10-Q 1 a07-13964_110q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the period ended March 31, 2007

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 333-88352

FUND AMERICAN COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

52-2272489

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

601 Carlson Parkway

 

 

Minnetonka, Minnesota

 

55305

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 852-2431

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o

Accelerated Filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  x

 

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

As of May 14, 2007, there were 505 outstanding shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the registrant.

The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H) (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form with reduced disclosure format.

 




FUND AMERICAN COMPANIES, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets:
December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income:
Three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholder’s Equity:
Three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
Three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

Managements’ Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations – For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

Exhibits

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

 

2




Part 1. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

FUND AMERICAN COMPANIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

($ in millions, except
share and per share
amounts)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity investments, at fair value (amortized cost $3,489.9 and $3,345.1)

 

$

3,528.2

 

$

3,395.9

 

Common equity securities, at fair value (cost $568.9 and $575.5)

 

737.1

 

739.3

 

Short-term investments, at amortized cost (which approximates fair value)

 

269.1

 

255.7

 

Held-to-maturity investments (assets held in trust):

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity investments, at amortized cost (estimated fair value $304.0 and $307.9)

 

305.0

 

308.4

 

Short-term investments, at amortized cost (which approximates fair value)

 

13.3

 

6.6

 

Other investments (cost $229.5 and $232.2)

 

278.1

 

287.3

 

Total investments

 

5,130.8

 

4,993.2

 

Cash

 

41.4

 

35.8

 

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

1,032.6

 

1,041.4

 

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses—Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

 

1,810.0

 

1,779.1

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses

 

32.4

 

20.5

 

Premiums receivable

 

517.1

 

490.5

 

Securities lending collateral

 

528.8

 

431.4

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

183.8

 

181.8

 

Deferred tax asset

 

75.0

 

41.9

 

Investment income accrued

 

34.7

 

33.6

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

38.2

 

53.6

 

Accounts receivable on unsettled investment sales

 

6.7

 

29.3

 

Other assets

 

375.2

 

359.9

 

Total assets

 

$

9,806.7

 

$

9,492.0

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and LAE reserves

 

$

4,837.7

 

$

4,773.9

 

Unearned premiums

 

985.2

 

971.6

 

Debt

 

759.5

 

757.6

 

Securities lending payable

 

528.8

 

431.4

 

Preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption—Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (redemption value $300.0)

 

242.3

 

250.5

 

Ceded reinsurance payable

 

71.9

 

84.9

 

Accounts payable on unsettled investment purchases

 

11.2

 

6.4

 

Other liabilities

 

622.6

 

445.0

 

Total liabilities

 

8,059.2

 

7,721.3

 

Common Shareholder’s equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares and paid-in surplus (par value $1, issued and outstanding, 505 shares)

 

970.5

 

970.5

 

Retained earnings

 

590.1

 

604.4

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, after-tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains on investments

 

171.8

 

180.3

 

Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains

 

12.0

 

13.3

 

Other comprehensive income items

 

3.1

 

2.2

 

Total common shareholder’s equity

 

1,747.5

 

1,770.7

 

Total liabilities and common shareholder’s equity

 

$

9,806.7

 

$

9,492.0

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3




FUND AMERICAN COMPANIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

506.8

 

$

468.9

 

Net investment income

 

44.7

 

49.6

 

Net realized investment gains

 

28.0

 

54.9

 

Net other revenues

 

3.1

 

3.1

 

Total revenues

 

582.6

 

576.5

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and LAE

 

337.7

 

288.2

 

Policy acquisition expenses

 

87.5

 

78.3

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

83.9

 

90.9

 

General and administrative expenses

 

5.7

 

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment to loss and LAE reserves

 

5.7

 

4.0

 

Interest expense on debt

 

11.3

 

11.4

 

Interest expense—dividends on preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption

 

7.1

 

7.1

 

Interest expense—accretion on preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption

 

6.4

 

8.2

 

Total expenses

 

545.3

 

488.1

 

Pre-tax income

 

37.3

 

88.4

 

Income tax provision

 

(18.0

)

(38.8

)

Income from continuing operations before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

 

19.3

 

49.6

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

 

2.2

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

21.5

 

49.6

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(1.2

)

 

Net income

 

20.3

 

49.6

 

Change in net unrealized gains and losses for investments held

 

18.4

 

64.3

 

Recognition of net unrealized gains and losses for investments sold

 

(17.2

)

(55.8

)

Change in foreign currency translation

 

(0.7

)

1.3

 

Change in other comprehensive income items

 

1.1

 

(0.9

)

Comprehensive net income

 

$

21.9

 

$

58.5

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4




FUND AMERICAN COMPANIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

 

Common
shareholder’s
equity

 

Common
shares and
paid-in
surplus

 

Retained
earnings

 

Accum. other
comprehensive
income,
after-tax

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at January 1, 2006

 

$

1,483.8

 

$

920.1

 

$

406.0

 

$

157.7

 

Adjustment to adopt SFAS No. 155, after-tax

 

 

 

7.1

 

(7.1

)

Net income

 

20.3

 

 

20.3

 

 

Other comprehensive income, after-tax

 

1.6

 

 

 

1.6

 

Dividends to FAEH

 

(20.0

)

 

(20.0

)

 

Balances at March 31, 2006

 

$

1,485.7

 

$

920.1

 

$

413.4

 

$

152.2

 

 

 

 

Common
shareholder’s
equity

 

Common
shares and
paid-in
surplus

 

Retained
earnings

 

Accum. other
comprehensive
income,
after-tax

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at January 1, 2007

 

$

1,747.5

 

$

970.5

 

$

590.1

 

$

186.9

 

Adjustment to adopt FIN 48

 

(0.3

)

 

(0.3

)

 

Net income

 

49.6

 

 

49.6

 

 

Other comprehensive income, after-tax

 

8.9

 

 

 

8.9

 

Dividends to FAEH

 

(35.0

)

 

(35.0

)

 

Balances at March 31, 2007

 

$

1,770.7

 

$

970.5

 

$

604.4

 

$

195.8

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5




FUND AMERICAN COMPANIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Cash flows from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

20.3

 

$

49.6

 

Charges (credits) to reconcile net income to cash flows used for operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

1.2

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

(28.0

)

(54.9

)

Dividends paid on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

 

7.1

 

7.1

 

Other operating items:

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in loss and LAE reserves

 

(168.1

)

(63.8

)

Net change in unearned premiums

 

19.7

 

(13.6

)

Net change in ceded reinsurance

 

(11.6

)

13.0

 

Net change in premiums receivable

 

7.1

 

26.6

 

Net change in reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

 

88.2

 

34.0

 

Net change in other assets and liabilities

 

(131.5

)

(141.9

)

Net cash used for operating activities of continuing operations

 

(195.6

)

(143.9

)

Net cash used for operating activities of discontinued operations

 

(1.5

)

 

Net cash used for operations

 

(197.1

)

(143.9

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in short-term investments available-for-sale

 

(77.9

)

13.4

 

Maturities of investments held-to-maturity

 

 

6.7

 

Sales of fixed maturity investments

 

422.3

 

462.0

 

Maturities of fixed maturity investments

 

148.3

 

161.3

 

Sales of common equity securities

 

47.2

 

99.3

 

Sales of other investments

 

0.9

 

16.0

 

Purchases of fixed maturity investments available-for-sale

 

(237.1

)

(476.3

)

Purchases of common equity securities

 

(113.5

)

(65.8

)

Purchases of other investments

 

(7.7

)

(5.7

)

Net change in unsettled investment purchases and sales

 

28.4

 

(27.4

)

Net acquisitions of property and equipment

 

(6.2

)

(1.1

)

Net cash provided from investing activities of continuing operations

 

204.7

 

182.4

 

Net cash used for investing activities of discontinued operations

 

(3.9

)

 

Net cash provided from investing activities

 

200.8

 

182.4

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of debt

 

 

(2.0

)

Cash dividends paid to FAEH

 

(1.0

)

(35.0

)

Dividends paid on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

 

(7.1

)

(7.1

)

Net cash used for financing activities of continuing operations

 

(8.1

)

(44.1

)

Net decrease in cash during period

 

(4.4

)

(5.6

)

Cash balance at beginning of period

 

43.9

 

41.4

 

Cash balance at end of period

 

$

39.5

 

$

35.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flows information:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

0.7

 

$

0.9

 

Tax payments made under tax sharing agreements

 

 

84.3

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6




NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation

These interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts the accounts of Fund American Companies, Inc. (the “Company” or “FAC”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Fund American”) and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Fund American’s operating companies are U.S.-based property and casualty insurance writers, substantially all of which operate in a multi-company pool. Fund American offers a wide range of specialty, commercial and personal products and services sold primarily through select independent agencies and brokers.

FAC was created in 2000 by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”) to acquire and subsequently be the holding company for OneBeacon Insurance Group LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “OneBeacon”). On June 1, 2001, FAC acquired OneBeacon from Aviva plc (“Aviva”, formerly CGNU), (the “OneBeacon Acquisition”). During 2006, White Mountains undertook an internal reorganization and formed OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd. (“OBIG”) for the purpose of holding certain of its property and casualty insurance businesses. As part of this reorganization, certain of White Mountains’ businesses that were historically indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of White Mountains, including FAC, became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of OBIG. During the fourth quarter of 2006, White Mountains sold 27.6 million or 27.6% of OBIG’s common shares in an initial public offering. Within this report, the term “Fund American” is used to refer to one or more entities within the consolidated organization, as the context requires. The Company is a U.S. based company with its headquarters located at 1 Beacon Lane, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 and its principal executive office located at 601 Carlson Parkway, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305.

