EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 947484
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 947484_10-K_2021_0000947484-21-000028.json

---

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
As used in this report, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Arch” or the “Company” refer to the consolidated operations of Arch Capital Group Ltd. (“Arch Capital”) and its subsidiaries. Tabular amounts are in U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share amounts, unless otherwise noted. We refer you to Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a discussion of risk factors relating to our business.
OUR COMPANY
General
Arch Capital, a publicly listed Bermuda exempted company with $15.8 billion in capital at December 31, 2020, provides insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries. While we are positioned to provide a full range of property, casualty and mortgage insurance and reinsurance lines, we focus on writing specialty lines of insurance and reinsurance. For 2020, we wrote $7.4 billion of net premiums and reported net income available to Arch common shareholders of $1.4 billion. Book value per share was $30.31 at December 31, 2020, compared to $26.42 per share at December 31, 2019.
Arch Capital’s registered office is located at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda (telephone number: (441) 295-1422), and its principal executive offices are located at Waterloo House, Ground Floor, 100 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda (telephone number: (441) 278-9250). Arch Capital makes available free of charge through its website, located at www.archcapgroup.com, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC (such as Arch Capital) and the address of that site is www.sec.gov.
Our History
Arch Capital was formed in September 2000 and became the sole shareholder of Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc. (“Arch-U.S.”) pursuant to an internal reorganization transaction completed in November 2000. In October 2001, Arch Capital launched an underwriting initiative to meet current and future
demand in the global insurance and reinsurance markets that included the recruitment of new management teams and an equity capital infusion of $763.2 million which created a strong capital base that was unencumbered by significant pre-2002 risks. Since then, we have attracted a proven management team with extensive industry experience and continued to build our global underwriting platform for our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance and reinsurance businesses.
Our insurance underwriting platform initially consisted of our Bermuda and U.S. operations, followed by the establishment of our United Kingdom-based carrier, Arch Insurance (UK) Limited (“Arch Insurance (U.K.)”) in 2004 and Canadian operations in 2005. In 2009, we established a managing agency and syndicate at Lloyd’s of London (“Lloyd’s”) and significantly expanded our U.K. presence in 2019 through the acquisition of Barbican Group Holdings Limited (“Barbican Holdings”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Barbican”). Our U.S. platform has grown with the 2018 acquisition of McNeil & Company, Inc. (“McNeil”), a U.S. nationwide leader in specialized risk management and program administration. See “Operations-Insurance Operations” for further details on our insurance operations.
Our reinsurance underwriting platform initially consisted of Arch Reinsurance Ltd. in Bermuda (“Arch Re Bermuda”) and Arch Reinsurance Company (“Arch Re U.S.”), our U.S.-licensed reinsurer. Our reinsurance operations in Europe began in 2006 in offices in Zurich, Switzerland and the formation of a Danish underwriting agency in 2007. In addition to the U.S. reinsurance treaty activities of Arch Re U.S., we launched our property facultative reinsurance underwriting operations in 2007, which underwrite in the U.S., Canada and Europe. In 2008, we formed Arch Reinsurance Europe Designated Activity Company (“Arch Re Europe”), our Ireland-based reinsurance company headquartered in Ireland with offices in Switzerland and the U.K. The acquisition of Barbican in November 2019 also contributed to our reinsurance operations. See “Operations-Reinsurance Operations” for further details on our reinsurance operations.
Our mortgage operations include U.S. and international mortgage insurance and reinsurance operations, as well as participation in government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”) credit risk-sharing transactions.
The U.S. mortgage platform was established in 2014 and expanded greatly in 2016 through the acquisition of United
ARCH CAPITAL 3
2020 FORM 10-K
Guaranty Corporation (“UGC”) and its subsidiaries from American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”). Our U.S. primary mortgage operations provide mortgage insurance products and services to the U.S. market. These operations include providers that are also approved as eligible mortgage insurers by Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), each a GSE. The mortgage operations also include participation in GSE credit risk-sharing transactions and direct mortgage insurance to U.S. mortgage lenders with respect to mortgages that lenders intend to retain in portfolio or include in non-agency securitizations along with mortgage reinsurance on a global basis. Our European business is written through our Ireland-based carrier, Arch Insurance (EU) Designated Activity Company (“Arch Insurance (EU)”), which commenced in 2014 providing mortgage insurance products and services to the European and U.K. markets. In January 2019, Arch LMI Pty Ltd. (“Arch LMI”) was authorized by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (“APRA”) to write lenders’ mortgage insurance on a direct basis in Australia. See “Operations-Mortgage Operations” for further details on our mortgage operations.
It is our belief that our underwriting platform, our experienced management team and our strong capital base have enabled us to establish a strong presence in the markets we participate in.
In 2014 we acquired approximately 11% of Watford Holdings Ltd. Watford Holdings Ltd. is the parent of Watford Re Ltd., a multi-line Bermuda reinsurance company (together with Watford Holdings Ltd., “Watford”). In 2017, we acquired approximately 25% of Premia Holdings Ltd. Premia Holdings Ltd. is the parent of Premia Reinsurance Ltd., a multi-line Bermuda reinsurance company (together with Premia Holdings Ltd., “Premia”). In the 2020 fourth quarter, we entered into agreements pursuant to which we, together with certain investment funds managed by Kelso & Company and certain investment funds managed by Warburg Pincus LLC, expect to acquire all of the common shares of Watford Holdings Ltd. in transactions expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory and shareholder approval. See “Operations-Other Operations” for further details on Watford and Premia.
The board of directors of Arch Capital (the “Board”) has authorized the investment in Arch Capital’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Repurchases under the share repurchase program may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2021. Since the inception of the share repurchase program in February 2007 through December 31, 2020, Arch Capital has repurchased 389.2 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $4.1 billion. At December 31, 2020, the total remaining authorization under
the share repurchase program was $916.5 million. The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and corporate and regulatory considerations. Depending upon results of operations, market conditions and the development of the economy, as well as other factors, generally we will consider share repurchases on an opportunistic basis from time to time. During the 2020 fiscal year, we repurchased 2,850,102 shares for an aggregate amount of $83.5 million under our share repurchase program.
OPERATIONS
We classify our businesses into three underwriting segments- insurance, reinsurance and mortgage-and two other operating segments-‘other’ and corporate (non-underwriting). For an analysis of our underwriting results by segment, see note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Results of Operations.”
COVID-19 Pandemic
The global pandemic resulting from the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has disrupted the global economy, causing a significant slowdown in economic activity around the world. Businesses around the world, including ours, have been impacted by the restrictions on travel, some business activities and non-essential services and the reverberations of severe curtailment of normal activities. We have taken proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of our employees with the majority of our 4,500 employees working from home to maintain business continuity. Our employees and businesses have adapted to the changing needs of our clients, customers and business partners. We remain committed to continuing to carrying on our business activities without interruption during these challenging times.
Insurance Operations
Our insurance operations are conducted in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and Australia. Our insurance operations in Bermuda are conducted through Arch Insurance (Bermuda), a division of Arch Re Bermuda, and Alternative Re Limited.
In the U.S., our insurance group’s principal insurance subsidiaries are Arch Insurance Company (“Arch Insurance”), Arch Specialty Insurance Company, Arch Indemnity and Arch Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“Arch P&C”). Arch Insurance is an admitted insurer in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Arch Specialty is an approved excess and surplus lines insurer in 50 states, the District of
ARCH CAPITAL 4
2020 FORM 10-K
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and an authorized insurer in one state. Arch Indemnity is an admitted insurer in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Arch P&C, which is not currently writing business, is an admitted insurer in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Our insurance group also operates McNeil, a specialized risk manager and a program administrator based in Cortland, New York. The headquarters for our insurance group’s U.S. support operations (excluding underwriting units) are in Jersey City, New Jersey. The insurance group has offices throughout the U.S., including five regional offices located in Alpharetta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, New York, New York, San Francisco, California, Dallas, Texas and additional branch offices.
Our insurance operations in Canada are conducted through Arch Insurance Canada Ltd., a Canada domestic company which is authorized in all Canadian provinces and territories. Arch Insurance Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
In 2019, Arch Insurance (EU), based in Dublin, Ireland, received authorization from the Central Bank of Ireland (“CBOI”) to expand its classes of business as part of our plan to address the U.K.’s departure from the European Union (“Brexit”). As of January 2020, all of the insurance business in the European Union (“EU”) previously written by Arch Insurance (U.K.) is now written through Arch Insurance (EU). Arch Insurance (EU) has branches in the EU in Denmark and Italy and outside the EU in the U.K. At the end of December 2020, Arch Insurance (U.K.) received court approval in the U.K. to transfer its legacy book of business written in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) to Arch Insurance (EU) under Part VII of the U.K. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
We conduct insurance operations on several platforms in the U.K., including Arch Insurance (U.K.), Lloyd’s syndicates: Arch Syndicate 2012 (“Arch Syndicate 2012”) and Arch Syndicate 1955 (“Arch Syndicate 1955”). Arch Managing Agency Limited (“AMAL”) is the managing agent of Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955. Our Lloyd’s syndicates provide us access to Lloyd’s extensive distribution network and worldwide licenses. AMAL also acts as managing agent for third party members of Arch Syndicate 1955, which generates fee income. Arch Underwriting at Lloyd’s (Australia) Pty Ltd, based in Sydney, Australia, is a Lloyd’s services company which underwrites exclusively for our Lloyd’s syndicates. With the Barbican acquisition, we also acquired Castel Underwriting Agencies Limited (“Castel”) in the U.K. and Castel Underwriting Europe BV in the Netherlands, giving us additional underwriting intermediary capabilities for our underwriting platforms. Collectively, the U.K. insurance operations are referred to as “Arch U.K.”. Arch U.K. conducts its operations from London and other locations in the U.K. Arch Insurance
(U.K.) will be winding down branch offices in other member states of the EEA following Brexit and the expiration of the transition period negotiated between the U.K. and the EU from January 31, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
Strategy. Our insurance group’s strategy is to operate in lines of business in which underwriting expertise can make a meaningful difference in operating results. The insurance group focuses on talent-intensive rather than labor-intensive business and seeks to operate profitably (on both a gross and net basis) across all of its product lines. To achieve these objectives, our insurance group’s operating principles are to:
•Capitalize on profitable underwriting opportunities. Our insurance group believes that its experienced management and underwriting teams are positioned to locate and identify business with attractive risk/reward characteristics. As profitable underwriting opportunities are identified, our insurance group will continue to seek to make additions to its product portfolio in order to take advantage of market trends. This includes adding underwriting and other professionals with specific expertise in specialty lines of insurance.
• Centralize responsibility for underwriting. Our insurance group consists of a range of product lines. The underwriting executive in charge of each product line oversees all aspects of the underwriting product development process within such product line. Our insurance group believes that centralizing the control of such product line with the respective underwriting executive allows for close management of underwriting and creates clear accountability for results. Our U.S. insurance group has four regional offices, and the executive in charge of each region is primarily responsible for all aspects of the marketing and distribution of our insurance group’s products, including the management of broker and other producer relationships in such executive’s respective region. In our non-U.S. offices, a similar philosophy is observed, with responsibility for the management of each product line residing with the senior underwriting executive in charge of such product line.
• Maintain a disciplined underwriting philosophy. Our insurance group’s underwriting philosophy is to generate an underwriting profit through prudent risk selection and proper pricing. Our insurance group believes that the key to this approach is adherence to uniform underwriting standards across all types of business. Our insurance group’s senior management closely monitors the underwriting process.
• Focus on providing superior claims management. Our insurance group believes that claims handling is an integral component of credibility in the market for
ARCH CAPITAL 5
2020 FORM 10-K
insurance products. Therefore, our insurance group believes that its ability to handle claims expeditiously and satisfactorily is a key to its success. Our insurance group employs experienced claims professionals and also utilizes experienced external claims managers (third party administrators) where appropriate.
• Promote and utilize an efficient distribution system. Our insurance group believes that promoting and utilizing a multi-channel distribution system, provides efficient access to its broad customer base. Our insurance group works with select international, national and regional retail and wholesale brokers and leading managing general agencies, including McNeil, to distribute our insurance products. The Arch U.K. Regional Division expanded our retail distribution network in the U.K.
•Grow strategic partnerships in stable and niche areas. Our insurance group aims to build more integrated long-term alignment with strategic partners offering superior access to niche opportunities, quality scalable businesses, or lines with reliable defensive qualities.
Our insurance group writes business on both an admitted and non-admitted basis. Our insurance group focuses on various specialty lines, as described in note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Underwriting Philosophy. Our insurance group’s underwriting philosophy is to generate an underwriting profit (on both a gross and net basis) through prudent risk selection and proper pricing across all types of business. One key to this philosophy is the adherence to uniform underwriting standards across each product line that focuses on the following:
• risk selection;
• desired attachment point;
• limits and retention management;
• due diligence, including financial condition, claims history, management, and product, class and territorial exposure;
• underwriting authority and appropriate approvals; and
• collaborative decision making.
Marketing. Our insurance group’s products are marketed principally through a group of licensed independent retail and wholesale brokers. Clients (insureds) are referred to our insurance group through a large number of international, national and regional brokers and captive managers who receive from the insured or insurer a set fee or brokerage commission usually equal to a percentage of gross premiums. In the past, our insurance group also entered into contingent
commission arrangements with some brokers that provided for the payment of additional commissions based on volume or profitability of business. Currently, some of our contracts with brokers provide for additional commissions based on volume. We have also entered into service agreements with select international brokers that provide access to their proprietary industry analytics. In general, our insurance group has no implied or explicit commitments to accept business from any particular broker and neither brokers nor any other third parties have the authority to bind our insurance group, except in the case where underwriting authority may be delegated contractually to select program administrators. Such administrators are subject to a due diligence financial and operational review prior to any such delegation of authority and ongoing reviews and audits are carried out as deemed necessary by our insurance group to assure the continuing integrity of underwriting and related business operations. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-We could be materially adversely affected to the extent that important third parties with whom we do business do not adequately or appropriately manage their risks, commit fraud or otherwise breach obligation owed to us.” For information on major brokers, see note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies-Concentrations of Credit Risk,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Risk Management and Reinsurance. In the normal course of business, our insurance group may cede a portion of its premium on a quota share or excess of loss basis through treaty or facultative reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance arrangements do not relieve our insurance group from its primary obligations to insureds. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets, predicated on the reinsurers’ ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, our insurance subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Our principal insurance subsidiaries, with oversight by a group-wide reinsurance steering committee (“RSC”), are selective with regard to reinsurers, seeking to place reinsurance with only those reinsurers which meet and maintain specific standards of established criteria for financial strength. The RSC evaluates the financial viability of its reinsurers through financial analysis, research and review of rating agencies’ reports and also monitors reinsurance recoverables and collateral with unauthorized reinsurers. The financial analysis includes ongoing qualitative and quantitative assessments of reinsurers, including a review of the financial stability, appropriate licensing, reputation, claims paying ability and underwriting philosophy of each reinsurer. Our insurance group will continue to evaluate its reinsurance requirements. See note 8, “Reinsurance,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
ARCH CAPITAL 6
2020 FORM 10-K
For catastrophe-exposed insurance business, our insurance group seeks to limit the amount of exposure to catastrophic losses it assumes through a combination of managing aggregate limits, underwriting guidelines and reinsurance. For a discussion of our risk management policies, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements-Ceded Reinsurance” and “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.”
