Financial Statements (With Independent Auditor s Report Thereon)
ABCD KPMG Audit Limited Crown House 4 Par-la-Ville Road Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda Mailing Address: P.O. Box HM 906 Hamilton HM DX Bermuda Telephone +1 441 295 5063 Fax +1 441 295 9132 Internet www.kpmg.bm Independent Auditors Report The Board of Directors Aspen Bermuda Limited We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Aspen Bermuda Limited, which comprise the balance sheets as of, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditors Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of Aspen Bermuda Limited as of, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Chartered Accountants Hamilton, Bermuda April 8, 2013 2013 KPMG Audit Limited, a Bermuda limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ( KPMG International ), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
Balance Sheets As at 2012 2011 (Expressed in thousands of United States US$ US$ Assets Investments: Fixed income maturities, available for sale, at fair value 3,171,635 3,151,168 Fixed income maturities, trading at fair value 456,080 394,410 Short term investments, available for sale, at fair value 57,032 51,741 Short term investments, trading at fair value 2,397 4,112 Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value 200,077 179,455 Total Investments 3,887,221 3,780,886 Cash and cash equivalents 338,816 292,104 Loss reserves recoverable 197,674 204,344 Premium receivable 518,748 322,746 Funds withheld 69,670 78,906 Deferred acquisition costs 75,844 50,146 Due from related party 167,870 89,083 Other assets 41,497 46,837 Total Assets 5,297,340 4,865,052 Liabilities Loss reserves 2,757,789 2,647,251 Unearned premium reserves 304,221 230,454 Reinsurance balances payable 30,599 63,563 Deferred gain 42,085 28,756 Other liabilities 45,781 8,477 Total Liabilities 3,180,475 2,978,501 Shareholder's Equity Common shares 1,000 1,000 Contributed surplus 1,159,000 1,159,000 Retained earnings 734,173 546,133 Accumulated other comprehensive gains 222,692 180,418 Total Shareholder's Equity 2,116,865 1,886,551 Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity 5,297,340 4,865,052 See accompanying notes to financial statements Signed on behalf of the Board Director Director 1
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income For the years ended 2012 2011 (Expressed in thousands of United States US$ US$ Revenues Gross premiums written 1,340,115 1,198,629 Premiums ceded (132,017) (137,909) Net premiums written 1,208,098 1,060,720 Change in net unearned premiums (75,511) (38,860) Net premiums earned 1,132,587 1,021,860 Other underwriting income 30,432 39,615 Net investment income 122,232 129,464 Net foreign exchange gains 6,396 739 Net realized investment gains 17,507 6,263 Change in fair value of derivatives (33,474) (59,485) Total Revenues 1,275,680 1,138,456 Expens es Loss and loss adjustment expenses 797,767 998,306 Acquisition costs 159,061 120,618 Other underwriting expenses 279 3,394 Operating expenses 30,533 36,468 Total Expenses 987,640 1,158,786 Net Income (Loss) 288,040 (20,330) Other Comprehensive Income Net Income (Loss) 288,040 (20,330) Net change in unrealized investment gains during the year 42,274 65,893 Net Comprehensive Income 330,314 45,563 See accompanying notes to financial statements 2
Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity For the years ended 2012 2011 (Expressed in thousands of United States US$ US$ Shareholder's Equity Common shares: Beginning and end of year 1,000 1,000 Contributed surplus: Beginning and end of year 1,159,000 1,159,000 Retained earnings: Beginning of year 546,133 666,463 Net income (loss) for the year 288,040 (20,330) Dividends (100,000) (100,000) End of Year 734,173 546,133 Accumulated other comprehensive income: Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments: Beginning of year (4,824) - Change for the period 3,287 (4,824) End of Year (1,537) (4,824) Unrealized appreciation on investments: Beginning of year 185,242 114,525 Holding gains on investments arising during the year 38,910 76,855 Reclassification for net realized losses included in net income 77 (6,138) End of Year 224,229 185,242 Total accumulated other comprehensive income 222,692 180,418 Total Shareholder's Equity 2,116,865 1,886,551 See accompanying notes to financial statements 3
Statements of Cash Flows For the years ended 2012 2011 (Expressed in thousands of United States US$ US$ Operating Activities Net Income (Loss) 288,040 (20,330) Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities: Amortization of premium on investments 21,999 14,330 Net realized gains (losses) - available for sale 2,471 (5,044) Net unrealized and realized gains - trading (18,043) (1,213) Change in: Loss reserves recoverable 6,670 (119,606) Premium receivable (196,002) 525,874 Funds withheld 9,236 (2,641) Deferred acquisition costs (25,698) (12,644) Due from related party (78,787) (28,220) Other assets 5,340 (7,627) Loss reserves 110,538 515,621 Unearned premium reserves 73,767 43,546 Reinsurance balances payable (32,964) 14,764 Deferred gain 13,329 (7,872) Other liabilities 37,304 (37,333) Net Cash flows provided by Operating Activities 217,200 871,605 Investing Activities Purchases of fixed maturity investments - available for sale (707,046) (1,288,956) Purchases of fixed maturity investments - trading (300,726) (378,594) Purchases of equity investments - available for sale (53,090) (205,446) Net (purchases) of short-term investments - available for sale (5,216) (28,499) Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments - trading 1,713 (394) Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity investments - available for sale 174,290 508,711 Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity investments - trading 247,024 387,746 Proceeds from redemptions/maturities of fixed maturity investments - available for sale 515,514 243,578 Proceeds from redemptions/maturities of fixed maturity investments - trading 10,174 2,095 Proceeds from sales of equity investments - available for sale 46,875 29,192 Net Cash flows used in Investing Activities (70,488) (730,567) Financing Activities Dividends paid (100,000) (100,000) Intercompany loans - 40,000 Net Cash flows used in Financing Activities (100,000) (60,000) Increase in cash and cash equivalents 46,712 81,038 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 292,104 211,066 Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year 338,816 292,104 See accompanying notes to financial statements 4
