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Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price), in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. Applicable accounting guidance provides an established hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.
The fair values for AFS investments are generally sourced from third parties. The fair value of fixed income securities is based upon quoted market values where available, "evaluated bid" prices provided by third party pricing services ("pricing services") where quoted market values are not available, or by reference to broker quotes where pricing services do not provide coverage for a particular security. While the Company receives values for the majority of the investment securities it holds from pricing services, it is ultimately management’s responsibility to determine whether the values received and recorded in the financial statements are representative of appropriate fair value measurements.
The Company performs regular reviews of the prices received from our third party valuation sources to assess whether the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. This process is completed by investment and accounting personnel who are independent of those responsible for obtaining the valuations. The approaches taken by the Company include, but are not limited to, annual reviews of the controls of the external parties responsible for sourcing valuations that are subjected to automated tolerance checks, quarterly reviews of the valuation sources and dates, comparisons of executed sales prices to prior valuations, regular deep dives on a sample of securities across our major asset classes and monthly reconciliations between the valuations provided by external parties and valuations provided by third party investment managers at a portfolio level.
In addition, the Company assesses the effectiveness of valuation controls performed by external parties responsible for sourcing appropriate valuations from third parties on our behalf. The approaches taken by these external parties to gain comfort include, but are not limited to, comparing valuations between external sources, completing recurring reviews of third party pricing services' methodologies and reviewing controls of the third party service providers to support the completeness and accuracy of the prices received. Where broker quotes are the primary source of the valuations, sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the brokers is generally not available to support a Level 2 classification. The Company obtains the majority of broker quoted values from third party investment managers who perform independent verifications of these valuations using pricing matrices based upon information gathered by market traders. In addition, for the majority of these securities, the Company compares the broker quotes to independent valuations obtained from third party pricing vendors, which may also consist of broker quotes, to assess if the prices received represent reasonable estimates of the fair value.
For further information about the Company's fair value measurements, see Item 8, Note 2(b), "Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements," and Item 8, Note 4, "Fair Value Measurements," to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(a) Fair Value Summary
The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
September 30, 2016
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Collateral
and
Counterparty
Netting
 
Balance at
September 30, 2016
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities - AFS - Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported ("U.S. Government")
$

 
$
3,889,709

 
$
43,650

 
$

 
$
3,933,359

Corporate - Financials

 
3,768,137

 
10,207

 

 
3,778,344

Corporate - Non Financials

 
6,898,790

 
79

 

 
6,898,869

Residential mortgage-backed securities – Agency ("RMBS - Agency")

 
4,591,774

 

 

 
4,591,774

Residential mortgage-backed securities – Non-Agency ("RMBS - Non-Agency")

 
285,927

 

 

 
285,927

Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")

 
296,003

 
101

 

 
296,104

Collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs")

 

 
141,281

 

 
141,281

Other asset-backed securities

 
972,040

 
1,130

 

 
973,170

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 
2,598,854

 

 

 
2,598,854

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported ("Non-U.S. Governments")

 
5,642,141

 

 

 
5,642,141

Total fixed maturities - AFS - Excluding Funds Withheld Assets, at fair value
$

 
$
28,943,375

 
$
196,448

 
$

 
$
29,139,823

Equity securities, at fair value
693,510

 
344,655

 

 

 
1,038,165

Short-term investments, at fair value (1)

 
652,772

 

 

 
652,772

Total investments AFS - Excluding Funds Withheld Assets
$
693,510

 
$
29,940,802

 
$
196,448

 
$

 
$
30,830,760

Fixed maturities - Life Funds Withheld Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government
$

 
$
12,391

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,391

Corporate - Financials

 
498,074

 

 

 
498,074

Corporate - Non Financials

 
1,185,022

 

 

 
1,185,022

RMBS – Agency

 
671

 

 

 
671

RMBS – Non-Agency

 
65

 

 

 
65

CMBS

 
105,969

 

 

 
105,969

Other asset-backed securities

 
137,929

 

 

 
137,929

Non-U.S. Governments

 
854,191

 

 

 
854,191

Total fixed maturities - AFS - Life Funds Withheld Assets, at fair value
$

 
$
2,794,312

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,794,312

Total investments - AFS, at fair value
$
693,510

 
$
32,735,114

 
$
196,448

 
$

 
$
33,625,072

September 30, 2016
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Collateral
and
Counterparty
Netting
 
