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Lloyd's Syndicate 1221
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Lloyd's Syndicate 1221

Note 5. Lloyd’s Syndicate 1221

The Company’s Lloyd’s Operations included in the consolidated financial statements represents its participation in Syndicate 1221. Syndicate 1221’s stamp capacity is £215 million for the 2014 underwriting year compared to £195 million for the 2013 underwriting year. Stamp capacity is a measure of the amount of premiums a Lloyd’s syndicate is authorized to write based on a business plan approved by the Council of Lloyd’s. Syndicate 1221’s stamp capacity is expressed net of commission (Lloyd’s standard). The Syndicate 1221 premiums recorded in the Company’s financial statements are gross of commission. The Company controlled 100% of Syndicate 1221’s stamp capacity for the 2014, 2013, and 2012 underwriting years through its wholly-owned Lloyd’s corporate member.

During the first quarter, the Syndicate revised its foreign exchange accounting methodology from reporting the Syndicate’s financial position and results using three functional currencies (GBP, USD and CAD) to one functional currency (USD). The USD was chosen as the single functional currency as the majority of the Syndicate’s insurance business has been and continues to be transacted in USD. This cumulative change in re-measurement has resulted in an immaterial correction of $10.0 million ($6.6 million, after-tax) reducing Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in the consolidated balance sheet, offset by a gain in Other Income in the consolidated statement of income. The impact of the correction is not material to the previously issued interim and annual financial statements for 2013 and 2012.

The Company provides letters of credit and posts cash to Lloyd’s to support its participation in Syndicate 1221’s stamp capacity. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had provided letters of credit of $153.2 million and has $1.0 million of cash collateral posted. If Syndicate 1221 increases its stamp capacity and the Company participates in the additional stamp capacity, or if Lloyd’s changes the capital requirements, the Company may be required to supply additional collateral acceptable to Lloyd’s. If the Company is unwilling or unable to provide additional acceptable collateral, the Company will be required to reduce its participation in the stamp capacity of Syndicate 1221. The letters of credit are provided through a credit facility with a consortium of banks which provides the Company with the ability to have letters of credit issued to support Syndicate 1221’s stamp capacity at Lloyd’s for the 2013 and 2014 underwriting years, as well as open prior years. If any letters of credit remain outstanding under the facility after December 31, 2014, the Company would be required to post additional collateral to secure the remaining letters of credit. If the credit facility is not renewed prior to December 31, 2014, the Company will need to find internal and/or external sources to provide either letters of credit or other collateral in order to continue to participate in Syndicate 1221. The credit facility is collateralized by all of the common stock of NIC. Refer to Note 10, Credit Facility, for additional information.