EX-99.03 6 dex9903.htm AMBAC ASSURANCE CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Ambac Assurance Corp. & Subsidiaries Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

EXHIBIT 99.03

AMBAC ASSURANCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

(a wholly owned subsidiary of Ambac Financial Group, Inc.)

Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

(Dollars in Thousands Except Share Data)

 

     March 31,
2007
   December 31,
2006
     (unaudited)     
ASSETS      

Investments:

     

Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $9,895,129 in 2007 and $9,669,972 in 2006)

   $ 10,090,074    $ 9,877,920

Short-term investments, at cost (approximates fair value)

     198,315      232,179

Other (cost of $12,868 in 2007 and $12,845 in 2006)

     13,454      13,397
             

Total investments

     10,301,843      10,123,496

Cash

     23,657      23,595

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     104,000      95,000

Receivable for securities sold

     1,232      2,382

Investment income due and accrued

     115,844      131,538

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

     4,120      3,921

Prepaid reinsurance

     319,310      315,498

Deferred acquisition costs

     263,282      252,115

Derivative assets

     994,754      1,018,886

Loans

     11,348      11,291

Other assets

     88,682      83,841
             

Total assets

   $ 12,228,072    $ 12,061,563
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY      

Liabilities:

     

Unearned premiums

   $ 3,055,600    $ 3,048,039

Loss and loss expense reserve

     231,314      220,074

Ceded reinsurance balances payable

     20,884      20,080

Obligations under payment agreements

     248,380      248,415

Deferred income taxes

     210,781      208,053

Current income taxes

     131,373      61,342

Payable for securities purchased

     44,265      95,973

Derivative liabilities

     907,788      920,399

Other liabilities

     195,814      246,882
             

Total liabilities

     5,046,199      5,069,257
             

Stockholder’s equity:

     

Preferred stock, par value $1,000 per share; authorized shares - 285,000; issued and outstanding shares - none

     —        —  

Common stock, par value $2.50 per share; authorized shares - 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares - 32,800,000 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006

     82,000      82,000

Additional paid-in capital

     1,532,067      1,508,828

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     133,809      141,927

Retained earnings

     5,433,997      5,259,551
             

Total stockholder’s equity

     7,181,873      6,992,306
             

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

   $ 12,228,072    $ 12,061,563
             

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2007     2006  

Revenues:

    

Financial Guarantee:

    

Gross premiums written

   $ 252,455     $ 219,774  

Ceded premiums written

     (29,484 )     8,757  
                

Net premiums written

   $ 222,971     $ 228,531  
                

Net premiums earned

   $ 219,357     $ 195,948  

Other credit enhancement fees

     14,884       13,530  
                

Net premiums earned and other credit enhancement fees

     234,241       209,478  

Net investment income

     112,064       101,720  

Net realized investment gains (losses)

     440       (379 )

Net mark-to-market (losses) gains on credit derivative contracts

     (5,124 )     1,953  

Other income

     3,196       28,014  

Financial Services:

    

Investment income

     3,012       3,009  

Derivative products

     7,208       10,019  
                

Total revenues

     355,037       353,814  
                

Expenses:

    

Financial Guarantee:

    

Loss and loss expenses

     11,422       127  

Underwriting and operating expenses

     36,376       37,858  

Financial Services:

    

Interest on payment agreements

     2,464       2,067  

Derivative products

     1,295       1,646  
                

Total expenses

     51,557       41,698  
                

Income before income taxes

     303,480       312,116  

Provision for income taxes

     81,484       86,950  
                

Net income

   $ 221,996     $ 225,166  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity

(Unaudited)

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     2007     2006  

Retained Earnings:

        

Balance at January 1

   $ 5,259,551       $ 4,509,653    

Net income

     221,996     $ 221,996       225,166     $ 225,166  
                    

Dividends declared - common stock

     (47,550 )       (34,000 )  
                    

Balance at March 31

   $ 5,433,997       $ 4,700,819    
                    

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

        

Balance at January 1

   $ 141,927       $ 136,897    

Unrealized losses on securities, ($12,972) and ($102,799), pre-tax, in 2007 and 2006, respectively (1)

       (8,432 )       (66,820 )

