-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Kzm00SCnHAl2xK351yP05kvFW9DcX4+7hsJbYwGDSo7jPd/I4ydoXhhTdXE+1pr4 n4JFc4rA/ZOj6SHr8JyWTA== 0001193125-05-134282.txt : 20050629 0001193125-05-134282.hdr.sgml : 20050629 20050629120530 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-134282 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 11-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20041231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050629 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050629 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000874501 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SURETY INSURANCE [6351] IRS NUMBER: 133621676 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 11-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-10777 FILM NUMBER: 05923352 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE STATE ST PLZ CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10004 BUSINESS PHONE: 2126680340 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE STATE ST PLZ CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10004 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMBAC INC /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930328 11-K 1 d11k.htm FORM 11-K Form 11-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 11-K

 


 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number: 1-10777

 


 

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

Savings Incentive Plan

 

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

One State Street Plaza

New York, New York 10004

 



Table of Contents

AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

 

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Thereon)


Table of Contents

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

Savings Incentive Plan

 

INDEX

 

 

     PAGE

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   2

Financial Statements:

    

Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   3

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

   4

Notes to Financial Statements

   5 – 10

Supplemental Schedules*:

    

Schedule 1 – Schedule H, Line 4i- Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2004

   11

Schedule 2 - Schedule H, Line 4j – Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the Year Ended December 31, 2004

   12

Signatures

   13

Exhibit Index

   14

* Schedules required by Form 5500 that are not applicable have been omitted.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Administrator

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Savings Incentive Plan:

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan benefits of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Savings Incentive Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for plan benefits as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Schedule H, line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2004 and Schedule H, line 4j – Schedule of Reportable Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2004 are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements, but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

June 14, 2005

 

2


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Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

Savings Incentive Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits

 

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

     2004

   2003

Assets:

             

Investments, at fair value (see note 3):

             

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund

   $ 24,045,315    $ 21,328,781

Mutual Funds

     45,352,088      40,058,952

Loans to participants

     844,678      888,869
    

  

Total investments

     70,242,081      62,276,602
    

  

Receivables:

             

Employer contributions receivable

     1,987,048      2,124,822

Participant contributions receivable

     125,549      136,847
    

  

Total receivables

     2,112,597      2,261,669
    

  

Net assets available for plan benefits

   $ 72,354,678    $ 64,538,271
    

  

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

3


Table of Contents

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

Savings Incentive Plan

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

     2004

   2003

 

Additions to net assets attributed to:

               

Contributions:

               

Employer contributions

   $ 2,734,708    $ 2,904,057  

Participant contributions

     2,635,424      2,674,300  

Rollovers

     38,448      490,028  
    

  


Total contributions

     5,408,580      6,068,385  
    

  


Investment Income:

               

Interest and dividends

     1,091,496      836,721  

Net appreciation in fair value of investments (see note 3)

     7,109,251      10,658,192  

Other

     —        (20,562 )
    

  


Total investment income

     8,200,747      11,474,351  
    

  


Total additions

     13,609,327      17,542,736  
    

  


Deductions from net assets attributed to:

               

Benefit payments

     5,791,620      2,400,925  

Administrative expenses

     1,300      1,460  
    

  


Total deductions

     5,792,920      2,402,385  
    

  


Net increase

     7,816,407      15,140,351  

Net assets available for plan benefits at:

               

Beginning of year

     64,538,271      49,397,920  
    

  


End of year

   $ 72,354,678    $ 64,538,271  
    

  


 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

 

4


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AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(1) Description of the Plan

 

The following description of the Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Savings Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description or Plan document for more complete information of the Plan’s provisions.

 

  (a) General

 

The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all regular employees of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (“Ambac”) who have completed at least six months of service in which the employee is credited with at least 500 hours of service. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended.

 

The Plan is a program designed to encourage long-term savings by eligible employees of Ambac. These savings are achieved through a systematic program of salary deferrals. The employee’s salary is reduced by the amount elected to be saved on a pre-tax basis. The pre-tax “deferred” part of the employee’s salary is not taxable to the employee until distribution, unless such distribution is to another eligible retirement plan. Ambac is the Plan sponsor.

