Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Text Block [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

Note 6: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurement

Financial Assets and Liabilities

Financial assets held by the Company primarily consist of investments in debt securities, loans receivables at fair value and loan repurchase commitments held by consolidated VIEs. The Company’s remaining loan repurchase commitments were settled in the first quarter of 2021. 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 Company’s derivative liabilities are primarily interest rate swaps and insured credit derivatives.

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.   

Substantially all of these investments are valued based on recently executed transaction prices or quoted market prices by independent third parties, including pricing services and brokers. 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, credit default swap (“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.

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, money market securities 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 and 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.

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 were assets of the consolidated VIEs. These assets represented 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 represented the amounts owed by the sellers/servicers to MBIA as reimbursement of paid claims and contractual interest. Loan repurchase commitments were not securities and no quoted prices or comparable market transaction information were observable or available. Fair values of loan repurchase commitments were determined using discounted cash flow techniques and were categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s loan repurchase commitments were settled in the first quarter of 2021.

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.

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.

Derivatives—Other

The Company also had other derivative liabilities as a result of a commutation that occurred in 2014. The fair value of these derivative liabilities were determined using a discounted cash flow model. Key inputs included unobservable cash flows projected over the expected term of the derivative. As the significant inputs were unobservable, the derivative contract was categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These derivative liabilities were settled in the first quarter of 2021.

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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

In millions	Fair Value as of June 30, 2021		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable at fair value	$	129	Market prices adjusted for financial guarantees provided to VIE obligations	Impact of financial guarantee(2)		-34% - 69% (21%)(1)
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		290	Market prices of VIE assets adjusted for financial guarantees provided	Impact of financial guarantee		31% - 72% (58%)(1)

(1) -  Weighted average represents the total MBIA guarantees as a percentage of total instrument fair value.

(2) -  Negative percentage represents financial guarantee policies in a receivable position.

In millions	Fair Value as of December 31, 2020		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable at fair value	$	120	Market prices adjusted for financial guarantees provided to VIE obligations	Impact of financial guarantee(2)		-28% - 109% (22%)(1)
Loan repurchase commitments		604	Discounted cash flow	Recovery value(3)
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		303	Market prices of VIE assets adjusted for financial guarantees provided	Impact of financial guarantee		30% - 73% (57%)(1)
Other derivative liabilities		49	Discounted cash flow	Cash flows		$49 - $49 ($49)

(1) -  Weighted average represents the total MBIA guarantees as a percentage of total instrument fair value.

(2) -  Negative percentage represents financial guarantee policies in a receivable position.

(3) -  Recovery value reflects an estimate of the amount to be awarded to the Company as part of litigation seeking to enforce its contractual rights.

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 had been 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 would have been higher. This would have resulted in a lower fair value of the residential loans receivable in relation to the obligations of the VIE.

As of December 31, 2020, the significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s loan repurchase commitments of consolidated VIEs was a recovery value, which reflected an estimate of the amount to be awarded to the Company as part of litigation seeking to enforce its contractual rights. The Company’s remaining loan repurchase commitments were settled in the first quarter of 2021 for $600 million.

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. If the value of the guarantee provided by the Company to the obligations issued by the VIE had increased, the credit support would have added value to the liabilities of the VIE. This would have resulted in an increased fair value of the liabilities of the VIE.

As of December 31, 2020, the significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of MBIA Corp.’s other derivatives, which were valued using a discounted cash flow model, was the estimates of future cash flows discounted using market rates and CDS spreads. This derivative contract was settled in the first quarter of 2021 for an amount consistent with the reported amount as of December 31, 2020.

