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Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

WMIH resumed timely filing of all periodic reports for a reporting company under the Exchange Act for all periods after emergence from bankruptcy on March 19, 2012 (the “Effective Date”).

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, the Company believes that the disclosures included are appropriate. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015, included herein, was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.

These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2016. Interim information presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements has been prepared by management. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation and that all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature and necessary for the fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with GAAP. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2016.

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Management has made significant estimates in certain areas, including valuing certain financial instruments, other assets and liabilities, the determination of the contingent risk liabilities, and in determining appropriate insurance reserves. Actual results could differ substantially from those estimates.

Fair Value of Certain Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Generally, for assets that are reported at fair value, the Company uses quoted market prices or valuation models to estimate their fair value. These models incorporate inputs such as forward yield curves, market volatilities and pricing spreads, utilizing market-based inputs where readily available. The degree of management judgment involved in estimating the fair value of a financial instrument or other asset is dependent upon the availability of quoted market prices or observable market inputs. For financial instruments that are actively traded in the marketplace or whose values are based on readily available market value data, little judgment is necessary when estimating the instrument’s fair value. When observable market prices and data are not readily available, significant management judgment often is necessary to estimate fair value. In those cases, different assumptions could result in significant changes in valuation.

The Company classifies fixed-maturity investments as trading securities, which are recorded at fair value. As such, changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments held at the balance sheet date are recognized and reported as a component of net investment income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company believes fair value provides better matching of investment earnings to potential cash flow generated from the investment portfolio and reduces subjectivity related to evaluating other-than-temporary impairment on the Company’s investment portfolio.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their respective fair values because of their short term nature.

The carrying value of the derivative liability - embedded conversion feature of the Series B Preferred Stock is adjusted to its fair value as determined using Level 3 inputs described below under fair value measurement.  

The carrying value of notes payable approximates fair value based on time to maturity, underlying collateral, and prevailing interest rates.

Fair Value Option

The Company has recorded a liability related to a loss contract fair market value reserve (the “Reserve”) and applies Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Fair Value Option accounting guidance to this liability. The Reserve was initially established in compliance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805-10-55-21(b)(1) which defines a loss contract as a “contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.” The Company recorded this Reserve to properly value the net economic value of the WMMRC subsidiary. At each reporting date, the Company reassesses the loss contract reserve which may result in a change to this line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and a corresponding contra-expense which is reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, any changes in the reserve at the balance sheet dates are recognized and reported within the loss contract reserve fair market value change in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company believes Fair Value Option accounting provides better matching of earnings to potential cash flow generated from the WMMRC operating business.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company’s estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the FASB Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures accounting guidance. The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available. The disclosure of fair value estimates in the fair value accounting guidance hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions.

The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1–Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.

Level 2–Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market corroborated inputs.

Level 3–Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use.

Fair values are based on quoted market prices when available (Level 1). The Company receives the quoted market prices from a third party, nationally recognized pricing service. When market prices are not available, the Company utilizes a pricing service to determine an estimate of fair value. The fair value is generally estimated using current market inputs for similar financial instruments with comparable terms and credit quality, commonly referred to as matrix pricing (Level 2). These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment. The Company recognizes transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period.

Fixed-Maturity Securities

Fixed-maturity securities consist of U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government sponsored agencies and domestic and foreign corporate debt securities. Fixed-maturity securities held in trust are for the benefit of the primary insurers as more fully described in Note 3: Insurance Activity. Investments in fixed-maturity securities are reported at their estimated fair values and are classified as trading securities in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Realized gains and losses on the sale of fixed-maturity securities are determined using the specific identification method and are reported as a component of net investment income within the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Investments Held in Trust

Investments held in trust consist of cash equivalents, which include highly liquid overnight money market instruments, and fixed-maturity securities which are held in trust for the benefit of the primary insurers, as more fully described in Note 3: Insurance Activity and Note 4: Investment Securities, and are subject to the restrictions on distribution of net assets of subsidiaries as described below.

Third Party Restrictions on Distribution of Net Assets of Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries

The net assets of WMMRC are subject to restrictions from distribution from multiple sources, including the primary insurers who have approval control of distributions from the trust, the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Hawaii who has approval authority over distributions or intercompany advances, and additional restrictions as described in Note 7: Notes Payable.