Foreign currency translation gain

       314         948  
                    

Other comprehensive loss

     (8,118 )     (8,118 )     (65,872 )     (65,872 )
                                

Comprehensive income

     $ 213,878       $ 159,294  
                    

Balance at March 31

   $ 133,809       $ 71,025    
                    

Preferred Stock:

        

Balance at January 1 and March 31

   $ —         $ —      
                    

Common Stock:

        

Balance at January 1 and March 31

   $ 82,000       $ 82,000    
                    

Additional Paid-in Capital:

        

Balance at January 1

   $ 1,508,828       $ 1,453,060    

Capital issuance costs

     (887 )       (894 )  

Employee benefit plans

     20,371         7,109    

Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation

     3,755         3,760    
                    

Balance at March 31

   $ 1,532,067       $ 1,463,035    
                    

Total Stockholder’s Equity at March 31

   $ 7,181,873       $ 6,316,879    
                    

(1) Disclosure of reclassification amount:

        

Unrealized holding losses arising during period

     ($8,013 )       ($67,156 )  

Less: reclassification adjustment for net securities gains (losses) included in net income

     419         (336 )  
                    

Net unrealized losses on securities

     ($8,432 )       ($66,820 )  
                    

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 
     2007     2006  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 221,996     $ 225,166  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     678       643  

Amortization of bond premium and discount

     5,761       5,181  

Share based compensation

     11,446       7,926  

Current income taxes

     70,031       68,322  

Deferred income taxes

     7,095       8,922  

Deferred acquisition costs

     (4,719 )     (12,292 )

Unearned premiums, net

     3,749       32,789  

Loss and loss expenses

     11,041       (7,576 )

Ceded reinsurance balances payable

     804       (8,009 )

Net realized investment gains

     (440 )     379  

Other, net

     (25,207 )     28,727  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     302,235       350,178  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Proceeds from sales of bonds

     10,408       104,257  

Proceeds from maturities of bonds

     170,382       92,158  

Purchases of bonds

     (460,954 )     (632,516 )

Change in short-term investments

     33,864       212,828  

Loans

     (57 )     (108 )

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     (9,000 )     (95,000 )

Other, net

     (371 )     (503 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (255,728 )     (318,884 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Dividends paid

     (47,550 )     (34,000 )

Capital issuance costs

     (887 )     (894 )

Payment agreements

     (35 )     (10 )

Net cash collateral received

     (1,728 )     703  

Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation

     3,755       3,760  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (46,445 )     (30,441 )
                

Net cash flow

     62       853  

Cash at January 1

     23,595       20,469  
                

Cash at March 31

   $ 23,657     $ 21,322  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Income taxes

   $ 784     $ 5,885  
                

Interest on payment agreements

   $ 2,142     $ 1,651  
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands)

 

  (1) Background and Basis of Presentation

Ambac Assurance Corporation is a leading provider of financial guarantees to clients in both the public and private sectors around the world. Ambac Assurance and its subsidiaries serve the global capital markets by providing financial guarantee insurance for public finance and structured finance obligations. Ambac Assurance has earned triple-A ratings, the highest ratings available from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, and Fitch, Inc. These ratings are an essential part of Ambac Assurance’s ability to provide credit enhancement and any reduction in these ratings could have a material adverse affect on Ambac Assurance’s ability to compete in the financial guarantee business. Financial guarantee insurance policies written by Ambac Assurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee that protects the holder of a fixed income obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due. Ambac Assurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ambac Financial Group, Inc, a holding company whose subsidiaries provide financial guarantee products and other financial services to clients in both the public and private sectors around the world. As of March 31, 2007, Ambac Assurance’s net guarantees in force (principal and interest) were $818,865,049.

