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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair Value Hierarchy

U.S. GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. These two types of inputs create three valuation hierarchy levels. Level 1 valuations reflect quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 valuations reflect quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets or model-derived valuations in which all significant valuation inputs are observable in active markets. Level 3 valuations reflect valuations in which one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in an active market.

The following tables present the fair value hierarchy levels of the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis.
  
September 30, 2020
(In millions)Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Assets:
Securities available for sale, carried at
fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies$35,539 $1,656 $0 $37,195 
Municipalities0 2,619 0 2,619 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities0 526 191 717 
Public utilities0 10,030 368 10,398 
Sovereign and supranational0 1,422 0 1,422 
Banks/financial institutions0 11,672 24 11,696 
Other corporate0 38,813 268 39,081 
Total fixed maturity securities35,539 66,738 851 103,128 
Equity securities608 81 86 775 
Other investments823 0 0 823 
Cash and cash equivalents5,563 0 0 5,563 
Other assets:
Foreign currency swaps0 53 97 150 
Foreign currency forwards0 282 0 282 
Foreign currency options0 1 0 1 
Interest rate swaps0 6 0 6 
Total other assets0 342 97 439 
Total assets$42,533 $67,161 $1,034 $110,728 
Liabilities:
Other liabilities:
Foreign currency swaps$0 $49 $240 $289 
Foreign currency forwards0 335 0 335 
Foreign currency options0 1 0 1 
Total liabilities$0 $385 $240 $625 
  
December 31, 2019
(In millions)Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Assets:
Securities available for sale, carried at
fair value:
Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies$34,878 $1,522 $$36,400 
Municipalities1,847 1,847 
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities232 178 410 
Public utilities6,556 224 6,780 
Sovereign and supranational1,042 1,042 
Banks/financial institutions10,264 23 10,287 
Other corporate34,234 262 34,496 
Total fixed maturity securities34,878 55,697 687 91,262 
Equity securities642 80 80 802 
Other investments628 628 
Cash and cash equivalents4,896 4,896 
Other assets:
Foreign currency swaps72 169 241 
Foreign currency forwards238 238 
Interest rate swaps
Total other assets313 169 482 
Total assets$41,044 $56,090 $936 $98,070 
Liabilities:
Other liabilities:
Foreign currency swaps$$78 $126 $204 
Foreign currency forwards377 377 
Foreign currency options
Total liabilities$$460 $126 $586 
The following tables present the carrying amount and fair value categorized by fair value hierarchy level for the Company's financial instruments that are not carried at fair value.
  
September 30, 2020
(In millions)Carrying
Value
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Assets:
Securities held to maturity,
carried at amortized cost:
  Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies$22,938 $28,248 $254 $0 $28,502 
Municipalities370 0 490 0 490 
Public utilities46 0 60 0 60 
Sovereign and
supranational
559 0 723 0 723 
Other corporate24 0 32 0 32 
Commercial mortgage and
other loans
10,822 0 0 10,786 10,786 
Other investments (1)
25 0 25 0 25 
 Total assets$34,784 $28,248 $1,584 $10,786 $40,618 
Liabilities:
Other policyholders’ funds$7,642 $0 $0 $7,550 $7,550 
Notes payable
(excluding leases)
7,675 0 8,264 282 8,546 
Total liabilities$15,317 $0 $8,264 $7,832 $16,096 
(1) Excludes policy loans of $261 and equity method investments of $795, at carrying value
  
December 31, 2019
(In millions)Carrying
Value
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Assets:
Securities held to maturity,
carried at amortized cost:
  Fixed maturity securities:
Government and agencies$22,241 $27,937 $354 $$28,291 
Municipalities821 1,083 1,083 
Mortgage and asset-backed
securities
16 10 17 
Public utilities2,535 2,954 2,954 
Sovereign and
supranational
1,123 1,320 1,320 
Banks/financial institutions916 1,018 1,018 
Other corporate2,433 2,911 2,911 
Commercial mortgage and
other loans
9,569 9,648 9,648 
Other investments (1)
30 30 30 
  Total assets$39,684 $27,937 $9,677 $9,658 $47,272 
Liabilities:
Other policyholders’ funds$7,317 $$$7,234 $7,234 
Notes payable
(excluding leases)
6,408 6,663 272 6,935 
Total liabilities$13,725 $$6,663 $7,506 $14,169 
(1) Excludes policy loans of $250 and equity method investments of $569, at carrying value

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fixed maturity and equity securities

The Company determines the fair values of fixed maturity securities and public and privately-issued equity securities using the following approaches or techniques: price quotes and valuations from third party pricing vendors (including quoted market prices readily available from public exchange markets) and non-binding price quotes the Company obtains from outside brokers.