Balance at
September 30, 2016
Fixed maturities - Trading


 


 


 


 


U.S. Government
$

 
$
16,866

 
$

 
$

 
$
16,866

Corporate - Financials

 
487,472

 

 

 
487,472

Corporate - Non Financials

 
675,644

 

 

 
675,644

RMBS – Agency

 
1,680

 

 

 
1,680

RMBS – Non-Agency

 
151

 

 

 
151

CMBS

 
5,614

 

 

 
5,614

Other asset-backed securities

 
27,699

 

 

 
27,699

Non-U.S. Governments

 
393,756

 

 

 
393,756

Total fixed maturities - Trading - Life Funds Withheld Assets, at fair value
$

 
$
1,608,882

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,608,882

Short-term investments, at fair value (1)

 
24,169

 

 

 
$
24,169

Total investments, Trading
$

 
$
1,633,051

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,633,051

Cash equivalents (2)
270,607

 
1,460,054

 

 

 
1,730,661

Cash equivalents - Life Funds Withheld Assets (2)

 
74,936

 

 

 
74,936

Other investments (3)

 
527,802

 
212,754

 

 
740,556

Other assets (4)

 
60,684

 
18,683

 
(23,873
)
 
55,494

Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
964,117

 
$
36,491,641

 
$
427,885

 
$
(23,873
)
 
$
37,859,770

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funds withheld on GreyCastle Life Retro Arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable) (5)
$

 
$
1,122,127

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,122,127

Other liabilities (4)

 
48,347

 
18,640

 
(23,873
)
 
43,114

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$

 
$
1,170,474

 
$
18,640

 
$
(23,873
)
 
$
1,165,241


December 31, 2015
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Collateral
and
Counterparty
Netting
 
Balance at
December 31,
2015
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities - AFS - Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government
$

 
$
5,020,574

 
$
45,063

 
$

 
$
5,065,637

Corporate - Financials

 
3,508,224

 
53,685

 

 
3,561,909

Corporate - Non Financials

 
6,900,259

 
188

 

 
6,900,447

RMBS - Agency

 
3,754,894

 
3,077

 

 
3,757,971

RMBS - Non-Agency

 
328,540

 

 

 
328,540

CMBS

 
405,316

 

 

 
405,316

CDOs

 
2

 
32,408

 

 
32,410

Other asset-backed securities

 
1,150,715

 
17,857

 

 
1,168,572

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 
2,632,070

 

 

 
2,632,070

Non-U.S. Government

 
5,251,614

 

 

 
5,251,614

Total fixed maturities - AFS - Excluding Funds Withheld Assets, at fair value
$

 
$
28,952,208

 
$
152,278

 
$

 
$
29,104,486

Equity securities, at fair value
528,581

 
350,338

 

 

 
878,919

Short-term investments, at fair value (1)

 
617,390

 

 

 
617,390

Total investments AFS - Excluding Funds Withheld Assets
$
528,581

 
$
29,919,936

 
$
152,278

 
$

 
$
30,600,795

December 31, 2015
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Collateral
and
Counterparty
Netting
 
Balance at
December 31,
2015
Fixed maturities - Life Funds Withheld Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government
$

 
$
12,742

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,742

Corporate - Financials

 
598,236

 

 

 
598,236

Corporate - Non Financials

 
1,308,628

 

 

 
1,308,628

RMBS – Agency

 
752

 

 

 
752

RMBS – Non-Agency

 
26,953

 

 

 
26,953

CMBS

 
122,481

 

 

 
122,481

Other asset-backed securities

 
149,795

 

 

 
149,795

Non-U.S. Government

 
933,516

 

 

 
933,516

Total fixed maturities - AFS - Life Funds Withheld Assets, at fair value
$

 
$
3,153,103

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,153,103

Total investments - AFS, at fair value
$
528,581

 
$
33,073,039

 
$
152,278

 
$

 
$
33,753,898

Fixed maturities - Trading
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government
$

 
$
4,990

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,990

Corporate - Financials

 
335,956

 

 

 
335,956

Corporate - Non Financials

 
493,621

 

 