Fund American’s reportable segments are Primary Insurance Operations, Affiliate Quota Shares, and Other Operations, as defined below. Fund American’s Primary Insurance Operations segment includes the results of substantially all of its insurance operations, with the exception of certain quota share arrangements with affiliates of White Mountains as described below.

During 2004 and 2005, Fund American entered into two quota share reinsurance arrangements with other subsidiaries of White Mountains. Under the Sirius Quota Share, Fund American ceded between 6% and 12% of business written, effective April 1, 2004, to Sirius International Insurance Corporation. Under the Esurance Quota Share, which was effective on January 1, 2005, Fund American assumed approximately 85% of business written by Esurance Insurance Company, which includes business written by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Esurance Property and Casualty Insurance Company. These quota share agreements were commuted during the fourth quarter of 2006 in connection with OBIG’s initial public offering.

Fund American’s Other Operations segment consists of activities of the Company.

All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These interim financial statements include all adjustments considered necessary by management to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Refer to the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion regarding Fund American’s significant accounting policies.

As discussed in further detail in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” in 2004 and 2006, Fund American distributed or sold certain consolidated subsidiaries to White Mountains. As part of a reorganization immediately preceding OBIG’s initial public offering, Fund American sold certain other consolidated subsidiaries to White Mountains on August 3, 2006 at GAAP book value. These subsidiaries have been classified as discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations for the distributed or sold subsidiaries are presented net of tax, as a loss from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Cash flows associated with the operating and investing activities of discontinued operations are aggregated and presented under separate captions in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  There were no cash flows associated with financing activities for the discontinued operations.

7




Recently Adopted Changes in Accounting Principles

Federal and State Income Taxes

On January 1, 2007 (“Date of Adoption”) Fund American adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes when the benefit of a given tax position should be recognized and how it should be measured.  Under the new guidance, recognition is based upon whether or not a company determines that it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based upon the technical merits of the position. In evaluating the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, Fund American must presume that the tax position will be subject to examination by a taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information. If the recognition threshold is met, then the tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

FIN 48 also addresses how interest and penalties should be accrued for uncertain tax positions, requiring that interest expense should be recognized in the first period interest would be accrued under the tax law. Fund American classifies all interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as part of income tax expense.  At the Date of Adoption, the Company had accrued interest and penalties of $0.7 million, net of federal benefit. In connection with the adoption of FIN 48, Fund American has recognized a $0.3 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, primarily as a result of increases in its estimates of accrued interest. The effect of adoption has been recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings.

At the Date of Adoption the Company had $15.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits.  If recognized, $11.1 million would increase net income.  Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, exposure for certain temporary differences would not affect the effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.  There have been no material changes to the above balances since the Date of Adoption.

The majority of Fund American’s subsidiaries file a consolidated tax return in the U.S.  The Company’s parent, Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. (“FAEH”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OBIG, is not included within these financials statements. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003.  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2003 through 2004 in the second quarter of 2006 that is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2008.  As of March 31, 2007 the IRS has not proposed any significant adjustments to taxable income.  The Company does not expect to receive any adjustments that would result in a material change to its financial position.

The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). The Statement provides a revised definition of fair value and guidance on the methods used to measure fair value. The Statement also expands financial statement disclosure requirements for fair value information. The Statement establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data from independent sources (“observable inputs”) and a reporting entity’s internal assumptions based upon the best information available when external market data is limited or unavailable (“unobservable inputs”). The fair value hierarchy in SFAS 157 prioritizes inputs within three levels. Quoted prices in active markets have the highest priority (Level 1) followed by observable inputs other than quoted prices (Level 2) and unobservable inputs having the lowest priority (Level 3). The Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, with earlier application allowed for entities that have not issued financial statements in

8




the fiscal year of adoption. Fund American has not yet determined the effect of adoption on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Fair Value Option

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). The Statement allows companies to make an election, on an individual instrument basis, to report financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The election must be made at the inception of a transaction and may not be reversed. The election may also be made for existing financial assets and liabilities at the time of adoption. Unrealized gains and losses on assets or liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected are to be reported in earnings. The Statement requires additional disclosures for instruments for which the election has been made, including a description of management’s reasons for making the election. The Statement is effective as of fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is to be adopted prospectively and concurrent with the adoption of SFAS 157. Fund American has not yet determined the effect of adoption on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  

NOTE 2. Discontinued Operations

In 2006 Fund American sold the consolidated subsidiaries set forth below at GAAP book value to White Mountains. These subsidiaries are included in discontinued operations:

·       White Mountains Advisors LLC—an investment management subsidiary;

·       White Mountains Management Company, Inc. and White Mountains Capital, Inc.—both service companies;

·       White Mountains Services Holdings and White Mountains Services, LLC—these companies contain the remainder of mortgage banking run-off assets from the sale of substantially all the mortgage banking assets of White Mountains Services Corporation (formerly Source One Mortgage Services Corporation) to Citibank Mortgage, Inc. in 1999;

·       Tuckerman Capital, L.P. and Tuckerman Capital II, L.P.—both private equity fund investments;

·       International American Group—primarily consists of American Centennial Insurance Company and British Insurance Company of Cayman, two run-off insurance companies.

Fund American’s net income from continuing operations excludes the results of operations for the above entities for all periods presented. Loss from discontinued operations has been presented separately and is shown net of related income taxes.

NOTE 3. Acquisitions and Dispositions

On September 29, 2006, Fund American sold certain assets and the right to renew existing policies of Agri, a division of Fund American that provided commercial farm and ranch and commercial agricultural insurance products, for $32.0 million in cash to QBE and recorded a pre-tax gain of $30.4 million through net other revenues. In connection with this sale, Fund American entered into agreements under which, at the option of QBE, it will write the policies of Agri on a direct basis and cede 100% of this business to QBE.

On October 31, 2006, Fund American restructured its investment in Main Street America Holdings, Inc. (“MSA”). Fund American received a $70 million cash dividend from MSA following which Fund American sold its 50% common stock investment in MSA to Main Street America Group, Inc. (“the MSA Group”) for (i) $70.0 million in 9.0% non-voting cumulative perpetual preferred stock of the MSA Group and (ii) 4.9% of the common stock of the MSA Group. Effective October 31, 2006, Fund American accounts for its remaining investment in the MSA Group in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” Refer to the Fund American’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Prior to the sale, Fund American

9




owned 50% of the total common shares outstanding of MSA and accounted for this investment using the equity method of accounting. These transactions resulted in a net after-tax realized gain of $8.5 million.

NOTE 4. Reserves for Unpaid Loss and LAE

The following table summarizes the loss and LAE reserve activities of Fund American’s insurance subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross beginning balance

 

$

5,354.3

 

$

4,837.7

 

Less beginning reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

(3,120.9

)

(2,842.6

)

Net loss and LAE reserves

 

2,233.4

 

1,995.1

 

Loss and LAE incurred relating to:

 

 

 

 

 

Current year losses

 

344.9

 

300.2

 

Prior year losses

 

(7.2

)

(12.0

)

Total incurred loss and LAE

 

337.7

 

288.2

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment to net loss and LAE reserves

 

5.7

 

4.0

 

Loss and LAE paid relating to:

 

 

 

 

 

Current year losses

 

(93.9

)

(76.0

)

Prior year losses

 

(330.5

)

(257.9

)

Total loss and LAE payments

 

(424.4

)

(333.9

)

Net ending balance

 

2,152.4

 

1,953.4

 

Plus ending reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

 

3,033.8

 

2,820.5

 

Gross ending balance

 

$

5,186.2

 

$

4,773.9

 

 

In connection with purchase accounting for the OneBeacon Acquisition, loss and LAE reserves and the related reinsurance recoverables were adjusted to fair value on the balance sheets. The net reduction to loss and LAE reserves is being recognized through an income statement charge ratably with and over the period the claims are settled. Accordingly, Fund American recognized $5.7 million and $4.0 million of such charges for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

NOTE 5. Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, Fund American’s insurance subsidiaries seek to limit losses that may arise from catastrophes or other events by reinsuring with third party reinsurers. Fund American remains liable for risks reinsured even if the reinsurer does not honor its obligations under reinsurance contracts.

At March 31, 2007, Fund American had $20.5 million of reinsurance recoverables on paid losses and $3,053.6 million (gross of $233.1 million in purchase accounting adjustments, as described in Note 4) that will become recoverable if claims are paid in accordance with current reserve estimates. The collectibility of balances due from Fund American’s reinsurers is critical to Fund American’s financial strength because reinsurance contracts do not relieve Fund American of its primary obligation to its policyholders. Fund American is selective with its reinsurers, placing reinsurance with only those reinsurers having a strong financial condition. Fund American monitors the financial strength of its reinsurers on an ongoing basis. As a result, uncollectible amounts have historically not been significant. The following table provides a listing of Fund American’s top reinsurers based upon recoverable amounts, the percentage of total reinsurance recoverables and the reinsurers’ A.M. Best ratings.