1. History and organization Aspen Bermuda Limited ( the Company ), formerly Aspen Insurance Limited, was incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited ( Holdings ). Aspen Insurance Limited was renamed Aspen Bermuda Limited with effect from January 1, 2012. The Company is licensed under the Insurance Act 1978, amendments thereto and related regulations to write general business as a Class 4 insurer with effect from December 9, 2002. The Company writes various shares of excess of loss reinsurance contracts and pro rata treaties. The excess of loss contracts are mainly property risk excess and catastrophe policies reinsuring non-affiliated insurers located mainly in the United States of America, Europe and Japan. The pro rata treaties cover mainly property risks reinsuring non-affiliated insurers located in the United States of America and Japan. The Company also writes direct excess casualty insurance and management liability insurance. The Company assumes certain risks of Aspen Insurance UK Limited ( Aspen UK ), a UK corporation, Aspen Specialty Insurance Company ( ASIC ), a North Dakota corporation, Aspen American Insurance Company ( AAIC ), a Texas corporation, Aspen Underwriting Limited ( AUL ), a UK corporation and Aspen Syndicate 4711 at Lloyds,, all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Holdings. The Company also participates in a reciprocal quota share arrangement with Aspen UK in relation to property reinsurance business. In addition to the quota share arrangements the Company entered into a loss portfolio transfer agreement ( LPT ) with Aspen UK. Under the terms of the LPT the Company provides coverage to Aspen UK for a proportionate share of Aspen UK s existing liabilities on their international casualty reinsurance, US casualty reinsurance, UK employers liability insurance and casualty facultative lines of business for 2006 and prior accident years. The effective date of the transfer was October 1, 2009. During 2012 the Company continued to participate in two 2009 incepting agreements which provide coverage for the adverse development of existing loss reserves within ASIC and Aspen Syndicate 4711 at December 31, 2008. The Company also provided a Deed of Guarantee to ASIC and AAIC in relation to their third-party reinsurance balances recoverable. 2. Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies The accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( U.S. GAAP ). (a) Use of estimates Assumptions and estimates made by Management have a significant effect on the amounts reported within the financial statements. The most significant of these relate to the loss reserves, loss reserves recoverable, gross written premiums and commissions which have not been reported to the Company such as those relating to proportional treaty reinsurance contracts, and the fair value of derivative financial instruments. All material assumptions and estimates are regularly reviewed and adjustments made as necessary, but actual results could differ significantly from estimates. (b) Accounting for Reinsurance Operations Premiums written and ceded. Premiums written and ceded are recorded at inception of the policy and are earned and expensed, respectively, over the terms of the risk period. For excess of loss contracts, written premiums are estimated based on the deposit premium and any exposure based adjustment premiums that may be applicable as defined in the contract. As these contracts are generally written on a losses occurring basis, the risk period is typically the same as the term of the contract. For contracts 5
written on a risk attaching basis, the risk period follows the terms of the underlying policies. Written premiums on contracts that have adjustable provisions also include adjustment premiums that are based on the projected experience of such contracts. Premium adjustments are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Premiums on proportional treaty contracts are generally not reported to the Company until after the reinsurance coverage is in force. As a result, an estimate of these pipeline premiums is recorded. The Company estimates pipeline premiums based on estimates of ultimate premium, calculated unearned premium and premiums reported from ceding companies. The Company estimates commissions, losses and loss adjustment expenses related to these premiums. Adjustments to these estimates are recognized in the period in which they are determined. The portion of the premiums written and ceded relating to the unexpired risk period is reflected as unearned premium reserves and deferred reinsurance premiums, respectively, on the balance sheet. Reinstatement premiums are the premiums charged for the restoration of the reinsurance limit of an excess of loss contract to its full amount after payment by the reinsurer of losses as a result of an occurrence. Reinstatement premiums are recognized at the time losses are recorded and are earned immediately. Premiums receivable are recorded net of any provision for doubtful accounts and are recorded as premium receivable. Loss Portfolio Transfers and Adverse Development Contracts. From time to time the Company may underwrite retroactive loss portfolio transfer ( LPT ) contracts. The Company also