 

  (b) Contributions

 

Each participant in the Plan directs Ambac to defer on a pre-tax basis a certain percentage of his or her compensation. Employee contributions are accrued when deducted from employee pay and are invested after receipt by the trustee. Employees may contribute to the Plan up to 20% of base compensation. The maximum annual contribution is $13,000 for 2004 and $12,000 for 2003. Ambac makes an employer matching contribution of 50% of the employee’s contributions up to 6% of such participants’ base compensation, subject to limits set by the Internal Revenue Code. Ambac may also make a Basic Profit Sharing contribution of 3% of base compensation and a Supplemental Profit Sharing contribution of an additional 3% of base compensation in the subsequent year to eligible employees. Additionally, Ambac may make a Discretionary Profit Sharing contribution equal to an amount determined by Ambac, in its sole discretion, for the taxable year with or within which the applicable Plan year ends. In 2005, Ambac made a $1,987,048 contribution for its Basic and Supplemental Profit Sharing Contribution for 2004. All employer Supplemental Profit Sharing contributions and Discretionary Profit Sharing contributions are automatically allocated to the Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund. Contributions are subject to certain limitations as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. When one reaches the age of 55, one may begin to allocate certain portions of his/her Supplemental Profit Sharing account balance that are invested in the Ambac Stock Fund to other Investment Funds in accordance with a formula in the Plan.

 

5


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AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(1), Continued

 

In 2002, the Plan was amended effective January 1, 2002 to reflect certain changes under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (“EGTRRA”). Eligible participants age 50 or over may also elect additional catch-up contributions subject to the dollar limits in the EGTRRA. These catch-up contributions are not matched by Ambac.

 

  (c) Participant Accounts

 

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocation of (a) Ambac’s contributions, and (b) plan earnings or losses. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

 

  (d) Vesting

 

Participants are immediately vested in all contributions plus actual earnings or losses thereon.

 

  (e) Payments of Benefits

 

On termination of employment, retirement, total and permanent disability, or death, a participant or participant’s beneficiary may elect to receive an immediate lump-sum amount equal to the value of his or her account, or may elect to defer receipt of such lump sum payment until such participant attains the age of 70 1/2. If the participant’s amount is less than $5,000, a lump sum distribution is made following termination of employment.

 

  (f) Participant Loans

 

Participants may borrow, subject to limitations relative to prior loans, up to one-half of their vested account balances, but not to exceed $50,000. The minimum loan amount is $500. The loan will bear a fixed rate of interest as determined by the Plan Administrative Committee. Participants may have up to three outstanding loans at any one time. Repayment of the loan shall be made through payroll deductions over a term not to exceed five years. However, if the loan is used to acquire a principal residence, the term of the loan may be for up to 15 years. All outstanding loans shall be due and payable at the time of any distribution of all or any portion of the value of a participant’s account.

 

6


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AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following are the significant accounting policies followed by the Plan:

 

  (a) Basis of Accounting and Use of Estimates

 

The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual method of accounting. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, as well as disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

 

  (b) Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

 

The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value. Shares of registered investment companies (mutual funds) are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund is valued at its year-end unit closing price. The Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund consists of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock as well as small amounts of cash and cash equivalents. The Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Common Stock in the stock fund is valued using quoted market prices. Participant loans are valued at cost which approximates fair value. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade date basis. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Capital gain distributions are included in dividend income.

 

  (c) Plan Expenses

 

It is Ambac’s present practice to pay routine administrative, accounting, legal and investment advisory expenses of the Plan.

 

  (d) Payment of Benefits

 

Benefits are recorded when paid.

 

  (e) Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Plan offers a number of investment options including the Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund and a variety of mutual funds. The investment funds consist of U.S. equities, international equities, and fixed income securities. Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonable to expect that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participant account balances.

 

7


Table of Contents

AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(2), Continued

 

The Plan’s exposure to a concentration of credit risk is limited by the diversification of investments across all participant-directed fund elections. Additionally, the investments within each participant-directed fund election are further diversified into varied financial instruments, with the exception of the Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund, which principally invests in the securities of a single issuer.

 

(3) Investments

 

The following presents investments that represent 5 percent or more of the Plan’s net assets.

 

     2004

    2003

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund

   $ 24,045,315 *   $ 21,328,781 *

Vanguard Growth & Income Mutual Fund

     6,339,398       5,630,225  

Vanguard Prime Money Market Mutual Fund

     6,312,057       6,235,680  

Vanguard 500 Index Mutual Fund

     6,135,662       5,687,028  

Vanguard U.S. Growth Mutual Fund

     4,102,402       4,341,645  

Vanguard Explorer Mutual Fund

     3,833,859       3,365,051  

Vanguard Windsor II Mutual Fund

     3,763,595       2,698,207  

* Includes nonparticipant-directed portion (see note 4)

 

The net appreciation of investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held) for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

Ambac Financial Group Inc. Stock Fund

   $ 3,913,095    $ 4,396,439

Mutual Funds

     3,196,156      6,261,753
    

  

Total

   $ 7,109,251    $ 10,658,192
    

  

 