10




 

 

 

Balance at
March 31, 2007

 

% of total

 

A.M. Best
Rating(1)

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiaries of Berkshire (NICO and GRC)(2)

 

$

2,185.6

 

71

%

A++

 

Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire

 

58.3

 

2

%

A++

 

Munich Reinsurance America (formerly America Reinsurance Company)

 

56.2

 

2

%

A

 

Liberty Mutual and subsidiaries(3)

 

37.7

 

1

%

A

 

Swiss Re

 

22.5

 

1

%

A+

 

 


(1)                                  A.M. Best ratings as detailed above are: “A++” (Superior, which is the highest of fifteen ratings), “A+” (Superior, which is the second highest of fifteen ratings) and “A” (Excellent, which is the third highest of fifteen ratings).

(2)                                  Includes $404.0 million of Third Party Recoverables, which NICO would pay under the terms of the NICO Cover if they are unable to collect from third party reinsurers. Fund American also has an additional $377.0 million of Third Party Recoverables from various reinsurers, the majority of which are rated “A” or better by A.M. Best.

(3)                                  At March 31, 2007, Fund American had assumed balances receivable and expenses receivable of approximately $34.0 million under its renewal rights agreement with Liberty Mutual, which expired on October 31, 2003.

In connection with the OneBeacon Acquisition, Aviva caused OneBeacon to purchase two reinsurance contracts: a reinsurance contract with National Indemnity Company or NICO, for up to $2.5 billion in old asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) claims and certain other exposures (the “NICO Cover”) and an adverse development cover from General Reinsurance Corporation (“GRC”) for up to $570.0 million, comprised of $400.0 million of adverse development on losses occurring in years 2000 and prior (the “GRC Cover”) in addition to $170.0 million of reserves ceded as of the date of the OneBeacon Acquisition. The NICO Cover and GRC Cover, which were contingent on and occurred contemporaneously with the OneBeacon Acquisition, were put in place in lieu of a seller guarantee of loss and LAE reserves and are therefore accounted for as a seller guarantee under GAAP in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Technical Matter Document No. D-54 (“EITF Topic D-54”).

Under the terms of the NICO Cover, NICO receives the economic benefit of reinsurance recoverables from certain of Fund American’s third party reinsurers (“Third Party Reinsurers”) in existence at the time the NICO Cover was executed (“Third Party Recoverables”). As a result, the Third Party Recoverables serve to protect the $2.5 billion limit of NICO coverage for the benefit of Fund American. The Company estimates that on an incurred basis, net of Third Party Recoverables, as of March 31, 2007 it has used approximately $2.1 billion of the coverage provided by NICO. Approximately $878 million of these incurred losses have been paid by NICO through March 31, 2007. Since entering into the NICO Cover, $29.7 million of the $2.1 billion of utilized coverage from NICO related to uncollectible Third Party Recoverables. To the extent that actual experience differs from Fund American’s estimate of ultimate A&E losses and Third Party Recoverables, future losses could utilize some or all of the protection remaining under the NICO Cover.

Pursuant to the GRC Cover, Fund American is not entitled to recover losses to the full contract limit if such losses are reimbursed by GRC more quickly than anticipated at the time the contract was signed. Fund American intends to only seek reimbursement from GRC for claims which result in payment patterns similar to those supporting its recoverables recorded pursuant to the GRC Cover. The economic cost of not submitting certain other eligible claims to GRC is primarily the investment spread between the rate credited by GRC and the rate achieved by Fund American on its own investments. This cost, if any, is expected to be small.

11




NOTE 6. Investment Securities

Fund American’s net investment income is comprised primarily of interest income associated with Fund American’s fixed maturity investments, dividend income from its equity investments and interest income from its short-term investments. Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 consisted of the following:

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Investment income:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity investments

 

$

37.4

 

$

45.1

 

Short-term investments

 

2.2

 

3.7

 

Common equity securities

 

4.8

 

3.3

 

Other investments

 

2.8

 

0.7

 

Total investment income

 

47.2

 

52.8

 

Less investment expenses

 

(2.5

)

(3.2

)

Net investment income, pre-tax

 

$

44.7

 

$

49.6

 

 

The composition of net realized investment gains consisted of the following:

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Fixed maturity investments

 

$

10.1

 

$

5.9

 

Common equity securities

 

11.5

 

40.5

 

Other investments

 

6.4

 

8.5

 

Net realized investment gains, pre-tax

 

$

28.0

 

$

54.9

 

 

The components of Fund American’s ending net unrealized investment gains and losses on its investment portfolio were as follows:

 

Year ended
December 31,

 

Three months
ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Investment securities:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized investment gains

 

$

255.3

 

$

262.7

 

Gross unrealized investment losses

 

(18.7

)

(13.5

)

Net unrealized gains from investment securities

 

236.6

 

249.2

 

Income taxes attributable to such gains

 

(82.8

)

(86.8

)

Total net unrealized investment gains, after-tax

 

$

153.8

 

$

162.4

 

 


(1)                                  Does not include deferred gains and losses on sales of investments between Fund American and entities under White Mountains’ common control of $18.7 million and $17.9 million, after-tax, as of December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, respectively.

In connection with OBIG’s initial public offering, an irrevocable grantor trust was established to economically defease the Company’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.  The assets of the trust are soley dedicated to payments of dividends and redemption amounts on the mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.  The assets held in the trust include fixed maturity and short-term investments accounted for and classified as held-to-maturity.  Refer to the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion of the economic defeasance of the Company’s mandatorily redeemable preferred stock. The carrying value, gross unrealized

12




investment gains and losses, and estimated market values of Fund American’s fixed maturity held-to-maturity investments, carried at amortized cost, as of December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

305.0

 

$

 

$

(1.0

)

$

 

$

304.0

 

Total fixed maturity investments

 

$

305.0

 

$

 

$

(1.0

)

$

 

$

304.0

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Carrying
Value

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

308.4

 

$

 

$

(0.5

)

$

 

$

307.9

 

Total fixed maturity investments

 

$

308.4

 

$

 

$

(0.5

)

$

 

$

307.9

 

 

The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized investment gains and losses, and carrying values of Fund American’s fixed maturity available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains (losses)

 

Carrying
value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

805.9

 

$

1.8

 

$

(4.1

)

$

 

$

803.6

 

Debt securities issued by industrial corporations

 

1,429.5

 

8.3

 

(8.4

)

10.7

 

1,440.1

 

Municipal obligations

 

8.3

 

0.4

 

 

 

8.7

 

Asset-backed securities

 

1,080.6

 

9.3

 

(3.6

)

 

1,086.3

 

Foreign government obligations

 

54.7

 

 

(0.6

)

 

54.1

 

Preferred stocks

 

110.9

 

17.1

 

(0.5

)

7.9

 

135.4

 

Total fixed maturity investments

 

$

3,489.9

 

$

36.9

 

$

(17.2

)

$

18.6

 

$

3,528.2

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains

 

Carrying
value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

588.4

 

$

6.4

 

$

(1.6

)

$

 

$

593.2

 

Debt securities issued by industrial corporations

 

1,482.3

 

7.9

 

(5.9

)

12.7

 

1,497.0

 

Municipal obligations

 

8.2

 

0.4

 

 

 

8.6

 

Asset-backed securities

 

1,113.7

 

12.4

 

(1.7

)

 

1,124.4

 

Foreign government obligations

 

41.6

 

0.2

 

(0.4

)

 

41.4

 

Preferred stocks

 

110.9

 

13.0

 

(0.4

)

7.8

 

131.3

 

Total fixed maturity investments

 

$

3,345.1

 

$

40.3

 

$

(10.0

)

$

20.5

 

$

3,395.9

 

 

13




The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized investment gains and losses, and carrying values of Fund American’s common equity securities and other investments as of December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
gains

 

Carrying
value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Common equity securities

 

$

568.9

 

$

169.2

 

$

(0.9

)

$

(0.1

)

$

737.1

 

Other investments

 

$

229.5

 

$

49.2

 

$

(0.6

)

$

 

$

278.1

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Cost or
amortized
cost

 

Gross
unrealized
gains

 

Gross
unrealized
losses

 

Net foreign
currency
losses

 

Carrying
value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Common equity securities

 

$

575.5

 

$

166.7

 

$

(2.9

)

$

 

$

739.3

 

Other investments

 

$

232.2

 

$

55.7

 

$

(0.6

)

$

 

$

287.3

 

 

Impairment

Temporary losses on investment securities are recorded as unrealized losses. Temporary losses do not impact net income but serve to reduce comprehensive net income and common shareholder’s equity. Unrealized losses subsequently identified as other-than-temporary impairments are recorded as realized losses. Other-than-temporary impairments previously recorded as unrealized losses do not impact comprehensive net income and common shareholder’s equity but serve to reduce net income.

Fund American’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific facts and circumstances as of the balance sheet date. As a result, subsequent adverse changes in an issuers’ credit quality or subsequent weakening of market conditions that differ from expectations could result in additional other-than-temporary impairments. In addition, the sale of a fixed maturity security with a previously recorded unrealized loss would result in a realized loss. Either of these situations would adversely impact net income but would not impact comprehensive net income and common shareholder’s equity.

