mac Canna
Citibank Europe plc
 
Director
1 North Wall Quay
 
Trade Business Management
Dublin 1, Ireland
     
   
Tel       +353 (1) 622 4567
   
Fax       +353 (1) 622 2741
   
peadar.maccanna@citigroup.com




Date     20 th August 2010
 
 
Tim Courtis
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd
65 Market Street
Suite 1207, Jasmine Court
Camana Bay, PO Box 31110 Grand Cayman, KY1-1205
CAYMAN ISLANDS

 
 (the “ Company ”)

 


Dear Tim,


1.  
Committed letter of credit facility

Further to recent discussions, Citibank Europe plc (the “Bank”) is pleased to provide a one year committed Letter of Credit issuance facility (the “Facility”) to the Company subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Letter, (the one year anniversary of the date hereof being the “Facility Termination Date”, provided that the Facility shall be extended by 364 days beyond the then effective Facility Termination Date unless the Bank or the Company delivers a written notice of cancellation to the other party at least 120 days prior to the then effective Facility Termination Date.
For the avoidance of doubt, any termination shall not affect any outstanding credits at the then effective Facility Termination Date, nor shall it prevent the Bank    continuing provide the Facility on an uncommitted basis but otherwise on the terms of this Letter.

2.           Amount

The Facility shall be in a maximum aggregate amount of USD 400,000,000 (the “ Facility Limit” ).

3.           Facility Documents

The Company shall enter into the following documents in relation to the Facility:

                 (a)  
The Insurance Letters of Credit - Master Agreement (Form 3/CEP) (the “Master Agreement”);

                 (b)  
A Reinsurance Deposit Agreement (Form 12/CEP)

 (c)   The Corporate Mandate;

 (d)   The General Communications Indemnity; and

 (e)   any other documents which the Bank and the Company agree to be expedient in   connection herewith or the issuance, establishment, maintenance of any credit.


In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this letter and the terms of any Facility Document, the terms of this letter shall prevail.

4.           Conditions precedent

Excluding (h) below, the Company shall not request the issuance of any Credit until the Bank has received the documents and other evidence specified below in a form and substance satisfactory to the Bank (each a “Condition Precedent”):

 
 (a)
the enclosed duplicate of this Letter, duly executed on behalf of the Company before 20 th August 2010;

                 (b)  
the other Facility Documents together with any document to be delivered under the Facility Documents, duly executed on behalf of the Company;

 
   (c)
evidence that all registrations, filings and other steps necessary (other than any specifically referred to as conditions subsequent) to perfect any security interest created pursuant to the Facility Documents have been fulfilled;

 (d)   wet-ink certified copies of the constitutional documents of the Company;

 (e)   that the letter of credit facility dated 12 October 2005 between Citibank N.A. and the Company (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified)  (the “Original Facility”) has been terminated or cancelled;
 
 (f)   appointment of process agent documentation as required by clause 15.3 of this Letter;

 (g)   such other documents, information and other evidence as the Bank may reasonably require prior to the date of issuance of the initial Credit in order to comply with the Bank’s anti-money laundering and other know-your-customer policies and procedures, including (without limitation) copies of reports from the Company’s external auditors and details of the Company’s directors and owners; and

 
(h)
a request in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank for the issuance of a Credit in favour of Citibank N.A. drawable by Citibank N.A. in connection with any letter of credit or similar instrument issued by Citibank N.A. under or in connection with the Original Facility in form and substance satisfactory to Citibank NA.
 
5.           Utilisation requests

5.1  
Whenever the Company wishes the Bank to issue a Credit under the Facility, it shall give to the Bank a duly completed application form in accordance with the Master Agreement and at least 3 Business Days before the proposed issue date for the Credit.

5.2  
The Bank shall be entitled to examine each request to issue a Credit on a case-by-case basis and, notwithstanding clause 1(a)(i) of the Master Agreement during the continuance of this Letter, shall only be entitled to decline any such request without liability where:

(a)  
such request would cause the Bank to be in breach of any law of any jurisdiction (including non-exclusively any breach of sanctions imposed by the law of the United States of America or England); or

(b)  
the tenor of the Credit is longer than 15 months; or

(c)  
there is a failure to deposit in a Reinsurance Deposit account held with Citibank N.A. (London Branch) in an amount required under the terms of the Reinsurance Deposit Agreement.

6.           Interest

6.1
The Company shall pay interest on the amount drawn by a Beneficiary under a Credit at a rate per annum of LIBOR plus 2.5% from the date of drawing until the date of reimbursement by the Company.

6.2
Any interest accruing under this paragraph 6 shall be immediately payable by the Company on demand by the Bank. Overdue interest shall be compounded in accordance with the usual practice of the Bank as outlined below in respect of unauthorised overdrafts.

6.3           Interest due from the Company under this Letter shall:

 (a)    be compounded and accrue from day to day;

 
 (b)
be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360 day year (or such other day count convention as is market practice for the relevant currency); and

 (c)    be payable both before and after judgment.

7.           Fees

The Fees that the Company is obliged to pay to the Bank in connection with the Facility have been separately agreed between the Company and the Bank.

8.           Representations and Warranties

The Company represents and warrants to the Bank (x) on the date of its acceptance of this Letter and (y) with respect to (a), (c), (d), and (f) below, also on the date of issuance of a Credit and until this Letter has expired or terminated, as follows.

 
(a)
It (i) is duly organised, validly existing and (to the extent applicable) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation, (ii) is duly qualified to do business and (to the extent applicable) in good standing in each jurisdiction where, because of the nature of its activities or properties, such qualification is required, (iii) has the requisite corporate power and authority and the right to own and operates its properties, to lease the property it operates under lease, and to conduct its business as now and proposed to be conducted, and (iv) has obtained all material licenses, permits, consents or approvals from or by, and has made all filings with, and given all notices to, all governmental authorities having jurisdictions, to the extent required for such ownership, operation and conduct (including, without limitation, the consummation of transactions contemplated by this Letter and the other Facility Documents) as to each of the foregoing, except in each case referred to in clauses (ii) and (iv) where the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
(b)
The execution, delivery and performance by it of this Letter and any other Facility Document to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, are within the Company's corporate powers, have been duly authorised by all necessary corporate action, and do not contravene the Company's constitutional documents.  Nor do any of them contravene (i) any applicable law or (ii) any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Company in a way that has, or that could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 
(c)
No authorisation or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any third party is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Letter, any other Facility Document to which it is a party or in respect of any Credit, except for those authorisations, approvals, actions, notices and filings that have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect and except where the failure to obtain such authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings does not and cannot have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
(d)
This Letter and the other Facility Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to (i) the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisation, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors' rights generally and (ii) the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 
(e)
The consolidated financial statements included in the most recent 10Q filing of the Group, copies of which have been furnished to the Bank, fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Group in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.  Since the date of such filing there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

 
(f)
There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding affecting any member of the Group before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or if brought by a third party, purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Letter or any Facility Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and, in each case, is reasonably likely to be successful.
 
9.
Undertakings

The Company undertakes to the Bank that it shall:

 
(a)   post each annual 10K filing when available on www.sec.gov and in any event within 90 days of its financial year end;

                 (b)  
post each 10Q filing when available on www.sec.gov and in any event within 45 days of the end of the relevant quarter;

promptly upon it becoming aware of the event, provide the Bank with notice of any change in that Company’s ownership structure such that its ultimate parent (as at the date of this letter) ceases to own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the equity of the Company, or upon any announcement of such a restructuring by the parent.
 
10.           Costs and Expenses

10.1          The Company undertakes to indemnify the Bank, within 5 Business Days following demand, for and against all actions, proceedings, liabilities, losses and damages in connection with this Letter (except to the extent arising from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Bank)

10.2          The Company undertakes within 5 Business Days to pay or reimburse the Bank for all:

 (i) reasonable invoiced out-of-pocket charges, costs and expenses which the Bank actually incurs (including non-exclusively the cost of all required registrations and any other legal fees that the Bank actually incurs in relation to the Facility) in connection with the preparation and administration of this Letter; and

 (ii) out-of-pocket, charges, costs and expenses which the Bank incurs in connection with the enforcement of this Letter.

11.           Certificates

Any demand, notification or certificate issued by the Bank specifying any amount due under this Letter or any Facility Document or any determination of any ratio shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Company.

12.           Events of Default; Miscellaneous

12.1           Any of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:

 (a)  the Company fails to pay on its due date any amount payable by it under this Letter (including pursuant to Sections 6.1, 6.2, 7 or 10 hereof) within five Business Days of its due date;

 (b)  the Company fails to comply with any of its other obligations (not specified in Section 12.1(a) above) under any Facility Document provided that no Event of Default will occur under this clause if (i) the non-compliance is capable of remedy and (ii) the Company remedies the non-compliance within ten Business Days of the Bank notifying the Company of the non-compliance;

 (c)  any representation or warranty made by the Company in any Facility Document shall be incorrect in any material respect when made; or

 (d)  the Company’s ownership structure changes such that its ultimate parent (as at the date of this letter) ceases to own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the equity of the Company.

12.2
Whilst an Event of Default is continuing, the Bank may at any time terminate the availability of the Facility to the Company.  If an Event of Default occurs under Clause 12.1(d), to assist the Bank in determining whether to terminate the availability of the Facility, the Bank may ask the Company to provide (or procure the provision by the new owner) to the Bank of any documents, information and other evidence the Bank reasonably requires in order to comply with the Bank's anti-money-laundering and other know-your-customer policies and procedures in relation to the new owner.

12.3
The rights of the Bank under this Letter and the Facility Documents may be exercised as often as necessary; are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under the general law; and may be waived only in writing and specifically. Delay in exercising or non-exercise of any such right is not a waiver of that right.

12.4
If any provision of this Letter or any Facility Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, that shall not affect (i) the legality, validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other provision of that document; or (ii) the legality, validity or enforceability in any other jurisdiction of that or any other provision of that document.

12.5
In no event shall the Bank or the Company be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages and each of the Bank and the Company hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue the other party hereto upon any such claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its or their favour.

12.6
Whilst an Event of Default is continuing, the Bank may set off any obligation of the Company under the Facility Documents to which it is a party or in respect of any Credit (whether present or future, actual or contingent) against any obligation owed by the Bank to such Company or Citibank N.A., regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation.  If the obligations are in different currencies, the Bank may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.

12.7
The terms of this Letter may not be waived, modified or amended unless such waiver, modification or amendment is in writing and signed by each of the Bank and the Company, nor may the Company assign any of its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of the Bank.

12.8
Clauses 9 and 10 of the Master Agreement shall apply in respect of this Letter, with necessary changes.
 
13.           Definitions and Interpretation

13.1         Terms defined in any Facility Document shall have the same meanings when used in this Letter. Additionally, the following terms have the following meanings.

   Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are generally open in Dublin and London.
   Facility Documents means the documents specified in paragraphs 3(a) through 3(e) and any other document pursuant to which a security interest, guarantee or other form of credit support is created or exists in favour of the Bank in respect of the obligations of the Company under this Letter.
   Group means the Company and each other person from time to time included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    LIBOR means the overnight rate for US Dollars which appears on the screen display designated "Reuters Screen LIBOR01" on the Reuters Service (or such other screen display or service as may replace it for the purpose of displaying the relevant British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in US Dollars in the London interbank market) at or about 11.00 a.m. on the relevant day.
     Material Adverse Effect means an event or circumstance having a material adverse effect on the financial condition of (i) the Company; or (ii) the Group as a whole; or (iii) the legality, validity or enforceability of any Facility Document against the Company.
 
13.2          In this Letter (unless otherwise provided):

 (a)   words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;

 (b)   references to:

 
(i)
paragraphs are to be construed as references to the paragraphs of this Letter;
 
(ii)
any document shall be construed as references to that document, as amended, varied, novated or supplemented;
 
(iii)
any statute or statutory provision shall include any statute or statutory provision which amends, extends, consolidates or replaces the same;
 
(iv)
any document or person being acceptable or approved or satisfactory shall be construed as meaning acceptable to or approved by or satisfactory to the Bank in its sole discretion;
 
(v)
a person shall be construed so as to include that person's assignors, transferees or successors in title and shall be construed as including references to an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, company, corporation, body corporate, unincorporated body of persons or any state or any agency of a state; and
 
(vi)  
time are to London time.

13.3
The headings in this Letter are for convenience only and shall be ignored in construing this Letter.


14  
Communications

14.1
Any notice or demand to be served on the Company by the Bank hereunder may be served:

 
(a)
Personally on any officers listed in such Company’s General Communications Indemnity and dated this date as amended from time to time (such shall be referred to as “Authorized Officer(s)”);

 (b)  By registered or certified letter addressed to:

 Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.
 P.O. Box 31110
 65 Market Street, Suite 1207
 Jasmine Court, Camana Bay
 Grand Cayman, KY1-9006
 
Cayman Islands

 
(c)
by posting the same by letter addressed in any such manner as aforesaid to such registered office or principal place of business; or

 
(d)
by telex or facsimile addressed in any such manner as aforesaid to any then published telex or facsimile number of ourselves.

14.2
Unless otherwise stated, any notice or demand to be served on the Bank by the Company hereunder must be served on the Bank either at its address stated at the beginning of this Letter (or such other address as the Bank may notify the Company of from time to time) or by facsimile to such number as the Bank may notify the Company of from time to time.

14.3           Any notice or demand:

 
(a)
sent by post shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party on the third Business Day after and exclusive of the day of posting; provided that a copy of all such communications sent by post shall be sent via facsimile or other form of electronic communication; or

 
(b)
sent by telex or facsimile shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party when confirmation is received.

In proving such service by post it shall be sufficient to show that the letter containing the notice or demand was properly addressed and posted and such proof of service shall be effective notwithstanding that the letter was in fact not delivered or was returned undelivered.

15.           Governing Law

15.1
This Letter and all non-contractual obligations arising out of it or in connection with it shall be governed by English law and for the benefit of the Bank the Company irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the English Courts in respect of any dispute which may arise from or in connection with this Letter or any Credit.

15.2
A person who is not a party to this Letter has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any terms of this Letter.

15.3
The Company designates the address below as its address for service of all claim forms, application notices, judgments, orders or other notices of English legal process relating to this Letter and any other Facility Document governed by English law.

 
Corporation Service Company (UK) Limited Elysium Gate, Unit
 
20/21, 126-128 New Kings Road London SW6 4LZ, United Kingdom

 
Items served at this address must be marked for the attention of the Company.

15.4
The Company must have the same address for service and it must be an address in London, United Kingdom.  If the Company wishes to change their address for service, the Company may do so by giving the Bank at least 10 Business Days' written notice of the new address for service.
 
16.           Anti-Tying

Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank’s anti-tying policies are incorporated herein by reference.

17.           Force and Effect

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Letter, both the Company and the Bank agree that this Letter and the provisions contained herein shall not come into full force and effect until October 12th 2010.




Yours faithfully,

Signed: Niall Tuckey                                       
For Citibank Europe Plc


 
We hereby confirm our agreement to the above:


Dated: August 20, 2010
 
Signed:    /s/ Tim Courtis Signed: /s/ Faramarz Romer
Name:  Tim Courtis Name: Faramarz Romer
T itle:   Chief Financial Officer Title: Reporting & Compliance Officer 
For and on behalf of Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.


 
 

 


 

 
 






MASTER REIMBURSEMENT
AGREEMENT – FORM 3/CEP




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 



 
 

 

 
 
Insurance Letters of Credit – Master Agreement


 
Form 3/CEP


AGREEMENT DATED August 20 th 2010


BETWEEN:


Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd
65 Market Street
Suite 1207, Jasmine Court
Camana Bay, PO Box 31110 Grand Cayman, KY1-1205
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(“the Company”);

AND

             CITIBANK EUROPE PLC (“CEP”) whose offices and registered address are at 1
North Wall Quay, I.F.S.C., Dublin 1, Ireland.



PREAMBLE

Subject to the Company’s satisfaction of the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, CEP agrees to establish letters of credit or similar or equivalent acceptable instruments (each a "Credit" and collectively the "Credits") on behalf of the Company in favour of beneficiaries located in the United States of America or elsewhere (the "Beneficiary" or "Beneficiaries" as relevant). In furtherance of this Agreement, the parties have separately agreed the contractual or security arrangements that will apply in respect of the Company’s obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Committed Facility dated on or about the date of this Agreement (“Committed Facility Letter”), the terms of the Committed Facility Letter shall prevail.

1.        AGREEMENT

It is agreed between us in relation to each Credit that:-

 
1.1
In order to establish a Credit, the Company is required to submit an application form to CEP (“the Application Form”).  The Application Form must (a) be substantially in the form of Schedule 2 hereto; Application Forms may, subject to CEP’s agreement, be received via any electronic system(s) or transmission arrangement(s); (b) be completed by or on behalf of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Company’s banking mandate(s) or other authorities lodged with CEP or in accordance with arrangement(s) made with CEP from time to time; and (c) indicate therein the name of the Beneficiary and the amount and term of the Credit required.  Upon receipt of an Application Form that satisfies the above criteria, CEP shall establish on behalf of the Company an irrevocable clean sight Credit (or such other form of Credit as may be required by the Application Form relating thereto) available, in whole or in part, by the Beneficiary’s sight draft (the Company hereby agreeing that CEP may accept as a valid ”sight draft” any written or electronic demand or other request for payment under the Credit, even if such demand or other request is not in the form of a negotiable instrument) on CEP or otherwise as may be required by the terms of the Credit; provided, however, that:

 
(i)
the opening of any Credit hereunder shall, in every instance, be at CEP’s option and nothing herein shall be construed as obliging CEP to open any Credit;

 
(ii)
prior to the establishment of any Credit or in order to maintain a Credit the Company undertakes as follows:

 
(a)
forthwith at CEP’s request to deposit, at an Approved Bank, in an account or accounts in the Company’s name, cash or securities or a combination of cash and securities as per the Reinsurance Deposit Agreement or as otherwise agreed between the parties, of such amount and in such combination as CEP may require (a "Deposit").  “Approved Bank” for the purposes of this Clause 1.1(ii)(a) shall mean one or more of the following:- (i) Citibank, N.A. at their branch at Citigroup Centre, Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5LB; (ii) a bank approved by CEP; or, (iii) such other Citigroup branch or approved bank as CEP may designate and notify to the Company; and

 
(b)
should a Deposit have been requested, to execute CEP’s standard form charge documentation in relation to the accounts opened pursuant to Clause 1.1 (ii) (a) above.

