UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

or 

☐ 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 1-9583

MBIA INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut	06-1185706
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1 Manhattanville Road, Suite 301, Purchase, New York	10577
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (914) 273-4545

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	MBI	New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2019 was $731,499,827.

As of February 20, 2020, 76,459,050 shares of Common Stock, par value $1 per share, were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference:

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement of the Registrant for its 2019 Annual Meeting, which will be filed on or before March 31, 2020, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	PART I
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	13
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	23
Item 2.	Properties	23
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	24
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	24
	PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	25
Item 6	Selected Financial Data	27
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	63
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	65
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	150
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	150
Item 9B.	Other Information	151
	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	152
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	152
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	152
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	153
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	153
	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	154
	Signatures	158
	Schedule I	159
	Schedule II	160
	Schedule IV	165

FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

This annual report of MBIA Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, (collectively, “MBIA”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) includes statements that are not historical or current facts and are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe”, “anticipate”, “project”, “plan”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “will likely result”, “looking forward”, or “will continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. MBIA cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only to their respective dates. We undertake no obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if the Company later becomes aware that such result is not likely to be achieved.

The following are some of the general factors that could affect financial performance or could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates contained in or underlying the Company’s forward-looking statements:

• increased credit losses or impairments on public finance obligations that National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation (“National”) insures issued by state, local and territorial governments and finance authorities and other providers of public services, located in the U.S. or abroad, that are experiencing fiscal stress;

• the possibility that loss reserve estimates are not adequate to cover potential claims;

• a disruption in the cash flow from National or an inability to access the capital markets and our exposure to significant fluctuations in liquidity and asset values in the global credit markets as a result of collateral posting requirements;

• our ability to fully implement our strategic plan;

• the possibility that MBIA Insurance Corporation will have inadequate liquidity or resources to timely pay claims as a result of higher than expected losses on certain insured transactions or as a result of a delay or failure in collecting expected recoveries, which could lead the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYSDFS”) to put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding under Article 74 of the New York Insurance Law and/or take such other actions as the NYSDFS may deem necessary to protect the interests of MBIA Insurance Corporation’s policyholders;

• deterioration in the economic environment and financial markets in the United States or abroad, real estate market performance, credit spreads, interest rates and foreign currency levels; and

• the effects of changes to governmental regulation, including insurance laws, securities laws, tax laws, legal precedents and accounting rules.

The above factors provide a summary of and are qualified in their entirety by the risk factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company encourages readers to review these risk factors in their entirety.

This annual report of MBIA Inc. also includes statements of the opinion and belief of MBIA management which may be forward-looking statements subject to the preceding cautionary disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the basis for each statement of opinion or belief of MBIA management in this report is the relevant industry or subject matter experience and views of certain members of MBIA’s management. Accordingly, MBIA cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such statements, because like all statements of opinion or belief they are not statements of fact and may prove to be incorrect. We undertake no obligation to publicly correct or update any statement of opinion or belief if the Company later becomes aware that such statement of opinion or belief was not or is not then accurate. In addition, readers are cautioned that each statement of opinion or belief may be further qualified by disclosures set forth elsewhere in this report or in other disclosures by MBIA.

PART I

Item 1. Business

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, (i) “MBIA,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MBIA Inc., a Connecticut corporation incorporated in 1986, together with its subsidiaries, and (ii) unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to “MBIA Corp.” are to MBIA Insurance Corporation together with MBIA Mexico S.A. de C.V.

OVERVIEW

The Company’s operating subsidiaries are running off their portfolios. Today the Company’s primary objectives are ensuring that adequate liquidity exists at the holding company to satisfy all of its outstanding obligations, mitigating losses at National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation (“National”) and MBIA Corp., including National’s exposures to insured debt obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and certain of its instrumentalities (“Puerto Rico”), and maximizing recoveries on paid insurance claims. The Company may also pursue strategic alternatives that could enhance shareholder value.

MBIA’s primary business has been to provide financial guarantee insurance to the United States’ public finance markets through our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, National, whose financial guarantee insurance policies provide investors with unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of the payment of the principal, interest or other amounts owing on insured obligations when due. National has ceased pursuing the writing of new financial guarantee policies, and its primary activity today is to provide ongoing surveillance, including remediation activity where warranted, of its existing insured portfolio of $48.9 billion gross par outstanding as of December 31, 2019.

The Company has also provided financial guarantee insurance in the international and structured finance markets through its subsidiary MBIA Corp. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp.’s total insured gross par outstanding was $10.0 billion. We do not expect MBIA Corp. to write any significant new policies, and given its capital structure and business prospects, we do not expect its financial performance to have a material economic impact on MBIA Inc. Refer to “Results of Operations—Capital Resources” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of MBIA Corp.’s insurance statutory capital.

MBIA Services Corporation (“MBIA Services”), also owned by MBIA Inc., is a service company which provides support services such as surveillance, risk management, legal, accounting, treasury and information technology, among others, to our businesses on a fee-for-service basis.

MBIA Inc. Capital Management

The Company manages its capital and liquidity in order to ensure that it can service its debt and other financial obligations and pay its operating expenses while maintaining an adequate cushion against potential adverse events. MBIA Inc. has received annual dividends from National, and until 2020, regular releases from the tax escrow account. The Company currently maintains a stable liquidity position which is expected to allow it to service its obligations over the next several years without needing to access the capital markets. Our capital management strategies include (i) having the Company or National repurchase outstanding MBIA Inc. common shares to enhance shareholder value when management deems such actions are appropriate, taking into account the price of the stock, anticipated liquidity needs, and other relevant factors and (ii) retiring our unsecured and MBIA Global Funding, LLC (“GFL”) debt through calls and repurchases at prices that create economic benefit to the Company.

During 2019, National repurchased 11.1 million shares at a cost of $101 million under the repurchase authorization approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in November of 2017. During 2018, the Company and National collectively repurchased 5.8 million shares at a cost of $48 million under the repurchase authorization approved by the Board in November of 2017. During 2017, the Company and National collectively repurchased 43 million shares at a cost of $325 million under repurchase authorizations approved by the Board in February of 2016 and June of 2017. When the current repurchase program was approved, management and the Board viewed such use of available capital as the best alternative for capital management.

1

Item 1. Business (continued)

Unsecured debt includes MBIA Inc.’s senior notes and medium-term notes (“MTNs”) issued by its subsidiary, GFL. During 2019, the Company redeemed $150 million principal amount of the Company’s 6.400% Senior Notes due 2022 at par plus accrued interest and paid $57 million par value related to GFL debt maturities. During 2018, the Company repurchased $78 million and paid $17 million par value related to GFL debt maturities. During 2017, the Company repurchased $160 million and paid $38 million par value related to GFL debt maturities.

In each of the fourth quarters of 2019 and 2018, National declared and paid dividends of $134 million and $108 million, respectively, to its ultimate parent, MBIA Inc. In addition, during the first quarter of 2019, MBIA Inc. received $56 million, in cash from an escrow account held by MBIA Inc. under the MBIA group’s tax sharing agreement as described further under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations––Liquidity––Corporate Liquidity” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. In addition, in 2018, $90 million was returned to National as a result of its 2017 financial results. Subsequent to December 31, 2019, an additional $33 million was returned to National as a result of losses incurred in 2019, of which $9 million was in cash.

National Risk Mitigation

National’s most significant risk is credit risk in its large and diverse insured portfolio of domestic public finance credits. National’s risk mitigation strategy is premised on proactive portfolio management, including surveillance of financial performance and covenant compliance, the exercise of creditor rights, remediation and – in select cases – workouts of distressed credits. National’s approach generally focuses on the early detection of stress and proactive intervention, though its rights and its ability to take certain actions on a particular credit will always be case-specific. As part of its remediation efforts, National may elect to facilitate and participate in refinancings of existing credit exposures where the new transaction will have the anticipated effect of improving the issuer’s ability to service its debt and strengthen National’s legal security or covenant package. National may also seek to purchase its own insured obligations as part of an overall risk mitigation strategy, subject to internal and regulatory limitations.

Presently, the most distressed credits in National’s portfolio are obligations issued by Puerto Rico. As described further herein, four of these credits, the Commonwealth’s General Obligation Bonds, Public Building Authority (“PBA”), the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority (“PRHTA”) and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”) are in bankruptcy-like processes under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”). The Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”) has exited the bankruptcy-like process and National’s exposure to the credit has been reduced to zero. For additional information relating to the risks arising from National’s Puerto Rico exposures, refer to the “Insured Portfolio Loss Related Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

MBIA Corp. Risk Mitigation

MBIA Corp.’s strategy is focused primarily on recovering losses on insured transactions, reducing future expected economic losses in the insured portfolio through commutations and other risk mitigation strategies, and managing liquidity primarily for the benefit of its policyholders and senior creditors. Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information regarding loss reserves and recoveries.

Our liquidity and capital forecasts, and projected collections of recoveries for MBIA Corp. reflect resources that we expect to be adequate to pay expected insurance claims. However, there can be no assurance that MBIA Corp. will realize its expected recoveries in full or on its projected timeframe. Refer to “Risk Factors-MBIA Corp. Risk Factors-Continuing elevated loss payments and delay or failure in realizing expected recoveries on insured transactions may materially and adversely affect MBIA Insurance Corporation’s statutory capital and its ability to meet liquidity needs and could cause the New York State Department of Financial Services (the “NYSDFS”) to put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding if the NYSDFS concludes that MBIA Insurance Corporation will not be able to pay expected insurance claims,” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K. Given the separation of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. as distinct legal entities, the absence of any cross defaults between the entities, and the lack of reliance by MBIA Inc. on MBIA Corp. for the receipt of dividends, we do not believe that a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding of MBIA Insurance Corporation by the NYSDFS would have any material economic impact on MBIA Inc.

2

Item 1. Business (continued)

OUR INSURANCE OPERATIONS

Our U.S. public finance insurance portfolio is managed through National, and our international and structured finance insurance portfolios are managed through MBIA Corp. We do not expect National or MBIA Corp. to write significant new business.

We have been compensated for our insurance policies by insurance premiums that were paid upfront or on an installment basis. Our financial guarantee insurance was offered in both the new issue and secondary markets. In addition, we have provided financial guarantees or sureties to debt service reserve funds. The primary risk in our insurance operations is that of adverse credit performance in the insured portfolio. When writing new business we sought to maintain a diversified insured portfolio and have insured transactions with the aim of managing and diversifying risk based on a variety of criteria including revenue source, issue size, type of asset, industry concentrations, type of bond and geographic location. Despite this objective, there can be no assurance that we will avoid losses on multiple credits as a result of a single event or series of events.

Because we generally guarantee to the holder of an insured obligation the timely payment of amounts due in accordance with its insurance policy terms, in the case of a default or other triggering event, payments under the insurance policy generally cannot be accelerated against us unless we consent to the acceleration. In the event of a default, however, we may have the right, in our sole discretion, to accelerate the obligations and pay them in full. Otherwise, we are required to pay principal, interest or other amounts only as scheduled payments come due, even if the holders are permitted by the terms of the insured obligations to have the full amount of principal, accrued interest or other amounts due, declared due and payable immediately in the event of a default.

Our payment obligations after a default vary by deal and by insurance type. Our public finance insurance generally insures scheduled interest and principal. Our structured finance policies generally insure (i) timely interest and ultimate principal; (ii) ultimate principal only at final maturity; or, (iii) payments upon settlement of individual collateral losses as they occur after any deductible or subordination has been exhausted.

In the event of a default in the payment of principal, interest or other insured amounts by an issuer, the insurance company will make funds available in the insured amount generally within one to three business days following notification. Longer timeframes may apply for international transactions. Generally, our insurance companies provide for this payment upon receipt of proof of ownership of the obligations due, as well as upon receipt of instruments appointing the insurer as agent for the holders and evidencing the assignment of the rights of the holders with respect to the payments made by the insurer or other appropriate documentation.

National Insured Portfolio

National’s insured portfolio consists of municipal bonds, including tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of U.S. political subdivisions and territories, as well as utilities, airports, health care institutions, higher educational facilities, student loan issuers, housing authorities and other similar agencies and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects that serve a substantial public purpose. Municipal bonds and privately issued bonds used for the financing of public purpose projects are generally supported by taxes, assessments, user fees or tariffs related to the use of these projects, lease payments or other similar types of revenue streams.

As of December 31, 2019, National had $48.9 billion of insured gross par outstanding on U.S. public finance obligations covering 3,099 policies and diversified among 1,794 “credits,” which we define as any group of issues supported by the same revenue source. Insurance in force, which includes all insured debt service, as of December 31, 2019 was $93.7 billion.

All of the policies were underwritten on the assumption that the insurance will remain in force until maturity or early retirement of the insured obligations. National estimates that the average life of its domestic public finance insurance policies in force as of December 31, 2019 was 10 years. The average life was determined by applying a weighted average calculation, using the remaining years to contractual maturity and weighting them on the basis of the remaining debt service insured. No assumptions were made for any future refundings, early redemptions or terminations of insured issues. Average annual insured debt service on the portfolio as of December 31, 2019 was $6.0 billion.

3

Item 1. Business (continued)

National’s underwriting guidelines limited the insurance in force for any one insured credit, and for other categories such as geography. In addition, National is subject to regulatory single-risk limits with respect to any insured bond issue. See the “Insurance Regulation” section below for a description of these regulatory requirements. As of December 31, 2019, National’s gross par amount outstanding for its ten largest insured U.S. public finance credits totaled $9.6 billion, representing 19.6% of National’s total U.S. public finance gross par amount outstanding. Refer to “Note 13: Insurance in Force” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s insured portfolio.

MBIA Corp. Insured Portfolio

MBIA Corp.’s insured portfolio consists of policies that insure various types of international public finance and global structured finance obligations that were sold in the new issue and secondary markets or are referenced in CDS contracts. International public finance obligations include bonds and loans extended to entities located outside of the U.S., including utilities, infrastructure projects and sovereign-related and sub-sovereign issuers, such as regions, authorities or their equivalent as well as sovereign owned entities that might be supported by a sovereign state, region or authority. Sovereign-related includes Private Finance Initiative transactions that involve private entities that receive contractual payments for providing services to public sector entities. Global structured finance obligations include asset-backed transactions and financing of commercial activities that are typically secured by undivided interests or collateralized by the related assets or cash flows or, in the case of certain CDS transactions, reference the underlying obligations. Certain policies cover payments potentially due under CDS, including termination payments that may become due in certain circumstances, including the occurrence of certain insolvency or payment defaults under the CDS or derivative contracts by the insured counterparty or by the guarantor.

As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp. had 298 policies outstanding in its insured portfolio. In addition, MBIA Corp. had 48 insurance policies outstanding relating to liabilities issued by MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries, which are described further under the section “Affiliated Financial Obligations Insured by MBIA Corp.” below. MBIA Corp.’s total policies in its insured portfolio are diversified among 187 credits.

As of December 31, 2019, the gross par amount outstanding of MBIA Corp.’s insured obligations (excluding $0.9 billion of insured affiliated financial obligations and $30.6 billion of U.S. public finance debt ceded to National), was $10.0 billion. Insurance in force for the above portfolio, which includes all insured debt service, as of December 31, 2019 was $13.8 billion.

MBIA Corp. estimates that the average life of its international and structured finance insurance policies in force as of December 31, 2019 is 8 years. The average life was determined by applying a calculation using the remaining years to contractual maturity for international public finance obligations and estimated maturity for structured finance obligations and weighting them on the basis of the remaining debt service insured. No assumptions were made for any future refundings, early redemptions or terminations of insured issues. Average annual insured debt service on the portfolio as of December 31, 2019 was $1.2 billion. Refer to “Note 13: Insurance in Force” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s insured portfolio.

Affiliated Financial Obligations Insured by MBIA Corp.

Prior to 2008, MBIA Inc. provided customized investment agreements and one of its subsidiaries, GFL, issued MTNs with varying maturities. Each of these obligations is guaranteed by MBIA Corp. GFL lent the proceeds of its GFL MTN issuances to MBIA Inc. As a result of ratings downgrades of MBIA Corp., MBIA Inc. is required to post collateral for the remaining investment agreements. Since the ratings downgrades of MBIA Corp. that began in 2008, we have not issued new MTNs or investment agreements. The investment agreements are currently fully collateralized with high quality assets. We believe the outstanding investment agreements and MTNs and corresponding asset balances will continue to decline over time as the liabilities mature, terminate, or are repurchased by the Company.

4

Item 1. Business (continued)

MBIA Corp. is a party to a financing facility (the “Refinanced Facility”) between MZ Funding LLC (“MZ Funding”) and certain purchasers, pursuant to which the purchasers or their affiliates (collectively, the “Senior Lenders”), agreed to refinance the outstanding insured senior notes of MZ Funding, and MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes of MZ Funding. The Refinanced Facility matures on January 20, 2022 and is secured by a first priority security interest in all of MBIA Corp.’s right, title and interest in the recovery of its claims from the assets of Zohar CDO 2003-1, Limited (“Zohar I”) and Zohar II 2005-1 CDO (“Zohar II”) which include, among other things, loans made to, and equity interests in, certain portfolio companies purportedly controlled by the sponsor and former collateral manager of Zohar I and Zohar II (the “Zohar Sponsor”) and claims that may exist against the Zohar Sponsor. Refer to “Note 10: Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information on the Refinanced Facility.

Risk Management

Our largest risk is the credit exposure in our insured portfolio. The Company’s credit risk management and remediation functions are managed through committees and units that oversee risks in ongoing portfolio surveillance and remediation. The Company’s Insured Portfolio Management Divisions (“IPM”) monitor and remediate domestic and international public finance and structured risks. In addition, National and MBIA Corp. each has its own risk committee that, as appropriate, reviews certain portfolio decisions. Additionally, each subsidiary has its own investment committee that reviews its respective investment portfolio and investment-related decisions.

The Company’s Risk Oversight Committee (the “Risk Oversight Committee”) reviews material transactions and provides firm-wide review of policies and decisions related to credit, market, operational, legal, financial and business risks. The Company and its subsidiaries’ respective Loss Reserve Committees review loss reserving activity.

The Company’s Board of Directors and related Committees, including Audit, and Finance and Risk, oversee risks faced by the Company and its subsidiaries. The Board regularly evaluates and discusses emerging risks and risks associated with strategic initiatives. On an annual basis, the Board also evaluates and approves the Company’s risk tolerance policy. The purpose of the risk tolerance policy is to define the types and amounts of risks the Company is prepared to accept. The assessment includes risks associated with credit, capital adequacy, market, liquidity, legal, operations, cybersecurity and technology. This policy provides the basis upon which risk criteria and procedures are developed and seeks to have these applied consistently across the Company.

The Audit Committee oversees risks associated with financial and other reporting, auditing, legal and regulatory compliance, and risks that may otherwise result from the Company’s operations. The Audit Committee oversees these risks by monitoring (i) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company and of other material financial disclosures made by the Company, (ii) the qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditor, (iii) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, (iv) the Company’s compliance policies and procedures and its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and (v) the performance of the Company’s operational risk management function.

The Finance and Risk Committee oversees the Company’s credit risk governance framework, market risk, liquidity risk and other material financial risks. The Finance and Risk Committee oversees these risks by monitoring the Company’s: (i) capital and liquidity, (ii) proprietary investment portfolios, (iii) exposure to changes in the market value of assets and liabilities, (iv) credit exposures in the Insured Portfolios, and (v) financial risk policies and procedures, including regulatory requirements and limits.

The Company has a designated Model Governance Team. Given the significance of models in the Company’s surveillance and remediation activities, financial reporting and corporate treasury operations, the Company established a Model Governance Policy to enhance the consistency, reliability, maintenance and transparency of its models so that model risk can be mitigated on an enterprise-wide basis. The Model Governance Team is responsible for the Model Governance Policy as well as other Model Governance related initiatives.

5

Item 1. Business (continued)

Insurance Surveillance and Remediation

We surveil and remediate our insured portfolios on an ongoing basis. Although our monitoring and remediation activities vary somewhat by sector and bond type, in all cases we focus on assessing event risk and potential losses under stress.

• U.S. Public Finance: For U.S. public finance, our ongoing credit surveillance focuses on economic and political trends, issuer or project debt and financial management, construction and start up risk, adequacy of historical and anticipated cash flows under stress, satisfactory legal structure and bond security provisions, viable tax and economic bases, including consideration of tax limitations and unemployment trends, adequacy of stressed loss coverage and project feasibility, including satisfactory reports from consulting engineers, traffic advisors and others, if applicable. Depending on the credit, specialized cash flow analyses may be conducted to understand loss sensitivity. In addition, specialized credit analysts consider the potential event risk of natural disasters or headline events on both single obligors/credits and across a sector, as well as regulatory issues. U.S. public finance credits/exposures are monitored by reviewing trustee, issuer and project financial and operating reports as well as reports provided by technical advisors and counsel. Projects may be periodically visited by MBIA personnel.

• International Public Finance: International public finance credits are monitored and remediated in a manner relatively consistent with U.S. public finance transactions. In addition, credit analysts consider country risk, including economic and political factors, the type and quality of local regulatory oversight, the strength of the legal framework in each country and the stability of the local institutional framework. Analysts also monitor local accounting and legal requirements, local financial market developments, the impact of exchange rates and local demand dynamics. Furthermore, exposures are reviewed periodically; the frequency and scope of review is often increased when an exposure is downgraded. MBIA personnel may periodically visit projects or issuers to meet with management.

• Global Structured Finance Transactions: For global structured finance credits, we focus on the historical and projected cash flows generated by the assets, the credit and operational strength of the originator, servicer, manager and/or operator of the assets, and the transaction’s structure (including the degree of protection from bankruptcy of the originator or servicer). We may use both probability modeling and cash flow sensitivity analysis (both at the transaction and asset specific levels) to test asset performance assumptions and performance covenants, triggers and remedies. In addition, IPM may use various quantitative tools and qualitative analyses to test for credit quality, correlation, liquidity and capital sensitivity within the insured portfolio.

A key to our ongoing monitoring is early detection of deterioration in either obligor credit quality or macroeconomic or market factors that could adversely impact an insured credit. If deterioration is detected, analysts generally evaluate possible remedial actions and, in the event of significant stress, we may develop and implement a remediation strategy. The nature of any remedial action is based on the type of insured issue and the nature and scope of the event giving rise to the remediation. In most cases, as part of any such remedial activity, we work with the issuer, trustee, legal counsel, financial advisors, servicer, other creditors, underwriters and/or other related parties to reduce chances of default and the potential severity of loss if a default should occur.

We use an internal credit rating system to rank credits, with frequency of review based on risk type, internal rating, performance and credit quality. Credits with performance issues are designated as “Caution List-Low,” “Caution List-Medium” or “Caution List-High” based on the nature and extent of our concerns, but these categories do not require establishment of any case basis reserves. In the event we determine that a claim for payment is expected with respect to an insured issue using probability-weighted cash flows, we place the issue on the “Classified List” and establish a case basis loss reserve for that insured issue. See “Losses and Reserves” below for information on our loss reserving process.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

Credit Risk Models

We use credit risk models to test qualitative judgments, to design appropriate structures and to understand sensitivity within transactions and across broader portfolio exposure concentrations. Models are updated to reflect changes in both portfolio and transaction data and also in expectations of stressed future outcomes. For portfolio monitoring we use internal and third-party models based on individual transaction attributes and customized structures and these models are also used to determine case basis loss reserves and, where applicable, to mark-to-market any insured obligations as may be required for financial reporting. When using third-party models, we generally perform the same review and analyses of the collateral, transaction structure, performance triggers and cash flow waterfalls as when using our internal models. See “Risk Factors—Insured Portfolio Loss Related Risk Factors—Financial modeling involves uncertainty over ultimate outcomes which makes it difficult to estimate liquidity, potential claims payments, loss reserves and fair values” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.

Market Risk Assessment

We measure and assess market risk on a consolidated basis as well as at the holding company and subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis. Key market risks include changes in interest rates, credit spreads and foreign exchange rates. We use various models and methodologies to test exposure under market stress scenarios, including parallel and non-parallel shifts in the yield curve, changes in credit spreads, and changes in foreign exchange rates. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A of this Form 10-K for additional information on our market risk exposure. We also analyze stressed liquidity scenarios and stressed counterparty exposures. The analyses are used in testing investment portfolio guidelines. The Risk Oversight Committee and the Finance and Risk Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors receive periodic reports on market risk.

Operational Risk Assessment

The Operational Risk function assesses potential economic loss or reputational impact arising from processes and controls, systems, or staff actions and seeks to identify vulnerabilities to operational disruptions caused by external events. The Operational Risk framework is generally managed using a self-assessment process across our business units, with controls associated with the execution of key processes monitored through Internal Audit reviews. The Operational Risk function reports periodically to the Risk Oversight Committee and the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Audit Committee reviews the Company’s operational risk profile, risk event activity and ongoing risk mitigation efforts.

Losses and Reserves

Loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves are established by Loss Reserve Committees in each of our operating insurance companies and are reviewed by our executive Loss Reserve Committee, which consists of members of senior management. The Company’s loss and LAE reserves as of December 31, 2019 represent case basis reserves and estimates for LAE to be incurred. Case basis reserves represent the Company’s estimate of expected losses to be paid under its insurance contracts, net of potential recoveries and discounted using a current risk-free interest rate, for contracts where the estimated loss amount exceeds the unearned premium revenue on the related insurance contract. The Company estimates expected losses net of potential recoveries using the present value of probability-weighted estimated loss payments and recoveries, discounted at a rate equal to the risk-free rate applicable to the currency and weighted average remaining life of the insurance contract as required by accounting principles for financial guarantee contracts. We record case basis loss reserves on insured obligations which have defaulted or are expected to default during the remaining life of the obligation.

For a further discussion of the methodology used by the Company for determining when a case basis reserve is established, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates—Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. Management believes that our reserves are adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of claims. However, because the reserves are based on management’s judgment and estimates, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not exceed such estimates or that the timing of claims payments and the realization of recoveries will not create liquidity issues for the corresponding insurance company.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

Reinsurance

We currently have third-party reinsurance agreements in place covering 3% of our insured par outstanding. At this time we do not intend to utilize reinsurance to decrease the insured exposure in our portfolio; however, we may, from time to time, look to enter into transactions to reduce risks embedded in our insured portfolios on an individual and portfolio-wide basis. 

Intercompany Reinsurance Arrangements

MBIA Corp. and National are parties to a reinsurance agreement pursuant to which National reinsures certain public finance financial guarantee policies originally written by MBIA Corp. In addition, National entered into a second-to-pay policy covering the reinsurance agreement.

MBIA Insurance Corporation maintains a reinsurance agreement and net worth maintenance agreement with MBIA Mexico pursuant to which MBIA Insurance Corporation reinsures 100% of the business underwritten by MBIA Mexico and agrees to maintain the amount of capital in MBIA Mexico required by applicable law or regulation, subject to certain New York State regulatory requirements as well as certain contract restrictions.

Insurance Regulation

National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are incorporated in and subject to primary insurance regulation and supervision by the State of New York. MBIA Corp.’s Spanish Branch is subject to local regulation in Spain. MBIA Mexico is organized and subject to primary regulation and supervision in Mexico. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are also licensed to issue financial guarantee policies in multiple jurisdictions as needed to conduct their business activities.

The extent of state and national insurance regulation and supervision varies by jurisdiction, but New York, Spain, Mexico and most other jurisdictions have laws and regulations prescribing minimum standards of solvency, including minimum capital requirements, and business conduct which must be maintained by insurance companies, and if our insurance companies fail to meet such requirements our regulators may impose certain remedial actions. Among other regulated conduct, these laws and regulations prescribe permitted classes and concentrations of investments. In addition, some state laws and regulations require the approval or filing of policy forms and rates. MBIA Insurance Corporation and National each are required to file detailed annual financial statements with the NYSDFS and similar supervisory agencies in each of the other jurisdictions in which it is licensed. The operations and accounts of the insurance companies are subject to examination by regulatory agencies at regular intervals. In addition to being subject to the insurance laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, as a condition to obtaining required insurance regulatory approvals to enter into certain transactions and take certain other corporate actions, including the release of excessive contingency reserves in MBIA Insurance Corporation described below under “Contingency Reserves” and entry into the asset swap between MBIA Inc. and National described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations––Liquidity––Corporate Liquidity” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K, MBIA Inc. and its operating insurance subsidiaries have and may in the future agree to provide notice to the NYSDFS or other applicable regulators prior to entering into transactions or taking other corporate actions (such as paying dividends when applicable statutory tests are satisfied) that would not otherwise require regulatory approval.

New York Insurance Regulation

Our domestic insurance companies are licensed to provide financial guarantee insurance under Article 69 of the New York Insurance Law (the “NYIL”). Article 69 defines financial guarantee insurance to include any guarantee under which loss is payable upon proof of occurrence of financial loss to an insured as a result of certain events. These events include the failure of any obligor or any issuer of any debt instrument or other monetary obligation to pay principal, interest, premium, dividend or purchase price of or on such instrument or obligation when due. Under Article 69, our domestic insurance companies are permitted to transact financial guarantee insurance, surety insurance and credit insurance and such other kinds of business to the extent necessarily or properly incidental to the kinds of insurance which they are authorized to transact. In addition, they are empowered to assume or reinsure the kinds of insurance described above. Amendments to the statutes or regulations governing financial guarantee insurers are possible, but the adoption or timing of any such amendments is uncertain.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

New York State Dividend Limitations

The laws of New York regulate the payment of dividends by National and MBIA Insurance Corporation and provide that a New York domestic stock property/casualty insurance company may not declare or distribute dividends except out of statutory earned surplus. New York law provides that the sum of (i) the amount of dividends declared or distributed during the preceding 12-month period and (ii) the dividend to be declared may not exceed the lesser of (a) 10% of policyholders’ surplus, as shown by the most recent statutory financial statement on file with the NYSDFS, or (b) 100% of adjusted net investment income for such 12-month period (the net investment income for such 12-month period plus the excess, if any, of net investment income over dividends declared or distributed during the two-year period preceding such 12-month period), unless the Superintendent of Financial Services of the State of New York (the “Superintendent”) approves a greater dividend distribution based upon a finding that the insurer will retain sufficient surplus to support its obligations and writings.

Due to its significant earned surplus deficit, MBIA Insurance Corporation has not had the statutory capacity to pay dividends since December 31, 2009 and is not expected to have any statutory capacity to pay dividends. In connection with MBIA Insurance Corporation obtaining approval from the NYSDFS to release excessive contingency reserves as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012, MBIA Corp. agreed that it would not pay any dividends without receiving prior approval from the NYSDFS. The foregoing dividend limitations are determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles (“U.S. STAT”).

Contingency Reserves

As financial guarantee insurers, our domestic insurance companies are required by the laws and regulations of New York and other states to maintain, as applicable, contingency reserves on their municipal bond, asset-backed securities (“ABS”) or other financial guarantee liabilities. Under New York law, a financial guarantee insurance company is required to contribute to contingency reserves 50% of premiums as they are earned on policies written prior to July 1, 1989 (net of reinsurance), and, with respect to policies written on and after July 1, 1989, such an insurer must make contributions over a period of 15 or 20 years (based on issue type), or until the contingency reserve for such insured issues equals the greater of 50% of premiums written for the relevant category of insurance or a percentage of the principal guaranteed, varying from 0.55% to 2.5%, depending upon the type of obligation guaranteed (net of collateral, reinsurance, refunding, refinancings and certain insured securities). Other states maintain similar requirements. The contribution to, and maintenance of, the contingency reserve limits the amount of earned surplus that might otherwise be available for the payment of dividends. In each state, our domestic insurance companies may apply for release of portions of their contingency reserves in certain circumstances.

Risk Limits

Insurance laws and regulations also limit both the aggregate and individual securities risks that our domestic insurance companies may insure on a net basis based on the type of obligations insured. The individual limits are generally on the amount of insured par and/or annual debt service for a given insured issue, entity or revenues source and stated as a percentage of the insurer’s policyholders’ surplus and contingency reserves. The aggregate risk limits limit the aggregate amount of insured par to a stated multiple of the insurer’s policyholders’ surplus and contingency reserves based on the types of obligations insured. The aggregate risk limits can range from 300:1 for certain municipal obligations to 50:1 for certain non-municipal obligations.

National is in compliance with the relevant aggregate and single risk limits. During 2019 and 2018, MBIA Insurance Corporation reported single risk limit overages to the NYSDFS due to changes in its statutory capital. MBIA Insurance Corporation is in compliance with its aggregate risk limits as of December 31, 2019.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

Holding Company Regulation

MBIA Inc., National and MBIA Insurance Corporation also are subject to regulation under the insurance holding company statutes of New York. The requirements of holding company statutes vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but generally require insurance companies that are part of an insurance holding company system to register and file certain reports describing, among other information, their capital structure, ownership and financial condition. The holding company statutes also generally require prior approval of changes in control, of certain dividends and other inter-corporate transfers of assets, and of certain transactions between insurance companies, their parents and affiliates. The holding company statutes impose standards on certain transactions with related companies, which include, among other requirements, that all transactions be fair and reasonable and those transactions not in the ordinary course of business exceeding specified limits receive prior regulatory approval.

Change of Control

Prior approval by the NYSDFS is required for any entity seeking to acquire, directly or indirectly, “control” of National or MBIA Insurance Corporation. In many states, including New York, “control” is presumed to exist if 10% or more of the voting securities of the insurer are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity, although the insurance regulator may find that “control” in fact does or does not exist when an entity owns or controls either a lesser or greater amount of securities. MBIA Insurance Corporation would require the prior approval of MBIA Mexico’s regulator in order to transfer the shares it currently holds in MBIA Mexico.

Insurance Guarantee Funds

National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are exempt from assessments by the insurance guarantee funds in the majority of the states in which they do business. Guarantee fund laws in most states require insurers transacting business in the state to participate in guarantee associations, which pay claims of policyholders and third-party claimants against impaired or insolvent insurance companies doing business in the state. In most states, insurers licensed to write only municipal bond insurance, financial guarantee insurance and other forms of surety insurance are exempt from assessment by these funds and their policyholders are prohibited from making claims on these funds.

INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT POLICY

Investment objectives, policies and guidelines related to the Company’s businesses are generally subject to review and approval by the Finance and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors. Investment objectives, policies and guidelines related to investment activity on behalf of our insurance companies are also subject to review and approval by the respective Investment Committee of their Boards of Directors or similar body.

Insight North America, LLC manages the investment portfolios of the Company and its subsidiaries in accordance with the guidelines adopted for each such portfolio. The agreements with Insight Investment provide generally that Insight Investment will have the right to manage the fixed-income investment portfolios of the Company and its subsidiaries until December 31, 2022 and guarantee certain minimum revenues thereunder. The agreements are subject to early termination.

To continue to optimize capital resources and provide for claims-paying capabilities, the investment objectives and policies of our operations are tailored to reflect their various strategies and operating conditions. The investment objectives of National set preservation of capital as the primary objective, subject to an appropriate degree of liquidity, and optimization of after-tax income and total return as secondary objectives. The investment objectives of MBIA Corp. are primarily to maintain adequate liquidity to meet claims-paying and other corporate needs and secondarily to maximize after-tax income within defined investment risk limits. The investment objectives of the corporate segment are to provide sufficient liquidity to meet maturing liabilities and, in the case of the investment agreement business collateral posting obligations, while maximizing the total long-term return.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

RATING AGENCIES

The Company does not maintain a contractual relationship with Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, or Kroll Bond Rating Agency. Moody’s, at its discretion and in the absence of a contract with the Company, continues to maintain ratings on MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries.

CAPITAL FACILITIES

The Company does not currently maintain a capital facility. For a discussion of the Company’s capital resources refer to “Capital Resources” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Refer to “Note 12: Business Segments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information on the Company’s financial information by segment and premiums earned by geographic location.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had 93 employees. None of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company maintains a website at www.mbia.com. The Company is not including the information on its website as a part of, nor is it incorporating such information by reference into, this Form 10-K. The Company makes available through its website under the “SEC Filings” tab, free of charge, all of its SEC filings, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly filings on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as is reasonably practicable after these materials have been filed with or furnished to the SEC.

As a courtesy, the Company posts on its website under the section “Legal Proceedings,” selected information and documents in reference to selected legal proceedings in which the Company is the plaintiff or the defendant. The Company will not necessarily post all documents for each proceeding and undertakes no obligation to revise or update them to reflect changes in events or expectations. The complete official court docket can be publicly accessed by contacting the clerk’s office of the respective court where each litigation matter is pending.

The Company is providing public access to certain non-confidential information regarding the assets securing the facility extended by its subsidiary, MZ Funding, on the Company’s MZ Funding web page. It will also make available certain confidential information subject to the execution of a non-disclosure agreement. Instructions for accessing the information are available on the MZ Funding web page. A description of the Refinanced Facility, as well as several documents pertaining thereto, including, among others, the Senior Note Indenture, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and the Amended and Restated Security Agreement, can be found on the Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 2019, available on the Company’s website at www.mbia.com.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The executive officers of the Company and their present ages and positions with the Company as of February 27, 2020 are set forth below:

Name	Age		Position and Term of Office
William C. Fallon		60	Chief Executive Officer and Director (executive officer since July 2005)
Anthony McKiernan		50	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (executive officer since August 2011)
Jonathan C. Harris		48	General Counsel and Secretary (executive officer since September 2017)
Daniel M. Avitabile		46	Assistant Vice President, and President and Chief Risk Officer of MBIA Corp. (executive officer since September 2017)
Adam T. Bergonzi		56	Assistant Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of National (executive officer since September 2017)
Christopher H. Young		47	Assistant Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer of National (executive officer since September 2017)
Joseph R. Schachinger		51	Controller (executive officer since May 2017)

William C. Fallon was elected as a Director of the Company in May 2017, and appointed as Chief Executive Officer in September 15, 2017. Prior to being named Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mr. Fallon served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President of the Company and head of the Global Structured Finance Division. Mr. Fallon also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of National. From July of 2005 to March 1, 2007, Mr. Fallon was Vice President of the Company and head of Corporate and Strategic Planning. Prior to joining the Company in 2005, Mr. Fallon was a partner at McKinsey & Company and co-leader of that firm’s Corporate Finance and Strategy Practice.

Anthony McKiernan was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on May 1, 2012 and March 11, 2016, respectively. Immediately prior to those appointments Mr. McKiernan was Vice President and Chief Portfolio Officer of the Company. Mr. McKiernan is also Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of MBIA Corp. Mr. McKiernan joined MBIA in 2000 as a vice president in the Credit Analytics Group, and managed the Corporate Insured Portfolio Management Group prior to becoming the Head of the Structured Finance Insured Portfolio Management Group in 2007.

The Board of Directors of MBIA Inc. appointed Mr. Fallon to the office set forth opposite his name above on September 15, 2017 and appointed Mr. McKiernan to the offices set forth opposite his name above on May 1, 2012 and March 11, 2016.

Jonathan C. Harris is General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Prior to being named General Counsel and Secretary, Mr. Harris served as Assistant Vice President and Head of Litigation. Mr. Harris joined the Company as Head of Litigation in 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Harris was litigation counsel at Lehman Brothers, and practiced in the litigation department of Willkie Farr & Gallagher. The Board of Directors of MBIA Inc. appointed Mr. Harris to the offices set forth opposite his name above on May 3, 2017.

Daniel M. Avitabile is an Assistant Vice President of the Company and President and Chief Risk Officer of MBIA Corp. Prior to being named Chief Risk Officer in 2016, Mr. Avitabile managed MBIA Corp.’s Special Situations Group, which was responsible for remediation and commutation activity. Mr. Avitabile has worked at MBIA since 2000, where he has held positions in insured portfolio management, remediation, corporate strategy and structured finance new business. Prior to joining MBIA, he held positions at The Chase Manhattan Bank and State Street Bank. The Board of Directors of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Insurance Corporation appointed Mr. Avitabile to the offices set forth opposite his name above on February 13, 2018, September 15, 2017 and March 11, 2016, respectively.

Adam T. Bergonzi is an Assistant Vice President of the Company and Chief Risk Officer of National, overseeing all of National’s risk and insured portfolio management activities. Prior to being named Chief Risk Officer of National in 2010 when he rejoined the Company, Mr. Bergonzi was employed at Municipal and Infrastructure Assurance Corporation, which he co-founded and served as its Chief Risk Officer, from 2008 to 2010. The Board of Directors of MBIA Inc. and National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation appointed Mr. Bergonzi to the offices set forth opposite his name above on May 3, 2016 and November 15, 2010, respectively.

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Item 1. Business (continued)

Christopher H. Young is an Assistant Vice President of the Company and Chief Financial Officer of National. Prior to being named National’s Chief Financial Officer in March of 2009, Mr. Young worked at MBIA Insurance Corporation, from 2001 to 2009, in a variety of Structured Finance positions and in Corporate Strategy. The Board of Directors of MBIA Inc. and National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation appointed Mr. Young to the offices set forth opposite his name above on February 13, 2018 and March 5, 2009, respectively.

Joseph R. Schachinger is the Company’s Controller. Prior to being named Controller in May of 2017, since 2009 Mr. Schachinger served as Deputy Controller. The Board of Directors of MBIA Inc. appointed Mr. Schachinger to the office set forth opposite his name above on May 3, 2017.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

References in the risk factors to the “Company” are to MBIA Inc., together with its domestic and international subsidiaries. References to “we,” “our” and “us” are to MBIA Inc. or the Company, as the context requires. Our risk factors are grouped into categories and are presented in the following order: “Insured Portfolio Loss Related Risk Factors”, “Legal, Regulatory and Other Risk Factors”, “Capital, Liquidity and Market Related Risk Factors” and “MBIA Corp. Risk Factors.” Risk factors are generally listed in order of significance within each category.

Insured Portfolio Loss Related Risk Factors

Some of the state, local and territorial governments and finance authorities and other providers of public services, located in the U.S. or abroad, that issued public finance obligations we insured are experiencing fiscal stress that could result in increased credit losses or impairments on those obligations.

Some of the many state, local and territorial governments and finance authorities that issued the obligations we insure have improved since the financial crisis, some issuers continue to report fiscal stress that has resulted in a significant increase in taxes and/or a reduction in spending or other measures in efforts to satisfy their financial obligations. In particular, certain jurisdictions have significantly underfunded pension liabilities which are placing additional stress on their finances and are particularly challenging to restructure either through negotiation or under Chapter 9 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. If the issuers of the obligations in our public finance portfolio are unable to raise taxes, or increase other revenues, cut spending, reduce liabilities, and/or receive state or federal assistance, we may experience losses or impairments on those obligations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The financial stress experienced by certain municipal issuers could result in the filing of Chapter 9 proceedings in states where municipal issuers are permitted to seek bankruptcy protection. In these proceedings, which remain rare, the resolution of bondholder claims (and by extension, those of bond insurers) may be subject to legal challenge by other creditors.

On June 30, 2016, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) became law covering the territories of the United States including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities (“Puerto Rico”). PROMESA established an independent oversight board (the “Oversight Board”) to, among other things, file bankruptcy-like petitions pursuant to which Puerto Rico may restructure its debt on a consensual or non-consensual basis. 

On May 3, 2017, the Oversight Board certified and filed a petition under Title III of PROMESA for Puerto Rico with the District Court of Puerto Rico thereby commencing a bankruptcy-like case for Puerto Rico. Under a separate petition, the Oversight Board also commenced a Title III proceeding for Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”) on May 5, 2017. Subsequently, the Oversight Board also certified and filed voluntary petitions under Title III of PROMESA for several public corporations, including the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (“PRHTA”) and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”) on May 21, 2017 and July 2, 2017, respectively. Other than that for COFINA, to which we no longer have exposure following the confirmation of the Third Amended Title III Plan of Adjustment for COFINA, the Title III cases are ongoing.

13

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Puerto Rico continues in its efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and to otherwise recover from the impact of Hurricane Maria, recent earthquakes and other natural disasters, aided in part by Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies. The extent and duration of such aid is inherently uncertain, and the necessary and greater involvement of the federal government, through its actions to deliver disaster relief and other support services, in addition to the evolving role of the Oversight Board and the role of Puerto Rico in its own recovery, as well as Federal and Puerto Rico elections, heighten political risk in connection with the restructuring of legacy debt. This risk could lead the Oversight Board, Puerto Rico or the federal government to seek to extract greater concessions from creditors based on the uncertainty of Puerto Rico’s long term recovery prospects. In this event, losses at National on select Puerto Rico exposures could increase materially.

As of December 31, 2019, National had $2.3 billion of gross insured par outstanding related to Puerto Rico. On January 1, 2020, Puerto Rico defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $59 million. Inclusive of the January 1, 2020 claims, National has paid total gross claims in the aggregate of $1.2 billion related to Puerto Rico. While National will seek to recover any claim payments it makes under its guarantees, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so or in the amounts reflected in its financial statements. To the extent that its claims payments are ultimately substantially greater than its claims recoveries, National would experience losses on those obligations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

On May 3, 2019, PREPA, the Oversight Board, AAFAF, a group of PREPA bondholders (the “Ad Hoc Group”), and Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. (“Assured”) entered into a Definitive Restructuring Support Agreement which was amended on September 9, 2019 to include National and Syncora Guarantee, Inc. (“Syncora”) as supporting parties (as amended, the “RSA”). The debt restructuring contemplated by the RSA will not be effective until (i) confirmation of a plan of adjustment under PROMESA, (ii) negotiation and consummation of definitive documentation and legal opinions, (iii) enactment and implementation of supportive Puerto Rico legislation and (iv) receipt of Puerto Rico regulatory approval, each of which outcome is uncertain and subject to varying degrees of risk.

Refer to the “U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures” section in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K for additional information on our Puerto Rico exposures.

Loss reserve estimates and credit impairments are subject to additional uncertainties and loss reserves may not be adequate to cover potential claims.

Our insurance companies issued financial guarantee policies that insure the financial performance of the obligations guaranteed over an extended period of time, in some cases over more than 30 years, and which are unconditional and irrevocable. Under substantially all of our policies, we do not have a right to cancel the policy. We do not use actuarial approaches that are customarily used by other types of insurance companies to determine our loss reserves. The establishment of the appropriate level of loss reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving numerous assumptions, estimates and subjective judgments by management, and therefore, there can be no assurance that future net claims in our insured portfolio will not exceed our loss reserves. If our loss reserves are not adequate to cover actual losses, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. We use financial models to project future net claims on our insured portfolio, including insured credit derivatives, and to establish loss reserves and estimate impairments and related recoveries. There can be no assurance that the future loss projection and impairments based on these models will ultimately reflect the actual losses and impairment and recovery that we experience. Additionally, small changes in the assumptions underlying these estimates could significantly impact loss expectations. For example, our loss reserves are discounted to a net present value reflecting our general obligation to pay claims over time and not on an accelerated basis. Risk-free rates are used to discount our loss reserves under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., and the yield-to-maturity of each insurer’s investment fixed-income portfolio (excluding cash and cash equivalents and other investments not intended to defease long-term liabilities) as of year-end is used to discount each insurer’s loss reserves under statutory accounting principles. Accordingly, changes in the risk-free rates or the yield in our insurance companies’ fixed-income investment portfolios may materially impact loss reserves.