The accompanying consolidated unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2007. These consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of Ambac Assurance and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2007 as Exhibit 99.01 to Ambac Financial Group Inc.’s Form 10-K.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ambac Assurance and all other entities in which Ambac Assurance has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist in entities, such as special purpose entities (“SPEs”), through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period’s amounts to conform to the current period’s presentation.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

  (2) Net Premiums Earned

Gross premiums are received either upfront (typical of public finance obligations), or in installments (typical of structured finance obligations). Up-front insurance premiums written are received for an entire bond issue, which may contain several maturities; and are recorded as unearned premiums. The premium is allocated to each bond maturity proportionately based on total principal amount guaranteed and is recognized as premiums on a straight-line basis over the term of each maturity. Installment insurance premiums written are recognized as premiums earned over each installment period, typically one year or less, on a straight-line basis. Premium earnings under both the upfront and installment revenue recognition methods are in proportion to the principal amount guaranteed and result in higher premium earnings during periods where guaranteed principal is higher. When an issue insured by Ambac Assurance has been refunded or called, the remaining unrecognized premium (net of refunding credits, if any) is recognized at that time.

Premiums ceded to reinsurers reduce the amount of net premiums earned by Ambac Assurance from its financial guarantee insurance policies. For both up-front and installment premiums, ceded premiums written are primarily recognized in earnings in proportion to and at the same time the related gross premium revenue is recognized. Prepaid reinsurance represents the portion of premiums ceded to reinsurers relating to unearned premiums ceded under reinsurance contracts. As discussed in footnote 8, the accounting for premiums earned is subject to change.

 

  (3) Loss and Loss Expenses

The loss reserve policy for financial guarantee insurance discussed in this footnote relates only to Ambac Assurance’s non-derivative insurance business. Losses and loss expenses are based upon estimates of the ultimate aggregate losses inherent in the non-derivative financial guarantee portfolio as of the reporting date. The evaluation process for determining the level of reserves is subject to certain estimates and judgments. In most instances, claim payments are forecasted in advance of issuer default as a result of active surveillance of the insured book of business and observation of deterioration in the obligor’s credit standing. Based upon Ambac Assurance’s experience, claim payments become probable and estimable once the issuer’s credit profile has migrated to certain impaired credit levels. The trustee, on behalf of the insured party, named beneficiary, or custodian has the right to make a claim under Ambac Assurance’s financial guarantee insurance policy at the first scheduled debt service date of the defaulted obligation. As discussed in the last paragraph of this section, the accounting for credit loss reserves is subject to change.

The liability for losses and loss expenses consists of active credit and case basis credit reserves. Active credit reserves are for probable and estimable losses due to credit deterioration on insured credits that have not yet defaulted or been reported and are reflected on an undiscounted basis as of the reporting date. The establishment of reserves for exposures that have not yet defaulted is a common practice in the financial guarantee industry. However, Ambac


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Assurance is aware that there are differences in the specific methodologies applied by other financial guarantors in establishing such reserves. Ambac Assurance’s active credit reserve is based on management’s on-going review of the non-derivative financial guarantee credit portfolio. Active surveillance of the insured portfolio enables Ambac Assurance’s Surveillance Group to track credit migration of insured obligations from period to period and prepare an adversely classified credit listing. The active credit reserve is established only for adversely classified credits. The criteria for an exposure to be included on the adversely classified credit listing includes the deterioration in an issuer’s financial condition, underperformance of the underlying collateral (for collateral dependent transactions such as mortgage-backed securitizations), problems with the servicer of the underlying collateral and other adverse economic events or trends. The servicer of the underlying collateral of an insured securitization transaction is a consideration in assessing credit quality because the servicer’s performance can directly impact the performance of the related issue. For example, a servicer of a mortgage-backed securitization that does not remain current in its collection efforts could cause an increase in the delinquency and potential default of the underlying obligation.