 
1.2  
Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 1.1 (i), the opening of any Credit hereunder
shall be dependent upon CEP being satisfied, in its absolute discretion, that a Deposit has been carried out and that the documentation required to be executed under Clause 1.1 (ii) (b) has been validly executed by the Company;

 
1.3
The Company undertakes to reimburse CEP, promptly following demand (and in any event within five (5) Business Days), the amount of any and all drawings (including, for the avoidance of doubt, drawings presented electronically) under each Credit;

 
1.4
The Company undertakes to indemnify CEP, promptly following demand, for and against all actions, proceedings, losses, damages, charges, costs, expenses, claims and demands which CEP may incur, pay or sustain in connection with each Credit and/or this Agreement, howsoever arising (unless resulting from CEP’s own gross negligence or wilful misconduct);

 
1.5
The Company undertakes to pay CEP, on demand, such fees and/or commissions of such amount(s) and/or at such rate(s) as specified in the fee letter (separately agreed between the parties) as payable in connection with each Credit;

       1.6  
The Company hereby irrevocably authorises CEP to make any payments and comply with any demands which may be claimed from or made upon CEP in connection with any Credit without any reference to, or further authority from, the Company against presentation of a draft or other document that in CEP’s good faith judgment appeared to comply with the terms and conditions of the applicable Credit.  The Company hereby agrees that it shall not be incumbent upon CEP to enquire or take notice of whether or not any such payments or demands claimed from or made upon CEP in connection with each Credit are properly made or whether any dispute exists between the Company and the Beneficiary thereof.  The Company further agrees that any payment CEP makes in accordance with the terms and conditions of each Credit shall be binding upon the Company and shall be accepted by the Company as conclusive evidence that CEP was liable to make such payment or comply with such demand.


2.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

              2.1  
The Company represents and warrants to CEP and undertakes that:-

 
(i)
it has and will at all times have the necessary power to enable it to enter into and perform the obligations expressed to be assumed by it under this Agreement;

 
(ii)
the Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation effective in accordance with its terms , subject to (x) the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisation, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors' rights generally and (y) the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or law) ; and

                     (iii)
all necessary authorisations to enable or entitle it to enter into this Agreement have been obtained and are in full force and effect and will remain in such force and effect at all times during the subsistence of this Agreement;
 
     2.2     The Company represents and warrants to CEP that:-

 
(i)
it is not unable to pay its debts as they fall due;

 
(ii)
it has not been deemed or declared to be unable to pay its debts under any applicable law;

 
(iii)
it has not suspended making payments on any of its debts;

 
(iv)
it has not, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commenced negotiations with any of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness;

 
(v)
the value of its assets is not less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities);

 
(vi)
no moratorium has been declared in respect of any of its indebtedness; and

 
(vii)
no analogous or similar event or concept to those set out in this Clause 2.2 has occurred or is the case under the laws of any jurisdiction.


3.
EXTENSION/TERMINATION

 
3.1
(a)
Any Credit established hereunder may, if requested by the Company on the relevant  Application Form and subject to CEP’s consent, bear a clause to the effect that it will automatically be extended for successive periods of one year (or such other period as may be stated in the relevant Application Form) UNLESS the Beneficiary has received from the bank or institution issuing the Credit (the "Issuing Bank") by registered mail (or other appropriate receipted delivery) notification of intention not to renew such Credit at least 60 days (or such longer period as may be stated in the relevant Application Form) prior to the end of the original term or, as the case may be, of a period of extension (the "Notice Period").

 
(b)
The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to the Company to send the Beneficiary such notification (and without such notification to the Beneficiary the Credit will be automatically extended as provided above) UNLESS the Company shall have sent notification to CEP by registered mail (or other means acceptable to CEP) of its election not to renew such Credit at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the Notice Period.

 
(c)
CEP reserves the right, at its sole option and discretion, to give or procure the giving at any time to the Beneficiary of notification of intention not to renew any Credit.  If CEP exercises such said right, it will give the Company notice in writing thereof as soon as is reasonably possible.


4.        UCC/ISP

CEP may, at its sole option, arrange for the issuance of any Credit as being subject to either (i) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision) ICC Publication No. 600 (“the UCP”) or (ii) the International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 - the International Standby Practices 1998 (the “ISP”), (or any subsequent version of either); provided however that CEP may agree such modifications thereof as may be required by any regulatory or other authority having jurisdiction as to the acceptability of the Credit in question.


5.        PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS

 
5.1
Unless otherwise agreed between the parties in writing, the previous agreement(s) (if any) entered into between them (other than those at any time governed by a "Master Agreement – London Market Letter of Credit Scheme" or substantially equivalent agreement) governing Credits established by CEP on the Company’s behalf in favour of Beneficiaries shall, on due execution by the parties of this Agreement, cease to apply to all such Credits, which Credits shall henceforth be governed by this Agreement.

              5 . 2  
For the avoidance of doubt any letter or letters of credit or similar or equivalent instrument or instruments (the "Existing Credit(s)") which has or have been established or opened pursuant to the terms of any previous agreement(s) entered into between the Company and Citibank, N.A. governing the Existing Credits (including any security arrangements that apply in respect of any obligation under or pursuant to such previous agreement(s)) (the "Existing Agreement(s)") shall continue in force until cancelled.  The Existing Agreement(s) shall continue to apply to the Existing Credit(s) until all the Existing Credit(s) have been cancelled.  The Company undertakes, on CEP’s request, to take all reasonable steps to procure that any cancelled Existing Credit(s) are destroyed or returned to CEP.


6.       CREDIT CHOICE OF LAW

If, at the Company’s request, a Credit expressly chooses a state or country law other than New York, U.S.A. or English law, or is silent with respect to the UCP, the ISP or a governing law, CEP shall not be liable for any payment, cost, expense or loss resulting from any action or inaction it takes provided such action or inaction is justified under UCP, ISP, New York law, English law or the law governing the Credit.


7.        BRANCHES/CORRESPONDENT BANKS

 
7.1
The Company acknowledges that CEP may carry out any of its obligations or exercise any of its rights under this Agreement through any of its offices or branches, wheresoever situated.

              7.2  
The Company further understands that CEP reserves the right to issue any Credit through any third party correspondent bank of its choice (provided that such correspondent bank is approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) and/or to have any Credit confirmed by Citibank, N.A.  In such circumstances, CEP will be required to guarantee reimbursement to such correspondent and/or Citibank, N.A. of any payments which such correspondent and/or Citibank, N.A. may make under the Credit in question and such guarantee (howsoever described) shall be treated mutatis mutandis as a Credit for the purpose of this Agreement.


8.        INCREASES ETC/REINSTATEMENTS

The provisions of the foregoing Clauses shall be equally applicable to any increase, extension, renewal, partial renewal, modification or amendment of, or substitute instrument for, any Credit to which they apply.  If for any reason any amount paid under any Credit is repaid, in whole or in part, by the Beneficiary thereof, CEP may, in its sole discretion, treat (or procure the treatment of) such repayment as a reinstatement of an amount (equal to such repayment) under such Credit.  The value date CEP applies to any such reinstatement shall not be earlier than the date of such repayment and CEP shall not be liable for losses of any nature which the Company may suffer or incur and/or which may arise from any inadvertent or erroneous drawing.


9.        NOTICES


 
9.1
Any notice or demand to be served on the Company by CEP hereunder may be served:
 
          (a)    on any of the Company’s officers personally;

 
(b)
by letter addressed to the Company or to any of its officers and left at the Company’s registered office or at any one of its principal places of business;

 
(c)
by posting the same by letter addressed in any such manner as aforesaid to such registered office or principal place of business; or

 
(d)
by facsimile addressed in any such manner as aforesaid to any then published facsimile number of the Company.

 
9.2
Unless otherwise stated, any notice or demand to be served on CEP by the Company hereunder must be served either at CEP’s address as stated above (or such other address as CEP may notify us of from time to time) or by facsimile to such number as CEP may notify the Company of from time to time.

 
9.3
Any notice or demand:-

 
(a)
sent by post to any address in the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom shall be deemed to have been served on the Company at 10am. (London time) on the first Business Day after the date of posting (in the case of an address in the Republic of Ireland) and on the second Business Day after posting (in the case of an address in the United Kingdom) or, in the case of an address outside the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom (or a notice or demand to CEP), shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party at 10am. (London time) on the third Business Day after and exclusive of the date of posting; or

 
(b)
sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party when dispatched.

 
9.4
In proving service by post it shall be sufficient to show that the letter containing the notice or demand was properly addressed and posted and such proof of service shall be effective notwithstanding that the letter was in fact not delivered or was returned undelivered.

 
9.5
In this Clause 9, "Business Day" shall be construed as a reference to a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are generally open in London.


10.        ASSIGNMENT/NOVATION

 
10.1
CEP has a full and unfettered right (a) to assign or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of its rights and/or benefits under this Agreement or (b) (subject to Clauses 10.2 to 10.5) to novate its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in each case, to a Permitted Transferee.  The words "CEP" and "CEP’s" wherever used in Clauses 10.2 to 10.5 shall be deemed to include CEP’s permitted assignees and novatees and other successors, whether immediate or derivative, who shall be entitled to enforce and proceed upon this Agreement in the same manner as if named herein. CEP shall be entitled to impart any information concerning the Company to any such permitted assignee, novatee or other successor or any participant or proposed permitted assignee, novatee, successor or participant; provided, however, that in connection with any such assignment or novation, CEP may disclose to the assignee or transferee or proposed assignee or proposed transferee any information relating to the Company furnished to CEP by or on behalf of the Company, provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or transferee or proposed assignee or proposed transferee shall agree to be subject to the same confidentiality obligations applicable to CEP with respect to any confidential information related to the Company and shall enter into a confidentiality agreement to such effect with CEP under which the Company is designated a third party beneficiary with the right to enforce the terms of such confidentiality agreement.

 
10.2
The person who is for the time being liable to perform CEP’s obligations under this Agreement (a "Transferring Bank") shall be entitled to novate at any time, upon service of a notice on the Company in the form attached as Schedule One to this Agreement (a "Novation Notice"), any or all of its rights and obligations under, and the benefit of, this Agreement to any Permitted Transferee.  With effect from the date on which a Novation Notice is executed by the Transferring Bank and the Permitted Transferee and served on the Company (the "Novation Date"), the provisions of Clause 10.3 shall have effect (but not otherwise).

 
10.3
With effect from (and subject to the occurrence of) the Novation Date:

 
10.3.1
the Permitted Transferee shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement (as novated) in every way as if the Permitted Transferee was and had been a party hereto in place of the Transferring Bank and the Permitted Transferee shall undertake and perform and discharge all of CEP’s obligations and liabilities under this Agreement (as novated) whether the same fell or fall to be performed or arose or arise on, before or after the Novation Date;

 
10.3.2  
the Company shall release and discharge the Transferring Bank from further performance of its obligations arising in favour of the Company on and after the Novation
 
Date under this Agreement and all claims and demands whatsoever in respect thereof against the Transferring Bank, and the Company shall accept the liability of the Permitted Transferee in respect of such obligations in place of the liability of the Transferring Bank;

 
10.3.3
the Transferring Bank shall release and discharge the Company from further performance of its obligations arising in favour of the Transferring Bank on and after the Novation Date under this Agreement and all claims and demands whatsoever in respect thereof by the Transferring Bank; and

 
10.3.4
the Company shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement (as novated) in every way, and it shall undertake and perform and discharge in favour of the Permitted Transferee each of its obligations whether the same fell or fall to be performed or arose or arise on, before or after the Novation Date and expressed to be owed to CEP.

 
10.4
Without prejudice to the automatic novation of the Transferring Bank’s rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 10.3, the Company undertakes to sign and return promptly each acknowledgement of the Novation Notice from time to time delivered to it promptly following receipt of the same from the Transferring Bank.

              10.5  
For the purposes of this Clause 10 a "Permitted Transferee" shall mean;
i)  
any holding company, subsidiary or affiliate of Citigroup Inc, or;
ii)  
subject to the Company’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld),any other third party.


11.        SET-OFF

 
11.1
The Company hereby irrevocably authorises CEP to debit and credit, on the Company’s behalf, any account or accounts which are held in the Company’s name with Citibank, N.A.

 
11.2
The Company hereby agrees that Citibank N.A. shall be entitled to rely on and action any credit or debit made by CEP in accordance with Clause 11.1.


12.        GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION

This Agreement and all non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by English law and, for CEP’s benefit, the Company hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the English Courts in respect of any dispute which may arise from or in connection with this Agreement. The terms of this Agreement may not be waived, modified or amended unless such waiver, modification or amendment is in writing and signed by CEP nor may the Company assign any of its rights hereunder without CEP’s prior written consent.


13.        MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 
13.1
Subject to this Clause and to Clause 11.2 a person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the "Third Parties Act") to enforce any terms of this Agreement.

 
13.2
Citibank, N.A. may enforce the terms of Clause 11.2 subject to, and in accordance with, this Clause 13.2 and Clause 12 and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 
13.3
The parties to this Agreement do not require the consent of Citibank, N.A. to rescind or vary this Agreement at any time.

 
13.4
If Citibank, N.A. brings proceedings to enforce the terms of Clause 11.2, the Company shall only have available to it by way of defence, set-off or counterclaim a matter that would have been available by way of defence, set-off or counterclaim if Citibank, N.A. had been party to this Agreement.

 
13.5
Citibank, N.A. may not take proceedings to enforce Clause 11.2 unless and until it gives notice in writing to the Company in any manner as is permitted by Clause 9, agreeing irrevocably to the provisions of Clause 12.


14  
CONFIDENTIALITY OF COMPANY INFORMATION

 
CEP agrees to take and to cause its affiliates to take normal and reasonable precautions and exercise due care to maintain the confidentiality of all information provided by the Company or any of its affiliates under this Agreement or any other agreement or document relating to the Credit (“Information”), and neither it nor any of its affiliates shall use any Information other than in connection with or in enforcement of this Agreement and the other agreements and  documents relating to the Credit except to the extent the Information was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by CEP or its affiliates, provided that such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with Company known to CEP; provided, however that CEP may disclose Information (i) at the request or pursuant to any requirement of any governmental authority to which CEP is subject, and will use all reasonable endeavours in each case to give prior notice to the Company unless prohibited by law or the rules governing the process requiring such disclosure; (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other court process, and will use all reasonable endeavours to give prior notice to the Company unless prohibited by law or the rules governing the process requiring such disclosure; (iii) when required to do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable requirement of law, and will use all reasonable endeavours to give prior notice to the Company unless prohibited by law or the rules governing the process requiring such disclosure; (iv) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or any other agreement or document relating to the Credit; and (v) to CEP’s independent auditors and other professional advisors who agree or are directed to maintain the confidentiality of the Information.  

 
 

 



 
EXECUTED THIS DAY ABOVE WRITTEN BY:

 
 
Tim Courtis
Faramarz Romer
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd


 
/s/ Tim Courtis
/s/ Faramarz Romer
 
(Signature(s))

 
 
Dated August 20, 2010

AND
 

 
Niall Tuckey___________________________________
CITIGROUP EUROPE PLC


 
/s/ Niall Tuckey________________________________
 
(Signature(s))


 
Dated August 20, 2010

 
 

 

SCHEDULE ONE

Form of Novation Notice for Clause 10

To:
[                      ]
 
Date:
Dear Sirs

Insurance Letters of Credit – Master Agreement (Form 3/CEP) dated [        ] and made between Citibank Europe plc and [                        ] (the "Agreement")

We refer to Clause 10 of the Agreement.  We hereby notify you that we wish to exercise our option to novate under Clause 10 thereof so that with effect from today's date the rights, liabilities and obligations of [ name of Transferring Bank ] shall be novated to [ name of Permitted Transferee ] in the manner set out in Clause 10 thereof.

The relevant address for the purposes of Clauses 3.1 and 9 is as follows:

[ insert new address ]

Yours faithfully


                                         
for and on behalf of
[TRANSFERRING BANK]


                                         
for and on behalf of
[PERMITTED TRANSFEREE]

[ NAME OF COUNTERPARTY ]:

(1)
acknowledges receipt of the Novation Notice; and

(2)
agrees that with effect from the date of the Novation Notice the rights, liabilities and obligations of [                   ] are novated to [                    ] in the manner set out in Clause 10 of the Agreement.

                                         
for and on behalf of
 
[NAME OF COUNTERPARTY]


 
 
 

 

 
 

REINSURANCE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

REINSURANCE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (CHARGE FORM - CITIBANK, N.A. AS CUSTODIAN)
EXECUTION COPY
(Option for non-matching Deposits) Form 12/CEP
Name of Chargor and address of its registered or principal office:
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd
65 Market Street
Suite 1207, Jasmine Court
Camana Bay, PO Box 31110 Grand Cayman, KY1-1205
CAYMAN ISLANDS
 
 
facsimile no:  345 745 4576                      Company Number:  CR-137831 (the "Chargor")

Name of Custodian and address of its registered or principal office :
CITIBANK, N.A., FAO: INSURANCE LETTER OF CREDIT PRODUCT MANAGER, CITIGROUP CENTRE, CANADA SQUARE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON E14 5LB
    (the "Custodian")

Date:   20 TH August 2010


To:          CITIBANK EUROPE PLC (the "Bank")
Insurance Letter of Credit Department
2 nd Floor
1 North Wall Quay
Dublin 1
Republic of Ireland


The terms used in this Deposit Agreement are defined in Clause 22

1.
PAYMENT AND DISCHARGE

The Chargor shall pay and discharge in full all of the Obligations at the times and in the manner provided for in each Agreement.


2.
FIXED CHARGE AND ENFORCEMENT

 
(a)
The Chargor hereby charges with full title guarantee and by way of first fixed charge, in the Bank’s favour all of the Chargor’s rights, title and interest in the Assets as security for the payment to you and the discharge of all of the Obligations.

 
(b)
If:

 
(i)
an Event of Default (as defined in the Committed Facility Letter) has occurred and is
continuing;

 
(ii)
the Chargor defaults in paying or discharging any of the Obligations on demand within 5
Business Days of its due date; or

 
(iii)
the Chargor defaults under or fails to comply with any provisions of this Deposit Agreement, any other Agreement or any agreements or contract giving rise to the Obligations and such default continues for a period of ten (10) Business Days following the Bank’s notice of such non-compliance; or
 
              (iv)     the Custodian defaults under or fails to comply with any material provision of the Custodian's Undertaking and such default continues for a period of fifteen (15) days following the Bank’s notice of such non-compliance to the Custodian and the Chargor;


 
then:

 
(A)
the security created by or pursuant to this Deposit Agreement shall become immediately enforceable and the Bank may, subject to the requirements of applicable law, without notice to the Chargor or prior authorisation from any court, in the Bank’s absolute discretion enforce all or any part of that security (at the times, in the manner and on the terms the Bank thinks fit) and take possession of and hold or dispose of all or any part of the Assets; and

 
(B)
 without prejudice to the generality of (A) above, the Bank shall be entitled, without notice or further demand but subject to the requirements of applicable law, immediately to exercise all the rights, powers and remedies possessed by it according to law as chargee of the Assets and to:

 
(I)
demand and receive all and any monies due under or arising out of each of the Assets;

 
(II)
exercise in relation to each of the Assets all such rights as the Chargor was then entitled to exercise in relation to each such Asset or might, but for the terms of this Deposit Agreement, exercise; and

 
(III)
apply, set-off or transfer any or all of the Assets in or towards the payment or other satisfaction of the Obligations or any part of them.