14

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Political and economic conditions in the United States, the Eurozone and elsewhere may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

As a financial guarantee company, our insured exposures and our results of operations can be materially affected by general political and economic conditions, both in the U.S. and around the world. General global unrest, including without limitation from the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, as well as fraud, terrorism, catastrophic events, natural disasters, pandemics or similar events could disrupt the economy in the U.S. and other countries where we have insured exposure or operate our businesses. In certain jurisdictions outside the U.S. we face higher risks of governmental intervention through nationalization or expropriation of assets, changes in regulation, an inability to enforce our rights in court or otherwise and corruption, which may cause us to incur losses on the exposures we insure or reputational harm.

Budget deficits at all levels of government in the U.S., recessions, increases in corporate, municipal, sovereign, sub-sovereign or consumer default rates and other general economic conditions may adversely impact the performance of our insured portfolios and the Company’s investment portfolio. In addition, we are exposed to correlation risk as a result of the possibility that multiple credits will experience losses as a result of any such event or series of events, in particular exposures that are backed by revenues from business and personal travel, such as aircraft securitizations and bonds backed by hotel taxes.

Financial modeling involves uncertainty over ultimate outcomes, which makes it difficult to estimate liquidity, potential claims payments, loss reserves and fair values.

The Company uses third-party and internal financial models to estimate liquidity, potential claims payments, loss reserves and fair values. We use internal financial models to conduct liquidity stress-scenario testing to ensure that we maintain cash and liquid securities sufficient to meet our payment requirements. These measurements are performed on a legal entity and operating segment basis. We also rely on financial models, generated internally and supplemented by models generated by third parties, to estimate factors relating to the highly complex securities we insure, including future credit performance of the underlying assets, and to evaluate structures, rights and our potential obligations over time. We also use internal models for ongoing insurance portfolio monitoring and to estimate case basis loss reserves and, where applicable, to report our obligations under our contracts at fair value. We may supplement such models with third-party models or use third-party experts to consult with our internal modeling specialists. Both internal and external models are subject to model risk and information risk, and there can be no assurance that the inputs into the models received from third parties will be accurate or that the models themselves are accurate or comprehensive in estimating our liquidity, potential future paid claims, related loss reserves and fair values or that they are similar to methodologies employed by our competitors, counterparties or other market participants. Estimates of our claims payments, in particular, may materially impact our liquidity position. We may make changes to our estimated claims payments, loss reserves or fair value models from time to time. These changes could materially impact our financial results.

Our risk management policies and procedures may not adequately detect or prevent future losses.

We assess our risk management policies and procedures on a periodic basis. As a result of such assessment, we may take steps to change our internal risk assessment capabilities and procedures, portfolio management policies, systems and processes and our policies and procedures for monitoring and assessing the performance of our insured portfolio in changing market conditions. There can be no assurance, however, that these steps will be adequate to avoid future losses. In some cases, losses can be substantial, particularly if a loss occurs on a transaction in which we have a large notional exposure or on a transaction structured with large, bullet-type maturities.

15

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Legal, Regulatory and Other Risk Factors

Regulatory change could adversely affect our businesses, and regulations limit investors’ ability to affect a takeover or business combination that shareholders might consider in their best interests.

The financial guarantee insurance industry has historically been and will continue to be subject to the direct and indirect effects of governmental regulation, including insurance laws, securities laws, tax laws, legal precedents and accounting rules affecting asset-backed and municipal obligations, as well as changes in those laws. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could expose our insurance companies and/or their constituents, to fines, the loss of their insurance licenses, and the inability to engage in certain business activity, as the case may be. These laws also limit investors’ ability to affect a takeover or business combination without the approval of our insurance regulators.

Changes to laws and regulations, or the interpretation thereof could subject our insurance companies to increased loss reserves and capital requirements or more stringent regulation generally, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Finally, changes to accounting standards and regulations may require modifications to our accounting methodology, both prospectively and for prior periods; such changes could have an adverse impact on our reported financial results and/or make it more difficult for investors to understand the economics of our business and may thus influence the types or volume of business that we may choose to pursue.

Our insurance companies could become subject to regulatory action.

Our insurance companies are subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions that require them to maintain qualifying investments to support their reserves and required minimum surplus. Furthermore, our insurance companies may be restricted from making commutation or other payments if doing so would cause them to fail to meet such requirements, and the NYSDFS may impose other remedial actions on us as described further below to the extent our insurance companies do not meet such requirements.

Under the NYIL, the Superintendent of Financial Services (the “Superintendent”) may apply for an order directing the rehabilitation or liquidation of a domestic insurance company under certain circumstances, including upon the insolvency of the company, if the company has willfully violated its charter or the NYIL, or if the company is found, after examination, to be in such condition that further transaction of business would be hazardous to its policyholders, creditors or the public. The Superintendent may also suspend an insurer’s license, restrict its license authority, or limit the amount of premiums written in New York if, after a hearing, the Superintendent determines that the insurer’s surplus to policyholders is not adequate in relation to its outstanding liabilities or financial needs. If the Superintendent were to take any such action as to National, it could result in the reduction or elimination of the payment of dividends to MBIA Inc.

In addition to the Superintendent’s authority to commence a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding, if the Superintendent finds that the liabilities of MBIA Insurance Corporation exceed its admitted assets, the Superintendent could use its authority under Section 1310 of the NYIL to order MBIA Insurance Corporation to cease making claims payments (a “1310 Order”). Continuing elevated loss payments and delay or failure in realizing expected recoveries as well as certain other factors may materially and adversely affect MBIA Insurance Corporation’s liquidity and its ability to timely meet its insurance obligations, and could cause the NYSDFS to put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding, or issue a 1310 Order, if it does not believe MBIA Insurance Corporation will be able to pay expected claims. See Risk Factor “An MBIA Insurance Corporation rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding could accelerate certain of the Company’s other obligations and have other adverse consequences” under “MBIA Corp. Risk Factors” for the potential impacts of an MBIA Insurance Corporation rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding, or a 1310 Order.

16

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Interruption in information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems, could harm our business.

We depend heavily on our information technology and other operational systems and on the integrity and timeliness of data we use to run our businesses. These systems may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events or circumstances wholly or partly beyond our control. Further, we face the risk of operational and technology failures by others, including various financial intermediaries, vendors and parties to which we outsource the provision of services or business operations. If this risk is realized, we may experience operational difficulties, increased costs and other adverse effects on our business.

Despite our implementation and maintenance of a cybersecurity program which includes a variety of security measures, our information technology systems, networks and data could be subject to cyber-attacks or physical break-ins, unauthorized tampering or other security breaches, resulting in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive information.

Interruption in information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems, whether due to actions by us or others, could delay or disrupt our ability to do business, harm our reputation, subject us to regulatory sanctions and other claims, lead to a loss of revenues and/or otherwise adversely affect our business.

Private litigation claims could materially adversely affect our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.

As further set forth in “Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K, the Company and/or its subsidiaries are named as defendants in certain litigations, and in the ordinary course of business, may be a defendant in or party to a new or threatened legal action. Although the Company intends to vigorously defend against any current or future action, there can be no assurance that it will prevail in any such action, and any adverse ultimate outcome could result in a loss and/or have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company is dependent on key executives and the loss of any of these executives, or its inability to retain other key personnel, could adversely affect its business.

The Company’s success substantially depends upon its ability to retain qualified employees and upon the ability of its senior management and other key employees to implement its business strategy. The Company believes there are only a limited number of available qualified executives in the business lines in which the Company operates. The Company relies substantially upon the services of William C. Fallon, Chief Executive Officer, and other senior executives. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to retain the services of key executives. While the Company has a succession plan for key executives and does not expect the departure of any key executives to have a material adverse effect on its operations, there can be no assurance that the loss of the services of any of these individuals or other key members of the Company’s management team would not adversely affect the implementation of its business strategy.

17

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

An ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code could have materially adverse tax consequences.

In connection with transactions in our shares from time to time, we may in the future experience an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. In general terms, an ownership change may result from transactions increasing the aggregate ownership of certain stockholders in our stock by more than 50 percentage points over a testing period (generally three years). If an ownership change were to occur, our ability to use certain tax attributes, including certain losses, credits, deductions or tax basis, may be limited. On May 2, 2018, MBIA Inc.’s shareholders ratified an amendment to the Company’s By-Laws, which had been adopted earlier by MBIA Inc.’s Board of Directors. The amendment places restrictions on certain acquisitions of Company stock that otherwise may have increased the likelihood of an ownership change within the meaning of Section 382. The amendment generally prohibits a person from becoming a “Section 382 five-percent shareholder” by acquiring, directly or by attribution, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock and will generally restrict existing “Section 382 five-percent shareholders” from increasing their ownership interest under Section 382 by more than one percentage point over their percentage stock ownership immediately prior to the effective date of the amendment or, if lower, their percentage thereafter. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that MBIA Inc. will not undergo an ownership change at a time when these limitations could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

Changes in U.S. federal income tax law could materially adversely affect the value of the Company’s net deferred tax asset.

MBIA Inc. carries a net deferred tax asset whose value is calculated by application of the federal corporate taxation rates in effect at the time of determination. Changes in applicable U.S. tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application, including the possibility of retroactive effect, could affect our net deferred tax asset. As a result of the Company having established a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset in 2017, any adjustment to the Company’s net deferred tax asset, will likely result in a corresponding change to the Company’s valuation allowance, resulting in no impact to the Company’s balance sheet or income statement.

Ineffective internal controls, including internal control over financial reporting, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation.

We cannot be certain that we will not identify control deficiencies or material weaknesses in the future. If we fail to remediate a material weakness or fail to otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, such failure could result in a material misstatement of our annual or quarterly financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis and which could cause investors and other users to lose confidence in our financial statements, limit our ability to raise capital and have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, failure to remediate a material weakness or otherwise failing to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and reputation, and could impair our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, subject us to litigation and regulatory actions and cause us to incur substantial additional costs in future periods relating to the implementation of remedial measures.

As previously disclosed in Part II, item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, we identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the process used to estimate its loss reserves and recoveries for residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) insured by MBIA Insurance Corporation. During 2019, we commenced a remediation plan by modifying existing key controls and implementing new key controls at a sufficient level of precision to verify the reliability of data, the reasonableness of assumptions and the accuracy of calculations used in our RMBS loss reserve and recovery models. Also in 2019, we completed our testing of these controls to verify that such controls are operating effectively and at a sufficient level of precision. However, if our controls are not maintained as effective, we cannot be assured that the risks described above would not have the noted impact.

18

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Capital, Liquidity and Market Related Risk Factors

We are a holding company and rely to a significant degree on cash flow from National. A disruption in this cash flow or an inability to access third-party capital could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition and ultimately adversely affect liquidity.

As a holding company, MBIA Inc. is largely dependent on dividends from National to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness and operating expenses, among other items. We expect that for the foreseeable future National alone will be the source of dividends to the Company, and it is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions applicable to insurance companies generally, that limit the amount of cash dividends, loans and advances that it may pay. See “New York State Dividend Limitations” in Part 1, Item 1 and “Note 14: Insurance Regulations and Dividends” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of dividends.

We may also from time to time seek to raise capital from external sources. The Company’s access to external sources of financing, as well as the cost of such financing would be influenced by various factors, which could include (i) the long-term debt ratings of the Company, (ii) expected dividends from National , (iii) the financial condition and business prospects of our insurance companies and (iv) the perceptions of the financial strength of MBIA Inc. and our insurance companies. There can be no assurance that an inability to obtain adequate capital on favorable terms, or at all, would not adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Consequently, our inability to maintain access to capital on favorable terms could have an adverse impact on our ability to pay losses and debt obligations, to pay dividends on our capital stock, to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, to pay our operating expenses and to make capital investments in our subsidiaries. In addition, future capital raises for equity or equity-linked securities could result in dilution to the Company’s shareholders. Also, some securities that the Company could issue, such as preferred stock or securities issued by the Company’s operating subsidiaries may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of its common shares.

MBIA Inc. has substantial indebtedness, and may incur additional indebtedness, which could adversely affect our financial condition, and/or our ability to obtain financing in the future, react to changes in our business and/or satisfy our obligations.

As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Inc. had $680 million of medium-term note liabilities, $427 million of Senior Notes liabilities and $304 million of investment agreement liabilities. Our substantial indebtedness and other liabilities could have material consequences because:

• we may be unable to obtain additional financing, should such a need arise, which may limit our ability to satisfy obligations with respect to our debt;

• a large portion of MBIA Inc.’s financial resources must be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing the funds available to use for other purposes;

• it may be more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to our creditors, resulting in possible defaults on, and acceleration of, such debt;

• we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

• our ability to refinance debt may be limited or the associated costs may increase;

• our flexibility to adjust to changing market conditions could be limited; and

• we are exposed to the risk of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates because a portion of our liabilities are at variable rates of interest or denominated in foreign currencies.

19

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Adverse developments in the credit markets may materially and adversely affect MBIA Inc.’s ability to post collateral and meet other liquidity needs.

Currently, a significant portion of the cash and securities of MBIA Inc. are pledged against investment agreement liabilities, intercompany financing arrangements and derivatives, which limit its ability to raise liquidity through asset sales. If the market value or rating eligibility of the assets which are pledged against MBIA Inc.’s obligations were to decline, we would be required to pledge additional eligible assets in order to meet minimum required collateral amounts against these liabilities. In such an event, we may sell assets, potentially with substantial losses, finance unencumbered assets through intercompany facilities, or use free cash or other assets, although there can be no assurance that these strategies will be available or adequate to meet liquidity requirements.

The level of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, and the discontinuance of certain interbank offered rates, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

Increases in prevailing interest rate levels can adversely affect the value of our investment portfolios and, therefore, our financial condition. In the event that investments must be sold in order to make payments on insured exposures or other liabilities, such investments would likely be sold at discounted prices. Increases in interest rates also adversely affect the values of investments collateralizing our investment agreement liabilities in our corporate operations, which would require the Company to post additional collateral to its counterparties. In the insurance operations, with respect to credit risk, increasing interest rates could lead to increased stress on transactions in our insured portfolio with floating rate liabilities. Increasing interest rates could also result in a lower present value of salvage reserves while declining interest rates could result in a higher present value of future loss payments.

Lower interest rates can result in lower net interest income since a substantial amount of assets are now held in cash and cash equivalents given the increased focus on liquidity. Lower interest rates would also adversely impact the value of our interest rate swap contracts in our corporate operations, and would require the Company to post additional collateral to its counterparties.

Further, a number of our debt issuances, interest rate swap contracts and financial investments are indexed to an interbank offered rate, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), and the assets or liabilities related to insured credit transactions may be indexed to LIBOR, as the applicable reference rate. In July 2017, The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021, it will no longer persuade or require banks to submit rates for LIBOR. This announcement, among other developments, has resulted in uncertainty about the future of LIBOR, and the potential or actual discontinuance of LIBOR as a benchmark rate may adversely affect the value of, return on and trading market for our financial assets and liabilities that are based on or are linked to LIBOR. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we and other market participants will be adequately prepared for an actual discontinuation of LIBOR which could have an unpredictable impact on contractual mechanics that could also produce an adverse economic impact.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation risk in respect of assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. In addition to insured liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, some of the remaining liabilities in our corporate segment are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars and the assets of our corporate segment are predominantly denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, the weakening of the U.S. dollar versus foreign currencies could substantially increase our potential obligations and statutory capital exposure. Conversely, the Company makes investments denominated in a foreign currency and the weakening of the foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar will diminish the value of such non-U.S. dollar denominated asset. Exchange rates have fluctuated significantly in recent periods and may continue to do so in the future, which could adversely impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

20

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

MBIA Corp. Risk Factors

As described further and for the reasons stated herein, we believe that MBIA Corp. will not provide significant economic or shareholder value to MBIA Inc. For additional information on MBIA Corp., refer to “Results of Operations—International and Structured Finance Insurance” in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K. Additionally, also as described further herein, given the separation of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. as distinct legal entities, the absence of any cross defaults between the entities, and the lack of reliance by MBIA Inc. on MBIA Corp. for the receipt of dividends, we do not believe that a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding of MBIA Insurance Corporation by the NYSDFS would have any material economic impact on the financial condition or liquidity of MBIA Inc. However, there can be no assurance that the financial condition or a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding of MBIA Insurance Corporation would not have an adverse impact on MBIA Inc. The risk factors described below with respect to MBIA Corp. are set forth for that reason, as well as for an independent understanding of the risks to MBIA Corp.

Continuing elevated loss payments and delay or failure in realizing expected recoveries on insured transactions may materially and adversely affect MBIA Insurance Corporation’s statutory capital and its ability to meet liquidity needs and could cause the NYSDFS to put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding if the NYSDFS concludes that MBIA Insurance Corporation will not be able to pay expected claims.

MBIA Insurance Corporation is particularly sensitive to the risk that it will not have sufficient capital or liquid resources to meet contractual payment obligations when due or to make settlement payments in order to terminate insured exposures to avoid losses. While management’s expected liquidity and capital forecasts for MBIA Insurance Corporation reflect adequate resources to pay expected claims, there are risks to the capital and liquidity forecasts as MBIA Insurance Corporation’s remaining insured exposures and its expected salvage recoveries are potentially volatile. Such volatility exists in the amount of putback recoverables, excess spread, and other salvage that MBIA Insurance Corporation may collect, including recoveries on the claims it paid in respect of the insured notes issued by Zohar CDO 2003-1, Limited and Zohar II 2005-1 CDO (“Zohar II”) (collectively, the “Zohar Claims Payments”), and the exposure in its remaining insured portfolio, which could deteriorate and result in significant additional loss reserves and claim payments, including claims on insured exposures that in some cases may require large bullet payments.

In July of 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation consummated a financing facility (the “Refinanced Facility”) between MZ Funding LLC (“MZ Funding”) and certain purchasers, pursuant to which the purchasers or their affiliates (collectively, the “Senior Lenders”), agreed to refinance the outstanding insured senior notes of MZ Funding, and MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes of MZ Funding. In connection with the Refinanced Facility, the Senior Lenders purchased new senior notes issued by MZ Funding with an aggregate principal amount of $278 million. In addition, MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes issued by MZ Funding with an aggregate principal amount of $54 million. The Refinanced Facility is described in more detail under the “Liquidity—MBIA Corp. Liquidity” section in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

MBIA Insurance Corporation believes that the primary source of funds for the repayment of its obligations under the Refinanced Facility and for reimbursement for the Zohar Claims Payments will come from the monetization of the loans made to, and equity interests in, companies purportedly controlled by the sponsor and former collateral manager of the Zohar CDOs referenced above (collectively, the “Zohar Collateral”).

21

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

While MBIA Insurance Corporation believes there will be significant recoveries on the Zohar Collateral, there is significant uncertainty with respect to its realizable value. If the amount of recoveries on the Zohar Collateral is not sufficient to repay amounts due under the Refinanced Facility on or before its maturity date and to reimburse MBIA Insurance Corporation for a substantial portion of the Zohar Claims Payments, MBIA Insurance Corporation would likely incur substantial additional losses, which could materially impair its statutory capital and liquidity. In particular, on October 17, 2019, one of the companies (Dura Automotive Systems, LLC), and certain of its affiliates, filed for bankruptcy protection in federal bankruptcy court in the Middle District of Tennessee (the “Dura Bankruptcy Cases”). On November 1, 2019, the Court overseeing the voluntary bankruptcy proceedings in federal bankruptcy court in the District of Delaware for the Zohar I and Zohar II funds (the “Zohar Funds Bankruptcy Cases”) entered an Order directing that, effective November 8, 2019, the Dura Bankruptcy Cases shall be transferred to the District of Delaware. The Zohar debtors have substantial interests in the Dura debtors, and hold secured term loan indebtedness and an indirect interest in the majority of the equity in the Dura debtors. There can be no assurance that the outcome of the Dura Bankruptcy Cases will not have a material adverse impact on MBIA Corp.’s ability to recover all or substantially all of the payments it made on Zohar II.

MBIA Insurance Corporation believes that if the NYSDFS concludes at any time that MBIA Insurance Corporation will not be able to satisfy its obligations under the Facility and under its other issued policies, the NYSDFS would likely put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding under Article 74 of the NYIL and/or take such other actions as the NYSDFS may deem necessary to protect the interests of MBIA Insurance Corporation’s policyholders. The determination to commence such a proceeding or take other such actions is within the exclusive control of the NYSDFS. The NYSDFS enjoys broad discretion in this regard, and any determination they may make would not be limited to consideration of the matters described above. As noted, however, given the separation of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. as distinct legal entities, the absence of any cross defaults between the entities, and the lack of reliance by MBIA Inc. on MBIA Corp. for the receipt of dividends, we do not believe that a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding of MBIA Insurance Corporation by the NYSDFS would have any material economic liquidity impact on MBIA Inc.

MBIA Corp. insures certain transactions that continue to perform poorly and increased losses or a delay or failure in collecting expected recoveries may materially and adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.

MBIA Corp. insures certain structured finance transactions that remain volatile and could result in additional losses, which could be substantial. MBIA Corp. has also recorded significant loss reserves on its RMBS and CDO exposures, and there can be no assurance that these reserves will be sufficient, in particular if the economy deteriorates. These transactions are also subject to servicer risks, which relates to problems with the transaction’s servicer that could adversely affect performance of the underlying assets. Furthermore, MBIA Corp. has recorded substantial expected recoveries on certain RMBS, and the timing and amount of those recoveries are subject to risk. Any delay or failure in collecting expected recoveries may materially and adversely affect MBIA Corp.’s financial condition and results of operations. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp. recorded expected excess spread recoveries (the difference between interest inflows on assets and interest outflows on liabilities) of $191 million, including recoveries related to consolidated VIEs, on our RMBS transactions, in reimbursement of our past and future expected claims. Of this amount, $125 million is included in “Insurance loss recoverable” and $66 million is included in “Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate amount of excess spread depends on the future loss trends, which include future delinquency trends, average time to charge-off/liquidate delinquent loans, the future spread between Prime and the LIBOR interest rates, and borrower refinancing behavior (which may be affected by changes in the interest rate environment) that results in voluntary prepayments. Excess spread also includes subsequent recoveries on previously charged-off loans associated with insured second-lien RMBS securitizations. There can be no assurance that this recovery will be received in its entirety or in the expected timeframe. In addition, the Company has recorded a recovery on a transaction containing ineligible loans securitized by Credit Suisse. The Company is pursuing recovery of its losses on this transaction in a litigation in which its assessment of the ineligibility of individual mortgage loans has been challenged by Credit Suisse, and there is no assurance that the Company’s determinations will prevail, or that the Company will be successful in collecting its estimated recoveries in the anticipated timeframe. The litigation may take several years to resolve, during which time we will continue to be required to pay losses on the subject transaction, which may exceed the reserves established for the transaction.

22

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

An MBIA Insurance Corporation rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding could accelerate certain of the Company’s other obligations and have other adverse consequences.

As noted above, MBIA Insurance Corporation continues to face a number of significant risks and contingencies, which could, if realized, result in MBIA Insurance Corporation being placed into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding by the NYSDFS. In the event of an MBIA Insurance Corporation rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding, the Company may be subject to, among other things, the following:

• MTNs issued by GFL, which are insured by MBIA Insurance Corporation, would accelerate. To the extent GFL failed to pay the accelerated amounts under the GFL MTNs, the MTN holders would have policy claims against MBIA Insurance Corporation for scheduled payments of interest and principal;

• An MBIA Insurance Corporation proceeding may accelerate certain investment agreements issued by MBIA Inc., including, in some cases, with make-whole payments. While the investment agreements are fully collateralized with high quality collateral, the settlements of these amounts could reduce MBIA Inc.’s liquidity resources, and to the extent MBIA Inc. fails to pay the accelerated amounts under these investment agreements or the collateral securing these investment agreements is deemed insufficient to pay the accelerated amounts due, the holders of the investment agreements would have policy claims against MBIA Insurance Corporation;

• The payment of installment premiums due to National from MBIA Insurance Corporation under the reinsurance agreement between National and MBIA Insurance Corporation (Refer to Item 1, “Our Insurance Operations”, “Reinsurance” for a description of the agreement) could be disrupted, delayed or subordinated to the claims of policyholders of MBIA Insurance Corporation;

• CDS and other derivative counterparties may seek to terminate derivative contracts insured by MBIA Insurance Corporation and make market-based damage claims (irrespective of whether actual credit-related losses are expected under the underlying exposure);

• The rehabilitator or liquidator would replace the Board of Directors of MBIA Insurance Corporation and take control of the operations and assets of MBIA Insurance Corporation, which would result in the Company losing control of MBIA Insurance Corporation and possible changes to MBIA Insurance Corporation’s strategies and management; and

• Unplanned costs on MBIA Inc., as well as significant additional expenses for MBIA Insurance Corporation arising from the appointment of a rehabilitator or liquidator, as receiver, and payment of the fees and expenses of the advisors to such rehabilitator or liquidator.

Revenues and liquidity would be adversely impacted by a decline in realization of installment premiums.

Due to the installment nature of a significant percentage of its premium income, MBIA Corp. has an embedded future revenue stream. The amount of installment premiums actually realized by MBIA Corp. could be reduced in the future due to factors such as early termination of insurance contracts, accelerated prepayments of underlying obligations, commutation of existing financial guarantee insurance policies or non-payment. Such a reduction would result in lower revenues and reduced liquidity.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

The Company from time to time receives written comments from the staff of the SEC regarding its periodic or current reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. There are no comments that remain unresolved that the Company received more than 180 days before the end of the year to which this report relates.

Item 2. Properties

The Company maintains office space located in Purchase, New York, in which the Company, National, MBIA Corp., and MBIA Services Corporation have their headquarters. The Company also leases office space in New York, New York; San Francisco, California; and Mexico City, Mexico. The Company generally believes that these facilities are adequate and suitable for its current needs.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of the Company’s litigation and related matters, see “Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries in Part II, Item 8. In the normal course of operating its businesses, MBIA Inc. may be involved in various legal proceedings. As a courtesy, the Company posts on its website under the section “Legal Proceedings,” selected information and documents in reference to selected legal proceedings in which the Company is the plaintiff or the defendant. The Company will not necessarily post all documents for each proceeding and undertakes no obligation to revise or update them to reflect changes in events or expectations. The complete official court docket can be publicly accessed by contacting the clerk’s office of the respective court where each litigation is pending.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MBI.” As of February 20, 2020, there were 281 shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock. The Company did not pay cash dividends on its common stock during 2019 or 2018. For information on the ability for certain subsidiaries of the Company to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends or otherwise, refer to “Item 1. Business—Insurance Regulation” in this annual report.

On November 3, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company or National of up to $250 million of its outstanding shares under a new share repurchase authorization. During 2018, 5.8 million shares were repurchased at a cost of approximately $48 million and an average price of $8.21 under the November 3, 2017 repurchase program. During 2019, 11.1 million shares were repurchased at a cost of approximately $101 million and an average price of $9.12 under the November 3, 2017 repurchase program.

The table below presents repurchases made by the Company or National in each month during the fourth quarter of 2019. See “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” in Part III for a further discussion of securities authorized for issuance under long-term incentive plans.

Month	Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan		Maximum Amount That May Be Purchased Under the Plan (in millions)
October		416,854		9.24		416,737	$	105
November		21,069		9.27		20,954		104
December		405,386		9.26		387,413		101

(1)—Includes 117 shares in October, 115 shares in November and 119 shares in December repurchased in open market transactions as investments in the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan and 17,854 shares in December repurchased by the Company in open market transactions for settling awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plans.

As of December 31, 2019, 283,433,401 shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $1 per share, were issued and 79,433,293 shares were outstanding.

25

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities (continued)

Stock Performance Graph The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (rounded to the nearest whole dollar) of our common stock, the S&P 500 Index (“S&P 500 Index”) and the S&P 500 Financials Sector Index (“S&P Financials Index”) for the last five fiscal years. The graph assumes a $100 investment at the closing price on December 31, 2013 and reinvestment of dividends in the security/index on the respective dividend payment dates without commissions. This graph does not forecast future performance of our common stock.

	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
MBIA Inc. Common Stock		100.00		67.92		112.16		76.73		93.50		97.48
S&P 500 Index		100.00		101.37		113.49		138.26		132.19		173.80
S&P Financials Index		100.00		98.44		120.83		147.58		128.34		169.52

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P.

26

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

In millions except per share amounts	2019		2018			2017		2016		2015
Summary Statement of Operations Data:
Premiums earned	$	85	$	162		$	201	$	300	$	372
Net investment income		114		130			154		152		152
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		15		(25)			(51)		(19)		129
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		52		(17)			(24)		84		63
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(67)		(5)			(106)		(5)		(13)
Other net realized gains (losses)		4		—			31		(282)		17
Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities		77		(111)			185		31		128
Total revenues		280		162			433		294		853
Losses and loss adjustment		242		63			683		220		123
Operating		92		71			106		137		140
Interest		201		206			197		197		199
Expenses of consolidated variable interest entities		91		98			85		39		52
Total expenses		637		458			1,094		633		564
Income (loss) before income taxes		(357)		(296)			(661)		(339)		289
Net income (loss)		(359)		(296)			(1,605)		(338)		180
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(4.43)	$	(3.33)		$	(13.50)	$	(2.54)	$	1.06
Diluted	$	(4.43)	$	(3.33)		$	(13.50)	$	(2.54)	$	1.06
Summary Balance Sheet Data:
Investments and cash and cash equivalents		3,537		4,294			4,777		5,796		6,814
Total assets of consolidated variable interest entities		1,629		1,726			3,215		2,672		5,378
Total assets		7,284		8,107	(1)		9,095		11,137		14,836
Unearned premium revenue		482		587			752		958		1,591
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		901		965	(1)		979		541		516
Long-term debt		2,228		2,249			2,121		1,986		1,889
Medium-term notes		680		722			765		895		1,016
Investment agreements		304		311			337		399		462
Derivative liabilities		175		199			262		299		314
Total liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities		1,539		1,744			2,289		2,241		5,096
Total equity		839		1,132			1,425		3,239		3,741
Book value per share	$	10.40	$	12.46		$	15.44	$	23.87	$	24.61
Insurance Statistical Data:
Debt service outstanding	$	107,510	$	128,069		$	154,945	$	235,899	$	326,612
Gross par amount outstanding		58,896		69,761			87,031		141,225		202,661

(1)—Amounts were revised. Refer to “Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.

27

Item 6. Selected Financial Data (continued)

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited):

	2019
In millions except per share amounts	First			Second			Third			Fourth		Full Year(1)
Premiums earned	$	23		$	22		$	20		$	20	$	85
Net investment income		32			30			27			25		114
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		14			(1)			—			2		15
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		22			(26)			44			12		52
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(28)			(9)			—			(30)		(67)
Other net realized gains (losses)		1			1			—			2		4
Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities		(14)			12			82			(3)		77
Total revenues		50			30			172			28		280
Losses and loss adjustment		(38)			140			(13)			153		242
Operating		26			19			23			24		92
Interest		52			52			50			47		201
Expenses of consolidated variable interest entities		25			24			20			22		91
Total expenses		69			237			83			248		637
Income (loss) before income taxes		(19)			(207)			89			(220)		(357)
Net income (loss)		(21	)(2)		(207	)(2)		83	(2)		(243)		(359)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.24	)(2)	$	(2.45	)(2)	$	1.00	(2)	$	(3.21)	$	(4.43)
Diluted	$	(0.24	)(2)	$	(2.45	)(2)	$	1.00	(2)	$	(3.21)	$	(4.43)

(1)—May not cross-foot due to rounding.

(2)—Amounts were revised. Refer to “Note 3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information.

	2018
In millions except per share amounts	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Full Year(1)
Premiums earned	$	40	$	36	$	62	$	24	$	162
Net investment income		31		34		31		34		130
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		(5)		(7)		(1)		(12)		(25)
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(9)		22		5		(35)		(17)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(1)		(1)		(1)		(2)		(5)
Other net realized gains (losses)		(1)		—		1		—		—
Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities		12		(72)		(12)		(39)		(111)
Total revenues		73		12		105		(28)		162
Losses and loss adjustment		72		59		46		(114)		63
Operating		20		19		18		14		71
Interest		51		52		52		51		206
Expenses of consolidated variable interest entities		22		24		25		27		98
Total expenses		169		158		150		(19)		458
Income (loss) before income taxes		(96)		(146)		(45)		(9)		(296)
Net income (loss)		(98)		(146)		(45)		(7)		(296)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(1.12)	$	(1.64)	$	(0.50)	$	(0.08)	$	(3.33)
Diluted	$	(1.12)	$	(1.64)	$	(0.50)	$	(0.08)	$	(3.33)

(1)—May not cross-foot due to rounding.

28

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of MBIA Inc. should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-K. In addition, this discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations includes statements of the opinion of MBIA Inc.’s management which may be forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. Refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of risks and uncertainties.

This section of this Form 10-K generally discusses 2019 and 2018 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2019 and 2018. Discussions of 2017 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017 that are not included in this Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

INTRODUCTION

MBIA Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, (collectively, “MBIA”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates within the financial guarantee insurance industry. MBIA manages its business within three operating segments: 1) United States (“U.S.”) public finance insurance; 2) corporate; and 3) international and structured finance insurance. Our U.S. public finance insurance portfolio is managed through National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation (“National”), our corporate segment is managed through MBIA Inc. and several of its subsidiaries, including our service company, MBIA Services Corporation (“MBIA Services”) and our international and structured finance insurance business is primarily managed through MBIA Insurance Corporation and its subsidiaries (“MBIA Corp.”).

National’s primary objectives are to maximize the performance of its existing insured portfolio through effective surveillance and remediation activity and effectively manage its investment portfolio. Our corporate segment consists of general corporate activities, including providing support services to MBIA’s operating subsidiaries and asset and capital management. MBIA Corp.’s primary objectives are to satisfy all claims by its policyholders and to maximize future recoveries, if any, for its senior lending and surplus note holders, and then its preferred stock holders. MBIA Corp. is executing this strategy by, among other things, pursuing various actions focused on maximizing the collection of recoveries and reducing and mitigating potential losses on its insurance exposures. We do not expect National or MBIA Corp. to write significant new business.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

2019 Events

The following is a summary of notable 2019 events:

• On January 1, 2019 and July 1, 2019, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and certain of its instrumentalities (“Puerto Rico”), defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $393 million. On January 1, 2020, Puerto Rico also defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $59 million. As of December 31, 2019, National had $3.3 billion of debt service outstanding related to Puerto Rico. Refer to the “U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures” section for additional information on our Puerto Rico exposures.

29

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW (continued)

• In February of 2019, the Plan of Adjustment for the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”) was implemented. National insured bondholders were given the option of commuting their insurance policy and receiving uninsured COFINA bonds, or placing their new uninsured COFINA bonds into National Custodial Trusts (the “Trusts”) and continuing to benefit from a National insurance policy. Seven Trusts were formed and consolidated as variable interest entities (“VIEs”) by the Company. National tendered and commuted $182 million market value of National insured COFINA bonds it owned for new uninsured COFINA bonds, which in conjunction with other tendered and commuted bonds, resulted in a reduction to National’s insured exposure to COFINA. Since the closing date of the Plan of Adjustment and initial distribution of cash and bonds, National sold all of the new uninsured bonds held in the Trusts. The sales of bonds held in the Trusts were used to reduce National’s obligations under its original insurance policies upon passing the proceeds through the Trusts to certificate holders. In December of 2019, in the absence of additional bonds to sell from the Trusts, National elected to make a voluntary additional payment in the amount of $66 million with the effect of simultaneously reducing the Trust’s obligations to zero and satisfying in full the obligations under its original insurance policies. Subsequent to December 31, 2019, the Trusts were legally dissolved. Accordingly, since the Plan of Adjustment was implemented, National’s COFINA gross par outstanding, gross par outstanding plus capital appreciation bonds (“CABs”) accreted interest and debt service outstanding has been reduced to zero from approximately $684 million, $1.2 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively. Refer to the “U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures” section for additional information on our COFINA transactions.

• In September of 2019, National agreed to join the restructuring support agreement, as amended (“RSA”), with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), other monoline insurers, a group of uninsured PREPA bondholders, Puerto Rico, and the Oversight Board. The restructuring transaction described in the RSA is intended to, among other things, provide a framework for the consensual resolution of the treatment of National’s insured PREPA revenue bonds in PREPA’s recovery plan. Upon consummation of the restructuring transaction, PREPA’s revenue bonds will be exchanged into new securitization bonds issued by a special purpose entity and secured by a segregated transition charge assessed on customer’s electricity bills. The debt restructuring contemplated by the RSA will not be effective until (i) confirmation of a plan of adjustment under PROMESA, (ii) negotiation and consummation of definitive documentation and legal opinions, (iii) enactment and implementation of supportive Puerto Rico legislation and (iv) receipt of Puerto Rico regulatory approval, each of which outcome is uncertain and subject to varying degrees of risk. Refer to the “U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures” section for additional information on the PREPA RSA.

• In July of 2019, MBIA Corp. consummated a financing facility (the “Refinanced Facility”) between MZ Funding LLC (“MZ Funding”) and certain purchasers, pursuant to which the purchasers or their affiliates (collectively, the “Senior Lenders”), agreed to refinance the outstanding insured senior notes of MZ Funding, and MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes of MZ Funding (the Senior Lenders and MBIA Inc. being referred to herein as, the “Lenders”). In connection with the refinancing transaction, MZ Funding and MBIA Corp. entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “New Credit Agreement” and the loans thereunder, the “MBIA Loans”). MBIA Corp. issued new financial guarantee insurance policies (the “MBIA Corp. Policies”) insuring the Refinanced Facility. Refer to the “Liquidity” section for additional information on the Refinanced Facility.

30

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW (continued)

Financial Highlights

The following table presents our financial highlights. A detailed discussion of our financial results is presented within the “Results of Operations” section included herein. Refer to the “Capital Resources—Insurance Statutory Capital” section for a discussion of National’s and MBIA Insurance Corporation’s capital position under statutory accounting principles (“U.S. STAT”).

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions except for per share amounts	2019		2018		2017
Net income (loss)	$	(359)	$	(296)	$	(1,605)
Net income (loss) per diluted share		(4.43)		(3.33)		(13.50)
Adjusted net income (loss)(1)		(17)		(38)		(410)
Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share(1)		(0.21)		(0.42)		(3.45)
Cost of shares repurchased		101		48		325

(1)—Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the following “Results of Operations” section for a discussion of adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share and a reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) and GAAP net income (loss) per diluted share to adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share.

Economic and Financial Market Trends

The U.S. economy continued to remain healthy during the fourth quarter of 2019 due to a strong labor market and low inflation. Economic activity has seen moderate gains due to continued strength in consumer spending, however, fixed investment in the business sector and exports remain sluggish. In addition, increases in U.S. home prices have been moderate.

The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) maintained its target range for the federal funds rate at the December of 2019 meeting after lowering the rate by 25 basis points at each of its July, September and October of 2019 meetings. The FOMC cited that current monetary policy is justified in order to support sustained economic growth and robust labor market conditions while facing minimal inflationary pressures. The FOMC stated that it will continue to assess various economic factors including labor market developments, inflation stresses and trade tensions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and 2% inflation.

Economic and financial market trends could impact the Company’s financial results. Many states and municipalities have experienced growing tax collections that resulted from increased economic activity and higher assessed property valuations. Economic improvement at the state and local level strengthens the credit quality of the issuers of our insured municipal bonds, improves the performance of our insured U.S. public finance portfolio and could reduce the amount of National’s potential incurred losses. In addition, higher projected interest rates could yield increased returns on our Company’s investment portfolios.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which requires the use of estimates and assumptions. Refer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

The following accounting estimates are viewed by management to be critical because they require significant judgment on the part of management. Management has discussed and reviewed the development, selection, and disclosure of critical accounting estimates with the Company’s Audit Committee. Financial results could be materially different if other methodologies were used or if management modified its assumptions.

31

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued)

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

Loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves are established by loss reserve committees in each of our major operating insurance companies (National and MBIA Insurance Corporation) and reviewed by our executive Loss Reserve Committee, which consists of members of senior management. Loss and LAE reserves include case basis reserves and accruals for LAE incurred with respect to non-derivative financial guarantees. Case basis reserves represent our estimate of expected losses to be paid under insurance contracts, net of expected recoveries, on insured obligations that have defaulted or are expected to default. These reserves require the use of judgment and estimates with respect to the occurrence, timing and amount of paid losses and recoveries on insured obligations. Given that the reserves are based on such estimates and assumptions, there can be no assurance that the actual ultimate losses will not be greater than or less than such estimates, resulting in the Company recognizing additional or reversing excess loss and LAE reserves through earnings.

We take into account a number of variables in establishing specific case basis reserves for individual policies that depend primarily on the nature of the underlying insured obligation. These variables include the nature and creditworthiness of the issuers of the insured obligations, expected recovery rates on unsecured obligations, the projected cash flow or market value of any assets pledged as collateral on secured obligations, and the expected rates of recovery, cash flow or market values on such obligations or assets. Factors that may affect the actual ultimate realized losses for any policy include economic conditions and trends, political developments, the extent to which sellers/servicers comply with the representations or warranties made in connection therewith, levels of interest rates, rates of inflation, borrower behavior, the default rate and salvage values of specific collateral, and our ability to enforce contractual rights through litigation and otherwise. Our remediation strategy for an insured obligation that has defaulted or is expected to default may also have an impact on our loss reserves.

In establishing case basis loss reserves, we calculate the present value of probability-weighted estimated loss payments, net of estimated recoveries, using a discount rate equal to the risk-free rate applicable to the currency and the weighted average remaining life of the insurance contract. Yields on U.S. Treasury offerings are used to discount loss reserves denominated in U.S. dollars, which represent the majority of our loss reserves. Similarly, yields on foreign government offerings are used to discount loss reserves denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our loss reserves and recoveries, including critical accounting estimates used in the determination of these amounts.

Valuation of Financial Instruments

We have categorized our financial instruments measured at fair value into the three-level hierarchy according to accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures based on the significance of pricing inputs to the measurement in its entirety. Fair value measurements of financial instruments that use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 1, fair value measurements of financial instruments that use quoted prices in markets that are not active where significant inputs are observable are generally categorized as Level 2, and fair value measurements of financial instruments where significant inputs are not observable are generally categorized as Level 3. We categorize our financial instruments based on the lowest level category at which we can generate reliable fair values. The determination of reliability requires management to exercise judgment. The degree of judgment used to determine the fair values of financial instruments generally correlates to the degree that pricing is not observable.

The fair value measurements of financial instruments held or issued by the Company are determined through the use of observable market data when available. Market data is obtained from a variety of third-party sources, including dealer quotes. If dealer quotes are not available for an instrument that is infrequently traded, we use alternate valuation methods, including either dealer quotes for similar contracts or modeling using market data inputs. The use of alternate valuation methods generally requires considerable judgment in the application of estimates and assumptions and changes to these variables may produce materially different values.

32

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES (continued)

The fair value pricing of assets and liabilities is a function of many components which include interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. For financial instruments that are internally valued by the Company, as well as those for which the Company uses broker quotes or pricing services, credit risk is typically incorporated by using appropriate credit spreads or discount rates as inputs. Substantially all of the Company’s investments carried and reported at fair value are priced by independent third parties, including pricing services and brokers.

Instruments that trade infrequently and, therefore, have little or no price transparency are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Also included in Level 3 are financial instruments that have significant unobservable inputs deemed significant to the instrument’s overall fair value. Level 3 assets represented approximately 15% and 12% of total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Level 3 liabilities represented approximately 72% and 65% of total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Refer to “Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value, including valuation techniques and significant inputs used to estimate fair values.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Refer to “Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of accounting guidance recently adopted by the Company.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Summary of Consolidated Results

The following table presents a summary of our consolidated financial results for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions except for per share amounts	2019		2018		2017
Total revenues	$	280	$	162	$	433
Total expenses		637		458		1,094
Income (loss) before income taxes		(357)		(296)		(661)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		2		—		944
Net income (loss)	$	(359)	$	(296)	$	(1,605)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(4.43)	$	(3.33)	$	(13.50)
Diluted	$	(4.43)	$	(3.33)	$	(13.50)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		81,014,285		89,013,711		118,930,282
Diluted		81,014,285		89,013,711		118,930,282

33

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

2019 vs. 2018

The increase in consolidated total revenues was primarily due to favorable changes in revenues of consolidated VIEs, realized gains from the sale of uninsured PREPA bonds and from the exchange and subsequent sale of COFINA bonds and a favorable net change in the value of insured derivatives. The favorable change in revenues of consolidated VIEs was primarily due to lower losses related to the deconsolidation of consolidated VIEs in 2018, an increase in net gains from second-lien residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) put-back claims on ineligible mortgage loans and net gains from increases in the fair values of collateral of consolidated VIEs, partially offset by a loss on the initial consolidation of VIEs in February of 2019. The favorable net change in the fair value of insured derivatives resulted from lower loss payments in 2019. These increases in revenues were partially offset by lower premiums earned as a result of the acceleration of premiums related to the termination of several international public finance policies in 2018, overall decreases in premiums from maturities and early settlements of other insured transactions and an increase in net investment losses related to other-than-temporary investments (“OTTI”).

Consolidated total expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 included net insurance loss and LAE of $242 million and $63 million, respectively. The increase in loss and LAE was primarily due to increases in losses on insured collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”) and insured first-lien RMBS, partially offset by decreases in losses on certain Puerto Rico credits.

Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

In addition to our results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we also analyze the operating performance of the Company using adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share, both non-GAAP measures. Since adjusted net income (loss) is used by management to assess performance and make business decisions, we consider adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share fundamental measures of periodic financial performance which are useful in understanding our results. Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share are not substitutes for net income (loss) and net income (loss) per diluted common share determined in accordance with GAAP, and our definitions of adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share may differ from those used by other companies.

Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share include the after-tax results of the Company and remove the after-tax results of our international and structured finance insurance segment, comprising the results of MBIA Corp. which given its capital structure and business prospects, we do not expect its financial performance to have a material economic impact on MBIA Inc., as well as the following:

• Mark-to-market gains (losses) on financial instruments – We remove the impact of mark-to-market gains (losses) on financial instruments that primarily include interest rate swaps and hybrid financial instruments. Also eliminated are the mark-to-market gains (losses) on warrants issued by the Company. All of these amounts fluctuate based on market interest rates, credit spreads, MBIA Inc.’s common stock price and other market factors.

• Foreign exchange gains (losses) – We remove foreign exchange gains (losses) on the remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities and transactions in non-functional currencies. Given the possibility of volatility in foreign exchange markets, we exclude the impact of foreign exchange gains (losses) to provide a measurement of comparability of adjusted net income (loss).

• Net gains (losses) on sales of investments, OTTI and extinguishment of debt – We remove gains (losses) on the sale of investments, net investment losses related to OTTI and net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt since the timing of these transactions are subject to management’s assessment of market opportunities and capital liquidity positions.

• Income taxes – The Company applies a zero effective tax rate for federal income tax purposes to its pre-tax adjustments, if applicable. For 2017, we removed the provision for income taxes impact of recording a full valuation allowance against the Company’s net deferred tax asset.