Premium Recognition

Premiums assumed are earned on a daily pro-rata basis over the underlying policy terms. Premiums assumed relating to the unexpired portion of policies in force at the balance sheet date are recorded as unearned premiums. Unearned premiums also include a reserve for post default premium reserves. Post default premium reserves occur when a loan is in a default position and the servicer continues to advance the premiums. If the loan ultimately goes to claim, the premiums advanced during the period of default are subject to recapture. The Company records a default premium reserve based on information provided by the underlying mortgage insurers when they provide information on the default premium reserve separately from other reserves. The change in the default premium reserve is reflected as a reduction or increase, as the case may be, in premiums assumed. The Company has recorded unearned premiums totaling $0.5 million and $0.8 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The Company recognizes premium deficiencies when there is a probable loss on an insurance contract. Premium deficiencies are recognized if the sum of the present value of expected losses and loss adjustment expenses, unamortized deferred acquisition costs, and maintenance costs exceed expected future unearned premiums and anticipated investment income. Premium deficiency reserves have been recorded totaling $1.2 million and $0.8 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The Company’s premium deficiency analysis was performed on a single book basis and includes all book years and reinsurance treaties aggregated together using assumptions based on the actuarial best estimates at the balance sheet date. The calculation for premium deficiency requires significant judgment and includes estimates of future expected premiums, claims, loss adjustment expenses and investment income as of the balance sheet date. To the extent ultimate losses are higher or premiums are lower than estimated, additional premium deficiency reserves may be required in the future.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, U.S. Treasury bills and overnight investments. Except as described above in Investments Held in Trust, the Company considers all amounts that are invested in highly liquid overnight money market instruments to be cash equivalents. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures amounts on deposit with each financial institution up to limits as prescribed by law. The Company may hold funds with financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insured amount, however, the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes (i) amounts held for the express purposes of paying principal, interest and related fees on the Runoff Notes (as defined in Note 7: Notes Payable) pursuant to the terms of the Indentures (as defined in Note 7: Notes Payable) and (ii) proceeds of the Series B Preferred Stock offering held in escrow.

Ceding Commission Expense

The Company is required to pay a ceding commission to certain primary insurers pursuant to certain reinsurance agreements.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserves

The losses and loss adjustment reserves include case basis estimates of reported losses and supplemental amounts for incurred but not reported losses (“IBNR”). A default is considered the incident (e.g., the failure to make timely payment of mortgage payments) that may give rise to a claim for mortgage insurance. In establishing the losses and loss adjustment reserve, the Company based its estimates primarily on the ceded loss and loss adjustment reserves as provided by the primary mortgage guaranty carriers.

WMMRC has recorded reserves at the ceded case reserves and IBNR levels established and reported by the primary mortgage guaranty carriers as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Management believes that the recorded aggregate liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at period end represents the Company’s best estimate, based upon the available data, of the amount necessary to cover the current cost of losses. However, due to the inherent uncertainty arising from fluctuations in the persistency rate of mortgage insurance claims, the Company’s size and lack of prior operating history, external factors such as future changes in regional or national economic conditions, judicial decisions, federal and state legislation related to mortgage restructuring and foreclosure restrictions, claims denials and coverage rescissions by primary carriers and other factors beyond the Company’s control, it is not presently possible to determine whether actual loss experience will conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. Accordingly, the ultimate liability could be significantly higher or lower, as the case may be, of the amount indicated in the financial statements and there can be no assurance that the reserve amounts recorded will be sufficient. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in current operations.

Loss Contract Fair Market Value Reserve

A loss contract fair market value reserve relating to contractual obligations of WMMRC was established at March 19, 2012 as a result of applying fresh start accounting and in compliance with ASC 805-10-55-21(b)(1) which defines a loss contract as a “contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.” The fair market value of this reserve is analyzed quarterly and is adjusted accordingly. This adjustment (if any) to the reserve produces an expense or contra-expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Fresh Start Accounting

The Company adopted fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852 (Reorganizations) (“ASC 852”) upon emergence from bankruptcy on March 19, 2012. Under ASC 852, the application of fresh start accounting results in the allocation of reorganization value to the fair value of assets, and is required when (a) the reorganization value of assets immediately prior to confirmation of a plan of reorganization is less than the total of all post-petition liabilities and allowed claims and (b) the holders of voting shares immediately prior to the confirmation of the plan of reorganization receive less than 50% of the voting shares of the emerging entity. The Company adopted fresh start accounting as of the Effective Date, which represents the date on which all material conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Company’s Seventh Amended Joint Plan of Affiliated Debtors Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (as modified, the “Plan”) were satisfied or waived. As of the Effective Date, the Company believes that it satisfied both of the aforementioned conditions.