 
(C)
Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Bank shall not be liable to account as a mortgagee in possession in respect of all or any part of the Assets or be liable for any loss upon realisation or for any neglect, default or omission in connection with the Assets to which a mortgagee in possession might otherwise be liable.


3.
REQUIRED DEPOSITS

 
(a)
It is agreed between the Chargor and the Bank in relation to each of the Credits that:-

 
(i)
it is a prior condition to the establishment of any Credit pursuant to an Agreement that there should first have been deposited with Citibank, N.A. (the "Custodian") at their branch at Citigroup Centre, Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5LB (or such other branch as may be advised to the Chargor by the Bank for such purpose) in an account in the Chargor’s name designated as a "Reinsurance Deposit Account" and/or such other designation(s) as may be agreed between the Chargor and the Bank and notified by the Bank to the Custodian (referred to herein as an "Account") a deposit:-

 
(1)
in an amount in the same currency as such Credit and at least equal to 100% of the face value of such Credit (or such other percentage as may be agreed between the Chargor and the Bank in writing for this purpose); and/or

 
(2)
in an amount in the currency(ies) and of the percentage all as required by the alternative arrangements set out in Schedule Two hereto but subject to the limitation(s) (if any) therein referred to (or as the same may from time to time hereafter be amended or substituted),

 
and, in either case, the balance from time to time standing to the credit of any such Account (the "Reinsurance Deposit") to be subject to the security hereby constituted and to be applied on the terms and conditions herein set forth;

 
(ii)
so long as the Chargor is under any actual or contingent liability pursuant to any Agreement, the Chargor shall be entitled, upon request, to require the Bank to release from the security hereby constituted only that part of a Reinsurance Deposit which is in excess of the amounts required by Clause 3(a)(i)(1) and (2); provided, however, that the Chargor shall not be entitled to request any such release if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.  Bank hereby agrees that, promptly (and in any event within 2 Business Days) following receipt of the Chargor’s request therefor, it shall notify the Custodian of its consent to any such release;

 
(iii)
the Chargor shall be entitled to receive any interest which may accrue on each Reinsurance Deposit, provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then such interest shall be paid only to the credit of the relevant Account and such interest shall form part of the Reinsurance Deposit in question;

 
(iv)
if at any time, acting reasonably,  the Bank determines that the amount of any Reinsurance Deposit is less than the amount required by Clause 3(a)(i)(1) and/or (2) the Chargor shall immediately (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) following the Bank’s demand deposit in the relevant Account any further sum or sums which the Bank may certify to be required to cover the shortfall; and

 
(v)
until payment in full of the Obligations and termination of this agreement, the Chargor shall not, without the Bank’s prior written consent, be entitled to permit or agree to any variation of the rights attaching to the Assets or any Account or to receive, withdraw or otherwise deal with or transfer the Assets or any Account except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

 
(b)
In the event that the Bank elects not to allocate or otherwise attribute a specific Reinsurance Deposit in an Account to a specific Credit, it may treat all of the balance(s) from time to time standing to the credit of each Account as constituting security in respect of the Obligations.

 
(c)
Following the occurrence and during the continuance of any of the events described in Clauses 2  (b) (i) to 2 (b) (iv) above and subject to any applicable grace and/or notice), the Bank is hereby irrevocably authorised (without reference to the Chargor and on its behalf) to instruct the Custodian to convert, so far as is then possible, all or part of a Reinsurance Deposit established pursuant to the provisions of Clause 3(a)(i)(2) from its then existing currency of denomination into the other currency(ies) which would have been required if the provisions of Clause 3(a)(i)(1) had originally been complied with by the Chargor (the "Requisite   Currency(ies)").  The Requisite Currency(ies) shall be held in one or more accounts established by the Custodian for such purposes but otherwise subject to the security hereby constituted and the terms and conditions hereof.   In order to effect the foregoing the Chargor irrevocably authorises the Bank (without reference to the Chargor) to debit (on the Chargor’s behalf) any account with such sums as may be required by the Bank or the Custodian in or towards payment of the cost of obtaining the requisite currency(ies) (whether or not such cost includes a premium over any official or other rate of exchange) and all other costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Bank or the Custodian (in connection with obtaining the requisite currency(ies).

 
(d)
For the purpose of any calculations required by this Clause 3, the Bank may convert any figure expressed in its existing currency of denomination into such other currency of denomination as the Bank may require for the purposes hereof, and any such conversion shall be effected at the Bank’s then prevailing spot rate of exchange for obtaining such requisite currency(ies) with the existing currency(ies).


4.
 
 
CUSTODIAN'S UNDERTAKING

 
(a)
the Chargor undertakes to deliver (or procure the delivery of) the Custodian's Undertaking to the Bank forthwith upon the execution of this Security Agreement.

 
(b)
following the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Bank may at any time and without prior notice to the Chargor exercise any or all of the Bank’s rights under or pursuant to the Custodian's Undertaking.


5.
FURTHER ASSURANCE

The Chargor undertakes forthwith upon the Bank’s notice to that effect to execute and sign all documents which the Bank may reasonably require for the purposes hereof including any notices of charge in such form as the Bank may reasonably require (which shall promptly be handed to the Bank) and do all such acts and things as the Bank may determine to be necessary or expedient in connection herewith.


6.
NOTICES OF CHARGE

Without prejudice to the generality of the power of attorney contained in Clause 9 the Chargor and the Bank hereby irrevocably authorises the Bank (without reference to the Chargor) from time to time to deliver to the Custodian (on the Chargor’s behalf) a notice of charge (substantially in the form set out in Schedule One or in any other form as the Bank may require) in respect of each Account and each account which may be created pursuant to the terms of Clause 3(c).


7.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

(a)  
The Chargor hereby represents and warrants to the Bank and undertakes that:-

(i)  
It is and will, at all times during the subsistence of the security hereby constituted, be the sole, lawful and beneficial owner of all of the Assets free from mortgages or charges (other than this first fixed charge) or other encumbrances;

(ii)  
(save as may have been disclosed by the Chargor to the Bank in writing prior to the date of this Deposit Agreement) it has not sold or agreed to sell or otherwise disposed of or agreed to dispose of, and (save with the Bank’s prior consent) will not at any time during the subsistence of the security hereby constituted sell or agree to sell or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, the benefit of all or any of its rights, titles and interests in and to the Assets or any part thereof (except for any withdrawals and releases expressly permitted by the terms hereof);

(iii)  
it has and will at all times have the necessary power to enable the Chargor to enter into and perform the obligations expressed to be assumed by it under this Deposit Agreement;

(iv)  
this Deposit Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation and is a security over the Assets and every part thereof effective in accordance with its terms, subject to (x) the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisation, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors' rights generally and (y) the effect of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or law); and

 
(v)
all necessary authorisations to enable or entitle it to enter into this Deposit Agreement have been obtained and are in full force and effect and will remain in such force and effect at all times during the subsistence of the security hereby constituted.


 
(b)
The Chargor hereby represents and warrants to the Bank that:-

(i)  
it is not unable to pay its debts as they fall due;

(ii)  
it has not been deemed or declared to be unable to pay its debts under applicable law;

(iii)  
it has not suspended making payments on any of its debts;

(iv)  
it has not by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties commenced negotiations with any of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness;

(v)  
the value of its assets is not less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities);

(vi)  
no moratorium has been declared in respect of any of its indebtedness; and

(vii)  
no analogous or similar event or concept to those set out in Clauses 7(b)(i) to 7(b)(vi) above has occurred or is the case under the laws of any jurisdiction.


8.
NEGATIVE PLEDGE

The Chargor hereby undertakes with the Bank that at no time during the subsistence of the security hereby constituted will it, otherwise than:

(a)       in the Bank’s favour or in favour of Citibank, N.A. (if applicable); or

 
(b)
with the Bank’s prior written consent and in accordance with and subject to any conditions which the Bank may attach to such consent,

 
create, grant, extend or permit to subsist any mortgage or other fixed security or any floating charge on or over the Assets or any part thereof.  The foregoing prohibition shall apply not only to mortgages, other fixed securities and floating charges which rank or purport to rank in point of security in priority to the security hereby constituted but also to any mortgages, securities or floating charges which rank or purport to rank pari passu therewith or thereafter.

9.
POWER OF ATTORNEY

 
The Chargor hereby irrevocably appoints the Bank to be its attorney and in its name and on its behalf and as its act and deed to sign, seal, execute, deliver, perfect and do all documents and things as may be, or as the Bank may reasonably consider to be requisite for carrying out any obligations imposed on the Chargor under Clause 5. The Chargor hereby undertakes to ratify and confirm all things done and documents executed by the Bank in the exercise of the power of attorney conferred by this Clause.


10.
CONSOLIDATION OF SECURITIES

 
Subsection (1) of Section 93 of the Law of Property Act 1925 shall not apply to this Deposit Agreement.


11.
EFFECTIVENESS OF SECURITY

(a)  
This Deposit Agreement shall be in addition to and shall be independent of every other security which the bank may at any time hold for any of the Obligations.  No prior security held by the bank over the whole or any part of the Assets shall merge in the security hereby constituted.

(b)  
This Deposit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as a continuing security until the Obligations have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and performed in full and this Deposit Agreement and the other Facility Documents shall have been terminated (other than for any contingent indemnification with respect to then unasserted claims which, pursuant to the express terms of this Deposit Agreement or the other Facility Documents, survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement or the other Facility Documents), and the Bank (at the reasonable request and sole expense of the Chargor), will take all reasonable action in order to execute and deliver to the Chargor the proper instruments acknowledging the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the security over the Assets, and will duly assign, transfer and deliver to the Chargor such of the Assets as may be in possession of the Bank and have not thereto been disposed of, applied or released.

(c)  
Nothing in this Deposit Agreement is intended to, or shall operate so as to, prejudice or affect any bill, note, guarantee, mortgage, pledge, charge or other security of any kind whatsoever which the Bank may have for the Obligations or any of them or any right, remedy or privilege of the Bank’s thereunder.



12.
REMEDIES, TIME OR INDULGENCE

 
(a)
The rights, powers and remedies provided by this Deposit Agreement are cumulative and are not, nor are they to be construed as, exclusive of any right of set-off or other rights, powers and remedies provided by law.

 
(b)
No failure on the Bank’s part to exercise, or delay on the Bank’s part in exercising, any of the rights, powers and remedies provided by this Deposit Agreement or by law (each a "Bank's Right") shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial waiver of any Bank's Right preclude any further or other exercise of such Bank's Right or the exercise of any other Bank's Right.

(c)  
The Bank may in its discretion grant time or other indulgence or make any other arrangement, variation or release with any person(s) not party/ies hereto (irrespective of whether such person(s) is/are jointly liable with the Chargor) in respect of the Obligations or in any way affecting or concerning them or any of them or in respect of any security for the Obligations or any of them, without in any such case prejudicing, affecting or impairing the security hereby constituted, or any Bank's Right or the exercise of the same, or any indebtedness or other liability owed by the Chargor to the Bank.


13.
ACCOUNTS

 
(a)
If the Bank shall at any time receive notice of any subsequent mortgage, assignment, charge or other interest affecting the whole or any part of the Assets the Bank may open a new account or accounts for the Chargor in its books.  If the Bank does not do so, then (unless the Bank gives express written notice to the contrary to the Chargor) as from the time of receipt of such notice by the Bank, all payments made by the Chargor to the Bank shall in the absence of any express appropriation by the Bank to the contrary be treated as having been credited to a new account of the Chargor’s and not as having been applied in reduction of the Obligations at the time when the Bank received the notice.

 
(b)
Following the occurrence and during the continuance of any of the Events described in Clauses 2(b)(i) to 2(b)(iv) above (and subject to any applicable grace and/or notice periods), all monies received, recovered or realised by the Bank under this Deposit Agreement (including the proceeds of any conversion of currency) may in the Bank’s discretion be credited to any suspense or impersonal account and may be held in such account for so long as the Bank shall think fit (with interest accruing thereon at such rate, if any, as the Bank may deem fit) pending their application from time to time (as the Bank shall be entitled to do in the Bank’s discretion) in or towards the discharge of any of the Obligations.

 
(c)
In case the Bank shall have more than one account for the Chargor in its books the Bank may at any time after making any demand for payment or other discharge of any of the Obligations or after the Bank shall have received notice of any subsequent charge or other interest affecting all or any part of the Assets, and without prior notice in that behalf, forthwith transfer all or any part of any balance standing to the credit of any such account to any other such account which may be in debit.


14.
CURRENCY

(a)  
For the purpose of or pending the discharge of any of the Obligations the Bank may convert any monies received, recovered or realised or subject to application by the Bank under this Deposit Agreement (including the proceeds of any previous conversion under this Clause) from their existing currency of denomination into such other currency of denomination as the Bank may think fit (acting reasonably), and any such conversion shall be effected at the Bank’s then prevailing spot rate of exchange for obtaining such other currency with the existing currency.

 
(b)
References herein to any currency extend to any funds of that currency and for the avoidance of doubt funds of one currency may be converted into different funds of the same currency.



15.
COSTS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES

15.1           The Company undertakes to indemnify the Bank, within 5 Business Days following demand, for and against all actions, proceedings, liabilities, losses and damages in connection with this Deposit Agreement (except to the extent arising from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Bank).

15.2           The Company undertakes within 5 Business Days to pay or reimburse the Bank for all:

(i) reasonable invoiced out-of-pocket charges, costs and expenses which the Bank actually incurs (including non-exclusively the cost of all required registrations and any other legal fees that the Bank actually incurs in relation to this Deposit Agreement) in connection with the preparation and administration of this Deposit Agreement; and

(ii) out-of-pocket, charges, costs and expenses which the Bank incurs in connection with the enforcement of this Deposit Agreement.


16.
LAW AND JURISDICTION

 
This Deposit Agreement and all non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by English law and for the Bank’s benefit the Chargor hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts in respect of any disputes which may arise from or in connection with this Deposit Agreement.


17.
PROVISIONS SEVERABLE

 
Each of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement shall be severable and distinct from one another and if at any time any one or more of such provisions is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of each of the remaining provisions of this Deposit Agreement shall not in any way be affected prejudiced or impaired thereby.


18.
NOTICES

 
(a)
Any notice or demand to be served on the Chargor by the Bank hereunder may be served:-
 
          (i)          on any of the Chargor’s officers personally;

 
(ii)
by letter addressed to the Chargor or to any of the Chargor’s officers and left at the Chargor’s registered office or at any one of the Chargor’s principal places of business;

 
(iii)
by posting the same by letter addressed in any such manner as aforesaid to such registered office or any such principal place of business; or

 
(iv)
by facsimile addressed in any such manner as aforesaid to any then published facsimile number of the Chargor’s.

 
(b)
Any notice or demand to be served on the Bank by the Chargor hereunder must be served on the Bank either at the Bank’s address stated at the beginning of this Deposit Agreement (or such other address as the Bank may notify the Chargor of from time to time) or by facsimile to such number as the Bank may notify the Chargor of from time to time.

(c)           Any notice or demand:-

 
(i)
sent by post in accordance with Clause 18(a) to an address in the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom shall be deemed to have been served on the Chargor at 10.00 a.m. (London time) on the first Business Day after the date of posting (in the case of an address in the Republic of Ireland) and on the Second Business Day after posting (in the case of an address in the United Kingdom) or, in the case of an address outside the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom (or a notice or demand to you), shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party at 10.00 a.m. (London time) on the third Business Day after and exclusive of the date of posting; or

 
(ii)
sent by facsimile in accordance with Clause 18(a) shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party when dispatched.

In proving such service by post it shall be sufficient to show that the letter containing the notice or demand was properly addressed and posted and such proof of service shall be effective notwithstanding that the letter was in fact not delivered or was returned undelivered.


19.        THE BANK'S DISCRETIONS

 
Any liberty or power, subject to any express restriction contained herein which may be exercised or any determination which may be made hereunder by the Bank may be exercised or made in the Bank’s absolute and unfettered discretion and the Bank shall not be under any obligation to give reasons therefor.


20.
ASSIGNMENT

The Bank shall have a full and unfettered right to assign the whole or any part of the benefit of this Deposit Agreement to a Permitted Transferee and the expression the "Bank" wherever used herein shall be deemed to include the Bank’s assignees and other successors, whether immediate or derivative who shall be entitled to enforce and proceed upon this Deposit Agreement in the same manner as if named herein.  The Bank shall be entitled to impart any information concerning the Chargor to any Permitted Transferee or other successor or any participant or proposed assignee, successor or participant; provided, however, that any such assignment or novation, CEP may disclose to the assignee or transferee or proposed assignee or proposed transferee any information relating to the Company furnished to CEP by or on behalf of the Company, provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or transferee or proposed assignee or proposed transferee shall agree to be subject to the same confidentiality obligations  applicable to CEP with respect to any confidential information related to the Company and shall enter into a confidentiality agreement to such effect with CEP under which the Company is designated a third party beneficiary with the right to enforce the terms of such confidentiality agreement.

(b) The term “Permitted Transferee” shall have the meaning given to it in the Master Reimbursement Agreement.

21.
FIXED TIME DEPOSITS

 
The Chargor hereby agrees with the Bank that if, apart from the terms of this Deposit Agreement, the whole or any part of the monies from time to time deposited by the Chargor with the Custodian pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement are held in a fixed time deposit account (each such account being referred to in this Clause as a "Fixed Time Deposit Account" and the monies therein being referred to in this Clause as a "Fixed Time Deposit") then:-

 
(a)
insofar as the context may require, the references in this Deposit Agreement to an Account, an account and a Reinsurance Deposit shall be construed mutatis mutandis as though they were, respectively, references to a fixed time deposit account and a fixed time deposit;

 
(b)
unless and until the Chargor is entitled to have the whole of a Fixed Time Deposit released from the security hereby constituted the Chargor shall renew each Fixed Time Deposit, upon each of its maturity dates, for such period of time and on such terms as may be agreed between the Chargor and the Bank (or, in the absence of agreement between the Chargor and the Bank, as may be determined by the Bank in its sole discretion) (such terms which the Bank shall be entitled to communicate to the Custodian) (each such period of time being referred to in this Clause in respect of the Fixed Time Deposit to which it relates as a "Deposit Period"); and

 
(c)
the existence of any Fixed Time Deposit shall not prejudice any of the Bank’s rights under or pursuant to the Agreement(s) and/or this Deposit Agreement and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Bank shall not be precluded or in any way obliged to delay the exercise of the Bank’s rights pursuant to this Deposit Agreement until the maturity of any Deposit Period relating to any Fixed Time Deposit and the Bank may (by instructing the Custodian accordingly) unilaterally terminate such deposit period at any time for any reason, quantify the cost to be incurred by the Chargor as a result thereof and instruct the Custodian (who the Chargor irrevocably authorises the Bank (without reference to the Chargor) to so instruct) to adjust any interest payable by the Custodian accordingly.  If, pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement, the Chargor is entitled to withdraw any surplus funds from a Time Deposit Account such right may only be exercised by the Chargor at the end of a Deposit Period relating thereto.