A third party pricing vendor has developed valuation models to determine fair values of privately issued securities.These models are discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation models, but also use information from related markets, specifically the credit default swap (CDS) market to estimate expected cash flows. These models take into consideration any unique characteristics of the securities and make various adjustments to arrive at an appropriate issuer-specific loss adjusted credit curve. This credit curve is then used with the relevant recovery rates to estimate expected cash flows and modeling of additional features, including illiquidity adjustments, if necessary, to price the security by discounting those loss adjusted cash flows. In cases where a credit curve cannot be developed from the specific security features, the valuation methodology takes into consideration other market observable inputs, including:

1) the most appropriate comparable security(ies) of the issuer
2) issuer-specific CDS spreads
3) bonds or CDS spreads of comparable issuers with similar characteristics such as rating, geography, or sector
4) bond indices that are comparative in rating, industry, maturity and region.

The pricing data and market quotes the Company obtains from outside sources, including third party pricing services, are reviewed internally for reasonableness. If a fair value appears unreasonable, the Company will re-examine the inputs and assess the reasonableness of the pricing data with the vendor. Additionally, the Company may compare the inputs to relevant market indices and other performance measurements. Based on management's analysis, the valuation is
confirmed or may be revised if there is evidence of a more appropriate estimate of fair value based on available market data. Beginning September 30, 2020, the Company refined these valuation models to explicitly incorporate currency basis swap adjustments (market observable data) to assumed interest rate curves where appropriate. The Company has performed verification of the inputs and calculations in any valuation models to confirm that the valuations represent reasonable estimates of fair value.

For the periods presented, the Company has not adjusted the quotes or prices it obtains from the pricing services and brokers it uses.

The following tables present the pricing sources for the fair values of the Company's fixed maturity and equity securities.
September 30, 2020
(In millions)Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale, carried at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities:
         Government and agencies:
            Third party pricing vendor$35,539 $1,656 $0 $37,195 
               Total government and agencies35,539 1,656 0 37,195 
         Municipalities:
            Third party pricing vendor0 2,619 0 2,619 
               Total municipalities0 2,619 0 2,619 
         Mortgage- and asset-backed securities:
            Third party pricing vendor0 361 0 361 
            Broker/other0 165 191 356 
               Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities0 526 191 717 
         Public utilities:
            Third party pricing vendor0 10,030 0 10,030 
            Broker/other0 0 368 368 
               Total public utilities0 10,030 368 10,398 
         Sovereign and supranational:
            Third party pricing vendor0 1,422 0 1,422 
               Total sovereign and supranational0 1,422 0 1,422 
         Banks/financial institutions:
            Third party pricing vendor0 11,672 0 11,672 
            Broker/other0 0 24 24 
               Total banks/financial institutions0 11,672 24 11,696 
         Other corporate:
            Third party pricing vendor0 38,809 0 38,809 
            Broker/other0 4 268 272 
               Total other corporate0 38,813 268 39,081 
                  Total securities available for sale$35,539 $66,738 $851 $103,128 
Equity securities, carried at fair value:
            Third party pricing vendor$608 $81 $0 $689 
            Broker/other0 0 86 86 
               Total equity securities$608 $81 $86 $775 
September 30, 2020
(In millions)Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost:
      Fixed maturity securities:
         Government and agencies:
            Third party pricing vendor$28,248 $254 $0 $28,502 
               Total government and agencies28,248 254 0 28,502 
         Municipalities:
            Third party pricing vendor0 490 0 490 
               Total municipalities0 490 0 490 
         Public utilities:
            Third party pricing vendor0 60 0 60 
               Total public utilities0 60 0 60 
         Sovereign and supranational:
            Third party pricing vendor0 723 0 723 
               Total sovereign and supranational0 723 0 723 
         Other corporate:
            Third party pricing vendor0 32 0 32 
               Total other corporate0 32 0 32 
                  Total securities held to maturity$28,248 $1,559 $0 $29,807 
December 31, 2019
(In millions)Quoted Prices in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale, carried at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities:
         Government and agencies:
            Third party pricing vendor$34,878 $1,522 $$36,400 
               Total government and agencies34,878 1,522 36,400 
         Municipalities:
            Third party pricing vendor1,847 1,847 
               Total municipalities1,847 1,847 
         Mortgage- and asset-backed securities:
            Third party pricing vendor232 232 
            Broker/other178 178 
               Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities232 178 410 
         Public utilities:
            Third party pricing vendor6,556 6,556 
            Broker/other224 224 
               Total public utilities6,556 224 6,780 
         Sovereign and supranational:
            Third party pricing vendor1,042 1,042 
               Total sovereign and supranational1,042 1,042 
         Banks/financial institutions:
            Third party pricing vendor10,264 10,264 
            Broker/other23 23 
               Total banks/financial institutions10,264 23 10,287 
         Other corporate:
            Third party pricing vendor34,234 34,234 
            Broker/other262 262 
               Total other corporate34,234 262 34,496 
                  Total securities available for sale$34,878 $55,697 $687 $91,262 
Equity securities, carried at fair value:
            Third party pricing vendor$642 $80 $$722 
            Broker/other80 80 
               Total equity securities$642 $80 $80 $802 
December 31, 2019
(In millions)Quoted Prices in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Fair
Value
Securities held to maturity, carried at amortized cost:
      Fixed maturity securities:
         Government and agencies:
            Third party pricing vendor$27,937 $354 $$28,291 
               Total government and agencies27,937 354 28,291 
         Municipalities:
            Third party pricing vendor1,083 1,083 
               Total municipalities1,083 1,083 
         Mortgage- and asset-backed securities:
            Third party pricing vendor
            Broker/other10 10 
               Total mortgage- and asset-backed securities10 17 
         Public utilities:
            Third party pricing vendor2,954 2,954 
               Total public utilities2,954 2,954 
         Sovereign and supranational:
            Third party pricing vendor1,320 1,320 
               Total sovereign and supranational1,320 1,320 
         Banks/financial institutions:
            Third party pricing vendor1,018 1,018 
               Total banks/financial institutions1,018 1,018 
         Other corporate:
            Third party pricing vendor2,911 2,911 
               Total other corporate2,911 2,911 
                  Total securities held to maturity$27,937 $9,647 $10 $37,594 