14




The following table presents an analysis of the continuous periods during which Fund American has held investment positions which were carried at an unrealized loss as of March 31, 2007 (excluding short-term investments):

 

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

0-6
Months

 

6-12
Months

 

> 12
Months

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Fixed maturity investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of positions

 

44

 

4

 

113

 

161

 

Market value

 

$

463.3

 

$

23.1

 

$

612.6

 

$

1,099.0

 

Amortized cost

 

$

464.8

 

$

23.2

 

$

621.0

 

$

1,109.0

 

Unrealized loss

 

$

(1.5

)

$

(0.1

)

$

(8.4

)

$

(10.0

)

Common equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of positions

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Market value

 

$

66.0

 

$

 

$

 

$

66.0

 

Amortized cost

 

$

68.9

 

$

 

$

 

$

68.9

 

Unrealized loss

 

$

(2.9

)

$

 

$

 

$

(2.9

)

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of positions

 

2

 

 

2

 

4

 

Market value

 

$

6.8

 

$

 

$

3.9

 

$

10.7

 

Amortized cost

 

$

7.0

 

$

 

$

4.3

 

$

11.3

 

Unrealized loss

 

$

(0.2

)

$

 

$

(0.4

)

$

(0.6

)

Total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of positions

 

59

 

4

 

115

 

178

 

Market value

 

$

536.1

 

$

23.1

 

$

616.5

 

$

1,175.7

 

Amortized cost

 

$

540.7

 

$

23.2

 

$

625.3

 

$

1,189.2

 

Unrealized loss

 

$

(4.6

)

$

(0.1

)

$

(8.8

)

$

(13.5

)

% of total gross unrealized losses

 

34

%

1

%

65

%

100

%

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, Fund American did not recognize any material pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charges. Fund American believes that the gross unrealized losses relating to its fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2007 resulted primarily from increases in market interest rates from the dates that certain investments within that portfolio were acquired as opposed to fundamental changes in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities. Fund American views these decreases in value as being temporary because it has the intent and ability to retain such investments until recovery. However, should Fund American determine that it no longer has the intent and ability to hold a fixed maturity investment that has an existing unrealized loss resulting from an increase in market interest rates until it recovers, this loss would be realized through the income statement at the time such determination is made. Fund American also believes that the gross unrealized losses recorded on its common equity securities and its other investments at March 31, 2007 resulted primarily from decreases in quoted market values from the dates that certain investments securities within that portfolio were acquired as opposed to fundamental changes in the issuer’s financial performance and near term financial prospects. Therefore, these decreases are also viewed as being temporary. However, due to the inherent risk involved in investing in the equity markets, it is possible that the decrease in market value of these investments may ultimately prove to be other than temporary. At March 31, 2007, Fund American’s investment portfolio did not include any individual investment securities with an after-tax unrealized loss of more than $2.0 million for more than a six-month period.

NOTE 7. Segment Information

Fund American’s segments consist of the following: (1) Primary Insurance Operations, (2) Affiliate Quota Shares and (3) Other Operations. Fund American has made its segment determination based on consideration of the following criteria: (i) the nature of the business activities of each of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates; (ii) the manner in which the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates are organized; (iii) the existence of primary

15




managers responsible for specific subsidiaries and affiliates; and (iv) the organization of information provided to the Board of Directors. Significant intercompany transactions among Fund American’s segments have been eliminated herein. Financial information for Fund American’s segments follows:

 

 

 

Primary
Insurance
Operations

 

Affiliate
Quota
Shares
(1)

 

Other
Operations

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

480.1

 

$

26.7

 

$

 

$

506.8

 

Net investment income

 

43.3

 

 

1.4

 

44.7

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

28.2

 

 

(0.2

)

28.0

 

Net other revenues

 

2.3

 

 

0.8

 

3.1

 

Total revenues

 

553.9

 

26.7

 

2.0

 

582.6

 

Loss and LAE

 

303.7

 

34.0

 

 

337.7

 

Policy acquisition expenses

 

86.4

 

1.1

 

 

87.5

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

83.9

 

 

 

83.9

 

General and administrative expenses

 

0.7

 

 

5.0

 

5.7

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment to loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

5.7

 

5.7

 

Interest expense on debt

 

0.6

 

 

10.7

 

11.3

 

Interest expense-on preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption

 

 

 

13.5

 

13.5

 

Total expenses

 

475.3

 

35.1

 

34.9

 

545.3

 

Pre-tax income (loss)

 

$

78.6

 

$

(8.4

)

$

(32.9

)

$

37.3

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

468.9

 

$

 

$

 

$

468.9

 

Net investment income

 

45.7

 

 

3.9

 

49.6

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

54.9

 

 

 

54.9

 

Net other revenues

 

3.3

 

 

(0.2

)

3.1

 

Total revenues

 

572.8

 

 

3.7

 

576.5

 

Loss and LAE

 

288.2

 

 

 

288.2

 

Policy acquisition expenses

 

78.3

 

 

 

78.3

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

90.9

 

 

 

90.9

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment to loss and LAE reserves

 

 

 

4.0

 

4.0

 

Interest expense on debt

 

0.9

 

 

10.5

 

11.4

 

Interest expense-on preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption

 

 

 

15.3

 

15.3

 

Total expenses

 

458.3

 

 

29.8

 

488.1

 

Pre-tax income (loss)

 

$

114.5

 

$

 

$

(26.1

)

$

88.4

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

$

4,806.9

 

$

 

$

323.9

 

$

5,130.8

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

 

3,112.1

 

 

(237.1

)

2,875.0

 

Total assets

 

9,729.2

 

 

77.5

 

9,806.7

 

Loss and LAE reserves

 

5,108.2

 

 

(270.5

)

4,837.7

 

Total liabilities

 

7,382.3

 

 

676.9

 

8,059.2

 

Total equity

 

2,346.9

 

 

(599.4

)

1,747.5

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

$

4,657.9

 

$

 

$

335.3

 

$

4,993.2

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

 

3,074.1

 

 

(233.1

)

2,841.0

 

Total assets

 

9,390.7

 

 

101.3

 

9,492.0

 

Loss and LAE reserves

 

5,036.4

 

 

(262.5

)

4,773.9

 

Total liabilities

 

7,012.9

 

 

708.4

 

7,721.3

 

Total equity

 

2,377.8

 

 

(607.1

)

1,770.7

 

 


(1)                                  The affiliate quota share agreements were commuted during the fourth quarter of 2006.

16




The following tables provide net written premiums and earned insurance premiums for Fund American’s Primary Insurance Operations by major underwriting unit and in total for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

 

Specialty

 

Commercial

 

Personal

 

Total(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Three months ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

102.0

 

$

166.8

 

$

202.4

 

$

474.4

 

Earned premiums

 

102.0

 

165.3

 

209.5

 

480.1

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net written premiums

 

$

96.8

 

$

170.6

 

$

172.8

 

$

440.3

 

Earned premiums

 

107.0

 

172.0

 

189.8

 

468.9

 

 


(1)                                  Includes results from run-off.

NOTE 8. Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

Fund American’s investments in unconsolidated affiliate represent operating investments in other companies in which Fund American has a significant voting and economic interest but does not control the entity.

On October 31, 2006, Fund American’s investment in MSA was restructured. Fund American received a $70 million cash dividend from MSA following which Fund American sold its 50% common stock investment in MSA to Main Street America Group, Inc. (“the MSA Group”) for (i) $70.0 million in 9.0% non-voting cumulative perpetual preferred stock of the MSA Group and (ii) 4.9% of the common stock of the MSA Group. (See “Note 3—Acquisitions and Dispositions”). Effective October 31, 2006, Fund American accounts for its remaining investment in the MSA Group in accordance with SFAS 115. Prior to the sale, Fund American owned 50% of the total common shares outstanding of MSA and accounted for this investment using the equity method of accounting. These transactions resulted in a net after-tax realized gain of $8.5 million.

Prior to the exchange of our common stock investment in MSA, we accounted for this investment using the equity method of accounting. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the after-tax equity in earnings from MSA common stock and unrealized investment losses was $2.2 million and $(1.2) million, respectively.

NOTE 9. Retirement and Postretirement Plans

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

0.3

 

$

0.5

 

Interest cost

 

6.9

 

6.6

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(7.6

)

(6.8

)

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

 

0.1

 

Net periodic pension cost before settlements, curtailments and special termination benefits

 

(0.4

)

0.4

 

Special termination benefits expense(1)

 

1.2

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

0.8

 

$

0.4

 


(1)          Special termination benefits are payments made from the pension plan when a vested participant terminates employment due to a reduction in force.

17





OneBeacon anticipates contributing $2.9 million to the pension plans for 2007. As of March 31, 2007, $1.0 million in contributions have been made. All of OneBeacon’s year to date and expected pension contributions in 2007 relate to non-qualified pension plans, for which OneBeacon has established assets held in rabbi trusts. 