The active credit reserve is established through a process that begins with estimates of probable losses inherent in the adversely classified credit portfolio. These estimates are based upon: (i) Ambac Assurance’s internal system of credit ratings, which are analogous to the risk ratings of the major rating agencies; (ii) internally developed historical default information (taking into consideration ratings and average life of an obligation); (iii) internally developed loss severities; and (iv) the net par outstanding on the adversely classified credit. The loss severities and default information are based on rating agency information and are specific to each bond type and are established and approved by Ambac Assurance’s Portfolio Risk Management Committee. The Portfolio Risk Management Committee is comprised of senior risk management professionals and other senior management of Ambac Assurance. For certain adversely classified credit exposures, Ambac Assurance’s additional monitoring and loss remediation efforts may provide information relevant to the estimate of the active credit reserve. Additional remediation activities applied to adversely classified credits can include various actions by Ambac Assurance. The most common actions include obtaining detailed appraisal information on collateral, more frequent meetings with the issuer’s or servicer’s management to review operations, financial condition and financial forecasts and more frequent analysis of the issuer’s financial statements. In estimating the active credit reserve Ambac Assurance uses relevant credit-specific information obtained from its remediation efforts to supplement the statistical approach discussed above. Senior management meets at least quarterly with the Surveillance Group to review the status of their work to determine the adequacy of Ambac Assurance’s loss reserves and make any necessary adjustments. Active credit reserves were $188,803 and $172,644 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The active credit reserves at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were comprised of 50 credits with net par of $3,508,148 and 55 credits with net par outstanding of $3,830,759, respectively. Included in the calculation of active credit reserves at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was the consideration of $7,612 and $6,859, respectively, of reinsurance which would be due to Ambac Assurance from reinsurers, upon default of the insured obligation.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Case basis credit reserves are for losses on insured obligations that have defaulted. We believe our definition of case basis credit reserves differs from other financial guarantee industry participants. Upon the occurrence of a payment default, the related active credit reserve is transferred to case basis credit reserve. Additional provisions for losses upon further credit deterioration of a case basis exposure are initially recorded through the active credit reserve and subsequently transferred to case basis credit reserves. Our case reserves represent the present value of anticipated loss and loss expense payments expected over the estimated period of default. Loss and loss expenses consider anticipated defaulted debt service payments, estimated expenses associated with settling the claims and estimated recoveries under collateral and subrogation rights. The estimate does not consider future installment premium receipts, as the likelihood of such receipts is remote. Ambac Assurance discounts these estimated net payments using discount rates that approximate the average taxable equivalent yield on our investment portfolio.

Case basis credit reserves were $42,511 and $47,430 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The discount rate applied to case basis credit reserves was 4.50% at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. The case basis credit reserves at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were comprised of 8 and 7 credits, respectively, with net par outstanding of $761,662 and $668,440, respectively. Additionally, we have reinsurance recoverables on case basis credit reserves of $4,817 and $4,972 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Ambac Assurance provides information on the classification of its loss reserve between active credit reserve and case basis credit reserve for the purpose of disclosing the components of the total reserve that relate to exposures that have not yet defaulted and those that have defaulted. The total reserve (active credit and case basis) was $231,314 and $220,074 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Due to the relatively small number and large size of certain insured obligations comprising the active and case basis credit reserves, improvements or further deterioration in any one credit may significantly impact our loss provision in a given period. The provision for losses and loss expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations represents the expense recorded to bring the total reserve to a level determined by management to be adequate for losses inherent in the non-derivative financial guarantee insurance portfolio. Ambac Assurance’s management believes that the reserves for losses and loss expenses are adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of claims, but the reserves are based on estimates and there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability for losses will not exceed such estimates.

Our liabilities for credit losses are based in part on the short-duration accounting guidance in SFAS 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises.” The trustee (on behalf of the insured party), named beneficiary or custodian has a right to a claim payment under the financial guarantee insurance policy at the date of the first scheduled debt service payment of a defaulted security in the amount equal to the payment shortfall. We believe a loss event occurs for financial guarantee insurance products at the time the issuers’ financial condition deteriorates to an impaired credit status rather than at the time the insured party has a right to a claim payment. Because of this belief and the ambiguities discussed below in the application of SFAS 60 to the


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

financial guarantee industry, Ambac Assurance does not believe that SFAS 60 alone provides sufficient guidance. As a result, Ambac Assurance supplements the guidance in SFAS 60 with the guidance in SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” which calls for a loss to be accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Ambac Assurance also relies by analogy on EITF Issue 85-20, “Recognition of Fees for Guaranteeing a Loan,” which states that a guarantor should perform an ongoing assessment of the probability of loss to determine if a liability (and a loss) should be recognized under SFAS 5.

In management’s view, the accounting guidance noted above does not comprehensively address the attributes of financial guarantee insurance contracts, primarily due to the fact that SFAS 60 was developed prior to the maturity of the financial guarantee industry. Financial guarantee contracts have elements of long-duration insurance contracts in that they are generally irrevocable and extend over a period of time that may be 30 years or more but are considered and reported for regulatory purposes as property and casualty insurance, normally considered short-duration contracts. The short-duration and long-duration classifications have different methods of accounting for premium revenue, deferred acquisition costs and contract liability recognition.