34

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following table presents our adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share and provides a reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions, except share and per share amounts	2019			2018			2017
Net income (loss)	$	(359)		$	(296)		$	(1,605)
Less: adjusted net income adjustments:
Income (loss) before income taxes of our international and structured finance insurance segment and eliminations		(369)			(278)			(185)
Adjustments to income before income taxes of our U.S. public finance insurance and corporate segments:
Mark-to-market gains (losses) on financial instruments(1)		(39)			16			64
Foreign exchange gains (losses)(1)		8			21			(63)
Net gains (losses) on sales of investments(1)		128			(13)			14
Net investment losses related to OTTI		(67)			(5)			(106)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		(1)			3			28
Other net realized gains (losses)		(2)			(2)			(3)
Adjusted net income adjustment to the (provision) benefit for income tax(2)		—			—			(944)
Adjusted net income (loss)	$	(17)		$	(38)		$	(410)
Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share	$	(0.21	)(3)	$	(0.42	)(3)	$	(3.45	)(3)

(1)—Reported within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

(2)—Reported within “Provision (benefit) for income taxes” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

(3)—Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted common share is calculated by taking adjusted net income (loss) divided by GAAP weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding.

Book Value Adjustments Per Share

In addition to GAAP book value per share, for internal purposes management also analyzes adjusted book value (“ABV”) per share, changes to which measure we view as an important indicator of financial performance. ABV is also used by management in certain components of management’s compensation. Previously and through our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for the benefit of investors and analysts, management presented non-GAAP ABV together with a reconciliation from GAAP book value per share in its periodic GAAP reporting. Beginning with the first quarter of 2019, however, based on the SEC’s continued and evolving interpretations of its guidance on non-GAAP financial measures, the Company is no longer publicly disclosing its internal ABV measurement. However, since many of the Company’s investors and analysts may continue to use ABV to evaluate MBIA’s share price and as the basis for their investment decisions, going forward we will continue to present GAAP book value per share as well as the individual adjustments used by management to calculate its internal ABV metric.

Management adjusts GAAP book value to remove the book value of MBIA Corp. and for certain items which the Company believes will reverse from GAAP book value through GAAP earnings and comprehensive income, as well as add in the impact of certain items which the Company believes will be realized in GAAP book value in future periods. The Company has limited such adjustments to those items that it deems to be important to fundamental value and performance and for which the likelihood and amount can be reasonably estimated. The following provides a description of management’s adjustments to GAAP book value:

• Negative Book value of MBIA Corp. – We remove the negative book value of MBIA Corp. based on our view that given MBIA Corp.’s current financial condition, the regulatory regime in which it operates, the priority given to its policyholders, surplus note holders and preferred stock holders with respect to the distribution of assets, and its legal structure, it is not and will not likely be in a position to upstream any economic benefit to MBIA Inc. Further, MBIA Inc. does not face any material financial liability arising from MBIA Corp.

35

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

• Net unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities excluding MBIA Corp. – We remove net unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income since they will reverse from GAAP book value when such securities mature. Gains and losses from sales and OTTI of AFS securities are recorded in book value through earnings.

• Net unearned premium revenue in excess of expected losses of National – We include net unearned premium revenue in excess of expected losses. Net unearned premium revenue in excess of expected losses consists of the financial guarantee unearned premium revenue of National in excess of expected insurance losses, net of reinsurance and deferred acquisition costs. In accordance with GAAP, a loss reserve on a financial guarantee policy is only recorded when expected losses exceed the amount of unearned premium revenue recorded for that policy. As a result, we only add to GAAP book value the amount of unearned premium revenue in excess of expected losses for each policy in order to reflect the full amount of our expected losses. The Company’s net unearned premium revenue will be recognized in GAAP book value in future periods, however, actual amounts could differ from estimated amounts due to such factors as credit defaults and policy terminations, among others.

Since the Company has a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset, the book value per share adjustments to ABV were adjusted by applying a zero effective tax rate.

The following table provides the Company’s GAAP book value per share and management’s adjustments to book value per share used in our internal analysis:

	As of December 31,
In millions except share and per share amounts	2019		2018
Total shareholders’ equity of MBIA Inc.	$	826	$	1,119
Common shares outstanding		79,433,293		89,821,713
GAAP book value per share	$	10.40	$	12.46
Management’s adjustments described above:
Remove negative book value per share of MBIA Corp.		(16.81)		(10.93)
Remove net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities included in other comprehensive income (loss)		1.29		(0.46)
Include net unearned premium revenue in excess of expected losses		3.46		3.53

U.S. Public Finance Insurance

Our U.S. public finance insurance portfolio is managed through National. The financial guarantees issued by National provide unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event National has exercised, at its discretion, the right to accelerate the payment under its policies upon the acceleration of the underlying insured obligations due to default or otherwise. National’s guarantees insure municipal bonds, including tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of U.S. political subdivisions, as well as utility districts, airports, healthcare institutions, higher educational facilities, student loan issuers, housing authorities and other similar agencies and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects that serve a substantial public purpose. Municipal bonds and privately issued bonds used for the financing of public purpose projects are generally supported by taxes, assessments, user fees or tariffs related to the use of these projects, lease payments or other similar types of revenue streams. As of December 31, 2019, National had total insured gross par outstanding of $48.9 billion.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

National continues to monitor and remediate its existing insured portfolio and may also pursue strategic alternatives that could enhance shareholder value. Certain state and local governments and territory obligors that National insures are experiencing financial and budgetary stress. This could lead to an increase in defaults by such entities on the payment of their obligations and losses or impairments on a greater number of the Company’s insured transactions. In particular, Puerto Rico is experiencing significant fiscal stress and constrained liquidity due to, among other things, Puerto Rico’s structural budget imbalance, the lack of access to the capital markets, a stagnating local economy, net migration of people out of Puerto Rico and a high debt burden. Refer to the “U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures” section for additional information on our Puerto Rico exposures. We continue to monitor and analyze these situations and other stressed credits closely, and the overall extent and duration of stress affecting our insured credits remains uncertain.

The following table presents our U.S. public finance insurance segment results for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018		2018 vs. 2017
Net premiums earned	$	66	$	95	$	174		-31%		-45%
Net investment income		98		111		113		-12%		-2%
Fees and reimbursements		3		2		2		50%		—%
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		139		(21)		21		n/m		n/m
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(67)		(5)		(106)		n/m		-95%
Other net realized gains (losses)		2		—		(4)		n/m		-100%
Revenues of consolidated VIEs:
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		64		—		—		n/m		n/m
Other net realized gains (losses)		(43)		—		—		n/m		n/m
Total revenues		262		182		200		44%		-9%
Losses and loss adjustment		53		91		499		-42%		-82%
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		16		21		39		-24%		-46%
Operating		49		41		69		20%		-41%
Total expenses		118		153		607		-23%		-75%
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	144	$	29	$	(407)		n/m		-107%

n/m—Percent change not meaningful.

NET PREMIUMS EARNED Net premiums earned on financial guarantees represent gross premiums earned net of premiums ceded to reinsurers, and include scheduled premium earnings and premium earnings from refunded issues. Certain premiums are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements as a result of the Company consolidating VIEs. The decrease in net premiums earned for 2019 compared with 2018 resulted from a $24 million decrease in refunded premiums earned and a $5 million decrease in scheduled premiums earned. The decrease in refunded premiums was primarily due to refunded activity related to the 2019 COFINA transaction that were eliminated as a result of the Company consolidating VIEs. Refunding activity over the past several years has accelerated premium earnings in prior years and reduced the amount of scheduled premiums that would have been earned in the current year. Net premiums earned during 2019 includes the elimination of $19 million due to the consolidation of VIEs. The Company did not consolidate any VIEs in its U.S. Public Finance segment during 2018.

NET GAINS (LOSSES) ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE The favorable change in net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange for 2019 compared with 2018 was primarily due to realized gains from the sale of uninsured PREPA bonds and from the exchange and subsequent sale of COFINA bonds as a result of the Plan of Adjustment for COFINA.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

NET INVESTMENT LOSSES RELATED TO OTHER-THAN-TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENTS Net investment losses related to OTTI for 2019 and 2018 were primarily related to an impaired security for which a credit loss was recognized in earnings. This OTTI resulted from adverse financial conditions of the issuer. Subsequent to December 31, 2019, we sold this impaired security, for which we have reflected the full impairment to fair value as of December 31, 2019.

REVENUES OF CONSOLIDATED VIEs VIEs within our U.S. public finance insurance segment include the Trusts established in connection with the COFINA Plan of Adjustment. For 2019, total revenues of consolidated VIEs were $21 million. This was primarily due to net gains from increases in the fair values of collateral since consolidating the VIEs, partially offset by a loss on the initial consolidation of the VIEs in February of 2019. We elected to record at fair value certain instruments that are consolidated under accounting guidance for consolidation of VIEs and, as such, changes in fair values of these instruments, which included investments held and debt issued, are reflected in earnings. During 2019, all remaining investment assets of the Trusts were sold and National elected to make a voluntary additional payment with the effect of simultaneously reducing the Trust’s debt obligations to zero and satisfying in full the obligations under its original insurance policies. Refer to the following “U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures” section for additional information on the COFINA restructuring.

LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, losses and LAE primarily related to certain Puerto Rico exposures.

The following table presents information about our U.S. public finance insurance loss recoverable assets and loss and LAE reserves liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

In millions	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			Percent Change
Assets:
Insurance loss recoverable	$	911		$	571			60	%
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses(1)		14			16			-13	%
Liabilities:
Loss and LAE reserves		432			551			-22	%
Insurance loss recoverable—ceded(2)		19			15			27	%
Net reserve (salvage)	$	(474	)	$	(21	)		n/m

(1)—Reported within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets.

(2)—Reported within “Other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.

n/m—Percent change not meaningful.

Insurance loss recoverable as of December 31, 2019 increased compared with December 31, 2018 primarily as a result of expected recoveries related to claims paid on certain Puerto Rico exposures in 2019 and changes in discount rates. Loss and LAE reserves as of December 31, 2019 decreased compared with December 31, 2018 primarily due to payments related to certain Puerto Rico exposures, as well as consolidating the COFINA Trusts as VIEs which resulted in the elimination of the COFINA loss and LAE reserve.

Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the Company’s loss reserves.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES U.S. public finance insurance segment expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following table:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018			2018 vs. 2017
Gross expenses	$	49	$	41	$	70		20	%		-41	%
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	$	16	$	21	$	39		-24	%		-46	%
Operating		49		41		69		20	%		-41	%
Total insurance expenses	$	65	$	62	$	108		5	%		-43	%

Gross expenses represent total insurance expenses before the deferral of any policy acquisition costs. Operating expenses increased for 2019 compared with 2018 due to an increase in legal costs. Operating expenses decreased for 2018 compared with 2017 due to decreases in compensation expense and rating agency fees.

The decreases in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs were due to higher refunding activity in prior years. When an insured obligation refunds, we accelerate any remaining deferred acquisition costs associated with the policy covering the refunded insured obligation. We did not defer a material amount of policy acquisition costs during 2019 or 2018.

INSURED PORTFOLIO EXPOSURE Financial guarantee insurance companies use a variety of approaches to assess the underlying credit risk profile of their insured portfolios. National uses both an internally developed credit rating system as well as third-party rating sources in the analysis of credit quality measures of its insured portfolio. In evaluating credit risk, we obtain, when available, the underlying rating(s) of the insured obligation before the benefit of National’s insurance policy from nationally recognized rating agencies, Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Other companies within the financial guarantee industry may report credit quality information based upon internal ratings that would not be comparable to our presentation. We maintain internal ratings on our entire portfolio, and our ratings may be higher or lower than the underlying ratings assigned by Moody’s or S&P.

The following table presents the credit quality distribution of National’s U.S. public finance outstanding gross par insured as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. CABs are reported at the par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy. All ratings are as of the period presented and represent S&P underlying ratings, where available. If transactions are not rated by S&P, a Moody’s equivalent rating is used. If transactions are not rated by either S&P or Moody’s, an internal equivalent rating is used.

	Gross Par Outstanding
In millions	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Rating	Amount		%		Amount		%
AAA	$	2,709		5.5%	$	3,108		5.4%
AA		19,155		39.2%		22,162		38.3%
A		15,022		30.7%		18,495		32.0%
BBB		8,225		16.8%		9,166		15.8%
Below investment grade		3,809		7.8%		4,934		8.5%
Total	$	48,920		100.0%	$	57,865		100.0%

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

U.S. Public Finance Insurance Puerto Rico Exposures

The following is a summary of exposures within the insured portfolio of our U.S. public finance insurance segment related to Puerto Rico as of December 31, 2019.

In millions	Gross Par Outstanding			Debt Service Outstanding			National Internal Rating
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)	$	968		$	1,340			d
Puerto Rico Commonwealth GO		485			600			d
Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority (PBA)(1)		170			233			d
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority Transportation Revenue (PRHTA)		523			909			d
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority—Subordinated Transportation Revenue (PRHTA)		27			36			d
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority Highway Revenue (PRHTA)		54	(2)		77			d
University of Puerto Rico System Revenue		76			104			d
Inter American University of Puerto Rico Inc.		19			26			a3
Total	$	2,322		$	3,325	(3)

(1)—Additionally secured by the guarantee of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(2)—Includes CABs that reflect the gross par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy. As of December 31, 2019, gross par outstanding plus CABs accreted interest was $56 million.

(3)—As a result of debt service payments made as of January 1, 2020, National’s total Puerto Rico debt service outstanding declined by $60 million.

On June 30, 2016, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), was signed into law by the President of the United States. PROMESA provides for the creation of an independent oversight board (the “Oversight Board”) with powers relating to the development and implementation of a fiscal plan for Puerto Rico as well as a court-supervised process that allows Puerto Rico to restructure its debt if voluntary agreements cannot be reached with creditors through a collective action process.

On May 3, 2017, the Oversight Board certified and filed a petition under Title III of PROMESA for Puerto Rico with the District Court of Puerto Rico thereby commencing a bankruptcy-like case for Puerto Rico. Under separate petitions, the Oversight Board subsequently commenced Title III proceedings for COFINA, PRHTA and PREPA on May 5, 2017, May 21, 2017 and July 2, 2017, respectively. One of the proceedings was resolved on February 4, 2019, when the District of Puerto Rico entered the order confirming the Third Amended Title III Plan of Adjustment for COFINA. The plan became effective on February 12, 2019, and as of December 31, 2019, we no longer have exposure to COFINA. There can be no assurance that the other Title III proceedings will be resolved with similar outcomes.

As a result of prior defaults, various stays and the Title III cases, Puerto Rico failed to make certain scheduled debt service payments for National insured bonds. As a consequence, National has paid gross claims in the aggregate amount of $1.1 billion relating to general obligation (“GO”) bonds, PBA bonds, PREPA bonds and PRHTA bonds through December 31, 2019. Inclusive of the commutation payment and the additional payment in the amount of $66 million on December 17, 2019 related to COFINA, National has paid total gross claims in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.2 billion related to Puerto Rico.

On February 15, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held that the process PROMESA provides for the appointment of Oversight Board members is unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause. On June 20, 2019, the United States Supreme Court granted certification petitions. On July 2, 2019, the First Circuit granted the Oversight Board’s motion to stay the mandate pending the Supreme Court’s final disposition. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on October 15, 2019 and a decision is not expected until later in 2020.

40

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

On May 2, 2019, the Oversight Board and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of all Title III Debtors (other than COFINA) (the “Committee”) filed lien avoidance adversary complaints against several hundred defendants, including National, challenging the existence, extent, and enforceability of GO bondholders’ liens. After an approximately five-month stay of litigation entered by the Court on July 24, 2019, these adversary proceedings resumed pursuant to an interim schedule entered by the Court in December 2019. On February 5, 2020, National and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. filed a motion to dismiss the adversary proceeding. A hearing is scheduled for early June of 2020. On June 17, 2019, the Oversight Board announced it had reached a plan support agreement (“PSA”) with certain Commonwealth GO bondholders and guaranteed PBA bondholders on a framework for a plan of adjustment to resolve $35.0 billion worth of debt and unsecured claims against the Commonwealth. On February 9, 2020, the Oversight Board posted an amended PSA, which provides for faster debt maturities and increased creditor support than the originally filed PSA. The amended PSA has the support of approximately $10 billion in GO bonds and PBA bonds, and settles disputes regarding the validity of the 2011, 2012 and 2014 GO bonds. Under the amended PSA, pre-2011 GO bond recoveries are 74.9% and pre-2011 PBA recoveries are 77.6%. Bondholder recoveries will be in the form of both cash and new debt, and the new debt will be issued in the form of 50% GO debt and 50% COFINA junior debt. National is not a party to the amended PSA. The Commonwealth also does not support the revised PSA. The Oversight Board has stated it expects to file an amended Plan of Adjustment on or before February 28, 2020.

On July 24, 2019, Judge Swain entered an order staying certain adversary proceedings and contested matters until December 31, 2019, and imposing mandatory mediation under Judge Houser. Among the matters stayed in which National is either a party in interest or intervenor are the (i) PBA adversary proceeding seeking to recharacterize the PBA bonds as financings and (ii) GO adversary and HTA adversary proceedings, both challenging bondholder liens. Pursuant to interim schedules entered by the Court in December 2019, the PBA adversary proceeding and the HTA adversary proceeding remains stayed until March 11, 2020. However, as indicated above for the GO adversary proceedings and below for the HTA adversary proceeding, certain litigation relating to GO and HTA bonds has resumed as of January of 2020.

PBA

On December 21, 2018, the Oversight Board filed an adversary complaint seeking to disallow the PBA’s administrative rent claims against the Commonwealth. The PBA bonds are payable from the rent the Commonwealth pays under its lease agreements with the PBA. The Oversight Board alleges that the Commonwealth has no obligation to make rent payments under section 365(d)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code and that the PBA is not entitled to a priority administrative expense claim under the leases. On April 16, 2019, Judge Swain entered an order setting a discovery schedule. The proceeding is currently stayed until March 11, 2020.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

On September 27, 2019, the Oversight Board filed a Title III petition for the PBA.

COFINA

The Oversight Board filed a Plan of Adjustment and Disclosure Statement on October 19, 2018. The Plan of Adjustment was the culmination of efforts by interested parties to resolve the Commonwealth-COFINA dispute over the ownership of Puerto Rico’s sales and use taxes. A hearing to confirm the Plan of Adjustment was held on January 16 and 17, 2019 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A confirmation order was issued on February 4, 2019 and the closing occurred on February 12, 2019.

As part of the Plan of Adjustment, National tendered and commuted $182 million market value of National insured COFINA bonds it owned for new uninsured COFINA bonds, which in conjunction with other tendered and commuted bonds, resulted in a reduction to National’s insured exposure to COFINA. Since the closing date and initial distribution of cash and bonds, National sold all of the new uninsured bonds held in certain Trusts established as part of the Plan during the second and third quarters of 2019. The sales of bonds held in the Trusts were used to extinguish a substantial amount of debt issued by the Trusts, thereby resulting in a further reduction to National’s exposure to COFINA. On December 17, 2019, in the absence of additional bonds to sell from the Trusts, National elected to make a voluntary additional payment in the amount of $66 million to satisfy the remaining stub obligation owed to policyholders. Since the transaction was implemented, National’s COFINA gross par outstanding, gross par outstanding plus CABs accreted interest and debt service outstanding was reduced to zero from approximately $684 million, $1.2 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively.

PREPA

National’s largest exposure to Puerto Rico, by gross par outstanding, is to PREPA. The first consensual restructuring for PREPA was rejected by the Oversight Board in June 2017 and PREPA entered Title III restructuring on July 2, 2017.

On July 30, 2018, PREPA, the Oversight Board, the AAFAF and the Governor announced a preliminary restructuring support agreement with certain members of the Ad Hoc Group of PREPA bondholders.

On October 3, 2018, National, together with Assured Guaranty Corp., Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., and Syncora Guarantee Inc. (collectively, “Movants”) filed a motion in the Title III case for PREPA for relief from the automatic stay to allow Movants to exercise their statutory right to have a receiver appointed at PREPA (the “Receiver Motion”). Movants argue that PREPA’s long history of mismanagement and politicization has harmed, and will continue to harm, all of its stakeholders, including creditors and the people of Puerto Rico. Movants argue that a Receiver is necessary to ensure that PREPA is managed in the best interests of all of its constituents. This motion is stayed pending a resolution of the 9019 Order, discussed below.

On May 3, 2019, PREPA, the Oversight Board, the AAFAF, the Ad Hoc Group of PREPA bondholders (the “Ad Hoc Group”), and Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. (“Assured”) entered into the RSA which was amended on September 9, 2019 to include National and Syncora Guarantee, Inc. (“Syncora”) as supporting parties.

Among other things, the RSA contemplates a transaction pursuant to which, upon the effective date of a plan of adjustment, PREPA’s legacy bonds will be exchanged for new securitization bonds to be issued in two tranches (the “Securitization Bonds”). In addition, beginning on the last day of the month in which the order approving the RSA is entered, holders of bonds that are subject to the RSA will receive monthly settlement payments funded by a settlement charge to be included on customer bills (the “Settlement Payments”) until the effective date of a plan of adjustment for PREPA. The Settlement Payments are subject to increase if a plan of adjustment is not confirmed before March 31, 2021. The RSA provides that supporting parties will receive an administrative claim equal to interest accrued on certain of the securitization bonds, less the amount of any Settlement Payments made on account of such bonds, which administrative claim shall survive termination of the RSA. Additionally, pursuant to the RSA, supporting creditors will also receive certain fees and expense reimbursements. The RSA initially contemplated the filing of a plan of adjustment for PREPA by March 31, 2020; the timing of that action is now uncertain.

42

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Pursuant to the RSA, the Oversight Board filed a Rule 9019 motion with the Title III court in May 2019 seeking approval of the RSA (the “Settlement Motion”) and a Motion to Dismiss the Receiver Motion. The RSA requires, upon entry of the order approving the Settlement Motion (the “9019 Order”), that Movants will withdraw the Receiver Motion, and the Ad Hoc Group will support such withdrawal. The RSA further states that the hearing for approval of the Settlement Motion is contingent on receiving no later than two business days prior to such hearing the support of holders or insurers representing a minimum of 60% in aggregate principal amount of all legacy bonds. Approximately 90% of PREPA’s bondholders have already joined the RSA. The Title III Court has scheduled a hearing on the Motions for June 17, 2020. The Receiver Motion and the Motion to Dismiss the Receiver Motion have been stayed until the Court rules on the Settlement Motion.

As contemplated by the RSA, on July 1, 2019 the Oversight Board and AAFAF also filed an adversary complaint against the Trustee for the PREPA Bonds, challenging the validity of the liens arising under the Trust Agreement that secure insured obligations of National. The adversary proceeding is stayed until the earlier of (a) 60 days after the Court denies the 9019 Motion, (b) consummation of a Plan, (c) 60 days after the filing by the Oversight Board and AAFAF of a Litigation Notice, or (d) further order of the Court.

Certain objectors to the RSA have filed adversary proceedings challenging the payment priority arising under the PREPA Trust Agreement, alleging that they are entitled to be paid in full before National and other bondholders have any lien on or recourse to PREPA’s assets, including pursuant to the RSA. Motion practice continues in these matters with final resolution expected on or before the 9019 motion is decided.

On September 26, 2019, National sold its entire holding of uninsured PREPA bonds purchased in 2016 with a par value of $139 million.

PRHTA

On May 21, 2017, the Oversight Board commenced a Title III case for PRHTA. On June 3, 2017, National, together with Assured and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., filed an adversary proceeding seeking to enforce the special revenue protections of the Bankruptcy Code which are incorporated into PROMESA. These provisions ensure, among other things, that (i) current tax and toll revenues remain subject to liens and (ii) the automatic stay resulting from a filing of a Title III petition does not stay or limit application of these pledged special revenues to the repayment of PRHTA debt. On January 30, 2018, the court granted motions to dismiss the adversary proceeding. The plaintiffs appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and oral argument was held on November 5, 2018 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. On March 26, 2019, the First Circuit held that the special revenue provision of Chapter 9, incorporated into Title III, permit, but do not require, continued payment of special revenues by a debtor during the pendency of bankruptcy proceedings. The Court further held that consensual prepetition liens on special revenues will remain in place after the filing of the bankruptcy petition, but agreed with the district court that the provision “does not mandate the turnover of special revenues or require continuity of payments of the PRHTA Bonds during the pendency of the Title III proceeding.” On September 20, 2019, Appellants filed a petition for writ of certiorari requesting a Supreme Court review of the First Circuit’s ruling. On January 13, 2020, the Supreme Court denied the petition for certiorari.

On May 20, 2019, the Oversight Board and the Committee filed a lien avoidance adversary complaint against fiscal agents, holders, and insurers of certain PRHTA bonds, including National. The complaint challenges the extent and enforceability of certain security interests in PRHTA’s revenues. Pursuant to an interim schedule entered by the Court in December 2019, the Court has stayed the proceedings, with the understanding that the issues raised in these proceedings would be addressed in new adversary proceedings filed by the Oversight Board on January 16, 2020.

On August 23, 2019, National and Assured (the “HTA Movants”) filed a motion in the Title III case for PRHTA for adequate protection or, in the alternative, relief from the automatic stay. The motion argues that the revenues securing the bonds insured by HTA Movants are being improperly diverted away from PRHTA, despite such revenues being the exclusive property of PRHTA and its bondholders. Pursuant to an interim schedule entered by the Court in December 2019, the HTA Movants, along with Ambac Assurance Corporation and FGIC, amended the motion on January 16, 2020. A preliminary hearing on the motion has been scheduled for April 2, 2020, at which time the Court will hear argument on issues of standing and HTA Movants’ property interest in the revenues that secure the bonds.

43

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Status of Puerto Rico’s Fiscal Plans

In 2018, the Puerto Rico government submitted several draft fiscal plans to the Oversight Board, which purported to reflect the government’s expected economic outlook for Puerto Rico over a five year period after integrating four additional key drivers into the prior projections that had formed the basis of previous fiscal plan submissions: (i) the negative impact of Hurricane Maria; (ii) mitigating impact of disaster relief assistance; (iii) changes to revenue and expense measures; and (iv) impact of structural reforms.

On May 9, 2019, after requesting approval to amend its fiscal plans and the submission of several non-compliant versions by the Puerto Rico government, the Oversight Board certified its own revised fiscal plan for the Commonwealth. The revised fiscal plan reflects a cumulative surplus of $13.7 billion over the six-year projection period (after measures and structural reforms, but before contractual debt service). The new surplus is about $3.5 billion lower than the previous plan, which reflected a surplus of almost $17.0 billion. For the remaining component units, the Oversight Board certified fiscal plans for both PRHTA and the University of Puerto Rico (the “University”) on June 5, 2019, while certifying a revised Fiscal Plan for PREPA on June 27, 2019. The Oversight Board also certified the fiscal year 2020 budgets for Commonwealth, PREPA, the University and PRHTA.

Other

Other than the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Inc., S&P, Fitch Ratings and/or Moody’s have downgraded the ratings of all Puerto Rico issuers to below investment grade with a negative outlook due to ongoing economic pressures, which will weigh on Puerto Rico’s ability to meet debt and other funding obligations, potentially driving bondholder recovery rates lower as restructuring the island’s debt burden unfolds.

In late December of 2019 into January of 2020, Puerto Rico experienced a series of earthquakes. Damage was primarily confined to the coastal southwestern part of the island and included damage to a PREPA power generation station, schools, homes and businesses. On January 6, 2020, the Oversight Board granted Puerto Rico access to a $260 million emergency reserve fund. The President signed an emergency declaration which activated FEMA resources on January 7, 2020; and on January 16, 2020 signed a major disaster declaration which grants Puerto Rico access to additional federal resources and assistance. An overall damage assessment of homes, public schools and other structures is ongoing.

The following table presents our scheduled gross debt service due on our Puerto Rico insured exposures as of December 31, 2019, for each of the subsequent five years ending December 31 and thereafter:

	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		Thereafter		Total
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)	$	115	$	140	$	140	$	137	$	137	$	671	$	1,340
Puerto Rico Commonwealth GO		223		82		19		14		13		249		600
Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority (PBA)		10		24		9		27		43		120		233
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority Transportation Revenue (PRHTA)		27		27		27		36		33		759		909
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority—Subordinated Transportation Revenue (PRHTA)		1		1		9		1		1		23		36
Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority Highway Revenue (PRHTA)		16		4		2		4		2		49		77
University of Puerto Rico System Revenue		7		7		7		12		11		60		104
Inter American University of Puerto Rico Inc.		3		3		3		3		3		11		26
Total	$	402	$	288	$	216	$	234	$	243	$	1,942	$	3,325

44

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Corporate

Our corporate segment consists of general corporate activities, including providing support services to MBIA Inc.’s subsidiaries and asset and capital management. Support services are provided by our service company, MBIA Services, and include, among others, management, legal, accounting, treasury, information technology, and insurance portfolio surveillance, on a fee-for-service basis. Capital management includes activities related to servicing obligations issued by MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries, MBIA Global Funding, LLC (“GFL”) and MBIA Investment Management Corp. (“IMC”). MBIA Inc. issued debt to finance the operations of the MBIA group. GFL raised funds through the issuance of medium-term notes (“MTNs”) with varying maturities, which were in turn guaranteed by MBIA Corp. GFL lent the proceeds of these MTN issuances to MBIA Inc. IMC, along with MBIA Inc., provided customized investment agreements, guaranteed by MBIA Corp., for bond proceeds and other public funds for such purposes as construction, loan origination, escrow and debt service or other reserve fund requirements. The Company has ceased issuing new MTNs and investment agreements and the outstanding liability balances and corresponding asset balances have declined over time as liabilities matured, terminated or were called or repurchased. All of the debt within the corporate segment is managed collectively and is serviced by available liquidity.

The following table summarizes the consolidated results of our corporate segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018		2018 vs. 2017
Net investment income	$	37	$	37	$	37		— %		— %
Fees		53		39		53		36%		-26%
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(54)		22		(32)		n/m		n/m
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		(1)		3		28		-133%		-89%
Other net realized gains (losses)		(2)		(2)		(4)		— %		-50%
Total revenues		33		99		82		-67%		21%
Operating		73		50		62		46%		-19%
Interest		92		95		89		-3%		7%
Total expenses		165		145		151		14%		-4%
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(132)	$	(46)	$	(69)		n/m		-33%

n/m—Percent change not meaningful.

FEES Corporate segment fees consist entirely of fees paid by our other segments for services provided. The increase in fees for 2019 compared with 2018 was due to an increase in fees paid by our U.S. public finance segment as a result of the transfer of employees from our U.S. public finance segment to our corporate segment. The transfer of employees also increased compensation expenses in our corporate segment.

NET GAINS (LOSSES) ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE The unfavorable change in net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange for 2019 compared with 2018 was primarily due to the impact of decreases in interest rates during 2019 on the fair values of interest rate swaps for which we receive floating rates. During 2019, we terminated a portion of these interest rate swaps. The termination amount paid in cash reflected the fair values of the swaps at termination date and all collateral held by the counterparty to the interest rate swaps was returned to the Company. The termination of these swaps was executed to reduce future exposure to interest rate movements.

OPERATING EXPENSES Operating expenses increased for 2019 compared with 2018 primarily due to an increase in compensation expense as a result of the transfer of employees from our U.S. public finance insurance segment. Higher operating expenses related to the transfer of employees also resulted in higher fee revenue in our corporate segment as services were charged to our U.S. public finance segment.

45

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

International and Structured Finance Insurance

Our international and structured finance insurance portfolio is managed through MBIA Corp. The financial guarantees issued by MBIA Corp. generally provide unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, non-U.S. public finance and global structured finance insured obligations when due or, in the event MBIA Corp. has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise.

MBIA Corp. has insured sovereign-related and sub-sovereign bonds, privately issued bonds used for the financing of utilities, toll roads, bridges, airports, public transportation facilities, and other types of infrastructure projects serving a substantial public purpose. Global structured finance and asset-backed obligations typically are securities repayable from cash flows generated by a specified pool of assets, such as residential and commercial mortgages, insurance policies, consumer loans, corporate loans and bonds, trade and export receivables, and leases for equipment, aircraft and real estate property. MBIA Insurance Corporation insures the investment agreements written by MBIA Inc., and if MBIA Inc. were to have insufficient assets to pay amounts due upon maturity or termination, MBIA Insurance Corporation would be required to make such payments under its insurance policies. MBIA Insurance Corporation also insured debt obligations of other affiliates, including GFL, IMC and MZ Funding. MBIA Corp. has also written insurance policies guaranteeing the obligations under credit default swap (“CDS”) contracts of an affiliate, LaCrosse Financial Products, LLC and certain other derivative contracts. Certain policies cover payments potentially due under CDS, including termination payments that may become due in certain circumstances, including the occurrence of certain insolvency or payment defaults under the CDS or derivative contracts by the insured counterparty or by the guarantor. We no longer insure new credit derivative contracts except for transactions related to the restructuring or reduction of existing derivative exposure. MBIA Insurance Corporation provides 100% reinsurance to MBIA Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“MBIA Mexico”).

MBIA Corp. has contributed to the Company’s net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, which is used in the calculation of our consolidated income taxes. If MBIA Corp. becomes profitable, it is not expected to make any tax payments under our tax sharing agreement. Based on MBIA Corp.’s current projected earnings and our expectation that it will not write significant new business, we believe it is unlikely that MBIA Corp. will generate significant income in the near future. As a result of MBIA Corp.’s capital structure and business prospects, we do not expect its financial performance to have a material economic impact on MBIA Inc.

46

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following table presents our international and structured finance insurance segment results for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018		2018 vs. 2017
Net premiums earned	$	27	$	78	$	44		-65%		77%
Net investment income		7		6		21		17%		-71%
Fees and reimbursements		21		47		57		-55%		-18%
Change in fair value of insured derivatives:
Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives		(10)		(56)		(51)		-82%		10%
Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives		25		31		—		-19%		n/m
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		15		(25)		(51)		n/m		-51%
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(33)		(18)		(17)		83%		6%
Other net realized gains (losses)		4		2		39		100%		-95%
Revenues of consolidated VIEs:
Net investment income		34		35		27		-3%		30%
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		41		25		130		64%		-81%
Other net realized gains (losses)		(20)		(171)		28		-88%		n/m
Total revenues		96		(21)		278		n/m		-108%
Losses and loss adjustment		189		(28)		184		n/m		-115%
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		21		31		43		-32%		-28%
Operating		26		21		30		24%		-30%
Interest		131		129		119		2%		8%
Expenses of consolidated VIEs:
Operating		9		11		10		-18%		10%
Interest		89		93		80		-4%		16%
Total expenses		465		257		466		81%		-45%
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(369)	$	(278)	$	(188)		33%		48%

n/m—Percent change not meaningful.

As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp.’s total insured gross par outstanding was $10.0 billion.

NET PREMIUMS EARNED Our international and structured finance insurance segment generates net premiums from insurance policies accounted for as financial guarantee contracts. Certain premiums are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements as a result of the Company consolidating VIEs. In addition, we generate net premiums from insured credit derivatives that are included in “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” on our consolidated statements of operations. The following table provides net premiums earned from our financial guarantee contracts for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018		2018 vs. 2017
Net premiums earned:
Non-U.S.	$	21	$	68	$	34		-69%		100%
U.S.		6		10		10		-40%		— %
Total net premiums earned	$	27	$	78	$	44		-65%		77%
VIEs (eliminated in consolidation)	$	(3)	$	7	$	8		-143%		-13%

47

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Net premiums earned represent gross premiums earned net of premiums ceded to reinsurers, and include scheduled premium earnings and premium earnings from refunded issues. Net premiums earned decreased for 2019 compared with 2018 primarily due to the acceleration of premiums related to the termination of several international public finance policies in 2018.

FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS The decrease in fees and reimbursements for 2019 compared with 2018 was primarily due to decreases in termination and waiver and consent fees related to the ongoing management of our international and structured finance insurance business. Due to the transaction-specific nature inherent in fees and reimbursements, these revenues can vary significantly from period to period.

NET CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF INSURED DERIVATIVES Realized losses on insured derivatives include payments made net of premiums and fees earned and salvage received. Premiums earned related to insured credit derivatives will decrease over time as a result of settlements prior to maturity and amortization. For 2019 and 2018, realized losses on insured derivatives resulted from claim payments on commercial mortgage-backed securities exposure.

For 2019, unrealized gains on insured derivatives were principally due to the reversal of unrealized losses resulting from gross par amortization. For 2018, unrealized gains on insured derivatives were principally the result of gross par amortization, partially offset by unfavorable changes in spreads/prices on the underlying collateral.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of MBIA Corp.’s insured CDS liability was $7 million and $33 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp. had $32 million of gross par outstanding on an insured credit derivative compared with $70 million as of December 31, 2018. Refer to “Note 9: Derivatives” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our insured CDS credit.

NET GAINS (LOSSES) ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT FAIR VALUE AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE The net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange for 2019 were primarily related to unfavorable mark-to-market fluctuations on derivatives. The net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange for 2018 were primarily related to losses from foreign currency revaluations on Chilean unidad de fomento denominated premium receivables and revaluations on Mexican peso denominated loss reserves as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.

REVENUES OF CONSOLIDATED VIEs For 2019, total revenues of consolidated VIEs were $55 million compared with a loss of $111 million for 2018. The increase in revenues of consolidated VIEs for 2019 compared with 2018 was primarily due to the deconsolidation of VIEs in 2018, including two VIEs related to the Zohar bankruptcy settlement, which resulted in a loss of $93 million, and higher gains from put-back claims on ineligible mortgage loans within a second-lien RMBS VIE in 2019. The loss from the Zohar VIE deconsolidation in 2018 resulted from the difference between the fair value of the VIE assets that were deconsolidated and our then current estimate of salvage and subrogation recoveries from those VIEs under insurance accounting. Refer to “Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Zohar bankruptcy settlement.

LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES For 2019, losses and LAE primarily related to a decrease in expected salvage collections related to CDOs and an increase in expected payments on insured first-lien RMBS transactions. For 2018, losses and LAE benefit primarily related to a decrease in expected payments on second-lien RMBS and an increase in expected salvage collections related to certain CDOs, which was partially offset by an increase in expected payments on insured first-lien RMBS transactions. As a result of the consolidations of VIEs, losses and LAE includes the elimination of a losses and LAE benefit of $40 million and $17 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively, and a loss and LAE expense of $29 million for 2017.

48

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The following table presents information about our insurance loss recoverable and reserves as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

	December 31,		December 31,		Percent
In millions	2019		2018		Change
Assets:
Insurance loss recoverable	$	783	$	1,024		-24%
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses (1)		5		5		-%
Liabilities:
Loss and LAE reserves		469		414		13%
Net reserve (salvage)	$	(319)	$	(615)		-48%

(1)—Reported within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets.

Insurance loss recoverable primarily relates to reimbursement rights arising from the payment of claims on MBIA Corp.’s policies insuring certain notes issued by Zohar CDO 2003-1, Limited (“Zohar I”) and Zohar II 2005-1, Limited (“Zohar II”). Such payments also entitle MBIA Corp. to exercise certain rights and remedies to seek recovery of its reimbursement entitlements. Refer to “Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the estimated Zohar recoveries.

Beginning with the second quarter of 2019, the Company changed its presentation of its insurance loss recoverable and its loss and LAE reserves related to its insured first-lien RMBS exposure. Certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation, including an increase of $31 million in insurance loss recoverable and an equal and offsetting increase in loss and LAE reserves as of December 31, 2018. Refer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about this presentation change.

Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about our loss reserving policy, loss reserves and recoverables.

POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES International and structured finance insurance segment expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following table:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018		2018 vs. 2017
Gross expenses	$	26	$	22	$	31		18%		-29%
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	$	21	$	31	$	43		-32%		-28%
Operating		26		21		30		24%		-30%
Total insurance expenses	$	47	$	52	$	73		-10%		-29%

Gross expenses represent total insurance expenses before the deferral of any policy acquisition costs. Operating expenses increased for 2019 compared with 2018 due to an increase in legal costs.

The decrease in the amortization of deferred acquisition costs for 2019 compared with 2018 was due to higher refunding activity in prior years. We did not defer a material amount of policy acquisition costs during 2019 or 2018. Policy acquisition costs in these periods were primarily related to ceding commissions and premium taxes on installment policies written in prior periods.

49

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

International and Structured Finance Insurance Portfolio Exposures

Credit Quality

The credit quality of our international and structured finance insured portfolio is assessed in the same manner as our U.S. public finance insured portfolio. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 27% and 31%, respectively, of our international and structured finance insured portfolio was rated below investment grade, before giving effect to MBIA’s guarantees, based on MBIA’s internal ratings, which are generally more current than the underlying ratings provided by S&P and Moody’s for this subset of our insured portfolio.

Selected Portfolio Exposures

The following is a summary of selected significant exposures within our residential mortgage insured portfolio of our international and structured finance insurance segment. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp. insured $315 million of CDOs and related instruments. We may experience considerable incurred losses in certain of these sectors. There can be no assurance that the loss reserves recorded in our financial statements will be sufficient or that we will not experience losses on transactions on which we currently have no loss reserves, in particular if the economy deteriorates. We may seek to purchase, directly or indirectly, obligations guaranteed by MBIA Corp. or seek to commute policies. The amount of insurance exposure reduced, if any, and the nature of any such actions will depend on market conditions, pricing levels from time to time, and other considerations. In some cases, these activities may result in a reduction of loss reserves, but in all cases they are intended to limit our ultimate losses and reduce the future volatility in loss development on the related policies. Our ability to purchase guaranteed obligations and to commute policies will depend on management’s assessment of available liquidity.

Residential Mortgage Exposure

MBIA Corp. insures mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) backed by residential mortgage loans, including second-lien RMBS transactions (revolving home equity lines of credit (“HELOC”) loans and closed-end second (“CES”) mortgages). MBIA Corp. also insures MBS backed by first-lien alternative A-paper (“Alt-A”) and subprime mortgage loans directly through RMBS securitizations. There was considerable stress and deterioration in the mortgage market since 2008 reflected by heightened delinquencies and losses, particularly related to mortgage loans originated during 2005, 2006 and 2007.

The following table presents the gross par outstanding of MBIA Corp.’s total direct RMBS insured exposure as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Amounts include the gross par outstanding related to transactions that the Company consolidates under accounting guidance for VIEs.

In millions	Gross Par Outstanding as of
	December 31,		December 31,		Percent
Collateral Type	2019		2018		Change
HELOC Second-lien	$	381	$	511		-25%
CES Second-lien		136		591		-77%
Alt-A First-lien(1)		909		983		-8%
Subprime First-lien		343		439		-22%
Prime First-lien		7		15		-53%
Total	$	1,776	$	2,539		-30%

(1)—Includes international exposure of $248 million and $245 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

U.S. Public Finance and International and Structured Finance Reinsurance

Reinsurance enables the Company to cede exposure for purposes of syndicating risk. The Company generally retains the right to reassume the business ceded to reinsurers under certain circumstances, including a reinsurer’s rating downgrade below specified thresholds. Currently, we do not intend to use reinsurance to decrease the insured exposure in our portfolio. Refer to “Note 13: Insurance in Force” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion about reinsurance agreements.

50

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Taxes

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s income taxes and the related effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following table:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019		2018		2017
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(357)	$	(296)	$	(661)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	2	$	—	$	944
Effective tax rate		-0.6%		0.0%		-142.8%

For 2019 and 2018, our effective tax rate applied to our loss before income taxes was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% due to the full valuation allowance on the changes in our net deferred tax asset.

In June of 2017, S&P downgraded the financial strength rating of National, which led the Company to cease its efforts to write new financial guarantee business. In addition to National’s cessation of new business activity, it experienced higher levels of losses and LAE over the last several years due to unfavorable developments in certain Puerto Rico credits. As a result of the increase in loss and LAE, the Company has a three-year cumulative loss, which is considered significant negative evidence in the assessment of its ability to use its net deferred tax asset. In addition, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence as required by GAAP, to estimate if sufficient taxable income will be generated to use its net deferred tax asset. After considering all positive and negative evidence, including the Company’s inability to objectively identify and forecast future sources of taxable income, the Company concluded that it does not have sufficient positive evidence to support its ability to use its net deferred tax asset before it expires.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset was $873 million and $834 million, respectively. Notwithstanding the full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset, the Company believes that it may be able to use some of its net deferred tax asset before the expirations associated with that asset based upon expected earnings at National and potential future sources of taxable income to be identified by the Company. Accordingly, the Company will continue to

re-evaluate

its net deferred tax asset on a quarterly basis. There is no assurance that the Company will reverse any of its valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset in the future. Refer to “Note 11: Income Taxes” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of income taxes, including the valuation allowance against the Company’s net deferred tax asset and its accounting for tax uncertainties.

The Company elected to early adopt ASU

2019-12,

“Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, as of January 1, 2019 (for the reporting period ending December 31, 2019). ASU

2019-12,

among other amendments, removes the intraperiod tax allocation principle that allocates total tax expense or benefit to components of the income statement and other comprehensive income. As a result of this adoption, the Company reversed $29 million that was allocated between our consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The remaining amendments of ASU

2019-12

did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As a result of the early adopting ASU

2019-12,

the Company revised its quarterly data for 2019. Refer to “Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of the revised quarterly financial information and for further information on this update.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company manages its capital resources to minimize its cost of capital while maintaining appropriate claims-paying resources (“CPR”) for National and MBIA Corp. The Company’s capital resources consist of total shareholders’ equity, total debt issued by MBIA Inc. for general corporate purposes, surplus notes issued by MBIA Corp., and the Refinanced Facility. Total capital resources were $2.4 billion and $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

51

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

CAPITAL RESOURCES (continued)

In addition to scheduled debt maturities, from time to time, we reduce unsecured debt through calls or repurchases. MBIA Inc. or National may also repurchase outstanding MBIA Inc. common shares when we deem it beneficial to our shareholders. Repurchases of debt and common stock are made in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. We may also choose to redeem debt obligations where permitted by the relevant agreements. Refer to “Note 17: Common and Preferred Stock” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about MBIA Inc.’s and National’s share repurchases and “Note 10: Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about debt repurchases.

MBIA Inc. supports the MTN and investment agreement obligations issued by the Company. We seek to maintain sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet the Company’s general corporate needs and debt service. Based on MBIA Inc.’s debt service requirements and expected operating expenses, we expect that MBIA Inc. will have sufficient resources to satisfy its debt obligations and its general corporate needs over time from distributions from its operating subsidiaries; however, there can be no assurance that MBIA Inc. will have sufficient resources to do so. In addition, the Company may also consider raising third-party capital. Refer to “Capital, Liquidity and Market Related Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Form

10-K

and the “Liquidity—Corporate Liquidity” section included herein for additional information about MBIA Inc.’s liquidity.

Warrants

During 2018, the holder of certain MBIA Inc. warrants exercised its right to purchase, in total, 11.85 million shares of MBIA Inc. common stock at an exercise price of $9.59 per share. As a result, the Company issued a total of 1.3 million shares of MBIA Inc. common stock to the holder in accordance with the cashless settlement provision of the warrants. As of December 31, 2019, there were no warrants outstanding.