Claims Management. Our insurance group’s claims management function is performed by claims professionals, as well as experienced external claims managers (third party administrators), where appropriate. In addition to investigating, evaluating and resolving claims, members of our insurance group’s claims departments work with underwriting professionals as functional teams in order to develop products and services desired by the group’s clients.
Reinsurance Operations
Our reinsurance operations are conducted on a worldwide basis through our reinsurance subsidiaries, Arch Re Bermuda, Arch Re U.S., Arch Syndicate 2012, Arch Syndicate 1955 and Arch Re Europe. Arch Re Bermuda is a registered Class 4 general business insurer and Class C long-term insurer and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Arch Re U.S. is licensed or is an accredited or otherwise approved reinsurer in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in Canada with its principal U.S. offices in Morristown, New Jersey. Treaty operations in Canada are conducted through the Canadian branch of Arch Re U.S. (“Arch Re Canada”). Arch Re U.S. is also an admitted insurer in Guam. Our property facultative reinsurance operations are conducted primarily through Arch Re U.S. The property facultative reinsurance operations have offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the U.K. Arch Re Europe, licensed and authorized as a non-life reinsurer and a life reinsurer, is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with branch offices outside the EEA in Zurich and London. AMAL is the managing agent for the reinsurance operations of Arch Syndicate 1955.
Strategy. Our reinsurance group’s strategy is to capitalize on our financial capacity, experienced management and operational flexibility to offer multiple products through our operations. The reinsurance group’s operating principles are to:
•Actively select and manage risks. Our reinsurance group only underwrites business that meets certain profitability criteria, and it emphasizes disciplined underwriting over
premium growth. To this end, our reinsurance group maintains centralized control over reinsurance underwriting guidelines and authorities.
•Maintain flexibility and respond to changing market conditions. Our reinsurance group’s organizational structure and philosophy allows it to take advantage of increases or changes in demand or favorable pricing trends. Our reinsurance group believes that its existing platforms in Bermuda, the U.S., U.K., Europe and Canada, broad underwriting expertise and substantial capital facilitate adjustments to its mix of business geographically and by line and type of coverage. Our reinsurance group believes that this flexibility allows it to participate in those market opportunities that provide the greatest potential for underwriting profitability.
•Maintain a low cost structure. Our reinsurance group believes that maintaining tight control over its staffing level and operating primarily as a broker market reinsurer permits it to maintain low operating costs relative to its capital and premiums.
Our reinsurance group writes business on both a proportional and non-proportional basis and writes both treaty and facultative business. In a proportional reinsurance arrangement (also known as pro rata reinsurance, quota share reinsurance or participating reinsurance), the reinsurer shares a proportional part of the original premiums and losses of the reinsured. The reinsurer pays the cedent a commission which is generally based on the cedent’s cost of acquiring the business being reinsured (including commissions, premium taxes, assessments and miscellaneous administrative expenses) and may also include a profit factor. Non-proportional (or excess of loss) reinsurance indemnifies the reinsured against all or a specified portion of losses on underlying insurance policies in excess of a specified amount, which is called a “retention.” Non-proportional business is written in layers and a reinsurer or group of reinsurers accepts a band of coverage up to a specified amount. The total coverage purchased by the cedent is referred to as a “program.” Any liability exceeding the upper limit of the program reverts to the cedent.
The reinsurance group’s treaty operations generally seek to write significant lines on less commoditized classes of coverage, such as specialty property and casualty reinsurance treaties. However, with respect to other classes of coverage, such as property catastrophe and casualty clash, the reinsurance group’s treaty operations participate in a relatively large number of treaties where they believe that they can underwrite and process the business efficiently. The reinsurance group’s property facultative operations write reinsurance on a facultative basis whereby they assume part of the risk under primarily single insurance contracts. Facultative reinsurance is typically purchased by ceding
ARCH CAPITAL 7
2020 FORM 10-K
companies for individual risks not covered by their reinsurance treaties, for unusual risks or for amounts in excess of the limits on their reinsurance treaties.
Our reinsurance group focuses on various specialty lines, as described in note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Underwriting Philosophy. Our reinsurance group employs a disciplined, analytical approach to underwriting reinsurance risks that is designed to specify an adequate premium for a given exposure commensurate with the amount of capital it anticipates placing at risk. A number of our reinsurance group’s underwriters are also actuaries. It is our reinsurance group’s belief that employing actuaries on the front-end of the underwriting process gives it an advantage in evaluating risks and constructing a high quality book of business.
As part of the underwriting process, our reinsurance group typically assesses a variety of factors, including:
•adequacy of underlying rates for a specific class of business and territory;
•the reputation of the proposed cedent and the likelihood of establishing a long-term relationship with the cedent, the geographic area in which the cedent does business, together with its catastrophe exposures, and our aggregate exposures in that area;
•historical loss data for the cedent and, where available, for the industry as a whole in the relevant regions, in order to compare the cedent’s historical loss experience to industry averages;
•projections of future loss frequency and severity; and
•the perceived financial strength of the cedent.
Marketing. Our reinsurance group generally markets its reinsurance products through brokers, except our property facultative reinsurance group, which generally deals directly with the ceding companies. Brokers do not have the authority to bind our reinsurance group with respect to reinsurance agreements, nor does our reinsurance group commit in advance to accept any portion of the business that brokers submit to them. Our reinsurance group generally pays brokerage fees to brokers based on negotiated percentages of the premiums written through such brokers. For information on major brokers, see note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies-Concentrations of Credit Risk,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Risk Management and Retrocession. Our reinsurance group currently purchases a combination of per event excess of loss, per risk excess of loss, proportional retrocessional agreements and other structures that are available in the
market. Such arrangements reduce the effect of individual or aggregate losses on, and in certain cases may also increase the underwriting capacity of, our reinsurance group. Our reinsurance group will continue to evaluate its retrocessional requirements based on its net appetite for risk. See note 8, “Reinsurance,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
For catastrophe exposed reinsurance business, our reinsurance group seeks to limit the amount of exposure it assumes from any one reinsured and the amount of the aggregate exposure to catastrophe losses from a single event in any one geographic zone. For a discussion of our risk management policies, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements-Ceded Reinsurance” and “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.”
Claims Management. Claims management includes the receipt of initial loss reports, creation of claim files, determination of whether further investigation is required, establishment and adjustment of case reserves and payment of claims. Additionally, audits are conducted for both specific claims and overall claims procedures at the offices of selected ceding companies. Our reinsurance group makes use of outside consultants for claims work from time to time.
Mortgage Operations
Our mortgage operations provide U.S. and international mortgage insurance and reinsurance operations as well as participation in GSE credit risk-sharing transactions. Our mortgage group includes direct mortgage insurance in the U.S. primarily through Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company, and Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company (together, “Arch MI U.S.”); mortgage reinsurance primarily through Arch Re Bermuda to mortgage insurers on both a proportional and non-proportional basis globally; direct mortgage insurance in the EEA and U.K. through Arch Insurance (EU), in Australia through Arch LMI, and in Hong Kong through Arch MI Asia Limited (“Arch MI Asia”); and participation in various GSE credit risk-sharing products primarily through Arch Re Bermuda.
In 2014 we entered the U.S. mortgage insurance marketplace, underwriting on the Arch Mortgage Insurance Company platform. Arch Mortgage Insurance Company is licensed and operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In December 2016, we completed the acquisition of UGC and its primary operating subsidiary, United Guaranty
ARCH CAPITAL 8
2020 FORM 10-K
Residential Insurance Company, which is licensed and operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Arch Mortgage Insurance Company and United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company have each been approved as an eligible mortgage insurer by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, subject to maintaining certain ongoing requirements (“eligible mortgage insurer”). Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company offers direct mortgage insurance to U.S. mortgage lenders with respect to mortgages that lenders intend to retain in portfolio or include in non-agency securitizations. Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company, which is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, insures mortgages that are not intended to be sold to the GSEs, and it is therefore not approved by either GSE as an eligible mortgage insurer.
Arch Insurance (EU) was licensed and authorized by the CBOI in 2011 to operate on a pan-European basis under the EU’s freedom of establishment/freedom of services rules. Arch Underwriters Europe Limited (“Arch Underwriters Europe”), an Irish company authorized as an insurance and reinsurance intermediary by the CBOI, acts on behalf of Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Re Europe with branch offices in the EEA in Italy and Finland and outside the EEA in Switzerland and the U.K. In January 2019, Arch LMI was authorized by APRA to write lenders’ mortgage insurance. Arch LMI is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and focuses on providing direct lenders’ mortgage insurance and reinsurance to the Australian market.
Strategy. The mortgage insurance market operates on a distinct underwriting cycle, with demand driven mainly by the housing market and general economic conditions. As a result, the creation of the mortgage group provides us with a more diverse revenue stream. Our mortgage group’s strategy is to capitalize on its financial capacity, mortgage insurance technology platform, operational flexibility and experienced management to offer mortgage insurance, reinsurance and other risk-sharing products in the U.S. and around the world.
Our mortgage group’s operating principles and goals are to:
•Capitalize on profitable underwriting opportunities. Our mortgage group believes that its experienced management, analytics and underwriting teams are positioned to identify and evaluate business with attractive risk/reward characteristics.
•Maintain a disciplined credit risk philosophy. Our mortgage group’s credit risk philosophy is to generate underwriting profit through disciplined credit risk analysis and proper pricing. Our mortgage group believes that the key to this approach is maintaining discipline across all phases of the applicable housing and mortgage lending cycles.
•Provide superior and innovative mortgage products and services. Our mortgage group believes that it can leverage its financial capacity, experience across insurance product lines and the mortgage finance industry, and its analytics and technology to provide innovative products and superior service. The mortgage group believes that its delivery of tailored products that meet the specific, evolving needs of its customers will be a key to the group’s success.
•Maintain our position as a leading provider of U.S. mortgage insurance business. Prior to our 2014 acquisition, Arch Mortgage Insurance Company was the leading provider of mortgage insurance products and services to credit unions in the U.S. We broadened our customer base into national and regional banks and mortgage originators while maintaining and increasing our share of the mortgage insurance credit union market. With the acquisition of UGC in 2016, a leading provider of mortgage insurance products and services to national and regional banks and mortgage originators, we became a leading provider of U.S. mortgage insurance.
Our mortgage group focuses on the following areas:
•Direct mortgage insurance in the United States. Under their monoline insurance licenses, each of Arch’s eligible mortgage insurers may only offer private mortgage insurance covering first lien, one-to-four family residential mortgages. Nearly all of our mortgage insurance written provides first loss protection on loans originated by mortgage lenders and sold to the GSEs. Each GSE’s Congressional charter generally prohibits it from purchasing a mortgage where the principal balance of the mortgage is in excess of 80% of the value of the property securing the mortgage unless the excess portion of the mortgage is protected against default by lender recourse, participation or by a qualified insurer. As a result, such “high loan-to-value mortgages” purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac generally are insured with private mortgage insurance.
Mortgage insurance protects the insured lender, investor or GSE against loss in the event of a borrower’s default. If a borrower defaults on mortgage payments, private mortgage insurance reduces, and may eliminate, losses to the insured. Private mortgage insurance may also facilitate the sale of mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market because of the credit enhancement it provides. Our primary U.S. mortgage insurance policies predominantly cover individual loans and are effective at the time the loan is originated. We also may enter into insurance transactions with lenders and investors, under which we insure a portfolio of loans at or after origination. Although not currently a significant product, we may offer mortgage insurance on a “pool” basis in
ARCH CAPITAL 9
2020 FORM 10-K
the future. Under pool insurance, the mortgage insurer provides coverage on a group of specified loans, typically for 100% of all contractual or policy-defined losses on every loan in the portfolio, subject to an agreed aggregate loss limit. Pool insurance may be in a first loss position with respect to loans that do not have primary mortgage insurance policies, or it may be in a second loss position, covering losses in excess of those covered by the primary mortgage insurance policy.
•Direct mortgage insurance in Europe and other countries where we identify profitable underwriting opportunities. Since 2011, Arch Insurance (EU) has offered mortgage insurance to European mortgage lenders. Arch Insurance (EU)’s mortgage insurance is primarily purchased by European mortgage lenders in order to reduce lenders’ credit risk and regulatory capital requirements associated with the insured mortgages. In certain European countries, lenders purchase mortgage insurance to facilitate regulatory compliance with respect to high loan-to-value residential lending. Arch Insurance (EU) offers mortgage insurance on both a “flow” basis to cover new originations and through structured transactions to cover one or more portfolios of previously originated residential loans. In Australia, Arch LMI provides lenders’ mortgage insurance on a direct basis.
•Reinsurance. Arch Re Bermuda provides quota share reinsurance covering U.S. and international mortgages.
•Other credit risk-sharing products. In addition to providing traditional mortgage insurance and reinsurance, we offer various credit risk-sharing products to government agencies and mortgage lenders. The GSEs have reduced their exposure to mortgage risk by shifting it to the private sector, creating opportunities for insurers to assume additional mortgage risk. In 2013, Arch Re Bermuda became the first (re)insurance company to participate in Freddie Mac’s program to transfer certain credit risk in its single-family portfolio to the private sector. Since that time, Arch Re Bermuda and its affiliates have regularly participated in both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac single family and multifamily risk sharing programs.