22.
INTERPRETATION

(a)  
In this Deposit Agreement:

"Account" shall be construed in accordance with Clause 3(a)(i) or otherwise as may be from time to time agreed in writing between the Bank and the Chargor (and, for the avoidance of doubt, includes both those already existing or at any time hereafter established) in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement;

"Acknowledgement of Notice" means an acknowledgement duly executed by the Custodian in the form of acknowledgement of notice of charge of the assets contained in Schedule One or in any other form as may be agreed by the Bank.

"Agreement" means , as to the context requires, the relevant Facility Document and each agreement (as amended, varied, assigned or novated or supplemented and whether made on or before the date hereof, or at any time hereafter) between the Chargor (or by any person for and on behalf of the Chargor) and the Bank pursuant to which the Bank has established, maintained, amended or renewed or arranged for the establishment, maintenance, amendment or renewal of a Credit;

"Assets" means all monies now or at any time hereafter during the subsistence of the security constituted by this Deposit Agreement standing to the credit of (a) each Account and (b) any account opened by the Custodian pursuant to Clause 3(c) and, in each case, all the entitlements to interest and other rights and benefits accruing to or arising in connection with such monies;

"Bank" means Citibank Europe plc and includes any permitted assignee, novatee or successor to the rights and, as the case may be, obligations of Citibank Europe plc under and pursuant to the terms of the Agreement;

“Committed Facility Letter” shall have the meaning given to it in the Master Agreement;

"Credit" means a letter of credit or similar or equivalent instrument from time to time established, maintained, amended or renewed pursuant to an Agreement and shall include any portion of any single letter of credit or similar or equivalent instrument which is attributable by the Bank to the Chargor and which was established, maintained, amended or renewed pursuant to an Agreement and/or any agreement between the Bank and another person incorporating similar instructions;

"Custodian" means the above mentioned custodian or any such other person as the Chargor and the Bank may agree to in writing from time to time;

"Custodian's Undertaking" means an undertaking in the form set out in Schedule Three duly executed by the Custodian as the same may be amended or substituted with the prior written consent of the Bank from time to time;

“Facility Document” means the following documents: Master Reimbursement Agreement Form 3/CEP (“Master Agreement”), dated on or about the date of this agreement, this Agreement (Form 12/CEP), Corporate Mandate entered into on August  9 th 2010, the General Communication Indemnity entered into on or about the date of this agreement  and the Committed Facility Letter (as defined in the Master Agreement), and any other documents which the Bank reasonably determines to be necessary or expedient in connection herewith or the issuance, establishment, maintenance etc of any credit and any other document pursuant to which a security interest, guarantee or other form of credit support is created or exists in favour of the Bank in respect of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement .

"Obligations" means any and all of the present or future, actual or contingent obligations of the Chargor to the Bank hereunder, under any Agreement (whether incurred alone or jointly and whether as principal or severally or in some other capacity); and

"Reinsurance Deposit" shall be construed in accordance with Clause 3(a)(i), or otherwise as may be from time to time be agreed in writing between the Bank and the Chargor.

(b)         Any reference in this Deposit Agreement to:-

a "Business Day" shall be construed as a reference to a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are generally open for business in London;

a "Clause" is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to a Clause hereof;

a "person" shall be construed as a reference to any person, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) of two or more of the foregoing; and

a "Schedule" is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to a schedule hereto.

(c)         Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.



23.
THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

 
(a)
Subject to this Clause and to Clause 24 a person who is not a party to this Deposit Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the "Third Parties Act") to enforce any term of this Deposit Agreement.

 
(b)
The Custodian may enforce the terms of Clause 24 subject to and in accordance with this Clause and Clause 16 and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 
(c)
The parties to this Deposit Agreement do not require the consent of the Custodian to rescind or vary this Deposit Agreement at any time.

 
(d)
If the Custodian brings proceedings to enforce the terms of Clause 24 the Chargor shall only have available to it by way of defence, set-off or counterclaim a matter that would have been available by way of defence, set-off or counterclaim if the Custodian had been a party to this Deposit Agreement.

 
(e)
The Custodian may not take proceedings to enforce a term of this Deposit Agreement unless and until it gives notice in writing to the Chargor, in any manner as is permitted by Clause 18, agreeing irrevocably to the provisions of Clause 16.



 
24.
BANK'S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CUSTODIAN

 
The Chargor hereby agrees that the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on and action any instructions which it receives from the Bank which the Bank is entitled to give to it pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement.

IN WITNESS whereof this Deposit Agreement has been signed by the Bank, and the Chargor has executed and unconditionally delivered this Deposit Agreement as a DEED on the date first above stated.



 
 

 

SCHEDULE ONE
NOTICE OF CHARGE OF THE ASSETS 1

To:
Citibank, N.A.
 
Citigroup Centre
 
Canada Square
 
Canary Wharf
 
London  E14 5LB

We refer to the Reinsurance Deposit Agreement (Charge Form - Citibank, N.A. as Custodian) (Form 12/CIFS) (the "Deposit Agreement") dated 20 th August 2010 entered into by Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd (the "Chargor") in favour of Citibank Europe plc (the "Bank"), a copy of which is annexed hereto. Terms defined in the Deposit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein.

Pursuant to Clause 6 of the Deposit Agreement we give this notice to you on behalf of the Chargor.  [This notice is in addition to, and does not replace, any previous notices given to you in connection with the Deposit Agreement.] 2

Notice is hereby given by us to you that, by and pursuant to the Deposit Agreement the Chargor has  charged in favour of the Bank all of its right, title and interest in the Assets.

This notice is given in respect of the Accounts and the accounts opened pursuant to Clause 3(c) of the Deposit Agreement in existence as at the date of this Notice.

Please note that, pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Chargor is not entitled to permit or agree to any variation of the rights attaching to the Assets or any Account or to receive, withdraw or otherwise deal with or transfer the Assets or any Account except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement.

Please accept this notice by signing the enclosed acknowledgement and returning it to the Bank at Citibank Europe plc, Insurance Letter of Credit Department, 2 nd Floor, 1 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland.


Yours faithfully,


                               

               Niall Tuckey                    
for and on behalf of
Citibank Europe plc


                /s/ Niall Tuckey              
Signature(s)


Dated:    20 August 2010


 
 
1 This notice is to be given to the Custodian following the establishment of each Account and of each account opened pursuant to clause 3(c) of the Deposit Agreement.
 
 
 
2 To be included where a previous notice has been given.
 

 
 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NOTICE OF CHARGE OF THE ASSETS 3


To:           Citibank Europe plc
Insurance Letter of Credit Department
2 nd Floor
1 North Wall Quay
Dublin 1
Republic of Ireland


At your request we acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Charge August 20th 2010 on the terms attached and in respect of the Assets (as defined in such notice).

We acknowledge that the Chargor is not entitled to permit or agree to any variation of the rights attaching to the Assets or any Account or to receive, withdraw or otherwise deal with or transfer the Assets or any Account except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement.

We shall not permit any amount to be withdrawn from any of the Accounts or any of the accounts opened pursuant to clause 3(c) of the Deposit Agreement without your prior written consent.

Yours faithfully,




Peadar MacCanna, Director
for and on behalf of
Citibank, N.A.



 
 
3 To be executed and returned in respect of each Notice of Charge.
 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE TWO

For the purposes of Clause 3(a)(i):

1.
A Reinsurance Deposit may, at the election of the Chargor, be in any currency which is acceptable to the Bank and which is freely transferable and convertible into U.S. dollars.  Where, after a Reinsurance Deposit has been established, the currency of all or a portion thereof ceases to be acceptable to the Bank, the Bank may require that such Reinsurance Deposit or such portion thereof be converted into or re-established in another currency acceptable to the Bank and may instruct the Custodian to so convert or re-establish such deposit.  The Bank is irrevocably authorised (without reference to us) to so instruct the Custodian.

2.
Where a Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof is denominated in the same currency as a Credit (the "Credit Currency" ), the Reinsurance Deposit or such portion thereof shall have a value of 100% of its value in the relative Credit Currency; and for this purpose the Bank (and the Custodian) shall notionally match each Credit with a Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof denominated in the relative Credit Currency.

3.  
Where a Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof is denominated in a currency other than the relative Credit Currency, both the proportion specified above of the face value of the Credit (the "Required Value" ) (or, where only a portion of the Reinsurance Deposit is in the relative Credit Currency, the balance of the Required Value remaining unmatched) and the Reinsurance Deposit or such portion thereof shall be notionally converted into a common base currency (as the Bank may in its reasonable discretion determine); and following such notional conversion the Reinsurance Deposit or such portion thereof shall suffer a deduction of the Relevant Percentage, to cover exchange movements that may from time to time affect the value of the underlying unmatched Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof and the contingent obligations to which it relates.

4.  
The "Relevant Percentage" means:

 
(a)
where a Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof is denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or Sterling, 10%;

 
(b)
where a Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof is denominated in Euro, Swiss francs or Japanese yen, 15%; and

 
(c)
where a Reinsurance Deposit or a portion thereof is denominated in any other currency, 25%.

5.
For the purposes of each notional conversion to be effected hereunder the provisions of Clause 14(a) shall apply mutatis mutandis.


 
 

 

SCHEDULE THREE
Custodian’s Undertaking

Name of Custodian and address of its registered or principal office :
 
CITIBANK, N.A., FAO: INSURANCE LETTER OF CREDIT PRODUCT MANAGER, CITIGROUP CENTRE, CANADA SQUARE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON E14 5LB
 
 
                                            ( the "Custodian" )

Name of Chargor and address of its registered or principal office :
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd
65 Market Street
Suite 1207, Jasmine Court
Camana Bay, PO Box 31110 Grand Cayman, KY1-1205
CAYMAN ISLANDS
 
 
facsimile no: 345 943 4573                      Company Number:   CR - 137831             ( the "Chargor" )

Date of Reinsurance Deposit Agreement (Charge Form - Citibank, N.A. as Custodian)
(Form 12/CIFS):                                          20 th August 2010


 
To:
CITIBANK EUROPE PLC (the "Bank")
Insurance Letter of Credit Department
 
2 nd Floor
 
1 North Wall Quay
 
Dublin 1
 
Republic of Ireland


We, the Custodian, refer to the above-mentioned Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") between the Chargor and the Bank. Save where the context otherwise requires, terms defined in the Deposit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein.

In consideration of the Bank establishing, maintaining, amending, renewing or substituting or arranging the establishment, maintenance, amendment, renewal or substitution of a Credit pursuant to any Agreement or otherwise granting financial accommodation to the Chargor, and pursuant to instructions received by the Custodian from the Chargor, the Custodian hereby represents and irrevocably undertakes and agrees to and with the Bank as follows:

 
1.
The Custodian will hold the Assets to the Bank's Order and for such purposes will act as pledgeholder for and on behalf of the Bank in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and will comply with all undertakings it gives in each Acknowledgement of Notice.

 
2.
We have not received notice of any previous assignments of, charges over or trusts in respect of, the Assets or the Account(s) and we will not, without the Bank's prior written consent (a) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or set-off which we may have in respect of the Assets or the Account(s) or (b) amend or vary any rights attaching to the Assets or the Account(s).

3.
The Custodian will ensure that the Bank has, at all times, such access (electronic or otherwise) to the collateral platform computer systems and records currently named "Flexecube" and "Cosmos" which are maintained by the Custodian (and any successor or replacement computer systems and/or records) (collectively the "Computer Systems") as the Bank may require from time to time.

 
4.
The Custodian will ensure that:

 
(a)
the Computer Systems display, at all times, all the information that the Bank may require from time to time; and

              (b)
that such information is correct, complete and up-to-date at all times.

 
5.
The Custodian will, without prejudice to the remainder of this Undertaking, comply with any instructions received from persons authorised by the Bank pursuant to the Bank's rights under:

 
(a)
Clause 3(c) of the Deposit Agreement (and will establish such accounts as may be necessary pursuant to such Clause);

              (b)
Clause 21 of the Deposit Agreement; and

             (c)
the Second Schedule to the Deposit Agreement.

 
6.
All rights and interests of the Custodian in or towards the Assets or any Account or any part thereof are and shall be subordinated and postponed to the Bank’s rights and interests therein under and pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, save that the Custodian shall be entitled to debit any account of the Chargor with the Custodian with any reasonable fees or commissions due and owing by the Chargor to the Custodian in respect of the Assets or part thereof.

 
 7.
 
(a)
Any notice, demand or other communication to be served on us by you (or vice versa) hereunder must be served on the relevant party:

 
(i)
at such party's address stated at the beginning of this Undertaking (or such other address as either party may notify the other of from time to time); or;

 
(ii)
by facsimile to such number as either party may notify the other of from time to time;

              (b)
Any notice, demand or other communication:-

 
(i)
sent by post to either party, shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party at 10.00 a.m. (London time) on the third Business Day after and exclusive of the date of posting; or

 
(ii)
sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been served on the relevant party when dispatched. In proving such service by post it shall be sufficient to show that the letter containing the notice, demand or other communications was properly addressed and posted and such proof of service shall be effective notwithstanding that the letter was in fact not delivered or was returned undelivered .

 
8.
This Undertaking shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, English law and, for the benefit of the Bank, the Custodian hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts in respect of any dispute which may arise from or in connection with this Undertaking.

 
9.
A person who is not a party to this Undertaking has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Undertaking.

 

 
Peadar MacCanna, Director
 
(Authorised Signatory)
 
for and on behalf of the Custodian
 

 
20th August, 2010

 
 

 


The COMMON or CORPORATE SEAL of
   
the CHARGOR was hereto affixed
   
to this DEED in the presence of:
   
/s/Tim Courtis________________________    
 
Tim Courtis                      
   
Chief Financial Officer    
     
     
* * EXECUTED as a DEED
   
by the CHARGOR
   
     
/s/ Tim Courtis
   
Tim Courtis        
Chief Financial Officer    
     
/s/ Faramarz Romer     
Faramarz Romer    
Reporting & Compliance Officer    
     
Accepted and agreed for and on behalf of
)
 
CITIBANK EUROPE PLC
)
 
/s/ Niall Tuckey     
By: Niall Tuckey
   

























 
* For a company whose internal constitution requires it to execute documents by seal.  The seal must be applied in accordance with the company's internal constitution
 
** For a company whose internal constitution does not require it to execute documents by seal (there is no longer a legal requirement for a company incorporated in England and Wales to execute deeds by seal unless its internal constitution (as decided voluntarily by the company in question) requires it to do so).
 
*** For a company, firm or corporation which is not incorporated in England and Wales, please execute this Form 12/CEP in accordance with local practice for documents of a similar nature.

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT

by and among

GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD.,
GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE IRELAND, LTD.,
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD. (for limited purposes)

and

DME ADVISORS, LP








AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF AUGUST 31, 2010
 

 
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                                                                   Page
 
 
 1
 
 
 7
 
 
 8
 
 
2.2. Assets
 8
 
 
 8
 
 
 9
 
 
 9
 
 
 9
 
 
 9
 
 
 9
 
 
 9
 
 
 10
 
 
 10
 
 
 10
 
 
 11
 
 
 11
 
 
 12
 
 
 13
 
 
 13
 
 
 14
 
 
 14
 
 
 15
 
 
 15
 
 
 15
 
 
 15
 
 
 18
 
 
 19
 
 
 19
 
 
 22
 
 
 23
 
 
 23
 
 
 23
 
 
 24
 
 
 26
 
 
 26
 
 
 26
 
 
 27
 
 
 27
 
 
 28
 
 
 30
 
 
 30
 
 
 30
 
 
 30
 
 
 30
 
 
 31
 
 
 32
 
 
 32
 
 
 33
 
 
 33
 
 
 33
 
 
 34
 

 

 
 

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT (the “Agreement” ) is made as of this 31st day of August, 2010 by and among Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and a holder of a Class B Insurer’s license issued in accordance with the terms of the Insurance Law (as revised) of the Cayman Islands (“Greenlight Re” ), Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd., Incorporated under the laws of Ireland as a non-life reinsurer in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulation 2006 ( “GRIL” ) and DME Advisors, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“DME” ), and, solely for the purposes set forth in Section 4.1 (d) and (e), Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability (“Greenlight Capital Re” );
 
WHEREAS, on January 1, 2008, Greenlight Re, DME and Greenlight Capital Re entered into an agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of February 20, 2009 (the “Original Agreement” ) for the purpose of creating a joint venture solely with respect to the management of certain investable assets and to share in the profits and losses therefrom as described in this Agreement;
 
WHEREAS, the parties to the Original Agreement desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to have GRIL join as a Participant (as defined below);
 
WHEREAS, GRIL is willing to become a party to the Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned parties agree as follows:
 
_____________
 
Article I
 
Definitions
 
_____________
 
For purposes of this Agreement:
 
“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person.  For these purposes, the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting Securities, by contract or otherwise.
 
“Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended from time to time.
 
“Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .
 
“Business Day” means any day on which banks are open for business in New York, New York, Ireland and the Cayman Islands.
 
 
1

 
 
“Board” means with respect to each of GRIL or Greenlight Re such party’s full board of directors, or, if required by law, regulation or securities exchange upon which such party’s common shares are listed, an independent committee of the Board; provided , however , that any such independent committee shall consist of all members of such party’s board of directors that are not expressly prohibited by applicable law, regulation or securities exchange from participating in an action to be taken by the Board pursuant to this Agreement.
 
“Capital Account” means with respect to each Participant a memorandum account established and maintained on behalf of such Participant as described in Section 3.3 .
 
“Carryforward Account” means a memorandum account to be recorded by DME in the books and records of the venture with respect to each Participant that has an initial balance of zero and that is adjusted as follows:
 
As of the first day after the close of each Performance Period for such Participant (prior to giving effect to the Performance Allocation, if any), the balance of the Carryforward Account (a) is increased by the amount, if any, equal to two and one half times such Participant’s Negative Performance Change for such Performance Period and (b) is reduced (but not below zero) by the amount, if any, of such Participant’s Positive Performance Change for such Performance Period.
 
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and as hereafter amended, or any successor law.
 
“Commencement Date” means the first date on or as of which a Participant makes a Capital Contribution to the venture pursuant to this Agreement.  The Commencement Date with respect to each of Greenlight Re and DME is January 1, 2008 and with respect to GRIL is August 31, 2010.
 
“Company Act” means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
“Covered Person” means DME, the general partner of DME, and their respective members, partners, managers, directors, officers, employees and agents, and any Person who controls DME or its general partner.
 
“Designated Securities” means an Asset, designated as such by DME, either at the time of acquisition or at a later date, in which a Participant has an ownership interest different than its Percentage, which (a) may include no interest at all for a Participant and (b) interest may not be on a pro rata basis.  An Asset may be designated as a Designated Security due to Guideline restrictions or for such other reason as deemed appropriate by DME in its sole discretion.
 
“DME Share Payment” means with respect to each Participant other than DME, an amount per month equal to 0.125% (an annual rate of 1.5%) of the Capital Account balance of each such Participant.
 
Effective Date ” means August 31, 2010.
 
 
 
2

 
 
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time.
 