Insurance Statutory Capital

National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are incorporated and licensed in, and are subject to primary insurance regulation and supervision by New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYSDFS”). MBIA Mexico is regulated by the Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas in Mexico. MBIA Corp.’s Spanish Branch is subject to local regulation in Spain. National and MBIA Insurance Corporation each are required to file detailed annual financial statements, as well as interim financial statements, with the NYSDFS and similar supervisory agencies in each of the other jurisdictions in which it is licensed. These financial statements are prepared in accordance with New York State and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ statements of U.S. STAT and assist our regulators in evaluating minimum standards of solvency, including minimum capital requirements, and business conduct.

National

Capital and Surplus

National had statutory capital of $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2019 compared with $2.5 billion as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, National’s unassigned surplus was $1.3 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2019, National had statutory net income of $39 million. Refer to the “Claims-Paying Resources (Statutory Basis)” section below for additional information on National’s statutory capital.

In order to maintain its New York State financial guarantee insurance license, National is required to maintain a minimum of $65 million of policyholders’ surplus. National is also required to maintain contingency reserves to provide protection to policyholders in the event of extreme losses in adverse economic events.

52

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

CAPITAL RESOURCES (continued)

New York Insurance Law (“NYIL”) regulates the payment of dividends by financial guarantee insurance companies and provides that such companies may not declare or distribute dividends except out of statutory earned surplus. Under NYIL, the sum of (i) the amount of dividends declared or distributed during the preceding

12-month

period and (ii) the dividend to be declared may not exceed the lesser of (a) 10% of policyholders’ surplus, as reported in the latest statutory financial statements or (b) 100% of adjusted net investment income for such

12-month

period (the net investment income for such

12-month

period plus the excess, if any, of net investment income over dividends declared or distributed during the

two-year

period preceding such

12-month

period), unless the Superintendent of the NYSDFS approves a greater dividend distribution based upon a finding that the insurer will retain sufficient surplus to support its obligations.

National had positive earned surplus as of December 31, 2019 from which it may pay dividends, subject to the limitations described above. During 2019, National declared and paid dividends of $134 million to its ultimate parent, MBIA Inc. We expect the

as-of-right

declared and paid dividend amounts from National to be limited to prior year adjusted net investment income for the foreseeable future.

Claims-Paying Resources (Statutory Basis)

CPR is a key measure of the resources available to National to pay claims under its insurance policies. CPR consists of total financial resources and reserves calculated on a statutory basis. CPR has been a common measure used by financial guarantee insurance companies to report and compare resources and continues to be used by MBIA’s management to evaluate changes in such resources. We have provided CPR to allow investors and analysts to evaluate National using the same measure that MBIA’s management uses to evaluate National’s resources to pay claims under its insurance policies. There is no directly comparable GAAP measure. Our calculation of CPR may differ from the calculation of CPR reported by other companies.

National’s CPR and components thereto, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented in the following table:

	As of December 31,		As of December 31,
In millions	2019		2018
Policyholders’ surplus	$	1,891	$	1,998
Contingency reserves		485		522
Statutory capital		2,376		2,520
Unearned premiums		411		496
Present value of installment premiums (1)		139		150
Premium resources (2)		550		646
Net loss and LAE reserves (1)		(169)		71
Salvage reserves (1)		789		607
Gross loss and LAE reserves		620		678
Total claims-paying resources	$	3,546	$	3,844

(1)—Calculated using a discount rate of 3.64% as of December 31, 2019 and 3.67% as of December 31, 2018.

(2)—Includes financial guarantee and insured derivative related premiums.

MBIA Insurance Corporation

Capital and Surplus

MBIA Insurance Corporation had statutory capital of $476 million as of December 31, 2019 compared with $555 million as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation’s negative unassigned surplus was $1.7 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation had a statutory net loss of $141 million. Refer to the “Claims-Paying Resources (Statutory Basis)” section below for additional information on MBIA Insurance Corporation’s statutory capital.

53

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

CAPITAL RESOURCES (continued)

As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation recognized estimated recoveries on a statutory basis related to

put-back

claims against Credit Suisse, excess spread recoveries on RMBS and recoveries related to CDOs. There can be no assurance that we will be successful or that we will not be delayed in realizing these recoveries. Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about these recoveries.

In order to maintain its New York State financial guarantee insurance license, MBIA Insurance Corporation is required to maintain a minimum of $65 million of policyholders’ surplus. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp. met the required minimum requirement. Under NYIL, MBIA Insurance Corporation is required to invest its minimum surplus and contingency reserves and 50% of its loss reserves and unearned premium reserves in certain qualifying assets. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation maintained its minimum requirement of policyholders’ surplus but did not have enough qualifying assets to support its contingency reserves and 50% of its loss reserves and unearned premium reserves. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation was in compliance with its aggregate risk limits under the NYIL, but was not in compliance with certain of its single risk limits. If MBIA Insurance Corporation does not comply with the above mentioned requirements, the NYSDFS may prevent MBIA Insurance Corporation from transacting any new financial guarantee insurance business until it no longer exceeds the limitations.

Due to its significant earned surplus deficit, MBIA Insurance Corporation has not had the statutory capacity to pay dividends since December 31, 2009. Based on estimated future income, MBIA Insurance Corporation is not expected to have any statutory capacity to pay dividends.

The NYSDFS has not approved MBIA Insurance Corporation’s requests to make interest payments on MBIA Insurance Corporation’s 14%

Fixed-to-Floating

Rate Surplus Notes due January 15, 2033 (the “Surplus Notes”) since, and including, the January 15, 2013 interest payment. The NYSDFS has cited both MBIA Insurance Corporation’s liquidity and financial condition as well as the availability of “free and divisible surplus” as the basis for such

non-approvals.

As of January 15, 2020, the most recent scheduled interest payment date, there was $887 million of unpaid interest on the par amount outstanding of $953 million of the Surplus Notes. Under Section 1307 of the NYIL and the Fiscal Agency Agreement governing the surplus notes, Surplus Note payments may be made only with the prior approval by the NYSDFS and if MBIA Insurance Corporation has sufficient “Eligible Surplus”, or as we believe, “free and divisible surplus” as an appropriate calculation of “Eligible Surplus.” As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation had “free and divisible surplus” of $265 million. There is no assurance the NYSDFS will approve Surplus Note payments, notwithstanding the sufficiency of MBIA Insurance Corporation’s liquidity and financial condition. The unpaid interest on the Surplus Notes will become due on the first business day on or after which MBIA Insurance Corporation obtains approval to pay some or all of such unpaid interest. No interest has been accrued or will accrue on the deferred interest.

Claims-Paying Resources (Statutory Basis)

CPR is a key measure of the resources available to MBIA Corp. to pay claims under its insurance policies. CPR consists of total financial resources and reserves calculated on a statutory basis. CPR has been a common measure used by financial guarantee insurance companies to report and compare resources, and continues to be used by MBIA’s management to evaluate changes in such resources. We have provided CPR to allow investors and analysts to evaluate MBIA Corp., using the same measure that MBIA’s management uses to evaluate MBIA Corp.’s resources to pay claims under its insurance policies. There is no directly comparable GAAP measure. Our calculation of CPR may differ from the calculation of CPR reported by other companies.

54

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

CAPITAL RESOURCES (continued)

MBIA Corp.’s CPR and components thereto, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented in the following table:

	As of December 31,		As of December 31,
In millions	2019		2018
Policyholders’ surplus	$	282	$	356
Contingency reserves		194		199
Statutory capital		476		555
Unearned premiums		93		109
Present value of installment premiums (1) (4)		92		139
Premium resources (2)		185		248
Net loss and LAE reserves (1)		(669)		(865)
Salvage reserves (1) (3)		1,247		1,402
Gross loss and LAE reserves		578		537
Total claims-paying resources	$	1,239	$	1,340

(1)—Calculated using a discount rate of 5.21% as of December 31, 2019 and 5.17% as of December 31, 2018.

(2)—Includes financial guarantee and insured credit derivative related premiums.

(3)—This amount primarily consists of expected recoveries related to the Company’s CDOs, excess spread and

put-backs.

(4)—Based on the Company’s estimate of the remaining life for its insured exposures.

LIQUIDITY

We use a liquidity risk management framework, the primary objective of which is to match liquidity resources to needs. We monitor our cash and liquid asset resources using cash forecasting and stress-scenario testing. Members of MBIA’s senior management meet regularly to review liquidity metrics, discuss contingency plans and establish target liquidity levels. We evaluate and manage liquidity on a legal-entity basis to take into account the legal, regulatory and other limitations on available liquidity resources within the enterprise. The following is a discussion of our liquidity resources and requirements for our holding company and our insurance subsidiaries.

National Liquidity

The primary sources of cash available to National are:

• principal and interest receipts on assets held in its investment portfolio, including proceeds from the sale of assets;

• recoveries associated with insurance loss payments; and

• installment premiums.

The primary uses of cash by National are:

• payments of operating expenses, taxes and investment portfolio asset purchases;

• loss payments and LAE on insured transactions; and

• payments of dividends.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, National held cash and investments of $2.7 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, of which $442 million and $488 million, respectively, were cash and cash equivalents or short-term investments comprised of highly rated commercial paper, money market funds and municipal, U.S. agency and corporate bonds.

55

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

The insurance policies issued or reinsured by National provide unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of payments of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due. In the event of a default in payment of principal, interest or other insured amounts by an issuer, National generally promises to make funds available in the insured amount within one to three business days following notification. In some cases, the amount due can be substantial, particularly if the default occurs on a transaction to which National has a large notional exposure or on a transaction structured with large, bullet-type principal maturities. The U.S. public finance insurance segment’s financial guarantee contracts generally cannot be accelerated by a party other than the insurer which helps to mitigate liquidity risk in this segment.

Corporate Liquidity

The primary sources of cash available to MBIA Inc. are:

• dividends from National;

• available cash and liquid assets not subject to collateral posting requirements;

• principal and interest receipts on assets held in its investment portfolio, including proceeds from the sale of assets;

• release of funds under the tax sharing agreement; and

• access to capital markets.

The primary uses of cash by MBIA Inc. are:

• servicing outstanding unsecured corporate debt obligations and MTNs;

• meeting collateral posting requirements under investment agreements and derivative arrangements;

• payments related to interest rate swaps;

• payments of operating expenses; and

• funding share repurchases and debt buybacks.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the liquidity positions of MBIA Inc. were $375 million and $457 million, respectively, and included cash and cash equivalents and other investments comprised of highly rated commercial paper and U.S. government and asset-backed bonds.

During 2019, $91 million was released from the Tax Escrow Account to MBIA Inc., of which $56 million was in cash, related to deposits made by National for the 2016 tax year. The release was pursuant to the terms of the tax sharing agreement following the expiration of National’s two-year NOL carry-back period under U.S. tax rules. Also in 2019, $5 million was returned to National as a result of capital losses incurred in 2018 that can be carried back to prior years. Subsequent to December 31, 2019, an additional $33 million was returned to National as a result of losses incurred in 2019, of which $9 million was in cash. In addition to releases or returns following the expiration of National’s two-year NOL carry-back period, from time to time, MBIA Inc. is permitted to withdraw assets from the Tax Escrow Account if the aggregate market value of all assets held in the Tax Escrow Account exceeds the required minimum balance. There can be no assurance that any future payments under the Tax Escrow Account from subsidiaries will be released to MBIA Inc. due to deductible or creditable tax attributes of those subsidiaries and/or the market value performance of the assets supporting the Tax Escrow Account.

During 2019, National declared and paid dividends of $134 million to its ultimate parent, MBIA Inc. There can be no assurance as to the amount and timing of any such future dividends or payments from the tax escrow account under the tax sharing agreement. Also, absent a special dividend subject to the approval of the NYSDFS, we expect the declared and paid dividend amounts from National to be limited to the prior twelve months of adjusted net investment income as reported in its most recent statutory filings. Refer to the “Capital Resources—Insurance Statutory Capital” section for additional information on payments of dividends. We do not expect MBIA Inc. to receive distributions from MBIA Corp.

56

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

Currently, a significant portion of the cash and securities held by MBIA Inc. is pledged against investment agreement liabilities, the Asset Swap (simultaneous repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement) and derivatives, which limits its ability to raise liquidity through asset sales. As the market value or rating eligibility of the assets which are pledged against MBIA Inc.’s obligations declines, we are required to pledge additional eligible assets in order to meet minimum required collateral amounts against these liabilities. To mitigate these risks, we seek to maintain cash and liquidity resources that we believe will be sufficient to make all payments due on our obligations and to meet other financial requirements, such as posting collateral. Contingent liquidity resources include: (1) sales of invested assets exposed to credit spread stress risk, which may occur at losses; (2) termination and settlement of interest rate swap agreements; and (3) accessing the capital markets. These actions, if taken, are expected to result in either additional liquidity or reduced exposure to adverse credit spread movements. There can be no assurance that these actions will be sufficient to fully mitigate this risk.

During 2019, we terminated a portion of our interest rate swaps. The termination amount paid in cash reflected the fair values of the swaps at the termination date and all collateral held by the counterparty to the interest rate swaps was returned to the Company. The termination of these swaps was executed to reduce future exposure to interest rate movements.

MBIA Corp. Liquidity

The primary sources of cash available to MBIA Corp. are:

• recoveries associated with insurance loss payments;

• installment premiums and fees; and

• principal and interest receipts on assets held in its investment portfolio, including the proceeds from the sale of assets.

The primary uses of cash by MBIA Corp. are:

• loss and LAE or commutation payments on insured transactions;

• repayment of the Refinanced Facility; and

• payments of operating expenses.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, MBIA Corp. held cash and investments of $230 million and $242 million, respectively, of which $124 million and $145 million, respectively, were cash and cash equivalents or liquid investments comprised of money market funds and municipal, U.S. Treasury and corporate bonds that were immediately available to MBIA Insurance Corporation.

Insured transactions that require payment in full of the principal insured at maturity could present liquidity risk for MBIA Corp., as any salvage recoveries from such payments could be recovered over an extended period of time after the payment of the principal amount. MBIA Corp. is generally required to satisfy claims within one to three business days, and as a result seeks to identify potential claims in advance through our monitoring process. In order to monitor liquidity risk and maintain appropriate liquidity resources, we use the same methodology as we use to monitor credit quality and losses within our insured portfolio, including stress scenarios. Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our loss process.

During 2019, MBIA Corp. collected $100 million from insured RMBS transactions related to excess spread recoveries. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Corp. has expected excess spread recoveries of $191 million, including recoveries related to consolidated VIEs. MBIA Corp. has also recorded expected recovery amounts related to its claims against Credit Suisse for ineligible mortgage loans and recoveries related to CDOs. There can be no assurance that we will be successful or not be delayed in realizing these recoveries.

During 2019, MBIA Corp. requested and was granted permission by the NYSDFS to prepay approximately $83 million of the MZ Funding Facility and the Refinanced Facility.

57

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

MBIA Corp. Financing Facility

In connection with the Refinanced Facility, original notes issued by MZ Funding on January 10, 2017 (the “Original MZ Funding Notes”) were redeemed or amended, as applicable, and the Senior Lenders purchased new senior notes issued by MZ Funding (the “Insured Senior Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $278 million. In addition, MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes issued by MZ Funding (the “Insured Subordinated Notes” and together with the Insured Senior Notes, the “New MZ Funding Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $54 million (with the New MZ Funding Notes replacing the Original MZ Funding Notes). The New MZ Funding Notes mature on January 20, 2022 and bear interest at 12% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. Interest on the New MZ Funding Notes are payable in cash, but may be payable in kind at the option of MBIA Corp.; however, proceeds of, or recoveries on, the collateral and the cash sweep amount (referred to below) must be used to pay interest or principal in cash.

Also, in connection with the refinance transaction, MZ Funding and MBIA Corp. entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “New Credit Agreement” and the loans thereunder, the “MBIA Loans”), pursuant to which MZ Funding lent the proceeds of the New MZ Funding Notes to MBIA Corp. to refinance the Original Credit Agreement. The maturity date of the New Credit Agreement and the New MZ Funding Notes is January 20, 2022. The MBIA Corp. Policies unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the timely payment of all principal and interest payments under the New MZ Funding Notes, which obligations are pari passu with the other insurance policy obligations of MBIA Corp., replacing the policies that had been issued on the Original MZ Funding Notes. The MBIA Corp. Policies are held for the benefit of all holders of the New MZ Funding Notes, the benefit of which is automatically transferred without any restriction to any new holder when such New MZ Funding Notes are transferred.

The Refinanced Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of MBIA Corp.’s right, title and interest in the recovery of its claims from the assets of Zohar I and Zohar II which include, among other things, loans made to, and equity interests in, certain portfolio companies purportedly controlled by the sponsor and former collateral manager of Zohar I and Zohar II (the “Zohar Sponsor”) and claims that may exist against the Zohar Sponsor. The monetization of the collateral is subject to the terms of a Settlement Agreement between, among other parties, MBIA Corp., the Zohar Sponsor, and the Zohar debtors, which was filed with and approved by the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware presiding over the chapter 11 cases of Zohar I and Zohar II.

If at the end of any fiscal quarter, MBIA Corp’s “Available Liquidity” (as defined in the Refinanced Facility) exceeds $100 million and MBIA Corp.’s “Statutory Surplus” (as defined in the Refinanced Facility) exceeds $250 million, MBIA Corp. will make a payment, subject to the approval, or non-disapproval, of the NYSDFS on the MBIA Loans in the amount by which the Available Liquidity exceeds $100 million. Any repayment of original principal on the MBIA Loans during the first 12 months will be subject to a make-whole payment, which effectively ensures that the Senior Lenders are entitled to 12% interest on the entire original principal amount of the Insured Senior Notes for one year. At any time that the MBIA Loans are repaid, MZ Funding is required to apply the repayment first to the payment of interest and principal on the Insured Senior Notes and, after the Insured Senior Notes are paid in full, to the payment of the Insured Subordinated Notes, subject to certain reimbursements payable to MBIA Corp.

Advances Agreement

MBIA Inc., National, MBIA Insurance Corporation and certain other affiliates are party to an intercompany advances agreement (the “MBIA Advances Agreement”). The MBIA Advances Agreement permits National to make advances to MBIA Inc. and other MBIA group companies that are party to the agreement at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 0.25%. The agreement also permits other affiliates to make advances to National or MBIA Insurance Corporation at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR minus 0.10%. Advances by National cannot exceed 3% of its net admitted assets as of the last quarter end. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no amounts drawn under the agreement.

58

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

Consolidated Cash Flows

Information about our consolidated cash flows by category is presented on our consolidated statements of cash flows. The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,						Percent Change
In millions	2019		2018		2017		2019 vs. 2018		2018 vs. 2017
Statement of cash flow data:
Net cash provided (used) by:
Operating activities	$	(368)	$	(319)	$	(652)		15%		-51%
Investing activities		1,267		1,206		1,202		5%		-%
Financing activities		(1,096)		(752)		(589)		46%		28%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—		(1)		(2)		-100%		-50%
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year		280		146		187		92%		-22%
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	83	$	280	$	146		-70%		92%

Operating activities

Net cash used by operating activities increased for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with 2018 primarily due to an increase in losses and LAE paid of $104 million and a decrease in premiums, fees and reimbursements received of $39 million, partially offset by an increase in proceeds from recoveries and reinsurance of $94 million.

Investing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities increased for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with 2018 primarily due to an increase in paydowns and maturities of AFS investments of $528 million and a decrease in purchases of AFS investments of $125 million, partially offset by a decrease in proceeds from short-term investment activity.

Financing activities

Net cash used by financing activities increased for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with 2018 primarily due to increases in principal paydowns of VIE notes of $167 million, principal paydowns of long-term debt of $150 million and purchases of treasury stock of $62 million, partially offset by a decrease in principal paydowns of MTNs of $28 million.

59

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

Investments

The following discussion of investments, including references to consolidated investments, excludes investments reported under “Assets of consolidated variable interest entities” on our consolidated balance sheets. Investments of VIEs support the repayment of VIE obligations and are not available to settle obligations of MBIA. Our AFS investments comprise high-quality fixed-income securities and short-term investments. Refer to “Note 8: Investments” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed discussion about our investments.

The following table presents our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

In millions	As of December 31, 2019		As of December 31, 2018		Percent Change
Available-for-sale investments:(1)
U.S. public finance insurance:
Amortized cost	$	2,051	$	2,704		-24%
Unrealized net gain (loss)		40		(64)		n/m
Fair value		2,091		2,640		-21%
Corporate:
Amortized cost		759		921		-18%
Unrealized net gain (loss)		63		24		n/m
Fair value		822		945		-13%
International and structured finance insurance:
Amortized cost		174		192		-9%
Unrealized net gain (loss)		12		4		n/m
Fair value		186		196		-5%
Total available-for-sale investments:
Amortized cost		2,984		3,817		-22%
Unrealized net gain (loss)		115		(36)		n/m
Total available-for-sale investments at fair value		3,099		3,781		-18%
Investments carried at fair value:(2)
U.S. public finance insurance		260		198		31%
Corporate		79		73		8%
International and structured finance insurance		24		19		26%
Total investments carried at fair value		363		290		25%
Other investments at amortized cost:
U.S. public finance insurance		—		1		-100%
Consolidated investments at carrying value	$	3,462	$	4,072		-15%

(1)—Unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

(2)—Changes in fair value and realized gains and losses from the sale of these investments are reflected in net income.

n/m—Percent change not meaningful.

The fair value of the Company’s investments is based on prices which include quoted prices in active markets and prices based on market-based inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable, as well as prices from dealers in relevant markets. Differences between fair value and amortized cost arise primarily as a result of changes in interest rates and general market credit spreads occurring after a fixed-income security is purchased, although other factors may also influence fair value, including specific credit-related changes, supply and demand forces and other market factors. When the Company holds an AFS investment to maturity, any unrealized gain or loss currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet is reversed. As a result, the Company would realize a value substantially equal to amortized cost. However, when investments are sold prior to maturity, the Company will realize any difference between amortized cost and the sale price of an investment as a realized gain or loss within its consolidated statements of operations.

60

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

Credit Quality

The credit quality distribution of the Company’s AFS fixed-maturity investment portfolios, excluding short-term investments, are based on ratings from Moody’s and alternate ratings sources, such as S&P or the best estimate of the ratings assigned by the Company, have been used for a small percentage of securities that are not rated by Moody’s. As of December 31, 2019, the weighted average credit quality ratings and percentage of investment grade of the Company’s AFS fixed-maturity investment portfolios, excluding short-term investments, are presented in the following table:

	U.S. Public Finance Insurance		Corporate		International and Structured Finance Insurance		Total
Weighted average credit quality ratings		Aa		Aa		Aa		Aa
Investment grade percentage		94%		99%		92%		95%

Insured Investments

MBIA’s consolidated investment portfolio includes investments that are insured by various financial guarantee insurers (“Insured Investments”), including investments insured by National and MBIA Corp. (“Company-Insured Investments”). When purchasing Insured Investments, the Company’s third-party portfolio manager independently assesses the underlying credit quality, structure and liquidity of each investment, in addition to the creditworthiness of the insurer. Insured Investments are diverse by sector, issuer and size of holding. The third-party portfolio manager assigns underlying ratings to Insured Investments without giving effect to financial guarantees based on underlying ratings assigned by Moody’s or S&P, when a rating is not published by Moody’s. When a Moody’s or S&P underlying rating is not available, the underlying rating is based on the portfolio manager’s best estimate of the rating of such investment. A downgrade of a financial guarantee insurer has historically had an adverse effect on the fair value of investments insured by the downgraded financial guarantee insurer. If the Company determines that declines in the fair values of Insured Investments are other-than-temporary, the Company will record a realized loss through earnings.

As of December 31, 2019, Insured Investments at fair value represented $190 million or 5% of consolidated investments, of which $165 million or 5% of consolidated investments were Company-Insured Investments. As of December 31, 2019, based on the actual or estimated underlying ratings of our consolidated investment portfolio, without giving effect to financial guarantees, the weighted average rating of only the Insured Investments in the investment portfolio would be in the below investment grade range. Without giving effect to the National and MBIA Corp. guarantees of the Company-Insured Investments in the consolidated investment portfolio, as of December 31, 2019, based on actual or estimated underlying ratings, the weighted average rating of the consolidated investment portfolio was in the Aa range. The weighted average rating of only the Company-Insured Investments was in the below investment grade range, and investments rated below investment grade in the Company-Insured Investments were 4% of the total consolidated investment portfolio.

61

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company’s future estimated cash payments relating to contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019. Estimating these payments requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding these obligations. The estimates and assumptions used by management are described below. Since these estimates and assumptions are subjective, actual payments in future periods may vary from those reported in the following table. Refer to “Note 13: Insurance in Force” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the Company’s exposure under insurance contracts. 

	As of December 31, 2019
In millions	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		Thereafter		Total
U.S. public finance insurance segment:
Gross insurance claim obligations(1)	$	2	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	3
Lease liability		3		3		3		3		3		17		32
Corporate segment:
Long-term debt		27		27		141		20		20		381		616
Investment agreements		46		11		11		29		35		314		446
Medium-term notes		5		5		62		18		118		741		949
International and structured finance insurance segment:
Surplus notes		965		125		125		125		125		1,968		3,433
Gross insurance claim obligations(1)		109		32		29		25		24		1,075		1,294
MBIA Corp. Financing Facility		30		30		251		—		—		—		311
Total	$	1,187	$	234	$	622	$	220	$	325	$	4,496	$	7,084

(1)—Amounts on certain policies are presented net of expected recoveries. Excludes intercompany reinsurance agreements.

Gross insurance claim obligations represent the future value of probability-weighted payments MBIA expects to make (before reinsurance and the consolidation of VIEs) under insurance policies for which the Company has recorded loss reserves (financial guarantees) or has estimated credit impairments (insured derivatives). Certain policies included in gross insurance claim obligations are presented net of expected recoveries. The discounted value of estimated payments included in the table, along with probability-weighted estimated recoveries and estimated negotiated early settlements, on policies accounted for as financial guarantee insurance contracts is reported as case basis reserves within “Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Insured derivatives are recorded at fair value and reported within “Derivative liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Estimated potential claim payments on obligations issued by VIEs consolidated in our international and structured finance insurance segment are included within “Gross insurance claim obligations” in the preceding table. Obligations of these VIEs are collateralized by assets held by the VIEs, and investors in such obligations do not have recourse to the general credit of MBIA. As of December 31, 2019, VIE notes issued by issuer-sponsored consolidated VIEs totaled $1.5 billion, including $403 million recorded at fair value, and are not considered contractual obligations of MBIA beyond MBIA’s insurance claim obligation. The Company’s involvement with VIEs is continually reassessed as required by consolidation guidance, and may result in consolidation or deconsolidation of VIEs in future periods. As the Company consolidates and deconsolidates VIEs, the amount of VIE debt obligations recorded on its balance sheet may change significantly.

Long-term debt, investment agreements, MTNs, surplus notes and the MBIA Corp. Financing Facility include principal and interest and exclude premiums or discounts. Liabilities issued at discounts reflect principal due at maturity. Interest payments on floating rate obligations are estimated using applicable forward rates. Principal and interest on callable obligations or obligations that allow investors to withdraw funds prior to legal maturity are based on the expected call or withdrawal dates of such obligations. Liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are presented in U.S. dollars using applicable exchange rates as of December 31, 2019.

62

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

LIQUIDITY (continued)

Included in international and structured finance insurance segment’s surplus notes for 2020 is $871 million of unpaid interest related to the 2013 through 2019 interest payments in which MBIA Insurance Corporation’s requests for approval to pay was not approved by the NYSDFS. This deferred interest payment will be due on the first business day on or after which MBIA Insurance Corporation obtains approval to make such payment. No interest will accrue on the deferred interest. There can be no assurance that the NYSDFS will approve any subsequent payments, or that it will approve any payment by the scheduled interest payment date. Refer to “Capital Resources – MBIA Insurance Corporation” section for additional information on MBIA Insurance Corporation’s surplus notes and statutory capital. Principal payments under investment agreements are based on expected withdrawal dates. All other principal payments are based on contractual maturity dates.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s market risk exposures relate to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and credit spreads that affect the fair value of its financial instruments, primarily investment securities, MTNs and investment agreement liabilities. The Company’s investments are primarily U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income securities including municipal bonds, U.S. government bonds, corporate bonds, MBS and asset-backed securities. In periods of rising and/or volatile interest rates, foreign exchange rates and credit spreads, profitability could be adversely affected should the Company have to liquidate these securities. The Company minimizes its exposure to interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and credit spread movement through active portfolio management to ensure a proper mix of the types of securities held and to stagger the maturities of its fixed-income securities.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

Interest rate sensitivity can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical instantaneous increase or decrease in interest rates. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 from instantaneous shifts in interest rates:

	Change in Interest Rates
In millions	300 Basis Point Decrease		200 Basis Point Decrease		100 Basis Point Decrease		100 Basis Point Increase		200 Basis Point Increase		300 Basis Point Increase
Estimated change in fair value	$	263	$	150	$	66	$	(54)	$	(97)	$	(133)

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE SENSITIVITY

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange rate risk in respect of liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Certain liabilities included in our corporate segment are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. The majority of the Company’s foreign exchange rate risks is with the Euro. Foreign exchange rate sensitivity can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical instantaneous increase or decrease in foreign exchange rates. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 from instantaneous shifts in foreign exchange rates:

	Change in Foreign Exchange Rates
	Dollar Weakens				Dollar Strengthens
In millions	20%		10%		10%		20%
Estimated change in fair value	$	(66)	$	(33)	$	33	$	66

63

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (continued)

CREDIT SPREAD SENSITIVITY

Credit spread sensitivity can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical instantaneous increase or decrease in credit spreads. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 from instantaneous shifts in credit spread curves. It was assumed that all credit spreads move by the same amount. It is more likely that the actual changes in credit spreads will vary by security. The changes in fair value reflect partially offsetting effects as the value of the investment portfolios generally changes in an opposite direction from the liability portfolio:

	Change in Credit Spreads
In millions	50 Basis Point Decrease		50 Basis Point Increase		200 Basis Point Increase
Estimated change in fair value	$	16	$	(16)	$	(61)

64

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	66
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018	69
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	70
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	71
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	72
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017	73
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	74
Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties	74
Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies	77
Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements	83
Note 4: Variable Interest Entities	85
Note 5: Insurance Premiums	88
Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves	90
Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments	99
Note 8: Investments	113
Note 9: Derivative Instruments	120
Note 10: Debt	124
Note 11: Income Taxes	127
Note 12: Business Segments	130
Note 13: Insurance in Force	134
Note 14: Insurance Regulations and Dividends	138
Note 15: Benefit Plans	139
Note 16: Earnings Per Share	142
Note 17: Common and Preferred Stock	143
Note 18: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	144
Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies	145

Refer to “Item 6. Selected Financial Data” for Supplementary Financial Information

65

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of MBIA Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

66

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Certain Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (LAE) Reserves and Insurance Loss Recoverable

As described in Notes 1, 2 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, management recognizes loss reserves on a contract-by-contract basis when the present value of probability-weighted expected net cash outflows to be paid under the contract discounted using a risk-free rate as of the measurement date exceeds the unearned premium revenue. Management estimates the likelihood of possible claim payments and possible recoveries of such claim payments using probability-weighted expected cash flows based on information available as of the measurement date, including market information. As of December 31, 2019, total loss and LAE reserves were $901 million. A portion of the total loss and LAE reserves relates to residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS) and exposures to insured debt obligations of Puerto Rico. The establishment of the appropriate level of loss reserves is an uncertain process involving numerous assumptions, estimates and subjective judgments by management that depend primarily on the nature of the underlying insured obligation, including 1) the nature and creditworthiness of the issuers of the insured obligations, 2) expected recovery rates on unsecured obligations, 3) the projected cash flow or market value of any assets pledged as collateral on secured obligations, 4) the expected rates of recovery, cash flow or market values on such obligations or assets, 5) economic conditions and trends, 6) political developments, 7) the extent to which sellers/servicers comply with the representations or warranties made in connection therewith, 8) levels of interest rates, 9) borrower behavior, 10) the default rate and salvage values of specific collateral, 11) management’s ability to enforce contractual rights through litigation and otherwise, including the collection of contractual interest on claim payments, and 12) management’s remediation strategy for an insured obligation that has defaulted or is expected to default. In addition, management recognizes potential recoveries on paid claims based on probability-weighted net cash inflows present valued at applicable risk-free rates as of the measurement date. As of December 31, 2019, total insurance loss recoverable was $1,694 million. As disclosed by management, a portion of the total insurance loss recoverable relates to RMBS excess spread recoverables, recoverables on paid Puerto Rico losses, and recoverables from claims paid in respect of insured notes issued by Zohar CDO 2003-1, Limited (“Zohar I”) and Zohar II 2005-1, Limited (“Zohar II”). Excess spread within insured RMBS securitizations is the difference between interest inflows on mortgage loan collateral and interest outflows on the insured RMBS notes. The aggregate amount of excess spread depends on the future loss trends, which include 1) future delinquency trends, 2) average time to charge-off/liquidate delinquent loans, 3) the future spread between Prime and the LIBOR interest rates, and 4) subsequent recoveries on previously charged-off loans associated with insured second-lien RMBS securitizations. For recoverables on paid Puerto Rico losses, the estimates include assumptions related to 1) economic conditions and trends (such as Puerto Rico’s structural budget imbalance, the lack of access to the capital markets, a stagnating local economy, net migration of people out of Puerto Rico and a high debt burden), 2) political developments, 3) the Company’s ability to enforce contractual rights through litigation and otherwise, 4) management’s discussions with other creditors and the obligors and any existing proposals, and 5) the remediation strategy for an insured obligation that has defaulted or is expected to default. As disclosed by management, for the estimated insurance loss recoverable for Zohar I and Zohar II, the primary source of the recoveries will come from the monetization of the loans made to, and equity interests in, companies purportedly controlled by the sponsor and former collateral manager of Zohar I and Zohar II. Management’s estimate of the insurance loss recoverable for Zohar I and Zohar II includes probability-weighted scenarios of the ultimate monetized recovery from the Zohar I and Zohar II assets.

67

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the estimation of certain loss and LAE reserves and insurance loss recoverable is a critical audit matter are (i) there was significant judgment by management in determining the estimates for the loss and LAE reserves and insurance loss recoverable related to RMBS, Puerto Rico, and recoveries on paid claims related to the Zohar I and Zohar II assets, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor subjectivity and judgment in performing procedures related to these estimates; (ii) there was significant audit effort and judgment in evaluating the audit evidence relating to the aforementioned assumptions, cash flow models, estimates and subjective judgments; and (iii) our audit effort included the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the estimation of certain loss and LAE reserves and insurance loss recoverable, including controls over the cash flow models and the development of significant assumptions. These procedures, for a sample of contracts, also included, among others, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in i) independently estimating a range of net cash flows that support the estimation of loss and LAE reserves and insurance loss recoverable related to RMBS and the Zohar I and Zohar II assets, using industry data and other benchmarks, and comparing the independently estimated range to management’s projected net cash flows; and ii) for the portion of loss and LAE reserves and insurance loss recoverable related to Puerto Rico, evaluating the appropriateness of management’s cash flow models and the reasonableness of the aforementioned assumptions. Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s estimates involved testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management.

Valuation of Assets of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”): Loan Repurchase Commitments

As described in Notes 6 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes potential recoveries on paid claims based on probability-weighted cash inflows present valued at applicable risk-free rates as of the measurement date. A portion of the Company’s potential recoveries on paid claims relate to second-lien put-back claims relating to the inclusion of ineligible loans in insured securitizations. The Company consolidates the related RMBS securitization as a VIE and, therefore, eliminates its estimate of recoveries from its insurance accounting and reflects such recoveries in its accounting for the loan repurchase commitments asset of the VIE using a measurement process similar to that used for insurance accounting. As of December 31, 2019, loan repurchase commitments were $486 million. Fair values of loan repurchase commitments are determined using discounted cash flow models. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s loan repurchase commitments of consolidated VIEs are breach rates, which represent the percentage of ineligible loans held within a trust, and recovery rates, which reflect the estimate of future cash receipts including legal risk in the enforcement of the Company’s contractual rights.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of assets of consolidated VIEs: loan repurchase commitments is a critical audit matter are (i) there was significant judgment by management when determining the estimate, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor subjectivity and judgment in performing procedures related to the valuation of assets of consolidated VIEs: loan repurchase commitments; and (ii) there was significant audit effort and judgment in evaluating the audit evidence relating to the aforementioned assumptions, cash flow model and estimates.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the Company’s valuation of assets of consolidated VIEs: loan repurchase commitments, including controls over the cash flow model and the development of the significant assumptions. These procedures also included, among others, evaluating the appropriateness of management’s cash flow model and the reasonableness of the aforementioned assumptions. Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s estimate involved testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 27, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1986. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor of the Company.

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions except share and per share amounts)

	December 31,  2019			December 31,  2018
Assets
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,705 and $3,601)	$	2,820		$	3,565
Investments carried at fair value		209			222
Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $15 and $46)		10			43
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $423 and $241)		423			241
Other investments at amortized cost		—			1
Total investments		3,462			4,072
Cash and cash equivalents		75			222
Premiums receivable		249			296
Deferred acquisition costs		60			74
Insurance loss recoverable		1,694			1,595
Other assets		115			122
Assets of consolidated variable interest entities:
Cash		8			58
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $892 and $925)		890			890
Investments carried at fair value		83			157
Loans receivable at fair value		136			172
Loan repurchase commitments		486			418
Other assets		26			31
Total assets	$	7,284		$	8,107
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities:
Unearned premium revenue	$	482		$	587
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		901			965
Long-term debt		2,228			2,249
Medium-term notes (includes financial instruments carried at fair value of $108 and $102)		680			722
Investment agreements		304			311
Derivative liabilities		175			199
Other liabilities		136			198
Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:
Variable interest entity notes (includes financial instruments carried at fair value of $403 and $480)		1,539			1,744
Total liabilities		6,445			6,975
Commitments and contingencies (Refer to Note 19)
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares—10,000,000; issued and outstanding—none		—			—
Common stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares—400,000,000; issued shares—283,433,401 and 283,625,689		283			284
Additional paid-in capital		2,999			3,025
Retained earnings		607			966
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $8 and $8		(2	)		(156	)
Treasury stock, at cost—204,000,108 and 193,803,976 shares		(3,061	)		(3,000	)
Total shareholders’ equity of MBIA Inc.		826			1,119
Preferred stock of subsidiary		13			13
Total equity		839			1,132
Total liabilities and equity	$	7,284		$	8,107

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions except share and per share amounts)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Revenues:
Premiums earned:
Scheduled premiums earned	$	68		$	114		$	107
Refunding premiums earned		17			48			94
Premiums earned (net of ceded premiums of $5, $5 and $6)		85			162			201
Net investment income		114			130			154
Fees and reimbursements		1			25			15
Change in fair value of insured derivatives:
Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives		(10	)		(56	)		(51	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives		25			31			—
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		15			(25	)		(51	)
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		52			(17	)		(24	)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		—			—			(101	)
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(67	)		(5	)		(5	)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(67	)		(5	)		(106	)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		(1	)		3			28
Other net realized gains (losses)		4			—			31
Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities:
Net investment income		34			35			27
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		105			25			130
Other net realized gains (losses)		(62	)		(171	)		28
Total revenues		280			162			433
Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment		242			63			683
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs		11			20			23
Operating		92			71			106
Interest		201			206			197
Expenses of consolidated variable interest entities:
Operating		9			11			10
Interest		82			87			75
Total expenses		637			458			1,094
Income (loss) before income taxes		(357	)		(296	)		(661	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		2			—			944
Net income (loss)	$	(359	)	$	(296	)	$	(1,605	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(4.43	)	$	(3.33	)	$	(13.50	)
Diluted	$	(4.43	)	$	(3.33	)	$	(13.50	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		81,014,285			89,013,711			118,930,282
Diluted		81,014,285			89,013,711			118,930,282

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In millions)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Net income (loss)	$	(359	)	$	(296	)	$	(1,605	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		139			(60	)		(22	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		—			5			(1	)
Total		139			(65	)		(21	)
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)		(13	)		(5	)		2
Available-for-sale securities with other-than-temporary impairments:
Other-than-temporary impairments and unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		—			41			(3	)
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)		25			5			7
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		—			—			1
Total		25			5			6
Foreign currency translation:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)		—			2			146
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		—			—			21
Total		—			2			125
Instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities measured at fair value:
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		(25	)		52			—
Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)		28			—			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		154			30			109
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(205	)	$	(266	)	$	(1,496	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

(In millions except share amounts)

	2019			2018			2017
Common shares
Balance at beginning of year		283,625,689			283,717,973			283,989,999
Common shares issued (cancelled), net		(192,288	)		(92,284	)		(272,026	)
Balance at end of year		283,433,401			283,625,689			283,717,973
Common stock amount
Balance at beginning and end of year	$	284		$	284		$	284
Period change		(1	)		—			—
Balance at end of period	$	283		$	284		$	284
Additional paid-in capital
Balance at beginning of year	$	3,025		$	3,171		$	3,160
Treasury shares issued for warrant exercises		—			(21	)		—
Share-based compensation		(26	)		(125	)		11
Balance at end of year	$	2,999		$	3,025		$	3,171
Retained earnings
Balance at beginning of year	$	966		$	1,095		$	2,700
ASU 2016-01 transition adjustment		—			164			—
ASU 2018-02 transition adjustment		—			3			—
Net income (loss)		(359	)		(296	)		(1,605	)
Balance at end of year	$	607		$	966		$	1,095
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at beginning of year	$	(156	)	$	(19	)	$	(128	)
ASU 2016-01 transition adjustment		—			(164	)		—
ASU 2018-02 transition adjustment		—			(3	)		—
Other comprehensive income (loss)		154			30			109
Balance at end of year	$	(2	)	$	(156	)	$	(19	)
Treasury shares
Balance at beginning of year		(193,803,976	)		(192,233,526	)		(148,789,168	)
Treasury shares issued for warrant exercises		—			1,277,620			—
Treasury shares acquired under share repurchase program		(11,098,995	)		(5,842,567	)		(43,041,651	)
Share-based compensation		902,863			2,994,497			(402,707	)
Balance at end of year		(204,000,108	)		(193,803,976	)		(192,233,526	)
Treasury stock amount
Balance at beginning of year	$	(3,000	)	$	(3,118	)	$	(2,789	)
Treasury shares issued for warrant exercises		—			34			—
Treasury shares acquired under share repurchase program		(101	)		(48	)		(325	)
Share-based compensation		40			132			(4	)
Balance at end of year	$	(3,061	)	$	(3,000	)	$	(3,118	)
Total shareholders’ equity of MBIA Inc.
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,119		$	1,413		$	3,227
Period change		(293	)		(294	)		(1,814	)
Balance at end of year	$	826		$	1,119		$	1,413
Preferred stock of subsidiary shares
Balance at beginning and end of year		1,315			1,315			1,315
Preferred stock of subsidiary amount
Balance at beginning of year	$	13		$	12		$	12
Period change		—			1			—
Balance at end of year		13			13			12
Total equity	$	839		$	1,132		$	1,425

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Premiums, fees and reimbursements received	$	47		$	86		$	61
Investment income received		176			205			248
Insured derivative commutations and losses paid		(11	)		(56	)		(52	)
Financial guarantee losses and loss adjustment expenses paid		(489	)		(385	)		(768	)
Proceeds from recoveries and reinsurance		155			61			170
Operating and employee related expenses paid		(77	)		(83	)		(130	)
Interest paid, net of interest converted to principal		(180	)		(146	)		(177	)
Income taxes (paid) received		11			(1	)		(4	)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		(368	)		(319	)		(652	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investments		(2,140	)		(2,265	)		(1,811	)
Sales of available-for-sale investments		2,195			2,117			2,256
Paydowns and maturities of available-for-sale investments		857			329			568
Purchases of investments at fair value		(151	)		(189	)		(263	)
Sales, paydowns and maturities of investments at fair value		617			212			326
Sales, paydowns and maturities (purchases) of short-term investments, net		(157	)		420			(67	)
Paydowns and maturities of loans receivable and other instruments at fair value		74			614			259
Consolidation of variable interest entities		72			—			18
Deconsolidation of variable interest entities		(2	)		(7	)		—
(Payments) proceeds for derivative settlements		(98	)		(24	)		(64	)
Collateral (to) from counterparties		—			—			4
Capital expenditures		—			(1	)		(1	)
Other investing		—			—			(23	)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		1,267			1,206			1,202
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from investment agreements		15			12			17
Principal paydowns of investment agreements		(25	)		(37	)		(75	)
Principal paydowns of medium-term notes		(57	)		(85	)		(157	)
Proceeds from the MBIA Corp. Financing Facility		—			—			328
Principal paydowns of variable interest entity notes		(765	)		(598	)		(368	)
Principal paydowns of long-term debt		(150	)		—			—
Purchases of treasury stock		(106	)		(44	)		(330	)
Other financing		(8	)		—			(4	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(1,096	)		(752	)		(589	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			(1	)		(2	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(197	)		134			(41	)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year		280			146			187
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	83		$	280		$	146
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(359	)	$	(296	)	$	(1,605	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Change in:
Premiums receivable		62			60			49
Deferred acquisition costs		12			21			22
Accrued investment income		20			8			11
Unearned premium revenue		(105	)		(165	)		(206	)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		—			(46	)		778
Insurance loss recoverable		(99	)		(213	)		(681	)
Accrued interest payable		106			157			116
Accrued expenses		12			(9	)		(29	)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		67			5			106
Unrealized (gains) losses on insured derivatives		(25	)		(31	)		—
Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(157	)		(8	)		(106	)
Other net realized (gains) losses		58			171			(59	)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		13			—			940
Interest on variable interest entities, net		(3	)		17			35
Other operating		30			10			(23	)
Total adjustments to net income (loss)		(9	)		(23	)		953
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	(368	)	$	(319	)	$	(652	)
Supplementary Disclosure of Consolidated Cash Flow Information
Non-cash investing activities:
Non-cash consideration received from the sale of MBIA UK Insurance Limited	$	—		$	—		$	332

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties

Summary

MBIA Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, (collectively, “MBIA” or the “Company”) operates within the financial guarantee insurance industry. MBIA manages three operating segments: 1) United States (“U.S.”) public finance insurance; 2) corporate; and 3) international and structured finance insurance. The Company’s U.S. public finance insurance business is managed through National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation (“National”), the corporate segment is operated through MBIA Inc. and several of its subsidiaries, including its service company, MBIA Services Corporation (“MBIA Services”) and its international and structured finance insurance business is primarily operated through MBIA Insurance Corporation and its subsidiaries (“MBIA Corp.”). Effective on January 10, 2017, MBIA Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MBIA UK (Holdings) Limited, sold its operating subsidiary, MBIA UK Insurance Limited (“MBIA UK”), to Assured Guaranty Corp. (“Assured”), a subsidiary of Assured Guaranty Ltd. Refer below for a further discussion of the sale of MBIA UK. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to “MBIA Corp.” are (i) for any references relating to the period ended January 10, 2017, to MBIA Insurance Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, MBIA UK, and MBIA Mexico S.A. de C.V. (“MBIA Mexico”) and (ii) for any references relating to the period after January 10, 2017, to MBIA Insurance Corporation together with MBIA Mexico.