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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

	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 June 30, 2021
Assets:
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	707	$	97	$	-	$	804
State and municipal bonds		-		186		-		186
Foreign governments		-		20		-		20
Corporate obligations		-		990		-		990
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		-		228		-		228
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		-		102		-		102
Commercial mortgage-backed		-		15		-		15
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		-		140		-		140
Other asset-backed		-		145		-		145
Total fixed-maturity investments		707		1,923		-		2,630
Money market securities		101		-		-		101
Perpetual debt and equity securities		43		23		-		66
Cash and cash equivalents		342		-		-		342
Derivative assets:
Non-insured derivative assets:
Interest rate derivatives		-		1		-		1

	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 June 30, 2021
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations		-		5		-		5
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		-		28		-		28
Commercial mortgage-backed		-		15		-		15
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		-		7		-		7
Other asset-backed		-		8		-		8
Cash		5		-		-		5
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential loans receivable		-		-		129		129
Other assets:
Currency derivatives		-		-		8		8
Other		-		-		13		13
Total assets	$	1,198	$	2,010	$	150	$	3,358
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	-	$	-	$	105	$	105
Derivative liabilities:
Insured derivatives:
Credit derivatives		-		1		-		1
Non-insured derivatives:
Interest rate derivatives		-		139		-		139
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		-		31		290		321
Total liabilities	$	-	$	171	$	395	$	566

	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, 2020
Assets:
Fixed-maturity investments:
U.S. Treasury and government agency	$	750	$	105	$	-	$	855
State and municipal bonds		-		195		-		195
Foreign governments		-		15		-		15
Corporate obligations		-		975		-		975
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed agency		-		319		-		319
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		-		32		-		32
Commercial mortgage-backed		-		20		-		20
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		-		121		-		121
Other asset-backed		-		141		-		141
Total fixed-maturity investments		750		1,923		-		2,673
Money market securities		1		-		-		1
Perpetual debt and equity securities		37		25		-		62
Cash and cash equivalents		158		-		-		158
Derivative assets:
Non-insured derivative assets:
Interest rate derivatives		-		1		-		1

	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, 2020
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Corporate obligations		-		6		-		6
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential mortgage-backed non-agency		-		40		-		40
Commercial mortgage-backed		-		16		-		16
Asset-backed securities:
Collateralized debt obligations		-		8		-		8
Other asset-backed		-		7		-		7
Cash		9		-		-		9
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential loans receivable		-		-		120		120
Loan repurchase commitments		-		-		604		604
Other assets:
Currency derivatives		-		-		6		6
Other		-		-		14		14
Total assets	$	955	$	2,026	$	744	$	3,725
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	-	$	-	$	110	$	110
Derivative liabilities:
Insured derivatives:
Credit derivatives		-		2		-		2
Non-insured derivatives:
Interest rate derivatives		-		164		-		164
Other		-		-		49		49
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		-		47		303		350
Total liabilities	$	-	$	213	$	462	$	675

Level 3 assets at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 represented approximately 4% and 20%, respectively, of total assets measured at fair value. Level 3 liabilities at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 represented approximately 70% and 68%, respectively, of total liabilities measured at fair value.

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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The majority of the financial assets and liabilities that the Company requires 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.

	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 June 30, 2021		Carry Value Balance as of June 30, 2021
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	$	-	$	595	$	-	$	595	$	2,283
Medium-term notes		-		-		328		328		532
Investment agreements		-		-		358		358		269
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		-		133		-		133		129
Total liabilities	$	-	$	728	$	686	$	1,414	$	3,213
Financial Guarantees:
Gross liability (recoverable)	$	-	$	-	$	921	$	921	$	(235	)
Ceded recoverable (liability)		-		-		47		47		(20	)
	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, 2020		Carry Value Balance as of December 31, 2020
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	$	-	$	631	$	-	$	631	$	2,229
Medium-term notes		-		-		396		396		598
Investment agreements		-		-		376		376		269
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
Variable interest entity notes		-		276		-		276		273
Total liabilities	$	-	$	907	$	772	$	1,679	$	3,369
Financial Guarantees:
Gross liability (recoverable)	$	-	$	-	$	811	$	811	$	(282	)
Ceded recoverable (liability)		-		-		45		45		(17	)