NOTE 10.  Employee Share-Based Incentive Compensation Plans

Fund American’s share-based compensation plans, consisting primarily of performance shares, are designed to maximize shareholder value over long periods of time by aligning the financial interests of its management with those of its owners. Performance shares are payable only upon achievement of pre-defined business goals and are valued based on the market value of OneBeacon’s common shares at the time awards are earned.   See “Performance Shares” below. Performance shares are typically paid in cash, though, in some instances, they may be paid in common shares or may be deferred in accordance with the terms of the Company’s deferred compensation plans. OneBeacon expenses the full cost of all its share-based compensation.

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which is a revision to SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). Effective January 1, 2006, Fund American adopted SFAS 123R to account for its share-based compensation under the modified prospective method of adoption. Under this method of adoption, SFAS 123R applies to new grants of share-based awards, awards modified after the effective date and the remaining portion of the fair value of the unvested awards at the adoption date. The unvested portion of Fund American’s performance share awards, as well as new awards, are subject to the fair value measurement and recognition requirements of SFAS 123R.

Prior to adoption of SFAS 123R, Fund American accounted for its share-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB 25, and related interpretations, and the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123. The accounting treatment for Fund American’s performance share awards under APB 25 was identical to the method prescribed by SFAS 123, whereby the liability for performance share awards was measured each period based upon the current market price of the underlying common shares. Under APB 25, the liability for the compensation cost for performance share awards was measured each period based upon the current market price of the underlying common shares. Forfeitures were recognized as they occurred. Upon adoption of SFAS 123R an estimate of future forfeitures was incorporated into the determination of the compensation cost for performance shares. The effect of this change was immaterial.

Performance Shares

Prior to February 2007, the value of Fund American’s performance shares was based upon the market price of an underlying White Mountains common share (“WTM Performance Shares”).  In February 2007, all of Fund American’s WTM Performance Shares outstanding were replaced with performance shares whose value is based upon the market price of an underlying OBIG common share (“OB Performance Shares”).

18




The following summarizes performance share activity for OB Performance Shares for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

Target
OB
Performance
Shares
outstanding

 

Accrued
expense

 

Target
OB
Performance
Shares
outstanding

 

Accrued
expense

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Beginning of period

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Payments and deferrals

 

 

 

 

 

New awards

 

 

 

884,786

 

 

Forfeitures and net change in assumed forfeitures

 

 

 

(28,901

)

(0.1

)

Transfers in (1)

 

 

 

271,251

 

4.1

 

Expense recognized

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

End of period

 

 

$

 

1,127,136

 

$

6.0

 

 


(1)                                  In February 2007, Fund American’s WTM Performance Shares were replaced with OB Performance Shares of an equivalent value.

The following summarizes performance share activity for WTM Performance Shares for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

Target
WTM
Performance
Shares
outstanding

 

Accrued
expense

 

Target
WTM
Performance
Shares
outstanding

 

Accrued
expense

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Beginning of period

 

10,650

 

$

7.1

 

16,058

 

$

7.8

 

Payments and deferrals (1) (2)

 

 

(3.8

)

(4,400

)

(3.7

)

New awards

 

19,360

 

 

 

 

Forfeitures and net change in assumed forfeitures

 

(750

)

(2.8

)

412

 

 

Transfers out (3)

 

 

 

(12,070

)

(4.1

)

Expense recognized

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

End of period

 

29,260

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

 

 


(1)                                  Performance share payments in 2006 for the 2003-2005 performance cycle were made at 142% of target.

(2)                                  Performance share payments in 2007 for the 2004-2006 performance cycle were made at 145% of target.

(3)                                  In February 2007, Fund American’s WTM Performance Shares were replaced with OB Performance Shares of an equivalent value.

19




The following summarizes performance shares outstanding and accrued performance share expense at March 31, 2007 for each performance cycle:

 

Target
OB
Performance
Shares
outstanding

 

Accrued
expense

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Performance cycle:

 

 

 

 

 

2005—2007

 

122,859

 

$

2.0

 

2006—2008

 

148,392

 

2.3

 

2007—2009

 

884,786

 

1.8

 

Sub-total

 

1,156,037

 

6.1

 

Assumed forfeitures

 

(28,901

)

(0.1

)

Total at March 31, 2007

 

1,127,136

 

$

6.0

 

 

If 100% of the outstanding performance shares had been vested on March 31, 2007, the total additional compensation cost to be recognized would have been $23.7 million, based on current accrual factors (common share price and payout assumptions).

All performance shares earned for the 2003-2005 and the 2004-2006 performance cycles were settled in cash or by deferral into certain non-qualified deferred compensation plans of the Company’s subsidiaries.*

20




ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements.” Statements that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements. Fund American cannot promise that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Fund American’s actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. See “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 33 for specific important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements.

Results of Operations

Review of Consolidated Results

A summary of our consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 is as follows:

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

$

474.4

 

$

440.3

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

506.8

 

$

468.9

 

Net investment income

 

44.7

 

49.6

 

Net realized investment gains

 

28.0

 

54.9

 

Net other revenues

 

3.1

 

3.1

 

Total revenues

 

582.6

 

576.5

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and LAE

 

337.7

 

288.2

 

Policy acquisition expenses

 

87.5

 

78.3

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

83.9

 

90.9

 

General and administrative expenses

 

5.7

 

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment to loss and LAE reserves

 

5.7

 

4.0

 

Interest expense on debt

 

11.3

 

11.4

 

Interest expense—dividends and accretion on preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption

 

13.5

 

15.3

 

Total expenses

 

545.3

 

488.1

 

Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations

 

37.3

 

88.4

 

Income tax provision

 

(18.0

)

(38.8

)

Income from continuing operations before equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

 

19.3

 

49.6

 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

 

2.2

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

21.5

 

49.6

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(1.2

)

 

Net income

 

20.3

 

49.6

 

Other comprehensive income

 

1.6

 

8.9

 

Comprehensive net income

 

$

21.9

 

$

58.5

 

 

Consolidated Results— Three months ended March 31, 2007 versus three months ended March 31, 2006

Our pre-tax income from continuing operations for the first three months of 2007 was $88.4 million, compared to pre-tax income from continuing operations of $37.3 million for the first three months of 2006 and

21




our GAAP combined ratio was 97.5% for the first three months 2007, compared to 100.5% for the first three months of 2006.

Our results for the first three months of 2007 included $2.4 million in current accident year catastrophe losses, which impacted the combined ratio by 0.5 points, a decrease of $7.6 million from the first three months of 2006, which included $10.0 million in current accident year catastrophe losses primarily related to winter weather in the Northeastern United States, none of which were individually significant. Favorable development on prior accident years was $12.0 million in the first three months of 2007, compared with $7.2 million in the first three months of 2006. Offsetting these decreases was $8.3 million of expenses associated with actions taken to optimize long-term occupancy costs, including our move to our new U.S. headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts, which added 1.8 points to the combined ratio.

Our total revenues decreased 1.0% in the first three months of 2007 to $576.5 million, compared to $582.6 million in the first three months of 2006, due principally to a 7.5% decrease in earned premiums in the first three months of 2007. The first three months of 2006 included $87.7 million of business assumed from the affiliate quota share agreement with Esurance, which was commuted in the fourth quarter of 2006, in connection with OBIG’s initial public offering.  Net realized investment gains increased to $54.9 million in the first three months of 2007, compared with $28.0 million in the first three months of 2006, mainly due to the sale of certain convertible fixed maturity and equity securities in industry sectors that experienced significant appreciation during the first quarter, principally energy and natural resources.

The income tax provision related to pre-tax income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 represented effective tax rates of 44% and 48%, respectively, which were higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35%. The effective tax rate is higher for each of the periods due to non-deductible dividends and accretion on the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) Preferred Stock.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first three months of 2007, compared to the first three months of 2006, was due to the higher level of pre-tax income subject to an incremental tax rate of 35%.

Summary of Operations By Segment

Our segments consist of the following: (1) Primary Insurance Operations, (2) Affiliate Quota Shares and (3) Other Operations. In the fourth quarter of 2006, within our Primary Insurance Operations segment, we began to include OneBeacon Specialty Property (OBSP) within commercial lines and AutoOne Insurance (AutoOne) within personal lines. Both OBSP and AutoOne were formerly reported in specialty lines. The reporting change was undertaken to better align the reported results of our underwriting units with their product and management structure. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The affiliate quota share agreements were commuted in the fourth quarter of 2006 in connection with OBIG’s initial public offering.

Our investments are managed by our affiliate, White Mountains Advisors, LLC (WM Advisors), and by Prospector Partners, LLC (Prospector). A discussion of our consolidated investment operations is included after the discussion of operations by segment. Our segment information is presented in Note 7 —”Segment Information” to our consolidated financial statements.