Refer to “Note 12: Business Segments” for further information about the Company’s operating segments.

Business Developments

Puerto Rico

During 2019, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and certain of its instrumentalities (“Puerto Rico”) defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $393 million. On January 1, 2020, Puerto Rico also defaulted on scheduled debt service for National insured bonds and National paid gross claims in the aggregate of $59 million. As of December 31, 2019, National had $3.3 billion of debt service outstanding related to Puerto Rico. Refer to the “Risks and Uncertainties” section below for additional information on the Company’s Puerto Rico exposures.

COFINA Plan of Adjustment

In February of 2019, the Title III Court confirmed the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (“COFINA”) Plan of Adjustment, including the settlement agreement between Puerto Rico and COFINA. National insured bondholders were given the option of commuting their insurance policy and receiving uninsured COFINA bonds or placing their new uninsured COFINA bonds into the National Custodial Trusts (the “Trusts”), receive Trust certificates and continue to benefit from a National insurance policy. The Trusts were consolidated as variable interest entities (“VIEs”) within the U.S. public finance segment during 2019. Refer to “Note 4: Variable Interest Entities” for additional information about the COFINA VIEs. Since the closing date and initial distribution of cash and bonds, all of the uninsured bonds held in the Trusts were sold and the proceeds were used to reduce National’s obligations under its original insurance policies. In December of 2019, in the absence of additional bonds to sell from the Trusts, National elected to make a voluntary additional payment in the amount of $66 million with the effect of simultaneously reducing the Trust’s obligations to zero and satisfying in full the obligations under its original insurance policies.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

PREPA RSA

In September of 2019, National agreed to join the restructuring support agreement, as amended (“RSA”), with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), other monoline insurers, a group of uninsured PREPA bondholders, Puerto Rico, and the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico. The restructuring transaction described in the RSA is intended to, among other things, provide a framework for the consensual resolution of the treatment of National’s insured PREPA revenue bonds in PREPA’s recovery plan. Upon consummation of the restructuring transaction, PREPA’s revenue bonds will be exchanged into new securitization bonds issued by a special purpose entity and secured by a segregated transition charge assessed on customer’s electricity bills. The debt restructuring contemplated by the RSA will not be effective until (i) confirmation of a plan of adjustment under PROMESA, (ii) negotiation and consummation of definitive documentation and legal opinions, (iii) enactment and implementation of supportive Puerto Rico legislation and (iv) receipt of Puerto Rico regulatory approval, each of which outcome is uncertain and subject to varying degrees of risk.

MBIA Corp. Financing Facility

In July of 2019, MBIA Corp. consummated a financing facility (the “Refinanced Facility”) between MZ Funding LLC (“MZ Funding”) and certain purchasers, pursuant to which the purchasers or their affiliates (collectively, the “Senior Lenders”), agreed to refinance the outstanding insured senior notes of MZ Funding, and MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes of MZ Funding. In connection with the refinancing transaction, MZ Funding and MBIA Corp. entered into an amended and restated credit agreement. MBIA Corp. issued new financial guarantee insurance policies insuring the Refinanced Facility. Refer to “Note 10: Debt” for further information on the Refinanced Facility.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company’s financial statements include estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The outcome of certain significant risks and uncertainties could cause the Company to revise its estimates and assumptions or could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s estimates. The discussion below highlights the significant risks and uncertainties that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements and business objectives in future periods.

U.S. Public Finance Market Conditions

National continues to monitor and remediate its existing insured portfolio and may also pursue strategic alternatives that could enhance shareholder value. Certain state and local governments and territory obligors that National insures are under financial and budgetary stress. This could lead to an increase in defaults by such entities on the payment of their obligations and losses or impairments on a greater number of National’s insured transactions. National monitors and analyzes these situations and other stressed credits closely, and the overall extent and duration of this stress is uncertain.

Puerto Rico is experiencing significant fiscal stress and constrained liquidity due to, among other things, Puerto Rico’s structural budget imbalance, the lack of access to the capital markets, a stagnating local economy, net migration of people out of Puerto Rico and a high debt burden. Puerto Rico continues in its efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and to otherwise recover from the impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017, aided in part by Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies. As part of the Title III proceedings under Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”), Puerto Rico submitted several draft fiscal plans and an independent Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (“Oversight Board”) voted to certify the most recent fiscal plan. The current plan, or any revisions thereto, can provide no assurance that National will fully recover past amounts paid or future amounts that may be covered under its insurance policies. In addition, the extent and duration of such aid is inherently uncertain, and the necessary and greater involvement of the federal government, through its actions to deliver disaster relief and other support services, in addition to the role of the Oversight Board and the role of Puerto Rico in its own recovery, heightens political risk in connection with the restructuring of legacy debt. This risk could lead the Oversight Board, Puerto Rico or the federal government to seek to extract greater concessions from creditors based on the uncertainty of Puerto Rico’s long term recovery prospects. In this event, losses at National on select Puerto Rico exposures could increase materially.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

MBIA Corp. Insured Portfolio

MBIA Corp.’s primary objectives are to satisfy all claims by its policyholders and to maximize future recoveries, if any, for its senior lending and surplus note holders, and then its preferred stock holders. MBIA Corp. is executing this strategy by, among other things, pursuing various actions focused on maximizing the collection of recoveries and by reducing potential losses on its insurance exposures. MBIA Corp.’s insured portfolio performance could deteriorate and result in additional significant loss reserves and claim payments. MBIA Corp.’s ability to meet its obligations is limited by available liquidity and its ability to secure additional liquidity through financing and other transactions. There can be no assurance that MBIA Corp. will be successful in generating sufficient resources to meet its obligations.

Zohar and RMBS Recoveries

Payment of claims on MBIA Corp.’s policies insuring the Class A-1 and A-2 notes issued by Zohar CDO 2003-1, Limited (“Zohar I”) and Zohar II 2005-1, Limited (“Zohar II”), entitles MBIA Corp. to reimbursement of such amounts plus interest and expenses and/or to exercise certain rights and remedies to seek recovery of such amounts. MBIA Corp. anticipates that the primary source of the recoveries will come from the monetization of the assets of Zohar I and Zohar II, which include, among other things, loans made to, and equity interests in, companies purportedly controlled by the sponsor and former collateral manager of Zohar I and Zohar II (the “Zohar Sponsor”) (all the assets of Zohar I and Zohar II, the “Zohar Assets”). There can be no assurance that the value of the Zohar Assets will be sufficient to permit MBIA Corp. to recover all or substantially all of the payments it made on Zohar I and Zohar II.

MBIA Corp. also projects to collect excess spread from insured residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), and to recover proceeds from Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. (collectively, “Credit Suisse”) arising from its failure to repurchase ineligible loans that were included in a Credit Suisse sponsored RMBS transaction. However, the amount and timing of these recoveries and collections are uncertain.

Failure to collect its expected recoveries could impede MBIA Corp.’s ability to make payments when due on other policies. MBIA Corp. believes that if the New York State Department of Financial Services (“NYSDFS”) concludes at any time that MBIA Insurance Corporation will not be able to pay its policyholder claims, the NYSDFS would likely put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding under Article 74 of the New York Insurance Law (“NYIL”) and/or take such other actions as the NYSDFS may deem necessary to protect the interests of MBIA Insurance Corporation’s policyholders. The determination to commence such a proceeding or take other such actions is within the exclusive control of the NYSDFS.

Given the separation of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. as distinct legal entities, the absence of any cross defaults between the entities and the lack of reliance by MBIA Inc. on MBIA Corp. for dividends, the Company does not believe that a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding with respect to MBIA Insurance Corporation would have any significant liquidity impact on MBIA Inc. Such a proceeding could have material adverse consequences for MBIA Corp., including the termination of insured credit default swaps (“CDS”) and other derivative contracts for which counterparties may assert market-based claims, the acceleration of debt obligations issued by affiliates and insured by MBIA Corp., the loss of control of MBIA Insurance Corporation to a rehabilitator or liquidator, and unplanned costs.

Refer to “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” for additional information about MBIA Corp.’s recoveries.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

Corporate Liquidity

Based on the Company’s projections of National’s dividends and other cash inflows, including potential additional releases under its tax sharing agreement and related tax escrow account (“Tax Escrow Account”), the Company expects that MBIA Inc. will have sufficient cash to satisfy its debt service and general corporate needs. However, MBIA Inc. continues to have liquidity risk that could be caused by interruption of or reduction in dividends or tax payments received from operating subsidiaries, deterioration in the performance of invested assets, impaired access to the capital markets, as well as other factors, which are not anticipated at this time. Furthermore, failure by MBIA Inc. to settle liabilities that are insured by MBIA Corp. could result in claims on MBIA Corp.

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). 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 and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at 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. As additional information becomes available or actual amounts become determinable, the recorded estimates are revised and reflected in operating results.

Certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation. This includes a presentation of the Company’s insurance loss recoverable and its loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves. Refer to “Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses” below for additional information.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MBIA Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether an entity is a voting interest entity or a VIE. 

Voting interest entities are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable an entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. Voting interest entities are consolidated when the Company has a majority voting interest.

VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. The consolidation of a VIE is required if an entity has a variable interest (such as an equity or debt investment, a beneficial interest, a guarantee, a written put option or a similar obligation) and that variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in the VIE. A controlling financial interest is present when an enterprise has both (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The enterprise with the controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, is required to consolidate the VIE. The Company consolidates all VIEs in which it is the primary beneficiary. The Company elected to apply the fair value option to all financial assets and financial liabilities of certain consolidated VIEs on a VIE-by-VIE basis. Refer to “Note 4: Variable Interest Entities” for additional information.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Investments

The Company classifies its investments as available-for-sale (“AFS”), held-to-maturity (“HTM”), or trading. AFS investments are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred income taxes, reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) in shareholders’ equity. Short-term investments held as AFS include all fixed-maturity securities with a remaining maturity of less than one year at the date of purchase, commercial paper and money market securities. Realized gains and losses from the sales of AFS securities are reflected in earnings as part of “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange.” HTM investments are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost. Debt securities are classified as HTM investments when the Company has the ability and intent to hold such investments to maturity. Investment income is recorded as earned. Bond discounts and premiums are amortized using the effective yield method over the remaining term of the securities and reported in “Net investment income.” For mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”), discounts and premiums are amortized using the retrospective method. Realized gains and losses represent the difference between the amortized cost value and the sale proceeds. Investments carried at fair value or classified as trading are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value and changes in fair value and realized gains and losses from the sales of these securities are reflected in earnings as part of “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange.” Investments carried at fair value consist of certain investments elected under the fair value option.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Investments

The Company’s consolidated statements of operations reflect the full impairment (the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and fair value) on debt securities in unrealized loss positions that the Company intends to sell or would more likely than not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For AFS and HTM debt securities that management has no intent to sell and believes that it is more likely than not such securities will not be required to be sold prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings. For AFS securities, the remaining fair value loss is recognized in AOCI, net of applicable deferred income taxes.

The Company’s AFS and HTM securities for which the fair value is less than amortized cost are reviewed no less than quarterly in order to determine whether a credit loss exists. This evaluation includes both qualitative and quantitative considerations. In assessing whether a decline in value is related to a credit loss, the Company considers several factors, including but not limited to (a) the magnitude and duration of the decline, (b) credit indicators and the reasons for the decline, such as general interest rate or credit spread movements, credit rating downgrades, issuer-specific changes in credit spreads, and the financial condition of the issuer, and (c) any guarantees associated with a security such as those provided by financial guarantee insurance companies. Credit loss expectations for ABS and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) are assessed using discounted cash flow modeling, and the recoverability of amortized cost for corporate obligations is generally assessed using issuer-specific credit analyses. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, and deposits with banks with original maturities of less than three months.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

The Company deferred acquisition costs that were directly related to new or renewal insurance business. Acquisition costs are costs to acquire an insurance contract which result directly from and are essential to the insurance contracts transaction and would not have been incurred by the Company had the contract transaction not occurred. Acquisition costs include compensation of employees involved in underwriting, certain rating agency fees, state premium taxes and certain other underwriting expenses, reduced by ceding commission income on premiums ceded to reinsurers. Acquisition costs also included ceding commissions paid by the Company in connection with assuming business from other financial guarantors. Acquisition costs, net of ceding commissions received, related to non-derivative insured financial guarantee transactions are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Derivatives

Derivative instruments are reported at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities depending on the rights or obligations under the contract, and changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” or “Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives” depending on the nature of the derivative. The net change in the fair value of the Company’s insured derivatives has two primary components: (i) realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives and (ii) unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives. “Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives” include (i) premiums received and receivable on sold CDS contracts, (ii) premiums paid and payable to reinsurers in respect to CDS contracts, (iii) net amounts received or paid on reinsurance commutations, (iv) losses paid and payable to CDS contract counterparties due to the occurrence of a credit event or settlement agreement, (v) losses recovered and recoverable on purchased CDS contracts due to the occurrence of a credit event or settlement agreement and (vi) fees relating to CDS contracts. “Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives” include all other changes in the fair values of the insured derivative contracts.

In certain instances, the Company purchased or issued securities that contain embedded derivatives that were separated from the host contract and accounted for as derivative instruments. In addition, the Company elected to record at fair value certain financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative that would have otherwise required bifurcation from the host contract and been accounted for separately as a derivative instrument. These hybrid financial instruments included certain medium-term notes (“MTNs”) and certain AFS securities. The Company elected to fair value these hybrid financial instruments in their entirety given the complexity of bifurcating the embedded derivatives.

Refer to “Note 9: Derivative Instruments” for a further discussion of the Company’s use of derivatives and their impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and “Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for derivative valuation techniques and fair value disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements—Definition and Hierarchy

The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement of financial instruments held or issued by the Company are determined through the use of observable market data when available. Market data is obtained from a variety of third-party sources, including dealer quotes. If dealer quotes are not available for an instrument that is infrequently traded, the Company uses alternate valuation methods, including either dealer quotes for similar instruments or pricing models that use market data inputs. The use of alternate valuation methods generally requires considerable judgment in the application of estimates and assumptions and changes to such estimates and assumptions may produce materially different fair values. The Company considers its own nonperformance risk and the nonperformance risk of its counterparties when measuring fair value.

The accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that categorizes into three levels, the inputs used to measure fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available and reliable. Observable inputs are those that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on available market data. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the Company’s beliefs about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

• Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can access. Valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, with significant trading volumes.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

• Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 assets include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, securities which are priced using observable inputs and derivative contracts whose values are determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable or supported by little or no market activity, and that are significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques where significant inputs are unobservable, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from financial instrument to financial instrument and period to period depending on the type of instrument, market activity, the approach used to measure fair value, and other factors. The Company categorizes a financial instrument within the fair value hierarchy based on the least observable input that is significant to the fair value measurement. When the inputs used to measure fair value of an asset or a liability are categorized within different levels based on the definition of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement.

Refer to “Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional fair value disclosures.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The Company recognizes loss reserves on a contract-by-contract basis when the present value of probability-weighted expected net cash outflows to be paid under the contract discounted using a risk-free rate as of the measurement date exceeds the unearned premium revenue. A loss reserve is subsequently remeasured each reporting period for expected increases or decreases due to changes in the likelihood of default and potential recoveries. Subsequent changes to the measurement of loss reserves are recognized as loss expense or benefit in the period of change. Measurement and recognition of loss reserves are reported gross of any reinsurance on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company estimates the likelihood of possible claim payments and possible recoveries of such claim payments using probability-weighted expected cash flows based on information available as of the measurement date, including market information. Accretion of the discounts on loss reserves and recoveries is included in loss expense. The Company considers its ability to collect contractual interest on claim payments when developing its expected inflows. The inclusion of such interest may result in the Company recording recoveries in excess of its actual or expected claim payments on a policy.

The Company recognizes potential recoveries on paid claims based on probability-weighted cash inflows present valued at applicable risk-free rates as of the measurement date. Such amounts are reported within “Insurance loss recoverable” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. To the extent the Company had recorded potential recoveries in its loss reserves previous to a claim payment, such recoveries are reclassified to “Insurance loss recoverable” upon payment of the related claim and remeasured each reporting period.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Beginning with the second quarter of 2019, the Company changed its presentation of its insurance loss recoverable and its loss and LAE reserves related to its insured first-lien RMBS exposure. The Company’s first-lien RMBS insurance loss recoverable previously represented discounted and probability-weighted estimated recoveries, net of claims expected to be paid, when the result was a net receivable, and its first-lien RMBS loss and LAE reserves previously represented discounted and probability-weighted estimated claims, net of expected recoveries to be collected, when the result was a net payable. The Company now reports its first-lien RMBS insurance loss recoverable gross of expected claim payments and all expected claim payments are reported within loss and LAE reserves on the Company’s balance sheet. This treatment is consistent with the Company’s balance sheet presentation for insurance loss recoverable and loss and LAE reserves of its other major insured exposures. Certain amounts have been reclassified in the prior year’s financial statements to conform to the current presentation. This includes a reclassification of $31 million resulting in an increase to insurance loss recoverable and a corresponding increase to loss and LAE reserves on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. This reclassification had no impact on total revenues, total expenses, shareholders’ equity, operating cash flows, investing cash flows, or financing cash flows for all periods presented. In addition, prior period amounts included in the Company’s disclosures have been updated to reflect the new presentation.

The Company’s loss reserve, insurance loss recoverable, and accruals for LAE incurred are disclosed in “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves.”

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt is carried at the principal amount outstanding plus accrued interest and net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts. Interest expense is accrued at the contractual interest rate. Debt issuance costs and discounts are amortized and reported as interest expense.

Medium-Term Notes and Investment Agreements

MTNs and investment agreements are carried at the principal amount outstanding plus accrued interest and net of unamortized discounts, or at fair value for certain MTNs. Interest expense is accrued at the contractual interest rate. Discounts are amortized and reported as interest expense.

Financial Guarantee Insurance Premiums

Unearned Premium Revenue and Receivable for Future Premiums

The Company recognizes a liability for unearned premium revenue at the inception of financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts on a contract-by-contract basis. Unearned premium revenue recognized at inception of a contract is measured at the present value of the premium due. For most financial guarantee insurance contracts, the Company receives the entire premium due at the inception of the contract, and recognizes unearned premium revenue liability at that time. For certain other financial guarantee contracts, the Company receives premiums in installments over the term of the contract. Unearned premium revenue and a receivable for future premiums are recognized at the inception of an installment contract, and measured at the present value of premiums expected to be collected over the contract period or expected period using a risk-free discount rate. The expected period is used in the present value determination of unearned premium revenue and receivable for future premiums for contracts where (a) the insured obligation is contractually prepayable, (b) prepayments are probable, (c) the amount and timing of prepayments are reasonably estimable, and (d) a homogenous pool of assets is the underlying collateral for the insured obligation. The Company has determined that substantially all of its installment contracts meet the conditions required to be treated as expected period contracts. The receivable for future premiums is reduced as installment premiums are collected. The Company reports the accretion of the discount on installment premiums receivable as premium revenue and discloses the amount recognized in “Note 5: Insurance Premiums.” The Company assesses the receivable for future premiums for collectability each reporting period, adjusts the receivable for uncollectible amounts and recognizes any write-off in earnings, and discloses the amount recognized in “Note 5: Insurance Premiums.” As premium revenue is recognized, the unearned premium revenue liability is reduced.  

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Premium Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes and measures premium revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Premium revenue is measured by applying a constant rate to the insured principal amount outstanding in a given period to recognize a proportionate share of the premium received or expected to be received on a financial guarantee insurance contract. A constant rate for each respective financial guarantee insurance contract is calculated as the ratio of (a) the present value of premium received or expected to be received over the period of the contract to (b) the sum of all insured principal amounts outstanding during each period over the term of the contract.

An issuer of an insured financial obligation may retire the obligation prior to its scheduled maturity through refinancing or legal defeasance in satisfaction of the obligation according to its indenture, which results in the Company’s obligation being extinguished under the financial guarantee contract. The Company recognizes any remaining unearned premium revenue on the insured obligation as refunding premiums earned in the period the contract is extinguished to the extent the unearned premium revenue has been collected.

Non-refundable commitment fees are considered insurance premiums and are initially recorded under unearned premium revenue in the consolidated balance sheets when received. Once the related financial guarantee insurance policy is issued, the commitment fees are recognized as premium written and earned using the constant rate method. If the commitment agreement expires before the related financial guarantee is issued, the non-refundable commitment fee is immediately recognized as premium written and earned at that time.

Fee and Reimbursement Revenue Recognition

The Company collects insurance related fees for services performed in connection with certain transactions. Fees are earned when the related services are completed. Types of fees include work, waiver and consent, and termination fees.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes in earnings all stock-based payment transactions at the fair value of the stock-based compensation provided. Refer to “Note 15: Benefit Plans” for a further discussion regarding the methodology utilized in recognizing employee stock compensation expense.

Foreign Currency Translation

Financial statement assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are reported in U.S. dollars generally using rates of exchange prevailing as of the balance sheet date. Translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements of the Company’s non-U.S. operations from its functional currency into U.S. dollars are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in shareholders’ equity. Operating results of the Company’s non-U.S. operations are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses resulting from transactions in non-functional currencies are recorded in earnings. The Company derecognizes the cumulative translation adjustment reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and includes the amount as part of the gain or loss on the sale or liquidation of its investment in a foreign entity in the period in which the sale or liquidation occurs.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are recorded with respect to loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts in the Company’s financial statements that will result in deductible or taxable amounts in future years when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Such temporary differences relate principally to net operating losses (“NOLs”), accrued surplus note interest, loss reserve deductions, premium revenue recognition, deferred acquisition costs, asset impairments and foreign tax credits. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of changes in tax laws and rates in the period in which changes are approved by the relevant authority.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

MBIA Inc. and its eligible U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The U.S. income taxes are allocated based on the provisions of the Company’s tax sharing agreement which governs the intercompany settlement of tax obligations and benefits. The method of allocation between the members is based upon calculations as if each member filed its separate tax return. Under the Company’s tax sharing agreement, each member with a NOL will receive the benefits of its tax losses and credits as it is able to earn them out in the future.

In establishing a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit (“UTB”), assumptions may be made in determining whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority and also in determining the ultimate amount that is likely to be realized. A tax position is recognized only when, based on management’s judgment regarding the application of income tax laws, it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. The amount of tax benefit recognized is based on the Company’s assessment of the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized on ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. This measurement is based on many factors, including whether a tax dispute may be settled through negotiation with the taxing authority or is only subject to review in the courts. As new information becomes available, the Company evaluates its tax positions, and adjusts its UTB, as appropriate. If the tax benefit ultimately realized differs from the amount previously recognized, the Company recognizes an adjustment of the UTB.

Refer to “Note 11: Income Taxes” for additional information about the Company’s income taxes.

Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02)

In February of 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, that amends the accounting guidance for leasing transactions. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to classify lease contracts as finance or operating leases, and to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leasing transactions with lease terms more than twelve months. ASU 2016-02 substantially retains the criteria for classifying leasing transactions as finance or operating leases. For finance leases, a lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, and recognizes interest expense on the lease liability separately from the amortization of the right-of-use asset. For operating leases, a lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, and recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 in its entirety in the first quarter of 2019, using an additional (and optional) modified retrospective transition approach. Comparative periods are presented in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840, Leases, and do not include any retrospective adjustments to comparative periods to reflect the adoption of ASU 2016-02. The Company recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $23 million. The gross up of the assets and liabilities does not have a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings and does not impact the Company’s statement of operations. Refer to “Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies” for information about the Company’s leases.

Disclosure Update and Simplification

In August of 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission published Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which amends certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, these amendments updated the disclosure requirements for the interim financial statement requirements to include a reconciliation of each caption of shareholders’ equity, in the notes or as a separate statement for each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be included. The Company updated the presentation of its consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for all periods presented beginning in the first quarter of 2019.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12)

In December of 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions within ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, and clarifying certain aspects of the current guidance to improve consistent application of ASC Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted. Most amendments in ASU 2019-12 are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis.

The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2019 (for the reporting period ending December 31, 2019). ASU 2019-12 removes the intraperiod tax allocation principle that allocates total tax expense or benefit to components of the income statement and other comprehensive income. As a result of this adoption, the Company reversed $29 million that was allocated between the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The remaining amendments of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As a result of early adopting ASU 2019-12, the Company revised its previously reported amounts for 2019. The following table presents the Company’s revised financial statement amounts due to the adoption of ASU 2019-12:

	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended			Nine Months  Ended
In millions, except per share amounts	March 31, 2019			June 30, 2019			September 30, 2019		June 30,  2019			September 30,  2019
Provision (benefit) for income taxes as previously reported	$	(2	)	$	(37	)	$	18	$	(39	)	$	(21	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes as revised		2			—			6		2			8
Net income (loss) as previously reported		(17	)		(170	)		71		(187	)		(116	)
Net income (loss) as revised		(21	)		(207	)		83		(228	)		(145	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic—as previously reported	$	(0.20	)	$	(2.02	)	$	0.86	$	(2.20	)	$	(1.40	)
Basic—as revised		(0.24	)		(2.45	)		1.00		(2.68	)		(1.75	)
Diluted—as previously reported		(0.20	)		(2.02	)		0.86		(2.20	)		(1.40	)
Diluted—as revised		(0.24	)		(2.45	)		1.00		(2.68	)		(1.75	)

The Company has not adopted any other new accounting pronouncements that had a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Developments

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13)

In June of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 requires financing receivables and other financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by recording an allowance for credit losses with changes in the allowance recorded as credit loss expense or a reversal of credit loss expense based on management’s current estimate of expected credit losses each period. ASU 2016-13 does not apply to credit losses on financial guarantee insurance contracts within the scope of ASC Topic 944, “Financial Services-Insurance.” ASU 2016-13 also makes targeted amendments to the current impairment model for AFS debt securities, which include requiring the recognition of an allowance rather than a direct write-down of the investment’s cost basis. An allowance on an AFS investment may be reversed in the event that the credit quality of the issuer improves. The new guidance also replaces the model for purchased credit impaired debt securities and requires the establishment of an allowance for credit losses at acquisition of such securities by grossing up the purchase price when recording the initial amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2019. ASU 2016-13 is applied on a modified retrospective basis except that prospective application is applied to AFS debt securities with other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized before the date of adoption.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

The Company is adopting ASU 2016-13 in its entirety as of January 1, 2020. For financial assets held by the Company and measured at amortized cost, which primarily include HTM debt securities, premiums receivable, accrued investment income and reinsurance recoverables, the Company’s aggregate estimated cumulative-effect adjustment, net of tax, related to allowances for credit losses as of the date of adoption is approximately $42 million reduction in retained earnings. In addition, the Company is updating models and implementing or modifying processes and controls necessary for the proper identification, measurement and recording of expected credit losses on financial assets within the scope of ASU 2016-13.

Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13)

In August of 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted to remove or modify disclosures upon issuance of the standard and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until the effective date. Upon the effective date, certain amendments should be applied prospectively, while others are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Since the amendments of ASU 2018-13 only impact disclosure requirements, the adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company plans to adopt the amendments of ASU 2018-13 in its entirety as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 will only impact the fair value disclosures within the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will not impact amounts reported on the Company’s balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of comprehensive income or statement of cash flows.

Note 4: Variable Interest Entities

Primarily through MBIA’s international and structured finance insurance segment, the Company provides credit protection to issuers of obligations that may involve issuer-sponsored special purpose entities (“SPEs”). An SPE may be considered a VIE to the extent the SPE’s total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the SPE to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or its equity investors lack any one of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of the SPE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance or (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity. A holder of a variable interest or interests in a VIE is required to assess whether it has a controlling financial interest, and thus is required to consolidate the entity as primary beneficiary. An assessment of a controlling financial interest identifies the primary beneficiary as the variable interest holder that has both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE. An ongoing reassessment of controlling financial interest is required to be performed based on any substantive changes in facts and circumstances involving the VIE and its variable interests.

The Company evaluates issuer-sponsored SPEs initially to determine if an entity is a VIE, and is required to reconsider its initial determination if certain events occur. For all entities determined to be VIEs, MBIA performs an ongoing reassessment to determine whether its guarantee to provide credit protection on obligations issued by VIEs provides the Company with a controlling financial interest. Based on its ongoing reassessment of controlling financial interest, the Company determines whether a VIE is required to be consolidated or deconsolidated.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4: Variable Interest Entities (continued)

The Company makes its determination for consolidation based on a qualitative assessment of the purpose and design of a VIE, the terms and characteristics of variable interests of an entity, and the risks a VIE is designed to create and pass through to holders of variable interests. The Company generally provides credit protection on obligations issued by VIEs, and holds certain contractual rights according to the purpose and design of a VIE. The Company may have the ability to direct certain activities of a VIE depending on facts and circumstances, including the occurrence of certain contingent events, and these activities may be considered the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. The Company generally considers its guarantee of principal and interest payments of insured obligations, given nonperformance by a VIE, to be an obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. At the time the Company determines it has the ability to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity based on facts and circumstances, MBIA is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is required to consolidate the entity as primary beneficiary. The Company performs an ongoing reassessment of controlling financial interest that may result in consolidation or deconsolidation of any VIE.

Consolidated VIEs

The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs were $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2019, and $1.7 billion, as of December 31, 2018. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities are presented separately in “Assets of consolidated variable interest entities” and “Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. VIEs are consolidated or deconsolidated based on an ongoing reassessment of controlling financial interest, when events occur or circumstances arise, and whether the ability to exercise rights that constitute power to direct activities of any VIEs are present according to the design and characteristics of these entities. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company consolidated seven VIEs related to the Trusts established in connection with the COFINA Plan of Adjustment. On the initial consolidation of the Trusts, the Company recorded a loss of $42 million, representing the difference between the fair value of the Company’s financial guarantee within the Trusts and the carrying value of the insurance related balances on the COFINA policies. During 2019, all of the uninsured bonds held in the Trusts were sold and the proceeds were used to reduce National’s obligations under its original insurance policies upon passing the proceeds through the Trusts to certificate holders. In addition, National elected to make a voluntary additional payment in the amount of $66 million with the effect of simultaneously reducing the Trust’s obligations to zero and satisfying in full the obligations under its original insurance policies. Subsequent to December 31, 2019, the Trusts were legally dissolved and the related VIEs were deconsolidated. In addition, in 2019, two structured finance RMBS VIEs were deconsolidated as a result of the termination of the Company’s insurance policies related to those VIEs. The Company recorded losses of $16 million upon the deconsolidation of these VIEs. These losses were primarily the result of credit losses in AOCI released to earnings. In 2018, the Company deconsolidated two VIEs related to the Court granting the Zohar funds’ motion to approve a settlement (the “Zohar Bankruptcy Settlement”). The Company recorded a loss of $93 million upon the deconsolidation of these VIEs, which represented the difference between the fair value of the VIE assets that were deconsolidated and the Company’s then current estimate of salvage and subrogation recoveries from those VIEs under insurance accounting. In addition, in 2018, eight structured finance RMBS VIEs were deconsolidated as a result of the termination of the Company’s insurance policies related to those VIEs. The Company recorded losses of $78 million upon the deconsolidation of these VIEs. These losses were primarily the result of credit losses in AOCI released to earnings. These consolidation and deconsolidation losses are recorded within “Other net realized gains (losses)” under “Revenues of consolidated variable interest entities” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Refer to “Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties” for further information about COFINA and the Zohar Bankruptcy Settlement.

In addition, subsequent to December 31, 2019, one structured finance VIE was deconsolidated due to the prepayment of the outstanding notes of the VIE, resulting in a reduction in VIE assets and liabilities of approximately $315 million.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4: Variable Interest Entities (continued)

Holders of insured obligations of issuer-sponsored VIEs do not have recourse to the general assets of the Company. In the event of nonpayment of an insured obligation issued by a consolidated VIE, the Company is obligated to pay principal and interest, when due, on the respective insured obligation only. The Company’s exposure to consolidated VIEs is limited to the credit protection provided on insured obligations and any additional variable interests held by the Company.

Nonconsolidated VIEs

The following tables present the Company’s maximum exposure to loss for nonconsolidated VIEs and carrying values of the assets and liabilities for its interests in these VIEs in its insurance operations as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The amounts included under the headings for the carrying value of assets and liabilities represent amounts reported within the applicable financial statement line items on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The maximum exposure to loss as a result of MBIA’s variable interests in VIEs is represented by insurance in force. Insurance in force is the maximum future payments of principal and interest which may be required under commitments to make payments on insured obligations issued by nonconsolidated VIEs. The Company has aggregated nonconsolidated VIEs based on the underlying credit exposure of the insured obligation. The nature of the Company’s variable interests in nonconsolidated VIEs is related to financial guarantees and any investments in obligations issued by nonconsolidated VIEs. 

	December 31, 2019
			Carrying Value of Assets						Carrying Value of Liabilities
In millions	Maximum Exposure to Loss		Investments		Premiums Receivable		Insurance Loss Recoverable		Unearned Premium Revenue		Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
Insurance:
Global structured finance:
Mortgage-backed residential	$	2,253	$	15	$	19	$	107	$	16	$	436
Mortgage-backed commercial		26		—		—		—		—		—
Consumer asset-backed		384		—		1		1		1		11
Corporate asset-backed		937		—		6		673		7		—
Total global structured finance		3,600		15		26		781		24		447
Global public finance		1,926		—		8		—		9		—
Total insurance	$	5,526	$	15	$	34	$	781	$	33	$	447

	December 31, 2018
			Carrying Value of Assets						Carrying Value of Liabilities
In millions	Maximum Exposure to Loss		Investments		Premiums Receivable		Insurance Loss Recoverable		Unearned Premium Revenue		Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
Insurance:
Global structured finance:
Mortgage-backed residential	$	3,103	$	17	$	19	$	128	$	17	$	345
Mortgage-backed commercial		52		—		—		—		—		—
Consumer asset-backed		560		—		3		1		2		12
Corporate asset-backed		1,338		—		9		858		10		—
Total global structured finance		5,053		17		31		987		29		357
Global public finance		2,231		—		9		—		12		—
Total insurance	$	7,284	$	17	$	40	$	987	$	41	$	357

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5: Insurance Premiums

The Company recognizes and measures premiums related to financial guarantee (non-derivative) insurance and reinsurance contracts in accordance with the accounting principles for financial guarantee insurance contracts.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, premiums receivable were $249 million and $296 million, respectively, primarily related to installment policies for which premiums will be collected over the estimated term of the contracts. Premiums receivable for an installment policy is initially measured at the present value of premiums expected to be collected over the expected period or contract period of the policy using a risk-free discount rate. Premiums receivable for policies that use the expected period of risk due to expected prepayments are adjusted in subsequent measurement periods when prepayment assumptions change using the risk-free discount rate as of the remeasurement date. Premiums receivable also includes the current amount of premiums due from installment policies insuring consolidated VIEs when the premiums are payable by third-parties on behalf of the consolidated VIEs.

The Company evaluates whether any premiums receivable are uncollectible at each balance sheet date. If the Company determines that premiums are uncollectible, it records a write-off of such amounts in current earnings. The majority of the Company’s premiums receivable consists of the present values of future installment premiums that are not yet billed or due, primarily from structured finance transactions. Given that premiums due to MBIA generally are more senior over most other payment obligations of insured transactions, the Company wrote off an insignificant amount of premiums it deemed uncollectible as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the weighted average risk-free rates used to discount future installment premiums were 2.8% and 3%, respectively, and the weighted average expected collection term of the premiums receivable was 8.86 years and 9.59 years, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, reinsurance premiums payable was $17 million and $20 million, respectively, and is included in “Other liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The reinsurance premiums payable is accreted and paid to reinsurers as premiums due to MBIA are accreted and collected.

The following tables present a roll forward of the Company’s premiums receivable for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

In millions					Adjustments
Premiums Receivable as of December 31, 2018	Premium Payments Received		Premiums from New Business Written		Changes in Expected Term of Policies		Accretion of Premiums Receivable Discount (1)		Other (2)		Premiums Receivable as of December 31, 2019
$        296	$	(43)	$	—	$	(4)	$	7	$	(7)	$	249

(1)—Recorded within premiums earned on MBIA’s consolidated statement of operations.

(2)—Primarily relates to the write off of uncollectible premiums and to a lesser extent realized gains due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

In millions					Adjustments
Premiums Receivable as of December 31, 2017	Premium Payments Received		Premiums from New Business Written		Changes in Expected Term of Policies		Accretion of Premiums Receivable Discount (1)		Other (2)		Premiums Receivable as of December 31, 2018
$        369	$	(74)	$	—	$	2	$	9	$	(10)	$	296

(1)—Recorded within premiums earned on MBIA’s consolidated statement of operations.

(2)—Primarily consists of realized gains due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5: Insurance Premiums (continued)

The following table presents the undiscounted future amount of premiums expected to be collected and the period in which those collections are expected to occur:

	Expected
	Collection of
In millions	Premiums
Three months ending:
March 31, 2020	$	3
June 30, 2020		10
September 30, 2020		6
December 31, 2020		11
Twelve months ending:
December 31, 2021		28
December 31, 2022		24
December 31, 2023		23
December 31, 2024		21
Five years ending:
December 31, 2029		75
December 31, 2034		50
December 31, 2039 and thereafter		63
Total	$	314

The following table presents the unearned premium revenue balance and future expected premium earnings as of and for the periods presented:

	Unearned		Expected Future						Total Expected
	Premium		Premium Earnings						Future Premium
In millions	Revenue		Upfront		Installments		Accretion		Earnings
December 31, 2019	$	482
Three months ending:
March 31, 2020		466	$	8	$	8	$	2	$	18
June 30, 2020		451		8		7		2		17
September 30, 2020		437		7		7		2		16
December 31, 2020		423		7		7		2		16
Twelve months ending:
December 31, 2021		370		26		27		6		59
December 31, 2022		323		23		24		6		53
December 31, 2023		282		20		21		5		46
December 31, 2024		245		18		19		5		42
Five years ending:
December 31, 2029		122		63		60		17		140
December 31, 2034		59		29		34		11		74
December 31, 2039 and thereafter		—		20		39		7		66
Total			$	229	$	253	$	65	$	547

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

The Company’s insured portfolio management groups within its U.S. public finance insurance and international and structured finance insurance businesses (collectively, “IPM”) monitor the Company’s outstanding insured obligations with the objective of minimizing losses. IPM meets this objective by identifying issuers that, because of deterioration in credit quality or changes in the economic, regulatory or political environment, are at a heightened risk of defaulting on debt service of obligations insured by the Company. In such cases, IPM works with the issuer, trustee, bond counsel, servicer, underwriter and other interested parties in an attempt to alleviate or remedy the problem and avoid defaults on debt service payments. The Company typically requires the issuer, servicer (if applicable) and the trustee of insured obligations to furnish periodic financial and asset-related information, including audited financial statements, to IPM for review. IPM also monitors publicly available information related to insured obligations. Potential problems uncovered through this review, such as poor financial results, low fund balances, covenant or trigger violations and trustee or servicer problems, or other events that could have an adverse impact on the insured obligation, could result in an immediate surveillance review and an evaluation of possible remedial actions. IPM also monitors and evaluates the impact on issuers of general economic conditions, current and proposed legislation and regulations, political developments, as well as sovereign, state and municipal finances and budget developments.

The frequency and extent of IPM’s monitoring is based on the criteria and categories described below. Insured obligations that are judged to merit more frequent and extensive monitoring or remediation activities due to a deterioration in the underlying credit quality of the insured obligation or the occurrence of adverse events related to the underlying credit of the issuer are assigned to a surveillance category (“Caution List—Low,” “Caution List—Medium,” “Caution List—High” or “Classified List”) depending on the extent of credit deterioration or the nature of the adverse events. IPM monitors insured obligations assigned to a surveillance category more frequently and, if needed, develops a remediation plan to address any credit deterioration.

Remediation actions may involve, among other things, waivers or renegotiations of financial covenants or triggers, waivers of contractual provisions, the granting of consents, transfer of servicing, consideration of restructuring plans, acceleration, security or collateral enforcement, actions in bankruptcy or receivership, litigation and similar actions. The types of remedial actions pursued are based on the insured obligation’s risk type and the nature and scope of the event giving rise to the remediation. As part of any such remedial actions, the Company seeks to improve its security position and to obtain concessions from the issuer of the insured obligation. From time to time, the issuer of an insured obligation by the Company may, with the consent of the Company, restructure the insured obligation by extending the term, increasing or decreasing the par amount or decreasing the related interest rate, with the Company insuring the restructured obligation.

The Company does not establish any case basis reserves for insured obligations that are assigned to “Caution List—Low,” “Caution List—Medium” or “Caution List—High.” In the event MBIA expects to pay a claim with respect to an insured transaction, it places the insured transaction on its “Classified List” and establishes a case basis reserve. The following provides a description of each surveillance category:

“Caution List—Low”—Includes issuers where debt service protection is adequate under current and anticipated circumstances. However, debt service protection and other measures of credit support and stability may have declined since the transaction was underwritten and the issuer is less able to withstand further adverse events. Transactions in this category generally require more frequent monitoring than transactions that do not appear within a surveillance category. IPM subjects issuers in this category to heightened scrutiny.

“Caution List—Medium”—Includes issuers where debt service protection is adequate under current and anticipated circumstances, although adverse trends have developed and are more pronounced than for “Caution List – Low.” Issuers in this category may have breached one or more covenants or triggers. These issuers are more closely monitored by IPM but generally take remedial action on their own. 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

“Caution List—High”—Includes issuers where more proactive remedial action is needed but where no defaults on debt service payments are expected. Issuers in this category exhibit more significant weaknesses, such as low debt service coverage, reduced or insufficient collateral protection or inadequate liquidity, which could lead to debt service defaults in the future. Issuers in this category may have breached one or more covenants or triggers and have not taken conclusive remedial action. Therefore, IPM adopts a remediation plan and takes more proactive remedial actions.

“Classified List”—Includes all insured obligations where the Company has paid a claim or where a claim payment is expected. It also includes insured obligations where a significant LAE payment has been made, or is expected to be made, to mitigate a claim payment. This may include property improvements, bond purchases and commutation payments. Generally, IPM is actively remediating these credits where possible, including restructurings through legal proceedings, usually with the assistance of specialist counsel and advisors.

The establishment of the appropriate level of loss reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving numerous assumptions, estimates and subjective judgments by management that depend primarily on the nature of the underlying insured obligation. These variables include the nature and creditworthiness of the issuers of the insured obligations, expected recovery rates on unsecured obligations, the projected cash flow or market value of any assets pledged as collateral on secured obligations, and the expected rates of recovery, cash flow or market values on such obligations or assets. Factors that may affect the actual ultimate realized losses for any policy include economic conditions and trends, political developments, the extent to which sellers/servicers comply with the representations or warranties made in connection therewith, levels of interest rates, borrower behavior, the default rate and salvage values of specific collateral, and the Company’s ability to enforce contractual rights through litigation and otherwise, including the collection of contractual interest on claim payments. The Company’s remediation strategy for an insured obligation that has defaulted or is expected to default may also have an impact on the Company’s loss reserves.

In establishing case basis loss reserves, the Company calculates the present value of probability-weighted estimated loss payments, net of estimated recoveries, using a discount rate equal to the risk-free rate applicable to the currency and the weighted average remaining life of the insurance contract as required by accounting principles for financial guarantee contracts. Yields on U.S. Treasury offerings are used to discount loss reserves denominated in U.S. dollars, which represent the majority of the loss reserves. Similarly, yields on foreign government offerings are used to discount loss reserves denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Significant changes in discount rates from period to period may have a material impact on the present value of the Company’s loss reserves and expected recoveries. In addition, if the Company were to apply different discount rates, its case basis reserves may have been higher or lower than those established as of December 31, 2019. For example, a higher discount rate applied to expected future payments would have decreased the amount of a case basis reserve established by the Company and a lower rate would have increased the amount of a reserve established by the Company. Similarly, a higher discount rate applied to the potential future recoveries would have decreased the amount of a loss recoverable established by the Company and a lower rate would have increased the amount of a loss recoverable established by the Company.

U.S. Public Finance Insurance

U.S. public finance insured transactions consist of municipal bonds, including tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of U.S. political subdivisions, as well as utilities, airports, health care institutions, higher educational facilities, student loan issuers, housing authorities and other similar agencies and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects that serve a substantial public purpose. The Company estimates future losses by using probability-weighted cash flow scenarios that are customized to each insured transaction. Future loss estimates consider debt service due for each insured transaction, which includes par outstanding and interest due, as well as recoveries for such payments, if any. Gross par outstanding for capital appreciation bonds represents the par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

Certain local governments remain under financial and budgetary stress and a few have filed for protection under Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), or have entered into state statutory proceedings established to assist municipalities in managing through periods of severe fiscal stress. In the case of Puerto Rico, certain credits that the Company insures have filed petitions for covered instrumentalities under Title III of PROMESA, which incorporates by reference provisions from the Bankruptcy Code. This could lead to an increase in defaults by such entities on the payment of their obligations and losses or impairments in greater amounts on the Company’s insured transactions. In formulating loss reserves, the Company considers the following: environmental and political impacts; litigation; ongoing discussions with creditors; timing and amount of debt service payments and future recoveries; existing proposed restructuring plans or agreements; and deviations from these proposals in its probability-weighted scenarios. In February of 2019, the COFINA Plan of Adjustment was confirmed by the Title III Court and in September of 2019, National agreed to join the RSA with PREPA, other monoline insurers, a group of uninsured PREPA bondholders, Puerto Rico, and the Oversight Board. Refer to “Note 1: Business Developments and Risk and Uncertainties”, for further information on the Company’s Puerto Rico exposures.

Recoveries on Puerto Rico Losses

For recoverables on paid Puerto Rico losses, the estimates include assumptions related to the following: economic conditions and trends; political developments; the Company’s ability to enforce contractual rights through litigation and otherwise; discussions with other creditors and the obligors, any existing proposals; and the remediation strategy for an insured obligation that has defaulted or is expected for default.

International and Structured Finance Insurance

The international and structured finance insurance segment’s case basis reserves and insurance loss recoveries recorded in accordance with GAAP do not include estimates for a policy insuring a credit derivative or on financial guarantee VIEs that are eliminated in consolidation. The policy insuring a credit derivative contract is accounted for as a derivative and is carried at fair value in the Company’s consolidated financial statements under GAAP. The fair value of the insured credit derivative contract is influenced by a variety of market and transaction-specific factors that may be unrelated to potential future claim payments under the Company’s insurance policy. Refer to “Note 9: Derivative Instruments” for a further discussion of the Company’s use of derivatives and their impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

RMBS Case Basis Reserves (Financial Guarantees)

The Company’s RMBS reserves and recoveries relate to financial guarantee insurance policies, excluding those on consolidated VIEs. The Company’s first-lien RMBS case basis reserves primarily relate to RMBS backed by alternative A-paper and subprime mortgage loans. The Company’s second-lien RMBS case basis reserves relate to RMBS backed by home equity lines of credit and closed-end second mortgages. The Company calculated RMBS case basis reserves as of December 31, 2019 for both first and second-lien RMBS transactions using a process called the Roll Rate Methodology (“Roll Rate Methodology”). The Roll Rate Methodology is a multi-step process using databases of loan level information, proprietary internal cash flow models, and commercially available models to estimate potential losses and recoveries on insured bonds. Roll Rate is defined as the probability that current loans become delinquent and subsequently default and loans in the delinquent pipeline are charged-off or liquidated. The loss reserve estimates are based on a probability-weighted average of three scenarios of loan losses. Additional data used for both second and first-liens include historic averages of deal specific voluntary prepayment rates, forward projections of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rates, and historic averages of deal-specific loss severities. In addition, for second-lien RMBS backed by home equity lines of credit, the Company assumes a constant basis spread between Prime and LIBOR interest rates.