Ambac Assurance is aware that there are certain differences regarding the measurement of liabilities for credit losses among participants in the financial guarantee industry. Difficulties applying the existing insurance accounting literature such as the classification of the insurance contracts as either short-duration or long-duration to the attributes of financial guarantee insurance, different measurement models and assumptions utilized, regulatory guidance provided to certain entities, and the existence of accounting literature providing guidance with respect to liability recognition for loan guarantees are the reasons for differences among the industry participants.

In January and February of 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff discussed with the financial guarantee industry participants differences in loss reserve recognition practices among those participants. In June 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) added a project to its agenda to consider the accounting by financial guarantee insurers for claims liability recognition, premium recognition and deferred acquisition costs. The proposed guidance was issued on April 18, 2007 and the final guidance is expected to be issued in the third quarter of 2007. See Footnote 8 for further discussion of the exposure draft.

 

  (4) Income Taxes

On January 1, 2007, Ambac Assurance adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, an interpretation of SFAS 109, which provides a framework to determine the appropriate level of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions. FIN 48 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Ambac Assurance’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits was not impacted as a result of the adoption of FIN 48.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Ambac Financial Group files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. Ambac Financial Group and its subsidiaries also file separate or combined income tax returns in various states, local and foreign jurisdictions.

The following are the major jurisdictions in which Ambac Assurance and its affiliates operate and the earliest tax years subject to examination:

 

Jurisdiction

   Tax Year

United States

   2001

United Kingdom

   2005

As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is approximately $57,230 and $54,100, respectively. Included in these balances at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are $33,430 and $30,300, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Over the next 12 months, Ambac Financial Group estimates it may decrease federal tax reserves by approximately $11,200 for issues that may no longer warrant a tax reserve after an expected settlement for the years 2001 through 2004.

Ambac Financial Group accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, Ambac Financial Group recognized approximately $630 and $0, respectively, in interest and penalties. Ambac Financial Group had approximately $2,830 and $2,200 for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

 

  (5) Special Purpose and Variable Interest Entities

Ambac Financial Group has involvement with special purpose entities, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in the following ways. First, Ambac Assurance is a provider of financial guarantee insurance for various debt obligations. Second, Ambac Financial Group has sponsored two special purpose entities that issue MTNs to fund the purchase of certain financial assets. As discussed in detail below, these Ambac Financial Group-sponsored special purpose entities are considered Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (“QSPEs”). Lastly, Ambac Assurance is an investor in asset-backed securities issued by VIEs, and, in one transaction, has a beneficial interest in a VIE that purchases fixed rate municipal bonds with proceeds from the issuance of floating rate short term beneficial interests as discussed in detail below.

Financial Guarantees:

Ambac Assurance provides financial guarantees in respect of debt obligations of special purpose entities, including VIEs. Ambac’ Assurances primary variable interest exists through this financial guarantee insurance or credit derivative contract. The transaction structure provides certain financial protection to Ambac Assurance. This financial protection can take


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

several forms; however, the most common are over-collateralization, first loss and excess spread. In the case of over-collateralization, (i.e., the principal amount of the securitized assets exceeds the principal amount of the structured finance obligations guaranteed by Ambac Assurance), the structure allows the transaction to experience defaults among the securitized assets before a default is experienced on the structured finance obligations that have been guaranteed by Ambac Assurance. In the case of first loss, the financial guarantee insurance policy only covers a senior layer of losses on debt issued by special purpose entities, including VIEs. The first loss with respect to the assets is either retained by the seller or sold off in the form of equity or mezzanine debt to other investors. In the case of excess spread, the financial assets contributed to special purpose entities, including VIEs, generate interest cash flows that are in excess of the interest payments on the related debt; such excess cash flow is applied to redeem debt, thus creating over-collateralization.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Qualified Special Purpose Entities:

Ambac Financial Group has transferred financial assets to two special purpose entities. The business purpose of these entities is to provide certain financial guarantee clients with funding for their debt obligations. These entities meet the characteristics of QSPEs in accordance with SFAS 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“SFAS 140”). QSPEs are not subject to the requirements of FIN 46(R) and accordingly are not consolidated in Ambac Financial Group’s or Ambac Assurance’s financial statements. The QSPEs are legal entities that are demonstrably distinct from Ambac Financial Group. Ambac Financial Group, its affiliates or its agents cannot unilaterally dissolve the QSPEs. The QSPEs permitted activities are limited to those outlined below.