 “Entity” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b) .
 
“Final Determination” means (1) with respect to U.S. federal income taxes, a “determination” (as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Code) or the execution of a settlement agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (pursuant to Form 870-AD or otherwise) and (2) with respect to taxes other than U.S. federal income taxes, any judicial or administrative determination or settlement that is substantially similar to a Final Determination described in clause (1).
 
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.)
 
FINRA Rule 5130 ” means Rule 5130 promulgated by FINRA.
 
“Fiscal Period” means each period that starts on the Commencement Date (in the case of the initial Fiscal Period) and thereafter on the first day immediately following the last day of the preceding Fiscal Period, and that ends on the earliest of the following dates:
 
 
(1)
the last day of any calendar month; or
 
 
(2)
any date as of which any withdrawal or distribution of capital is made by or to any Participant or as of which this Agreement provides for any amount to be credited to or debited against the Capital Account of any Participant, other than a withdrawal or distribution by or to, or an allocation to the Capital Accounts of, all Participants that does not result in any change of any Participant’s Percentage; or
 
 
(3)
the date that immediately precedes any day as of which a contribution to capital is made pursuant to this Agreement, other than a capital contribution that does not result in any change of any Participant’s Percentage; or
 
 
(4)
any other date that DME, in its reasonable discretion, selects.
 
“Fiscal Year” means the period commencing on January 1 of each year and ending on December 31 of such year.
 
“Force Majeure” shall mean fires, floods, acts of God or the public enemy, interference by civil or military authorities, terrorist acts, governmental actions, orders, requests.
 
“Greenlight Re Cause” means (i) a material violation of applicable law relating to DME’s advisory business, (ii) DME’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of any of DME’s obligations under this Agreement, (iii) a material breach by DME of the Greenlight Re Guidelines, if such breach is not cured within fifteen (15) days following the earlier of (a) the date that DME becomes aware of such breach and (b) the date on which DME receives written notification of such breach from Greenlight Re, or (iv) a material breach by DME of Section 5.2 .  For the avoidance of doubt, any termination hereof by Greenlight Re for “Greenlight Re Cause” shall require the approval of the Greenlight Re Board.  Upon any termination of this Agreement for “Greenlight Re Cause”, DME will use all commercially reasonable efforts to follow the direction of the Greenlight Re Board with respect to the disposition of the applicable Assets necessary to satisfy Greenlight Re’s withdrawal; provided , however , that DME makes no guarantee that it can comply with such directions.
 
 
 
3

 
 
“Greenlight Re Guidelines” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(h) .
 
“GRIL Cause” means (i) a material violation of applicable law relating to DME’s advisory business, (ii) DME’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of any of DME’s obligations under this Agreement, (iii) a material breach by DME of the GRIL Guidelines, if such breach is not cured within fifteen (15) days following the earlier of (a) the date that DME becomes aware of such breach and (b) the date on which DME receives written notification of such breach from GRIL, (iv) a material breach by DME of Section 5.2, or (v) unsatisfactory long term performance of DME, as determined by the sole discretion of the Board of GRIL on each anniversary date of this Agreement .  For the avoidance of doubt, any termination hereof by GRIL for “GRIL Cause” shall require the approval of the GRIL Board.  Upon any termination of this Agreement for “GRIL Cause”, DME will use all commercially reasonable efforts to follow the direction of the GRIL Board with respect to the disposition of the applicable Assets necessary to satisfy GRIL’s withdrawal; provided , however , that DME makes no guarantee that it can comply with such directions.
 
“GRIL Guidelines” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(h) .
 
“Guidelines” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(h) .
 
“Interest” means all of the rights, obligations and interest(s) (in their entirety) of a Participant in the venture at the relevant time, including the right of such Participant to any and all benefits to which a Participant may be entitled as provided in this Agreement and the obligations of such Participant to comply with all the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
 
“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a) .
 
“Managed Account” means assets managed by DME or any of its Affiliates, whether for its own account or for the account of any third party, that are invested or available for investment in investment or trading activities.
 
“Negative Performance Change” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Performance Change.
 
“Net Assets” means the total value, as determined by DME in accordance with Section 7.2 , of the Assets (including net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of the assets and accrued interest and dividends receivable net of any withholding taxes), less an amount equal to all accrued debts, liabilities and obligations chargeable against such Assets in accordance with this Agreement (including any reserves for contingencies accrued pursuant to Section 3.7 ).  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Net Assets as of the first day of any Fiscal Period shall be determined on the basis of the valuation of Assets conducted as of the close of the immediately preceding Fiscal Period but after giving effect to any capital contributions made by any Participant subsequent to the last day of such immediately preceding Fiscal Period and Net Assets as of the last day of any Fiscal Period shall be determined before giving effect to any of the following amounts payable generally or in respect of any Securities which payments or allocations are effective as of the date on which such determination is made:
 
 
 
4

 
 
 
(1)
any withdrawals or distributions payable to any Participant that are effective as of the date on which such determination is made;
 
 
(2)
any DME Share Payment or Performance Allocation as of the date on which such determination is made; and
 
 
(3)
withholding taxes, expenses of processing withdrawals and other items payable, any increases or decreases in any reserves or other amounts recorded pursuant to Section 3.7 , and any increases or decreases in the value of any New Issues pursuant to Section 3.5 or in the value of any Designated Securities during the Fiscal Period ending as of the date on which such determination is made, to the extent DME reasonably determines that, pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement, such items should be charged to one or more individual Participants and not charged ratably to the Capital Accounts of all Participants on the basis of their respective Percentages as of the commencement of the Fiscal Period.
 
“Net Loss” means any amount by which the Net Assets as of the first day of a Fiscal Period exceed the Net Assets as of the last day of the same Fiscal Period.
 
“Net Profit” means any amount by which the Net Assets as of the last day of a Fiscal Period exceed the Net Assets as of the first day of the same Fiscal Period.
 
“New Issue” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(a) hereof.
 
“Participant” means any Person (other than Greenlight Capital Re) that is or becomes a party to this Agreement, until the entire Interest of such Person has been withdrawn pursuant to Section 5.2 or a substitute Participant or Participants are admitted with respect to such Person’s entire Interest, or this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.1 and the Assets distributed or liquidated pursuant to Section 6.2 .
 
“Percentage” means a percentage established for each Participant as of the first day of each Fiscal Period representing such Participant’s share of allocations attributable to transactions involving the Capital Account for such Fiscal Period.  The Percentage of a Participant for a Fiscal Period is determined by dividing the amount of the Participant’s Capital Account as of the beginning of the Fiscal Period (excluding the value of Designated Securities and after adjustment for all net contributions or withdrawals, DME Share Payment and Performance Allocations that are effective as of such date) by the aggregate Capital Accounts of all Participants as of the beginning of the Fiscal Period (excluding the value of Designated Securities after adjustment for all net contributions or withdrawals and DME Share Payment that are effective as of such date).  The sum of the Percentages of all Participants for each Fiscal Period must equal 100%.
 
 
 
5

 
 
“Performance Allocation” means with respect to each Participant other than DME:
 
 
(1)
10% of the portion of the Positive Performance Change for such Participant’s Capital Account, if any, determined as of the close of each Performance Period, that is less than or equal to the positive balance in such Participant’s Carryforward Account as of the most recent prior date as of which adjustment has been made thereto; plus
 
 
(2)
20% of the portion of the Positive Performance Change for such Participant’s Capital Account, if any, determined as of the close of each Performance Period that exceeds the positive balance in such Participant’s Carryforward Account as of the most recent prior date as of which adjustment has been made thereto.
 
“Performance Change” means, with respect to each Participant for each Performance Period, the difference between:
 
 
(1)
the sum of (a) the balance of each such Participant’s Capital Account as of the close of the Performance Period (after giving effect to all allocations to be made to each such Participant’s Capital Account as of such date other than any Performance Allocation to be debited against each such Participant’s Capital Account), plus (b) any debits to each such Participant’s Capital Account during the Performance Period to reflect any actual or deemed distributions or withdrawals with respect to each such Participant’s Interest, plus (c) any debits to each such Participant’s Capital Account during the Performance Period to reflect any items allocable to each such Participant’s Capital Account pursuant to Section 3.6(b) or Section 3.6(c) hereof; and
 
 
(2)
the sum of (a) the balance of each such Participant’s Capital Account as of the commencement of the Performance Period, plus (b) any credits to such Participant’s Capital Account during the Performance Period to reflect any contributions by such Participant pursuant to this Agreement.
 
If the amount specified in clause (1) exceeds the amount specified in clause (2) such difference is a “Positive Performance Change,” and if the amount specified in clause (2) exceeds the amount specified in clause (1), the absolute value of such difference is a “Negative Performance Change.”
 
“Performance Period” means, with respect to a Participant, the period commencing as of the date that such Participant becomes a party to this Agreement (in the case of such Participant’s initial Performance Period) and thereafter each period commencing as of the day following the last day of the preceding Performance Period with respect to such Participant, and ending as of the close of business on the first to occur of the following after the relevant commencement date:
 
 
(1)
the last day of a Fiscal Year;
 
 
 
6

 
 
 
 
(2)
the withdrawal or Transfer by a Participant of its entire Interest; or
 
 
 (3)
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(a) .
 
“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, or other entity.
 
“Positive Performance Change” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Performance Change.
 
“Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.12 .
 
“Regulations” means the regulations issued under the Code or any successor law.
 
“Regulation 114 Trust” means a three way investment trust that (i) involves an agreement among a cedent, a financial institution and a non-admitted reinsurer governed by Regulation 114 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations (11 NYCRR4) of the New York State Insurance Department, (ii) is maintained in the United States in an approved financial institution and (iii) is collateralized only by cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury securities and/or fixed income securities rated “A” or higher.
 
“Restricted Capital Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(a) hereof.
 
“Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b) .
 
Tax Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.12 .
 
“Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.12 .
 
“Transfer” means any sale, exchange, transfer, assignment or other disposition by a Participant of his Interest to another party, whether voluntary or involuntary, including a transfer by operation of law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a pledge or lien by a Participant of any or all of its Interest made in accordance with, and permitted by, this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a Transfer.
 
“Treasury Bill Rate” means, with respect to any calendar month, a rate of interest, determined and adjusted monthly by DME as of the fifth Business Day of each month, equal to the annual coupon equivalent yield on 13-week U.S. Treasury bills resulting from the most recent auction of such instruments prior to the monthly determination date.
 
“venture” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) .
 
 
 
7

 
 
_____________
 
Article II
 
Organization
 
_____________
 
2.1.   Purpose of Agreement
 
(a)   The parties hereto hereby agree to form a joint venture to jointly own and manage certain assets and to share in net profits and net losses generated by these assets as more particularly described herein.
 
(b)   Each of the Participants hereby agrees, subject to the remainder of this Agreement, to reasonably cooperate to carry out the intent of this Agreement and to effectuate, implement and continue the valid and subsisting existence of the relationship created hereby.
 
(c)   The parties hereto acknowledge that they intend that the joint venture created by this Agreement be taxed as a partnership and not as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and references herein to the “venture” are references to such joint venture and tax partnership.  No election may be made by a Participant to treat the relationship created by this Agreement as other than a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.
 
2.2.   Assets
 
From and after the Effective Date, the Participants acknowledge and agree that (i) the assets of the venture (the “ Assets ”) will be jointly owned but held in segregated accounts each in the name of Greenlight Re separate from Greenlight Re’s other assets, and (ii) all of the Assets shall be held in trust for the benefit of all Participants in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  DME will select one or more custodians for the Assets and will promptly notify each Participant in writing following the selection or change of custodians hereunder.
 
2.3.   Term of Agreement
 
The term of this Agreement commences on the Commencement Date and continues, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, until December 31, 2013; provided, however , that this Agreement shall automatically continue for additional successive three-year periods unless DME notifies the other Participants that it wishes to terminate this Agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term.  In the event that any Participant (other than DME) notifies the other Participants that it wishes to withdraw as a Participant and terminate its participation in the venture at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term, the electing party shall withdraw from the venture, and shall be deemed to have elected a withdrawal of its entire Capital Account as of the end of such term as provided for in Section 5.2 and the provisions of this Agreement shall no longer apply to such Participant (except those provisions which by their terms apply to Participants following their withdrawal).
 
 
8

 
 
2.4.   Objectives
 
The object and purpose of and the nature of the business to be conducted pursuant to this Agreement is investing, acquiring, holding, voting, disposing and otherwise dealing with the Securities consistent with the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the applicable Guidelines) and engaging in any and all activities necessary or incidental to the foregoing.
 
2.5.   Actions by DME
 
Subject to the limitations contained elsewhere in this Agreement, DME, on behalf of the Participants, may execute, deliver and perform all contracts, agreements and other undertakings and engage in all activities and transactions as may, in the reasonable discretion of DME, be necessary or advisable to carry out the objectives of this Agreement (including without limitation all federal securities filings relating to any of the investment activities set forth in Section 4.1(b) ), provided , however , that if a contract, agreement or other undertaking is or is to be made by DME on behalf of Greenlight Re and/or GRIL that could reasonably be expected to require disclosure on a Form 8-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable law, DME shall promptly notify Greenlight Re and/or GRIL and cooperate with Greenlight Re and/or GRIL to allow a timely and proper disclosure to be made.
 
2.6.   Reliance by Third Parties
 
Persons dealing with any Participant, individually or in the aggregate as it relates to the Assets or the relationship created by this Agreement, are entitled to rely conclusively upon the power and authority of each such Participant as herein set forth.
 
2.7.   Liability of Participants
 
In no event will any Participant (or former Participant) be obligated to make any capital contribution in addition to its agreed capital contributions (or other payments provided for herein) or have any liability for the repayment or discharge of debts and obligations of the venture except to the extent provided herein or as required by law.
 
_____________
 
Article III
 
Capital
 
_____________
 
3.1.   Contributions to Capital
 
(a)   As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, GRIL simultaneously will make or will have made an initial contribution to the venture.  Following such contribution, each Participant as of the Effective Date shall have a Capital Account balance equal to the amounts set forth on Exhibit B .
 
 
 
9

 
 
(b)   Each Participant, as applicable, shall make additional capital contributions in accordance with Section 3.6(b) , Section 4.1(d) and 4.1(e) hereof.  In the event that DME’s Percentage falls below 1%, it shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of such occurrence) make a capital contribution necessary to increase its Percentage to at least 1%.  DME shall not be required to make any other additional capital contributions except as otherwise specifically contemplated by this Agreement.
 
3.2.   Rights of Participants in Capital
 
(a)   No Participant is entitled to interest on any contributions made pursuant to this Agreement.
 
(b)   No Participant has the right to the return of any contribution made pursuant to this Agreement except (i) upon a withdrawal by a Participant pursuant to Section 5.2 or (ii) upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1 .  The entitlement to any such return at such time is limited to the value of the Capital Account of the Participant.
 
3.3.   Capital Accounts
 
(a)   Each Participant shall have a separate Capital Account relating to its Interest.
 
(b)   Each Participant’s Capital Account shall have an initial balance equal to the amount of any cash and the net value, as determined in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, of any assets constituting such Participant’s initial contribution, as listed on Exhibit B .
 
(c)   Each Participant’s Capital Account shall be increased by the amount of cash and the net value, as determined in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, of any assets constituting additional contributions by such Participant and decreased by the amount of cash and the net value of any assets withdrawn by and distributed to such Participant and such Participant’s pro rata portion of the expenses allocable pursuant to Section 4.2(a) .
 
(d)   Each Participant’s Capital Account shall be adjusted in the manner specified in the remaining provisions of Article III.
 
3.4.   Allocation of Net Profits and Net Losses
 
(a)   Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all capital contributions by a Participant shall be credited to such Participant’s Capital Account, and all withdrawals by or distributions to such Participant shall be debited from such Participant’s Capital Account to the extent thereof.  Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 3.4 , Section 3.5 , and Section 3.8 as of the last day of each Fiscal Period, any Net Profit or Net Loss for such Fiscal Period shall be allocated among and credited to or debited against the Capital Accounts of the Participants in proportion to their respective Percentages for such Fiscal Period.
 
(b)   Notwithstanding Section 3.4(a) , items of income, gains, losses, deduction, credit and expenses that relate to investments in New Issues and Designated Securities shall be allocated pursuant to Section 3.5 below.  DME acknowledges that Greenlight Re holds a Class B Insurer’s license issued in accordance with the terms of the Insurance Law (as revised) of the Cayman Islands and that GRIL is a non-life reinsurer in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006.
 
 
 
10

 
 
3.5.   Allocations Relating to New Issues and Designated Securities
 
(a)   Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5130, the venture may only acquire certain publicly-offered securities (“ New Issues ”) if the Capital Accounts of Participants connected with the securities industry ( “Restricted Capital Accounts” ) are restricted from sharing a beneficial interest in such New Issues in accordance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5130.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.4 above, to enable investment in New Issues, DME shall not allocate any items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit that relate to investments in New Issues to Restricted Capital Accounts except to the extent permitted by FINRA Rule 5130 and shall instead allocate such items among the other Capital Accounts on a pro rata basis.  To the extent that FINRA Rule 5130 permits certain persons with Restricted Capital Accounts to participate in New Issues, DME will allocate such New Issue among such Restricted Capital Accounts on a pro rata basis.  DME may specially allocate a carrying charge to compensate Participants with Restricted Capital Accounts to the extent such Restricted Capital Accounts do not participate in investments in New Issues for the use of capital to purchase or carry such positions.  To the extent consistent with FINRA Rule 5130, as amended from time to time, DME shall determine when all Capital Accounts may participate in the Net Profit and Net Loss from any New Issue.  DME shall value any New Issue at such time at the then-current price of the security in the secondary market.
 
(b)   DME may, in its discretion, elect to designate an Asset as a Designated Security. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.4 above, items of income, gains, losses, deduction, credit and expense that relate to a Designated Security shall be allocated to Capital Accounts in such percentages as DME shall reasonably determine (taking into account each Participant’s Guidelines, regulatory restrictions and other items deemed relevant by DME).  Whenever DME makes an investment that is in a Designated Security or whenever an existing investment is first designated as a Designated Security by DME, DME shall establish a sub-account with respect to each Participant that participates in such Designated Security to reflect such Participant’s Capital Account’s pro rata share of all allocations and distributions attributable to transactions involving such Designated Security.  If DME determines that an investment no longer warrants treatment as a Designated Security or that a Participant may or must participate at a different percentage, DME will either deem such investment no longer to be a Designated Security or reallocate interest in the Designated Security to reflect the change in ownership percentage.   In the event of a withdrawal request by a Participant pursuant to Section 5.2 , DME shall have the discretion to effect such withdrawal request first out of the Participant’s Capital Account (excluding the Designated Securities sub-account) and then out of the Designated Security sub-account.
 