In 2015 we established Arch Mortgage Risk Transfer PCC Inc. (“Arch MRT”) a District of Columbia based protected cell captive insurer, licensed by District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking as a mortgage insurer. Arch MRT issues direct mortgage insurance to the GSEs through incorporated protected cells and cedes 100% of the risk to GSE approved reinsurers, including Arch Re U.S. Arch MRT entered into pilot transactions with both GSEs in 2018 that continued through 2020.
In 2019 we established Arch Credit Risk Services (Bermuda) (“ACRS”) Ltd. ACRS is licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”) as an insurance agent in Bermuda. ACRS offers mortgage credit assessment and underwriting advisory services with respect to participation in GSE credit risk transfer transactions.
Underwriting Philosophy. Our mortgage group believes in a disciplined, analytical approach to underwriting mortgage risks by utilizing proprietary and third party models, including forecasting delinquency and future home price movements with the goal of ensuring that premiums are adequate for the risk being insured. Experienced actuaries and statistical modelers are engaged in analytics to inform the underwriting process. As part of the underwriting process, our mortgage group typically assesses a variety of factors, including the:
•ability and willingness of the mortgage borrower to pay its obligations under the mortgage loan being insured;
•characteristics of the mortgage loan being insured and the value of the collateral securing the mortgage loan;
•financial strength, quality of operations and reputation of the lender originating the mortgage loan;
•expected future home price movements which vary by geography;
•projections of future loss frequency and severity; and
•adequacy of premium rates.
Sales and Distribution. We employ a sales force located throughout the U.S. to directly sell mortgage insurance products and services to our customers, which include mortgage originators such as mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, commercial banks, savings institutions, credit unions and community banks. Our largest single mortgage insurance customer (including branches and affiliates) accounted for 5.4% and 4.0% of our gross premiums written for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. No other customer accounted for greater than 3.2% and 3.3% of the gross premiums written for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The percentage of gross premiums written on our top 10 customers was 22% and 20.8% as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In Europe, Asia, Bermuda and Australia, our products and services are/or will be distributed on a direct basis and through brokers. Each country represents a unique set of opportunities and challenges that require knowledge of market conditions and client needs to develop effective solutions.
Risk Management. Exposure to mortgage risk is monitored globally and managed through underwriting guidelines,
ARCH CAPITAL 10
2020 FORM 10-K
pricing, reinsurance, utilization of proprietary risk models, concentration limits and limits on net probable loss resulting from a severe economic downturn in the housing market. For a discussion of our risk management policies, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements-Ceded Reinsurance” and “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.”
Our mortgage group has ceded a portion of its premium on a quota share basis through certain reinsurance agreements and through aggregate excess of loss reinsurance agreements which provide reinsurance coverage for delinquencies on portfolios of in-force policies issued between certain periods. See note 8, “Reinsurance,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further details.
Reinsurance arrangements do not relieve our mortgage group from its primary obligations to insured parties. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets, predicated on the reinsurers’ ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, our mortgage subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts. For our U.S. mortgage insurance business, in addition to utilizing reinsurance, we have developed a proprietary risk model that simulates the maximum loss resulting from severe economic events impacting the housing market. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Catastrophic Events and Severe Economic Events.”
Claims Management. With respect to our direct mortgage insurance business, the claims process generally begins with notification by the insured or servicer to us of a default on an insured loan. The insured is generally required to notify us of a default after the borrower misses two consecutive monthly payments. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness, inability to manage credit, rising interest rate levels and declining home prices. Upon notice of a default, in certain cases we may coordinate with loan servicers to facilitate and enhance retention workouts on insured loans. Retention workouts include payment forbearance, loan modifications and other loan repayment options, which may enable borrowers to cure mortgage defaults and retain ownership of their homes. If a retention workout is not viable for a borrower, our loss on a loan may be mitigated through a liquidation workout option, including a pre-foreclosure sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.
In the U.S., our master policies generally provide that within 60 days of the perfection of a primary insurance claim, we have the option of:
•paying the insurance coverage percentage specified in the certificate of insurance multiplied by the loss amount;
•in the event the property is sold pursuant to an approved prearranged sale, paying the lesser of (i) 100% of the loss amount less the proceeds of sale of the property, or (ii) the specified coverage percentage multiplied by the loss amount; or
•paying 100% of the loss amount in exchange for the insured’s conveyance to us of good and marketable title to the property, with us then selling the property for our own account.
While we select the claim settlement option that best mitigates the amount of our claim payment, in the U.S. we generally pay the coverage percentage multiplied by the loss amount.
Other Operations
In 2014 we and HPS Investment Partners, LLC (formerly Highbridge Principal Strategies, LLC) (“HPS”), sponsored the formation of Watford. Arch Re Bermuda invested $100.0 million in Watford common equity and, as of February 16, 2021, Arch Re Bermuda owned approximately 10.3% of Watford’s common equity. We also own $35.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Watford Holdings Ltd’s 6.5% senior notes and approximately 6.6% of Watford’s preference shares. Watford’s strategy is to combine a diversified reinsurance and insurance business with a disciplined investment strategy comprised primarily of non-investment grade credit assets. Watford’s own management and board of directors are responsible for its results and profitability. Arch Re Bermuda has appointed two directors to serve on the eight person board of directors of Watford. In the 2020, fourth quarter Arch Capital, Watford Holdings Ltd. and Greysbridge Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Capital, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Arch Capital agreed to acquire all of the common shares of Watford Holdings Ltd. not owned by Arch for a cash purchase price of $35.00 per common share. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory and shareholder approval. Arch Capital has assigned its rights under the Merger Agreement to Greysbridge Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Capital (“Greysbridge”). Upon closing of the transaction, Watford will be wholly owned by Greysbridge and Greysbridge will be owned 40% by Arch Re Bermuda, 30% by certain investment funds
ARCH CAPITAL 11
2020 FORM 10-K
managed by Kelso & Company and 30% by certain investment funds managed by Warburg Pincus LLC. See note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further details.
In 2017 we and Kelso & Company (“Kelso”) sponsored the formation of Premia. Premia’s strategy is to reinsure or acquire companies or reserve portfolios in the non-life property and casualty insurance and reinsurance run-off market. Arch Re Bermuda and certain Arch co-investors invested $100.0 million and acquired approximately 25% of Premia as well as warrants to purchase additional common equity. Arch Re Bermuda is providing a 25% quota share reinsurance treaty on certain business written by Premia, and subsidiaries of Arch Capital are providing certain administrative and support services to Premia, in each case pursuant to separate multi-year agreements. Arch Re Bermuda has appointed two directors to serve on the seven person board of directors of Premia. In the 2019 fourth quarter, Barbican entered into certain reinsurance and related transactions with Premia pursuant to which Premia assumed a transfer of liability for the 2018 and prior years of account of Barbican as of July 1, 2019. See note 16, “Transactions with Related Parties,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further details.
HUMAN CAPITAL
We have a results-driven culture which relies on our dedicated, engaged and talented employees. Our business strategy is focused on delivering specialty products and solutions to our customers in each of our operating segments, and our short- and long-term success depends on employee performance. Therefore, helping our people excel by creating a meaningful, challenging and fulfilling employee experience is of paramount importance. Through the global pandemic, a spirit of agility allowed us to transition virtually overnight to a home-based employee population. We successfully kept business operations up and running through effective collaboration, communication and resilience. As of February 15, 2021, we had just over 4,500 employees globally, compared to 4,300 last year, which directly speaks to our ability to grow and retain our talent in spite of the challenges we all faced with the pandemic. We have approximately 2,970 employees in North America (U.S., Canada and Bermuda), 810 employees in Europe and the U.K. and 730 employees in the Philippines and the rest of the world.
Our People and Culture. With colleagues in over 15 countries, we are driven by our common purpose of “Enabling Possibility” for our customers, our communities and our fellow employees. Our values of embracing teamwork, working hard and smart, continually pursuing innovation and improvement, striving to make a difference,
and exhibiting honesty and integrity in all that we do unite us in our unrelenting focus on providing service and solutions that make us a trusted and valued business partner. We use clearly defined policy and procedural supports such as our Code of Business Conduct and Compliance and Ethics training programs to ensure that we are unwavering in our attention to living our values.
A key aspect in top performance is enhancing our overall diversity while ensuring that we behave inclusively. By better reflecting the demographics in the markets in which we operate and embracing a culture of inclusion, we can leverage all of the best contributions and thinking across our Company. We are committed to positively impacting our employees and culture by integrating diversity and inclusion principles in our operations. In 2020, we launched six employee networks to offer employees from various demographic backgrounds a forum to share ideas, build a sense of community and give voice to topics of interest and contribute meaningfully to business outcomes.
Talent Acquisition, Development, Rewards and Retention. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we maintain a sharp focus on continuously improving the ways we attract, develop and retain our high-performing talent. We provide unique career growth opportunities through a combination of on-the-job experiences, exposure to top-notch colleagues and education and training programs designed to accelerate learning and applying new skills and behaviors. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages, including an employee share purchase plan, parental leave, generous contributions to retirement savings plans and corporate discounts and programs to support employee mental and physical well-being. Our Arch Achieve program has recognized over 360 employees for excellence since its inception in 2009, with each recipient of this distinction receiving shares of our common stock as recognition of their accomplishments.
We also encourage employees to continue their educational and professional development through student loan payback assistance and tuition reimbursement plans. To attract the best talent to our industry, we also offer internship programs and an Early Career Program with an Underwriting Track which provides participants with a robust introduction and real technical skills to build a successful career at Arch. In addition, we have targeted programs to attract talent that will diversify our workforce. Experienced professionals at Arch may participate in manager and leadership development programs and, for our mortgage insurance segment employees, we offer the opportunity to seek a Mortgage Bankers Association Certified Banker designation.
ARCH CAPITAL 12
2020 FORM 10-K
RESERVES
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“Loss Reserves”) represent estimates of what the insurer or reinsurer ultimately expects to pay on claims at a given time, based on facts and circumstances then known, and it is probable that the ultimate liability may exceed or be less than such estimates. Even actuarially sound methods can lead to subsequent adjustments to reserves that are both significant and irregular due to the nature of the risks written. Loss Reserves are inherently subject to uncertainty.
For detail on our Loss Reserves by segment and potential variability in the reserving process, see the Loss Reserves section of “Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Item 7. For an analysis of losses and loss adjustment expenses and a reconciliation of the beginning and ending Loss Reserves and information about prior year reserve development, see note 5, “Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8. For information on our reserving process, see note 6, “Short Duration Contracts,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable were approximately $4.5 billion at December 31, 2020. For detail on our unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses, see the Reinsurance Recoverables section of “Financial Condition, Reinsurance Recoverables” in Item 7.
INVESTMENTS
At December 31, 2020, total investable assets held by Arch were $26.9 billion, excluding the $2.7 billion included in the ‘other’ segment (i.e., attributable to Watford). Our current investment guidelines and approach stress preservation of capital, market liquidity and diversification of risk. Our investments are subject to market-wide risks and fluctuations, as well as to risks inherent in particular securities. While maintaining our emphasis on preservation of capital and liquidity, we expect our portfolio to become more diversified and, as a result, we may in the future expand into areas which are not part of our current investment strategy. For detail on our investments, see the Investable Assets Held by Arch section of “Financial Condition” in Item 7 and note 9, “Investment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
RATINGS
Our ability to underwrite business is affected by the quality of our claims paying ability and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent agencies. Such ratings from third party internationally recognized statistical rating organizations or agencies are instrumental in establishing the financial security of companies in our industry. We believe that the primary users of such ratings include commercial and investment banks, policyholders, brokers, ceding companies and investors. Insurance ratings are also used by insurance and reinsurance intermediaries as an important means of assessing the financial strength and quality of insurers and reinsurers, and are often an important factor in the decision by an insured or intermediary of whether to place business with a particular insurance or reinsurance provider.
The financial strength ratings of our operating insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to periodic review as rating agencies evaluate us to confirm that we continue to meet their criteria for ratings they have assigned to us. Such ratings may be revised or revoked at the discretion of such ratings agencies in response to a variety of factors, including capital adequacy, management, earnings, forms of capitalization and risk profile. A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) are ratings agencies which have assigned financial strength and/or issuer ratings to Arch Capital and/or one or more of its subsidiaries.
The ratings issued on our companies by these agencies are announced publicly and are available directly from the agencies. Our website (www.archcapgroup.com (Investor Relations-Credit Ratings) contains information about our ratings, but such information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
ARCH CAPITAL 13
2020 FORM 10-K
COMPETITION
The worldwide reinsurance and insurance businesses are highly competitive. We compete, and will continue to compete, with major U.S. and non-U.S. insurers and reinsurers, some of which have greater financial, marketing and management resources than we have and longer-term relationships with insureds and brokers than we have had. We compete with other insurers and reinsurers primarily on the basis of overall financial strength, ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, geographic scope of business, strength of client relationships, premiums charged, contract terms and conditions, products and services offered, speed of claims payment, reputation, employee experience, and qualifications and local presence. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-“We operate in a highly competitive environment, and we may not be able to compete successfully in our industry.”
In our property casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses, we compete with insurers and reinsurers that provide specialty property and casualty lines of insurance, including Alleghany Corporation, American Financial Group, Inc., American International Group, Inc., AXA XL, AXIS Capital Holdings Limited, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Chubb Limited, CNA Financial Corp., Everest Re Group Ltd., Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, Hannover Rück SE, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Liberty Mutual Group, Lloyd’s, Markel Corporation, Munich Re Group, PartnerRe Ltd., RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., RLI Corp., SCOR, Sompo International, Swiss Reinsurance Company, Tokio Marine HCC, The Travelers Companies, Inc., W.R. Berkley Corp. and Zurich Insurance Group.