As of March 31, 2007, there have been 15 individual transactions processed through the QSPEs of which 10 are outstanding. In each case, Ambac Financial Group sold fixed income debt obligations to the QSPEs. These transactions are true sales based upon the bankruptcy remote nature of the QSPEs and the absence of any agreement or obligation for Ambac Financial Group to repurchase or redeem assets of the QSPEs. Additionally, Ambac Financial Group’s creditors do not have any rights with regards to the assets of the QSPEs. The purchase by the QSPEs is financed through the issuance of MTNs, which are collateralized by the purchased assets. Derivative contracts (interest rate and currency swaps) may be used for hedging purposes only. Derivative hedges are established at the time MTNs are issued to purchase financial assets. The activities of the QSPEs are contractually limited to purchasing assets from Ambac Financial Group, issuing MTNs to fund such purchase, executing derivative hedges and obtaining surety bonds or financial guarantee policies with respect to indebtedness incurred. Ambac Assurance may issue a financial guarantee insurance policy on the assets sold, the MTNs issued and/or the related derivative contracts. As of March 31, 2007, Ambac Assurance had financial guarantee insurance policies issued for all assets, MTNs and derivative contracts owned and outstanding by the QSPEs.

Pursuant to the terms of Ambac Assurance’s insurance policy, insurance premiums are paid to Ambac Assurance by the QSPEs and are earned in a manner consistent with other insurance policies, over the risk period. Any losses incurred would be included in Ambac Assurance’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Under the terms of an Administrative Agency Agreement, Ambac Financial Group provides certain administrative duties, primarily collecting amounts due on the obligations and making interest payments on the MTNs.

Assets sold to the QSPEs during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006 were $0 and $450,000, respectively. No gains or losses were recognized on the sale. As of March 31, 2007, the estimated fair value of financial assets, MTN liabilities and derivative hedge liabilities of the QSPEs was $2,014,598, $2,033,888 and $3,924, respectively. When market quotes are not available, fair values are based on internal valuation models, which utilize current market information. The valuation results from these models could differ materially from amounts that would actually be realized in the market. Ambac Assurance received gross premiums for issuing financial guarantee policies on the assets, MTNs and derivative contracts of $1,578 and $1,737 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Ambac Financial Group also received fees for providing other services amounting to $56 and $63 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

VIE Beneficial Interest:

Ambac Assurance owns a beneficial interest in a special purpose entity that meets the definition of a VIE. This entity has issued floating rate beneficial interests to investors and invested the proceeds in fixed rate municipal debt securities. These beneficial interests are directly secured by the related municipal debt securities. Ambac Assurance is the primary beneficiary of this entity as a result of its beneficial interest. The fixed rate municipal debt securities, which are reported as Investments in fixed income securities, at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $258,122 and $258,976 as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The beneficial interests issued to third parties, reported as Obligations under investment and payment agreements on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $248,380 and $248,415 as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Under the terms of these beneficial interests, the investors have the contractual right to redeem their investment at any time, with five business days notice. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the interest rates on these beneficial interests ranged from 3.46% to 3.72% and from 2.95% to 4.01%, respectively.

 

  (6) Pension, Postretirement and Other Benefits

Pensions:

During 2006, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Ambac Financial Group approved an amendment to the Pension Plan that terminated the Plan effective December 31, 2006. Benefits under the Plan ceased to accrue as of December 31, 2006. Management’s current intention is to settle the Plan’s obligations in 2007. Effective January 1, 2007, the Compensation Committee has replaced this benefit with an increased matching contribution to Ambac’s defined contribution plan. Net periodic pension costs were $0 and $364 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 respectively.