underwrites contracts which provide coverage for the adverse development of existing reserves. These contracts provide cover for past insured events and are therefore accounted for as retroactive reinsurance. These contracts are evaluated to determine whether they meet the established criteria for reinsurance accounting. Where these criteria are met a reinsurance liability is established equal to any loss reserves assumed. Consideration in respect of retroactive reinsurance is reported as premium receivable. Where the consideration is in excess of the recorded liability, the resulting gain is deferred and amortized to other underwriting income over the estimated remaining settlement period using the recovery method. Any subsequent change in the estimate of the reinsurance liability recorded results in an adjustment to the deferred gain with an offsetting charge or credit to other underwriting expenses or income, respectively. Where recorded liabilities exceed the consideration received the excess is charged to income as loss and loss adjustment expenses. Acquisition costs. The costs directly related to writing an insurance policy are referred to as policy acquisition expenses and consist of commissions, premium taxes and profit commissions. With the exception of profit commission, these expenses are incurred when a policy is issued and are deferred and amortized over the same period as the corresponding premiums are recorded as revenues. Profit commissions are accrued to the balance sheet date and are calculated as a percentage of underwriting profit. On a regular basis a recoverability analysis is performed of the deferred policy acquisition costs in relation to the expected recognition of revenues, including anticipated investment income, and adjustments, if any, are reflected as period costs. Should the analysis indicate that the acquisition costs are unrecoverable, further analyses are performed to determine if a reserve is required to provide for losses which may exceed the related unearned premium. Other underwriting income and expense. Income and expenses in relation to contracts which are accounted for as retroactive reinsurance or deposits and contracts which generate fees or other income are included as other underwriting income and expense and recognized when earned. Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Losses represent the amount paid or expected to be paid to claimants in respect of events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date. The costs of investigating, resolving and processing these claims are known as loss adjustment expenses ( LAE ). The statement of operations records 6
losses net of reinsurance, meaning that gross losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred are reduced by the amounts recovered or expected to be recovered under reinsurance contracts. Insurance reserves are established for the total unpaid cost of claims and LAE, which cover events that have occurred by the balance sheet date. These reserves also reflect the Company s estimates of the total cost of claims incurred but not yet reported to it ( IBNR ). Claim reserves are reduced for estimated amounts of salvage and subrogation recoveries. Estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid losses and LAE are reflected as assets. For reported claims, reserves are established on a case-by-case basis within the parameters of coverage provided in the insurance policy or reinsurance agreement. For IBNR claims, reserves are estimated using established actuarial methods. Both case and IBNR reserve estimates consider such variables as past loss experience, changes in legislative conditions, changes in judicial interpretation of legal liability policy coverages and inflation. Because many of the coverages underwritten involve claims that may not be ultimately settled for many years after they are incurred, subjective judgments as to the ultimate exposure to losses are an integral and necessary component of the loss reserving process. Reserves are established by the selection of a best estimate from within a range of estimates. The Company regularly reviews its reserves, using a variety of statistical and actuarial techniques to analyse current claims costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social and legal factors. Reserves established in prior periods are adjusted as claim experience develops and new information becomes available. Adjustments to previously estimated reserves are reflected in the financial results of the period in which the adjustments are made. Whilst the reported reserves make a reasonable provision for unpaid claims and LAE obligations, it should be noted that the process of estimating required reserves does, by its very nature, involve considerable uncertainty. The level of uncertainty can be influenced by factors such as the existence of coverage with long duration payment patterns and changes in claims handling practices, as well as the factors noted above. Ultimate actual payments for claims and LAE could turn out to be significantly different from the estimates. (c) Investments The Company s investments are managed following prudent standards of diversification. Specific provisions limit the allowable holdings of a single issue and issuers. Fixed Maturity Investments. Investments in fixed maturities are classified as available for sale or trading and are reported at estimated fair value. Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date with balances pending settlement reflected in the balance sheet as other assets or other liabilities. Fair values are determined based on quoted market prices and other data provided by internationally recognized independent pricing sources through the Company s third-party pricing service. Where multiple quotes or prices are obtained, a price source hierarchy is maintained in order to determine which price source provides the fair value (i.e., a price obtained from a pricing service with more seniority in the hierarchy will be used over a less senior one in all cases). The hierarchy prioritizes pricing services based on availability and reliability and assigns the highest priority to index providers. For mortgage-backed and other asset-backed debt securities, fair value includes estimates regarding prepayment assumptions, which are based on current market conditions. Equity securities. Equity securities comprise U.S. and foreign equity securities and are classified as available for sale and carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value. The fair values are based on quoted market prices from independent pricing sources. Short-term Investments. Short-term investments are classified as available for sale or trading and are reported at estimated fair value. Short-term investments primarily comprise highly liquid debt securities with a maturity greater than three months but less than one year from the date of purchase. 7
Gains and Losses. Realized gains and losses from the available for sale and trading portfolios are the result of sales of securities and are determined using the first in first out cost method. For the available for sale portfolio realized gains and losses will include adjustments to the cost basis as a result of other-than-temporary impairment charges. Unrealized gains and losses represent the difference between the cost/amortized cost of the security and its market value at the reporting date and are included in net change in unrealized investment gains during the year in other comprehensive income for securities classified as available for sale and in net realized investment gains in the statement of operations for securities classified as trading. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at fair value. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments due to mature within three months and which are subject to insignificant risk of change in fair value. Other-than-temporary Impairment of Investments ( OTTI ). A security is impaired when its fair value is below its cost or amortized cost. The Company reviews its investment portfolio each quarter on an individual security basis for potential other-than-temporary impairment ( OTTI ) based on criteria including issuer-specific circumstances, credit ratings actions and general macro-economic conditions. Other-than-temporary impairment on fixed income securities is deemed to occur when there is no objective evidence to support recovery in value of a security and a) the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost or adjusted amortized cost basis or b) it is deemed probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the individual security. In the first case, the entire unrealized loss position is taken as an OTTI charge to realized losses in earnings. In the second case, the unrealized loss is separated into the amount related to credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The OTTI charge related to credit loss is recognized in realized losses in earnings and the amount related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of the investment is reduced accordingly and no adjustments to the cost basis are made for subsequent recoveries in value. Equity securities do not have a maturity date and therefore the Company s review of these securities utilizes a higher degree of judgment. In its review, the Company considers its ability and intent to hold an impaired equity security for a reasonable period of time to allow for a full recovery. Where an equity security is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the entire charge is recognized in realized losses in earnings. The cost basis of the investment is reduced accordingly and no adjustments to the cost basis are made for subsequent recoveries in value. Although the Company reviews each security on a case by case basis, it has also established parameters focusing on the extent and duration of impairment to help identify securities in an unrealized loss position which are otherthan-temporarily impaired. For fixed maturities, the Company considers securities which have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more which currently have a market value of more than 20% below cost to be other-than-temporarily impaired. For equities, the Company considers declines in value to a level of 20% or more below cost for 12 consecutive months to indicate the security to be other-than-temporarily impaired. Investment Income. Investment income is recognized when earned and includes amounts received and accrued in respect of periodic interest ( coupons ) payable to the Company by the issuer of fixed income securities, equity dividends and interest credited on cash and cash equivalents. It also includes amortization of premium and accretion of discount in respect of fixed income securities. Investment management fees and custody fees are charged against net investment income reported in the statement of operations. (d) Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments The Company enters into derivative financial instruments such as swaps and forward contracts in order to manage certain investment portfolio risk and exposures, foreign currency exposures and credit exposures in relation to our reinsurance counterparties. The Company accounts for its derivatives in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, 8