In our U.S. mortgage business, we compete with five active U.S. mortgage insurers, which include the mortgage insurance subsidiaries of Essent Group Ltd., Genworth Financial Inc., MGIC Investment Corporation, NMI Holdings Inc. and Radian Group Inc. The private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. Private mortgage insurers generally compete on the basis of underwriting guidelines, pricing, terms and conditions, financial strength, product and service offerings, customer relationships, reputation, the strength of management, technology, and innovation in the delivery and servicing of insurance products. Arch MI U.S. and other private mortgage insurers compete with federal and state government agencies that sponsor their own mortgage insurance programs. The private mortgage insurers’ principal government competitor is the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) and, to a lesser degree, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Future changes to the FHA program, including any reduction to premiums charged may impact the demand for private mortgage insurance.
Arch MI U.S. and other private mortgage insurers increasingly compete with multi-line reinsurers and capital markets alternatives to private mortgage insurance. The GSEs continued their respective mortgage credit risk transfer (“CRT”) programs including the use of front and back-end transactions with multiline reinsurers. These transactions continue to create opportunities for multiline property casualty reinsurance groups and capital markets participants.
For other U.S. risk sharing products and non-U.S. mortgage insurance opportunities, we have also seen increased competition from well capitalized and highly rated multiline reinsurers. It is our expectation that the depth and capacity of competitors from this segment will continue to increase over the next several years as more residential mortgage credit risk is borne by private capital.
ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT
General. Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) is a key element in our philosophy, strategy and culture. We employ an ERM framework that includes underwriting, reserving, investment, credit and operational risks. Risk appetite and exposure limits are set by our executive management team, reviewed with the Board and its committees and routinely discussed with business unit management. These limits are articulated in our risk appetite statement, which details risk appetite, tolerances and limits for each major risk category, and are integrated into our operating guidelines. Exposures are aggregated and monitored periodically by our corporate risk management team. The reporting, review and approval of risk management information is integrated into our annual planning process, capital modeling and allocation, reinsurance purchasing strategy and reviewed at insurance business reviews, reinsurance underwriting meetings and board level committees.
Risk Management Process and Procedures. The following narrative provides an overview of our risk management framework and our methodology for identifying, measuring, managing and reporting on the key risks affecting us. It outlines our approach to risk identification and assessment and provides an overview of our risk appetite and tolerance for each of the following major risks: underwriting (insurance) risk including pricing, reserving and catastrophe; investment including market and liquidity risks; strategic risk; group risk including governance and capital market risk; credit risk; and operational risk, including regulatory, investor relations (reputational risk), rating agency and outsourcing risks.
The framework includes details of our risk philosophy and policies to address the material risks confronting us; and compliance, approach and procedures to control and or mitigate these risks. The actions and policies implemented to
ARCH CAPITAL 14
2020 FORM 10-K
meet our business management and regulatory obligations form the core of this framework. We have adopted a holistic approach to risk management by analyzing risk from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective.
Risk Identification and Assessment. The Finance, Investment and Risk Committee (“FIR Committee”), Audit Committee and Underwriting Oversight Committee of the Board oversee the top-down and bottom-up review of our risks. Given the nature and scale of our operations, these committees consider all aforementioned risks within the scope of the assessment. Arch Capital’s Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) assists these committees in the identification and assessment of all key risks. The CRO is responsible for maintaining Arch Capital’s risk register and continually reviewing and challenging risk assessments, including the impact of emerging risks and significant business developments. Board approval is required for any new high level risks or change in inherent or residual designations.
Risk Monitoring and Control. Arch Capital’s risk management framework requires risk owners to monitor key risks on a continuous basis. The highest residual risks are actively managed by the FIR Committee. The remaining risks are managed and monitored at a process level by the risk owners and/or the CRO. Risk owners have ultimate responsibility for the day-to-day management of each designated risk, reporting to the CRO on the satisfactory management and control of the risk and timely escalation of significant issues that may arise in relation to that risk. The CRO is responsible for overseeing the monitoring of all risks across the business and for communicating to the relevant risk owners if she becomes aware of issues, or potential and actual breaches of risk appetite, relevant to the assigned risks. A key element of these monitoring activities is the evaluation of our position relative to risk tolerances and limits approved by the Board.
Risk Reporting. Quarterly, the CRO compiles the results of the key risk review process into a report to the FIR Committee for review and discussion at their quarterly meeting. The report includes an overview of selected key risks; a risk dashboard that depicts the status of risk limit and tolerance metrics; changes in the rating of high level risks in the Arch Capital risk register; and summaries of our largest exposures and reinsurance recoverables. If necessary, risk management matters reviewed at the FIR Committee meeting are presented for discussion by the Board. The CRO is responsible for immediately escalating any significant risk matters to executive management, the FIR Committee and/or the Board for approval of the required remediation. As part of our corporate governance, the Board and certain of its committees hold regular executive sessions with members of our management team. These sessions are intended to ensure an open and frank dialogue exists about various forms of risk across the organization.
Implementation and Integration. We believe that an integrated approach to developing, measuring and reporting our Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (“ORSA”) is an integral part of the risk management framework. The ORSA process provides the link between Arch Capital’s risk profile, its board-approved risk appetite including approved risk tolerances and limits, its business strategy and its overall solvency requirements. The ORSA is the entirety of the processes and procedures employed to identify, assess, monitor, manage, and report the short- and long-term risks we face or may face and to determine the capital necessary to ensure that our overall solvency needs are met at all times. The ORSA also makes the link between actual reported results and the capital assessment.
The ORSA is the basis for risk reporting to the Board and its committees and acts as a mechanism to embed the risk management framework within our decision making processes and operations. The Board has delegated responsibility for supervision and oversight of the ORSA to the FIR Committee. This oversight includes regular reviews of the ORSA process and output. An ORSA report is produced at least annually and the results of each assessment are reported to the Board. The Board actively participates in the ORSA process by steering how the assessment is performed and challenging its results. This assessment is also taken into account when formulating strategic decisions.
The ORSA process and reporting are integral parts of our business strategy, tailored specifically to fit into our organizational structure and risk management system with the appropriate techniques in place to assess our overall solvency needs, taking into consideration the nature, scale and complexity of the risks inherent in the business.
We also take the results of the ORSA into account for our system of governance, including long-term capital management, business planning and new product development. The results of the ORSA also contributes to various strategic decision-making including how best to optimize capital management, establishing the most appropriate premium levels and deciding whether to retain or transfer risks.
For further discussion of our risk management policies, see the Ceded Reinsurance section of “Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Item 7.
REGULATION
General
Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to varying degrees of regulation and supervision in the various jurisdictions in which they operate. We are subject to
ARCH CAPITAL 15
2020 FORM 10-K
extensive regulation under applicable statutes in these countries and any other jurisdictions in which we operate. The current material regulations under which we operate are described below. We may become subject in the future to regulation in new jurisdictions or to additional regulations in existing jurisdictions.
Bermuda
General. Our Bermuda insurance operating subsidiary, Arch Re Bermuda, is a Class 4 general business insurer and a Class C long-term insurer, and is subject to the Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda and related regulations, as amended (“Insurance Act”). Among other matters, the Insurance Act imposes certain solvency and liquidity standards, auditing and reporting requirements, the submission of certain period examinations of its financial conditions and grants the BMA powers to supervise, investigate, require information and demand the production of documents and intervene in the affairs of insurance companies. Significant requirements include the appointment of an independent auditor, the appointment of a loss reserve specialist, the appointment of a principal representative in Bermuda, the filing of annual Statutory Financial Returns, the filing of annual financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the filing of an annual capital and solvency return, compliance with minimum and enhanced capital requirements, compliance with certain restrictions on reductions of capital and the payment of dividends and distributions, compliance with group solvency and supervision rules, if applicable, and compliance with the Insurance Code of Conduct (relating to corporate governance, risk management and internal controls).
Arch Re Bermuda must also comply with a minimum liquidity ratio and minimum solvency margin in respect of its general business. The minimum liquidity ratio requires that the value of relevant assets must not be less than 75% of the amount of relevant liabilities. The minimum solvency margin, which varies depending on the class of the insurer, is determined as a percentage of either net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) or premiums or pursuant to a risk-based capital measure. Arch Re Bermuda is also subject to an enhanced capital requirement (“ECR”) which is established by reference to either the Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement model (“BSCR”) or an approved internal capital model. The BSCR model is a risk-based capital model which provides a method for determining an insurer’s capital requirements (statutory capital and surplus) by taking into account the risk characteristics of different aspects of the insurer’s business. The BMA has established a target capital level for each Class 4 insurer equal to 120% of its ECR. While a Class 4 insurer is not currently required to maintain its available statutory economic capital and surplus at this level, the target capital level serves as an early warning tool for the BMA, and failure
to maintain statutory capital at least equal to the target capital level will likely result in increased regulatory oversight. As a Class C insurer, Arch Re Bermuda is also required to maintain available statutory economic capital and surplus in respect of its long-term business at a level equal to or in excess of its long-term enhanced capital requirement which is established by reference to either the Class C BSCR model or an approved internal capital model.
Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends during any financial year if it is in breach of its general business or long-term business enhanced capital requirements, minimum solvency margins or its general business minimum liquidity ratio or if the declaration or payment of such dividends would cause such a breach. If it has failed to meet its minimum solvency margins or minimum liquidity ratio on the last day of any financial year, Arch Re Bermuda will be prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from declaring or paying any dividends during the next financial year. In addition, Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from declaring or paying in any financial year dividends of more than 25% of its total statutory capital and surplus (as shown on its previous financial year’s statutory balance sheet) unless it files (at least seven days before payment of such dividends) with the BMA an affidavit stating that it will continue to meet the required margins. Without the approval of the BMA, Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s financial statements and any application for such approval must include an affidavit stating that it will continue to meet the required margins. Without the approval of the BMA, Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s financial statements and any application for such approval must include an affidavit stating that it will continue to meet the required margins. Where such an affidavit is filed, it shall be available for public inspection at the offices of the BMA. Under the Bermuda Companies Act of 1981, as amended, Arch Re Bermuda may declare or pay a dividend out of distributable reserves only if it has reasonable grounds for believing that it is, or would after the payment be, able to pay its liabilities as they become due and if the realizable value of its assets would thereby not be less than its liabilities. The Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 amended the Insurance Act to provide for the prior payment of policyholders’ liabilities ahead of general unsecured creditors in the event of the liquidation or winding up of an insurer. The amendments provide inter alia that, subject to certain statutorily preferred debts, the insurance debts of an insurer must be paid in priority to all other unsecured debts of the insurer. Insurance debt is defined as a debt to which an insurer is or may become liable pursuant to an insurance contract excluding debts owed to an insurer under an insurance contract where the insurer is the person insured.
ARCH CAPITAL 16
2020 FORM 10-K
Group Supervision. The BMA acts as group supervisor of our group of insurance and reinsurance companies (“Group”) and has designated Arch Re Bermuda as the designated insurer (“Designated Insurer”). As our Group supervisor, the BMA performs a number of functions including: (i) coordinating the gathering and dissemination of relevant or essential information for going concerns and emergency situations, including the dissemination of information which is of importance for the supervisory task of other competent authorities; (ii) carrying out supervisory reviews and assessments of our Group; (iii) carrying out assessments of our Group's compliance with the rules on solvency, risk concentration, intra-group transactions and good governance procedures; (iv) planning and coordinating through regular meetings held at least annually (or by other appropriate means) with other competent authorities, supervisory activities in respect of our Group; both as a going concern and in emergency situations (v) coordinating any enforcement action that may need to be taken against our Group or any Group members; and (vi) planning and coordinating meetings of colleges of supervisors in order to facilitate the carrying out of these functions. As Designated Insurer, Arch Re Bermuda is required to facilitate compliance by our Group with the group insurance solvency and supervision rules.
On an annual basis, the Group is required to file Group statutory financial statements, a Group statutory financial return, a Group capital and solvency return, audited Group financial statements, a Group Solvency Self-Assessment (“GSSA”), and a financial condition report with the BMA. The GSSA is designed to document our perspective on the capital resources necessary to achieve our business strategies and remain solvent, and to provide the BMA with insights on our risk management, governance procedures and documentation related to this process. In addition, the Designated Insurer is required to file quarterly group financial returns with the BMA. The Group is also required to maintain available Group statutory economic capital and surplus in an amount that is at least equal to the group enhanced capital requirement (“Group ECR”) and the BMA has established a group target capital level equal to 120% of the Group ECR.
The BMA maintains supervision over the controllers of all Bermuda registered insurers, and accordingly, any person who, directly or indirectly, becomes a holder of at least 10%, 20%, 33% or 50% of our ordinary shares must notify the BMA in writing within 45 days of becoming such a holder (or ceasing to be such a holder). The BMA may object to such a person and require the holder to reduce its holding of ordinary shares and direct, among other things, that voting rights attaching to the ordinary shares shall not be exercisable.
Economic Substance Act. During 2017, the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council released a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The stated purpose of this list, and accompanying report, was to promote good governance worldwide in order to maximize efforts to prevent tax fraud and tax evasion. Bermuda was not on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, but was referenced in the report (along with approximately 40 other jurisdictions) as having committed to address concerns relating to economic substance by December 31, 2018. In accordance with that commitment, Bermuda enacted the Economic Substance Act 2018 (as amended) of Bermuda and its related regulations (together, the “ES Act”). The ES Act came into force on January 1, 2019, and provides that a registered entity other than an entity which is resident for tax purposes in certain jurisdictions outside Bermuda (“non-resident entity”) that carries on as a business any one or more of the “relevant activities” referred to in the ES Act must comply with economic substance requirements. The list of “relevant activities” includes carrying on any one or more of the following activities: banking, insurance, fund management, financing, leasing, headquarters, shipping, distribution and service center, intellectual property and holding entities. Under the ES Act, if a company is engaged in one or more “relevant activities”, it is required to maintain a substantial economic presence in Bermuda and to comply with the economic substance requirements set forth in the ES Act. A company will comply with those economic substance requirements if it: (a) is managed and directed in Bermuda; (b) undertakes “core income generating activities” (as may be prescribed under the ES Act) in Bermuda in respect of the relevant activity; (c) maintains adequate physical presence in Bermuda; (d) has adequate full time employees in Bermuda with suitable qualifications; and (e) incurs adequate operating expenditure in Bermuda in relation to the relevant activity undertaken by it.