3.6.   Allocation of DME Share Payment, Withholding Taxes and Certain Other Expenditures
 
(a)   As of the first day of each month, the DME Share Payment for such month shall be debited against the Capital Account of each Participant (other than DME) and paid in cash to DME. All applicable DME Share Payment accrues from the Commencement Date with respect to each Participant and is payable monthly in advance on the first day of the month, based on the Capital Account balance of each such Participant as of the beginning of such month (or on the Commencement Date with respect to such Participant in the case of the first month of this Agreement).  If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms as of a date other than the last day of a month, the DME Share Payment for the final month shall be prorated to the date of termination.  All payments of the DME Share Payment to DME under this Agreement shall be made without any reduction, deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax (including without limitation, any value added tax), unless required by law.  If reduction, deduction or withholding of any tax (including without limitation, any value added tax) is required by law from any such payment, the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings, DME receives an amount equal to the amount that it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made.
 
 
 
11

 
 
(b)   If the venture or a Participant incurs a withholding tax or other tax obligation with respect to the share of income allocable to any Participant, then DME, on behalf of the venture or of such Participant, shall (unless otherwise agreed by such Participant) withhold the appropriate portion of such Participant’s share of income, timely remit such amount to the applicable taxing authority and cause the amount of such obligation to be debited against the Capital Account of such Participant as of the close of the Fiscal Period during which such obligation was paid.  If the amount of such taxes is greater than such Capital Account balance, then such Participant and any successor to such Participant’s Interest must, in connection with this Agreement, make a capital contribution in the amount of such excess.  No one other than the Participant is obligated to apply for or obtain a reduction of or exemption from withholding tax on behalf of any Participant that may be eligible for such reduction or exemption but DME will provide any assistance reasonably requested by a Participant, at such Participant’s cost, in connection with establishing any such reduction or exemption.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, DME shall bear the financial obligation of any withholding or other tax obligation if the venture, Greenlight Re or GRIL incurs such withholding or other tax obligation with respect to the share of income allocable to Greenlight Re or GRIL, as the case may be, that (i) Greenlight Re or GRIL, as the case may be, would not have been subject to but for the establishment of, and the investment by, the venture, and (ii) increases Greenlight Re’s or GRIL’s aggregate tax liability compared to Greenlight Re’s or GRIL’s aggregate tax liability had the investment been made by Greenlight Re or GRIL, directly or otherwise, outside of the venture.
 
(c)   Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, any expenditures payable by or on behalf of the venture, to the extent determined by DME to have been paid or withheld on behalf of, or by reason of particular circumstances applicable to, one or more but fewer than all of the Participants, are to be charged to only those Participants on whose behalf such payments are made or whose particular circumstances gave rise to such payments.  Such charges are debited from the Capital Accounts of such Participants as of the close of the Fiscal Period during which any such items were accrued or paid.
 
3.7.   Reserves; Adjustments for Certain Future Events
 
(a)   Appropriate reserves may be created, accrued and charged against the Net Assets and proportionately against the Capital Accounts of the Participants for contingent liabilities associated with the venture, including, without limitation, for accrued Performance Allocation amounts, such reserves to be in the amounts that DME, in its reasonable discretion, deems necessary or appropriate.  DME may increase or reduce any such reserve from time to time by such amounts as DME in its reasonable discretion deems necessary or appropriate.  At the reasonable discretion of DME, the amount of any such reserve, or any increase or decrease therein, may be charged or credited, as appropriate, to the Capital Accounts of those parties who are Participants at the time when such reserve is created, increased, or decreased, as the case may be, or alternatively may be charged or credited to those parties who were Participants at the time of the act or omission giving rise to the contingent liability for which the reserve was established.
 
 
 
12

 
 
(b)   If DME in its reasonable discretion determines that it is equitable to treat an amount to be paid or received as being applicable to one or more prior periods, then such amount may be proportionately charged or credited, as appropriate, to those parties who were Participants during such prior period or periods.  If any amount is to be charged or credited to a party who is no longer a Participant, such amount must be paid by (in the case of a charge) or to (in the case of a credit) such party, as the case may be, in cash with interest at the Treasury Bill Rate in effect at that time from the date on which DME determines that such charge or credit is required.  In the case of a charge, the former Participant is obligated to pay the amount of the charge, or if another Participant has already paid the charge, to reimburse such other Participant promptly on demand; provided that (i) in no event is a former Participant obligated to make a payment exceeding the amount of its Capital Account at the time to which the charge relates, and (ii) no such demand may be made if the applicable limitation period under applicable law, if any, has expired.  To the extent DME or the Participants fail to collect, in full, any amount required to be charged to such former Participant pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 3.7 , whether due to the expiration of the applicable limitation period, if any, or for any other reason whatsoever, the deficiency may be charged proportionately to the Capital Accounts of the current Participants.
 
(c)   In the event any reserves in excess of $100,000 are created, accrued or charged against the Net Assets of Greenlight Re’s Capital Account, or any such reserves in excess of $100,000 are increased or decreased, DME will promptly, within five (5) Business Days following month end, provide written notice and a description of such event to Greenlight Re.  In the event any reserves in excess of $100,000 are created, accrued or charged against the Net Assets of GRIL’s Capital Account, or any such reserves in excess of $100,000 are increased or decreased, DME will promptly, within five (5) Business Days following month end, provide written notice and a description of such event to GRIL.
 
3.8.   Performance Allocation
 
(a)   The Performance Allocation shall be debited against the Capital Account of each Participant (other than DME) as of the last day of each Performance Period with respect to such Participant, and the amount so debited shall be simultaneously credited to the Capital Account of DME.
 
(b)   DME, in its sole discretion, may waive or reduce the Performance Allocation.
 
 
 
13

 
 
3.9.   Allocations for Income Tax Purposes
 
(a)   Except as otherwise required by Code Section 704(c), items of income, gain, deduction, loss, or credit that are recognized for income tax purposes in each Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Participants, in such manner as to reflect equitably amounts credited to or debited against each Participant’s Capital Account, whether in such Fiscal Year or in prior Fiscal Years.  To this end, DME shall establish and maintain records that show the extent to which the Capital Account of each Participant, as of the last day of each Fiscal Year, consists of amounts that have not been reflected in the taxable income of such Participant.  To the extent deemed by DME, in its reasonable discretion, to be feasible and equitable, taxable income and gains in each Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Participants who have enjoyed the related credits to their Capital Accounts, and items of deduction, loss and credit in each Fiscal Year shall be allocated among the Participants who have borne the burden of the related debits to their Capital Accounts.
 
(b)   To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Asset or any Capital Account pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required under Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) and (5) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Participants in the same manner that the gain or loss displaced by such basis adjustment would have been allocated had the assets in question been sold.
 
3.10.   Qualified Income Offset
 
In the event any Participant receives any adjustments, allocations, or distributions described in Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d )( 4 ), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)( d )( 5 ), or 1.704 1(b)(2)(ii)( d )( 6 ) of the Regulations, items of income and gain will be specially allocated to each such Participant in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Regulations, the deficit balance in the Capital Account of such Participant as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 3.10 may be made only if and to the extent that such Participant would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Article III have been tentatively made as if this Section 3.10 were not in the Agreement.  This Section 3.10 is intended to constitute a “qualified income offset” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii), and must be interpreted consistently therewith.
 
3.11.   Gross Income Allocation
 
In the event any Participant has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year that is in excess of the sum of (i) the amount such Participant is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and (ii) the amount such Participant is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Participant will be specially allocated items of income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 3.11 may be made only if and to the extent that such Participant would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in this Article III have been made as if Section 3.10 hereof and this Section 3.11 were not in the Agreement.
 
 
 
14

 
 
3.12.   Individual Participants’ Tax Treatment
 
(a)   Except with regard to the treatment of the venture as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes and the treatment of the Performance Allocation as contemplated by this Agreement ( “Tax Treatment” ), each Participant agrees not to treat, on any income tax return or in any claim for a refund, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit in a manner inconsistent with the treatment of such item pursuant to the terms of this Agreement unless otherwise required by a Final Determination after such Participant uses its commercially reasonable efforts to uphold the treatment of the item in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement.
 
(b)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties shall not take any position inconsistent with the Tax Treatment.  If a claim, action or proceeding (a “Tax Proceeding” ) is brought by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authority against a Participant or the venture challenging the Tax Treatment, such Participant shall provide prompt written notice to DME of such Tax Proceeding and DME shall be entitled to assume the defense of, and control all matters with regard to, such Tax Proceeding as it relates to the Tax Treatment in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.4(e) .  DME shall indemnify such Participant for any losses, damages, costs and expenses associated with any such Tax Proceeding in accordance with Section 4.4 of this Agreement whether or not it assumes the defense.  DME shall use reasonable efforts to keep such Participant apprised of the status of such Tax Proceeding.  No Participant may settle a Tax Proceeding inconsistent with the Tax Treatment contemplated by this Agreement unless DME fails to assume or maintain the defense of the Tax Proceeding as contemplated by this Section 3.12(b) and Section 4.4(e) , or DME provides express prior written consent.
 
3.13.   Distributions
 
(a)   Subject to Section 5.2 , the amount, form and timing of any distributions pursuant to this Agreement are determined by DME.
 
(b)   Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, DME may not make a distribution to any Participant on account of such Participant’s Interest if such distribution would violate any applicable law.
 
_____________
 
Article IV
 
Management
 
_____________
 
4.1.   Duties and Powers of the Participants
 
(a)   Subject to Section 4.1(h) below, DME shall be empowered (a) to formulate the overall trading and investment strategy of the venture (and the limited related borrowing activities associated therewith in order to implement such strategy) and (b) to exercise full discretion in the management of the trading and investment transactions and related activities contemplated by this Agreement in order to implement such strategy, including the authority to allocate a portion of the Assets to other trading advisors through managed accounts or collective investment vehicles.  DME shall consider the interests of all Participants when exercising its discretion and shall not make investment decisions based on tax treatment that are or could be reasonably expected to be beneficial to DME to the detriment of other Participants.
 
 
 
15

 
 
(b)   Subject to Section 4.1(c ) and Section 4.1(h) , in furtherance of the foregoing, the Participants hereby designate and appoint DME as agent and attorney-in-fact for purposes of this Agreement, with full power and authority and without the need for further approval of any Participant (except as may be required by applicable law) to have the exclusive power on behalf of the Participants to (i) effect any and all transactions in equity and debt securities (including derivatives thereon), currencies and commodities (and options, futures, derivatives, swaps, and forward contracts thereon), trade and other claims, arbitrages, loans, break-ups, consolidations, reorganizations and similar securities of non-United States issuers, and everything connected therewith in the broadest sense (“ Securities ”); (ii) determine all matters relating to the manner, method and timing of investment transactions and to engage consultants and analysts in connection therewith; (iii) select brokers (including prime brokers), custodians, dealers, banks and other intermediaries by or through whom such investment transactions will be executed or carried out; (iv) make short sales; (v) purchase or write options (including uncovered options); (vi) trade on margin; (vii) draw funds and direct banks, brokers or other custodians to effect deliveries of funds or assets, but only in the course of effecting investment transactions for the account of the venture and its Participants; (viii) exercise all voting and other powers and privileges attributable to any Securities or other property held for the account of the venture and its Participants hereunder; and (ix) make and execute all such documents and to take all such other actions as DME considers necessary or appropriate to carry out its investment advisory duties hereunder, including opening brokerage (including prime brokerage) accounts and any other required documentation including, without limitation, swaps, securities, lending arrangements and similar agreements on behalf of the venture and its Participants.  DME may, with the prior consent of Greenlight Re or GRIL, as applicable (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld), effectuate the foregoing through one or more corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities formed on behalf of the venture (an " Entity ").  For purposes of providing such consent, Greenlight Re or GRIL, as applicable, shall designate an authorized representative (and a substitute authorized representative in the event that the first authorized representative is unavailable) each of whom have the authority to provide such consent.  A failure of an authorized representative to consent or reject the formation and use of an Entity in connection with a proposed transaction within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of a written request (via electronic mail or otherwise) for approval from DME shall be deemed consent.  For purposes of documenting the foregoing for third parties, each of the Participants shall execute a Power of Attorney in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .  Such Power of Attorney shall be subject to any limitations contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, those limitations listed in Section 4.1(c) below.
 
(c)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, DME shall use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in any activity or taking any action that would cause Greenlight Re or GRIL to be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including investing in any asset that (i) does not qualify for the trading safe harbor provided in Section 864(b)(2) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, or (ii) would be considered a United States real property interest for purposes of Section 897 of the Code.
 
 
 
16

 
 
(d)   During the term of this Agreement none of Greenlight Capital Re, Greenlight Re or GRIL shall engage a person or entity, other than DME or, with the prior written consent of DME, a DME Affiliate, to act as its investment advisor or in a similar capacity.  In furtherance of the foregoing, during the term of this Agreement, each of Greenlight Re and GRIL shall use its respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause substantially all of its investable assets to be contributed to the venture as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , however , that the term “investable assets” shall not be deemed to include (i) any assets of Greenlight Re which are, in the good faith determination of the Board of Greenlight Re, necessary for the operation of Greenlight Re’s business; (ii) up to 10% (20% if approved by the Board of Greenlight Re, and communicated in writing to DME) of Greenlight Re’s assets that are available for investment that are used to collateralize Regulation 114 Trusts; (iii) any assets of GRIL which are, in the good faith determination of the Board of GRIL, necessary for the operation of GRIL’s business; and (iv) up to 10% (20% if approved by the Board of GRIL, and communicated in writing to DME) of GRIL’s assets that are available for investment that are used to collateralize Regulation 114 Trusts.
 
(e)   During the term hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, during any renewal term), Greenlight Re, GRIL and Greenlight Capital Re shall, and shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause any of their respective subsidiaries that are formed before or after the date hereof to (i) become a Participant or (ii) enter into an agreement similar to this Agreement, in each case relating to the investment of substantially all of their investable assets.
 
(f)   In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Participants acknowledge and agree that in the course of selecting brokers, dealers, banks and financial intermediaries to effect such transactions, DME may agree to such commissions, fees and other charges as it shall deem reasonable under the circumstances, taking into consideration all such factors as DME deems relevant, including the following:  the ability to effect prompt and reliable executions at favorable prices; the operational efficiency with which transactions are effected; the financial strength, integrity and stability of the broker; the quality, comprehensiveness and frequency of available research and other services considered to be of value (even if such research and other services are not for the exclusive benefit of the accounts of the venture and its Participants); and the competitiveness of commission rates in comparison with other brokers satisfying DME’s other selection criteria.  It is understood that the costs of such services will not necessarily represent the lowest costs available and that DME is under no obligation to combine or arrange orders so as to obtain reduced charges.
 
(g)   DME shall be the tax matters partner for purposes of this Agreement and Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code.  The tax matters partner has the exclusive authority and discretion to make any elections required or permitted to be made by the venture under any provisions of the Code or any other applicable laws.
 
 
 
17

 
 
(h)   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, DME hereby agrees to follow (i) the investment guidelines of Greenlight Re attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 (the “ Greenlight Re Guidelines ”), solely with respect to Assets in which Greenlight Re has an interest, and only to the extent of Greenlight Re’s interest in each such Asset, as the Greenlight Re Guidelines may be amended from time to time by the Board of Greenlight Re, and provided in writing to DME , and (ii) the investment guidelines of GRIL attached hereto as Exhibit A-2 (the “ GRIL Guidelines ”, and together with the Greenlight Re Guidelines, the “ Guidelines ”), solely with respect to Assets in which GRIL has an interest, and only to the extent of GRIL’s interest in each such Asset, as the GRIL Guidelines may be amended from time to time by the Board of GRIL and provided in writing to DME.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties hereby  acknowledge and agree that (x) the Greenlight Re Guidelines do not apply to any Assets in which Greenlight Re does not have an interest, and (y) the GRIL Guidelines do not apply to any Assets in which GRIL does not have an interest.  DME shall not, except as otherwise approved by Greenlight Re or GRIL in writing, effect any investment transactions for the accounts of such Participant that are inconsistent with the Guidelines applicable to such Participant or other investment restrictions from time to time imposed by applicable regulation (as determined in good faith by the applicable Board) or adopted by the applicable Board; provided that such Guidelines and investment restrictions are communicated in writing to DME.  DME may designate certain investments as Designated Securities in order to comply with the applicable Guidelines and investment restrictions.
 
4.2.   Expenses
 
(a)   All expenses incurred directly in connection with transactions effected or positions held for the account of the venture and its Participants (including, without limitation, custodial fees, brokerage commissions, research costs, market data fees, legal, consulting and auditing fees, interest on debit balances, withholding or transfer taxes) shall be paid or reimbursed by the venture.  In addition, DME shall be entitled to be paid or reimbursed for other out-of pocket expenses (other than its own salary, office rent and other customary general administrative, overhead costs and the costs of maintaining books and records pursuant to Section 7.4 ) incurred in the performance of its duties pursuant to this Agreement.  Expenses generally will be borne pro rata by the Participants in accordance with the balances in their respective Capital Accounts, except as provided elsewhere in this Agreement, including Sections 3.4 , 3.5 , 3.6 , and 3.9 .
 
(b)   DME shall be entitled to use “soft dollars” generated by investments to pay for certain of its own operating and overhead costs, including payment of all or a portion of its costs and expenses of operation to the extent that DME, in its reasonable discretion, determines that any such costs and expenses are reasonably related to the investment decision-making process.  Use of “soft dollars” by DME as described herein shall not constitute a breach by it of any fiduciary or other duty which DME may be deemed to owe to any other Participant or any Affiliate thereof.
 
(c)   If DME shall incur any of the expenses for the account or benefit of, or in connection with its activities or those of its Affiliates on behalf of, both the venture and any Managed Account, DME, as appropriate, will allocate such expense among the venture and each such Managed Account in proportion to the size of the investment made by each of the venture and each Managed Account in the activity or entity to which the expense relates, or in such other manner as DME in good faith considers fair and reasonable.
 
 
 
18

 
 
(d)   The venture does not have its own separate employees or office, and no Participant is entitled to reimbursement for salaries, office rent and other general overhead costs of such Participant in connection with this Agreement.
 
4.3.   Other Activities of Participants
 
(a)   DME is not required to devote its full time to its duties under this Agreement, but must devote such of its time to such duties as it, in its discretion exercised in good faith, determines to be necessary to conduct the affairs contemplated by this Agreement.
 
(b)   This Agreement shall not restrict in any way the ability of DME or its Affiliates to engage in any other business or investment activities.  It is expressly understood that DME and its Affiliates may effect investment transactions for their own account and for Managed Accounts which may or may not be affiliated with any Participant, and the Participants further understand and agree that nothing herein shall restrict the ability of DME or its Affiliates to engage in any such transactions notwithstanding the fact that the Participants may have, by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise, or may take a position of any kind; provided , however , that DME shall not, without the prior written consent of the applicable Board, purchase pursuant to this Agreement any Asset from, or sell pursuant to this Agreement, any Asset to, DME or any Managed Account which DME or an Affiliate is the investment advisor to or is otherwise a beneficial owner of; provided further , however , that failure to obtain such prior written consent shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement if the applicable Board ratifies such purchase or sale after the fact.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, DME may cause the venture and Managed Accounts that invest in parallel therewith to enter into book account trades in the ordinary course of business transferring portions of investments among the venture and all such Managed Accounts in order to reflect changes in the size of the venture relative to the size of such Managed Accounts without the need for consent or ratification by the Board of any such trades.
 