Derivatives and Hedging, which requires all derivatives to be recorded at fair value on the Company s balance sheet as either assets or liabilities, depending on their rights and obligations. Changes in fair value are reported as change in fair value of derivatives in the statement of operations as they occur. The Company does not apply hedge accounting. (e) Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, whilst non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates. Revenues and expenses are translated at the transaction date exchange rates. Foreign exchange gains and losses are included in the statement of operations, except where they relate to the movement in fair value of available for sale securities when they are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. (f) Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, premium receivable, funds withheld, due from related party, other assets, reinsurance balances payable and other liabilities approximate their respective market values due to their short-term nature. The estimates of fair values presented herein are subjective in nature and are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would actually realize in a current market exchange. However, any differences would not be expected to be material. Certain balances such as loss reserves recoverable, deferred acquisition costs, loss reserves and unearned premium reserves are excluded from fair value disclosure. Thus the total fair value amounts cannot be aggregated to determine the underlying economic value of the Company. 3. Investments The Company s Board of Directors establishes investment guidelines in accordance with the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of Holdings and supervises the Company s investment activity. The investment guidelines specify minimum criteria on the overall credit quality and liquidity characteristics of the portfolio. They include limitations on the size of certain holdings as well as restrictions on purchasing certain types of securities. Management and the Investment Committee review the Company s investment performance, its compliance with investment objectives and guidelines, and assess credit and market risk concentrations and exposures to issuers. Fixed Income Maturities, Short-Term Investments and Equities - Available for Sale. The following presents the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair market value of available for sale investments in fixed income maturities, short-term investments and equities as at : 9
2012 Amortized cost Gross unrealized Gross unrealized gains losses Fair value U.S. Government Securities 546,252 32,474 (181) 578,545 U.S. Agency Securities 204,010 8,859-212,869 Municipal Securities 11,687 1,737-13,424 Corporate Securities 1,207,905 100,169 (522) 1,307,552 Non-U.S. Government-backed Corporate 12,488 666-13,154 Foreign Government Securities 50,136 4,078 (7) 54,207 Asset-backed Securities 34,027 2,455-36,482 Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities 39,988 5,868-45,856 Agency Mortgage-backed Securities 867,041 42,722 (217) 909,546 Total Fixed Income Maturities, Available for Sale 2,973,534 199,028 (927) 3,171,635 Total Short-term Investments, Available for Sale 57,032 - - 57,032 Total Equity Securities, Available for Sale 173,952 28,180 (2,055) 200,077 Total 3,204,518 227,208 (2,982) 3,428,744 2011 Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value U.S. Government Securities 492,151 32,523 (2) 524,672 U.S. Agency Securities 180,723 8,500-189,223 Municipal Securities 11,807 1,227-13,034 Corporate Securities 1,152,543 78,120 (2,059) 1,228,604 FDIC Guaranteed Corporate 9,000 43-9,043 Non-U.S. Government-backed Corporate 43,121 1,147-44,268 Foreign Government Securities 58,106 1,303-59,409 Asset-backed Securities 36,666 1,899 (245) 38,320 Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities 48,082 4,317 (36) 52,363 Agency Mortgage-backed Securities 943,368 49,057 (193) 992,232 Total Fixed Income Maturities, Available for Sale 2,975,567 178,136 (2,535) 3,151,168 Total Short-term Investments, Available for Sale 51,741 - - 51,741 Total Equity Securities, Available for Sale 169,814 15,089 (5,448) 179,455 Total 3,197,122 193,225 (7,983) 3,382,364 The contractual maturity distribution of fixed maturity securities as of is set forth below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. 10
2012 Amortized cost Fair value Weighted average rating by maturity Due within one year 167,271 169,522 A+ Due after one year through five years 1,064,558 1,116,889 AA- Due after five years through ten years 717,444 795,799 A+ Due after ten years 83,205 97,541 A+ 2,032,478 2,179,751 Asset-backed Securities 34,027 36,482 AAA Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities 39,988 45,856 AA+ Agency Mortgage-backed Securities 867,041 909,546 AA+ Total 2,973,534 3,171,635 2011 Amortized cost Fair value Weighted average Due within one year 256,973 260,032 AA Due after one year through five years 963,607 1,004,583 AA- Due after five years through ten years 647,843 710,578 AA- Due after ten years 79,028 93,060 A+ 1,947,451 2,068,253 Asset-backed Securities 36,666 38,320 AAA Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities 48,082 52,363 AA Agency Mortgage-backed Securities 943,368 992,232 AA+ Total 2,975,567 3,151,168 Fixed Income Maturities Trading. The following presents the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of trading investments in fixed maturities and short term investments: Fixed maturities, trading 2012 Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value U.S. Government Securities 9,313 198 (83) 9,428 U.S. Agency Securities 166 32-198 Municipal Securities 2,850 44 (35) 2,859 Corporate Securities 393,487 21,221 (294) 414,414 Foreign Government Securities 24,427 1,817 (2) 26,242 Asset-backed Securities 2,924 15-2,939 Total Fixed Income Maturities, Trading 433,167 23,327 (414) 456,080 Total Short-term Investments, Trading 2,397 - - 2,397 Total 435,564 23,327 (414) 458,477 2011 Amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value U.S. Government Securities 30,329 1,989-32,318 U.S. Agency Securities 1,558 198-1,756 Municipal Securities 2,851 70-2,921 Corporate Securities 340,489 13,076 (4,238) 349,327 Foreign Government Securities 7,151 278 (1) 7,428 Asset-backed Securities 673 - (13) 660 Total Fixed Income Maturities, Trading 383,051 15,611 (4,252) 394,410 Total Short-term Investments, Trading 4,110 2-4,112 Total 387,161 15,613 (4,252) 398,522 11