Companies that are licensed to and carry on insurance as a relevant activity are generally considered to operate in Bermuda with adequate substance, with respect to their insurance business, if they comply with the existing provisions of (a) the Companies Act 1981 relating to corporate governance; and (b) the Insurance Act 1978, that are applicable to the economic substance requirements, and the Registrar will have regard to such companies’ compliance with the Insurance Act 1978 (in addition to compliance with the Companies Act 1981) in his assessment of compliance with the economic substance requirements. That being said, such companies are still required to complete and file a Declaration Form, with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies and the Registrar will also have regard to the information provided in that Declaration Form in making his assessment of compliance with the ES Act.
ARCH CAPITAL 17
2020 FORM 10-K
United States
General. Our U.S. based insurance operating subsidiaries are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision by the states and jurisdictions in which they are domiciled, licensed and/or approved to conduct business. The insurance laws and regulations of the state of domicile have the most significant impact on operations. We currently have U.S. insurance and/or reinsurance subsidiaries domiciled in Delaware, North Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas and the District of Columbia and we may acquire insurers domiciled in other states in the future. State insurance regulation and supervision is designed to protect policyholders rather than investors. Generally, state regulatory authorities have broad regulatory powers over such matters as licenses, standards of solvency, premium rates, policy forms, marketing practices, claims practices, investments, methods of accounting, form and content of financial statements, certain aspects of governance, ERM, amounts we are required to hold as reserves for future payments, minimum capital and surplus requirements, annual and other report filings and transactions among affiliates. Our U.S. based subsidiaries are required to file detailed quarterly and audited annual statutory financial statements with state insurance regulators. In addition, regulatory authorities conduct periodic financial, claims and market conduct examinations. Certain insurance regulatory requirements are highlighted below. In addition to regulation applicable generally to U.S. insurance and reinsurance companies, our U.S. mortgage insurance operations are affected by federal and state regulation relating to mortgage insurers, mortgage lenders, and the origination, purchase and sale of residential mortgages. Arch Insurance (U.K.) is also subject to certain governmental regulation and supervision in the states where it writes excess and surplus lines insurance.
Holding Company Regulation. All states have enacted legislation that regulates insurance holding company systems. These regulations generally provide that each insurance company in the system is required to register with the insurance department of its state of domicile and furnish information concerning the operations of companies within the holding company system which may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the insurers within the system. Notice to the state insurance departments is required prior to the consummation of certain material transactions between an insurer and any entity in its holding company system and certain transactions may not be consummated without the applicable insurance department’s prior approval or non-disapproval after receiving notice. The holding company acts also prohibit any person from directly or indirectly acquiring control of a U.S. insurance or reinsurance company unless that person has filed an application with specified information with such company’s domiciliary commissioner and has obtained the commissioner’s prior approval. Under most states’ statutes
acquiring 10% or more of the voting securities of an insurance company or its parent company is presumptively considered an acquisition of control of the insurance company, although such presumption may be rebutted.
State holding company acts and regulations also impose extensive informational requirements on parents and other affiliates of licensed insurers or reinsurers with the purpose of protecting them from enterprise risk, including requiring an annual enterprise risk report by the ultimate controlling person identifying the material risks within the insurance holding company system that could pose enterprise risk to the licensed companies and requiring a person divesting its controlling interest to make a confidential advance notice filing.
In December 2020, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) adopted amendments to the NAIC Insurance Holding Company System Model Act and Model Regulation that, when adopted by states, will require the ultimate controlling person of an insurance holding company system to file an annual group capital calculation, unless the ultimate controlling person or its insurance holding company system is exempt from the filing requirement. The group capital calculation is designed to assist state insurance regulators in understanding the financial condition of non-insurance entities that are part of an insurance holding company system and the degree to which insurance companies are supporting those non-insurance entities.
Regulation of Dividends and Other Payments from Insurance Subsidiaries. The ability of an insurer to pay dividends or make other distributions is subject to insurance regulatory limitations of the insurer’s state of domicile. Such laws generally limit the payment of dividends or other distributions above a specified level. Dividends or other distributions in excess of such thresholds are “extraordinary” and are subject to prior notice and approval, or non-disapproval after receiving notice. In April 2015, the GSEs published comprehensive, revised requirements, known as the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements or “PMIERs.” Arch MI U.S.’ ability to pay dividends is subject to prior notification and approval through June 30, 2021, pursuant to the PMIERs guidance related to COVID-19.
Credit for Reinsurance. Arch Re U.S. is subject to insurance regulation and supervision that is similar to the regulation of licensed primary insurers. However, except for certain mandated provisions that must be included in order for a ceding company to obtain credit for reinsurance ceded, the terms and conditions of reinsurance agreements generally are not subject to regulation by any governmental authority.
A primary insurer ordinarily will enter into a reinsurance agreement to obtain credit for the reinsurance ceded on its U.S. statutory-basis financial statements. As a result of the
ARCH CAPITAL 18
2020 FORM 10-K
requirements relating to the provision of credit for reinsurance, Arch Re U.S. and Arch Re Bermuda are indirectly subject to certain regulatory requirements imposed by jurisdictions in which ceding companies are domiciled.
In general, credit for reinsurance is allowed if the reinsurer is licensed or “accredited” in the state in which the primary insurer is domiciled; or if none of the above applies, to the extent that the reinsurance obligations of the reinsurer are collateralized appropriately, typically through the posting of a letter of credit for the benefit of the primary insurer or the deposit of assets into a trust fund established for the benefit of the primary insurer. Most states have adopted provisions of the NAIC Credit for Reinsurance Model Law and Regulation that allow full credit to U.S. ceding insurers for reinsurance ceded to reinsurers that have been approved as “certified reinsurers” based upon less than 100% collateralization. As of February 2, 2021 Arch Re Bermuda is approved as a “certified reinsurer” in 39 states.
In April 2018, the U.S. and the EU entered into the Bilateral Agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on Prudential Matters Regarding Insurance and Reinsurance (the “EU-US Covered Agreement”) that, among other things, would eliminate reinsurance collateral requirements for qualified U.S. reinsurers operating in the EU insurance market, and eliminate reinsurance collateral requirements under U.S. state insurance law for qualified reinsurers having their head office or domiciled in an EU member state. In December 2018, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Trade Representative announced that they had reached agreement with the U.K. on a covered agreement (“U.K. Covered Agreement”) with terms nearly identical to the EU Covered Agreement for insurers and reinsurers operating in the U.K. In 2019, the NAIC adopted amendments to the Credit for Reinsurance Model Law and Regulation that would implement the EU-US Covered Agreement and the U.K. Covered Agreement and eliminate reinsurance collateral requirements for qualified reinsurers having their head office or domiciled in other jurisdictions deemed “Reciprocal Jurisdictions” by the NAIC (although individual states may reject a Reciprocal Jurisdiction designation). The NAIC list of Reciprocal Jurisdictions includes Bermuda, Japan and Switzerland. As of February 23, 2021, the NAIC reports that eighteen states have adopted the 2019 amendments to the Credit for Reinsurance Model Law with an additional 18 considering amendments.
Risk Management and ORSA. The NAIC Risk Management and Own Risk Solvency Assessment Model Act (“ORSA Model Act”) provides that domestic insurers, or their insurance group, must regularly conduct an ORSA consistent with a process comparable to the ORSA Guidance Manual process. The ORSA Model Act also provides that, no more than once a year, an insurer’s domiciliary regulator may request that an insurer submit an ORSA summary report, or
any combination of reports that together contain the information described in the ORSA Guidance Manual, with respect to the insurer and/or the insurance group of which it is a member. States may impose additional internal review and regulatory filing requirements on licensed insurers and their parent companies. Nearly all states have enacted the ORSA Model Act or substantially similar legislation.
Cybersecurity and Privacy. The NAIC has adopted an Insurance Data Security Model Law, which, when adopted by the states, will require insurers, insurance producers and other entities required to be licensed under state insurance laws to comply with certain requirements under state insurance laws, such as developing and maintaining a written information security program, conducting risk assessments and overseeing the data security practices of third-party vendors. A number of states have already adopted versions of this model law, with more expected to follow. In addition, certain state insurance regulators are developing or have developed regulations that may impose regulatory requirements relating to cybersecurity on insurance and reinsurance companies (potentially including insurance and reinsurance companies that are not domiciled, but are licensed, in the relevant state). Privacy legislation and regulation has also become an issue of increasing focus of the federal government and in many states. In addition, California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which also applies to us, came into effect on January 1, 2020, and grants California consumers certain rights to, among other things, access and delete data about them subject to certain exceptions, as well as a private right of action related to cybersecurity breaches with statutory penalties. Additionally, a California ballot initiative known as the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CPRA”) passed as part of the November 2020 ballot and will become fully effective on January 1, 2023. The CPRA will apply to us and will substantially amend the CCPA, providing for additional consumer privacy rights, additional regulatory obligations, and creating a new privacy focused California regulatory agency with enforcement authority. A range of new cybersecurity and privacy laws are also under consideration in other states, as well as by the federal government.
Risk-Based Capital Requirements. Licensed U.S. property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies are subject to risk-based capital requirements that are designed to assess capital adequacy and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholder obligations. The risk-based capital model for property and casualty insurance companies measures three major areas of risk facing property and casualty insurers: underwriting, which encompasses the risk of adverse loss developments and inadequate pricing; declines in asset values arising from credit risk; and declines in asset values arising from investment risks. An insurer will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action depending on how its statutory surplus compares to its risk-based capital
ARCH CAPITAL 19
2020 FORM 10-K
calculation. Under the approved formula, an insurer’s total adjusted capital is compared to its authorized control level risk-based capital. If this ratio is above a minimum threshold, no company or regulatory action is necessary. Below this threshold are four distinct action levels at which an insurer’s domiciliary state regulator can intervene with increasing degrees of authority over an insurer as the ratio of surplus to risk-based capital requirement decreases. The mildest regulatory action requires an insurer to submit a plan for corrective action; the most severe requires an insurer to be rehabilitated or liquidated.
Our mortgage insurance operations are not currently subject to state risk-based capital requirements, but rather are subject to state risk to capital or minimum policyholder position requirements. The NAIC has established a Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Working Group which is engaged in developing changes to the Mortgage Guaranty Insurers Model Act, including the development of a risk based capital model unique to mortgage guaranty insurers.
Guaranty Funds. Most states require all admitted insurance companies to participate in their respective guaranty funds which cover certain claims against insolvent insurers. Solvent insurers licensed in these states are required to cover the losses paid on behalf of insolvent insurers by the guaranty funds and are generally subject to annual assessments in the states by the guaranty funds to cover these losses. Mortgage guaranty insurance, among other lines of business, is typically exempt from participation in guaranty funds.
Federal Regulation. Although state regulation is the dominant form of regulation for insurance and reinsurance business, a number of federal laws affect and apply to the insurance industry. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank”) created the Federal Insurance Office (“FIO”) within the Department of Treasury, which is not a federal regulator or supervisor of insurance, but monitors the insurance industry for systemic risk, administers the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (“TRIP”), consults with the states regarding insurance matters and develops federal policy on aspects of international insurance matters. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-We could face unanticipated losses from war, terrorism, cyber-attacks, pandemics and political instability, and these or other unanticipated losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations” for more information on TRIP. In addition, FIO is authorized to assist the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in negotiating “covered agreements” between the U.S. and one or more foreign governments or regulatory authorities that address insurance prudential measures.
Certain other federal laws also directly or indirectly impact mortgage insurers, including the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act of 1974 (“RESPA”), the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (“HOPA”), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Truth In Lending Act (“TILA”), the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 (“FCRA”), and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Among other things, these laws and their implementing regulations prohibit payments for referrals of settlement service business, require fairness and non-discrimination in granting or facilitating the granting of credit, govern the circumstances under which companies may obtain and use consumer credit information, define the manner in which companies may pursue collection activities, and require disclosures of the cost of credit and provide for other consumer protections.
GSE Eligible Mortgage Insurer Requirements. GSEs impose requirements on private mortgage insurers so that they may be eligible to insure loans sold to the GSEs, known as the PMIERs. The PMIERs apply to our eligible mortgage insurers, but do not apply to Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company, which is not GSE-approved. The PMIERs impose limitations on the type of risk insured, the forms and insurance policies issued, standards for the geographic and customer diversification of risk, procedures for claims handling, acceptable underwriting practices, standards for certain reinsurance cessions and financial requirements, among other things. The financial requirements require an eligible mortgage insurer’s available assets, which generally include only the most liquid assets of an insurer, to meet or exceed “minimum required assets” as of each quarter end. Minimum required assets are calculated from PMIERs tables with several risk dimensions (including origination year, original loan-to-value, original credit score of performing loans, and the delinquency status of non-performing loans). Our eligible mortgage insurers satisfied the PMIERs’ financial requirements as of December 31, 2020.
Canada
Arch Insurance Canada and Arch Re Canada are subject to federal, as well as provincial and territorial, regulation in Canada in the provinces and territories in which they underwrite insurance/reinsurance. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (“OSFI”) is the federal regulatory body that, under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), prudentially regulates federal Canadian and non-Canadian insurance and reinsurance companies operating in Canada. Arch Insurance Canada is licensed to carry on insurance business by OSFI and in each province and territory. Arch Re Canada is licensed to carry on reinsurance business by OSFI and in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), Arch Insurance Canada is required to maintain an adequate amount of capital in Canada, calculated in accordance with a test
ARCH CAPITAL 20
2020 FORM 10-K
promulgated by OSFI called the Minimum Capital Test, and Arch Re Canada is required to maintain an adequate margin of assets over liabilities in Canada, calculated in accordance with a test promulgated by OSFI called the Branch Adequacy of Assets Test. OSFI has implemented a risk-based methodology for assessing insurance/reinsurance companies operating in Canada known as its “Supervisory Framework.” In applying the Supervisory Framework, OSFI considers the inherent risks of the business and the quality of risk management for each significant activity of each operating entity. Under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), approval of the Minister of Finance (Canada) is required in connection with certain acquisitions of shares of, or control of, Canadian insurance companies such as Arch Insurance Canada, and notice to and/or approval of OSFI is required in connection with the payment of dividends by or redemption of shares by Canadian insurance companies such as Arch Insurance Canada.