In calculating ultimate cumulative losses for RMBS, the Company estimates the amount of second-lien loans that are expected to be charged-off (deemed uncollectible by servicers of the transactions) and, for first-lien RMBS, the Company estimates the amount of loans that are expected to be liquidated in the future through foreclosure or short sale. The time to liquidation for a defaulted loan is specific to the loan’s delinquency bucket.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

For all RMBS transactions, cash flow models consider allocations and other structural aspects and claims against MBIA Corp.’s insurance policy consistent with such policy’s terms and conditions. The estimated net claims from the procedure above are then discounted using a risk-free rate to a net present value reflecting MBIA’s general obligation to pay claims over time and not on an accelerated basis.

The Company monitors RMBS portfolio performance on a monthly basis against projected performance, reviewing delinquencies, roll rates, and prepayment rates (including voluntary and involuntary). However, loan performance remains difficult to predict and losses may exceed expectations. In the event of a material deviation in actual performance from projected performance, the Company would increase or decrease the case basis reserves accordingly and re-evaluate its assumptions.

RMBS Recoveries

The Company primarily records two types of recoveries related to insured RMBS exposures: excess spread that is generated from the trust structures in the insured transactions; and second-lien “put-back” claims related to those mortgage loans whose inclusion in an insured securitization failed to comply with representations and warranties (“ineligible loans”).

Excess Spread

Excess spread within insured RMBS securitizations is the difference between interest inflows on mortgage loan collateral and interest outflows on the insured RMBS notes. The aggregate amount of excess spread depends on the future loss trends, which include future delinquency trends, average time to charge-off/liquidate delinquent loans, the future spread between Prime and the LIBOR interest rates, and borrower refinancing behavior (which may be affected by changes in the interest rate environment) that results in voluntary prepayments. Excess spread also includes subsequent recoveries on previously charged-off loans associated with insured second-lien RMBS securitizations.

Second-lien Put-Back Claims Related to Ineligible Loans

The Company has settled the majority of its put-back claims relating to the inclusion of ineligible loans in securitizations it insured. Only its claims against Credit Suisse remain outstanding. Credit Suisse has challenged the Company’s assessment of the ineligibility of individual mortgage loans and a trial concerning the dispute was held in July and August of 2019. While the Company’s settlement amounts on its prior put-back claims have been consistent with the put-back recoveries that had been included in the Company’s financial statements at the times preceding the settlements, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in its litigation against Credit Suisse. However, based on the Company’s assessment of the strength of its contractual put-back rights against Credit Suisse, as well as on its prior settlements with other sellers/servicers and success of other monolines’ put-back settlements, the Company believes it will prevail in enforcing its contractual rights and that it is entitled to collect the full amount of its incurred losses plus contractual interest due. The Company consolidates the RMBS securitization originated by Credit Suisse as a VIE and, therefore, eliminates its estimate of recoveries from its insurance accounting and reflects such recoveries in its accounting for the loan repurchase commitments asset of the VIE using a measurement process similar to that used for insurance accounting.

The uncertainty remaining with respect to the ultimate outcome of the litigation with Credit Suisse is contemplated in the probability-weighted scenario based-modeling the Company uses. The Credit Suisse recovery scenarios are based on certain probabilities of ultimate resolution of the dispute with Credit Suisse and the fair values are determined using discounted cash flow models.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

The Company continues to consider relevant facts and circumstances in developing its assumptions on expected cash inflows, probability of potential recoveries (including the timing and outcome of the litigation) and recovery period. While the Company believes it will be successful in realizing its recoveries from its put-back contract claims against Credit Suisse, the ultimate amount recovered may be materially different from that recorded by the Company given the inherent uncertainty of the manner of resolving the claims (i.e., litigation and/or negotiated out-of-court settlement) and the assumptions used in the required estimation process for accounting purposes which are based, in part, on judgments and other information that are not easily corroborated by historical data or other relevant benchmarks. Refer to “Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies” for further information about the Company’s litigation with Credit Suisse.

CDO Reserves and Recoveries

The Company also has loss and LAE reserves on certain transactions within its CDO portfolio, primarily its multi-sector CDO asset class that was insured in the form of financial guarantee policies. MBIA’s insured multi-sector CDOs are transactions that include a variety of collateral ranging from corporate bonds to structured finance assets (which includes, but are not limited to, RMBS-related collateral, multi-sector and corporate CDOs). The Company’s process for estimating reserves and credit impairments on these policies is determined as the present value of the probability-weighted potential future losses, net of estimated recoveries, across multiple scenarios. The Company considers several factors when developing the range of potential outcomes and their impact on MBIA. A range of loss scenarios is considered under different default and severity rates for each transaction’s collateral. Additionally, each transaction is evaluated for its commutation potential.

Zohar Recoveries

MBIA Corp. is seeking to recover the payments it made (plus interest and expenses) with respect to Zohar I and Zohar II. MBIA Corp. anticipates that the primary source of the recoveries will come from the monetization of the Zohar Assets. In March of 2018, the then-director of Zohar I and Zohar II placed those funds into voluntary bankruptcy proceedings in federal bankruptcy court in the District of Delaware (the “Zohar Funds Bankruptcy Cases”). In May of 2018, the Zohar Bankruptcy Settlement established a process by which the debtor funds, through an independent director and a chief restructuring officer, will work with the original sponsor of the funds to monetize the Zohar Assets and repay creditors, including MBIA Corp. While the stay of litigation provided for in the settlement has expired, on September 27, 2019, the Court ruled that the monetization process will continue, which ruling has been appealed though not stayed. In particular, on October 17, 2019, one of the companies (Dura Automotive Systems, LLC), and certain of its affiliates, filed for bankruptcy protection in federal bankruptcy court in the Middle District of Tennessee (the “Dura Bankruptcy Cases”). On November 1, 2019, the Court overseeing the Zohar Funds Bankruptcy Cases entered an Order directing that, effective November 8, 2019, the Dura Bankruptcy Cases shall be transferred to the District of Delaware. The Zohar debtors have substantial interests in the Dura debtors, and hold secured term loan indebtedness and an indirect interest in the majority of the equity in the Dura debtors. There can be no assurance that the outcome of the Dura Bankruptcy Cases will not have a material adverse impact on MBIA Corp.’s ability to recover the payments it made on Zohar II. Salvage and subrogation recoveries related to Zohar I and Zohar II are reported within “Insurance loss recoverable” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s estimate of the insurance loss recoverable for Zohar I and Zohar II includes probability-weighted scenarios of the ultimate monetized recovery from the Zohar Assets.

Notwithstanding the procedures agreed to in the Zohar Bankruptcy Settlement and confirmed by the Court, there can be no assurance that the value of the Zohar Assets will be sufficient to permit MBIA Corp. to recover all or substantially all of the payments it made on Zohar I and Zohar II. Failure to recover such payments could impede MBIA Corp.’s ability to make payments when due on other policies. MBIA Corp. believes that if the NYSDFS concludes at any time that MBIA Insurance Corporation will not be able to pay its policyholder claims, the NYSDFS would likely put MBIA Insurance Corporation into a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding under Article 74 of the NYIL and/or take such other actions as the NYSDFS may deem necessary to protect the interests of MBIA Insurance Corporation’s policyholders. The determination to commence such a proceeding or take other such actions is within the exclusive control of the NYSDFS.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

Summary of Loss and LAE Reserves and Recoveries

The Company’s loss and LAE reserves and recoveries before consolidated VIE eliminations, along with amounts that were eliminated as a result of consolidating VIEs for the international and structured finance insurance segment, which are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, are presented in the following table:

	As of December 31, 2019						As of December 31, 2018
In millions	Balance Sheet Line Item						Balance Sheet Line Item
	Insurance  loss recoverable			Loss and  LAE reserves(2)			Insurance  loss recoverable			Loss and  LAE reserves(2)
U.S. Public Finance Insurance	$	911		$	432		$	571		$	551
International and Structured Finance Insurance:
Before VIE eliminations(1)		1,286			749			1,461			668
VIE eliminations(1)		(503	)		(280	)		(437	)		(254	)
Total international and structured finance insurance		783			469			1,024			414
Total	$	1,694		$	901		$	1,595		$	965

(1)—Includes loan repurchase commitments of $486 million and $418 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(2)—Amounts are net of expected recoveries.

Beginning with the second quarter of 2019, the Company changed its presentation of its insurance loss recoverable and its loss and LAE reserves related to its insured first-lien RMBS exposure. Certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation. Refer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” for additional information about this presentation change.

Changes in Loss and LAE Reserves

The following table presents changes in the Company’s loss and LAE reserves for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Changes in loss reserves attributable to the accretion of the claim liability discount, changes in discount rates, changes in amount and timing of estimated claim payments and estimated recoveries on such claims, changes in assumptions and changes in LAE reserves are recorded in “Losses and loss adjustment” expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2019, the weighted average risk-free rate used to discount the Company’s loss reserves (claim liability) was 1.92%. LAE reserves are generally expected to be settled within a one-year period and are not discounted. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s gross loss and LAE reserves included $34 million and $60 million, respectively, related to LAE.

In millions	Changes in Loss and LAE Reserves for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Gross Loss and LAE Reserves as of December 31, 2018(1)	Loss Payments		Accretion of Claim Liability Discount		Changes in Discount Rates		Changes in Assumptions		Changes in Unearned Premium Revenue		Changes in LAE Reserves		Other		Gross Loss and LAE Reserves as of December 31, 2019(1)
$        965	$	(431)	$	18	$	(54)	$	407	$	23	$	(26)	$	(1)	$	901

(1)—Amounts are net of expected recoveries of unpaid claims.

In millions	Changes in Loss and LAE Reserves for the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Gross Loss and LAE Reserves as of December 31, 2017	Loss Payments			Accretion of Claim Liability Discount		Changes in Discount Rates		Changes in Assumptions		Changes in Unearned Premium Revenue		Changes in LAE Reserves			Gross Loss and LAE Reserves as of December 31, 2018(1)
$        1,013	$	(354	)	$	26	$	13	$	258	$	15	$	(6	)	$	965

(1)—Amounts are net of expected recoveries of unpaid claims.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

The decrease in the Company’s loss reserves during 2019 primarily relates to payments on certain Puerto Rico exposures and the elimination of COFINA loss reserves due to the consolidation of the Trusts as VIEs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in loss reserves related to certain Puerto Rico exposures and first-lien RMBS transactions.

The decrease in the Company’s loss reserves during 2018 was primarily related to insured RMBS and the payment of an international public finance transaction, partially offset by an increase in loss reserves on certain Puerto Rico exposures.

Changes in Insurance Loss Recoverable

Insurance loss recoverable represents the Company’s estimate of recoveries on paid claims and LAE. The Company recognizes potential recoveries on paid claims based on the probability-weighted net cash inflows present valued at applicable risk-free rates as of the measurement date. The following table presents changes in the Company’s insurance loss recoverable for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Changes in insurance loss recoverable attributable to the accretion of the discount on the recoverable, changes in discount rates, changes in amount and timing of estimated collections, changes in assumptions and changes in LAE recoveries are recorded in “Losses and loss adjustment” expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

			Changes in Insurance Loss Recoverable
			for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
In millions	Gross Reserve as of December 31, 2018		Collections for Cases			Accretion of Recoveries		Changes in Discount Rates		Changes in Assumptions(1)		Other(2)		Gross Reserve as of December 31, 2019
Insurance loss recoverable	$	1,595	$	(148	)	$	35	$	70	$	105	$	37	$	1,694

(1)—Includes amounts related to paid claims and LAE that are expected to be recovered in the future.

(2)—Primarily changes in amount and timing of collections.

			Changes in Insurance Loss Recoverable
			for the Year Ended December 31, 2018
In millions	Gross Reserve as of December 31, 2017		Collections for Cases			Accretion of Recoveries		Changes in Discount Rates			Changes in Assumptions(1)		Other(2)			Gross Reserve as of December 31, 2018
Insurance loss recoverable	$	545	$	(56	)	$	25	$	(13	)	$	1,096	$	(2	)	$	1,595

(1)—Includes amounts which have been paid and are expected to be recovered in the future.

(2)—Primarily changes in amount and timing of collections.

The increase in the Company’s insurance loss recoverable during 2019 was primarily due to estimated recoveries of claims paid on certain Puerto Rico credits, partially offset by amounts received related to recoveries on second-lien RMBS and CDO transactions and a decline in the amount of estimated future recoveries related to CDO transactions. 

The increase in the Company’s insurance loss recoverable during 2018 was primarily due to the re-establishment of recoveries for Zohar I and Zohar II upon deconsolidation of the related VIEs during 2018 and estimated recoveries of claims paid on certain Puerto Rico credits.

Loss and LAE Activity

For the year ended December 31, 2019, loss and LAE incurred primarily related to a decrease in expected salvage collections related to CDOs and an increase in expected payments on insured first-lien RMBS transactions and certain Puerto Rico exposures.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, losses and LAE incurred primarily related to an increase in expected payments on Puerto Rico exposures, partially offset by a decrease in expected payments on second-lien RMBS transactions and an increase in expected collections from CDOs. 

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

For the year ended December 31, 2017, losses and LAE incurred primarily related to an increase in actual and expected payments on certain Puerto Rico exposures, insured first-lien RMBS transactions and a decrease in actual and projected collections from mortgage insurance included in the Company’s excess spread within its second-lien RMBS transactions from the settlement of litigation regarding insurance coverage involving Old Republic Insurance Corporation, Bank of America, N.A. and the Bank of New York Mellon.

Costs associated with remediating insured obligations assigned to the Company’s surveillance categories are recorded as LAE and are included in “Losses and loss adjustment” expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, gross LAE related to remediating insured obligations were $29 million, $23 million and $42 million, respectively.

Surveillance Categories

The following table provides information about the financial guarantees and related claim liability included in each of MBIA’s surveillance categories as of December 31, 2019:

	Surveillance Categories
	Caution		Caution		Caution
	List		List		List		Classified
$ in millions	Low		Medium		High		List			Total
Number of policies		45		19		—		212			276
Number of issues(1)		13		5		—		94			112
Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)		7.3		7.2		—		7.9			7.7
Gross insured contractual payments outstanding:(2)
Principal	$	1,546	$	248	$	—	$	3,794		$	5,588
Interest		2,107		110		—		1,668			3,885
Total	$	3,653	$	358	$	—	$	5,462		$	9,473
Gross Claim Liability(3)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	965		$	965
Less:
Gross Potential Recoveries(4)		—		—		—		2,184			2,184
Discount, net(5)		—		—		—		(453	)		(453	)
Net claim liability (recoverable)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(766	)	$	(766	)
Unearned premium revenue	$	6	$	3	$	—	$	39		$	48
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses (6)										$	19

(1)—An “issue” represents the aggregate of financial guarantee policies that share the same revenue source for purposes of making debt service payments on the insured debt.

(2)—Represents contractual principal and interest payments due by the issuer of the obligations insured by MBIA.

(3)—The gross claim liability with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of expected recoveries for policies in a net payable position.

(4)—Gross potential recoveries with respect to certain Puerto Rico exposures are net of the claim liability for policies in a net recoverable position.

(5)—Represents discount related to Gross Claim Liability and Gross Potential Recoveries.

(6)—Included in “Other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

The following table provides information about the financial guarantees and related claim liability included in each of MBIA’s surveillance categories as of December 31, 2018:

	Surveillance Categories
	Caution		Caution		Caution
	List		List		List		Classified
$ in millions	Low		Medium		High		List			Total
Number of policies		50		18		—		233			301
Number of issues(1)		16		4		—		102			122
Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)		6.7		8.0		—		9.7			8.9
Gross insured contractual payments outstanding:(2)
Principal	$	1,604	$	249	$	—	$	5,353		$	7,206
Interest		2,118		123		—		5,414			7,655
Total	$	3,722	$	372	$	—	$	10,767		$	14,861
Gross Claim Liability(3)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,085		$	1,085
Less:
Gross Potential Recoveries(4)		—		—		—		2,363			2,363
Discount, net(5)		—		—		—		(670	)		(670	)
Net claim liability (recoverable)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(608	)	$	(608	)
Unearned premium revenue	$	5	$	4	$	—	$	63		$	72
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses(6)										$	21

(1)—An “issue” represents the aggregate of financial guarantee policies that share the same revenue source for purposes of making debt service payments on the insured debt.

(2)—Represents contractual principal and interest payments due by the issuer of the obligations insured by MBIA.

(3)—The gross claim liability with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of expected recoveries for policies in a net payable position.

(4)—Gross potential recoveries with respect to certain Puerto Rico exposures are net of the claim liability for policies in a net recoverable position.

(5)—Represents discount related to Gross Claim Liability and Gross Potential Recoveries.

(6)—Included in “Other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

As a result of the Company changing its presentation of its insurance loss recoverable and its loss and LAE reserves related to its first-lien exposure as discussed above, the amounts in the preceding table related to gross claim liability and gross potential recoveries have both been increased by $108 million as of December 31, 2018 with no impact to the net claim liability (recoverable).

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurement

Financial Assets

Financial assets held by the Company primarily consist of investments in debt securities. Substantially all of the Company’s investments are priced by independent third parties, including pricing services and brokers. Typically, the Company receives one pricing service value or broker quote for each instrument, which represents a non-binding indication of value. The Company, along with its third-party portfolio manager, reviews the assumptions, inputs and methodologies used by pricing services and brokers to obtain reasonable assurance that the prices used in its valuations reflect fair value. When the Company and its third-party portfolio manager believe a third-party quotation differs significantly from its internally developed expectation of fair value, whether higher or lower, the Company reviews its data or assumptions with the provider. This review includes comparing significant assumptions such as prepayment speeds, default ratios, forward yield curves, credit spreads and other significant quantitative inputs to internal assumptions, and working with the price provider to reconcile the differences. The price provider may subsequently provide an updated price. In the event that the price provider does not update its price, and the Company still does not agree with the price provided, its third-party portfolio manager will obtain a price from another third-party provider or use an internally developed price which it believes represents the fair value of the investment. The fair values of investments for which internal prices were used were not significant to the aggregate fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. All challenges to third-party prices are reviewed by staff of the Company as well as its third-party portfolio manager with relevant expertise to ensure reasonableness of assumptions. A pricing analysis is reviewed and approved by the Company’s valuation committee.

Financial Liabilities (excluding derivative liabilities)

Financial liabilities, excluding derivative liabilities, issued by the Company primarily consist of debt issued for general corporate purposes within its corporate segment, MTNs, investment agreements and debt issued by consolidated VIEs. The majority of the financial liabilities that the Company has elected to fair value or that require fair value reporting or disclosures are valued based on the estimated value of the underlying collateral, the Company’s or a third-party’s estimate of discounted cash flow model estimates, or quoted market values for similar products. These valuations include adjustments for expected nonperformance risk of the Company.

Derivative Liabilities

The Company’s derivative liabilities are primarily interest rate swaps and an insured credit derivative. The Company’s insured credit derivative contract is a non-traded structured credit derivative transaction and since it is highly customized, there is generally no observable market for this derivative. The Company estimates its fair value based on an internal model that incorporates market or estimated prices for all collateral within the transaction, the present value of the market-implied potential loss and nonperformance risk. The Company reviews its valuation model results on a quarterly basis to assess the appropriateness of the assumptions and results in light of current market activity and conditions. This review is performed by internal staff with relevant expertise.

Internal Review Process

All significant financial assets and liabilities are reviewed by the valuation committee to ensure compliance with the Company’s policies and risk procedures in the development of fair values of financial assets and liabilities. The valuation committee reviews, among other things, key assumptions used for internally developed prices, significant changes in sources and uses of inputs, including changes in model approaches, and any adjustments from third-party inputs or prices to internally developed inputs or prices. The committee also reviews any significant impairment or improvements in fair values of the financial instruments from prior periods. The committee is comprised of senior finance and other team members with relevant experience in the financial instruments the committee is responsible for. The committee documents its agreement with the fair value measurements reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Valuation Techniques

Valuation techniques for financial instruments measured at fair value are described below.

Fixed-Maturity Securities Held as Available-For-Sale, Investments Carried at Fair Value, Investments Pledged as Collateral and Short-term Investments

These investments include investments in U.S. Treasury and government agencies, state and municipal bonds, foreign governments, corporate obligations, MBS, ABS, money market securities, and perpetual debt and equity securities.

These investments are generally valued based on recently executed transaction prices or quoted market prices. When quoted market prices are not available, fair value is generally determined using quoted prices of similar investments or a valuation model based on observable and unobservable inputs. Inputs vary depending on the type of investment. Observable inputs include contractual cash flows, interest rate yield curves, CDS spreads, prepayment and volatility scores, diversity scores, cross-currency basis index spreads, and credit spreads for structures similar to the financial instrument in terms of issuer, maturity and seniority. Unobservable inputs include cash flow projections and the value of any credit enhancement.

The investment in the fixed-income fund was measured at fair value by applying the net asset value per share practical expedient. The investment in the fixed-income fund may be redeemed on a quarterly basis with prior redemption notification of ninety days subject to withdrawal limitations. The investment is required to be held for a minimum of twelve months, and any subsequent quarterly redemption is limited to 25% of the investment or a complete redemption over four consecutive quarters in the amounts of 25%, 33%, 50%, and 100% of the remaining investment balance as of the first, second, third and fourth consecutive quarters, respectively.

As of December 31, 2018, the investment in money market securities was also measured at fair value by applying the net asset value per share practical expedient and was not required to be classified in the fair value hierarchy. These funds were backed by high quality, very liquid short-term instruments and the probability is remote that the funds would be sold for a value other than net asset value.

Investments based on quoted market prices of identical investments in active markets are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 investments generally consist of U.S. Treasury and government agency and perpetual debt and equity securities. Quoted market prices of investments in less active markets, as well as investments which are valued based on other than quoted prices for which the inputs are observable, such as interest rate yield curves, are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments that contain significant inputs that are not observable are categorized as Level 3.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature and credit worthiness of these instruments and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Loans Receivable at Fair Value

Loans receivable at fair value are comprised of loans and other instruments held by consolidated VIEs consisting of residential mortgage loans are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Fair values of residential mortgage loans are determined using quoted prices for MBS issued by the respective VIE and adjusted for the fair values of the financial guarantees provided by MBIA Corp. on the related MBS. The fair values of the financial guarantees consider expected claim payments, net of recoveries, under MBIA Corp.’s policies. 

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Loan Repurchase Commitments

Loan repurchase commitments are obligations owed by the sellers/servicers of mortgage loans to MBIA as reimbursement of paid claims. Loan repurchase commitments are assets of the consolidated VIEs. These assets represent the rights of MBIA against the sellers/servicers for breaches of representations and warranties that the securitized residential mortgage loans sold to the trust to comply with stated underwriting guidelines and for the sellers/servicers to cure, replace, or repurchase mortgage loans. Fair value measurements of loan repurchase commitments represent the amounts owed by the sellers/servicers to MBIA as reimbursement of paid claims and contractual interest. Loan repurchase commitments are not securities and no quoted prices or comparable market transaction information are observable or available. Fair values of loan repurchase commitments are determined using discounted cash flow techniques and are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other Assets

A VIE consolidated by the Company has entered into a derivative instrument consisting of a cross currency swap. The cross currency swap is entered into to manage the variability in cash flows resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency rates. The fair value of the VIE derivative is determined based on inputs from unobservable cash flows projection of the derivative, discounted using observable discount rates. As the significant inputs are unobservable, the derivative contract is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets also include receivables representing the right to receive reimbursement payments on claim payments expected to be made on certain insured VIE liabilities due to risk mitigating transactions with third parties executed to effectively defease, or, in-substance commute the Company’s exposure on its financial guarantee policies. The right to receive reimbursement payments is based on the value of the Company’s financial guarantee determined using the cash flow model. The fair value of the financial guarantee primarily contains unobservable inputs and is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Medium-term Notes at Fair Value

The Company has elected to measure certain MTNs at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of certain MTNs are based on quoted market prices provided by third-party sources, where available. When quoted market prices are not available, the Company applies a matrix pricing grid to determine fair value based on the quoted market prices received for similar instruments and considering the MTNs’ stated maturity and interest rate. Nonperformance risk is included in the quoted market prices and the matrix pricing grid. MTNs are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and do not include accrued interest.

Variable Interest Entity Notes

The fair values of VIE notes are determined based on recently executed transaction prices or quoted prices where observable. When position-specific quoted prices are not observable, fair values are based on quoted prices of similar securities. Fair values based on quoted prices of similar securities may be adjusted for factors unique to the securities, including any credit enhancement. Observable inputs include interest rate yield curves and bond spreads of similar securities. Unobservable inputs include the value of any credit enhancement. VIE notes are categorized in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Derivatives

The corporate segment has entered into derivative transactions primarily consisting of interest rate swaps. Fair values of over-the-counter derivatives are determined using valuation models based on observable inputs, nonperformance risk of the Company and nonperformance risk of the counterparties. Observable and market-based inputs include interest rate yields, credit spreads and volatilities. These derivatives are categorized in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

101

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Derivatives—Insurance

The derivative contracts insured by the Company cannot be legally traded and generally do not have observable market prices. The Company determines the fair values of certain insured credit derivatives using valuation models based on observable inputs and considering nonperformance risk of the Company. These insured credit derivatives are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company uses an internally developed Direct Price Model to value an insured credit derivative that incorporates market prices or estimated prices for all collateral within the transaction, the present value of the market-implied potential losses, and nonperformance risk. The valuation of the insured credit derivative includes the impact of its credit standing. The insured credit derivative is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy based on unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Derivatives—Other

The Company also has other derivative liabilities as a result of a commutation that occurred in 2014. The fair value of the derivative is determined using a discounted cash flow model. Key inputs include unobservable cash flows projected over the expected term of the derivative. As the significant inputs are unobservable, the derivative contract is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other Liabilities

Other payable relates to certain contingent consideration. The fair value of the liability is based on the cash flow methodologies using observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include invested asset balances and asset management fees that are significant to the fair value estimate and the liability is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

102

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Significant Unobservable Inputs

The following tables provide quantitative information regarding the significant unobservable inputs used by the Company for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

In millions	Fair Value as of December 31, 2019		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable at fair value	$	136	Market prices adjusted for financial guarantees provided to VIE obligations	Impact of financial guarantee(1)	-20%—99% (22%)
Loan repurchase commitments		486	Discounted cash flow	Recovery rates(2)
				Breach rates(2)
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		347	Market prices of VIE assets adjusted for financial guarantees provided	Impact of financial guarantee	37%—76% (61%)
Credit derivative liabilities:
CMBS		7	Direct Price Model	Nonperformance risk	54%—54% (54%)
Other derivative liabilities		34	Discounted cash flow	Cash flows	$0—$49 ($25)(3)

(1)—Negative percentage represents financial guarantee policies in a receivable position.

(2)—Recovery rates include assumptions about legal risk in the enforcement of the Company's contract and breach rates represent estimates of the percentage of ineligible loans.

(3)—Midpoint of cash flows are used for the weighted average.

In millions	Fair Value as of December 31, 2018		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable at fair value	$	172	Market prices adjusted for financial guarantees provided to VIE obligations	Impact of financial guarantee(1)	-17%—75% (7%)
Loan repurchase commitments		418	Discounted cash flow	Recovery rates(2)
				Breach rates(2)
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		366	Market prices of VIE assets adjusted for financial guarantees provided	Impact of financial guarantee	0%—63% (39%)
Credit derivative liabilities:
CMBS		33	Direct Price Model	Nonperformance risk	54%—54% (54%)
Other derivative liabilities		7	Discounted cash flow	Cash flows	$0—$49 ($25)(3)

(1)—Negative percentage represents financial guarantee policies in a receivable position.

(2)—Recovery rates include assumptions about legal risk in the enforcement of the Company’s contract and breach rates represent estimates of the percentage of ineligible loans.

(3)—Midpoint of cash flows are used for the weighted average.

103

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Sensitivity of Significant Unobservable Inputs

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s residential loans receivable at fair value of consolidated VIEs is the impact of the financial guarantee. The fair value of residential loans receivable is calculated by subtracting the value of the financial guarantee from the market value of VIE liabilities. The value of a financial guarantee is estimated by the Company as the present value of expected cash payments, net of recoveries, under the policy. If there is a lower expected cash flow on the underlying loans receivable of the VIE, the value of the financial guarantee provided by the Company under the insurance policy increases. This results in a lower fair value of the residential loans receivable in relation to the obligations of the VIE.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s loan repurchase commitments of consolidated VIEs are a breach rate, which represents the percentage of ineligible loans held within a trust, and a recovery rate, which reflects the estimate of future cash receipts including legal risk in the enforcement of the Company’s contractual rights. The estimated recoveries of the loan repurchase commitments may differ from the actual recoveries that may be received in the future. Significant increases or decreases in the breach rate assumptions would result in significantly higher or lower fair values of the loan repurchase commitments, respectively. Additionally, changes in assumptions about the Company’s legal risk could impact the recovery rate assumptions, which could also significantly impact the fair value measurement.

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s VIE notes of consolidated VIEs is the impact of the financial guarantee. The fair value of VIE notes is calculated by adding the value of the financial guarantee to the market value of VIE assets. The value of a financial guarantee is estimated by the Company as the present value of expected cash payments under the policy. As the value of the guarantee provided by the Company to the obligations issued by the VIE increases, the credit support adds value to the liabilities of the VIE. This results in an increase in the fair value of the liabilities of the VIE.

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of MBIA Corp.’s commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) credit derivative, which is valued using the Direct Price Model, is nonperformance risk. The nonperformance risk is an assumption of MBIA Corp.’s own ability to pay and whether MBIA Corp. will have the necessary resources to pay the obligations as they come due. Any significant increase or decrease in MBIA Corp.’s nonperformance risk would result in a decrease or increase in the fair value of the derivative liabilities, respectively.

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of MBIA Corp.’s other derivatives, which are valued using a discounted cash flow model, is the estimates of future cash flows discounted using market rates and CDS spreads. Any significant increase or decrease in future cash flows would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value of the derivative liability, respectively.

104

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present the fair value of the Company’s assets (including short-term investments) and liabilities measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018: 

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
In millions	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2019
Assets:
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	791	$	97	$	—	$	888
State and municipal bonds		—		200		—		200
Foreign governments		—		10		—		10
Corporate obligations		—		1,266		—		1,266
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		—		330		—		330
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		—		19		—		19
Commercial mortgage-backed		—		22		—		22
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		—		140		—		140
Other asset-backed		—		326		1		327
Total fixed-maturity investments		791		2,410		1		3,202
Money market securities		154		—		—		154
Perpetual debt and equity securities		30		25		—		55
Fixed-income fund		—		—		—		51	(1)
Cash and cash equivalents		75		—		—		75
Derivative assets:
Non-insured derivative assets:
Interest rate derivatives		—		1		—		1

105

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued) 

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
In millions	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2019
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations		—		8		—		8
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		—		45		—		45
Commercial mortgage-backed		—		16		—		16
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		—		6		—		6
Other asset-backed		—		8		—		8
Cash		8		—		—		8
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential loans receivable		—		—		136		136
Loan repurchase commitments		—		—		486		486
Other assets:
Currency derivatives		—		—		8		8
Other		—		—		18		18
Total assets	$	1,058	$	2,519	$	649	$	4,277
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	—	$	—	$	108	$	108
Derivative liabilities:
Insured derivatives:
Credit derivatives		—		2		7		9
Non-insured derivatives:
Interest rate derivatives		—		132		—		132
Other		—		—		34		34
Other liabilities:
Other payable		—		—		4		4
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		—		56		347		403
Total liabilities	$	—	$	190	$	500	$	690

(1)—Investment that was measured at fair value by applying the net asset value per share practical expedient, and was required not to be classified in the fair value hierarchy. 

106

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
In millions	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2018
Assets:
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	1,028	$	90	$	—	$	1,118
State and municipal bonds		—		728		—		728
Foreign governments		—		9		—		9
Corporate obligations		—		1,410		—		1,410
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		—		219		—		219
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		—		28		—		28
Commercial mortgage-backed		—		47		7		54
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		—		121		—		121
Other asset-backed		—		181		3		184
Total fixed-maturity investments		1,028		2,833		10		3,871
Money market securities		—		—		—		67	(1)
Perpetual debt and equity securities		23		35		—		58
Fixed-income fund		—		—		—		75	(1)
Cash and cash equivalents		222		—		—		222
Derivative assets:
Non-insured derivative assets:
Interest rate derivatives		—		2		—		2

107

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
In millions	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Balance as of December 31, 2018
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations		—		9		5		14
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		—		92		—		92
Commercial mortgage-backed		—		34		—		34
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		—		6		1		7
Other asset-backed		—		10		—		10
Cash		58		—		—		58
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential loans receivable		—		—		172		172
Loan repurchase commitments		—		—		418		418
Other assets:
Currency derivatives		—		—		17		17
Other		—		—		14		14
Total assets	$	1,331	$	3,021	$	637	$	5,131
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	—	$	—	$	102	$	102
Derivative liabilities:
Insured derivatives:
Credit derivatives		—		2		33		35
Non-insured derivatives:
Interest rate derivatives		—		157		—		157
Other		—		—		7		7
Other liabilities:
Other payable		—		—		5		5
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		—		114		366		480
Total liabilities	$	—	$	273	$	513	$	786

(1)—Investment that was measured at fair value by applying the net asset value per share practical expedient, and was required not to be classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Level 3 assets at fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 represented approximately 15% and 12%, respectively, of total assets measured at fair value. Level 3 liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 represented approximately 72% and 65%, respectively, of total liabilities measured at fair value.

108

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

The following tables present the fair values and carrying values of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are disclosed at fair value but not reported at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
In millions	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value Balance as of December 31, 2019		Carry Value Balance as of December 31, 2019
Assets:
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Investments held-to-maturity	$	—	$	—	$	892	$	892	$	890
Total assets	$	—	$	—	$	892	$	892	$	890
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	$	—	$	1,073	$	—	$	1,073	$	2,228
Medium-term notes		—		—		396		396		570
Investment agreements		—		—		394		394		304
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		—		261		892		1,153		1,136
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,334	$	1,682	$	3,016	$	4,238
Financial Guarantees:
Gross liability (recoverable)	$	—	$	—	$	556	$	556	$	(311	)
Ceded		—		—		56		56		24

	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
In millions	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value Balance as of December 31, 2018		Carry Value Balance as of December 31, 2018
Assets:
Other investments	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	1	$	1
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Investments held-to-maturity		—		—		925		925		890
Total assets	$	—	$	1	$	925	$	926	$	891
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	$	—	$	1,101	$	—	$	1,101	$	2,249
Medium-term notes		—		—		422		422		620
Investment agreements		—		—		388		388		311
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		—		378		925		1,303		1,264
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,479	$	1,735	$	3,214	$	4,444
Financial Guarantees:
Gross liability (recoverable)	$	—	$	—	$	993	$	993	$	(43	)
Ceded		—		—		65		65		35

109

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

The following tables present information about changes in Level 3 assets (including short-term investments) and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Year Ended December 31, 2019

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Realized Gains / (Losses)			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in Earnings			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in OCI			Foreign Exchange Recognized in OCI or Earnings			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3(1)		Transfers out of Level 3(1)			Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of December 31, 2019
Assets:
Commercial mortgage-backed	$	7	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(4	)	$	—		$	—	$	(3	)	$	—	$	—
Other asset-backed		3		(1	)		—			(1	)		—			—		—		—			—			—		—			1		—
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations		5		—			—			—			—			—		—		(2	)		—			—		(3	)		—		—
Collateralized debt obligations		1		—			—			—			—			—		—		—			(1	)		—		—			—		—
Loans receivable-residential		172		—			35			—			—			—		—		(23	)		(48	)		—		—			136		26
Loan repurchase commitments		418		—			68			—			—			—		—		—			—			—		—			486		68
Currency derivatives		17		—			(7	)		—			(2	)		—		—		—			—			—		—			8		(9	)
Other		14		—			4			—			—			—		—		—			—			—		—			18		4
Total assets	$	637	$	(1	)	$	100		$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—	$	(29	)	$	(49	)	$	—	$	(6	)	$	649	$	89

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Realized (Gains) / Losses		Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in Earnings			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in Credit Risk in OCI		Foreign Exchange Recognized in OCI or Earnings			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3(1)		Transfers out of Level 3(1)		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in Earnings for Liabilities still held as of December 31, 2019
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	102	$	—	$	2		$	6	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	108	$	—
Credit derivatives		33		10		(25	)		—		—			—		—		(11	)		—			—		—		7		(25	)
Other derivatives		7		—		27			—		—			—		—		—			—			—		—		34		27
Other payable		5		—		2			—		—			—		—		(3	)		—			—		—		4		2
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
VIE notes		366		24		18			11		3			—		10		(25	)		(60	)		—		—		347		21
Total liabilities	$	513	$	34	$	24		$	17	$	1		$	—	$	10	$	(39	)	$	(60	)	$	—	$	—	$	500	$	25

(1)—Transferred in and out at the end of the period.

110

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Year Ended December 31, 2018

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Realized Gains / (Losses)		Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in Earnings			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in OCI			Foreign Exchange Recognized in OCI or Earnings		Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3(1)		Transfers out of Level 3(1)			Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of December 31, 2018
Assets:
Corporate obligations	$	2	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—
Commercial mortgage-backed		7		—		—			—			—		—		—		—			—			7		(7	)		7		—
Other asset-backed		5		—		—			(1	)		—		5		—		(1	)		(3	)		—		(2	)		3		—
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations		—		—		—			—			—		—		—		(1	)		—			6		—			5		—
Commercial mortgage-backed		6		—		—			—			—		—		—		—			—			—		(6	)		—		—
Collateralized debt obligations		1		—		—			—			—		—		—		—			—			—		—			1		—
Loans receivable-residential		759		—		14			—			—		—		—		(114	)		(487	)		—		—			172		(22	)
Loans receivable and other instruments-corporate		920		—		11			—			—		—		—		(6	)		(925	)		—		—			—		—
Loan repurchase commitments		407		—		11			—			—		—		—		—			—			—		—			418		11
Currency derivatives		19		—		(2	)		—			—		—		—		—			—			—		—			17		(2	)
Other		14		—		—			—			—		—		—		—			—			—		—			14		—
Total assets	$	2,140	$	—	$	34		$	(1	)	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	(122	)	$	(1,415	)	$	13	$	(17	)	$	637	$	(13	)

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Realized (Gains) / Losses			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in Earnings			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in OCI			Foreign Exchange Recognized in OCI or Earnings			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales		Transfers into Level 3(1)		Transfers out of Level 3(1)		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in Earnings for Liabilities still held as of December 31, 2018
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	115	$	(9	)	$	(1	)	$	55		$	(10	)	$	—	$	—	$	(48	)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	102	$	(11	)
Credit derivatives		63		56			(30	)		—			—			—		—		(56	)		—		—		—		33		(30	)
Other derivatives		4		—			3			—			—			—		—		—			—		—		—		7		3
Other payable		7		—			1			—			—			—		—		(3	)		—		—		—		5		1
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
VIE notes		406		39			(30	)		(20	)		—			—		8		(37	)		—		—		—		366		(30	)
Total liabilities	$	595	$	86		$	(57	)	$	35		$	(10	)	$	—	$	8	$	(144	)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	513	$	(67	)

(1)—Transferred in and out at the end of the period.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, sales include the impact of the deconsolidation of VIEs. Refer to “Note 4: Variable Interest Entities” for additional information about the deconsolidation of VIEs.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no transfers into Level 3 and out of Level 2. CMBS and corporate obligations comprised the majority of the instruments transferred out of Level 3 where inputs, which are significant to their valuation, became observable during the period. These inputs included spreads, prepayment speeds, default speeds, default severities, yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, and market corroborated inputs. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, transfers into Level 3 and out of Level 2 were principally related to CMBS and corporate obligations, where inputs, which are significant to their valuation, became unobservable during the period. CMBS, corporate obligations and other asset-backed comprised the majority of the instruments transferred out of Level 3 where inputs, which are significant to their valuation, became observable during the period. These inputs included spreads, prepayment speeds, default speeds, default severities, yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, and market corroborated inputs. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

All Level 1, 2 and 3 designations are made at the end of each accounting period.

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as follows:

										Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
										for the Period Included in Earnings
	Total Gains (Losses)									for Assets and Liabilities still held as
In millions	Included in Earnings									of December 31,
	2019			2018			2017			2019			2018			2017
Revenues:
Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives	$	25		$	30		$	1		$	25		$	30		$	(1	)
Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives		(10	)		(56	)		(51	)		—			—			—
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(26	)		17			(32	)		(27	)		8			(32	)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(1	)		—			—			—			—			—
Other net realized gains (losses)		(2	)		(1	)		—			(2	)		(1	)		—
Revenues of consolidated VIEs:
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		53			25			131			68			17			131
Total	$	39		$	15		$	49		$	64		$	54		$	98

Fair Value Option

The Company elected to record at fair value certain financial instruments that are consolidated in connection with the adoption of the accounting guidance for consolidation of VIEs, among others.

The following table presents the gains and (losses) included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 for financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019			2018			2017
Investments carried at fair value(1)	$	15		$	(11	)	$	8
Fixed-maturity securities held at fair value-VIE(2)		95			(25	)		(22	)
Loans receivable and other instruments at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans(2)		35			(100	)		(158	)
Corporate loans and other instruments(2)		—			11			52
Loan repurchase commitments(2)		68			12			3
Other assets-VIE(2)		4			—			(3	)
Medium-term notes(1)		1			19			(14	)
Other liabilities(3)		(2	)		(2	)		—
Variable interest entity notes(2)		(89	)		118			230

(1)—Reported within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” on MBIA’s consolidated statements of operations.

(2)—Reported within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange-VIE” on MBIA’s consolidated statements of operations.

(3)—Reported within “Other net realized gains (losses)” on MBIA’s consolidated statements of operations.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate remaining contractual principal balance outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 for loans and notes for which the fair value option was elected:

	As of December 31, 2019						As of December 31, 2018
	Contractual						Contractual
	Outstanding		Fair				Outstanding		Fair
In millions	Principal		Value		Difference		Principal		Value		Difference
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans	$	107	$	107	$	—	$	168	$	164	$	4
Residential mortgage loans (90 days or more past due)		154		29		125		153		8		145
Total loans receivable and other instruments at fair value	$	261	$	136	$	125	$	321	$	172	$	149
Variable interest entity notes	$	1,126	$	403	$	723	$	1,295	$	480	$	815
Medium-term notes	$	112	$	108	$	4	$	114	$	102	$	12

The differences between the contractual outstanding principal and the fair values on loans receivable, VIE notes and MTNs, in the preceding table, are primarily attributable to credit risk. This is due to the high rate of defaults on loans (90 days or more past due), the collateral supporting the VIE notes and the nonperformance risk of the Company on its MTNs, which resulted in depressed pricing of the financial instruments.

Instrument-Specific Credit Risk of Liabilities Elected Under the Fair Value Option

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the cumulative changes in instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities elected under the fair value option were losses of $107 million and $110 million, respectively, reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Changes in value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk were derived principally from changes in the Company’s credit spread. For liabilities of VIEs, additional adjustments to instrument-specific credit risk are required, which is determined by an analysis of deal specific performance of collateral that support these liabilities. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the portions of instrument-specific credit risk included in AOCI that were recognized in earnings due to settlement of liabilities were losses of $28 million and $97 million, respectively.

Note 8: Investments

Investments, excluding those elected under the fair value option, include debt and equity securities classified as either AFS or HTM.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued)

The following tables present the amortized cost, fair value, corresponding gross unrealized gains and losses and OTTI for AFS and HTM investments in the Company’s consolidated investment portfolio as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

	December 31, 2019
			Gross		Gross					Other-Than-
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair		Temporary
In millions	Cost		Gains		Losses			Value		Impairments(1)
AFS Investments
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	838	$	46	$	(2	)	$	882	$	—
State and municipal bonds		178		22		—			200		—
Foreign governments		8		1		—			9		—
Corporate obligations		1,140		52		(1	)		1,191		—
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		317		3		—			320		—
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		23		1		(5	)		19		—
Commercial mortgage-backed		20		—		—			20		—
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		139		—		(2	)		137		—
Other asset-backed		321		1		(1	)		321		—
Total AFS investments	$	2,984	$	126	$	(11	)	$	3,099	$	—
HTM Investments
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations	$	890	$	2	$	—		$	892	$	—
Total HTM investments	$	890	$	2	$	—		$	892	$	—

(1)—Represents unrealized gains or losses on OTTI securities recognized in AOCI, which includes the non-credit component of impairments, as well as all subsequent changes in fair value of such impaired securities reported in AOCI.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued)

	December 31, 2018
			Gross		Gross					Other-Than-
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair		Temporary
In millions	Cost		Gains		Losses			Value		Impairments(1)
AFS Investments
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	1,093	$	26	$	(10	)	$	1,109	$	—
State and municipal bonds		641		97		(11	)		727		42
Foreign governments		9		—		—			9		—
Corporate obligations		1,473		6		(131	)		1,348		(68	)
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		218		1		(5	)		214		—
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		30		1		(4	)		27		—
Commercial mortgage-backed		53		—		(2	)		51		—
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		122		—		(3	)		119		—
Other asset-backed		178		—		(1	)		177		—
Total AFS investments	$	3,817	$	131	$	(167	)	$	3,781	$	(26	)
HTM Investments
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations	$	890	$	35	$	—		$	925	$	—
Total HTM investments	$	890	$	35	$	—		$	925	$	—

(1)—Represents unrealized gains or losses on OTTI securities recognized in AOCI, which includes the non-credit component of impairments, as well as all subsequent changes in fair value of such impaired securities reported in AOCI.

The following table presents the distribution by contractual maturity of AFS and HTM fixed-maturity securities at amortized cost and fair value as of December 31, 2019. Contractual maturity may differ from expected maturity as borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.

	AFS Securities				HTM Securities
					Consolidated VIEs
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
In millions	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
Due in one year or less	$	570	$	571	$	—	$	—
Due after one year through five years		472		480		—		—
Due after five years through ten years		391		411		—		—
Due after ten years		731		820		890		892
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed		820		817		—		—
Total fixed-maturity investments	$	2,984	$	3,099	$	890	$	892

Deposited and Pledged Securities

The fair value of securities on deposit with various regulatory authorities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $11 million. These deposits are required to comply with state insurance laws.