 
493,621

RMBS – Agency

 
368

 

 

 
368

CMBS

 
4,803

 

 

 
4,803

Other asset-backed securities

 
25,700

 

 

 
25,700

Non-U.S. Government

 
370,261

 

 

 
370,261

Total fixed maturities - Trading - Life Funds Withheld Assets, at fair value
$

 
$
1,235,699

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,235,699

Short-term investments, at fair value (1)

 
60,330

 

 

 
$
60,330

Total investments, Trading
$

 
$
1,296,029

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,296,029

Cash equivalents (2)
437,742

 
830,924

 

 

 
1,268,666

Cash equivalents - Life Funds Withheld Assets (2)
517

 
100,757

 

 

 
101,274

Other investments (3)

 
490,058

 
264,415

 

 
754,473

Other assets (4)

 
69,914

 
19,400

 
(3,087
)
 
86,227

Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
966,840

 
$
35,860,721

 
$
436,093

 
$
(3,087
)
 
$
37,260,567

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funds withheld on GreyCastle Life Retro Arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable) (5)
$

 
$
463,915

 
$

 
$

 
$
463,915

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (6)
347

 

 

 

 
347

Other liabilities (4)

 
16,304

 
29,191

 
(3,087
)
 
42,408

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$
347

 
$
480,219

 
$
29,191

 
$
(3,087
)
 