United Kingdom
General. The Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) and the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) regulate insurance and reinsurance companies and the FCA regulates firms carrying on insurance mediation activities operating in the U.K. both under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”). In May 2004, Arch Insurance (U.K.) was granted the relevant permissions for the classes of insurance business which it underwrites in the U.K. AMAL currently manages Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955 pursuant to its authorizations by the U.K. regulator and the Lloyd’s Franchise Board. All U.K. companies are also subject to a range of statutory provisions, including the laws and regulations of the Companies Act 2006 (as amended) (the “U.K. Companies Act”).
The objectives of the PRA are to promote the safety and soundness of all firms it supervises and to secure an appropriate degree of protection for policyholders. The objectives of the FCA are to ensure customers receive financial services and products that meet their needs, to promote sound financial systems and markets and to ensure that firms are stable and resilient with transparent pricing information and which compete effectively and have the interests of their customers and the integrity of the market at the heart of how they run their business. The PRA has responsibility for the prudential regulation of banks and insurers, while the FCA has responsibility for the conduct of business regulation in the wholesale and retail markets. The PRA and the FCA adopt separate methods of assessing regulated firms on a periodic basis. Arch Insurance (U.K.) and AMAL are subject to periodic assessment by the PRA along with all regulated firms. Arch Insurance (U.K.) and AMAL are subject to regulation by both the PRA and FCA. Castel is authorized and regulated by the FCA and is subject to periodic assessment and review by the FCA.
Lloyd’s Supervision. The operations of AMAL (as managing agent of Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955) and each syndicate’s respective corporate members, are subject to the byelaws and regulations made by (or on behalf of) the Council of Lloyd’s, and requirements made under those byelaws. The Council of Lloyd’s, established in 1982 by Lloyd’s Act 1982, has overall responsibility and control of Lloyd’s. Those byelaws, regulations and requirements provide a framework for the regulation of the Lloyd’s market, including specifying conditions in relation to underwriting and claims operations of Lloyd’s participants. Lloyd’s is also subject to the provisions of the FSMA. Lloyd's is authorized by the PRA and regulated by the PRA and FCA. Those entities acting within the Lloyd’s market are required to comply with the requirements of the FSMA and provisions of the PRA’s or FCA's rules, although the PRA has delegated certain of its powers, including some of those relating to prudential requirements, to Lloyd’s. Each corporate member of Lloyd’s is required to contribute a percentage of the member’s premium income for each year of account to the Lloyd’s central fund. The Lloyd’s central fund is available if members of Lloyd’s assets are not sufficient to meet claims for which the member is liable. Each corporate member of Lloyd’s, may also be required to contribute to the central fund by way of a supplement to a callable layer of up to 3% of the corresponding member’s premium income limit for the relevant year of account.
Financial Resources. The European solvency framework and prudential regime for insurers and reinsurers, the Solvency II Directive 2009/138/EC (“Solvency II”), took effect in full on January 1, 2016. See “European Union-Insurance and Reinsurance Regulatory Regime” below for additional details.
Arch Insurance (U.K.), and the corporate members of Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955 are currently required to meet economic risk-based solvency requirements imposed under Solvency II. Solvency II, together with European Commission “delegated acts” and guidance issued by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (“EIOPA”) sets out classification and eligibility requirements, including the features which capital must display in order to qualify as regulatory capital. Currently, the European Commission is undertaking a review of Solvency II to ensure that the regime remains fit for purpose of calling upon EIOPA to provide technical advice with EIOPA publishing its Opinion on December 17, 2020. The European Commission’s proposal on the review is expected in the 2021 third quarter.
On January 31, 2020, the U.K. withdrew from the EU with the terms of Brexit set forth in the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by the U.K. Parliament and the EU Parliament. At the expiration of the transition period from January 31, 2020 until December 31, 2020 (the “Transition Period”), during
ARCH CAPITAL 21
2020 FORM 10-K
which time the U.K. remained in the EU customs union and single market, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended, has transposed all applicable direct EU legislation into domestic U.K. law, thus ensuring the continuing application of Solvency II under the U.K.’s financial services regulatory regime.
In June 2020, the U.K. government revealed plans to review Solvency II to ensure that it is properly tailored to take account the structural features of the U.K. insurance sector, with HM Treasury publishing a ‘Call for Evidence’ in October 2020, outlining the motives behind the review and inviting feedback on various areas, including, amongst others, the standard formula for capital requirements, the risk margin, the matching adjustment and reporting requirements. The results of the review are not expected to be published until later in 2021.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”) is a scheme established under FSMA to compensate eligible policyholders of insurance companies who may become insolvent. The FSCS is funded by the levies that it has the power to impose on all insurers. Arch Insurance (U.K.) could be required to pay levies to the FSCS.
Restrictions on Acquisition of Control. Under FSMA, the prior consent of the PRA or FCA, as applicable, is required, before any person can become a controller or increase its control over any regulated company, including Arch Insurance (U.K.), or over the parent undertaking of any regulated company. Therefore, the PRA's or FCA's prior consent, as applicable, is required before any person can become a controller of Arch Capital. Prior consent is also required from Lloyd’s before any person can become a controller or increase its control over a corporate member or a managing agent or a parent undertaking of a corporate member or managing agent. A controller is defined for these purposes as a person who holds (either alone or in concert with others) 10% or more of the shares or voting power in the relevant company or its parent undertaking.
Restrictions on Payment of Dividends. Under English law, all companies are restricted from declaring a dividend to their shareholders unless they have “profits available for distribution.” The calculation as to whether a company has sufficient profits is based on its accumulated realized profits minus its accumulated realized losses. U.K. insurance regulatory laws do not prohibit the payment of dividends, but the PRA or FCA, as applicable, requires that insurance companies, insurance intermediaries and other regulated entities maintain certain solvency margins and may restrict the payment of a dividend by Arch Insurance (U.K.), AMAL or Castel, for example.
European Union Considerations. During the Transition Period, there was no change in passporting rights for financial institutions in the U.K. Under our Brexit plan, since January 2020 nearly all of the EEA insurance business of Arch Insurance (U.K.) has been conducted by Arch Insurance (EU). As part of our Brexit planning, and in advance of the Transition Period expiring, a transfer of the EEA legacy business (excluding inwards reinsurance) from Arch Insurance (U.K.) to Arch Insurance (EU) was completed under Part VII of the U.K. Financial Services and Market Act 2000 at the end of December 2020 (“Part VII Transfer”).
The U.K. government established a Temporary Permissions Regime (“TPR”) which came into force with effect from January 1, 2021, which allows EEA firms such as Arch Re Europe and Arch Insurance (EU), covered by a passport prior to that date, who wish to continue carrying out business in the U.K. in the longer term, to operate in the U.K. for a limited period while they seek authorization or recognition from the U.K. regulators. However, no TPR-equivalent regime is in place for U.K. firms who wish to continue carrying out business in the EEA. In the absence of a TPR-equivalent regime for U.K. firms, the ability of U.K. firms (including, Arch Insurance (U.K.), AMAL and Castel) to continue doing business in the EEA depends on applicable EEA state local law and regulation. Similarly, there has been no decision yet made by the European Commission on whether or not the U.K.’s financial services regulatory regime will be granted third-country equivalence for the purposes of reinsurance, solvency calculation and/or group supervision under Solvency II. In the absence of such declarations, EEA firms (and their respective groups) carrying out business with U.K. firms will be subject to a stricter, more complex, set of regulatory and supervisory requirements. U.K. firms will also be subject to more stringent requirements in carrying out reinsurance business with EEA firms.
The long-term implications of Brexit on the Solvency II framework in the U.K. remain uncertain in relation to the arrangements that will allow U.K. and EU-established firms to continue to effectively transact business with each other and how the future relationship between the two parties will adversely affected regulated entities. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The U.K.’s Withdrawal from the EU could adversely affect us.”
On December 24, 2020, the EU and the U.K. agreed the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement (the “TCA”) which details the terms of the future cooperation between the U.K. and the EU. The TCA was signed by both the EU and U.K. on December 30, 2020, with a provisional effective date of January 1, 2021. The TCA does not preserve the status of financial services and as a result, under the provisions of the TCA, EEA financial institutions (including our Irish
ARCH CAPITAL 22
2020 FORM 10-K
operating subsidiaries) have lost their passporting rights into the U.K. Absent any future agreement between the U.K. and the EU on the provision of financial services by U.K. financial institutions into the EU, the post-Brexit status and rules applicable to U.K. branches of EEA financial institutions will be primarily driven by U.K. law and regulation. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The U.K.’s Withdrawal from the EU could adversely affect us.”
Ireland
General. The CBOI regulates insurance and reinsurance companies and intermediaries authorized in Ireland. Our three Irish operating subsidiaries are Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe. Arch Re Europe was licensed and authorized by the CBOI as a non-life reinsurer in October 2008 and as a life reinsurer in November 2009. Arch Insurance (EU) was licensed and authorized by the CBOI as a non-life insurer in December 2011. As part of our Brexit plan, Arch Insurance (EU) received approval from the CBOI to expand the nature of its business in 2019 commenced writing expanded insurance lines in the EEA in 2020, and the Part VII Transfer was completed at the end of December 2020. Arch Underwriters Europe was registered by the CBOI as an insurance and reinsurance intermediary in July 2014. Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe are subject to the supervision of the CBOI and must comply with Irish insurance acts and regulations as well as with directions and guidance issued by the CBOI.
Arch Re Europe and Arch Insurance (EU) are required to comply with Solvency II requirements. See “European Union -Insurance and Reinsurance Regulatory Regime” below for additional details. As an intermediary, Arch Underwriters Europe is subject to a different regulatory regime and is not subject to solvency capital rules, but must comply with requirements such as to maintain professional indemnity insurance and to have directors that are fit and proper. Our Irish subsidiaries are also subject to the general body of Irish company laws and regulations including the provisions of the Companies Act 2014.
Financial Resources. Arch Re Europe and Arch Insurance (EU) are required to meet economic risk-based solvency requirements imposed under Solvency II. Solvency II, together with European Commission “delegated acts” and guidance issued by EIOPA sets out classification and eligibility requirements, including the features which capital must display in order to qualify as regulatory capital.
Restrictions on Acquisitions. Under Irish law, the prior consent of the CBOI is required before any person can acquire or increase a qualifying holding in an Irish insurer or reinsurer, including Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Re
Europe, or their parent undertakings. A qualifying holding is defined for these purposes as a direct or indirect holding that represents 10% or more of the capital of, or voting rights, in the undertaking or makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management of the undertaking.
Restrictions on Payment of Dividends. Under Irish company law, Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe are permitted to make distributions only out of profits available for distribution. A company’s profits available for distribution are its accumulated, realized profits, so far as not previously utilized by distribution or capitalization, less its accumulated, realized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital duly made. Further, the CBOI has powers to intervene if a dividend payment were to lead to a breach of regulatory capital requirements.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EIOPA issued a statement in April 2020 urging (re)insurers to temporarily suspend all discretionary dividend distributions and share buy backs aimed at remunerating shareholders, and recommended a similar prudent approach should be applied to variable remuneration policies. In December 2020, EIOPA reiterated, in light of its previous statement in April 2020, the importance of extreme caution and prudence in relation to insurance firm's capital management.
On the basis of EIOPA's statement, the CBOI issued guidance in April 2020 that insurance firms postpone any payment of dividend distributions or similar transactions until they can forecast their costs and future revenues with a greater degree of certainty. The CBOI's position is that if the board of an insurance firm forms the view that a high level of certainty has been reached and wishes to make a distribution, the CBOI expects the firm to engage with their local supervision team before proceeding with the distribution, demonstrating satisfactory forward looking solvency, liquidity and operational resilience positions in light of the current environment. Additionally, the CBOI advised in the same guidance that insurance firms are expected to exercise similar prudence in respect of any variable remuneration policies and should consider whether the postponement of any payments under such variable remuneration policies would be appropriate in light of the current environment. In February 2021, the CBOI reiterated its expectations in relation to distributions by insurance firms, confirming that between January 1, 2021 and at least until September 30, 2021, it expects that total dividends, share buy-backs and variable remuneration for material risk-takers of significant insurance firms should not result in a reduction in solvency ratio of more than 15 percentage points from the pre-distribution solvency ratio, and overall distributions should be significantly lower than in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARCH CAPITAL 23
2020 FORM 10-K
European Union Considerations. As Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe are authorized by the CBOI in Ireland, a Member State of the EU, those authorizations are recognized throughout the EEA. Subject only to certain notification and application requirements, Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe can provide services, or establish a branch, in any other Member State of the EEA. Although, in doing so, they may be subject to the laws of such Member States with respect to the conduct of business in such Member State, company law registrations and other matters, they will remain subject to financial and operational supervision by the CBOI only. Arch Insurance (EU) has branches in the following EU countries: Italy and Denmark. Arch Insurance (EU) also has a branch outside of the EU in the U.K. Arch Re Underwriting ApS in Denmark (“Arch Re Denmark”) is an underwriting agency underwriting accident and health and other reinsurance business for Arch Re Europe. Arch Re Europe also has two branches outside the EU in the U.K. and in Switzerland (“Arch Re Europe Swiss Branch”).
From January 1, 2021, under the provisions of the TCA our Irish regulated entities have lost their passporting rights into the U.K. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The U.K.’s Withdrawal from the EU could adversely affect us.”
European Union
Insurance and Reinsurance Regulatory Regime. Solvency II took effect in full on January 1, 2016. Solvency II imposes economic risk-based solvency requirements across all EU Member States and consists of three pillars: Pillar I-quantitative capital requirements, based on a valuation of the entire balance sheet; Pillar II-qualitative regulatory review, which includes governance, internal controls, enterprise risk management and supervisory review process; and Pillar III-market discipline, which is accomplished through reporting of the insurer’s financial condition to regulators and the public. Solvency II is supplemented by European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/35 (the “Delegated Regulation”), other European Commission “delegated acts” and binding technical standards, and guidelines issued by EIOPA. The Delegated Regulation sets out more detailed requirements for individual insurance and reinsurance undertakings, as well as for groups, based on the overarching provisions of Solvency II, which together make up the core of the single prudential rulebook for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in the EU.
In December 2020, EIOPA provided an opinion to the European Commission in relation to the review of the Solvency II regime. This review was initiated by the European Commission to determine if the Solvency II regime remains fit for purpose. In its opinion, EIOPA confirms that
the overall Solvency II framework is working well from a prudential perspective, suggesting that there are no fundamental changes needed but that a number of amendments are required to ensure the regime continues as a well-functioning risk-based regime. The European Commission will review EIOPA's opinion over the coming months.