The following is a discussion of the determination of fair value of the Company's remaining financial instruments.

Derivatives

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with certain assets. However, the derivative instrument may not be classified in the same fair value hierarchy level as the associated asset. Inputs used to value derivatives include, but are not limited to, interest rates, credit spreads, foreign currency forward and spot rates, and interest volatility. The significant inputs to pricing derivatives are generally observable in the market or can be derived by observable market data. When these inputs are observable, the derivatives are classified as Level 2.

The fair value of foreign currency forward and options are based on observable market inputs, therefore they are classified as Level 2.

To determine the fair value of its interest rate derivatives, the Company uses inputs that are generally observable in the market or can be derived from observable market data. Interest rate swaps are cleared trades. In a cleared swap contract, the clearinghouse provides benefits to the counterparties similar to contracts listed for investment traded on an exchange since it maintains a daily margin to mitigate counterparties' credit risk. These derivatives are priced using observable inputs, accordingly, they are classified as Level 2. For its interest rate swaptions, the Company estimates their fair values using observable market data, including interest rate curves and volatilities. Their fair values are also classified as Level 2.

For derivatives associated with VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company is not the direct counterparty to the swap contracts. As a result, the fair value measurements incorporate the credit risk of the collateral
associated with the VIE. Based on an analysis of these derivatives and a review of the methodology employed by the pricing vendor, the Company determined that due to the long duration of these swaps and the need to extrapolate from short-term observable data to derive and measure long-term inputs, certain inputs, assumptions and judgments are required to value future cash flows that cannot be corroborated by current inputs or current observable market data. As a result, the derivatives associated with the Company's consolidated VIEs are classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

For forward bond purchase commitments with VIEs, the fair value of the derivative is based on the difference in the fixed purchase price and the current market value of the related bond prior to the settlement date. Since the bond is typically a public bond with readily available pricing, the derivatives associated with the forward purchase commitment are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Commercial mortgage and other loans

Commercial mortgage and other loans include transitional real estate loans, commercial mortgage loans and middle market loans. The Company's loan receivables do not have readily determinable market prices and generally lack market liquidity. Fair values for loan receivables are determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the applicable U.S. Treasury or London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) yield plus an appropriate spread that considers other risk factors, such as credit and liquidity risk. The spreads are a significant component of the pricing inputs and are generally considered unobservable. Therefore, these investments have been assigned a Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

Other investments

Other investments includes short-term investments that are measured at fair value where amortized cost approximates fair value.

Other policyholders' funds

The largest component of the other policyholders' funds liability is the Company's annuity line of business in Aflac Japan. The Company's annuities have fixed benefits and premiums. For this product, the Company estimates the fair value to be equal to the cash surrender value. This is analogous to the value paid to policyholders on the valuation date if they were to surrender their policy. The Company periodically checks the cash value against discounted cash flow projections for reasonableness. The Company considers its inputs for this valuation to be unobservable and have accordingly classified this valuation as Level 3.