The Company classifies these financial instruments as trading as this most closely reflects the facts and circumstances of the investments held. Gross unrealized loss. The following tables summarize as at the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position for the Company s available for sale portfolio by type of security: 2012 0-12 months Over 12 months Total Fair value Gross unrealized loss Fair value Gross unrealized loss Fair value Gross unrealized loss U.S. Government Securities 39,403 (181) - - 39,403 (181) U.S. Agency Securities - - - - - - Municipal Securities - - - - - - Corporate Securities 88,848 (522) - - 88,848 (522) FDIC Guaranteed Corporate - - - - - - Non-U.S. Government-backed Corporate - - - - - - Foreign Government Securities 1,488 (7) - - 1,488 (7) Asset-backed Securities - - - - - - Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities - - - - - - Agency Mortgage-backed Securities 35,146 (217) - - 35,146 (217) Total Fixed Income Maturities, Available for Sale 164,885 (927) - - 164,885 (927) Total Equity Securities, Available for Sale 28,604 (1,871) 2,222 (184) 30,826 (2,055) Total 193,489 (2,798) 2,222 (184) 195,711 (2,982) 2011 0-12 months Over 12 months Total Fair value Gross unrealized loss Fair value Gross unrealized loss Fair value Gross unrealized loss U.S. Government Securities 5,990 (2) - - 5,990 (2) U.S. Agency Securities - - - - - - Municipal Securities - - - - - - Corporate Securities 103,605 (2,059) - - 103,605 (2,059) FDIC Guaranteed Corporate - - - - - - Non-U.S. Government-backed Corporate - - - - - - Foreign Government Securities - - - - - - Asset-backed Securities 21,388 (245) - - 21,388 (245) Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities - - 670 (36) 670 (36) Agency Mortgage-backed Securities 31,038 (192) 60 (1) 31,098 (193) Total Fixed Income Maturities, Available for Sale 162,021 (2,498) 730 (37) 162,751 (2,535) Total Equity Securities, Available for Sale 37,474 (5,448) - - 37,474 (5,448) Total 199,495 (7,946) 730 (37) 200,225 (7,983) As at December 31, 2012, the Company held 36 fixed maturities and 18 equity securities (2011-55 fixed maturities and 15 equity securities) in an unrealized loss position with a fair value of $195.7 million (2011 - $200.2 million) and gross unrealized losses of $3.0 million (2011 - $8.0 million). The Company believes that the gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities are attributable mainly to a combination of widening credit spreads 12
and interest rate movements. The Company believes that the period during which both the fixed maturities and equity securities will remain in an unrealized loss position is temporary. Other-than-temporary impairments. The Company recorded $3.1m of OTTI charges in 2012 (2011 Nil). Investment transactions. Proceeds from sales of available for sale and trading fixed maturity and equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $468.2 million (2011 - $925.6 million). Purchases of available for sale and trading fixed maturity and equity securities were $1,060.9 million in 2012 (2011 - $1,873.0 million) and include investments with a fair market value of $nil (2011 - $439.7 million) which were transferred in settlement of an intercompany balance with Aspen Insurance UK Limited. Net investment income. The components of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows: Realized gains and losses. The analysis of net realized gains on investments for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows: 4. Fair Value Measurements 2012 2011 Fixed maturity investments 120,303 120,668 Short term investments (315) (170) Cash and cash equivalents 1,411 7,307 Equity dividends 6,162 6,239 Other investments - - Investment income before expenses 127,561 134,044 Investment expenses (5,329) (4,580) Net investment income 122,232 129,464 2012 2011 Available for sale short term investments and fixed maturities: Gross realized gains 2,282 11,740 Gross realized (losses) (1,815) (5,919) Trading portfolio short term investments and fixed maturities: Gross realized gains 9,385 5,426 Gross realized (losses) (338) (1,824) Net change in gross unrealized (losses)/gains 11,559 (1,685) Available for sale equity investments: Gross realized gains 4,310 1,746 Gross realized (losses) (4,819) (3,221) Impairments: Total other-than-temporary impairment charge (3,057) - Net realized investment gains 17,507 6,263 The Company s estimates of fair value for financial assets and liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance included in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The framework prioritizes the inputs, which refer broadly to assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, into three levels, which are described in more detail below. 13
Level 1 Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets, to which the Company has access, for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 Valuations based on inputs other than unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, and inputs other than quoted prices which are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability (for example interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities). Level 3 Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company s own views about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company considers prices for actively traded securities to be derived based on quoted prices in an active market for identical assets, which are Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The majority of securities are valued using prices supplied by index providers. The Company considers prices for other securities that may not be as actively traded which are priced via pricing services, index