Following entry into the TCA by the U.K. and the EU, and the U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU under the provisions of the TCA, U.K. financial institutions have lost their passporting rights into the EU. It is envisaged that there will be a level of cooperation in relation to financial services, reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.K. and the EU and this is currently expected to be in place by March 2021. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The U.K.’s Withdrawal from the EU could adversely affect us.”
Arch Re Europe and Arch Insurance (EU), being established in Ireland and authorized by the CBOI are able, subject to similar regulatory notifications and there being no objection from the CBOI and the Member States concerned, to establish branches and provide reinsurance services, and, in respect of Arch Insurance (EU), insurance services in all EEA states.
Solvency II does not prohibit EEA insurers from obtaining reinsurance from reinsurers licensed outside the EEA, such as Arch Re Bermuda. As such, and subject to the specific rules in each Member State, Arch Re Bermuda may do business from Bermuda with insurers in EEA Member States, but it may not directly operate its reinsurance business within the EEA. Article 172 of Solvency II provides that reinsurance contracts concluded by insurance undertakings in the EEA with reinsurers having their head office in a country whose solvency regime has been determined to be equivalent to Solvency II shall be treated in the same manner as reinsurance contracts with undertakings in the EEA authorized under Solvency II. From January 1, 2016, Bermuda was deemed by the European Commission to be equivalent for Solvency II purposes. Solvency II also includes specific measures providing for the supervision of insurance and reinsurance groups. However, as a consequence of the above determination of equivalence, pursuant to Article 260 of Solvency II, regulators within the EEA are required to rely on the worldwide group supervision exercised by the BMA. EIOPA has also indicated that, on a case by case basis, groups subject to this worldwide supervision may be exempted from any EEA sub-group supervision, where this results in more efficient supervision of the group and does not impair EEA supervisors in respect of their individual responsibilities.
ARCH CAPITAL 24
2020 FORM 10-K
The Insurance Distribution Directive (“IDD”) was published in February 2016. EEA Member States were required to transpose the IDD by October 1, 2018. It replaces the existing Insurance Mediation Directive. The IDD applies to all distributors of insurance and reinsurance products (including insurers and reinsurers selling directly to customers) and strengthens the regulatory regime applicable to distribution activities through increased transparency, information and conduct requirements. The principal impact of the IDD is on the insurance market, however, requirements that apply across insurance and reinsurance include more specific conditions regarding knowledge and continuing professional development requirements for those involved in distribution of (re)insurance products. The IDD continues the existing ability for intermediaries established in a Member State of the EU to establish branches and provide services to all EEA states. Arch Underwriters Europe, being established in Ireland and authorized by the CBOI, is able, subject to regulatory notifications and there being no objection from the CBOI, to establish branches and provide services in all EEA states.
Privacy. The European General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) came into effect on May 25, 2018. The GDPR aims to introduce consistent data protection rules across the EU and EEA, and its scope extends to certain entities not established in the EEA if they process personal data or offer goods or services to, or monitor the behavior of, EEA data subjects. The GDPR contains a number of requirements regarding the processing of personal data about individuals, including mandatory security breach reporting, new and strengthened individual rights, evidenced data controller accountability for compliance with the GDPR principles (including fairness and transparency), maintenance of data processing activity records and the implementation of “privacy by design,” including through the completion of mandatory Data Protection Impact Assessments in connection with higher risk data processing activities. Following the end of the Transition Period on December 31, 2020, GDPR was entered into force in the U.K. (the “U.K. GDPR”). The requirements of the U.K. GDPR are virtually identical to those of the EU GDPR. After the expiration of the Transition Period, transfers of personal data from the U.K. to the EEA are unrestricted and do not require additional safeguards. Data flows from the EU to the U.K. remain unrestricted for a six month interim basis from January 1, 2021, provided the U.K. makes no substantive changes to its data protection laws. The interim period is intended to give the European Commission time to carry out its adequacy assessment of U.K. data protection laws to determine whether they offer an ‘essentially equivalent’ level of data protection to that afforded in the EU. If the European Commission were to grant the U.K. an ‘adequacy decision’ transfers of personal data from the EEA to the U.K. would continue unrestricted and would not require any additional
safeguards, unless the decision was revoked by the European Commission. On February 19, 2021, the European Commission published a first draft of its "adequacy decision" and officially launched the process towards the adoption of the adequacy decision for transfers of personal data to the United Kingdom from the EU.
Switzerland
In December 2008, Arch Re Europe opened Arch Re Europe Swiss Branch as a branch office. As Arch Re Europe is domiciled outside of Switzerland and its activities are limited to reinsurance, the Arch Re Europe Swiss Branch in Switzerland is not required to be licensed by the Swiss insurance regulatory authorities.
In August 2014, Arch Underwriters Europe opened a branch office in Zurich (“Arch Underwriters Europe Swiss Branch”) to render reinsurance advisory services to certain group companies. Arch Underwriters Europe Swiss Branch is registered with the commercial register of the Canton of Zurich. Since its activities are limited to advisory services for reinsurance matters, the Arch Underwriters Europe Swiss Branch is not required to be licensed by the Swiss insurance regulatory authorities.
Australia
APRA is an independent statutory authority responsible for prudential supervision of institutions across banking, insurance and superannuation and promotes financial stability in Australia. Arch LMI was authorized by APRA in January 2019 to conduct monoline lenders’ mortgage insurance business in Australia. Major regulatory requirements that are applicable to Arch LMI as an insurance provider in Australia include requirements on minimum capital levels and compliance with corporate governance standards, including the risk management strategy for our Australian mortgage insurance business.
Hong Kong
The insurance industry is regulated by Hong Kong Insurance Authority (“HKIA”), whose principal function is to regulate and supervise the insurance industry for the promotion of the general stability of the insurance industry and for the protection of existing and potential policyholders. Arch MI Asia is authorized to carry on general business Class 14 (Credit) and Class 16 (Miscellaneous Financial Loss), in or from Hong Kong.
Major regulatory requirements that are applicable to Arch MI Asia as a general business insurer include requirements on minimum paid-up capital, minimum solvency margin and maintenance of assets in Hong Kong.
ARCH CAPITAL 25
2020 FORM 10-K
TAX MATTERS
The following summary of the taxation of Arch Capital and the taxation of our shareholders is based upon current law and is for general information only. Legislative, judicial or administrative changes may be forthcoming that could affect this summary.
The following legal discussion (including and subject to the matters and qualifications set forth in such summary) of certain tax considerations (a) under “-Taxation of Arch Capital-Bermuda” and “-Taxation of Shareholders-Bermuda” is based upon the advice of Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited, Hamilton, Bermuda and (b) under “-Taxation of Arch Capital-United States,” “-Taxation of Shareholders-United States Taxation,” “-Taxation of Our U.S. Shareholders” and “-United States Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders” is based upon the advice of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, New York, New York (the advice of such firms does not include accounting matters, determinations or conclusions relating to the business or activities of Arch Capital). The summary is based upon current law and is for general information only. The tax treatment of a holder of our common or preferred shares, or of a person treated as a holder of our shares for U.S. federal income, state, local or non-U.S. tax purposes, may vary depending on the holder’s particular tax situation. Legislative, judicial or administrative changes or interpretations may be forthcoming that could be retroactive and could affect the tax consequences to us or to holders of our shares.
Taxation of Arch Capital
Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, Arch Capital is not subject to tax on income or profits, withholding, capital gains or capital transfers. Arch Capital has obtained from the Minister of Finance under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 of Bermuda an assurance that, in the event that Bermuda enacts legislation imposing tax computed on profits, income, any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance, the imposition of any such tax shall not be applicable to Arch Capital or to any of our operations or our shares, debentures or other obligations until March 31, 2035. We could be subject to taxes in Bermuda after that date. This assurance will be subject to the proviso that it is not to be construed so as to prevent the application of any tax or duty to such persons as are ordinarily resident in Bermuda (we are not so currently affected) or to prevent the application of any tax payable in accordance with the provisions of the Land Tax Act 1967 of Bermuda or otherwise payable in relation to any property leased to us or our insurance subsidiary. We pay annual Bermuda government fees, and our Bermuda insurance and reinsurance subsidiary pays annual insurance
license fees. In addition, all entities employing individuals in Bermuda are required to pay a payroll tax and other sundry taxes payable, directly or indirectly, to the Bermuda government.
United States. Arch Capital and its non-U.S. subsidiaries intend to conduct their operations in a manner that will not cause them to be treated as engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and, therefore, will not be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes (other than U.S. excise taxes on insurance and reinsurance premium and withholding taxes on dividends and certain other U.S. source investment income). However, because definitive identification of activities which constitute being engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. is not provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or regulations or court decisions, there can be no assurance that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will not contend successfully that Arch Capital or its non-U.S. subsidiaries are or have been engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. A foreign corporation deemed to be so engaged would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, as well as the branch profits tax, on its income, which is treated as effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business unless the corporation is entitled to relief under the permanent establishment provisions of a tax treaty. Such income tax, if imposed, would be based on effectively connected income computed in a manner generally analogous to that applied to the income of a domestic corporation, except that deductions and credits generally are not permitted unless the foreign corporation has timely filed a U.S. federal income tax return in accordance with applicable regulations. Penalties may be assessed for failure to file tax returns. The 30% branch profits tax is imposed on net income after subtracting the regular corporate tax and making certain other adjustments.
Under the income tax treaty between Bermuda and the U.S. (the “Treaty”), Arch Capital's Bermuda insurance subsidiaries will be subject to U.S. income tax on any insurance premium income found to be effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business only if that trade or business is conducted through a permanent establishment in the U.S. No regulations interpreting the Treaty have been issued. While there can be no assurances, Arch Capital does not believe that any of its Bermuda insurance subsidiaries has a permanent establishment in the U.S. Such subsidiaries would not be entitled to the benefits of the Treaty if (i) 50% or less of Arch Capital's shares were beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by Bermuda residents or U.S. citizens or residents, or (ii) any such subsidiary's income were used in substantial part to make disproportionate distributions to, or to meet certain liabilities to, persons who are not Bermuda residents or U.S. citizens or residents. While there can be no assurances, Arch Capital believes that its Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are eligible for Treaty benefits.
ARCH CAPITAL 26
2020 FORM 10-K
The Treaty clearly applies to premium income, but may be construed as not protecting investment income. If Arch Capital’s Bermuda insurance subsidiaries were considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business and were entitled to the benefits of the Treaty in general, but the Treaty were not found to protect investment income, a portion of such subsidiaries’ investment income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Non-U.S. insurance companies carrying on an insurance business within the U.S. have a certain minimum amount of effectively connected net investment income, determined in accordance with a formula that depends, in part, on the amount of U.S. risk insured or reinsured by such companies. If any of Arch Capital's non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries is considered to be engaged in the conduct of an insurance business in the U.S., a significant portion of such company's investment income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Non-U.S. corporations not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. are nonetheless subject to U.S. income tax on certain “fixed or determinable annual or periodic gains, profits and income” derived from sources within the U.S. as enumerated in Section 881(a) of the Code (such as dividends and certain interest on investments), subject to exemption under the Code or reduction by applicable treaties.
The U.S. also imposes an excise tax on insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to non-U.S. insurers or reinsurers with respect to risks located in the U.S. The rates of tax, unless reduced by an applicable U.S. tax treaty, are 4% for non-life insurance premiums and 1% for life insurance and all reinsurance premiums.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Cuts Act”) was signed into law by the President of the United States in 2017. For taxable years beginning after 2017, the Tax Cuts Act imposes a 10% minimum base erosion and anti-abuse tax (increased to 12.5% for the 2026 taxable year and the subsequent taxable years) on the “modified taxable income” of a U.S. corporation (or a non-U.S. corporation engaged in a U.S. trade or business) over such corporation’s regular U.S. federal income tax, reduced by certain tax credits. The “modified taxable income” of a corporation is determined without deduction for certain payments by such corporation to its non-U.S. affiliates (including reinsurance premiums). Final regulations interpreting the base erosion and anti-abuse tax were issued in December 2019.
United Kingdom. Our U.K. subsidiaries are companies incorporated and have their central management and control in the U.K., and are therefore resident in the U.K. for corporation tax purposes. As a result, they will be subject to U.K. corporation tax on their respective profits. The U.K. branches of Arch Re Europe and Arch Insurance (EU) will be
subject to U.K. corporation tax on the profits (both income profits and chargeable gains) attributable to each branch. The rate of U.K. corporation tax for the financial year is 19% on profits.
Canada. Arch Insurance Canada, a Canadian federal insurance company, commenced underwriting in 2013. Arch Re U.S., through a branch, commenced underwriting reinsurance in Canada in January 2015. Arch Insurance Canada is taxed on its worldwide income. Arch Re U.S. is taxed on its net business income earned in Canada. The general federal corporate income tax rate in Canada is currently 15%. Provincial and territorial corporate income tax rates are added to the general federal corporate income tax rate and generally vary between 8% and 16%.
Ireland. Each of Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe is incorporated and resident in Ireland for corporation tax purposes and will be subject to Irish corporate tax on its worldwide profits, including the profits of the branches of Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe. Any creditable foreign tax payable will be creditable against Arch Re Europe’s Irish corporate tax liability on the results of Arch Re Europe’s branches with the same principle applied to Arch Insurance (EU)’s branches and Arch Underwriters Europe’s branches. The current rate of Irish corporation tax applicable to such trading profits is 12.5%.
Switzerland. Arch Re Europe Swiss Branch and Arch Underwriters Europe Swiss Branch are subject to Swiss corporation tax on the profit which is allocated to the branch. The effective tax rate is approximately 21.15% for Swiss federal, cantonal and communal corporation taxes on the profit. The effective tax rate of the annual cantonal and communal capital taxes on the equity which is allocated to Arch Re Europe Swiss Branch and Arch Underwriters Europe Swiss Branch is approximately 0.17%.
Denmark. Arch Re Denmark, established as a subsidiary of Arch Re Bermuda, is subject to Danish corporation taxes on its profits at a rate of 22% for 2016 and onwards.