Pursuant to the Company’s tax sharing agreement, securities held by MBIA Inc. in the Tax Escrow Account are included as “Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued)

Investment agreement obligations require the Company to pledge securities as collateral. Securities pledged in connection with investment agreements may not be repledged by the investment agreement counterparty. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of securities pledged as collateral for these investment agreements approximated $313 million and $314 million, respectively. The Company’s collateral as of December 31, 2019 consisted principally of U.S. Treasury and government agency and corporate obligations, and was primarily held with major U.S. banks. 

Refer to “Note 9: Derivative Instruments” for information about securities posted to derivative counterparties.

Impaired Investments

The following tables present the gross unrealized losses related to AFS and HTM investments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

	December 31, 2019
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
In millions	Value		Losses			Value		Losses			Value		Losses
AFS Investments
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	148	$	(1	)	$	79	$	(1	)	$	227	$	(2	)
State and municipal bonds		11		—			15		—			26		—
Corporate obligations		53		(1	)		10		—			63		(1	)
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		62		—			7		—			69		—
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		—		—			11		(5	)		11		(5	)
Commercial mortgage-backed		5		—			—		—			5		—
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		44		—			77		(2	)		121		(2	)
Other asset-backed		48		(1	)		7		—			55		(1	)
Total AFS investments	$	371	$	(3	)	$	206	$	(8	)	$	577	$	(11	)

	December 31, 2018
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
In millions	Value		Losses			Value		Losses			Value		Losses
AFS Investments
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	231	$	(1	)	$	278	$	(9	)	$	509	$	(10	)
State and municipal bonds		60		(1	)		135		(10	)		195		(11	)
Foreign governments		5		—			2		—			7		—
Corporate obligations		900		(41	)		335		(90	)		1,235		(131	)
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		29		(1	)		118		(4	)		147		(5	)
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		2		—			13		(4	)		15		(4	)
Commercial mortgage-backed		24		—			21		(2	)		45		(2	)
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		98		(3	)		7		—			105		(3	)
Other asset-backed		127		—			35		(1	)		162		(1	)
Total AFS investments	$	1,476	$	(47	)	$	944	$	(120	)	$	2,420	$	(167	)

Gross unrealized losses on AFS investments decreased as of December 31, 2019 compared with December 31, 2018 primarily due to lower interest rates and tightening credit spreads.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued)

With the weighting applied on the fair value of each security relative to the total fair value, the weighted average contractual maturity of securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was 10 and 11 years, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were 63 and 182 securities, respectively, that were in an unrealized loss position for a continuous twelve-month period or longer, of which, fair values of 16 and 64 securities, respectively, were below book value by more than 5%.

The following table presents the distribution of securities in an unrealized loss position for a continuous twelve-month period or longer where fair value was below book value by more than 5% as of December 31, 2019:

	AFS Securities
Percentage of Fair Value	Number of		Book Value		Fair Value
Below Book Value	Securities		(in millions)		(in millions)
> 5% to 15%		11	$	17	$	16
> 15% to 25%		1		—		—
> 25% to 50%		2		14		9
> 50%		2		—		—
Total		16	$	31	$	25

The Company concluded that it does not have the intent to sell securities in an unrealized loss position and it is more likely than not, that it would not have to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis. In making this conclusion, the Company examined the cash flow projections for its investment portfolios, the potential sources and uses of cash in its businesses, and the cash resources available to its business other than sales of securities. It also considered the existence of any risk management or other plans as of December 31, 2019 that would require the sale of impaired securities. Impaired securities that the Company intends to sell before the expected recovery of such securities’ fair values have been written down to fair value.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

Evaluating AFS Securities for OTTI

The Company has an ongoing review process for all securities in its investment portfolio, including a quarterly assessment of OTTI. This evaluation includes both qualitative and quantitative considerations. In assessing whether a decline in value is related to a credit loss, the Company considers several factors, including but not limited to (i) the magnitude and duration of declines in fair value; (ii) the reasons for the declines in fair value, such as general credit spread movements in each asset-backed sector, transaction-specific changes in credit spreads, credit rating downgrades, modeled defaults, and principal and interest payment priorities within each investment structure; and (iii) any guarantees associated with a security such as those provided by financial guarantee insurance companies, including MBIA Corp. and National.

In calculating credit-related losses, the Company uses cash flow modeling based on the type of security. The Company’s cash flow analysis considers all sources of cash, including credit enhancement, that support the payment of amounts owed by an issuer of a security. This includes the consideration of cash expected to be provided by financial guarantors, including MBIA Corp. and National, resulting from an actual or potential insurance policy claim. In general, any change in the amount and/or timing of cash flows received or expected to be received, whether or not such cash flows are contractually defined, is reflected in the Company’s cash flow analysis for purposes of assessing an OTTI loss on an impaired security.

Each quarter, an internal committee, comprising staff that is independent of the Company’s evaluation process for determining OTTI of securities, reviews and approves the valuation of investments. Among other responsibilities, this committee ensures that the Company’s process for identifying and calculating OTTI, including the use of models and assumptions, is reasonable and complies with the Company’s internal policy.  

117

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued)

Determination of Credit Loss on ABS, MBS and Corporate Obligations

ABS investments are evaluated for OTTI using historical collateral performance, deal waterfall and structural protections, credit ratings, and forward looking projections of collateral performance based on business and economic conditions specific to each collateral type and risk. The underlying collateral is evaluated to identify any specific performance concerns, and stress scenarios are considered in forecasting ultimate returns of principal. Based on this evaluation, if a principal default is projected for a security, estimated future cash flows are discounted at the security’s effective interest rate used to recognize interest income on the security. For CDO investments, the Company uses the same tools as its RMBS investments discussed below, aggregating the bond level cash flows to the CDO investment level. If the present value of cash flows is less than the Company’s amortized cost for the security, the difference is recorded as an OTTI loss.

RMBS investments are evaluated for OTTI using several quantitative tools. Loan level data is obtained and analyzed in a model that produces prepayment, default, and severity vectors. The model uses macro inputs, including housing price assumptions and interest rates. The vector outputs are used as inputs to a third-party cash flow model, which considers deal waterfall dynamics and structural features, to generate cash flows for an RMBS investment. The expected cash flows of the security are then discounted at the interest rate used to recognize interest income of the security to arrive at a present value amount. If the present value of the cash flows is less than the Company’s amortized cost for the investment, the difference is recorded as an OTTI loss.

Corporate obligation investments are evaluated for OTTI using credit analysis techniques. The Company’s analysis includes a detailed review of a number of quantitative and qualitative factors impacting the value of an individual security. These factors include the interest rate of the security (fixed or floating), the security’s current market spread, any collateral supporting the security, the security’s position in the issuer’s capital structure, and credit rating upgrades or downgrades. Additionally, these factors include an assessment of various issuer-related credit metrics including market capitalization, earnings, cash flow, capitalization, interest coverage, leverage, liquidity and management. The Company’s analysis is augmented by comparing market prices for similar securities of other issuers in the same sector, as well as any recent corporate or government actions that may impact the ultimate return of principal. If the Company determines that a principal default is projected, a recovery analysis is performed using the above data. If the Company’s estimated recovery value for the security is less than its amortized cost, the difference is recorded as an OTTI loss.

During 2017, certain municipal bonds had liquidity concerns, recent credit downgrades and other adverse financial conditions. As a result, the Company placed these bonds on a non-accrual basis and recognized an OTTI loss for the difference between its amortized cost and fair value. This OTTI loss was included in “Investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

Determination of Credit Loss Guaranteed by the Company on Other Third-Party Guarantors

The Company does not recognize OTTI on securities insured by MBIA Corp. and National since those securities, whether or not owned by the Company, are evaluated for impairments in accordance with its loss reserving policy. Refer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” included herein for information about the Company’s loss reserving policy and “Note 6: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves” for information about loss reserves.

118

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued)

The following table provides information about securities held by the Company as of December 31, 2019 that were in an unrealized loss position and insured by a financial guarantor, along with the amount of insurance loss reserves corresponding to the par amount owned by the Company:

	Fair		Unrealized			Insurance Loss
In millions	Value		Loss			Reserve(2)
Mortgage-backed:
MBIA(1)	$	11	$	(5	)	$	18

(1)—Includes investments insured by MBIA Corp. and National.

(2)—Insurance loss reserve estimates are based on the proportion of par value owned to the total amount of par value insured.

Credit Loss Rollforward

The portion of certain OTTI losses on fixed-maturity securities that does not represent credit losses is recognized in AOCI. For these impairments, the net amount recognized in earnings represents the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the net present value of its projected future discounted cash flows prior to impairment. Any remaining difference between the fair value and amortized cost is recognized in AOCI. The following table presents the amount of credit loss impairments recognized in earnings on fixed-maturity securities held by MBIA as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI losses was recognized in AOCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts. The additional credit loss impairments on securities previously impaired for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, primarily related to a corporate obligation that incurred liquidity concerns, ongoing credit risk and other adverse financial conditions. In 2019, due to the Company’s intent to sell, this security was impaired to fair value with any incremental impairment recorded as a credit loss impairment in earnings, as well as a reduction of inception-to-date recognized credit loss impairments. Also, during 2017, the credit loss impairment on securities not previously impaired related to municipal bonds that were impaired to their recovery value which were further impaired to their fair value, resulting in reductions of such credit loss impairment in the same year.

In millions	Years Ended December 31,
Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings Related to OTTI	2019			2018		2017
Beginning balance	$	37		$	32	$	29
Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired		—			—		11
Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired		67			5		5
Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities sold during the period		—			—		(2	)
Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities impaired to fair value during the period		(104	)		—		(11	)
Ending balance	$	—		$	37	$	32

119

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 8: Investments (continued) 

Sales of Available-for-Sale Investments

Gross realized gains and losses are recorded within “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The proceeds and the gross realized gains and losses from sales of fixed-maturity securities held as AFS for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019			2018			2017
Proceeds from sales	$	2,195		$	2,117		$	2,256
Gross realized gains	$	103		$	6		$	40
Gross realized losses	$	(4	)	$	(19	)	$	(22	)

Equity Investments

Unrealized gains and losses recognized on equity investments held as of the end of each period for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019		2018
Net gains and (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	11	$	(4	)
Less:
Net gains and (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period		1		1
Unrealized gains and (losses) recognized during the period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$	10	$	(5	)

Note 9: Derivative Instruments

U.S. Public Finance Insurance

The Company’s derivative exposure within its U.S. public finance insurance operations primarily consists of insured interest rate and inflation-linked swaps related to insured U.S. public finance debt issues. These derivatives do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception and are accounted for as derivative instruments. Changes in the fair values of the Company’s insured derivatives within its U.S. Public Finance segment are included in “Net change in fair value of insured derivatives” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Corporate

The Company has entered into derivative instruments primarily consisting of interest rate swaps to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value of certain assets. During the third quarter of 2019, the Company terminated a portion of its outstanding interest rate swaps. The termination amount paid in cash reflected the fair values of the swaps at the termination date and all collateral held by the counterparty to the interest rate swaps was returned to the Company. The termination of these swaps was executed to reduce future exposure to interest rate movements. Changes in the fair values of the Company’s derivatives within its Corporate segment are included in “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. 

120

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9: Derivative Instruments (continued)

International and Structured Finance Insurance

The Company has entered into a derivative instrument to provide financial guarantee insurance to a structured finance transaction that does not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception and, therefore, is accounted for as a derivative. The insured CDS contract, referencing CMBS, is intended to be held for the entire term of the contract unless a settlement with the counterparty is negotiated. The Company no longer insures new CDS contracts except for transactions related to the restructuring or reduction of existing derivative exposure. The Company’s derivative exposure within its international and structured finance insurance segment also includes insured interest rate and inflation-linked swaps related to insured debt issues. Changes in the fair values of the Company’s insured derivatives within its International and Structured Finance segment are included in “Net change in fair value of insured derivatives” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has also entered into a derivative contract in connection with the commutation of certain insurance exposure, which occurred in 2014. Changes in the fair value of this non-insured derivative are included in “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Variable Interest Entities

A VIE consolidated by the Company is party to a cross currency swap, which was entered into to manage the variability in cash flows resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency rates. Changes in the fair value of the VIE derivative are included in “Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange-VIE” on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Credit Derivatives Sold

The following tables present information about credit derivatives sold by the Company’s insurance operations that were outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Credit ratings represent the lower of underlying ratings assigned to the collateral by Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC (“S&P”) or MBIA.

$ in millions	As of December 31, 2019
	Notional Value
Credit Derivatives Sold	Weighted Average Remaining Expected Maturity		AAA		AA		A			BBB			Below Investment Grade			Total Notional		Fair Value Asset (Liability)
Insured credit default swaps		1.0 Years	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	32		$	32	$	(7	)
Insured swaps		14.6 Years		—		66		1,284			445			—			1,795		(2	)
Total notional			$	—	$	66	$	1,284		$	445		$	32		$	1,827
Total fair value			$	—	$	—	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(7	)			$	(9	)

$ in millions	As of December 31, 2018
	Notional Value
Credit Derivatives Sold	Weighted Average Remaining Expected Maturity		AAA		AA		A			BBB			Below Investment Grade			Total Notional		Fair Value Asset (Liability)
Insured credit default swaps		1.0 Years	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	70		$	70	$	(33	)
Insured swaps		15.7 Years		—		74		1,463			896			—			2,433		(2	)
Total notional			$	—	$	74	$	1,463		$	896		$	70		$	2,503
Total fair value			$	—	$	—	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	(33	)			$	(35	)

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9: Derivative Instruments (continued)

Internal credit ratings assigned by MBIA on the underlying collateral are derived by the Company’s surveillance group. In assigning an internal rating, current status reports from issuers and trustees, as well as publicly available transaction-specific information, are reviewed. Also, where appropriate, cash flow analyses and collateral valuations are considered. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) on insured CDS and insured swaps is estimated as the notional value of such contracts.

MBIA may hold recourse provisions with third parties in derivative instruments through subrogation rights, whereby if MBIA makes a claim payment, it may be entitled to any rights of the insured counterparty, including the right to any assets held as collateral.

Counterparty Credit Risk

The Company manages counterparty credit risk on an individual counterparty basis through master netting agreements covering derivative instruments in the corporate segment. These agreements allow the Company to contractually net amounts due from a counterparty with those amounts due to such counterparty when certain triggering events occur. The Company only executes swaps under master netting agreements, which typically contain mutual credit downgrade provisions that generally provide the ability to require assignment or termination in the event either MBIA or the counterparty is downgraded below a specified credit rating.

Under these agreements, the Company may receive or provide cash, U.S. Treasury or other highly rated securities to secure counterparties’ exposure to the Company or its exposure to counterparties, respectively. Such collateral is available to the holder to pay for replacing the counterparty in the event that the counterparty defaults. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not hold or post cash collateral to derivative counterparties.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had securities with a fair value of $181 million and $205 million, respectively, posted to derivative counterparties and these amounts are included within “Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value on one Credit Support Annex (“CSA”) was $1 million and $2 million, respectively. This CSA governs collateral posting requirements between MBIA and its derivative counterparties. The Company did not receive collateral due to the Company’s credit rating, which was below the CSA minimum credit ratings level for holding counterparty collateral. As of December 31, 2019, the counterparty was rated Aa3 by Moody’s and A+ by S&P. As of December 31, 2018, the counterparty was rated A1 by Moody’s and A+ by S&P.

Financial Statement Presentation

The fair value of amounts recognized for eligible derivative contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement, including any cash collateral that may have been received or posted by the Company, is presented on a net basis in accordance with accounting guidance for the offsetting of fair value amounts related to derivative instruments. Insured CDS and insured swaps are not subject to master netting agreements. VIE derivative assets and liabilities are not presented net of any master netting agreements. Counterparty netting of derivative assets and liabilities offsets balances in “Interest rate swaps”, when applicable.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9: Derivative Instruments (continued)

The following table presents the total fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities by instrument and balance sheet location, before counterparty netting, as of December 31, 2019:

In millions			Derivative Assets(1)			Derivative Liabilities(1)
	Notional
	Amount			Fair				Fair
Derivative Instruments	Outstanding		Balance Sheet Location	Value		Balance Sheet Location		Value
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Insured credit default swaps	$	32	Other assets	$	—		Derivative liabilities	$	(7	)
Insured swaps		1,795	Other assets		—		Derivative liabilities		(2	)
Interest rate swaps		441	Other assets		1		Derivative liabilities		(132	)
Interest rate swaps-embedded		232	Medium-term notes		—		Medium-term notes		(15	)
Currency swaps-VIE		58	Other assets-VIE		8		Derivative liabilities-VIE		—
All other		49	Other assets		—		Derivative liabilities		(34	)
Total non-designated derivatives	$	2,607		$	9			$	(190	)

(1)—In accordance with the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, the balance sheet location of the Company’s embedded derivative instruments is determined by the location of the related host contract.

The following table presents the total fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities by instrument and balance sheet location, before counterparty netting, as of December 31, 2018:

In millions			Derivative Assets(1)			Derivative Liabilities(1)
	Notional
	Amount			Fair			Fair
Derivative Instruments	Outstanding		Balance Sheet Location	Value		Balance Sheet Location	Value
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Insured credit default swaps	$	70	Other assets	$	—	Derivative liabilities	$	(33	)
Insured swaps		2,433	Other assets		—	Derivative liabilities		(2	)
Interest rate swaps		712	Other assets		2	Derivative liabilities		(157	)
Interest rate swaps-embedded		293	Medium-term notes		—	Medium-term notes		(13	)
Currency swaps-VIE		62	Other assets-VIE		16	Derivative liabilities-VIE		—
All other		49	Other assets		—	Derivative liabilities		(7	)
Total non-designated derivatives	$	3,619		$	18		$	(212	)

(1)—In accordance with the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities, the balance sheet location of the Company’s embedded derivative instruments is determined by the location of the related host contract.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9: Derivative Instruments (continued)

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

In millions
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging		Years Ended December 31,
Instruments	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	2019			2018			2017
Insured credit default swaps	Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives	$	25		$	31		$	—
Insured credit default swaps	Realized gains (losses) and other settlements on insured derivatives		(10	)		(56	)		(51	)
Interest rate swaps	Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(66	)		4			3
Currency swaps-VIE	Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange-VIE		(8	)		(2	)		(1	)
All other	Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(26	)		(4	)		(19	)
Total		$	(85	)	$	(27	)	$	(68	)

Note 10: Debt

Long-Term Debt

The Company’s long-term debt consists of notes and debentures including accrued interest as follows:

	As of December 31,
In millions	2019			2018
6.400% Senior Notes due 2022(1)	$	115		$	265
7.000% Debentures due 2025		46			46
7.150% Debentures due 2027		100			100
6.625% Debentures due 2028		141			141
5.700% Senior Notes due 2034(2)		21			21
Surplus Notes due 2033(3)		940			940
Accrued interest		877			751
Debt issuance costs		(12	)		(15	)
Total	$	2,228		$	2,249

(1)—Callable on or after August 15, 2006 at par.

(2)—Callable anytime at the greater of par or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest.

(3)—Contractual interest rate is based on three month LIBOR plus 11.26%.  

 

During 2019, the Company redeemed $150 million principal amount of its 6.400% Senior Notes due 2022 at a cost of 100% of par value plus accrued interest. During 2018, National purchased the remaining $44 million principal amount of MBIA Inc. 5.700% Senior Notes due 2034 and $10 million principal amount of MBIA Inc. 7.000% Debentures due 2025 that were previously repurchased by MBIA Inc. and had not been retired. As of December 31, 2019, National owned $308 million principal amount of the 5.700% Senior Notes due 2034 and $10 million principal amount of MBIA Inc. 7.000% Debentures due 2025, and MBIA Inc., through its corporate segment, owned $13 million of MBIA Corp. surplus notes. These amounts are eliminated on a consolidated basis.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 10: Debt (continued) 

Interest and principal payments on the surplus notes are subject to prior approval by the NYSDFS. From the January 15, 2013 interest payment to the present, MBIA Corp.’s requests for approval of the note interest payments have not been approved by the NYSDFS. MBIA Corp. provides notice to the Fiscal Agent when it will not make a scheduled interest payment. The deferred interest payment will become due on the first business day on or after which MBIA Corp. obtains approval to make such payment. No interest will accrue on the deferred interest. The surplus notes were callable at par at the option of MBIA Corp. on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance, and are callable at par on January 15, 2023 and every fifth anniversary thereafter and are callable on any other date at par plus a make-whole amount, subject to prior approval by the Superintendent and other restrictions. The cash received from the issuance of surplus notes was used for general business purposes and the deferred debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the surplus notes.

The aggregate maturities of principal payments of long-term debt obligations in each of the next five years ending December 31, and thereafter, are as follows:

In millions	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		Thereafter		Total
Corporate debt	$	—	$	—	$	115	$	—	$	—	$	308	$	423
Surplus Notes due 2033		—		—		—		—		—		940		940
Total debt obligations due	$	—	$	—	$	115	$	—	$	—	$	1,248	$	1,363

Investment Agreements

Certain investment agreements provide for early termination, including, in some cases, with make-whole payments, upon certain contingent events including the bankruptcy of MBIA Inc. or the commencement of an insolvency proceeding with respect to MBIA Corp. Upon the occurrence of certain contractually agreed-upon events, some of these funds may be withdrawn by the investor prior to their contractual maturity dates. All of the investment agreements have been collateralized in accordance with the contractual terms.

Investment agreements have been issued with fixed interest rates in U.S. dollars. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the annual interest rates on these agreements ranged from 4.78% to 6.88% and the weighted average interest rates were 5.86% and 5.83%, respectively. Expected principal payments due under these investment agreements in each of the next five years ending December 31, and thereafter, based upon contractual maturity dates, are as follows:

In millions	Principal Amount
Maturity date:
2020	$	36
2021		2
2022		2
2023		20
2024		26
Thereafter (through 2037)		262
Total expected principal payments(1)	$	348
Less discount and other adjustments(2)		44
Total	$	304

(1)—Amounts reflect principal due at maturity for investment agreements issued at a discount.    

(2)—Discount is net of carrying amount adjustment of $3 million and accrued interest adjustment of $5 million.    

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 10: Debt (continued)  

Medium-Term Notes

MTNs are denominated in U.S. dollars or non-USD currencies and accrue interest based on fixed or floating interest rates. Certain MTNs are measured at fair value in accordance with the accounting guidance in ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the interest rates of the MTNs ranged from 0% to 6.00% and the weighted average interest rates were 3.07% and 3.23%, respectively. Expected principal payments due under MTN obligations based on their contractual maturity dates are as follows:

In millions	Principal Amount
Maturity date:
2020	$	—
2021		—
2022		57
2023		12
2024		113
Thereafter (through 2036)		705
Total expected principal payments(1)	$	887
Less discount and other adjustments(2)		207
Total	$	680

(1)—Amounts reflect principal due at maturity for notes issued at a discount.

(2)—Discount is net of carrying amount and market value adjustments of $43 million and accrued interest adjustment of $4 million.

Variable Interest Entity Notes

VIE notes are debt instruments that were issued primarily in U.S. dollars by consolidated VIEs within the Company’s international and structured finance insurance segment. These VIE notes consist of debt instruments issued by issuer-sponsored consolidated VIEs collateralized by assets held by those consolidated VIEs. Holders of insured obligations of issuer-sponsored VIEs do not have recourse to the general assets of the Company. In the event of non-payment of an obligation issued by a consolidated VIE, the Company is obligated to pay principal and interest, when due, on MBIA-insured obligations only. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the aggregate unpaid contractual principal of consolidated VIE notes was $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the unpaid contractual principal of MBIA-insured consolidated VIE notes was $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. See Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments for information about the fair values of consolidated VIE notes. As of December 31, 2019, for VIE notes not accounted for at fair value, contractual interest rates ranged from 3.71% to 12.00% and the weighted average interest rate was 5.57%. As of December 31, 2018, for VIE notes not accounted for at fair value, contractual interest rates ranged from 2.81% to 14.00% and the weighted average interest rate was 6.91%.

In connection with the Refinanced Facility, original notes issued by MZ Funding in January of 2017 (the “Original MZ Funding Notes”) were redeemed or amended, as applicable, and the Senior Lenders purchased new senior notes issued by MZ Funding (the “Insured Senior Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of  $278 million. In addition, MBIA Inc. received amended subordinated notes issued by MZ Funding (and together with the Insured Senior Notes, the “New MZ Funding Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $54 million. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the consolidated outstanding amount of the Refinanced Facility and the Original MZ Funding Notes were $246 million and $373 million, respectively. The New MZ Funding Notes mature on January 20, 2022 and bear interest at 12% per annum. The Refinanced Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of MBIA Corp.’s right, title and interest in the recovery of its claims from the assets of Zohar I and Zohar II which include, among other things, loans made to, and equity interests in, certain portfolio companies purportedly controlled by the Zohar Sponsor and claims that may exist against the Zohar Sponsor. If funds received from MBIA Corp. under the Refinanced Facility are insufficient to pay interest on interest payment dates, MZ Funding may elect to pay interest in kind, which increases the outstanding principal amount.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 10: Debt (continued) 

The Company recorded the refinancing of the MZ Funding debt in accordance with ASC Topic 470, “Debt”, which resulted in a portion of the refinancing being accounted for as a debt modification and a portion of the refinancing being accounted for as a debt extinguishment. In connection with the Refinanced Facility, the Company paid debt issuance costs of $6 million, of which $3 million was expensed and the remainder is being amortized over the term of the Refinanced Facility. The Company also recorded debt extinguishment costs of $1 million to write off the previously capitalized debt issuance costs. These costs are included in “Other net realized gains (losses)” under “Expenses of consolidated variable interest entities” on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

The following table provides the expected principal payments due under MBIA-insured consolidated VIE notes as of December 31, 2019. For RMBS consolidated VIEs, principal amounts are based on the expected maturity dates and for all other consolidated VIEs, principal amounts are based on the contractual maturity dates.

In millions	Insured Principal Amount
Maturity date:
2020	$	59
2021		64
2022		291
2023		12
2024		12
Thereafter (through 2052)		1,174
Total	$	1,612

Note 11: Income Taxes

Income (loss) from operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019			2018			2017
Domestic	$	(357	)	$	(287	)	$	(638	)
Foreign		—			(9	)		(23	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(357	)	$	(296	)	$	(661	)

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 11: Income Taxes (continued)

The Company files a consolidated tax return that includes all of its U.S. subsidiaries and foreign branches. The Company also files tax returns in Spain, Mexico, and various state and local jurisdictions. Income tax expense (benefit) on income (loss) and shareholders’ equity consisted of:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019		2018			2017
Current taxes:
Federal	$	—	$	—		$	4
State		2		1			—
Deferred taxes:
Federal		—		(1	)		945
Foreign		—		—			(5	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		2		—			944
Income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders’ equity related to:
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities		—		5			(1	)
Change in AFS securities with OTTI		—		—			1
Change in foreign currency translation		—		—			21
Total income taxes charged (credited) to shareholders’ equity		—		5			21
Total effect of income taxes	$	2	$	5		$	965

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented in the following table:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Federal income tax computed at the statutory rate		21.0	%		21.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting from:
Tax Reform/Change in Tax Rate		0.0	%		0.0	%		(71.4	)%
Mark-to-market on warrants		0.0	%		(0.7	)%		1.4	%
Change in valuation allowance		(20.7	)%		(20.9	)%		(116.9	)%
State income tax, net of federal benefit		(0.4	)%		0.0	%		0.0	%
Deferred inventory adjustments		0.0	%		(1.0	)%		0.8	%
Foreign Taxes		0.0	%		0.0	%		8.2	%
Other		(0.5	)%		1.6	%		0.1	%
Effective tax rate		(0.6	)%		0.0	%		(142.8	)%

Deferred Tax Asset, Net of Valuation Allowance

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 11: Income Taxes (continued)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented in the following table:

	As of
In millions	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unearned premium revenue	$	54	$	59
Deferred acquisition costs		13		16
Partnership basis difference		—		3
Net deferred taxes on VIEs		51		55
Other		4		—
Total gross deferred tax liabilities		122		133
Deferred tax assets:
Compensation and employee benefits		8		7
Accrued interest		185		158
Partnership basis difference		10		—
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		101		135
Net operating loss		590		512
Foreign tax credits		61		62
Other-than-temporary impairments		2		22
Net unrealized losses on insured derivatives		9		8
Net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		21		30
Net unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income		—		32
Other		8		1
Total gross deferred tax assets		995		967
Valuation allowance		873		834
Net deferred tax asset	$	—	$	—

The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of its existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the Company having a three-year cumulative loss. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as the Company’s projections of pre-tax income. On the basis of this evaluation, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset of $873 million and $834 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company will continue to analyze the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis.

Under the Act, NOLs of property and casualty insurance companies retain their current two-year carryback and 20-year carryforward periods and will not be subject to the 80 percent taxable income limitation and indefinite lived carryforward period applicable to general corporate NOLs. Therefore, NOLs generated after 2017 by the Company’s insurance companies and non-insurance companies will be treated differently under the Act.

Treatment of Undistributed Earnings of Certain Foreign Subsidiaries—“Accounting for Income Taxes—Special Areas”

During 2017, the Company sold MBIA UK and reversed any deferred income taxes with respect to the differences in the book and tax basis in the Company’s carrying value of MBIA UK. The Company’s amount of undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries was not material as of December 31, 2019.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 11: Income Taxes (continued)

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

The Company’s policy is to record and disclose any change in UTB and related interest and/or penalties to income tax in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company includes interest as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no UTB.

Federal income tax returns through 2011 have been examined or surveyed. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s NOL is approximately $2.8 billion. NOLs generated prior to tax reform and property and casualty NOLs generated after tax reform will expire between tax years 2032 through 2039. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has a foreign tax credit carryforward of $61 million, which will expire between tax years 2020 through 2029. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit of $13 million. As a result of tax reform, AMT credits are fully refundable no later than 2022. The AMT credit refundable to the Company is included in “Other assets” of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code

On May 2, 2018, MBIA Inc.’s shareholders ratified an amendment to the Company’s By-Laws, which had been adopted earlier by MBIA Inc.’s Board of Directors. The amendment places restrictions on certain acquisitions of Company stock that otherwise may have increased the likelihood of an ownership change within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. The amendment generally prohibits a person from becoming a “Section 382 five-percent shareholder” by acquiring, directly or by attribution, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock and will generally restrict existing “Section 382 five-percent shareholders” from increasing their ownership interest under Section 382 by more than one percentage point over their percentage stock ownership immediately prior to the effective date of the amendment or, if lower, their percentage thereafter.

ASU 2019—12 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2019 (for the reporting period ending December 31, 2019). ASU 2019-12 removes the intraperiod tax allocation principle that allocates total tax expense or benefit to components of the income statement and other comprehensive income. Refer to “Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of this adoption and the revised quarterly financial information and for further information on this update.

Note 12: Business Segments

As defined by segment reporting, an operating segment is a component of a company (i) that engages in business activities from which it earns revenue and incurs expenses, (ii) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker to assess the performance of the segment and to make decisions about the allocation of resources to the segment and, (iii) for which discrete financial information is available.

The Company manages its businesses across three operating segments: 1) U.S. public finance insurance; 2) corporate; and 3) international and structured finance insurance. The Company’s U.S. public finance insurance business is operated through National and its international and structured finance insurance business is operated through MBIA Corp.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12: Business Segments (continued)

The following sections provide a description of each of the Company’s reportable operating segments.

U.S. Public Finance Insurance

The Company’s U.S. public finance insurance portfolio is managed through National. The financial guarantees issued by National provide unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, U.S. public finance insured obligations when due. The obligations are not subject to acceleration, except that National may have the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise. National’s guarantees insure municipal bonds, including tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of U.S. political subdivisions, as well as utilities, airports, health care institutions, higher educational facilities, student loan issuers, housing authorities and other similar agencies and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects that serve a substantial public purpose. Municipal bonds and privately issued bonds used for the financing of public purpose projects are generally supported by taxes, assessments, fees or tariffs related to the use of these projects, lease payments or other similar types of revenue streams.

Corporate

The Company’s corporate segment consists of general corporate activities, including providing support services to MBIA Inc.’s subsidiaries as well as asset and capital management. Support services are provided by the Company’s service company, MBIA Services, and include, among others, management, legal, accounting, treasury, information technology, and insurance portfolio surveillance, on a fee-for-service basis. Capital management includes activities related to servicing obligations issued by MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries, MBIA Global Funding, LLC (“GFL”) and MBIA Investment Management Corp. (“IMC”). MBIA Inc. issued debt to finance the operations of the MBIA group. GFL raised funds through the issuance of MTNs with varying maturities, which were in turn guaranteed by MBIA Corp. GFL lent the proceeds of these MTN issuances to MBIA Inc. IMC, along with MBIA Inc., provided customized investment agreements, guaranteed by MBIA Corp., for bond proceeds and other public funds for such purposes as construction, loan origination, escrow and debt service or other reserve fund requirements. The Company has ceased issuing new MTNs and investment agreements and the outstanding liability balances and corresponding asset balances have declined over time as liabilities matured, terminated or were called or repurchased. All of the debt within the corporate segment is managed collectively and is serviced by available liquidity.

International and Structured Finance Insurance

The Company’s international and structured finance insurance segment is principally conducted through MBIA Corp. The financial guarantees issued by MBIA Corp. generally provide unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of the payment of principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, non-U.S. public finance and global structured finance insured obligations when due, or in the event MBIA Corp. has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise. MBIA Corp. insures the investment contracts written by MBIA Inc., and if MBIA Inc. were to have insufficient assets to pay amounts due upon maturity or termination, MBIA Corp. would make such payments. MBIA Corp. insures debt obligations of the following affiliates:

• MBIA Inc.;

• GFL;

• IMC;

• MZ Funding; and

• LaCrosse Financial Products, LLC, a wholly-owned affiliate, to which MBIA Insurance Corporation has written insurance policies guaranteeing the obligations under CDS. Certain policies cover payments potentially due under CDS, including termination payments that may become due in certain circumstances, including the occurrence of certain insolvency or payment defaults under the CDS or derivatives contracts by the insured counterparty or by the guarantor.

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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12: Business Segments (continued)

MBIA Corp. insures non-U.S. public finance and global structured finance obligations, including asset-backed obligations. MBIA Corp. has insured sovereign-related and sub-sovereign bonds, utilities, privately issued bonds used for the financing of projects that include toll roads, bridges, airports, public transportation facilities, and other types of infrastructure projects serving a substantial public purpose. Global structured finance and asset-backed obligations typically are securities repayable from expected cash flows generated by a specified pool of assets, such as residential and commercial mortgages, insurance policies, consumer loans, corporate loans and bonds, trade and export receivables, and leases for equipment, aircraft and real estate property. MBIA Corp. has also written policies guaranteeing obligations under certain other derivative contracts, including termination payments that may become due upon certain insolvency or payment defaults of the financial guarantor or the issuer. The Company is no longer insuring new credit derivative contracts except for transactions related to the restructuring or reduction of existing derivative exposure. MBIA Corp. has not written any meaningful amount of business since 2008.  

Segments Results

The following tables provide the Company’s segment results for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Year Ended December 31, 2019
	U.S.						International
	Public						and Structured
	Finance						Finance
In millions	Insurance			Corporate			Insurance			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues(1)	$	139		$	27		$	34		$	—		$	200
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		—			—			15			—			15
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		139			(54	)		(33	)		—			52
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(67	)		—			—			—			(67	)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		—			(1	)		—			—			(1	)
Other net realized gains (losses)		2			(2	)		4			—			4
Revenues of consolidated VIEs		21			1			55			—			77
Inter-segment revenues(2)		28			62			21			(111	)		—
Total revenues		262			33			96			(111	)		280
Losses and loss adjustment		53			—			189			—			242
Operating		13			69			21			—			103
Interest		—			73			128			—			201
Expenses of consolidated VIEs		—			—			91			—			91
Inter-segment expenses(2)		52			23			36			(111	)		—
Total expenses		118			165			465			(111	)		637
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	144		$	(132	)	$	(369	)	$	—		$	(357	)
Identifiable assets	$	4,019		$	1,041		$	4,504		$	(2,280	)(3)	$	7,284

(1)—Represents the sum of third-party financial guarantee net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements and other fees.

(2)—Represents intercompany premium income and expense and intercompany interest income and expense pertaining to intercompany receivables and payables.

(3)—Consists primarily of intercompany reinsurance balances and repurchase agreements.

132

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12: Business Segments (continued)

	Year Ended December 31, 2018
In millions	U.S.  Public  Finance Insurance			Corporate			International  and Structured Finance Insurance			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues(1)	$	178		$	31		$	108		$	—		$	317
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		—			—			(25	)		—			(25	)
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(20	)		22			(19	)		—			(17	)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(5	)		—			—			—			(5	)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		—			3			—			—			3
Other net realized gains (losses)		—			(2	)		2			—			—
Revenues of consolidated VIEs		—			—			(111	)		—			(111	)
Inter-segment revenues(2)		29			45			24			(98	)		—
Total revenues		182			99			(21	)		(98	)		162
Losses and loss adjustment		91			—			(28	)		—			63
Operating		18			47			26			—			91
Interest		—			78			128			—			206
Expenses of consolidated VIEs		—			—			98			—			98
Inter-segment expenses(2)		44			20			33			(97	)		—
Total expenses		153			145			257			(97	)		458
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	29		$	(46	)	$	(278	)	$	(1	)	$	(296	)
Identifiable assets	$	4,203		$	1,192		$	4,773		$	(2,061	)(3)	$	8,107

(1)—Represents the sum of third-party financial guarantee net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements and other fees.

(2)—Represents intercompany premium income and expense and intercompany interest income and expense pertaining to intercompany receivables and payables.

(3)—Consists primarily of intercompany reinsurance balances and repurchase agreements.

133

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12: Business Segments (continued)

	Year Ended December 31, 2017
	U.S.						International
	Public						and Structured
	Finance						Finance
In millions	Insurance			Corporate			Insurance			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues(1)	$	262		$	30		$	78		$	—		$	370
Net change in fair value of insured derivatives		—			—			(51	)		—			(51	)
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		25			(32	)		(17	)		—			(24	)
Net investment losses related to other-than-temporary impairments		(106	)		—			—			—			(106	)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		—			28			—			—			28
Other net realized gains (losses)		(4	)		(4	)		39			—			31
Revenues of consolidated VIEs		—			—			185			—			185
Inter-segment revenues(2)		23			60			44			(127	)		—
Total revenues		200			82			278			(127	)		433
Losses and loss adjustment		499			—			184			—			683
Operating		36			59			34			—			129
Interest		—			81			116			—			197
Expenses of consolidated VIEs		—			—			85			—			85
Inter-segment expenses(2)		72			11			47			(130	)		—
Total expenses		607			151			466			(130	)		1,094
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(407	)	$	(69	)	$	(188	)	$	3		$	(661	)

(1)—Represents the sum of third-party financial guarantee net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements and other fees.

(2)—Represents intercompany premium income and expense and intercompany interest income and expense pertaining to intercompany receivables and payables.

(3)—Consists of intercompany deferred income taxes, reinsurance balances and repurchase agreements.

Premiums on financial guarantees and insured derivatives reported within the Company’s insurance segments are generated within and outside the U.S. The following table summarizes premiums earned on financial guarantees and insured derivatives by geographic location of risk for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions	2019		2018		2017
Total premiums earned:
United States	$	63	$	94	$	169
Other Americas		17		68		25
Other		5		—		8
Total	$	85	$	162	$	202

Note 13: Insurance in Force

The Company guarantees the payment of principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, municipal, asset-backed, mortgage-backed and other non-municipal securities including CDS contracts. The Company’s insurance in force represents the aggregate amount of the insured principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations. The Company’s ultimate exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the issuer of the insured obligation is represented by the insurance in force in the tables that follow.

134

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13: Insurance in Force (continued)

The financial guarantees issued by the Company provide unconditional and irrevocable guarantees of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due. The obligations are generally not subject to acceleration, except in the event the Company has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise. Payments to be made by the issuer on the bonds or notes may be backed by a pledge of revenues, reserve funds, letters of credit, investment contracts or collateral in the form of mortgages or other assets. The right to such funds or collateral would typically become National’s or MBIA Corp.’s upon the payment of a claim by either National or MBIA Corp.

As of December 31, 2019, insurance in force, which represents principal and interest or other amounts owing on insured obligations, had an expected maturity through 2058. The distribution of MBIA Corp.’s and National’s combined insurance in force by geographic location, excluding financial obligations guaranteed by MBIA Corp. on behalf of affiliated companies, is presented in the following table:

	As of December 31,
$ in billions	2019					2018
			% of					% of
	Insurance		Insurance			Insurance		Insurance
Geographic Location	in Force		in Force			in Force		in Force
California	$	22.4		20.9	%	$	25.9		20.2	%
Illinois		10.2		9.5	%		11.1		8.7	%
New Jersey		6.0		5.6	%		6.8		5.3	%
New York		4.7		4.4	%		5.9		4.6	%
Hawaii		4.2		3.9	%		4.3		3.4	%
Texas		4.0		3.7	%		4.3		3.4	%
Virginia		3.6		3.3	%		3.7		2.9	%
Puerto Rico		3.3		3.1	%		7.9		6.2	%
Oregon		2.9		2.7	%		3.2		2.5	%
Colorado		2.8		2.6	%		3.0		2.4	%
Subtotal		64.1		59.7	%		76.1		59.5	%
Nationally Diversified		11.8		11.0	%		13.5		10.5	%
Other states		23.5		21.8	%		29.2		22.8	%
Total United States		99.4		92.5	%		118.8		92.8	%
Internationally Diversified		0.3		0.3	%		0.4		0.3	%
Country specific		7.8		7.2	%		8.9		6.9	%
Total non-United States		8.1		7.5	%		9.3		7.2	%
Total	$	107.5		100.0	%	$	128.1		100.0	%

135

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13: Insurance in Force (continued)

The insurance in force and insured gross par outstanding by type of bond, excluding financial obligations guaranteed by MBIA Corp. on behalf of affiliated companies, are presented in the following table:

	As of December 31,
$ in billions	2019				2018
	Insurance		Gross Par		Insurance		Gross Par
Bond type	in Force		Amount		in Force		Amount
Global public finance—United States:
General obligation(1)	$	29.1	$	14.3	$	34.2	$	17.3
General obligation—lease		3.1		2.3		4.0		3.0
Municipal utilities		12.0		8.1		14.2		9.5
Tax-backed		17.7		9.2		24.0		11.2
Transportation		10.6		3.9		12.0		4.8
Higher education		2.2		1.5		2.5		1.7
Health care		1.4		1.0		1.7		1.2
Military housing		15.2		7.1		15.8		7.2
Investor-owned utilities(2)		1.4		0.9		2.0		1.3
Municipal housing		0.2		0.1		0.3		0.2
Other(3)		0.8		0.5		0.9		0.5
Total United States		93.7		48.9		111.6		57.9
Global public finance—non-United States:
International utilities		1.1		1.0		1.4		1.2
Sovereign-related and sub-sovereign(4)		3.0		2.3		3.5		2.5
Transportation		2.7		2.3		3.0		2.5
Other(5)		0.2		0.1		0.1		0.1
Total non-United States		7.0		5.7		8.0		6.3
Total global public finance		100.7		54.6		119.6		64.2
Global structured finance:
Collateralized debt obligations(6)		0.4		0.3		0.5		0.4
Mortgage-backed residential		2.5		1.8		3.4		2.5
Mortgage-backed commercial		0.5		0.2		0.6		0.3
Consumer asset-backed		0.4		0.3		0.5		0.4
Corporate asset-backed(7)		3.0		1.7		3.5		2.0
Total global structured finance		6.8		4.3		8.5		5.6
Total	$	107.5	$	58.9	$	128.1	$	69.8

(1)—Includes general obligation unlimited and limited (property) tax bonds, general fund obligation bonds and pension obligation bonds of states, cities, counties, schools and special districts.

(2)—Includes investor owned utilities, industrial development and pollution control revenue bonds.

(3)—Includes certain non-profit enterprises, stadium related financing and student loans.

(4)—Includes regions, departments or their equivalent in each jurisdiction as well as sovereign owned entities that are supported by a sovereign state, region or department.

(5)—Includes municipal owned entities backed by sponsoring local government and tax backed transactions.

(6)—Includes a transaction (represented by structured pools of CRE assets) that does not include typical CDO structuring characteristics, such as tranched credit risk, cash flow waterfalls, or interest and over-collateralization coverage tests.

(7)—As of December 31, 2019, includes structured insurance securitizations of $2.1 billion and $1.0 billion of insurance in force and gross par amount, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, includes structured insurance securitizations of $2.2 billion and $1.0 billion of insurance in force and gross par amount, respectively. 

136

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 13: Insurance in Force (continued)

Affiliated Financial Obligations Insured by MBIA Corp.

Investment agreement contracts and MTNs issued by the Company’s corporate segment and the Refinanced Facility issued by the Company’s international and structured finance insurance segment are insured by MBIA Corp. and are not included in the previous tables. If MBIA Inc. or these subsidiaries were to have insufficient assets to pay amounts due, MBIA Corp. would be obligated to make such payments under its insurance policies. As of December 31, 2019, the maximum amount of future payments that MBIA Corp. could be required to make under these guarantees is $1.8 billion. These guarantees, which mature through 2037, were entered into on an arm’s length basis. MBIA Corp. has both direct recourse provisions and subrogation rights in these transactions. If MBIA Corp. is required to make a payment under any of these affiliate guarantees, it would have the right to seek reimbursement from such affiliate and to liquidate any collateral to recover amounts paid under the guarantee.

Reinsured Exposure

Reinsurance enables the Company to cede exposure for purposes of syndicating risk. The Company generally retains the right to reassume the business ceded to reinsurers under certain circumstances, including a reinsurer’s rating downgrade below specified thresholds. At this time, the Company does not intend to utilize reinsurance to decrease the insured exposure in its portfolio.

MBIA requires certain unauthorized reinsurers to maintain bank letters of credit or establish trust accounts to cover liabilities ceded to such reinsurers under reinsurance contracts. The Company remains liable on a primary basis for all reinsured risk. MBIA believes that its reinsurers remain capable of meeting their obligations, although, there can be no assurance of such in the future.

The aggregate amount of insurance in force ceded by MBIA to reinsurers was $3.5 billion and $4.2 billion as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of insured par outstanding ceded by MBIA to reinsurers under reinsurance agreements was $1.8 billion compared with $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, $1.3 billion of the ceded par outstanding was ceded from the Company’s U.S. public finance insurance segment and $430 million was ceded from the Company’s international and structured finance insurance segment. Under National’s reinsurance agreement with MBIA Corp., if a reinsurer of MBIA Corp. is unable to pay claims ceded by MBIA Corp. on U.S. public finance exposure, National will assume liability for such ceded claim payments. The following table presents information about the Company’s reinsurance agreements as of December 31, 2019 for its U.S. public finance and international and structured finance insurance operations.