22




Primary Insurance Operations

Financial results for our Primary Insurance Operations segment for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, were as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net written premiums

 

$

474.4

 

$

440.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

480.1

 

$

468.9

 

Net investment income

 

43.3

 

45.7

 

Net realized investment gains

 

28.2

 

54.9

 

Net other revenues

 

2.3

 

3.3

 

Total revenues

 

553.9

 

572.8

 

Loss and LAE

 

303.7

 

288.2

 

Policy acquisition expenses

 

86.4

 

78.3

 

Other underwriting expenses

 

83.9

 

90.9

 

General and administrative expenses

 

0.7

 

 

Interest expense on debt

 

0.6

 

0.9

 

Total expenses

 

475.3

 

458.3

 

Pre-tax income

 

$

78.6

 

$

114.5

 

 

The following tables provide GAAP ratios, net written premiums and earned premiums by underwriting units for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Specialty

 

Commercial

 

Personal

 

Total(2)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

GAAP Ratios: (1)(3)(4)(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and LAE

 

53.4

%

59.3

%

67.6

%

63.3

%

Expense

 

31.9

 

39.6

 

32.5

 

35.4

 

Total Combined

 

85.3

%

98.9

%

100.1

%

98.7

%

Net written premiums

 

$

102.0

 

$

166.8

 

$

202.4

 

$

474.4

 

Earned premiums

 

102.0

 

165.3

 

209.5

 

480.1

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Specialty

 

Commercial

 

Personal

 

Total(2)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

GAAP Ratios: (1)(3)(4)(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and LAE

 

57.5

%

54.9

%

66.0

%

61.4

%

Expense

 

31.4

 

37.3

 

36.5

 

36.1

 

Total Combined

 

88.9

%

92.2

%

102.5

%

97.5

%

Net written premiums

 

$

96.8

 

$

170.6

 

$

172.8

 

$

440.3

 

Earned premiums

 

107.0

 

172.0

 

189.8

 

468.9

 

 


(1)                                  In the fourth quarter of 2006, we began to include OBSP within commercial lines and AutoOne within personal lines. Both OBSP and AutoOne were formerly reported in specialty lines. The reporting change was undertaken to better align the reported results of our underwriting units with their product and management structure. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

(2)                                  Includes results from run-off. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, includes net written premiums of $3.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, from run-off and earned premiums of $3.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, from run-off.

23




(3)                                  Includes our long-term incentive compensation expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, long-term incentive compensation expense increased our total GAAP combined ratio by 1.1 points and 1.6 points, respectively.

(4)                                  Includes loss and LAE relating to catastrophes. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, total calendar year incurred loss and LAE relating to catastrophes increased (decreased) our loss and LAE and total combined ratios by 3.1 points and (0.1) points, respectively, including development on prior accident year catastrophes which increased (decreased) our loss and LAE and total combined ratios by 1.0 points and (0.6) points, respectively.

(5)                                  Prior accident year development, including development on catastrophes, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 increased (decreased) our loss and LAE and total combined ratios by 0.9 points and (2.6) points, respectively.

Primary Insurance Operations— Three months ended March 31, 2007 versus three months ended March 31, 2006

Specialty lines.   Net written premiums for specialty lines decreased by 5.1% to $96.8 million in the first three months of 2007 as compared to $102.0 million in the first three months of 2006. The decrease was due to the sale of the renewal rights to the Agri business during the third quarter of 2006. Excluding the Agri business, net written premiums increased by 19.8%, compared to the first three months of 2006 due to a $10.1 million increase in net written premiums in specialty liability products at OneBeacon Professional Partners to $61.9 million, principally driven by our providers excess, long-term care and lawyers professional liability products and a $4.8 million increase to $32.4 million in net written premiums at International Marine Underwriters, driven by our hull and yacht business.

The specialty lines combined ratio for the first three months of 2007 was 88.9%, compared to 85.3% for the first three months of 2006 due primarily to increases in the loss and LAE ratio. The loss and LAE ratio increased 4.1 points in the first three months of 2007 to 57.5%, compared with 53.4% in the prior year period mainly due to an increase in non-catastrophe losses including a large loss experienced in the Agri run-off business, partially offset by a decrease in catastrophe losses.  The first three months of 2007 included 1.3 points of current accident year catastrophe losses, compared to 3.1 points in the first three months of 2006.  The expense ratio for the first three months of 2007 was essentially flat when compared to the first three months of 2006.

Commercial lines.   Net written premiums for commercial lines increased by 2.3% to $170.6 million in the first three months of 2007, compared to $166.8 million in the first three months of 2006.  This increase was due to a $9.7 million increase in net written premiums to $33.7 million in the small business division principally driven by our small business package products. Partially offsetting this increase was a slight decrease in net written premiums in the middle market division compared to the prior year period, reflecting modest price decreases and lower premiums at OBSP.

The commercial lines combined ratio for the first three months of 2007 was 92.2%, compared to 98.9% in the first three months of 2006 due to decreases in both the loss and LAE ratio and the expense ratio. The loss and LAE ratio decreased to 54.9% compared to 59.3% in the first three months of 2006, primarily due to 4.0 points of favorable development on prior accident year losses in the first three months of 2007, compared to 0.1 point of net adverse development on prior accident year losses in the first three months of 2006, as well as a 1.7 point decrease in current accident year catastrophe losses in the first three months of 2007, compared with the prior year period. The 0.1 point of prior accident year development in the first three months of 2006 includes 3.2 points of adverse development primarily related to hurricane Katrina at OBSP which was offset by favorable prior accident year development in the middle market and small business divisions. The expense ratio decreased to 37.3% from 39.6% in the first three months of 2006 primarily due to the favorable effect of a change in the deferral rate of policy acquisition costs upon completion of a study of policy acquisition costs.  This increase in the deferral rate is reflective of commercial lines geographic expansion.

Personal lines.   Net written premiums for personal lines decreased by 14.6% to $172.8 million in the first three months of 2007, compared to $202.4 million in the first three months of 2006. The decrease was principally attributable to reduced writings at AutoOne due to significant declines in New York’s assigned risk pool. With respect to the New York assigned risk pool, market trends indicate that assigned risk volumes are expected to decline to approximately $165 million in 2007, down from $240 million in 2006, $383 million in 2005 and

24




$629 million in 2004. The Company expects a reduction in AutoOne’s premium volume reflective of these trends.  In traditional personal lines, premium decreased 3.3% due to an increasingly competitive auto market and also state-mandated rate decreases in Massachusetts along with higher reinsurance costs.

The personal lines combined ratio for the first three months of 2007 was 102.5%, compared to 100.1% for the first three months of 2006. The increase in the combined ratio was due to an increased expense ratio. The expense ratio increased to 36.5%, compared to 32.5% in the first three months of 2006, primarily due to higher corporate overhead expenses including office consolidation expenses, as well as the adverse effect of spreading certain fixed costs over a lower premium base.  Partially offsetting the increased expense ratio was a decrease in the loss and LAE ratio to 66.0%, compared to 67.6% for the first three months of 2006, mainly due to 1.4 points of lower current accident year catastrophes in the first three months of 2007.

Run-off.   For the first three months of 2007, run-off generated an underwriting loss of $9.3 million, compared to an underwriting loss of $10.3 million in the first three months of 2006. The variance was primarily due to lower loss and LAE in the first three months of 2007.  The first three months of 2006 included $4.2 million in adverse development, compared with $1.0 million in adverse development in the first three months of 2007.

Affiliate Quota Shares

During 2004 and 2005, we entered into two quota share reinsurance arrangements with other subsidiaries of White Mountains. Under the Esurance Quota Share, which was effective on January 1, 2005, we assumed approximately 85% of business written by Esurance Insurance Company, which includes business written by its wholly owned subsidiary. Under the Sirius Quota Share, we ceded between 6% and 12% of business written, effective April 1, 2004, to Sirius International Insurance Corporation.

The affiliate quota shares were entered into primarily for White Mountains’ capital management purposes and were therefore excluded from the information used by White Mountains’ Board of Directors to measure our financial performance. The affiliate quota share agreements were commuted in the fourth quarter of 2006 in connection with OBIG’s initial public offering.

A summary of results from our Affiliate Quota Shares segment for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

Three months
ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

Esurance
Quota
Share

 

Sirius
Quota
Share

 

Net written premiums

 

$

117.7

 

$

(61.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

87.7

 

(61.0

)

Total revenues

 

87.7

 

(61.0

)

Loss and LAE

 

64.2

 

(30.2

)

Policy acquisition expenses

 

24.0

 

(22.9

)

Total expenses

 

88.2

 

(53.1

)

Pre-tax income (loss)

 

$

(0.5

)

$

(7.9

)

 

Other Operations

Our Other Operations segment consists of our holding company, FAC, which primarily consists of financing activities, purchase accounting adjustments relating to the OneBeacon Acquisition in 2001 and other assets and general and administrative expenses incurred at the holding company level. This segment also includes entities that prior to OBIG’s initial public offering employed persons associated with White Mountains’ holding company operations.

25




The purchase accounting adjustments relating to the OneBeacon Acquisition were made to reflect the estimated fair value of our assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the date of the acquisition. The purchase accounting adjustments are primarily comprised of an adjustment to our loss and LAE reserves and related reinsurance recoverables to record them at fair value, an adjustment to record the cost of our investments at fair value and an allocation of the excess of acquired net assets over the purchase price to our non-current, non-financial assets, primarily its property, plant and equipment.

The Other Operations segment results are affected by purchase accounting over time as the fair value adjustments made at our acquisition unwind. Accordingly, net investment income and/or net realized investment gains and losses are affected as the difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of our investment portfolio is amortized into investment income, or recorded as net realized investment gains and losses as the investments are sold; the fair value adjustment to net loss and LAE reserves is expensed through income as our net loss and LAE reserves at the time of the OneBeacon Acquisition are settled; and the portion of the carrying value of property, plant and equipment that was written off in purchase accounting is recorded as net other revenues when it is sold to third parties.