$
506,670

____________
(1)
Short-term investments consist primarily of Other asset-backed securities, U.S. and Non-U.S. Government securities and Corporate securities.
(2)
Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurement include certificates of deposit and money market funds. Operating cash balances are not subject to recurring fair value measurement guidance.
(3)
Excluded from Other Investments are $378.4 million and $537.2 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, measured using Net Asset Value. Based on new accounting guidance, these investments are excluded from the fair value hierarchy table. In addition, the Other investments balance excludes a certain payment obligation. This investment, which totaled $142.0 million as of September 30, 2016 and $141.3 million as of December 31, 2015, is carried at amortized cost. For further information, see Item 8, Note 8, "Other Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(4)
Other assets and other liabilities include derivative instruments. The derivative balances included in each category are reported on a gross basis by level with a netting adjustment presented separately in the Collateral and Counterparty Netting column. The fair values of the individual derivative contracts are reported gross in their respective levels based on the fair value hierarchy. For further details regarding derivative fair values and associated collateral received or paid, see Note 7, "Derivative Instruments."
(5)
Funds withheld on GreyCastle Life Retro Arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable) include balances related to the life retrocession embedded derivative, under which all investment results associated with the Life Funds Withheld Assets related to the GreyCastle Life Retro Arrangements described in Note 1, "Basis of Preparation and Consolidation," accrue to the benefit of GCLR.
(6)
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, represent "short sales" and are included within "Payable for investments purchased" on the balance sheets.
(b) Level 2 Asset Valuations
U.S. Government, Corporate - Financials, Corporate - Non Financials and Non-U.S. Government
Transaction activity inputs utilized in the valuation of fair value hierarchy Level 2 securities within these sub-categories include actual trades, dealer posts, results of bids-wanted, institutional secondary offerings, primary market offerings and Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine ("TRACE") trade feeds. As part of the evaluation process, transaction activity is compared to prior evaluations and necessary adjustments are made accordingly. Market-color inputs include actively quoted benchmark issues, buy-side/evaluator dialogue, sell-side/evaluator dialogue and credit derivative indices.
RMBS - Agency, RMBS - Non-Agency, CMBS, CDO and Other asset-backed securities
As part of the fair valuation process, Level 2 securities in these sub-categories are analyzed by collateral type, deal structure, deal performance and vintage. Market inputs into the valuation process for each sub-category include reported or observed trades, results of bids-wanted, buy-side/sell-side evaluator dialogue, dealer offering and market research reports. Cash flow inputs into the evaluation process include conditional prepayment rates, conditional decay rates, delinquency and loss severity rates. This assumptive data is reviewed and updated using third party reported information to reflect current market convention.
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
Transaction activity inputs utilized in the valuation of fair value hierarchy Level 2 securities within this sub-category include client and broker trades, dealer posts, results of bids-wanted, institutional secondary offerings, primary market offerings, and Municipal Securities Rulemaking trade feeds. As part of the evaluation process, transaction activity is compared to prior evaluations and necessary adjustments are made accordingly. Market-color inputs include bids, offerings, two-sided markets, buy-side/evaluator dialogue and sell-side/evaluator dialogue. Credit information inputs include issuer financial statements, default and material event notices, developer reports and liquidation and restructuring analysis.
Equity securities and other investments
Other investment securities generally include investments in thinly traded equity funds and hedge funds. Fair value is determined based upon the most recent net asset values (“NAV’) received from the fund administrators, the nature of the underlying investments in the funds and the frequency of subscriptions or redemptions as dictated by the fund’s governing documents.
Other assets and other liabilities
Other assets and other liabilities primarily include over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, which are valued using market transactions and other market evidence whenever possible, including market-based inputs to models, model calibration to market clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations or alternative independent pricing sources where an understanding of the inputs utilized in arriving at the valuations is obtained. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an OTC derivative depends upon the contractual terms and specific risks inherent in the instrument as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. The Company generally uses similar models to value similar instruments. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, prepayment rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as generic forwards, interest rate swaps and options, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment.
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
(c) Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
The tables below present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which Level 3 inputs were utilized to determine fair value. The tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The tables do not include gains or losses that were reported in Level 3 in prior periods for assets that were transferred out of Level 3 prior to September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Gains and losses for assets and liabilities classified within Level 3 in the table below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3). Further, it should be noted that the following tables do not take into consideration the effect of offsetting Level 1 and 2 financial instruments entered into by the Company that are either economically hedged by certain exposures to the Level 3 positions or that hedge the exposures in Level 3 positions.
In general, Level 3 assets include securities for which values were obtained from brokers where either significant inputs were utilized in determining the values that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the broker was not available to support a Level 2 classification. Transfers into or out of Level 3 may arise as a result of the valuations utilized by the Company changing between either those provided by independent pricing services that do not contain significant unobservable inputs and other valuations sourced from brokers that are considered Level 3.
Fixed maturities and short-term investments
The Company’s Level 3 assets consist primarily of U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported, Corporates and CDOs, for which non-binding broker quotes are the primary source of the valuations. Sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the brokers was not available to support a Level 2 classification. The Company obtains the majority of broker quotes for these securities from third party investment managers who perform independent verifications of these valuations using pricing matrices based upon information gathered by market traders. In addition, for the majority of these securities, the Company compares the broker quotes to independent valuations obtained from third party pricing vendors, which may also consist of broker quotes, to assess if the prices received represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. Although the Company does not have access to the specific unobservable inputs that may have been used in the fair value measurements of these securities provided by brokers, we would expect that the significant inputs considered are prepayment rates, probability of default, loss severity in the event of default, recovery rates, liquidity premium and reinvestment rates. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly different fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.
The remainder of the Level 3 assets relate primarily to private investments (including funds) and certain derivative positions as described below.
Other investments
Included within the other investments component of the Company’s Level 3 valuations are private investments (including funds) and hedge funds where the Company is not deemed to have significant influence over the investee. The fair value of these investments is based upon net asset values received from the investment manager or general partner of the respective entity. The underlying investments held by the investee that form the basis of the net asset value include assets such as private business ventures and are such that significant Level 3 inputs are utilized in the determination of the individual underlying holding values and, accordingly, the fair value of the Company’s investment in each entity is classified within Level 3. The Company has not adjusted the net asset values received; however, management reviews the values received incorporating factors such as the most recent financial information received, annual audited financial statements and the values at which capital transactions with the investee take place when applying judgment regarding whether any adjustments should be made to the net asset value in recording the fair value of each position. Investments in hedge funds included in other investments utilize strategies including arbitrage, directional, event driven and multi-style. The funds potentially have lockup and gate provisions that may limit redemption liquidity. For further details regarding the nature of other investments and related features, see Item 8, Note 8, "Other Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Derivative instruments
Derivative instruments recorded within other liabilities and classified within Level 3 include credit derivatives sold that provide protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions where the value is obtained directly from the investment bank counterparty and sufficient information regarding the inputs utilized in such valuation was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification and guaranteed minimum income benefits embedded within one reinsurance contract. The majority of inputs utilized in the valuations of these types of derivative contracts are considered Level 1 or Level 2; however, each valuation includes at least one Level 3 input that was significant to the valuation and, accordingly, the values are disclosed within Level 3.
The calculation of the change in fair value of the embedded derivative associated with the GreyCastle Life Retro Arrangements includes the interest income, realized and unrealized gains and losses on Life Funds Withheld Assets and certain related expenses related to the Life Funds Withheld Assets. The fair value of the embedded derivative is included in “Funds withheld on GreyCastle life retrocession arrangements, net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable” on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the embedded derivative is considered a Level 2 valuation.
 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities - Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government
 