(c)   It is understood that when DME determines that it would be appropriate for the venture and one or more of DME’s (or its Affiliates’) other Managed Accounts to participate in an investment opportunity, DME will seek to execute orders for, or otherwise allocate such opportunities to, the venture and such Managed Accounts on an equitable basis.  In such situations, DME may place orders for the venture and each Managed Account simultaneously and if all such orders are not filled at the same price, DME may cause the venture and each Managed Account to pay or receive the average of the prices at which such orders were filled for the venture and all other Managed Accounts.  If all such orders cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, DME may allocate among the venture and the Managed Accounts the securities traded in a manner which DME considers in its reasonable discretion equitable, taking into account the size of the order placed for the venture and each such Managed Account as well as any other factors which DME deems relevant.  However, DME is not obligated to devote any specific amount of time to its duties under this Agreement and is not required to accord exclusivity or priority to the venture or the Participants in the event of limited investment opportunities arising from the application of speculative position limits or other factors.
 
 
 
19

 
 
4.4.   Duty of Care; Indemnification
 
(a)   Each Participant agrees that no Covered Person shall be liable to the venture or to any of the Participants or their shareholders for any liabilities, obligations, losses, costs, damages, expenses, claims, judgments and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses (collectively, Losses ) occasioned by any act or omission of any Covered Person in connection with the performance of such Covered Person’s services hereunder, except that DME shall be liable to the Participants:  (i) for any misstatement or omission of material fact contained in a filing made by or on behalf of a Participant under the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or other federal law or other public disclosure in so far as such losses, damages, expenses or claims arise out of or are based upon any written information provided by such Covered Person regarding the Participants or the venture expressly for use in such filing or other public disclosure, to the extent (and only to the extent) that such misstatement or omission of a material fact contained in such filing occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with the written information furnished by the Covered Person; (ii) for acts or omissions by it which constitute gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of DME’s obligations under this Agreement, (iii) for breaches of the applicable Guidelines by DME which are not cured within 15 days of the earlier of (x) the date on which DME becomes aware of such breach, and (y) the date on which DME receives a written notice of such breach from a Participant or an authorized representative of a Participant; or (iv) for breaches of Section 5.2 hereof, in each case as finally determined by a court having proper jurisdiction and after all appeals are resolved or exhausted.
 
(b)   Each Participant, to the extent of its interest in the Assets only, shall indemnify and hold harmless each Covered Person from and against any Losses arising out of any claim asserted or threatened to be asserted in connection with any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the venture’s business or affairs; provided , however , that no Covered Person shall be entitled to any such indemnification with respect to any expense, loss, liability or damage which was caused by (i) any misstatement or omission of material fact contained in a filing made by or on behalf of a Participant under the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or other federal law or other public disclosure in so far as such losses, damages, expenses or claims arise out of or are based upon any written information provided by such Covered Person regarding the Participants or the venture expressly for use in such filing or other public disclosure, to the extent (and only to the extent) that such misstatement or omission of a material fact contained in such filing occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with the written information furnished by the Covered Person, (ii) any Covered Person’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of any of the its obligations under this Agreement, (iii) for breaches of the applicable Guidelines by DME in connection with its actions under this Agreement which breaches are not cured within 15 days of the earlier of (x) the date on which DME becomes aware of such breach, and (y) the date on which DME receives a written notice of such breach from a Participant; or (iv) for breaches of Section 5.2 hereof.  The venture shall advance to any Covered Person the reasonable costs and expenses of investigating and/or defending such claim subject to receiving a written undertaking from the Covered Person to repay such amounts if and to the extent of any subsequent determination by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction that the Covered Person was not entitled to indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Participant shall be liable hereunder for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its consent thereto, which will not be unreasonably withheld.
 
 
 
20

 
 
(c)   All transactions effected pursuant to this Agreement by DME shall be for the Participants’ accounts and risk.  DME has not made and makes no guarantee whatsoever as to the success or profitability of DME’s trading methods and strategies, and the Participants each acknowledge that it has received no such guarantee from DME or any Covered Person, and has not entered into this Agreement in consideration of or in reliance upon any such guarantee or similar representation from DME or any Covered Person.
 
(d)   DME shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the Participants against any Losses which were caused by:  (i) any misstatement or omission of material fact contained in a filing made by or on behalf of a Participant under the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or other federal law or other public disclosure in so far as such losses, damages, expenses or claims arise out of or are based upon any written information provided by DME regarding the Participants or the venture expressly for use in such filing or other public disclosure, to the extent (and only to the extent) that such misstatement or omission of a material fact contained in such filing occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with the written information furnished by DME; (ii) DME’s fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of any of DME’s obligations under this Agreement; (iii) for breaches of the applicable Guidelines by DME in connection with its duties under this Agreement which breaches are not cured within 15 days of the earlier of (x) the date on which DME becomes aware of such breach, and (y) the date on which DME receives a notice of such breach from a Participant; or (iv) for breaches of Section 5.2 hereof; or (v) any Tax Proceeding.
 
(e)   If a Participant shall receive notice of or has actual knowledge of any Tax Proceeding, such Participant shall give DME written notice of such Tax Proceeding; provided , however , that failure to notify DME shall not relieve DME from any liability which it may have on account of the Tax Proceeding except to the extent that DME shall have been materially prejudiced by such failure.  DME shall be entitled to assume control of the defense or settlement of such matter.  If DME elects to assume such control, the Participant being indemnified and its counsel shall be entitled to consult with DME and its counsel and participate in the defense or settlement of such matter at its own cost; provided , however , that DME shall bear the costs and expenses of such Participant’s counsel (from one law firm) if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel mutually acceptable to the parties hereto, use of such Participant’s counsel is necessary as a result of a conflict of interest between the Participant, on the one hand, and DME, on the other hand.  In any event, DME shall indicate in writing to the Participant being indemnified within 10 calendar days after such Participant has given DME written notice whether DME intends to pay the claim or assume control of the defense or settlement of such matter.
 
In the event DME exercises its right to assume control of the defense, the Participant being indemnified shall reasonably cooperate with DME in such defense and make available to DME witnesses, pertinent records, materials and information in its possession or under its control relating thereto as are reasonably requested by DME.  No claim may be settled by DME without the written consent of such Participant, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that DME may settle such claim without the consent of such Participant so long as the settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Participant, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Participant, from the claimant, (y) does not impose any liabilities or obligations on such Participant, and (z) with respect to any non-monetary provision of any settlement of a claim, does not impose and conditions upon such Participant.
 
 
 
21

 
 
(f)   The amount which any indemnifying party is required to pay to, or for the benefit of, an indemnified person under this Section 4.4 will be reduced (including, without limitation, retroactively) by any insurance proceeds which are actually paid by, or on behalf of, the indemnified party in reduction of the related Losses.
 
(g)   If the indemnity provided for in Section 4.4 and to which an Covered Person is otherwise entitled is unavailable to such Covered Person in respect of any Losses referred to therein, then each Participant, to the extent of its interest in the Assets only, in lieu of indemnifying such Covered Person, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Covered Person as a result of such Losses in the proportion the total capital of the Participants in the venture (exclusive of the balance in the Covered Person’s Capital Account (or the Capital Account of DME if the Covered Person is not DME)) bears to the total capital of the venture (including the balance in Covered Person’s Capital Account (or the Capital Account of DME if the Covered Person is not DME), which contribution shall be treated as an expense of the venture calculated as if the DME’s Capital Account balance was equal to zero.
 
4.5.   Fiduciary Duties; Discretion
 
(a)   To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the venture or to any Participant, such Covered Person acting under this Agreement is not liable to the venture or to any Participant for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.  The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person.
 
(b)   To the fullest extent permitted by law, unless otherwise expressly provided for herein, (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between a Participant or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the venture or any of the other Participants on the other hand, or (ii) whenever this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that a Participant must act in a manner which is, or provide terms which are, fair and reasonable, the Participant must resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party, including its own interest, to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles.  In the absence of bad faith by the Participant, the resolution, action or terms so made, taken or provided by the Participant do not constitute a breach of this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Participant at law or in equity or otherwise.
 
(c)   To the fullest extent permitted by law, except as provided elsewhere in this Agreement, whenever in this Agreement a Person is permitted or required to make a decision (i) in its “sole discretion” or under a grant of similar authority or latitude, such Person is entitled to consider only such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the venture or the Participants, or (ii) in its “good faith” or under another express standard, then such Person acts under such express standard and is not subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein or by relevant provisions of law or in equity or otherwise.
 
 
 
22

 
 
_____________
 
Article V
 
Admissions and Withdrawals
 
_____________
 
5.1.   Admission of Participants
 
The Participants may by unanimous written consent, on the first day of any calendar month, or at such other times as the Participants may determine, admit any Person who executes this Agreement or any other writing evidencing the intent of such Person to become a Participant, unless the participation by such Participant would have any of the effects described in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 5.3(c) .
 
5.2.   Withdrawal of Interests of Participants
 
(a)   The Interest of a Participant may not be withdrawn prior to termination of this Agreement except as provided in this Section 5.2 .
 
(b)   Subject, in the case of DME, to its requirement to maintain at least a 1% interest pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof and subject to the obligations of the other Participants set forth in Section 4.1(d) , a Participant may voluntarily withdraw all or part of its Capital Account as of the close of business on any Business Day. If a Participant wishes to withdraw funds, it must give written notice to DME at least 3 Business Days prior to the proposed withdrawal date indicating the amount to be withdrawn from such Participant’s Capital Account in such notice.  DME may with respect to such request, in its reasonable discretion, waive the foregoing notice requirement.  DME shall not be liable for failure to perform or delay in performing under this Section 5.2 when such failure or delay is due to Force Majeure, so long as DME uses its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such event or occurrence as soon as practicably as possible.   Upon receipt by DME of a Participant’s notice of intention to withdraw assets from the venture, DME shall have the discretion to manage the Assets in a manner that would provide for cash being available to satisfy such Participant’s request for withdrawal.  DME may effect withdrawal payments (i) in cash, (ii) in kind, or (iii) in any combination of the foregoing; provided that the DME will use its commercially reasonable efforts to make any such settlement in cash unless otherwise requested by the Participant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the Participants acknowledges that a substantial amount of withdrawals by one or more Participants could require DME to liquidate positions in order to raise cash necessary to fund the withdrawals at a time when market conditions are adverse or when such liquidations are otherwise not in the best interests of non-withdrawing Participants.
 
 
 
23

 
 
(c)   The right of any Participant to withdraw or of any Participant to have distributed an amount from his Capital Account pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2 is subject to the provision by DME, on behalf of the Participants, for all of the venture’s liabilities and for reserves for contingencies provided for in Section 3.7 and Section 4.4 herein.
 
(d)   With respect to any amounts withdrawn, a withdrawing Participant does not share in the income, gains and losses resulting from the venture or have any other rights or obligations as a Participant after the effective date of its withdrawal except as provided in Section 3.7 and Section 4.4 .
 
(e)   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary (i) Greenlight Re may withdraw as a Participant and fully withdraw all of its Capital Account from the venture (x) on 3 Business Days notice if Greenlight Re Cause exists or (y) at the end of the then current term of the Agreement if Greenlight Re elects not to renew the term of the Agreement pursuant to Section 2.3, and (ii) GRIL may withdraw as a Participant and fully withdraw all of the GRIL Assets from the venture (x) on 3 Business Days notice if GRIL Cause exists or (y) at the end of the then current term of the Agreement if GRIL elects not to renew the term of the Agreement pursuant to Section 2.3.
 
(f)   In the event that a Participant shall have withdrawn from the venture pursuant to Section 5.2(e) , (i) such Participant shall no longer be considered a Participant from and after the date of such complete withdrawal, and (ii) the provisions of this Agreement shall no longer apply to such Participant (except those provisions which by their terms apply to Participants following their withdrawal).
 
5.3.   Transfer of Interests in Participants
 
(a)   Each Participant agrees that it will not make or attempt to make any Transfer of its Interest that would violate this Section 5.3 .  In the event of any attempted Transfer of any Participant’s Interest in violation of the provisions of this Section 5.3 , without limiting any other rights of DME under this Agreement or otherwise, such attempted transfer shall be void ab initio and DME (or, in the case of a transfer by DME, the other Participants) shall have the right to require the withdrawal of such Participant’s Interest.
 
(b)   No Transfer of any Participant’s Interest, whether voluntary or involuntary, is valid or effective, and no transferee becomes a substituted Participant, unless the prior written consent of DME (or, in the case of a transfer by DME, a majority in interest) of the other Participants has been obtained, which consent may be withheld for any reason or for no reason in the sole discretion of DME or such Participants; provided , however , that in the case of DME, DME may make an assignment in a transaction that does not result in a change of its actual control or management.  In the event of any Transfer, all of the conditions of the remainder of this Section 5.3 must also be satisfied.
 
(c)   No Transfer of any Participant’s Interest, whether voluntary or involuntary, is valid or effective unless DME (or, in the case of a transfer by DME, a majority in interest of the other Participants) in its or their sole discretion determines, after consultation with legal counsel, that such Transfer will not:
 
 
 
24

 
 
(i)  
require registration of any Interest under any securities laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any other jurisdiction;
 
(ii)  
subject the venture or the Participants to a requirement to register under any securities or commodities laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any other jurisdiction;
 
(iii)  
cause the venture to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7704(b) of the Code;
 
(iv)  
result in the venture being considered an investment company under the Company Act;
 
(v)  
violate or be inconsistent with any representation or warranty made by the transferring Participant at the time the Participant purchased an Interest; or
 
(vi)  
result in Assets being considered “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA.
 
(d)   The transferring Participant must give the other Participants written notice before making any voluntary Transfer and after any involuntary Transfer and must provide sufficient information to allow DME to make the determination that the proposed Transfer will not result in any of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above.
 
(e)   Any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any successor to any Participant’s Interest is bound by the provisions hereof.  Prior to recognizing any Transfer in accordance with this Section 5.3 , the other Participants in their sole discretion may require the transferring Participant to execute and acknowledge an instrument of transfer in form and substance satisfactory to the Participants, and may require the transferee to make certain representations and warranties to the Participants and to accept, adopt and approve in writing all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  A transferee becomes a substituted Participant and succeeds to the portion of the transferor’s Capital Account relating to the Interest transferred effective upon the satisfaction of all of the conditions for such Transfer contained in this Section 5.3 .
 
(f)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participants acknowledge that Greenlight Re or GRIL has or may in the future enter into financing arrangements pursuant to which it may grant to lenders a security interest in its rights to its portion of the Assets.  DME agrees to reasonably cooperate with Greenlight Re or GRIL to effect the granting of such security interests, including without limitation, executing a pledge agreement or similar agreement on reasonably acceptable terms including if possible the right to foreclose on a portion of those Assets equal to the Participant’s percentage interest in the Assets (taking into account that a Participant may not participate fully in certain Designated Securities or New Issues), after accounting for liabilities and reserves.  Each of Greenlight Re and GRIL agrees not to pledge more than its percentage interest in any Assets.
 
 
 
25

 
 
_____________
 
Article VI
 
Termination and Liquidation
 
_____________
 
6.1.   Termination of this Agreement
 
(a)   Subject to applicable law, this Agreement will terminate and its affairs must be wound up upon the earliest of:
 
(i)  
the end of the term of this Agreement, as determined pursuant to Section 2.3(a) hereof; and
 
(ii)  
the date on which only one Participant remains.
 
(b)   Except as provided in Section 6.1(a) or applicable law, the death, mental illness, dissolution, termination, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, merger, sale of substantially all of the stock or assets of or other change in the ownership or nature of a Participant, the execution of a joinder agreement to this Agreement by a new Participant, the withdrawal of a Participant, or the transfer by a Participant of its Interests to a third party does not cause this Agreement to terminate.
 
6.2.   Liquidation of the Venture
 
(a)   Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.1(a) , DME shall promptly liquidate the Assets, except that if DME is unable to perform this function, a liquidator elected by Participants whose Percentages represent more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Percentages of all Participants shall liquidate the Assets.
 
(b)   Net profit and net loss attributable to a Capital Account during the Fiscal Periods that include the period of liquidation shall be allocated pursuant to Article III.  The proceeds from liquidation shall be divided in the following manner, subject to applicable law:
 
(i)  
the debts, liabilities and obligations of the venture, other than debts to the Participants as Participants, and the expenses of liquidation (including legal and accounting expenses incurred in connection therewith), up to and including the date that distribution of the Assets to the Participants has been completed, shall be first satisfied (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof);
 
(ii)  
such debts as are owing to the Participants as Participants shall be next paid; and
 
(iii)  
the Participants shall be next paid liquidating distributions (in cash, securities, or other assets, whether or not readily marketable) pro rata in accordance with, and up to the positive balances of their respective Capital Accounts, as adjusted pursuant to Article III to reflect allocations for the Fiscal Period ending on the date of the distributions under this Section 6.2(b)(iii) .
 
 
 
26

 
 
(c)   Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.2 to the contrary and subject to the priorities set forth in applicable law, DME, the liquidator or the trustee, as the case may be, may distribute ratably in-kind rather than in cash, upon termination, any Assets, provided , however , that if any in-kind distribution is to be made, (i) the assets distributed in kind must be valued pursuant to Section 7.2 as of the actual date of their distribution, and charged as so valued and distributed against amounts to be paid under Section 6.2(b) above and (ii) any gain or loss (as computed for book purposes) attributable to property distributed in-kind must be included in the net profit or net loss attributable to the Capital Account for the Fiscal Period ending on the date of such distribution.
 
_____________
 
Article VII
 
Accounting and Valuations;
Books and Records;
Board Meetings
_____________
 
7.1.   Accounting and Reports
 
(a)   DME may adopt, on behalf of the venture, for tax accounting purposes any accounting method that DME decides in its reasonable discretion is in the best interests of the venture and that is permissible for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that does not prejudice any other Participant.  DME will promptly notify each Participant in writing of any change.
 
(b)   At the request of a Participant received at least 30 days prior to the end of the Fiscal Year, as soon as practicable after the end of such Fiscal Year, DME shall cause an audit of the financial statements of the venture in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as of the end of each such Fiscal Year to be made by a firm of certified public accountants selected by DME, which is reasonably acceptable to Greenlight Re and GRIL; and as soon as is practicable thereafter but subject to Section 7.5 , a copy of a set of financial statements prepared on a basis that uses United States generally accepted accounting principles as a guideline (with such adjustments thereto as the Participants determine appropriate), including the report of such certified public accountants, is furnished to each Participant.  For purposes of this Section 7.1(b) the accounting firm of BDO Seidman, LLP shall be deemed acceptable to Greenlight Re and GRIL.
 
(c)   Promptly after each calendar month end, DME shall arrange for the preparation and delivery to each Participant of an interim statement of its respective Capital Account valued as set forth in Section 7.2 , including, but not limited to, balance sheet, income statement, trial balance and detailed holdings report of a Participant’s Capital Account, and other information that the Participant may reasonably request.
 