A summary of results from our Other Operations segment for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net investment income

 

$

1.4

 

$

3.9

 

Net realized investment gains (loss)

 

(0.2

)

 

Net other revenues

 

0.8

 

(0.2

)

Total revenues

 

2.0

 

3.7

 

General and administrative expenses

 

5.0

 

 

Accretion of fair value adjustment to loss and LAE reserves

 

5.7

 

4.0

 

Interest expense on debt

 

10.7

 

10.5

 

Interest expense—dividends and accretion on preferred stock

 

13.5

 

15.3

 

Total expenses

 

34.9

 

29.8

 

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(32.9

)

$

(26.1

)

 

Other Operations Results— Three months ended March 31, 2007 versus three months ended March 31, 2006

Our Other Operations segment reported a pre-tax loss of $26.1 million for the first three months 2007, a decrease of 20.7%, compared to a pre-tax loss of $32.9 million for the first three months of 2006. Fluctuations in revenues and expenses between the first three months of 2007 compared to the first three months of 2006 essentially offset.

Summary of Investment Results

Investment Returns

A summary of our consolidated pre-tax investment results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 is as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross investment income (1)

 

$

47.2

 

$

52.8

 

Net realized investment gains

 

28.0

 

54.9

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments (2)

 

(5.7

)

14.7

 

Total GAAP pre-tax investment results

 

$

69.5

 

$

122.4

 

 

26





(1)                                  The three months ended March, 31, 2007 includes $3.9 million of net investment income for assets held in trust.

(2)                                  Does not include deferred gains and losses on sales of investments between Fund American and entities under White Mountains’ common control.

Gross investment returns versus typical benchmarks for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007(1)

 

Fixed maturity investments

 

0.3

%

1.7

%

Short-term investments

 

0.8

 

1.4

 

Total fixed income

 

0.3

 

1.7

 

Lehman U.S. Aggregate Index

 

(0.3

)

1.6

 

Common stock

 

6.6

 

5.3

 

Other investments

 

6.3

 

5.6

 

Total equities

 

6.5

 

5.4

 

S&P 500 Index (total return)

 

4.2

 

0.6

 

Total consolidated portfolio

 

1.5

%

2.4

%

 


(1)                                  Includes $3.9 million of net investment income for assets held in trust.

Investment Returns—Three months ended March 31, 2007 versus three months ended March 31, 2006

Overview

Our total pre-tax investment results were $122.4 million, a return of 2.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 versus $69.5 million, a return of 1.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Gross investment income in the first quarter of 2007 of $52.8 million was up 12% from $47.2 million during the first quarter of 2006. Net realized investment gains of $54.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 were up by 96% from the first quarter of 2006, mainly due to the sale of certain convertible fixed maturity and equity securities in industry sectors that experienced significant appreciation during the first quarter, principally energy and natural resources.   Net unrealized investment gains were $14.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

Fixed income

Our fixed income portfolio returned 1.7% in the first quarter of 2007 versus 0.3% in the first quarter of 2006. During 2007, we maintained a high quality fixed maturity portfolio with a relatively short duration of approximately 2 years which performed consistent with its characteristics and with the longer-duration Lehman U.S. Aggregate Index benchmark.

Equities

Our equity portfolio returned 5.4% in the first quarter of 2007 versus 6.5% in the first quarter of 2006. Our common stock portfolio returned 5.3% during the first quarter of 2007 and 6.6% in the first quarter of 2006, or 4.7 and 2.4 percentage points better than the S&P 500 benchmark, respectively.

27




Impairment

See Note 6 —”Investment Securities” of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for our analysis of impairment losses on investment securities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating cash and short-term investments

Our sources and uses of cash are as follows:

Holding company level.   The primary sources of cash for FAC are expected to be dividends and tax sharing payments received from our insurance operating subsidiaries, financing activities and net investment income and proceeds from sales and maturities of holding company investments. The primary uses of cash are expected to be interest payments on our debt obligations, purchases of investments, payments made to tax authorities and holding company operating expenses.

Operating subsidiary level.   The primary sources of cash for our operating subsidiaries are expected to be premium collections, financing activities, net investment income and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments. The primary uses of cash are expected to be claim payments, policy acquisition costs, debt obligations, operating expenses, the purchase of investments and dividends and tax sharing payments made to parent holding companies.

Insurance companies typically collect premiums on policies that they write prior to paying claims made under those policies. During periods of premium growth, insurance companies typically experience positive cash flow from operations, as premium receipts typically exceed claim payments. When this happens, positive cash flow from operations is usually offset by negative cash flow from investing activities, as the positive operating cash flow is used to purchase investments. Conversely, during periods of premium decline, insurance companies typically experience negative cash flow from operations, even during periods in which they report GAAP net income, as the claims that they pay exceed the premiums that they collect. When this happens, negative cash flow from operations is typically offset by positive cash flow from investing activities, as invested assets are sold to fund current claim payments.

Both internal and external forces influence our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Claim settlements, premium levels and investment returns may be impacted by changing rates of inflation and other economic conditions. In many cases, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years or more, may lapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement of the liability for that loss. The exact timing of the payment of claims and benefits cannot be predicted with certainty. Our operating subsidiaries maintain portfolios of invested assets with varying maturities and a substantial amount of short-term investments to provide adequate liquidity for the payment of claims.

Management believes that our cash balances, cash flows from operations and cash flows from investments are adequate to meet expected cash requirements for the foreseeable future on both a holding company and operating subsidiary level.

Dividend Capacity

Under the insurance laws of the states and jurisdictions under which our operating subsidiaries are domiciled, an insurer is restricted with respect to the timing or the amount of dividends it may pay without prior approval by regulatory authorities. Accordingly, there can be no assurance regarding the amount of such dividends that may be paid by such subsidiaries in the future.

Generally, our regulated insurance operating subsidiaries have the ability to pay dividends during any 12-month period without the prior approval of regulatory authorities in an amount equal to the greater of prior year statutory net income or 10% of prior year end statutory surplus, subject to the availability of unassigned funds. As a result, based on 2006 statutory net income, our top tier regulated insurance operating subsidiaries

28




have the ability to pay an aggregate of approximately $234 million of dividends during 2007 without prior approval of regulatory authorities, subject to the availability of unassigned funds.

During the first three months of  2007, OneBeacon Insurance Group LLC (“OneBeacon LLC”), the direct parent of our operating insurance subsidiaries, paid $50.0 million of dividends to FAC.

In addition, FAC’s ability to declare or pay dividends is limited by the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock issued to Berkshire. FAC may not, in certain circumstances, declare or pay any dividend or distribution to any other class or series of stock without the consent of the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of the Berkshire Preferred Stock. Under the terms of a Keep-Well Agreement dated November 30, 2004 between White Mountains and FAC (the “Keep-Well”), White Mountains has agreed to return to FAC up to approximately $1.1 billion if some or all of that amount is required by FAC to meet its obligations under the terms of the Berkshire Preferred Stock. Under the Keep-Well, White Mountains must make any required contributions to FAC prior to making any distributions to its shareholders. The aggregate amount of distributions that White Mountains may make to its shareholders is limited; the limit increases or decreases by an amount equal to White Mountains’ consolidated net income or loss over the remaining life of the Keep-Well. The Keep-Well will expire when all obligations of the Berkshire Preferred Stock, which is redeemable in May 2008, have been satisfied. See “Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Economic Defeasance” for a discussion of the creation and funding of an irrevocable grantor trust to economically defease the Berkshire Preferred Stock.

Economic Defeasance

In connection with OBIG’s initial public offering, FAC established an irrevocable grantor trust. The assets of the trust are solely dedicated to the satisfaction of the payment of dividends and redemption amounts on the $300 million liquidation preference of the Berkshire Preferred Stock. FAC funded the trust with cash and purchased a portfolio of fixed maturity securities issued by the U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises, the scheduled interest and principal payments are sufficient to pay when due all amounts required under the terms of the Berkshire Preferred Stock (including the mandatory redemption of the Berkshire Preferred Stock in May 2008). The creation and funding of the trust does not legally defease the preferred stock nor create any additional rights for the holders of the Berkshire Preferred Stock in the trust or otherwise, although the assets in the trust remain segregated from the Company’s other general assets and are not available to the Company for any use other than the payment of the Berkshire Preferred Stock. The assets of the trust remain subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, in the event that the Company becomes insolvent. White Mountains Capital, Inc., a subsidiary of White Mountains, serves as the trustee for the irrevocable grantor trust. The assets held in the trust as of March 31, 2007 include $308.4 million of fixed maturity investment and $6.6 million of short-term investments. Pre-tax net investment income earned on these investments totaled $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

29




Financing

The following table summarizes our capital structure as of December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007:

 

 

As of
December 31,

 

As of
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Senior Notes, carrying value

 

$

698.7

 

$

698.8

 

Other debt

 

60.8

 

58.8

 

Total debt

 

759.5

 

757.6

 

Total common shareholder’s equity

 

1,747.5

 

1,770.7

 

Total capital

 

$

2,507.0

 

$

2,528.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of debt to total capital excluding preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption

 

30.3

%

30.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of debt and preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption to total capital (1)

 

30.3

%

30.0

%

 


(1)                                  The preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption, having a carrying value of $242.3 million and $250.5 million at December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, respectively was not included in total capital because it was economically defeased in connection with OBIG’s initial public offering.