Notes payable

The fair values of the Company's publicly issued notes payable are determined by utilizing available sources of observable inputs from third party pricing vendors and are classified as Level 2. The fair values of the Company's yen-denominated loans approximate their carrying values and are classified as Level 3.
Transfers between Hierarchy Levels and Level 3 Rollforward
The following tables present the changes in fair value of the Company's investments and derivatives carried at fair value classified as Level 3.
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020
 Fixed Maturity SecuritiesEquity
Securities
Derivatives (1)
(In millions)Mortgage-
and
Asset-
Backed
Securities
Public
Utilities
Banks/
Financial
Institutions
Other
Corporate
 Foreign
Currency
Swaps
Total
Balance, beginning of period$188 $322 $24 $243 $86 $(168)$695 
Net investment gains (losses) included in
earnings
23 23 
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other
comprehensive income (loss)
15 24 44 
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases33 39 
Issuances
Sales(5)(5)
Settlements(2)(2)
Transfers into Level 3
Transfers out of Level 3
Balance, end of period$191 $368 $24 $268 $86 $(143)$794 
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating
to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at
the end of the period included in earnings
$$$$$$23 $23 
(1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
  Fixed Maturity SecuritiesEquity
Securities
Derivatives (1)
  
(In millions)Mortgage-
and
Asset-
Backed
Securities
Public
Utilities
Banks/
Financial
Institutions
Other
Corporate
 Foreign
Currency
Swaps
Total
Balance, beginning of period$183 $204 $24 $199 $65 $94 $769 
Net investment gains (losses) included in
earnings
(84)(84)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other
comprehensive income (loss)
(2)
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases19 14 33 
Issuances
Sales
Settlements(2)(2)
Transfers into Level 3
(2)
Transfers out of Level 3(1)
(2)
(1)
Balance, end of period$183 $206 $23 $224 $79 $$723 
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating
to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at
the end of the period included in earnings
$$$$$$(84)$(84)
(1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net
(2) Transfer due to sector classification change
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
 Fixed Maturity SecuritiesEquity
Securities
Derivatives (1)
(In millions)Mortgage-
and
Asset-
Backed
Securities
Public
Utilities
Banks/
Financial
Institutions
Other
Corporate
 Foreign
Currency
Swaps
Total
Balance, beginning of period$178 $224 $23 $262 $80 $43 $810 
Net investment gains (losses) included
in earnings
(184)(184)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other
comprehensive income (loss)
(2)17 
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases129 13 12 155 
Issuances
Sales(6)(6)
Settlements(1)(6)(7)
Transfers into Level 3
(2)
15 
(3)
24 
Transfers out of Level 3(15)
(3)
(15)
Balance, end of period$191 $368 $24 $268 $86 $(143)$794 
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating
to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at
the end of the period included in earnings
$$$$$$(184)$(184)
(1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net
(2) Transfer due to reclassification of level 3 securities from HTM to AFS
(3) Transfer due to sector classification change
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Fixed Maturity SecuritiesEquity
Securities
Derivatives (1)
 
(In millions)Mortgage-
and
Asset-
Backed
Securities
Public
Utilities
Banks/
Financial
Institutions
Other
Corporate
 Foreign
Currency
Swaps
Total
Balance, beginning of period$177 $109 $23 $213 $46 $80 $648 
Net investment gains (losses) included
in earnings
(68)(68)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other
comprehensive income (loss)
10 12 (4)25 
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
Purchases107 33 140 
Issuances
Sales(2)(2)
Settlements(4)(4)
Transfers into Level 3116 
(2)
26 
(2)
142 
Transfers out of Level 3(25)
(2)
(1)(132)
(2),(3)
(158)
Balance, end of period$183 $206 $23 $224 $79 $$723 
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating
to Level 3 assets and liabilities still held at
the end of the period included in earnings
$$$$$$(68)$(68)
(1) Derivative assets and liabilities are presented net
(2) Transfer due to sector classification change
(3) Transfer due to availability of observable market inputs
Fair Value Sensitivity