The Company’s reorganization value (“Equity Value”), upon emergence from bankruptcy, was determined to be $76.6 million, which represented management’s best estimate of fair value based on a calculation of the present value of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as at March 19, 2012. As part of our fresh start reporting, we applied various valuation methodologies to calculate the reorganization value of the Company. These methods included (a) the comparable company analysis, (b) the precedent transactions analysis and (c) the discounted cash flow analysis. The application of these methodologies requires certain key estimates, judgments and assumptions, including financial projections, the amount of cash available to fund operations and current market conditions. Such projections, judgments and assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and there can be no assurance that such estimates, assumptions and projections reflected in the valuation will be realized and actual results may vary materially. The Company filed a Form 8-K pertaining to emergence from bankruptcy and subsequently filed a Form 8-K/A, which included WMIH’s audited balance sheet as of the Effective Date.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The Company has no comprehensive (loss) income other than the net (loss) income disclosed in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Net Income Per Common Share

In calculating earnings per share, the Company follows the two-class method, which distinguishes between the classes of securities based on the proportionate participation rights of each security type in the Company's undistributed income. WMIH's series A preferred, series B preferred, warrants and restricted shares subject to vesting are treated as one class for purposes of applying the two-class method, because they have substantially equal rights and share equally on an as converted basis with respect to income available to WMIH common stockholders.

Basic net income per WMIH common share is computed by dividing basic net income attributable to WMIH’s common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period after subtracting the weighted average of any unvested restricted shares outstanding, as these are subject to repurchase.  Basic net income attributable to common stockholders is computed by deducting preferred dividends and the basic calculation of undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities from net income.

Diluted net income per WMIH common share is computed by dividing diluted net income attributable to WMIH’s common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period after subtracting the weighted average of any unvested restricted shares outstanding, as these are subject to repurchase and adding any potentially dilutive WMIH common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Diluted net income attributable to common stockholders is computed by deducting preferred dividends and the diluted calculation of undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities from net income.

If common stock equivalents exist, in periods where there is a net loss, diluted net loss per common share would be equal to or less than basic net loss per common share, since the effect of including any common stock equivalents would be antidilutive.

Equity-Based Compensation

On May 22, 2012, WMIH’s Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) approved the Company’s 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) so that awards of restricted stock could be made to its non-employee directors and to have a plan in place for awards of equity based compensation to executives and others in connection with the Company’s operations and future strategic plans. A total of 2.0 million shares of WMIH’s common stock were initially reserved for future issuance under the 2012 Plan, which became effective upon the Board approval on May 22, 2012. On February 10, 2014, the Board approved and adopted a First Amendment to the 2012 Plan, pursuant to which the number of shares of WMIH’s common stock reserved and available for grants under the 2012 Plan was increased from 2.0 million shares to 3.0 million shares, and the terms of the 2012 Plan were modified to permit such an increase through action of the Board, except when stockholder approval is necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which WMIH’s shares are listed, quoted or traded. On February 25, 2015, the number of shares authorized and available for awards under the 2012 Plan was increased from 3.0 million to 12.0 million shares of WMIH’s common stock, subject to approval of stockholders of WMIH.  This approval was received at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 28, 2015.  The 2012 Plan provides for the granting of restricted shares and other cash and share based awards. The value of restricted stock is generally determined using the fair market value determined to be the trading price at the close of business on the respective date the awards were granted.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities and losses carried forward and tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws applicable to the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to the extent that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company recognizes the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. Penalties and interest, of which there are none, would be reflected in income tax expense. Tax years are open to the extent the Company has net operating loss (“NOL”) carry-forwards available to be utilized currently.

Dividend Policy

WMIH has paid no dividends on its common stock on or after the Effective Date and currently has no plans to pay a dividend on its common stock.

WMIH has declared and paid $4.5 million and $17.0 million of dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015, respectively. Additionally, WMIH has accrued unpaid and undeclared dividends of $0.7 million, based on the Series B Preferred Stock 3% interest rate, as of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  The amendments in this Update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The Company has reviewed this standard and determined it has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or disclosure requirements.

In March 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that are issuers of or investors in debt instruments (or hybrid financial instruments that are determined to have a debt host) with embedded call (put) options.  The amendments in this Update clarify the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in this Update is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence.   The Company has reviewed this standard and determined it has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or disclosure requirements.

In March 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  The amendments in this Update affect all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The areas for simplification in this Update involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company has reviewed this standard and determined it has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or disclosure requirements.