In millions
	Standard &						Letters of		Reinsurance
	Poor’s Rating		Moody’s Rating		Ceded Par		Credit/Trust		Recoverable/
Reinsurers	(Status)		(Status)		Outstanding		Accounts		(Payable) (1)
Assured Guaranty Re Ltd.		AA (Stable Outlook)		WR(2)	$	725	$	29	$	4
Assured Guaranty Corp.		AA (Stable Outlook)		A3 (Stable Outlook)		756		—		(4	)
Overseas Private Investment Corporation		AA+ (Stable Outlook)		Aaa (Stable Outlook)		220		—		—
Others		A- or above		WR or above(2)		60		3		—
Total					$	1,761	$	32	$	—

(1)—Total reinsurance recoverable/(payable) is primarily related to recoverables on unpaid losses net of (payables) on salvage received.

(2)—Represents a withdrawal of ratings.

137

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 14: Insurance Regulations and Dividends

National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are subject to insurance regulations and supervision of the State of New York (their state of domicile) and all U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions in which they are licensed to conduct insurance business. In order to maintain their New York State financial guarantee insurance license, National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are required to maintain a minimum of $65 million of policyholders’ surplus. MBIA Mexico is regulated by the Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas in Mexico. MBIA Corp.’s Spanish Branch is subject to local regulation in Spain. The extent of insurance regulation and supervision varies by jurisdiction, but New York and most other jurisdictions have laws and regulations prescribing minimum standards of solvency and business conduct, which must be maintained by insurance companies. Among other things, these laws prescribe permitted classes and concentrations of investments and limit both the aggregate and individual securities risks that National and MBIA Insurance Corporation may insure on a net basis based on the type of obligations insured. In addition, some insurance laws and regulations require the approval or filing of policy forms and rates. National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are required to file detailed annual financial statements with the NYSDFS. The operations and accounts of National and MBIA Insurance Corporation are subject to examination by regulatory agencies at regular intervals.

Statutory Capital and Regulations

National

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, National had statutory net income of $39 million and a statutory net loss of $27 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, National’s statutory capital was $2.4 billion, consisting of policyholders’ surplus of $1.9 billion and contingency reserves of $485 million. As of December 31, 2018, National had statutory capital of $2.5 billion.

MBIA Insurance Corporation

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, MBIA Insurance Corporation had a statutory net loss of $141 million and statutory net income of $134 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation’s statutory capital was $476 million, consisting of policyholders’ surplus of $282 million and contingency reserve of $194 million. As of December 31, 2018, MBIA Insurance Corporation had statutory capital of $555 million. MBIA Insurance Corporation’s policyholders’ surplus as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 included negative unassigned surplus of $1.7 billion. MBIA Insurance Corporation’s policyholders’ surplus may be further negatively impacted if future additional insured losses are incurred.

As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation was in compliance with its aggregate risk limits under the NYIL, but was not in compliance with certain of its single risk limits. If new overages occur with respect to its single risk limits, MBIA Insurance Corporation will report them to the NYSDFS.

Under NYIL, MBIA Insurance Corporation is required to establish a contingency reserve to provide protection to policyholders in the event of extreme losses in adverse economic events. The amount of the reserve is based on the percentage of principal insured or premiums earned, depending on the type of obligation (net of collateral, reinsurance, refunding, refinancings and certain insured securities). Under NYIL, MBIA Insurance Corporation is required to invest its minimum surplus and contingency reserves, and 50% of its loss reserves and unearned premium reserves, in certain qualifying assets. As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation maintained its minimum requirement of policyholders’ surplus but did not have enough qualifying assets to support its contingency reserves and 50% of its loss reserves and unearned premium reserves. Not having enough qualifying assets to support its contingency reserves limits the amount of earned surplus that might otherwise be available for the payment of dividends. Reductions in the contingency reserve may be recognized based on excess reserves and under certain stipulated conditions, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of the NYSDFS. If MBIA Insurance Corporation does not comply with the above mentioned requirements, the NYSDFS may prevent MBIA Insurance Corporation from transacting any new financial guarantee insurance business until it no longer exceeds the limitations.

138

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 14: Insurance Regulations and Dividends (continued)

Dividends

NYIL regulates the payment of dividends by financial guarantee insurance companies and provides that such companies may not declare or distribute dividends except out of statutory earned surplus. Under NYIL, the sum of (i) the amount of dividends declared or distributed during the preceding 12-month period and (ii) the dividend to be declared may not exceed the lesser of (a) 10% of policyholders’ surplus, as reported in the latest statutory financial statements or (b) 100% of adjusted net investment income for such 12-month period (the net investment income for such 12-month period plus the excess, if any, of net investment income over dividends declared or distributed during the two-year period preceding such 12-month period), unless the Superintendent of the NYSDFS approves a greater dividend distribution based upon a finding that the insurer will retain sufficient surplus to support its obligations.

In 2019 and 2018, National declared and paid dividends of $134 million and $108 million, respectively, to its ultimate parent, MBIA Inc.

In 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation did not declare or pay any dividends to MBIA Inc. or the holders of its preferred stock. MBIA Insurance Corporation is currently unable to pay dividends, including those related to its preferred stock, as a result of its earned surplus deficit as of December 31, 2019 and is not expected to have any statutory capacity to pay dividends in the near term. In connection with MBIA Insurance Corporation obtaining approval from the NYSDFS to release excess contingency reserves in previous periods, MBIA Insurance Corporation agreed that it would not pay any dividends without prior approval from the NYSDFS.

Note 15: Benefit Plans

Long-term Incentive Plans

Plan Description

The Company maintains the MBIA Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), as amended on May 7, 2009 and May 1, 2012. Under the Omnibus Plan a maximum of 14,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock can be used for any type of award including stock options, performance shares, performance units, restricted stock, restricted stock units and dividend equivalents. Any shares issued under the Omnibus Plan in connection with stock options shall be counted against this limit as 1 share covered by such option. For all awards other than stock options, any shares issued shall be counted against this limit as 1.28 shares for every share issued after the May 1, 2012 amendment and two shares for every share issued prior to the May 1, 2012 amendment. Currently, the Company grants restricted stock.

Under the restricted stock component of the Omnibus Plan, certain employees are granted restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. These awards have a restriction period lasting between three to seven years depending on the type of award, after which time the awards fully vest. During the vesting period, these shares may not be sold. Restricted stock may be granted to all employees. 

There were 1,807,058 shares available for future grants under the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2019.

In accordance with accounting guidance for share-based payments, the Company expenses the fair value of stock-based compensation. In addition, the guidance classifies share-based payment awards as either liability awards, which are remeasured at fair value at each balance sheet date, or equity awards, which are measured on the grant date and not subsequently remeasured. Generally, awards with cash-based settlement repurchase features or that are settled at a fixed dollar amount are classified as liability awards, and changes in fair value will be reported in earnings. Awards with net-settlement features are classified as equity awards and changes in fair value are not reported in earnings. The Company’s long-term incentive plans include features which result in equity awards. In addition, the guidance requires the use of a forfeiture estimate. The Company uses historical employee termination information to estimate the forfeiture rate applied to current stock-based awards.

139

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15: Benefit Plans (continued)

The Company maintains voluntary retirement benefits, which provide certain benefits to eligible employees of the Company upon retirement. A description of these benefits is included in the Company’s proxy statement. One of the components of the retirement program for those employees that are retirement eligible is to continue to vest all performance-based restricted stock awards beyond the retirement date in accordance with the original vesting terms and to immediately vest all outstanding time-based restricted stock grants. The accounting guidance for share-based payment requires compensation costs for those employees to be recognized from the date of grant through the retirement eligible date. Accelerated expense, if any, relating to this retirement benefit for restricted stock awards has been included in the compensation expense amounts. Refer to the “Performance Based Awards” section below for additional information on compensation expense.

Restricted Stock

The fair value of the restricted shares awarded, net of cancellations, determined on the grant date was $8 million and $37 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively. The amount of unearned compensation, net of estimated forfeitures, was $30 million as of December 31, 2019, which is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 2.9 years. Unearned compensation is amortized to expense over the appropriate vesting period.

Compensation expense related to the restricted shares, net of estimated forfeitures, was $12 million, $6 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There was no tax charge related to the restricted share awards during 2019 , 2018 and 2017 after consideration of the Company’s valuation allowance. 

A summary of the Company’s restricted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and changes during the years ended on those dates, is presented in the following table:

	Restricted Share Activity
	2019					2018					2017
	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Price Per Share		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Price Per Share		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Price Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of year		5,044,616		$	9.7986		2,392,978		$	9.6142		3,916,661		$	9.3553
Granted		711,176			11.4185		3,668,801			9.9711		708,529			9.3740
Vested		(416,676	)		9.0332		(267,163	)		10.0705		(1,051,657	)		9.9732
Forfeited		(192,288	)		9.4917		(750,000	)		9.9576		(1,180,555	)		8.2912
Outstanding at end of year		5,146,828		$	10.0958		5,044,616		$	9.7986		2,392,978		$	9.6142

140

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15: Benefit Plans (continued)

Performance Based Awards

During 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company granted 221,213, 247,286 and 65,287 restricted shares to certain key employees which have a vesting schedule dependent on the achievement of certain stock price targets of the Company, respectively. During 2017, the Company granted 127,001 restricted shares to certain key employees which have a vesting schedule dependent on the achievement of certain internal performance conditions of the Company. The grants and corresponding compensation expense have been included in the above restricted stock disclosures. As permitted by the accounting guidance for share-based payments, the Company estimates the fair value of awards that contain market performance conditions at the date of grant using a binomial lattice model with a Monte Carlo simulation and recognizes compensation cost over the requisite service period. The binomial lattice model can better incorporate assumptions about a stock price path because the model can accommodate a large number of potential stock prices over the award’s term in comparison to the Black-Scholes model. The Company estimates the fair value of awards that contain internal performance conditions at the date of grant and recognizes compensation cost over the requisite service period if it is probable that the internal performance conditions will be achieved. The Company reassesses the probability of vesting at each reporting period and the final compensation cost associated with awards dependent on the achievement of certain internal performance conditions will reflect only those awards that ultimately vest. As of December 31, 2019 the awards granted in 2017 did not meet the stock price performance target or the internal performance conditions. The corresponding cancellation of shares and expense reversal, if applicable, has been included in the above restricted stock disclosures.

Pension, 401(k) and Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains a qualified non-contributory defined contribution pension plan to which the Company contributes 10% of each eligible employee’s annual compensation. Annual compensation for determining such contributions consists of base salary and bonus, as applicable, up to a maximum of $2 million in 2019 and 2018. Pension benefits vest over the first five-year period of employment with 20% vested after two years, 60% vested after three years, 80% vested after four years and 100% vested after five years. The Company funds the annual pension contribution by the following February of each applicable year.

The Company also maintains a qualified 401(k) plan. The plan is a voluntary contributory plan that allows eligible employees to defer compensation for federal income tax purposes under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Employees may contribute, through payroll deductions, up to 25% of eligible compensation. The Company matches employee contributions up to the first 5% of such compensation. The 401(k) matching contributions are made in the form of cash, whereby participants may direct the Company match to an investment of their choice. The 401(k) matching benefits vest over the first five-year period of employment with 20% vested after two years, 60% vested after three years, 80% vested after four years and 100% vested after five years. Generally, a participating employee is entitled to distributions from the plans upon termination of employment, retirement, death or disability.

In addition to the above two plans, the Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Contributions to the above qualified plans that exceed limitations established by federal regulations are then contributed to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

Expenses related to these plans for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $4 million, $3 million, and $6 million, respectively.

141

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16: Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method in which earnings are allocated to common stock and participating securities based on their rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents. The Company grants restricted stock to certain employees and non-employee directors in accordance with the Company’s long-term incentive programs, which entitle the participants to receive nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting period on the same basis as those dividends are paid to common shareholders. These unvested stock awards represent participating securities. During periods of net income, the calculation of earnings per share exclude the income attributable to participating securities in the numerator and the dilutive impact of these securities from the denominator. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to participating securities in the numerator and the denominator excludes the dilutive impact of these securities since they do not share in the losses of the Company.

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilutive effect of all warrants and unvested restricted stock outstanding during the period that could potentially result in the issuance of common stock. The dilution from warrants and unvested restricted stock are calculated by applying the two-class method and using the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method assumes the proceeds from the exercise of warrants or the unrecognized compensation expense from unvested restricted stock will be used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period. If the potentially dilutive securities disclosed in the table below are either exercised or vested, the transaction would be net share settled resulting in a significantly lower impact to the outstanding share balance in comparison to the total amount of the potentially dilutive securities. During periods of net loss, warrants and unvested restricted stock are excluded from the calculation because they would have an antidilutive affect. Therefore, in periods of net loss, the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share would result in the same value.

In the second quarter of 2018, the holder of all of the outstanding MBIA Inc. warrants exercised its right to purchase shares of MBIA Inc. common stock. As of December 31, 2019, there were no warrants outstanding.

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Years Ended December 31,
In millions except per share amounts	2019			2018			2017
Basic earnings per share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders		(359	)		(296	)		(1,605	)
Basic weighted average shares (1)		81.0			89.0			118.9
Net income (loss) per basic common share	$	(4.43	)	$	(3.33	)	$	(13.50	)
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders		(359	)		(296	)		(1,605	)
Diluted weighted average shares		81.0			89.0			118.9
Net income (loss) per diluted common share	$	(4.43	)	$	(3.33	)	$	(13.50	)
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from the diluted EPS because of antidilutive affect		4.3			4.4			14.1

(1) Includes 1.0 million, 0.8 million and 0.3 million of participating securities that met the service condition and were eligible to receive nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

142

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 17: Common and Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Share Repurchases

Repurchases of common stock may be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. The Company believes that share repurchases can be an appropriate deployment of capital in excess of amounts needed to support the Company’s liquidity while maintaining the claims-paying resources of MBIA Corp. and National, as well as other business needs.

On November 3, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization for the Company or National to repurchase up to $250 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares.

The following table provides information about the Company’s or National’s share repurchases for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

In millions, except per share amounts	2019		2018		2017
Number of shares repurchased		11.1		5.8		43.0
Average price paid per share	$	9.12	$	8.21	$	7.55
Remaining authorization as of December 31	$	101	$	202	$	250

Subsequent to December 31, 2019 through February 20, 2020, the Company repurchased 3.0 million common shares of MBIA Inc. at an average share price of $9.18. As of February 20, 2020, $74 million remained available under this new program.

Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2019, MBIA Insurance Corporation had 2,759 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding with a carrying value of $28 million, including 1,444 shares held by MBIA Inc. that were purchased at a weighted average price of $10,900 per share or 10.9% of face value and 1,315 shares held by unaffiliated investors. During 2019, MBIA Inc. did not repurchase any additional shares.  

In accordance with MBIA’s fixed-rate election, the dividend rate on the preferred stock was determined using a fixed-rate equivalent of LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Each share of preferred stock has a par value of $1,000 with a liquidation preference of $100,000. The holders of the preferred stock are generally not entitled to any voting rights. Subject to certain requirements, the preferred stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of MBIA Corp. at any time or from time to time for cash at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon at the date of redemption for the then current dividend period and any previously accumulated dividends payable without interest on such unpaid dividends. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no dividends declared on the preferred stock. Payment of dividends on MBIA Corp.’s preferred stock is subject to the same restrictions that apply to dividends on common stock under NYIL.

143

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 18: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the changes in the components of AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Unrealized						Instrument-Specific
	Gains (Losses)						Credit Risk of
	on AFS			Foreign Currency			Liabilities Measured
In millions	Securities, Net			Translation, Net			at Fair Value, Net			Total
Balance, January 1, 2017	$	6		$	(134	)	$	—		$	(128	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(24	)		125			—			101	(1)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		8			—			—			8
Net period other comprehensive income (loss)		(16	)		125			—			109
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	(10	)	$	(9	)	$	—		$	(19	)
ASU 2016-01 transition adjustment		(2	)		—			(162	)		(164	)
ASU 2018-02 transition adjustment		(3	)		—			—			(3	)
Net period other comprehensive income (loss)		(24	)		2			52			30
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	(39	)	$	(7	)	$	(110	)	$	(156	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		139			—			(25	)		114
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		12			—			28			40
Net period other comprehensive income (loss)		151			—			3			154
Balance, December 31, 2019	$	112		$	(7	)	$	(107	)	$	(2	)

(1) Includes items included in the Company’s loss calculation to adjust the carrying value of MBIA UK to its fair value less costs to sell for the year ended December 31, 2016. The sale was completed in January of 2017 and as such, these amounts included in AOCI were reversed and included in the Sale Transaction.

144

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 18: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (continued)

The following table presents the details of the reclassifications from AOCI for the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

	Amounts Reclassified from AOCI Years
In millions	Ended December 31,
Details about AOCI Components	2019			2018			2017			Affected Line Item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities:
Realized gain (loss) on sale of securities	$	14		$	6		$	3		Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange
OTTI		(25	)		(5	)		(7	)	Net investment losses related to OTTI
Amortization on securities		(1	)		(1	)		(5	)	Net investment income
		(12	)		—			(9	)	Income (loss) before income taxes
		—			—			(1	)	Provision (benefit) for income taxes
		(12	)		—			(8	)	Net income (loss)
Instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities:
Settlement of liabilities		(28	)		—			—		Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange
Total reclassifications for the period	$	(40	)	$	—		$	(8	)	Net income (loss)

Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies

MBIA has received subpoenas or informal inquiries from a variety of regulators, regarding a variety of subjects. MBIA has cooperated fully with each of these regulators and has or is in the process of satisfying all such requests. MBIA may receive additional inquiries from these or other regulators and expects to provide additional information to such regulators regarding their inquiries in the future.

Litigation

MBIA Insurance Corp. v. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, et al.; Index No. 603751/2009 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., N.Y. County)

On December 14, 2009, MBIA Corp. commenced an action in New York State Supreme Court, New York County, against Credit Suisse. The complaint seeks damages for claims in connection with the procurement of financial guarantee insurance on the Home Equity Mortgage Trust Series 2007-2 securitization. On January 30, 2013, MBIA Corp. filed an amended complaint. MBIA’s claims currently include that Credit Suisse falsely represented: (i) the attributes of the securitized loans; (ii) that the loans complied with the governing underwriting guidelines; and (iii) that Credit Suisse had conducted extensive due diligence on and quality control reviews of the securitized loans to ensure compliance with the underwriting guidelines and breached its contractual obligations to cure or repurchase loans found to be in breach of the representations and warranties applicable thereto. Trial of the case concluded on August 2, 2019. Post-trial briefs have been submitted, and the case is under submission.

145

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Tilton v. MBIA Inc., No. 19-cv-09733-WHP (S.D.N.Y.)

On November 2, 2015, Lynn Tilton and Patriarch Partners XV, LLC filed a complaint in New York State Supreme Court, Westchester County, against MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp., alleging fraudulent inducement and related claims arising from purported promises made in connection with insurance policies issued by MBIA Corp. on certain collateralized loan obligations managed by Ms. Tilton and affiliated Patriarch entities, and seeking damages. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on January 15, 2016. On March 11, 2018, Ms. Tilton commenced the Zohar Funds Bankruptcy Cases. On May 21, 2018, the court approved the Zohar Bankruptcy Settlement. On September 30, 2019, the parties’ agreed-upon stay expired. On October 21, 2019, the Company removed the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District.

Tilton et al. v. MBIA Inc. et al., Adversary Case No. 19-50390 (KBO) (Bankr. Del.)

On October 1, 2019, Lynn Tilton and certain affiliated entities commenced an adversary proceeding in the Zohar Funds Bankruptcy Cases against MBIA Inc., MBIA Corp. and other Zohar Funds creditor seeking the equitable subordination of those creditors’ claims with respect to the Zohar Funds. Plaintiffs claim they are entitled to relief due to inequitable and unfair conduct by defendants.

National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation et al. v. UBS Financial Services, Inc. et al., Case No. 19-422-LTS (D.P.R.), (Swain, J.), removed from No. SJ2019CV07932 (Superior Court San Juan)

On August 8, 2019, National and MBIA Corp. filed suit in the Court of First Instance in San Juan, Puerto Rico against UBS Financial Services, Inc., UBS Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Merrill Lynch, Fenner & Smith Inc., RBC Capital Markets LLC, and Santander Securities LLC, bringing two claims under Puerto Rico law: doctrina de actos propios (the doctrine of one’s own acts) and unilateral declaration of will. These claims concern the insurance by National of bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities that were underwritten by these defendants. National alleges that when the defendants solicited bond insurance, they represented that they would investigate certain information they provided to National and that they had a reasonable basis to believe that information provided was true and complete. National further alleges that the defendants did not perform such investigations and that key information was untrue or incomplete. National seeks damages to be proven at trial. On September 9, 2019, Defendants removed National’s claims to federal court in the District of Puerto Rico. National filed its motion to remand the case on October 9, 2019. The court has not requested a hearing, and the motion is pending.

Assured Guaranty Corp. et al. v. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico et al., Case No. 17 BK 3567-LTS (D.P.R. June 3, 2017) (Swain, J.)

On May 21, 2017, the Oversight Board filed a petition under Title III of PROMESA to adjust the debts for the Puerto Rico Highways & Transportation Authority (“PRHTA”). On June 3, 2017, National, together with Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. and Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, filed an adversary complaint in the PRHTA Title III case, alleging that the Commonwealth and PRHTA are unlawfully diverting pledged special revenues from the payment of certain PRHTA bonds to the Commonwealth’s General Fund. On January 30, 2018, the court granted the Commonwealth defendants’ motion to dismiss the PRHTA-related adversary complaint. On February 9, 2018, plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal of the ruling of the motion to dismiss to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. On March 26, 2019, the First Circuit held that consensual prepetition liens on special revenues will remain in place after the filing of the bankruptcy petition, but agreed with the district court that the provision “does not mandate the turnover of special revenues or require continuity of payments of the PRHTA Bonds during the pendency of the Title III proceeding.” On September 20, 2019, Appellants filed a petition for a writ of certiorari requesting Supreme Court review of the First Circuit’s ruling. On January 13, 2020 the Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari.

146

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Motion of Assured Guaranty Corp., Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., Ambac Assurance Corporation and National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation for Relief from the Automatic Stay or, in the Alternative, for Adequate Protection, Case No. 17 BK 3567-LTS (D.P.R. January 16, 2020) (Swain, J.)

On January 16, 2020, National, Ambac and Assured (“Movants”) filed a renewed motion in the PRHTA Title III case for relief from the automatic stay or, in the alternative, adequate protection. The motion seeks leave to file a complaint in Puerto Rico, and argues that the revenues securing the bonds insured by Movants are being improperly diverted away from PRHTA, despite such revenues being the exclusive property of PRHTA and its bondholders. Movants argue that the bonds are secured by two categories of collateral: (i) Toll Revenues, and (ii) Excise Taxes collected on behalf of HTA and bondholders by the Commonwealth, which are subject to both perfected security interests. Movants explain that, although PROMESA expressly preserves liens, the Commonwealth improperly diverted HTA’s pledged revenues and commingled HTA’s funds with those of the Commonwealth. In addition, the Commonwealth has asserted an outright ownership interest in the Excise Taxes, which Movants argue the Commonwealth is required to hold in trust for HTA and its bondholders. Movants assert that these actions have caused a permanent loss of collateral and threaten Movants’ interest in its remaining collateral. The preliminary hearing date for the motion is April 2, 2020.

The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as Representative of the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority, et al. v. National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, et al ., Case No. 19-00363 (D.P.R. May 20, 2019) (Swain, J.)

On May 20, 2019, the Oversight Board and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of all Title III Debtors filed an adversary complaint against National and numerous other defendants, challenging the extent and enforceability of certain security interests in PRHTA revenues. The proceeding is currently stayed.

Complaint Objecting to Defendants’ Claims and Seeking Related Relief, Case No. 17-03283-LTS (D.P.R. January 16, 2020) (Swain J.)

On January 16, 2020, the Oversight Board filed an adversary complaint against National Public Finance Guarantee Corp., Ambac, Assured Guaranty, Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., Financial Guaranty Insurance Company, Peaje Investments LLC and the Bank of New York Mellon as fiscal agent. The Oversight Board challenges the claims and validity of the liens asserted against the Commonwealth by holders of HTA bonds. The complaint contains 201 counts against the bondholder parties objecting to proofs of claim and security interests asserted regarding the Commonwealth’s retention of certain revenues previously appropriated to HTA.

Complaint Objecting to Defendants’ Claims and Seeking Related Relief, Case No. 20-00007-LTS (January 16, 2020) (Swain J.)

On January 16, 2020, the Oversight Board and the Creditors Committee filed an adversary complaint against National and other defendants challenging the claims and validity of the liens asserted against HTA by holders and insurers of HTA bonds. The complaint contains 302 counts challenging the claims and liens asserted against HTA.

The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as representative of The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, et al., Case No. 17 BK 4780-LTS (D.P.R. July 19, 2017) (Swain, J.)

On July 18, 2017, National, together with other PREPA bondholders, asked the court overseeing PREPA’s Title III case to lift the automatic bankruptcy stay, and permit bondholders to seek appointment of a receiver to oversee PREPA. On September 14, 2017, the court held that PROMESA barred relief from the stay. The bondholders appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. On August 8, 2018, the First Circuit issued an order reversing Judge Swain’s decision on jurisdictional grounds and remanding the motion. On October 3, 2018, National, along with other monolines filed an updated motion for relief from the automatic stay to allow them to exercise their statutory right to have a receiver appointed at PREPA. The Oversight Board filed a motion to dismiss the receiver motion. These motions have been stayed until five business days following the ruling on the PREPA 9019 Settlement Motion.

147

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

On May 3, 2019, PREPA, the Oversight Board, the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (“AAFAF”), the Ad Hoc Group of PREPA bondholders, and Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. (together, the “RSA Parties”) previously entered into the Restructuring Support Agreement (“RSA”). On September 9, 2019 National, and Syncora Guarantee Inc. (“Syncora”), and the RSA Parties agreed on an amendment to the RSA pursuant to which National and Syncora joined the RSA. The RSA includes the agreement for resolving PREPA’s restructuring plan issues and arrangements.

Pursuant to the RSA, the Oversight Board filed a Rule 9019 motion with the Title III court in May 2019, seeking approval of the RSA (the “Settlement Motion”). The RSA requires, upon entry of the order approving the Settlement Motion (the “9019 Order”), that Movants will withdraw the Receiver Motion , and the Ad Hoc Group will support such withdrawal. As contemplated by the RSA, on July 1, 2019, the Oversight Board and AAFAF also filed an adversary complaint against the Trustee for the PREPA Bonds, challenging the validity of the liens arising under the Trust Agreement that secure insured obligations of National. The adversary proceeding is stayed until the earlier of (a) 60 days after the Court denies the Settlement Motion, (b) consummation of a Plan, (c) 60 days after the filing by the Oversight Board and AAFAF of a Litigation Notice, or (d) further order of the Court.

The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as Representative of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, et al. v. Autonomy Master Fund Limited et al., Case No. 19-00291 (D.P.R. May 5, 2019) (Swain, J.)

On May 2, 2019, the Oversight Board and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of all Title III Debtors (other than COFINA) (the “Committee”) filed lien avoidance adversary complaints against several hundred defendants, including National, challenging the existence, extent, and enforceability of GO bondholders’ liens. After an approximately five-month stay of litigation entered by the Court on July 24, 2019, these adversary proceedings resumed pursuant to an interim schedule entered by the Court in December 2019. On February 5, 2020, National and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. filed a motion to dismiss the adversary proceeding. A hearing is scheduled for early June of 2020.

Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, et al. v. The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico et, al., Case No. 19-00396 (D.P.R. July 9, 2019) (Swain, J.)

On July 9, 2019, the “Fuel Line Lenders,” parties who extended approximately $700 million in working capital to PREPA beginning in 2012 to fund fuel purchases, filed an adversary complaint against the Oversight Board, PREPA, AAFAF, and the Trustee for the PREPA Bonds, alleging that they are entitled to be paid in full before National and other bondholders have any lien on or recourse to PREPA’s assets, including pursuant to the RSA. National, Assured, Syncora, and the Ad Hoc Group moved to intervene in the proceeding. On September 30, 2019, the Fuel Line Lenders filed an amended complaint which added National, Assured, Syncora, and the Ad Hoc Group as defendants. Defendants moved to dismiss the Fuel Line Lenders’ adversary complaint on November 11, 2019. The Fuel Line Lenders filed their opposition to the motion to dismiss on December 5, 2019. Defendants’ reply in support of the motion to dismiss was filed February 3, 2020. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is set for June 3, 2020 before Judge Swain.

The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, as Representative of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, et al. v. the Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority, Case No. 18-00149 (D.P.R. December 21, 2018) (Swain, J.)

On December 21, 2018, the Oversight Board and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of all Debtors other than COFINA filed an adversary complaint against the Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority (“PBA”), seeking a declaration that leases purportedly entered into by PBA are disguised financing transactions and that PBA therefore has no right under PROMESA or the Bankruptcy Code to receive post-petition payments from the Title III debtors or administrative claims against the debtors. On January 28, 2019, National filed a motion to intervene in the proceeding. On March 12, 2019, the Court granted National’s intervention motion. On March 19, 2019, National filed an answer to the complaint. The proceeding has been stayed until March 11, 2020. On September 27, 2019, the Oversight Board filed a voluntary petition for relief for PBA pursuant to PROMESA, commencing a case under Title III.

148

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 19: Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

For those aforementioned actions in which it is a defendant, the Company is defending against those actions and expects ultimately to prevail on the merits. There is no assurance, however, that the Company will prevail in these actions. Adverse rulings in these actions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to implement its strategy and on its business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. At this stage of the litigation, there has not been a determination as to the amount, if any, of damages. Accordingly, the Company is not able to estimate any amount of loss or range of loss. The Company similarly can provide no assurance that it will be successful in those actions in which it is a plaintiff.

There are no other material lawsuits pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.

Leases

The Company has a lease agreement for its headquarters in Purchase, New York as well as other immaterial leases for offices in New York, New York and San Francisco, California. The Purchase, New York initial lease term expires in 2030 with the option to terminate the lease in 2025 upon the payment of a termination amount. This lease agreement included an incentive amount to fund certain leasehold improvements, renewal options, escalation clauses and a free rent period. This lease agreement has been classified as an operating lease and the Company recognizes operating rent expense on a straight-line basis. The following below table presents the Company’s operating lease information as of December 31, 2019:

	As of
$ in millions	December 31, 2019			Balance Sheet Location
Right-of-use asset	$	21			Other assets
Lease liability	$	21			Other liabilities
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)		8.2
Discount rate used for operating leases		7.5	%
Total future minimum lease payments	$	32

149

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2019, the end of the period covered by this report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of MBIA Inc. and its subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

MBIA’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; (2) provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and, (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of MBIA Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In making its assessment, management used the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment and those criteria, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 was effective.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Remediation of Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As previously disclosed in Part II, item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, we identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the process used to estimate its loss reserves and recoveries for residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) insured by MBIA Insurance Corporation. Management did not identify a material misstatement within its consolidated financial statements in any prior filed Annual Report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q as a result of the material weakness. During 2019, we commenced a remediation plan with the goal of remediating the material weakness as soon as possible. In carrying out our remediation plan, management modified existing key controls and implemented new key controls at a sufficient level of precision to verify the reliability of data, the reasonableness of assumptions and the accuracy of calculations used in our RMBS loss reserve and recovery models. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we completed our testing of these controls to verify that such controls are operating effectively and at a sufficient level of precision.

150

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures (continued)

We believe that our remediation actions completed during 2019 significantly improved our internal control over financial reporting, and the material weakness reported as of December 31, 2018 had been fully remediated as of December 31, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter covered by this annual report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

151

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information regarding directors will be set forth under “Proposals for Shareholder Approval Recommended by the Board—Proposal 1: Election of Directors” and “Board of Directors Corporate Governance—The Board of Directors and its Committees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated by reference.

Information regarding executive officers is set forth under Part I, Item 1, “Business—Executive Officers of the Registrant,” included in this annual report.

Information regarding Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance will be set forth in the section “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

Information regarding the Company’s Audit Committee will be set forth under “Board of Directors Corporate Governance—The Board of Directors and its Committees” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees of the Company including its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and its controller. A copy of such code of ethics can be found on the Company’s internet website at www.mbia.com. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 10 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics and that relates to a substantive amendment or material departure from a provision of the Code by posting such information on its internet website at www.mbia.com.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information regarding compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers will be set forth under “Board of Directors Corporate Governance—The Board of Directors and its Committees,” “Compensation and Governance Committee Report,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation Tables” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be set forth under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2019, regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans. All outstanding awards relate to our common stock. For additional information about our equity compensation plans refer to “Note 15: Benefit Plans” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

	(a)		(b)		(c)
Plan category	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1)		Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))(2)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		155,754	$	13.36		1,964,919
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		—		—		—
Total		155,754	$	13.36		1,964,919

(1)—Represents phantom shares granted under the Deferred Compensation and Stock Ownership Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

(2)—Includes 1,807,058 shares of common stock available for future grants under the MBIA Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 157,861 shares of common stock available for future grants under the Deferred Compensation and Stock Ownership Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

152

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions will be set forth under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference. Information regarding director independence will be set forth under “Proposals for Shareholder Approval Recommended by the Board—Proposal 1: Election of Directors—Director Independence” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information regarding principal accounting fees and services will be set forth under “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference.

153

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules and Exhibits

1. Financial Statements

The following financial statements of MBIA Inc. have been included in Part II, Item 8 hereof:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Notes to consolidated financial statements.

2. Financial Statement Schedules

The following financial statement schedules, which appear on pages 159-165, are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Schedule		Title
	I.	Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, as of December 31, 2019.
	II.	Condensed financial information of Registrant:
		Condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
		Condensed statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
		Condensed statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
		Notes to condensed financial statements.
	IV.	Reinsurance for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

The report of the Registrant’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the above listed financial statement schedules is included within the report listed under Item 15.1 above.

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibits

An exhibit index immediately preceding the Exhibits indicates the exhibit number where each exhibit filed as part of this report can be found.

(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts: In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MBIA Inc., its subsidiaries or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.)

154

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (continued)

3. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

3.1. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated May 5, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005.

3.2. By-Laws as Amended as of February 28, 2019, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

4. Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, including Indentures.

4.1. Indenture, dated as of August 1, 1990, between MBIA Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2002, between MBIA Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, in connection with the $300,000,000 6.4% senior notes due 2022, incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 4.04 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2002, and the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2012, between MBIA Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 26, 2012.

4.2. Senior Indenture, dated as of November 24, 2004, between MBIA Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 29, 2004 as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 24, 2004, between MBIA Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, in connection with the $350,000,000 5.70% senior notes due 2034, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 29, 2004 as amended by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2012, between MBIA Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 26, 2012.

4.3. Fiscal Agency Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2008, between MBIA Insurance Corporation and The Bank of New York, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2008.

4.4. Form of MBIA Corp. 14% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Global Note due January 15, 2033, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2008.

4.5. Senior Note Indenture, between MZ Funding, as issuer, and WSFS, as trustee and collateral agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.6. Form of $277,678,000 12% Senior Secured Notes, due January 2022, issued pursuant to the Senior Note Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.7. Amended and Restated Subordinated Note Indenture, between MZ Funding, as issuer, and WSFS, as indenture trustee and collateral agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.8. Form of Amended and Restated $53,836,742.98 12% Subordinated Secured Notes, due January 2022, issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Subordinated Note Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.9. Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, between MBIA Corp., as borrower, and MZ Funding, as lender, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.10. Amended and Restated Security Agreement, between MBIA Corp., as grantor, and MZ Funding, as secured party, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

155

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (continued)

4.11. Security Agreement, between MZ Funding, as grantor, and WSFS, as collateral agent under the Senior Note Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with on July 10, 2019.

4.12. Amended and Restated Security Agreement, between MZ Funding, as grantor, and WSFS, as collateral agent under the Amended and Restated Subordinated Note Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.13. Pledge Agreement, between the Company, as pledgor, and WSFS, as collateral agent under the Senior Note Indenture, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.14. Intercreditor Agreement, among WSFS, in its capacities as trustee under the Senior Note Indenture and the Amended and Restated Subordinated Note Indenture, MBIA Corp., as insurer, and MZ Funding, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2019.

4.15. Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

10. Material Contracts

Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements

The following Exhibits identify all existing executive compensation plans and arrangements:

10.1. MBIA Inc. Annual Incentive Plan, effective January 1, 2016, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed on March 24, 2015.

10.2. MBIA Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended through March, 2012, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed on March 19, 2012, as amended by the Amendment thereto, effective as of May 2, 2013.

10.3. Key Employee Employment Protection Plan, amended as of February 27, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.80 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as further amended by Amendment No. 2, effective February 22, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

10.4. Form of Key Employee Employment Protection Agreement, amended as of February 27, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.81 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

10.5. MBIA Inc. 2005 Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended through February 2014), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form S-8 filed on March 5, 2014 (Reg. No. 333-194335).

10.6. Amended and Restated MBIA Inc. Deferred Compensation and Excess Benefit Plan, effective as of October 29, 2019.

10.7. Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2018, between MBIA Inc. and Daniel M. Avitabile, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

10.8. Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2018, between MBIA Inc. and Adam T. Bergonzi, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

10.9. Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2018, between MBIA Inc. and William C. Fallon, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

156

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (continued)

10.10. Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2018, between MBIA Inc. and Jonathan C. Harris, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

10.11. Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2018, between MBIA Inc. and Anthony McKiernan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

10.12. Restricted Stock Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2018, between MBIA Inc. and Christopher H. Young, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

21. List of Subsidiaries.

23. Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

31.1. Chief Executive Officer—Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2. Chief Financial Officer—Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1. Chief Executive Officer—Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2. Chief Financial Officer— Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99.1. Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement between MBIA Insurance Corporation and MBIA Insurance Corp. of Illinois dated February 17, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2009.

99.2. Novation Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2012, between Financial Guaranty Insurance Company and National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013.

99.3. Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2011, between MBIA Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

101.INS. XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because iXBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH. XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL. XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF. XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB. XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE. XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

104.Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

157

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	MBIA Inc. (Registrant)
Dated: February 27, 2020	By	/s/  William C. Fallon
	Name:	William C. Fallon
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/    William C. Fallon         William C. Fallon	Director and Chief Executive Officer	February 27, 2020
/s/    Anthony McKiernan         Anthony McKiernan	Chief Financial Officer	February 27, 2020
/s/    Joseph R. Schachinger         Joseph R. Schachinger	Assistant Vice President and Controller (Chief Accounting Officer)	February 27, 2020
/s/    Charles R. Rinehart         Charles R. Rinehart	Chairman and Director	February 27, 2020
/s/    Diane L. Dewbrey         Diane L. Dewbrey	Director	February 27, 2020
/s/    Steven J. Gilbert         Steven J. Gilbert	Director	February 27, 2020
/s/    Theodore Shasta                 Theodore Shasta	Director	February 27, 2020
/s/    Richard C. Vaughan         Richard C. Vaughan	Director	February 27, 2020

158

SCHEDULE I

MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS, OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES

December 31, 2019

(In millions)

	December 31, 2019
Type of investment	Cost		Fair Value		Amount at which shown in the balance sheet
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	640	$	685	$	685
State and municipal bonds		178		200		200
Foreign governments		2		2		2
Corporate obligations		1,078		1,129		1,129
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		317		320		320
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		23		19		19
Commercial mortgage-backed		20		20		20
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		139		137		137
Other asset-backed		317		317		317
Total long-term available-for-sale		2,714		2,829		2,829
Short-term available-for-sale		270		270		270
Total available-for-sale		2,984		3,099		3,099
Investments at fair value		359		363		363
Total investments	$	3,343	$	3,462	$	3,462
Assets of consolidated variable interest entities:
Investments at fair value		100		83		83
Held-to-maturity:
Corporate obligations		890		892		890
Loans receivable		135		136		136
Total investments of consolidated variable interest entities	$	1,125	$	1,111	$	1,109

159

SCHEDULE II

MBIA INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions except share and per share amounts)

	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Assets
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $610 and $815)	$	674	$	839
Investments carried at fair value		1		7
Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $19 and $49)		11		46
Short-term investments held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $167 and $83)		167		83
Total investments		853		975
Cash and cash equivalents		11		40
Investment in wholly-owned subsidiaries		1,456		1,876
Other assets		123		130
Total assets	$	2,443	$	3,021
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Investment agreements	$	274	$	276
Long-term debt		427		577
Affiliate loans payable		658		675
Income taxes payable		60		138
Derivative liabilities		133		157
Other liabilities		65		79
Total liabilities		1,617		1,902
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares—10,000,000; issued and outstanding—none		—		—
Common stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares—400,000,000; issued shares—283,433,401 and 283,625,689		283		284
Additional paid-in capital		2,999		3,025
Retained earnings		607		966
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(2)		(156)
Treasury stock, at cost—204,000,108 and 193,803,976 shares		(3,061)		(3,000)
Total shareholders’ equity of MBIA Inc.		826		1,119
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,443	$	3,021

The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the

consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the accompanying notes.

160

SCHEDULE II

MBIA INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Revenues:
Net investment income	$	35	$	35	$	35
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(57)		20		(34)
Net gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt		(1)		3		28
Other net realized gains (losses)		(2)		(2)		(3)
Total revenues		(25)		56		26
Expenses:
Operating		10		11		13
Interest		90		93		87
Total expenses		100		104		100
Gain (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(125)		(48)		(74)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(99)		(35)		507
Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(26)		(13)		(581)
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries		(333)		(283)		(1,024)
Net income (loss)	$	(359)	$	(296)	$	(1,605)

The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the

consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the accompanying notes. 

161

SCHEDULE II

MBIA INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

	Years ended December 31,
	2019			2018		2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Investment income received	$	156		$	132	$	141
Operating expenses paid		(17)			(17)		(27)
Interest paid, net of interest converted to principal		(88)			(91)		(101)
Income taxes (paid) received		34			(16)		26
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		85			8		39
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investments		(278)			(495)		(164)
Sales of available-for-sale investments		319			175		172
Paydowns and maturities of available-for-sale investments		179			101		152
Purchases of investments at fair value		5			(9)		(70)
Sales, paydowns and maturities of investments at fair value		—			10		71
Sales, paydowns and maturities (purchases) of short-term investments, net		(61)			262		(34)
(Payments) proceeds for derivative settlements		(98)			(24)		(30)
Collateral (to) from counterparty		—			—		4
Contributions (to) from subsidiaries, net		(14)			51		(12)
Advances (to) from subsidiaries, net		—			3		(3)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		52			74		86
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from investment agreements		15			11		15
Principal paydowns of investment agreements		(20)			(35)		(72)
Proceeds from long-term debt		—			40		127
Principal paydowns of long-term debt		(150)			—		—
Payments for affiliate loans		(19)			(71)		(142)
Purchases of treasury stock		—			—		(65)
Restricted stock awards settlements		8			4		11
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(166)			(51)		(126)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		—			(1)		(2)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(29	)		30		(3)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year		40			10		13
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	$	11		$	40	$	10
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(359)		$	(296)	$	(1,605)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Change in:
Intercompany accounts receivable		(16)			(9)		(22)
Current income taxes		23			(15)		48
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		333			283		1,024
Dividends from subsidiaries		134			112		118
Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		57			(20)		34
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(88)			(35)		485
(Gains) losses on extinguishment of debt		1			(3)		(28)
Other operating		—			(9)		(15)
Total adjustments to net income (loss)		444			304		1,644
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	85		$	8	$	39

The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the

consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the accompanying notes.

162

SCHEDULE II

MBIA INC. (PARENT COMPANY)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Condensed Financial Statements

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. This includes the statements of comprehensive income (loss) which is exactly the same as the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

The activities of MBIA Inc. (the “Parent Company”) consist of general corporate activities and funding activities, which principally include holding and managing investments, servicing outstanding corporate debt, investment agreements issued by the Parent Company and its subsidiaries, and posting collateral under investment agreement and derivative contracts.

The Parent Company is subject to the same liquidity risks and uncertainties as described in footnote 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2019, the liquidity position of the Parent Company, which included cash and cash equivalents or short-term investments comprised of highly rated commercial paper, money market funds and municipal, U.S. agency and corporate bonds for general corporate purposes, excluding the amount held in escrow under its tax sharing agreement, was $375 million.

During 2019, the Parent Company redeemed $150 million principal amount of its 6.400% Senior Notes due 2022 at a cost of 100% of par value plus accrued interest. During 2018, National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation (“National”) purchased from the Parent Company, $44 million principal amount of MBIA Inc. 5.700% Senior Notes due 2034 and $10 million principal amount of MBIA Inc. 7.000% Debentures due 2025 that were previously repurchased by the Parent Company and had not been retired. The MBIA Inc. 5.700% Senior Notes due 2034 and the MBIA Inc. 7.000% Debentures that were purchased by National are eliminated from the Parent Company’s condensed balance sheet.

2. Accounting Policies

The Parent Company carries its investments in subsidiaries under the equity method.

Beginning with 2019, the Parent Company changed its presentation of affiliate loans payable, derivative liabilities and other liabilities. As a result, certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation.

For a further discussion of significant accounting policies and recent accounting pronouncements, refer to footnotes 2 and 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Dividends from Subsidiaries

During 2019, National declared and paid dividends of $134 million to its ultimate parent, MBIA Inc.

During 2018, National declared and paid a dividend of $108 million to its ultimate parent, MBIA Inc. In addition, National Public Finance Guarantee Holdings, Inc. declared and paid a dividend of $1 million to the Parent Company and MBIA Capital Corp. declared and paid a dividend of $3 million to the Parent Company.

During 2017, National Public Finance Guarantee Holdings, Inc. declared and paid a dividend of $118 million to the Parent Company.

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4. Deferred Tax Asset, Net of Valuation Allowance

The Parent Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized.

The Parent Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of its existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the Parent Company having a three-year cumulative loss. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as the Parent Company’s projections of pre-tax income. On the basis of this evaluation, the Parent Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset.

For a further discussion of the net deferred tax asset, refer to footnote 11 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

5. Obligations under Investment Agreements

Investment agreements, as described in footnote 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, are conducted by both the Parent Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MBIA Investment Management Corp.

6. Pledged Collateral

Substantially all of the obligations under investment agreements require the Parent Company and its subsidiaries to pledge securities as collateral. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of securities pledged as collateral with respect to these investment agreements approximated $313 million and $314 million, respectively. The Parent Company’s collateral as of December 31, 2019, consisted principally of U.S. Treasury and government agency and state and municipal bonds, and was primarily held with major U.S. banks.

Under derivative contracts entered into by the Parent Company, collateral postings are required by either the Parent Company or the counterparty when the aggregate market value of derivative contracts entered into with the same counterparty exceeds a predefined threshold. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Parent Company and its subsidiaries pledged securities with a fair value of $181 million and $205 million, respectively, to derivative counterparties.

7. Affiliate Loans Payable

Affiliate loans payable consists of loans payable to MBIA Global Funding, LLC (“GFL”). GFL raised funds through the issuance of medium-term notes with varying maturities, which were, in turn, guaranteed by MBIA Corp. GFL lent the proceeds of these medium-term note issuances to the Parent Company.

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SCHEDULE IV

MBIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

REINSURANCE

Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

(In millions)

Column A Insurance Premium Written		Column B Direct Amount		Column C Ceded to Others		Column D  Assumed From Other Companies		Column E Net Amount	Column F Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net
2019	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	3	0%
2018	$	3	$	1	$	—	$	2	0%
2017	$	(1)	$	1	$	—	$	(2)	0%

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