 
 
27

 
 
(d)   As soon as practicable after the end of each taxable year, DME shall furnish each Participant such information as may be required to enable each Participant properly to report for United States federal, state and local income tax purposes, as applicable, its distributive share of each Participant’s item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit for such year.
 
(e)   DME shall arrange for the preparation and delivery to each Participant a statement setting forth the computation of (i) the DME Share Payment within 10 Business Days following the beginning of each month and (ii) Performance Allocation within 30 days after the close of each Performance Period.
 
(f)   DME shall provide a draft of any tax return required to be filed by the venture (together with schedules, statement or attachments thereto) to Greenlight Re and GRIL no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the due date (including extensions) of such tax return for their review and comment.  DME shall consult with Greenlight Re and GRIL and in good faith consider any comments provided by Greenlight Re and GRIL within five (5) Business Days of their receipt of such tax returns.
 
(g)   DME shall timely prepare and file on behalf of Greenlight Re, GRIL or the venture any filings under Section 13 or 16 of the Exchange Act with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission resulting from any investment made by the venture.
 
(h)   DME will use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Greenlight Re and GRIL in any required internal control or compliance matters applicable to Greenlight Re and GRIL and related to this Agreement, including preparing any internal control reviews that are reasonably deemed necessary by Greenlight Re and GRIL.  DME acknowledges that (i) Greenlight Re is subject to the reporting requirements of, among others, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the regulatory and information requirements of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and A.M Best & Co., and (ii) GRIL is subject to the regulatory and information requirements of the Insurance Supervision Department of the Irish Financial Regulator and A.M. Best & Co. Furthermore, DME will use commercially reasonable efforts to give access to the venture’s books and records related to GRIL in case requested by the Insurance Supervision Department of the Irish Financial Regulator.
 
(i)   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all expenses incurred directly in connection with the creation and maintenance of the accounting records for the venture shall be paid for or reimbursed by DME.
 
7.2.   Valuation of Assets and Interests
 
(a)   DME shall value or have valued the Securities and other Assets as of the close of business on the last day of each month, at the end of each Performance Period and on any other date selected by DME or reasonably selected by Greenlight Re or GRIL, as the case may be.  In addition, in good faith, DME shall value Securities that are being distributed in kind as of their date of distribution in accordance with Section 6.2(c).  In determining the value of the Assets, no value is placed on the goodwill, if any, created by this Agreement, or the office records, files, statistical data or any similar intangible assets relating to the Assets not normally reflected in the venture’s accounting records, but there must be taken into consideration any related items of income earned but not received, expenses incurred but not yet paid, liabilities fixed or contingent, prepaid expenses to the extent not otherwise reflected in the books of account, and the value of options or commitments to purchase or sell Securities pursuant to agreements entered into on or prior to such valuation date.  Valuation of Securities made pursuant to this Section 7.2 must be based on all relevant factors and is expected to comply generally with the following guidelines:
 
 
 
28

 
 
(i)  
The market value of each Security listed or traded on any recognized national securities exchange shall be the last reported sale price at the relevant valuation date on the composite tape or on the principal exchange on which such Security is traded.  If no such sale of such Security was reported on that date, the market value is the last reported bid price (in the case of Securities held long), or last reported ask price (in the case of Securities sold short).
 
(ii)  
Dividends declared but not yet received, and rights in respect of Securities that are quoted ex-dividend or ex-rights, shall be recorded at the fair value thereof, as determined by DME, which may (but need not) be the value so determined on the day such Securities are first quoted ex-dividend or ex-rights.
 
(iii)  
Listed options, or over-the-counter options for which representative brokers’ quotations shall be available, are valued in the same manner as listed or over-the-counter Securities as hereinabove provided.
 
(b)   The fair value of any assets not referred to in paragraph (a) (or the valuation of any assets referred to therein in the event that DME determines in its reasonable discretion that market prices or quotations do not fairly represent the value of particular assets) shall be determined by or at the direction of DME; but may be audited by Greenlight Re, GRIL or any of their representatives or agents, at Greenlight Re’s or GRIL’s cost and expense, as applicable, at any time upon reasonable notice.  In these circumstances, DME will attempt to use consistent and fair valuation criteria and may (but is not required to) obtain independent appraisals, which shall be considered an expense under Section 4.3 .
 
(c)   Except as otherwise reasonably determined by DME, investment and trading transactions shall be accounted for on the trade date.  Accounts shall be maintained in U.S. dollars and except as otherwise determined by or at the direction DME:  (i) assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars shall be translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the close of the relevant valuation period (and exchange adjustments shall be recorded in the results of operations); and (ii) investment and trading transactions and income and expenses shall be translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the time of each transaction.
 
(d)   The value of each Security and other Asset and the net worth of the Capital Accounts as a whole determined pursuant to this Section 7.2 shall be, in the absence of bad faith or manifest error and/or subject to any audit verification, conclusive and binding on all of the Participants and all parties claiming through or under them.
 
 
 
29

 
 
7.3.   Determinations by DME
 
(a)   All matters concerning the determination and allocation among the Participants of the amounts to be determined and allocated pursuant to Sections  3.4 through 3.9 hereof, including any taxes thereon and accounting procedures applicable thereto, are and will be determined by DME in good faith unless specifically and expressly otherwise provided for by the provisions of this Agreement, and such determinations and allocations are final and binding on all the Participants.
 
(b)   DME may make such adjustments to the computation of any of the memorandum accounts maintained pursuant to this Agreement or any component items comprising any of the foregoing as it considers reasonably appropriate to reflect the financial results of the Assets and the intended allocation thereof among the Participants in a reasonably accurate, fair and efficient manner.
 
7.4.   Books and Records
 
(a)   DME shall maintain (or arrange for the maintenance) and keep (or cause to be kept) books and records of the venture showing all assets and liabilities, receipts and disbursements, gains and losses, Participants’ Capital Accounts and all transactions entered into in connection with the Assets and this Agreement.  Such books and records shall be kept at DME’s office.
 
(b)   DME shall retain, or arrange for the retention, for a period of at least five (5) years, copies of any documents it deems pertinent generated or received by DME in the ordinary course of business pertaining to the Assets or to the compensation payable to DME.  DME shall afford to Greenlight Re’s or GRIL’s independent auditors reasonable access to such documents during customary business hours and shall permit Greenlight Re’s and/or GRIL’s auditors to make copies thereof or extracts therefrom at the expense of Greenlight Re or GRIL, as the case may be.
 
7.5.   Greenlight Re or GRIL Board Meeting
 
At the request of Greenlight Re or GRIL, as applicable, and subject to reasonable prior notice, DME shall endeavor to make one of DME’s representatives available to attend the meetings of such party’s Board, or meetings with such party’s management (in either case in person or telephonically) to report on the ventures’ activities and on other matters pertaining to this Agreement.
 
 
 
30

 
_____________
 
Article VIII
General Provisions
_____________
 
8.1.   Amendment of Agreement
 
This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part, with the written consent of all of the Participants.
 
8.2.   Notices
 
Unless otherwise provided, all notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by facsimile, sent by electronic mail, or delivered personally by hand or by an internationally recognized overnight courier addressed to the party to be notified at the address, facsimile number or e-mail address indicated for such party set forth below, or at such other address, facsimile number or e-mail address as such party may designate by ten days advance written notice to the other parties hereto.  All such notices shall be effective upon receipt.  Unless otherwise provided in writing to the other parties, all notices shall be sent to the following addresses, facsimile numbers or e-mail addresses:
 
If to DME:
 
DME Advisors, LP
 
140 East 45th Street, 24th Floor
 
New York, NY 10017
 
Attention:  Daniel Roitman
 
Facsimile No.:  212-973-9219
 
E-Mail:  droitman@greenlightcapital.com
 
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
 
DME Advisors, LP
 
140 East 45th Street, 24th Floor
 
New York, NY 10017
 
Attention:  Harry Brandler
 
Facsimile No.:  212-973-9219
 
E-Mail:  HBrandler@greenlightcapital.com
 
If to Greenlight Re or to Greenlight Capital Re:
 
Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd.
65 Market Street, Suite 1207
Camana Bay
P.O. Box 31110
Grand Cayman, KY 1-1205
Cayman Islands
Attention:  Len Goldberg
Facsimile No.:  345-745-4576
E-Mail:  len@greenlightre.ky
 
 
 
31

 

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
 
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
 
One Bryant Park
 
New York, New York 10036
 
Attention:  Kerry E. Berchem, Esq.
 
Facsimile No.:  212-872-1002
 
E-Mail:  kberchem@akingump.com
 
If to GRIL:
 
Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd.
c/o 65 Market Street, Suite 1207
Camana Bay
P.O. Box 31110
Grand Cayman, KY 1-1205
Cayman Islands
Attention: Len Goldberg
Facsimile: 345-745-4576
Email: len@greenlightre.ky

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

A&L Goodbody
International Financial Services Centre
North Wall Quay
Dublin 1, Ireland
Attention: Margaret Stack, Esq.
Facsimile: +353 1 649 2649
E-mail: mstack@algoodbody.ie

 
8.3.   Agreement Binding Upon Successors and Assigns
 
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns as set forth in Section 5.3 hereof.
 
8.4.   Governing Law
 
(a)   This Agreement and the rights of the Participants hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof.  The parties acknowledge that the venture is formed under the laws of the State of New York.
 
 
 
32

 
 
(b)   Each party hereto submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in New York, New York in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action may be heard and determined in any such court.  Each party hereto agrees that a final judgment in any action so brought will be conclusive and may be enforced by action on the judgment or in any other manner provided at law or in equity.  Each party hereto waives any defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any action so brought and waives any bond, surety, or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto.
 
8.5.   Not for Benefit of Third Parties
 
The provisions of this Agreement are intended only for the regulation of relations among Participants and between Participants and former or prospective Participants.  This Agreement is not intended for the benefit of non-Participants and no rights are granted to non-Participants under this Agreement.
 
8.6.   Consents
 
Any and all consents, agreements or approvals provided for or permitted by this Agreement must be in writing and a signed copy thereof must be filed and kept with the books of each Participant.
 
8.7.   Miscellaneous
 
(a)   The captions and titles preceding the text of each section hereof shall be disregarded in the construction of this Agreement.
 
(b)   This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original hereof.
 
(c)   The Participants have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, the Participants intend that this Agreement be construed as if drafted jointly by the Participants and that no presumption or burden of proof arise favoring or disfavoring any Participant by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.  Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law is deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise.  The word “including” means including without limitation.  The word “or” is not exclusive.  All words used in this Agreement shall be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require.
 
(d)   The Participants intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein has independent significance.  If any Participant has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty, or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) that such Participant has not breached does not detract from or mitigate the fact that such Participant is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.
 
 
 
33

 
 
(e)   If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.  Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree shall remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
 
(f)   Each party hereto hereby agrees that the other would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the specific terms or were otherwise breached and each party hereto agrees that any party shall be entitled to seek equitable relief, including, without limitation, any injunction or injunctions, to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement by the other parties or any of their representatives and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
 
8.8.   Entire Agreement
 
This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and each of the parties hereto agrees that each and every such prior agreement is terminated and replaced in its entirety by the rights created by this Agreement.
 
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
 

 
34

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first-above written.
 
GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE, LTD.
 
    By:    /s/ Bart Hedges By: /s/ Leonard Goldberg 
    Name:  Bart Hedges Name: Leonard Goldberg
    T itle:   President & CUO Title: CEO
     
         
GREENLIGHT REINSURANCE IRELAND, LTD.
 
    By:    /s/ Bart Hedges By: /s/ Leonard Goldberg 
    Name:  Bart Hedges Name: Leonard Goldberg
    T itle:   CUO Title: Director
 
 
DME ADVISORS, LP
 
By: DME ADVISORS GP, LLC, its General Partner
 
By:    /s/ Vinit Sethi By: /s/ Harry Brandler
Name:  Vinit Sethi Name: Harry Brandler
T itle:   Vice President   Title: CFO
 
     
 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
solely for the purpose of Section 4.1 (d) and (e)
 
By:    /s/ Sherry Diaz By: /s/ Leonard Goldberg 
Name:  Sherry Diaz Name: Leonard Goldberg
T itle:   Controller Title: CEO
 
      
 

 

[Signature Page – JV Agreement]
 
 

 

Exhibit A-1
 
GREENLIGHT RE GUIDELINES
 
·  
Composition of Investments :  At least 80% of the assets in the investment portfolio will be held in debt or equity securities (including swaps) of publicly traded companies (or their subsidiaries) and governments of OECD (the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development) high income countries, cash, cash equivalents and gold.  No more than 10% of the assets in the investment portfolio will be held in private equity securities.
 
·  
Concentration of Investments :  Other than cash, cash equivalents and United States government obligations, no single investment in the investment portfolio will constitute more than 20% of the portfolio.
 
·  
Liquidity :  Assets will be invested in such fashion that Greenlight Re has a reasonable expectation that it can meet any of its liabilities as they become due.  Greenlight Re will review with DME the liquidity of the portfolio on a periodic basis.
 
·  
Monitoring :  Greenlight Re will require DME to re-evaluate each position in the investment portfolio and to monitor changes in intrinsic value and trading value and provide monthly reports on the investment portfolio to Greenlight Re as Greenlight Re may reasonably determine.
 
·  
Leverage :  The investment portfolio may not employ greater than 5% indebtedness for borrowed money, including net margin balances, for extended time periods.  DME may use, in the normal course of business, an aggregate of up to 20% net margin leverage for periods of less than 30 days.
 

A-
 
 

 

Exhibit A-2
 
GRIL GUIDELINES
 
·  
Composition of Investments :  At least 80% of the assets in the investment portfolio will be held in debt or equity securities (including swaps) of publicly traded companies (or their subsidiaries) and governments of OECD (the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development) high income countries, cash, cash equivalents and gold.  No more than 10% of the assets in the investment portfolio will be held in private equity securities.
 
·  
Concentration of Investments :  Other than cash or cash equivalents and United States government obligations, (1) no single investment in the investment portfolio will constitute more than 10% of the portfolio, (2) the 10 largest investments shall not constitute greater than 50% of the total investment portfolio, and (3) the investment portfolio shall at all times be comprised of a minimum of 50 debt or equity securities of publicly traded companies (or their subsidiaries).
 
·  
Liquidity :  Assets will be invested in such fashion that GRIL has a reasonable expectation that it can meet any of its liabilities as they become due.  GRIL will review with DME the liquidity of the portfolio on a periodic basis.
 
·  
Monitoring :  GRIL will require DME to re-evaluate each position in the investment portfolio and to monitor changes in intrinsic value and trading value and provide monthly reports on the investment portfolio to GRIL as GRIL may reasonably determine.
 
·  
Leverage :  The investment portfolio may not employ greater than 5% indebtedness for borrowed money, including net margin balances, for extended time periods.  DME may use, in the normal course of business, an aggregate of up to 20% net margin leverage for periods of less than 30 days.
 

A-
 
 

 

Exhibit B
 
INITIAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
 
As of August 31, 2010
 
Initial Capital Contributions
 
                     DME                                                                $ 30,017,120.00
 
                     Greenlight Re                                                  $ 874,454,592.00
 
                     GRIL                                                                 $ 39,000,000.00
 

B-
 
 

 

Exhibit C
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
The undersigned, in connection with and subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Amended and Restated Agreement (the “Agreement” ) by and among Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd., DME Advisors, LP (collectively, the “Participants” ) and Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (for limited purposes), dated as of August [  ], 2010, hereby designates  and appoints DME Advisors, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“DME” ), as agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority and without the need for further approval of the undersigned (except as may be required by applicable law) to have the exclusive power on behalf of the undersigned to:
 
(i)   effect   any and all transactions, including short sales, in equity and debt securities (including derivatives thereon), currencies and commodities (and options, futures, derivatives, swaps, and forward contracts thereon), trade and other claims, arbitrages, loans, break-ups, consolidations, reorganizations and everything connected therewith in the broadest sense (collectively, “ Securities ”);
 
(ii)   select brokers (including prime brokers), dealers, banks and other intermediaries by or through whom such investment transactions will be executed or carried out;
 
(iii)   purchase or write options (including uncovered options);
 
(iv)   trade on margin;
 
(v)   draw funds and direct banks, brokers or other custodians to effect deliveries of funds or assets, but only in the course of effecting investment transactions for the account of the undersigned;
 
(vi)   exercise all voting and other powers and privileges attributable to any Securities or other property held for the account of the venture and its Participant, including the undersigned; and
 
(vii)   make and execute all such documents and take all such other actions as DME considers necessary or appropriate to carry out its investment advisory duties under the Agreement, including opening brokerage (including prime brokerage) accounts and any other required documentation including, without limitation, swaps, Securities and similar agreements on behalf of the undersigned.
 
The power of attorney granted hereby is a special power of attorney coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable during the term of the Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 
Dated:  August [  ], 2010           
[Participant]
 

 
By:                                                                             
 
Name:
 
Title:
 

C-
 
 

 

 
EXHIBIT 12.1


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS
 
 
The following table sets forth our consolidated ratios:
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
(2)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
(2)
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)
5.46
 
43.44
 
(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was determined by dividing consolidated earnings by total fixed charges. For purposes of the ratios of earnings to fixed charges (i) earnings consist of consolidated net income before considering income taxes, minority interest and fixed charges and (ii) fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness, interest expense on funds withheld from reinsurers and that portion of rent expense that is deemed by our management to be an appropriate interest factor. We have estimated that one-third of rent expense represents a reasonable approximation of the interest factor.
 
(2) No preferred shares were outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and no preferred share dividends were paid during those periods.

EXHIBIT 31.1
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
 
I, Leonard Goldberg, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Greenlight Capital Re, 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 periods 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 officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
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 officers 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 functions):
 
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.
 
 
 
Dated: November 2, 2010
 
/s/ Leonard Goldberg
   
Leonard Goldberg
   
Chief Executive Officer
 

 
EXHIBIT 31.2
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
 
I, Tim Courtis, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Greenlight Capital Re, 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 periods 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 officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
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 officers 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 functions):
 
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.
 
 
 
Dated: November 2, 2010
 
/s/ Tim Courtis
   
Tim Courtis
   
Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT 32.1
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
 
This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and accompanies the quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the ‘‘Form 10-Q’’) for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (the ‘‘Issuer’’).
 
I, Leonard Goldberg, the Principal Executive Officer of the Issuer, certify that to the best of my knowledge:
 
1. The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and
 
2. The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.
 
Dated: November 2, 2010
 
/s/ Leonard Goldberg
   
Leonard Goldberg

EXHIBIT 32.2
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
 
This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and accompanies the quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the ‘‘Form 10-Q’’) for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (the ‘‘Issuer’’).
 
I, Tim Courtis, the Principal Financial Officer of the Issuer, certify that to the best of my knowledge:
 
1. The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and
 
2. The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.
 
 
Dated: November 2, 2010
 
/s/ Tim Courtis
   
Tim Courtis