We believe that our strong financial position provides us with the flexibility and capacity to obtain funds externally as needed through debt or equity financing on both a short-term and long-term basis.

The 5.875% Senior Notes due 2013 of FAC, which we refer to as the Senior Notes, are currently rated “Baa2” (“Medium Grade”, the ninth highest of twenty-one ratings) with a stable outlook by Moody’s, “BBB” (“Adequate”, the ninth highest of twenty-two ratings) with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s, “bbb” (“Very Good”, the ninth highest of twenty-two ratings) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best and “BBB” (“Good”, the ninth highest of twenty-three ratings) with a stable outlook by Fitch.

In connection with our purchase of land and an office building in Canton, Massachusetts, which is now our U.S. headquarters, we entered into a $40.8 million mortgage note to fund renovations. As of December 31, 2006, we had fully drawn on the facility.

White Mountains currently provides an irrevocable and unconditional guarantee as to the payment of principal and interest (the Guarantee) on the Senior Notes. In consideration of this Guarantee, we have agreed to pay a specified fee to White Mountains in the amount of 25 basis points per annum on the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes. We have further agreed that if White Mountains’ voting interest in us ceases to represent more than 50% of all our voting securities, we will redeem, exchange or otherwise modify the Senior Notes in order to fully and permanently eliminate White Mountains’ obligations under the Guarantee (the Guarantee Elimination). White Mountains has agreed to provide written notice to us when its voting interest in us has been reduced below 50%. We will have 180 days from the receipt of such notification to complete the Guarantee Elimination. If the Guarantee Elimination is not completed within the initial 180-day period, the Guarantee fee shall increase by 200 basis points. The Guarantee fee shall further increase by 100 basis points for each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, up to a maximum Guarantee fee of 425 basis points, until the Guarantee Elimination has been completed.

The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture which contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of White Mountains, FAC and their respective subsidiaries, to create liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions and substantially limits the ability of FAC and its respective subsidiaries to consolidate, merge or transfer their properties and assets. The indenture does not contain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which White Mountains or FAC must adhere. At March 31, 2007, FAC was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Senior Notes.

30




In connection with OBIG’s initial public offering, White Mountains and FAC terminated their existing $400 million credit facility, under which they were both permitted borrowers. In November 2006, FAC established a $75 million revolving credit facility that matures in November 2011. As of December 31, 2006, the Bank Facility was undrawn. The Bank Facility contains                                      various affirmative, negative and financial covenants which we consider to be customary for such borrowings and include maintaining certain minimum net worth and maximum debt to capitalization standards. Failure to meet one or more of these covenants could result in an event of default, which ultimately could eliminate availability under these facilities and result in acceleration of principal repayment on any amounts outstanding. At March 31, 2007, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Bank Facility, and anticipate we will continue to remain in compliance with these covenants for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flows

Detailed information concerning our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 follows:

For the the three months ended March 31, 2007

Financing and Other Capital Activities

During the first quarter of 2007, we declared and paid cash dividends of $7.1 million to holders of the Berkshire Preferred Stock.

During the first quarter of 2007, we declared and paid cash dividends of $35.0 million to FAEH.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

We did not execute any significant acquisitions or dispositions during the first quarter of 2007.

Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities

During the first quarter of 2007, we reported net decreases in our loss and LAE reserves and reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses, primarily due to the decline of our business exposures related to run-off.

During the first quarter of 2007, we made payments in respect of the 2004-2006 performance cycle totaling $39.8 million, in cash or by deferral into certain of our non-qualified compensation plans, to participants in our long-term incentive compensation plans. These payments were made with respect to 4,400 performance shares and 160,470 performance units.

For the three months ended March 31, 2006

Financing and Other Capital Activities

During the first quarter of 2006, we declared and paid cash dividends of $7.1 million to holders of the Berkshire Preferred Stock.

During the first quarter of 2006, we declared and paid cash dividends of $1.0 million to FAEH.

During the first quarter of 2006, we drew down $18.4 million on an 18-year mortgage note that we entered into in connection with our purchase of land and an office building in Canton, Massachusetts, which is now our U.S. headquarters.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

We did not execute any significant acquisitions or dispositions during the first quarter of 2006.

Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Activities

During the first quarter of 2006, we reported net decreases in our loss and LAE reserves and reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses, primarily due to claim payments (and related collections of reinsurance recoverables) related to run-off reserves.

31




During the first quarter of 2006, we made payments in respect of the 2003-2005 performance cycle totaling $39.2 million, in cash or by deferral into certain of our non-qualified compensation plans, to participants in our long-term incentive compensation plans. These payments were made with respect to 148,541 performance units.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Refer to the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion regarding our critical accounting estimates. As of March 31, 2007, there were no material changes to our critical accounting estimates.

32




FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this report may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this report that address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words “will,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict” and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to our:

·       growth in book value per share or return on equity;

·       business strategy;

·       financial and operating targets or plans;

·       incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;

·       projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;

·       expansion and growth of its business and operations; and

·       future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with its expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:

·       the risks associated with Item 1A. of the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1A of this Form
10-Q;

·       recorded loss and loss adjustment expense reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate;

·       claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks;

·       competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty insurers and reinsurers;

·       changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to us, our competitors or our clients;

·       the continued availability of capital and financing;

·       general economic, market or business conditions;

·       an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting our financial position;

·       business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to us and pursued; and

·       other factors, most of which are beyond our control.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

33




ITEM 3.                    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Refer to the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in particular item 7A. — “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.  As of March 31, 2007, there were no material changes to the market risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4.                    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company is not an accelerated filer and therefore is not required to include the assessment and reports required under this item.

PART II.               OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Fund American and the insurance industry in general, is subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of business. Other than those items listed below, we are not a party to any material litigation or arbitration other than as routinely encountered in claims activity, none of which is expected by management to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and/or cash flows.

OneBeacon is in a dispute with Liberty Mutual over certain costs Liberty Mutual claims it incurred in connection with the Liberty Agreement. Liberty Mutual asserts that these costs are part of unallocated loss adjustment expenses, or ULAE, due Liberty Mutual under the Liberty Agreement. Liberty Mutual further asserts that ULAE on charges previously billed to and settled by OneBeacon since the inception of the Liberty Agreement should be retroactively recast in addition to changing the calculation of ULAE charges for the period not yet settled. OneBeacon believes that the recast charges, which are significantly higher than prior ULAE calculations, and the calculation of ULAE charges for the period not yet settled are inconsistent with the terms of the Liberty Agreement and with standard industry definitions of ULAE. The amount of additional ULAE Liberty Mutual claims that it incurred under the Liberty Agreement totals approximately $68 million. Liberty Mutual has netted amounts billed under the ULAE dispute against amounts otherwise payable to OneBeacon. As of March 31, 2007, OneBeacon has recorded in its loss and LAE reserves an estimate of ULAE expenses due Liberty Mutual on a basis that it believes is consistent with the terms of the Liberty Agreement and with standard industry definitions of ULAE. In January 2006, Liberty Mutual initiated an arbitration proceeding against OneBeacon with respect to this dispute, the ULAE Arbitration. The initial organizational meeting on the ULAE Arbitration was held in February 2007 and the final hearing is scheduled for April 2008.

In September 2006, OneBeacon initiated an arbitration against Liberty Mutual (and Peerless Insurance Company) seeking payment of approximately $57 million relating to ceding commissions, recoveries and commutations due to OneBeacon from Liberty Mutual pursuant to the terms and conditions of the rewritten indemnity reinsurance agreement. To date, Liberty Mutual has refused to pay, asserting that it is entitled to an offset against the ULAE amounts disputed by OneBeacon and subject to the ULAE Arbitration. In January 2007, this arbitration was consolidated into the ULAE Arbitration.

Our subsidiaries OneBeacon LLC and OneBeacon Insurance Company, or OBIC, also have asserted claims against Liberty Mutual (and Peerless Insurance Company) in the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, or the Court, in which they assert that Liberty Mutual (and Peerless Insurance Company) breached the Pre-Closing Administrative Services Agreement, handled claims files negligently, breached fiduciary duties and were unjustly enriched. The Court has stayed those claims pending the resolution of the arbitration between OBIC and Liberty Mutual for breach of contract. The arbitration hearing commenced in November 2006 and will continue through May 2007.

As of March 31, 2007, we believe that our loss and LAE reserves are sufficient to cover reasonably anticipated outcomes of all related disputes with Liberty Mutual.

34




Refer to the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in particular Item 3 — “Legal Proceedings” for a brief description of all other non-routine legal proceedings. Damages sought by the claimants do not exceed 10% of the Company’s current assets.

ITEM 1A.           RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Item 1A. – “Risk Factors” of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period. As of March 31, 2007, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, although we may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 6.                    EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

31.1*

 

Certification of T. Michael Miller pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

 

Certification of Paul H. McDonough pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

 

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

32.2**

 

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

 


*                    Filed Herewith

**             Furnished Herewith

35




SIGNATURES

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

 

Fund American Companies, Inc.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ANN MARIE ANDREWS

 

 

Ann Marie Andrews

Date: May 14, 2007

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

36