Corporate - Financials
 
Corporate - Non-Financials
 
RMBS - Agency
Balance, beginning of period
$
44,256

 
$
43,637

 
$
1,929

 
$
15

Realized gains (losses)
(37
)
 
(3,088
)
 

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
116

 
78

 
16

 

Purchases and issuances

 

 

 

Sales

 
(30,420
)
 

 

Settlements
(685
)
 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 
(1,866
)
 
(15
)
Balance, end of period
$
43,650

 
$
10,207

 
$
79

 
$

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
79

 
$

 
$
17

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
RMBS - Non
Agency
 
CMBS
 
CDO
 
Other asset-
backed
securities
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
17,794

 
$
6,855

Realized gains (losses)

 

 
99

 
(7
)
Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 
(1
)
 
1,141

 
48

Purchases and issuances

 

 
124,843

 

Sales

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 
(2,596
)
 
(1,671
)
Transfers into Level 3

 
102

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 
(4,095
)
Balance, end of period
$

 
$
101

 
$
141,281

 
$
1,130

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
333

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Non-U.S. Government
 
Short-term
investments
 
Other investments
 
Derivative Contracts
- Net
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
225,094

 
$
(9,836
)
Realized gains (losses)

 

 
7,757

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
(62
)
 
9,879

Purchases and issuances

 

 
9,297

 

Sales

 

 
(12,000
)
 

Settlements

 

 
(14,869
)
 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 
(2,463
)
 

Balance, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
212,754

 
$
43

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
6,902

 
$
55

 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities - Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government
 
Corporate - Financials
 
Corporate - Non-Financials
 
RMBS - Agency
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$
10,000

 
$
5,554

 
$
3,038

Realized gains (losses)

 

 
(45
)
 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Purchases and issuances

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 
(236
)
 
(154
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$

 
$
10,000

 
$
5,272

 
$
2,882

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
RMBS - Non
Agency
 
CMBS
 
CDO
 
Other asset-
backed
securities
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
484,171

 
$
42,745

Realized gains (losses)

 

 
(8,469
)
 
553

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
8,994

 
(976
)
Purchases and issuances

 

 
2,101

 
3,334

Sales

 

 
(56,576
)
 

Settlements

 

 
(22,558
)
 
(3,087
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 
(6,449
)
Balance, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
407,663

 
$
36,120

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
164

 
$
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Non-U.S. Government
 
Short-term
investments
 
Other investments
 
Derivative Contracts
- Net
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
255,672

 
$
(9,753
)
Realized gains (losses)

 

 
9,185

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
(5,567
)
 
69

Purchases and issuances

 

 
30,519

 

Sales

 

 
(1,417
)
 

Settlements

 

 
(10,170
)
 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
278,222

 
$
(9,684
)
Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
3,618

 
$
69



 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government
 
Corporate - Financials
 
Corporate - Non-Financials
 
RMBS - Agency
Balance, beginning of period
$
45,063

 
$
53,685

 
$
188

 
$
3,077

Realized gains (losses)
(112
)
 
(2,991
)
 

 
(3
)
Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
743

 
10

 
16

 
7

Purchases and issuances

 
208

 
1,747

 

Sales

 
(30,420
)
 

 

Settlements
(2,044
)
 

 
(6
)
 
(229
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 
(10,285
)
 
(1,866
)
 
(2,852
)
Balance, end of period
$
43,650

 
$
10,207

 
$
79

 
$

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
630

 
$
31

 
$
17

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
RMBS - Non
Agency
 
CMBS
 
CDO
 
Other asset-
backed
securities
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
32,408

 
$
17,857

Realized gains (losses)

 