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 three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Period		Total Gains / (Losses) Included in Earnings			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in OCI(1)		Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of June 30, 2021			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in OCI for Assets still held as of June 30, 2021(1)
Assets:
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable- residential	$	124	$	24		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(5	)	$	(14	)	$	-	$	-	$	129	$	24		$	-
Currency derivatives		9		(1	)		-		-		-		-			-			-		-		8		(1	)		-
Other		14		(1	)		-		-		-		-			-			-		-		13		(1	)		-
Total assets	$	147	$	22		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(5	)	$	(14	)	$	-	$	-	$	150	$	22		$	-

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Period		Total (Gains) / Losses Included in Earnings			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in OCI(2)			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in Earnings for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2021			Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in OCI for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2021(2)
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	105	$	(2	)	$	2		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	105	$	(2	)	$	2
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
VIE notes		280		26			(8	)		-		-		(3	)		(5	)		-		-		290		24			(7	)
Total liabilities	$	385	$	24		$	(6	)	$	-	$	-	$	(3	)	$	(5	)	$	-	$	-	$	395	$	22		$	(5	)

(1) - Reported within the “Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities” on MBIA’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/Loss.

(2) - Reported within the “Instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities measured at fair value” on MBIA’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/Loss.

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Period		Total Gains / (Losses) Included in Earnings			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in OCI(1)		Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales		Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of June 30, 2020			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in OCI for Assets still held as of June 30, 2020(1)
Assets:
Other asset-backed	$	1	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1	$	-		$	-
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable-residential		98		22			-		-		-		(4	)		-		-		-		116		20			-
Loan repurchase commitments		506		18			-		-		-		-			-		-		-		524		18			-
Currency derivatives		18		(4	)		-		-		-		-			-		-		-		14		(4	)		-
Other		15		(1	)		-		-		-		-			-		-		-		14		(1	)		-
Total assets	$	638	$	35		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(4	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	669	$	33		$	-

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Period		Total (Gains) / Losses Included in Earnings			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in OCI(2)			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales		Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in Earnings for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2020			Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in OCI for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2020(2)
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	98	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	96	$	(1	)	$	(1	)
Credit derivatives		8		-			-			-		-		-			-		-		-		8		-			-
Other derivatives		37		-			-			-		-		-			-		-		-		37		-			-
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
VIE notes		281		16			(3	)		-		-		(3	)		-		-		-		291		15			(3	)
Total liabilities	$	424	$	15		$	(4	)	$	-	$	-	$	(3	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	432	$	14		$	(4	)

(1) - Reported within the “Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities” on MBIA’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/Loss.

(2) - Reported within the “Instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities measured at fair value” on MBIA’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/Loss.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, sales included the impact of the deconsolidation of VIEs. Refer to “Note 4: Variable Interest Entities” for additional information about the deconsolidation of VIEs.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

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 six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Total Gains / (Losses) Included in Earnings			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in OCI(1)		Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of June 30, 2021			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in OCI for Assets still held as of June 30, 2021(1)
Assets:
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable- residential	$	120	$	34		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(11	)	$	(14	)	$	-	$	-	$	129	$	31		$	-
Loan repurchase commitments		604		(4	)		-		-		-		(600	)		-			-		-		-		-			-
Currency derivatives		6		2			-		-		-		-			-			-		-		8		2			-
Other		14		(1	)		-		-		-		-			-			-		-		13		(1	)		-
Total assets	$	744	$	31		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(611	)	$	(14	)	$	-	$	-	$	150	$	32		$	-

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Total (Gains) / Losses Included in Earnings			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in Credit Risk in OCI(2)			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales			Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in Earnings for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2021			Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in OCI for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2021(2)
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	110	$	(9	)	$	4		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	105	$	(9	)	$	4
Other derivatives		49		-			-			-		-		(49	)		-			-		-		-		-			-
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
VIE notes		303		48			(24	)		-		-		(32	)		(5	)		-		-		290		28			(5	)
Total liabilities	$	462	$	39		$	(20	)	$	-	$	-	$	(81	)	$	(5	)	$	-	$	-	$	395	$	19		$	(1	)

(1) - Reported within the “Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities” on MBIA’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/Loss.

(2) - Reported within the “Instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities measured at fair value” on MBIA’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income/Loss.