8


Table of Contents

AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(4) Nonparticipant-Directed Investments

 

Information about the net assets and significant components of the changes in net assets relating to the nonparticipant-directed investments is as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

Ambac Financial Group Inc. Stock Fund *

   $ 24,045,315    $ 21,328,781
    

  

Employer contribution receivable

   $ 1,114,298    $ 1,207,251
    

  

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2004


    Year Ended
December 31, 2003


 

Changes in Net Assets:

                

Contributions

   $ 1,628,662     $ 1,690,558  

Interest and dividends

     144,150       130,070  

Net appreciation in fair value

     3,913,095       4,396,439  

Benefit payments

     (1,526,533 )     (866,774 )

Administrative expenses

     (604 )     (698 )

Transfers to participant directed-investments, net

     (1,442,236 )     (970,641 )
    


 


     $ 2,716,534     $ 4,378,954  
    


 



* The Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund displayed above is for both participant / nonparticipant-directed investments. It is not practicable to determine the balance of nonparticipant-directed net assets.

 

(5) Income Tax Status

 

The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed Ambac by a letter dated March 5, 2004 that the Plan, and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

(6) Plan Termination

 

Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, Ambac has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions set forth in ERISA. In the event the Plan was terminated, the net assets of the Plan would be allocated as prescribed by ERISA and its related regulations, generally to provide benefits, after all expenses, to the participants and beneficiaries of the Plan.

 

9


Table of Contents

AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE PLAN

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(7) Related Party Transactions

 

Certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company (“Vanguard”). Vanguard is the trustee as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

 

10


Table of Contents

Schedule 1

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

Savings Incentive Plan

 

Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2004

 

Identity of Issuer


  

Description


  

Current

Value


* Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund

  

Common Stock Fund; 320,634 shares at cost of $11,038,174

   $ 24,045,315
         

* Vanguard Growth & Income Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 207,102 shares    $ 6,339,398
* Vanguard Prime Money Market Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 6,312,057 shares      6,312,057
* Vanguard 500 Index Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 54,959 shares      6,135,662
* Vanguard U.S. Growth Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 253,548 shares      4,102,402
* Vanguard Explorer Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 51,413 shares      3,833,859
* Vanguard Windsor II Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 122,473 shares      3,763,595
* Vanguard International Growth Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 181,805 shares      3,428,835
* Vanguard Long-Term Corp. Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 248,512 shares      2,373,291
* Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 201,401 shares      2,068,387
* Vanguard Wellington Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 60,901 shares      1,838,595
* Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 106,732 shares      1,341,624
* Vanguard REIT Index Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 66,364 shares      1,246,315
* Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 47,520 shares      952,308

* Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Mutual Fund

   Mutual Fund; 33,971 shares      518,405
* Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 22,866 shares      309,379
* Vanguard GNMA Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 23,666 shares      247,070
* Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 13,477 shares      241,365
* Vanguard Short-term Bond Index Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 21,767 shares      220,714
* Vanguard Calvert Social Index Mutual Fund    Mutual Fund; 9,829 shares      78,827
         

          $ 45,352,088
         

* Participant Loans   

56 participants loans (Interest rate range 5.00% to 10.5%)

   $ 844,678
         


* party-in-interest as defined by ERISA

 

See accompanying report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

11


Table of Contents

Schedule 2

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

Savings Incentive Plan

 

Schedule H, Line 4j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions

Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

Identity and Description


   Number
of
purchases


   Purchase
price


  

Number
of

sales


  

Selling

price


  

Cost

of

assets sold


   Net gain

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Stock Fund - Common Stock Fund

   67    $ 2,531,421    98    $ 3,727,982    $ 2,099,753    $ 1,628,229

Vanguard Prime Money Market Mutual Fund - Mutual Fund

   140    $ 2,321,945    131    $ 2,245,568    $ 2,245,568    $ —  

 

See accompanying report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

12


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administrator the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    Ambac Financial Group, Inc.
    Savings Incentive Plan
Dated: June 29, 2005   By:  

/s/ Sean T. Leonard


        Sean T. Leonard
       

Senior Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

Dated: June 29, 2005   By:  

/s/ Gregg L. Bienstock


        Gregg L. Bienstock, Esq.
       

Senior Vice President, Human

Resources and Employment Counsel

        Plan Administrator

 

13


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number


 

Document


23   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

14

EX-23 2 dex23.htm CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

EXHIBIT 23

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.:

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 333-110145 and 333-52449) on Forms S-8 of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. of our report dated June 14, 2005, relating to the financial statements of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. Savings Incentive Plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, and related supplemental schedules, which report appears in the December 31, 2004 annual report on Form 11-K of Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

June 28, 2005

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