Postretirement and Other Benefits:

Ambac Financial Group provides postretirement and postemployment benefits, including health and life benefits covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and service requirements. Effective August 1, 2005, new employees were not eligible for postretirement benefits. All plans are contributory. None of the plans are currently funded. Postretirement and post employment benefit expense was $275 and $231 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

  (7) Segment Information

Ambac Assurance has two reportable segments, as follows: (1) Financial Guarantee, which provides financial guarantees (including structured credit derivatives) for public finance and structured finance obligations; and (2) Financial Services, which provides payment agreements, interest rate, currency and total return swaps.

Ambac Assurance’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each business requires different marketing strategies, personnel skill sets and technology.

Intersegment revenues include the premiums earned under those agreements. Ambac Assurance guarantees swap obligations and receives dividends from its Financial Services subsidiaries. Such premiums are determined as if they were premiums to third parties, that is, at current market prices. In the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, Financial Guarantee intersegment revenues include dividends of $0 and $11,000, respectively.

The following tables summarize the financial information by reportable segment as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Three months ended March 31,

   Financial
Guarantee
   Financial
Services
    Intersegment
Eliminations
    Consolidated

2007:

         

Revenues:

         

External customers

   $ 344,817    $ 10,220     $ —       $ 355,037

Intersegment

     807      —         (807 )     —  
                             

Total revenues

   $ 345,624    $ 10,220       ($807 )   $ 355,037
                             

Income before income taxes:

         

External customers

   $ 297,019    $ 6,461     $ —       $ 303,480

Intersegment

     1,474      (1,474 )     —         —  
                             

Total income before income taxes

   $ 298,493    $ 4,987     $ —       $ 303,480
                             

Total assets

   $ 10,868,478    $ 1,359,594     $ —       $ 12,228,072
                             

2006:

         

Revenues:

         

External customers

   $ 340,786    $ 13,028     $ —       $ 353,814

Intersegment

     11,700      —         (11,700 )     —  
                             

Total revenues

   $ 352,486    $ 13,028       ($11,700 )   $ 353,814
                             

Income before income taxes:

         

External customers

   $ 302,801    $ 9,315     $ —       $ 312,116

Intersegment

     12,374      (1,374 )     (11,000 )     —  
                             

Total income before income taxes

   $ 315,175    $ 7,941       ($11,000 )   $ 312,116
                             

Total assets

   $ 9,980,403    $ 1,147,715     $ —       $ 11,128,118
                             


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

The following table summarizes unaffiliated gross premiums written and net premiums earned and other credit enhancement fees included in the financial guarantee segment by location of risk for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

     Three Months 2007    Three Months 2006

(Dollars in thousands)

   Gross
Premiums
Written
   Net Premiums
Earned and
Other Credit
Enhancement
Fees
   Gross
Premiums
Written
   Net Premiums
Earned and
Other Credit
Enhancement
Fees

United States

   $ 200,169    $ 177,549    $ 171,806    $ 157,652

United Kingdom

     17,472      18,563      16,146      15,371

Other international

     34,814      38,129      31,822      36,455
                           

Total

   $ 252,455    $ 234,241    $ 219,774    $ 209,478
                           

 

  (8) Future Application of Accounting Standards

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged, provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. In addition, SFAS 157 supersedes certain accounting guidance, which prohibited the recognition of day one gains on certain derivative transactions. With the adoption of SFAS 157, any remaining reserves for day one gains or losses will be reflected as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Ambac Assurance is currently evaluating the implications of SFAS 157 on its financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. SFAS 159 permits reporting entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The fair value option may be applied instrument by instrument, is irrevocable and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007 provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of SFAS 157, which are described in the previous paragraph. This early adoption election must be made within 120 days of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption provided the entity has not yet issued interim period financial statements. Ambac Assurance is currently evaluating the implications of SFAS 159 on its financial statements.


Ambac Assurance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

On April 18, 2007, the FASB issued an Exposure Draft (“ED”) for a proposed SFAS “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts”, an interpretation of SFAS 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises”. The ED clarifies how SFAS 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises, including the methodology to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities. The comment period for the ED will end on June 18, 2007 and the final Statement is expected to be issued in the third quarter of 2007. The ED states that the final Statement shall be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The final Statement shall be applied to existing and future financial guarantee insurance contracts. The cumulative effect of initially applying this final Statement will be recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year.