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Total Gains / (Losses) Included in Earnings			Unrealized Gains / (Losses) Included in OCI(1)		Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales		Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of June 30, 2020			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets still held as of June 30, 2020(1)
Assets:
Other asset-backed	$	1	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1	$	-		$	-
Assets of consolidated VIEs:
Loans receivable- residential		136		(13	)		-		-		-		(7	)		-		-		-		116		(14	)		-
Loan repurchase commitments		486		38			-		-		-		-			-		-		-		524		38			-
Currency derivatives		8		6			-		-		-		-			-		-		-		14		6			-
Other		18		(4	)		-		-		-		-			-		-		-		14		(4	)		-
Total assets	$	649	$	27		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(7	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	669	$	26		$	-

In millions	Balance, Beginning of Year		Total (Gains) / Losses Included in Earnings			Unrealized (Gains) / Losses Included in OCI(2)			Purchases		Issuances		Settlements			Sales		Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3		Ending Balance		Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in Earnings for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2020			Change in Unrealized (Gains) Losses for the Period Included in OCI for Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2020(2)
Liabilities:
Medium-term notes	$	108	$	1		$	(13	)	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	96	$	1		$	(13	)
Credit derivatives		7		1			-			-		-		-			-		-		-		8		1			-
Other derivatives		34		3			-			-		-		-			-		-		-		37		3			-
Other payable		4		-			-			-		-		(4	)		-		-		-		-		-			-
Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:
VIE notes		347		(9	)		(38	)		-		-		(9	)		-		-		-		291		(12	)		(37	)
Total liabilities	$	500	$	(4	)	$	(51	)	$	-	$	-	$	(13	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	432	$	(7	)	$	(50	)

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

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, 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 six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings related to Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2021						Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
In millions	Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets and Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2021			Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets and Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2020
Revenues:
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange	$	2		$	2		$	1	$	1
Revenues of consolidated VIEs:
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(4	)		(2	)		19		18
Total	$	(2	)	$	-		$	20	$	19

Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as follows:

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2021					Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
In millions	Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets and Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2021		Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings			Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) for the Period Included in Earnings for Assets and Liabilities still held as of June 30, 2020
Revenues:
Unrealized gains (losses) on insured derivatives	$	-		$	-	$	(1	)	$	(1	)
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		9			9		(4	)		(4	)
Revenues of consolidated VIEs:
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange		(17	)		4		36			38
Total	$	(8	)	$	13	$	31		$	33

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 three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 for financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
In millions	2021			2020			2021			2020
Investments carried at fair value(1)	$	3		$	13		$	6		$	(7	)
Fixed-maturity securities held at fair value-VIE(2)		1			4			2			(2	)
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans(2)		24			22			34			(13	)
Loan repurchase commitments(2)		-			18			(4	)		38
Other assets-VIE(2)		(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		(3	)
Medium-term notes(1)		2			1			9			(1	)
Variable interest entity notes (2)		(26	)		(18	)		(50	)		9

(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.

The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate remaining contractual principal balance outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 for loans and notes for which the fair value option was elected:

	As of June 30, 2021						As of December 31, 2020
	Contractual						Contractual
	Outstanding		Fair				Outstanding		Fair
In millions	Principal		Value		Difference		Principal		Value		Difference
Loans receivable at fair value:
Residential mortgage loans - current	$	72	$	72	$	-	$	89	$	89	$	-
Residential mortgage loans (90 days or more past due)		145		57		88		147		31		116
Total loans receivable and other instruments at fair value	$	217	$	129	$	88	$	236	$	120	$	116
Variable interest entity notes	$	951	$	321	$	630	$	1,117	$	350	$	767
Medium-term notes	$	119	$	105	$	14	$	122	$	110	$	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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the cumulative changes in instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities elected under the fair value option were losses of $26 million and $51 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 three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the portions of instrument-specific credit risk included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) that were recognized in earnings due to settlement of liabilities were losses of $4 million and $1 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the portions of instrument-specific credit risk included in AOCI that were recognized in earnings due to settlement of liabilities were losses of $24 million and $3 million, respectively.