providers, vendors and broker-dealers, or with reference to interest rates and yield curves, to be derived based on inputs that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly, which are Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. These securities are also valued using prices supplied by index providers. The Company considers securities, other financial instruments and derivative insurance contracts subject to fair value measurement whose valuation is derived by internal valuation models to be based largely on unobservable inputs, which are Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. Where inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability fall into more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the classification of the asset or liability will be within the lowest level identified as significant to the valuation. U.S. Government and Agencies. U.S. government and agency securities consist primarily of bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and corporate debt issued by agencies such as the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. As the fair values of U.S. Treasury securities are based on unadjusted market prices in active markets, they are classified within Level 1. The fair values of U.S. government agency securities are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. As the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the spreads for these securities are observable market inputs, the fair values of U.S. government agency securities are classified within Level 2. Foreign Government. The issuers for securities in this category are non-u.s. governments and their agencies. The fair values of non-u.s. government bonds, primarily sourced from international indices, are based on unadjusted market prices in active markets and are therefore classified within Level 1. The fair values of the non-u.s. agency securities, again primarily sourced from international indices, are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. As the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the spreads for these securities are observable market inputs, the fair values of non-u.s. agency securities are classified within Level 2. Municipals. Our municipal portfolio comprises bonds issued by U.S. domiciled state and municipality entities. The fair value of these securities is determined using spreads obtained from broker-dealers, trade prices and the new issue market which are Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. Consequently, these securities are classified within Level 2. Corporate. Corporate securities consist primarily of U.S. and foreign corporations covering a variety of industries and are for the most part priced by index providers and pricing vendors. Some issuers may participate in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) program or other similar non-u.s. government programs which guarantee timely payment of principal and interest in the event of a default. The fair values of these securities are 14
generally determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. Inputs used in the evaluation of these securities include credit data, interest rate data, market observations and sector news, broker-dealer quotes and trade volumes. The Company classifies these securities within Level 2. Mortgage-backed. Our residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities consist of bonds issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as well as private, nonagency issuers. The fair values of these securities are determined through the use of a pricing model (including Option Adjusted Spread) which uses prepayment speeds and spreads to determine the appropriate average life of the mortgage-backed security. These spreads are generally obtained from broker-dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. As the significant inputs used to price mortgage-backed securities are observable market inputs these securities are classified within Level 2. Asset-backed. The underlying collateral for the Company's asset-backed securities consists mainly of student loans, automobile loans and credit card receivables. These securities are primarily priced by index providers and pricing vendors. Inputs to the valuation process include broker-dealer quotes and other available trade information, prepayment speeds, interest rate data and credit spreads. The Company classifies these securities within Level 2. Short-term investments. Short-term investments comprise highly liquid debt securities with a maturity greater than three months but less than one year from the date of purchase and are classified as either trading or available for sale and carried at estimated fair value. Short-term investments are valued in a manner similar to the Company's fixed maturity investments and are classified within Level 1 and 2. Equity Securities. Equity securities include U.S. and foreign common stocks and are classified as either trading or available for sale and carried at fair value. These securities are classified within Level 1 as their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets from independent pricing sources. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The foreign currency forward contracts which we use to mitigate currency risk are characterized as over-the-counter ("OTC") due to their customized nature and the fact that they do not trade on a major exchange. These instruments trade in a very deep liquid market, providing substantial price transparency and accordingly are classified as Level 2. Interest-Rate Swaps. The interest-rate swaps which we use to mitigate interest rate risk are also characterized as OTC and are valued by the counterparties using quantitative models with multiple market inputs. The market inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves, are observable and the valuation can be compared for reasonableness with third party pricing services. Consequently, these instruments are classified as Level 2. The Company s fixed income securities are traded on the over-the-counter market based on prices provided by one or more market makers in each security. Securities such as U.S. Government, U.S. Agency, Foreign Government and investment grade corporate bonds have multiple market makers in addition to readily observable market value indicators such as expected credit spread, except for Treasury securities, over the yield curve. The Company s fixed income securities were valued by internationally recognized independent pricing services, index providers or broker-dealers, using standard market conventions. The market conventions utilize market quotations, market transactions in comparable instruments and various relationships between instruments including, but not limited to, yield to maturity, dollar prices and spread prices in determining value. The fair value estimates for the investment grade securities in the Company s portfolio do not use significant unobservable inputs or modeling techniques. Independent Pricing Services and Index Providers. The underlying methodology used to determine the fair value of securities in the Company's available for sale and trading portfolios by the pricing services and index providers the Company uses is very similar. Pricing services will gather observable pricing inputs from multiple external sources, including buy and sell-side contacts and broker-dealers, in order to develop their internal prices. Index providers are those firms which provide prices for a range of securities within one or more asset classes, typically 15
using their own in-house market makers (traders) as the primary pricing source for the indices, although ultimate valuations may also rely on other observable data inputs to derive a dollar price for all index-eligible securities. Index providers without in-house trading desks will function similarly to a pricing service in that they will gather their observable pricing inputs from multiple external sources. All prices for the Company's securities attributed to index providers are for an individual security within the respective indices. Pricing services and index providers, provide pricing for less complex, liquid securities based on market quotations in active markets. Pricing services and index providers supply prices for a broad range of securities including those for actively traded securities, such as Treasury and other Government securities, in addition to those that trade less frequently or where valuation includes reference to credit spreads, pay down and pre-pay features and other observable inputs. These securities include Government Agency, Municipals, Corporate and Asset-Backed Securities. For securities that may trade less frequently or do not trade on a listed exchange, these pricing services and index providers may use matrix pricing consisting of observable market inputs to estimate the fair value of a security. These observable market inputs include: reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic factors. Additionally, pricing services and index providers may use a valuation model such as an option adjusted spread model commonly used for estimating fair values of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Neither the Company, nor its index providers, derives dollar prices using an index as a pricing input for any individual security. Broker-Dealers. We obtain quotes from broker-dealers who are active in the corresponding markets when prices are unavailable from independent pricing services or index providers. Generally, broker-dealers value securities through their trading desks based on observable market inputs. Their pricing methodologies include mapping securities based on trade data, bids or offers, observed spreads and performance on newly issued securities. They may also establish pricing through observing secondary trading of similar securities. Quotes from broker-dealers are non-binding. The Company obtains prices for all of its fixed income investment securities via its third-party accounting service provider, in the majority of cases receiving a number of quotes so as to obtain the most comprehensive information available to determine a security's fair value. A single valuation is applied to each security based on the vendor hierarchy maintained by our third-party accounting service provider. The Company, in conjunction with its third-party accounting service provider, obtains an understanding of the methods, models and inputs used by the third-party pricing service and index provider to assess the on-going appropriateness of vendors' prices. The Company and its third party accounting service provider also have controls in place to validate that amounts provided represent fair values. Processes to validate and review pricing include, but are not limited to: quantitative analysis (e.g. comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated); comparison of market values obtained from pricing services, index providers and broker-dealers against investment manager pricing where further investigation is completed when significant differences exist for pricing of individual securities between pricing sources; initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by outside parties to calculate fair value; and comparison of the fair value estimates to our knowledge of the current market and on a sample basis against alternative internationally recognized independent pricing sources. Prices obtained from pricing services, index providers and broker-dealers are not adjusted by the Company, however, prices provided by a pricing service, index provider or broker-dealer in certain instances may be challenged based on market or information available from internal sources, including those available to our third- 16