 
189

 
515

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 
(1
)
 
6,871

 
(2,149
)
Purchases and issuances

 

 
124,843

 
1,072

Sales

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 
(23,030
)
 
(14,190
)
Transfers into Level 3

 
102

 

 
3,015

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 
(4,990
)
Balance, end of period
$

 
$
101

 
$
141,281

 
$
1,130

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
6,152

 
$
(1,673
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Non-U.S. Government
 
Short-term
investments
 
Other investments
 
Derivative Contracts
- Net
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
264,415

 
$
(9,791
)
Realized gains (losses)

 

 
14,588

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
(8,519
)
 
9,834

Purchases and issuances

 

 
34,450

 

Sales

 

 
(12,000
)
 

Settlements

 

 
(34,334
)
 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 
15,494

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 
(61,340
)
 

Balance, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
212,754

 
$
43

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
5,276

 
$
10




 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government
 
Corporate - Financials
 
Corporate - Non-Financials
 
RMBS - Agency
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
5,894

 
$
1,910

Realized gains (losses)

 

 
(186
)
 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
3

 
(4
)
Purchases and issuances (1)

 
10,000

 
(123
)
 
1,297

Sales

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 
(316
)
 
(321
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$

 
$
10,000

 
$
5,272

 
$
2,882

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
(137
)
 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
RMBS - Non
Agency
 
CMBS
 
CDO
 
Other asset-
backed
securities
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
687,958

 
$
5,288

Realized gains (losses)

 

 
(8,209
)
 
644

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
16,994

 
(966
)
Purchases and issuances (1)

 

 
14,042

 
43,962

Sales

 

 
(211,661
)
 

Settlements

 

 
(91,461
)
 
(6,359
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 
(6,449
)
Balance, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
407,663

 
$
36,120

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
4,889

 
$
95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Non-U.S.
Government
 
Short-term
investments
 
Other investments
 
Derivative Contracts
- Net
Balance, beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
185,083

 
$
(9,764
)
Realized gains (losses)

 

 
11,778

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 
(7,533
)
 
80

Purchases and issuances (1)

 

 
103,822

 

Sales

 

 
(1,417
)
 

Settlements

 

 
(13,511
)
 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$

 
$

 
$
278,222

 
$
(9,684
)
Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$

 
$

 
$
4,246

 
$
80


____________
(1) Includes assets acquired as result of the transaction described in Note 3(e), "Acquisitions and Disposals - Catlin Acquisition"
(d) Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
Authoritative guidance over disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments requires additional disclosure of fair value information for financial instruments not carried at fair value in both interim and annual reporting periods. Certain financial instruments, particularly insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair value disclosure requirements. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, net receivable from investments sold, other assets, net payable for investments purchased, other liabilities and other financial instruments not included below approximated their fair values.
The following table includes financial instruments for which the carrying values differ from the estimated fair values as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. All of these fair value estimates are considered Level 2 fair value measurements.
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
Financial Assets - Other investments
$
141,995

 
$
153,398

 
$
141,329

 
$
154,065

Deposit liabilities
$
1,138,789

 
$
1,450,164

 
$
1,168,376

 
$
1,436,210

Notes payable and debt
2,675,000

 
2,921,113

 
2,644,970

 
2,805,152

Financial Liabilities
$
3,813,789

 
$
4,371,277

 
$
3,813,346

 
$
4,241,362


The Company historically participated in structured transactions. Remaining structured transactions include cash loans supporting project finance transactions, a liquidity facility financing provided to structured project deals and an investment in a payment obligation with an insurance company. These transactions are carried at amortized cost. The fair values of these investments held by the Company is determined through use of internal models utilizing reported trades, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data.
Deposit liabilities include obligations under structured insurance and reinsurance transactions. For purposes of fair value disclosures, the Company determined the estimated fair values of the deposit liabilities by assuming a discount rate equal to the appropriate U.S. Treasury rate plus 46.9 basis points and 26.5 basis points as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The discount rate incorporates the Company’s own credit risk into the determination of estimated fair value.
The fair values of the Company’s notes payable and debt outstanding were determined based on quoted market prices.
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Company’s financial instruments as defined in the authoritative guidance over disclosures of fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value, which excludes certain financial instruments, particularly insurance contracts.