Level 3 Significant Unobservable Input Sensitivity

The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of the Company's Level 3 investments and derivatives carried at fair value. Included in the tables are the inputs or range of possible inputs that have an effect on the overall valuation of the financial instruments.
September 30, 2020
(In millions)Fair ValueValuation Technique(s)Unobservable InputRange
(Weighted Average)
Assets:
  Securities available for sale, carried at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities:
       Mortgage- and asset-backed securities$191 Consensus pricingOffered quotesN/A
(a)
       Public utilities368 Discounted cash flowCredit spreadsN/A
(a)
       Banks/financial institutions24 Consensus pricingOffered quotesN/A
(a)
       Other corporate268 Discounted cash flowCredit spreadsN/A
(a)
  Equity securities86 Net asset valueOffered quotesN/A
(a)
  Other assets:
       Foreign currency swaps27 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD).71%-1.12%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).03%-.35%
(c)
CDS spreads23 bps-140 bps
70 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD).71%-1.12%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).03%-.35%
(c)
            Total assets$1,034 
Liabilities:
  Other liabilities:
       Foreign currency swaps$197 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD).71%-1.12%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).03%-.35%
(c)
CDS spreads41 bps-140 bps
43 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD).71%-1.12%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).03%-.35%
(c)
            Total liabilities$240 
(a) N/A represents securities where the Company receives unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques or unobservable inputs.
(b) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of the Company's swaps
(c) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of the Company's swaps
December 31, 2019
(In millions)Fair ValueValuation Technique(s)Unobservable InputRange
(Weighted Average)
Assets:
  Securities available for sale, carried at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities:
       Mortgage- and asset-backed securities$178 Consensus pricingOffered quotesN/A
(a)
       Public utilities224 Discounted cash flowCredit spreadsN/A
(a)
       Banks/financial institutions23 Consensus pricingOffered quotesN/A
(a)
       Other corporate262 Discounted cash flowCredit spreadsN/A
(a)
  Equity securities80 Net asset valueOffered quotesN/A
(a)
  Other assets:
       Foreign currency swaps106 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD)1.89%-2.09%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).12%-.43%
(c)
CDS spreads10 bps-100 bps
63 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD)1.89%-2.09%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).12%-.43%
(c)
            Total assets$936 
Liabilities:
  Other liabilities:
       Foreign currency swaps$118 Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD)1.89%-2.09%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).12%-.43%
(c)
CDS spreads13 bps-159 bps
Discounted cash flowInterest rates (USD)1.89%-2.09%
(b)
Interest rates (JPY).12%-.43%
(c)
            Total liabilities$126 
(a) N/A represents securities where the Company receives unadjusted broker quotes and for which there is no transparency into the providers' valuation techniques or unobservable inputs.
(b) Inputs derived from U.S. long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of the Company's swaps
(c) Inputs derived from Japan long-term rates to accommodate long maturity nature of the Company's swaps
The following is a discussion of the significant unobservable inputs or valuation techniques used in determining the fair value of securities and derivatives classified as Level 3.

Net Asset Value

The Company holds certain unlisted equity securities whose fair value is derived based on the financial statements published by the investee. These securities do not trade on an active market and the valuations derived are dependent on the availability of timely financial reporting of the investee. Net asset value is an unobservable input in the determination of fair value of equity securities.

Offered Quotes

In circumstances where the Company's valuation model price is overridden because it implies a value that is not consistent with current market conditions, the Company will solicit bids from a limited number of brokers. The Company also receives unadjusted prices from brokers for its mortgage and asset-backed securities. These quotes are non-binding but are reflective of valuation best estimates at that particular point in time. Offered quotes are an unobservable input in the determination of fair value of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, certain banks/financial institutions, certain other corporate, and equity securities investments.

Interest Rates and CDS Spreads

The significant drivers of the valuation of the foreign exchange swaps are interest rates and CDS spreads. Some of the Company's swaps have long maturities that increase the sensitivity of the swaps to interest rate fluctuations. For the Company's foreign exchange or cross currency swaps that are in a net asset position, an increase in yen interest rates (all other factors held constant) will decrease the present value of the yen final settlement receivable (receive leg), thus decreasing the value of the swap as long as the derivative remains in a net asset position.
Foreign exchange swaps also have a lump-sum final settlement of foreign exchange principal amounts at the termination of the swap. Assuming all other factors are held constant, an increase in yen interest rates will decrease the receive leg and decrease the net value of the swap. Likewise, holding all other factors constant, an increase in U.S. dollar interest rates will increase the swap's net value due to the decrease in the present value of the dollar final settlement payable (pay leg).
The extinguisher feature in most of the Company's VIE swaps results in a cessation of cash flows and no further payments between the parties to the swap in the event of a default on the referenced or underlying collateral. To price this feature, the Company applies the survival probability of the referenced entity to the projected cash flows. The survival probability uses the CDS spreads and recovery rates to adjust the present value of the cash flows. For extinguisher swaps with positive values, an increase in CDS spreads decreases the likelihood of receiving the final exchange payments and reduces the value of the swap.

For additional information on the Company's investments and financial instruments, see the accompanying Notes 1, 3 and 4 and Notes 1, 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2019 Annual Report.