Hong Kong. Arch MI Asia is subject to Hong Kong corporate tax on its assessable profits at a rate of 16.5%. Assessable profits are the net profits for the basis period, arising in or derived from Hong Kong.
Australia. Arch LMI, an Australian incorporated and tax resident company, is subject to Australian corporate tax on its worldwide profits. The current rate of Australian corporation tax applicable to such profits is 30%.
Taxation of Shareholders
Bermuda. Currently, there is no Bermuda withholding tax on dividends paid by us.
ARCH CAPITAL 27
2020 FORM 10-K
United States-General. The following summary sets forth certain U.S. federal income tax considerations related to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares and our non-cumulative preferred shares (“preferred shares”). Unless otherwise stated, this summary deals only with shareholders (“U.S. holders”) that are U.S. Persons (as defined below) who hold their common shares and preferred shares as capital assets and as beneficial owners. The following discussion is only a general summary of the U.S. federal income tax matters described herein and does not purport to address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of such shareholder’s specific circumstances. In addition, the following summary does not describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of shareholders, such as banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, financial asset securitization investment trusts, dealers in securities or traders that adopt a mark-to-market method of tax accounting, tax exempt entities, expatriates, U.S. holders that hold our common shares or preferred shares through a non-U.S. broker or other non-U.S. intermediary, persons who hold the common shares or preferred shares as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or as part of a straddle, who may be subject to special rules or treatment under the Code or persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposed to recognize income no later than such income is reported on such persons’ applicable financial statements. This discussion is based upon the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated there under and any relevant administrative rulings or pronouncements or judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this annual report and as currently interpreted, and does not take into account possible changes in such tax laws or interpretations thereof, which may apply retroactively. This discussion does not include any description of the tax laws of any state or local governments within the U.S., or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to our common shares or preferred shares or the shareholders. Persons considering making an investment in the common shares or preferred shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the U.S. federal tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction prior to making such investment.
If an entity that is treated as a partnership holds our common shares or preferred shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our common shares or preferred shares, you should consult your tax advisor.
For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Person” means:
•an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;
•a corporation or entity treated as a corporation created or organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;
•an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source;
•a trust if either (i) a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust or (ii) the trust has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or
•any other person or entity that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if it were one of the foregoing.
United States-Taxation of Dividends. The preferred shares should be properly classified as equity rather than debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the discussions below relating to the potential application of the controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), “related person insurance income” (“RPII”) and passive foreign investment companies (“PFIC”) rules, as defined below, cash distributions, if any, made with respect to our common shares or preferred shares will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as computed using U.S. tax principles). If a U.S. holder of our common shares or our preferred shares is an individual or other non-corporate holder, dividends paid, if any, to that holder that constitute qualified dividend income generally will be taxable at the rate applicable for long-term capital gains (generally up to 20%), provided that such person meets a holding period requirement. Generally in order to meet the holding period requirement, the U.S. Person must hold the common shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date and must hold preferred shares for more than 90 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date. Dividends paid, if any, with respect to common shares or preferred shares generally will be qualified dividend income, provided the common shares or preferred shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. in the year in which the shareholder receives the dividend (which should be the case for shares that are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange) and Arch Capital is not considered to be a passive foreign investment company in either the year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year. No assurance can be given that the preferred shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. See “-Taxation of Our U.S. Shareholders” below.
A U.S. holder that is an individual, estate or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such
ARCH CAPITAL 28
2020 FORM 10-K
tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. holder’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individual will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. holder’s net investment income will generally include its dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of our common shares and preferred shares, unless such dividend income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities).
Distributions with respect to the common shares and the preferred shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to U.S. corporations under the Code. To the extent distributions on our common shares and preferred shares exceed our earnings and profits, they will be treated first as a return of the U.S. holder's basis in our common shares and our preferred shares to the extent thereof, and then as gain from the sale of a capital asset.
United States-Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition. Subject to the discussions below relating to the potential application of the CFC, RPII and PFIC rules, holders of common shares and preferred shares generally will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the sale, exchange or disposition of common shares or preferred shares, as applicable.
United States-Redemption of Preferred Shares. A redemption of the preferred shares will be treated under section 302 of the Code as a dividend if we have sufficient earnings and profits, unless the redemption satisfies one of the tests set forth in section 302(b) of the Code enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale or exchange, subject to the discussion herein relating to the potential application of the CFC, RPII and PFIC rules. Under the relevant Code section 302(b) tests, the redemption should be treated as a sale or exchange only if it (1) is substantially disproportionate, (2) constitutes a complete termination of the holder's stock interest in us or (3) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend.” In determining whether any of these tests are met, shares considered to be owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares actually owned, must generally be taken into account. It may be more difficult for a U.S. Person who owns, actually or constructively by operation of the attribution rules, any of our other shares to satisfy any of the above requirements. The determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of section 302(b) of the Code is satisfied with respect to a particular holder of the preference shares depends on the facts and circumstances as of the time the determination is made.
Taxation of Our U.S. Shareholders
Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules. We or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries will be treated as a CFC with respect to any taxable year if at any time during such taxable year, one or more “10% Shareholders” (as defined below) collectively own more than 50% of us or such non-U.S. subsidiary (as applicable) by vote or value (taking into account shares actually owned by such U.S. holder as well as shares attributed to such U.S. holder under the Code or the regulations thereunder). For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2017, a 10% Shareholder means any shareholder who was considered to own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of our shares or those of our non-U.S. subsidiaries (as applicable). Under the Tax Cuts Act, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, a 10% Shareholder also includes any shareholder who is considered to own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the value of our shares or those of our non-U.S. subsidiaries (as applicable). As a result, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the voting cut-back limitation contained in our bye-laws that limits the votes conferred by the Controlled Shares (as defined in our bye-laws) of any U.S. Person to 9.9% of the total voting power of all our shares entitled to vote will not prevent any U.S. holder from being treated as a 10% Shareholder. Due to the repeal of section 958(b)(4) under the Tax Cuts Act, all non-U.S. subsidiaries directly or indirectly owned by Arch Capital are treated as constructively owned by its US subsidiaries, and therefore are treated as CFCs.
Status as a CFC would not cause us or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Such status also would have no adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for any U.S. holder that is not a 10% Shareholder with respect to us or any of such non-U.S. subsidiaries (as applicable). If we or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are or were a CFC with respect to any taxable year, a U.S. holder that is considered a 10% U.S. Shareholder would be subject to current U.S. federal income taxation (at ordinary income tax rates) to the extent of all or a portion of the undistributed earnings and profits of Arch Capital and our subsidiaries attributable to “subpart F income” (including certain insurance premium income and investment income) or global intangible low-taxed income and may be taxable at ordinary income tax rates on any gain recognized on a sale or other disposition (including by way of repurchase or liquidation) of our common shares or preferred shares to the extent of the current and accumulated earnings and profits attributable to such common shares or preferred shares. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, a helpful limitation, which provides that a U.S. shareholder would not be subject to the current inclusion rules of Subpart F for a taxable year unless the non-U.S. corporation was a CFC for an uninterrupted period of 30 days or more during such taxable year, will no longer apply.
ARCH CAPITAL 29
2020 FORM 10-K
Related Person Insurance Income Rules. Generally, we do not expect the gross RPII of any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to equal or exceed 20% of its gross insurance income in any taxable year for the foreseeable future (the “RPII 20% gross income exception”). Consequently, we do not expect any U.S. person owning common shares or preferred shares to be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes RPII income, but there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
Section 953(c)(7) of the Code generally provides that Section 1248 of the Code (which generally would require a U.S. holder to treat certain gains attributable to the sale, exchange or disposition of common shares or preferred shares as a dividend) will apply to the sale or exchange by a U.S. shareholder of shares in a foreign corporation that is characterized as a CFC under the RPII rules if the foreign corporation would be taxed as an insurance company if it were a domestic corporation, regardless of whether the U.S. shareholder is a 10% U.S. Shareholder or whether the corporation qualifies for the RPII 20% gross income exception. Although existing U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) regulations do not address the question, proposed Treasury regulations issued in April 1991 create some ambiguity as to whether Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 would apply when the foreign corporation has a foreign insurance subsidiary that is a CFC for RPII purposes and that would be taxed as an insurance company if it were a domestic corporation. We believe that Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 will not apply to a less than 10% U.S. Shareholder because Arch Capital is not directly engaged in the insurance business. There can be no assurance, however, that the IRS will interpret the proposed regulations in this manner or that the Treasury will not take the position that Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 will apply to dispositions of our common shares or our preferred shares.
If the IRS or Treasury were to make Section 1248 and the Form 5471 filing requirement applicable to the sale of our shares, we would notify shareholders that Section 1248 of the Code and the requirement to file Form 5471 will apply to dispositions of our shares. Thereafter, we would send a notice after the end of each calendar year to all persons who were shareholders during the year notifying them that Section 1248 and the requirement to file Form 5471 apply to dispositions of our shares by U.S. holders. We would attach to this notice a copy of Form 5471 completed with all our information and instructions for completing the shareholder information.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders. Tax-exempt entities may be required to treat certain Subpart F insurance income, including RPII, that is includible in income by the tax-exempt entity as unrelated business taxable income. Prospective investors that are tax exempt entities are urged to consult
their own tax advisors as to the potential impact of the unrelated business taxable income provisions of the Code.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Sections 1291 through 1298 of the Code contain special rules applicable with respect to foreign corporations that are PFICs. In general, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if 75% or more of its income constitutes “passive income” or 50% or more of its assets produce passive income. If we were to be characterized as a PFIC, U.S. holders would be subject to a penalty tax at the time of their sale of (or receipt of an “excess distribution” with respect to) their common shares or preferred shares. In general, a shareholder receives an “excess distribution” if the amount of the distribution is more than 125% of the average distribution with respect to the shares during the three preceding taxable years (or shorter period during which the taxpayer held the stock). In general, the penalty tax is equivalent to an interest charge on taxes that are deemed due during the period the shareholder owned the shares, computed by assuming that the excess distribution or gain (in the case of a sale) with respect to the shares was taxable in equal portions throughout the holder’s period of ownership. The interest charge is equal to the applicable rate imposed on underpayments of U.S. federal income tax for such period. A U.S. shareholder may avoid some of the adverse tax consequences of owning shares in a PFIC by making a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election. A QEF election is revocable only with the consent of the IRS and has the following consequences to a shareholder:
•For any year in which Arch Capital is not a PFIC, no income tax consequences would result.
•For any year in which Arch Capital is a PFIC, the shareholder would include in its taxable income a proportionate share of the net ordinary income and net capital gains of Arch Capital and certain of its non-U.S. subsidiaries.
For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2017, the determination of whether the active insurance company exception applies to an insurance company was made on a case-by-case basis and the analysis was inherently subjective. Under the Tax Cuts Act, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the active insurance company exception applies only if (i) the company would be taxed as an insurance company were it a U.S. corporation and (ii) either (A) loss and loss adjustment expense and certain reserves constitute more than 25% of the company’s gross assets for the relevant year or (B) loss and loss adjustment expenses and certain reserves constitute more than 10% of the company’s gross assets for the relevant year and, based on the applicable facts and circumstances, the company is predominantly engaged in an insurance business and the failure of the company to satisfy the preceding 25% test is due solely to run-off related or other specified circumstances
ARCH CAPITAL 30
2020 FORM 10-K
involving the insurance business. The PFIC statutory provisions contain a look-through rule that states that, for purposes of determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC, such foreign corporation shall be treated as if it “received directly its proportionate share of the income” and as if it “held its proportionate share of the assets” of any other corporation in which it owns at least 25% of the stock. We believe that we were not a PFIC for any taxable year beginning on or before December 31, 2017, or any subsequent taxable year ending on or before December 31, 2020, and we currently are not expecting to become a PFIC for any subsequent taxable year. However, due to the complexity and uncertainty of the PFIC rules and the limited guidance interpreting them, there can be no assurance that we have not been a PFIC to date or that we will not become a PFIC at some time in the future.
On December 4, 2020, the IRS issued certain final regulations (the “2020 final PFIC insurance regulations”) and revised proposed regulations (the “2020 proposed PFIC insurance regulations”) regarding the application of the insurance company exception. While we believe that the 2020 final PFIC insurance regulations and the 2020 proposed PFIC insurance regulations should not adversely impact the our ability to satisfy the insurance company exception and avoid being treated as a PFIC, there can be no assurance that such exception will in fact apply and/or will continue to apply at all times in the future. Each U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisor as to the effects of these rules.
United States Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
Taxation of Dividends. Cash distributions, if any, made with respect to common shares or preferred shares held by shareholders who are not U.S. Persons (“Non-U.S. holders”) generally will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition. Non-U.S. holders of common shares or preferred shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of such shares unless such gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. holder in the U.S. or such person is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year the gain is realized and certain other requirements are satisfied.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Non-U.S. holders of common shares or preferred shares will not be subject to U.S. information reporting or backup withholding with respect to dispositions of common shares effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker, unless the broker has certain connections to the U.S. or is a U.S. person. No U.S. backup withholding will apply to payments of dividends, if any, on our common shares or our preferred shares.
FATCA Withholding. Sections 1471 through 1474 to the Code, known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), impose a withholding tax of 30% on U.S.-source interest, dividends and certain other types of income, which is received by a foreign financial institution (“FFI”), unless such FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to obtain certain information as to the identity of the direct and indirect owners of accounts in such institution. In addition, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on the above payments to certain non-financial foreign entities which do not (i) certify to each respective withholding agent that they have no “substantial U.S. owners” (i.e., a U.S. 10% direct or indirect shareholder), or (ii) provide such withholding agent with the certain information as to the identity of such substantial U.S. owners. The U.S. has entered into intergovernmental agreements to implement FATCA (“IGAs”) with a number of jurisdictions. Bermuda has signed an IGA with the U.S. Different rules than those described above may apply under such an IGA.
Although dividends with respect to our common shares or preferred shares will generally be treated as foreign source for U.S. federal withholding tax purposes, it is unclear whether, for FATCA purposes, some or all of our dividends may be recharacterized as U.S. source dividends. Treasury regulations addressing this topic have not yet been issued.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the filing and information requirements that may be imposed on them in respect of their ownership of our common share or preferred shares.
Other Tax Laws. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the applicability to them of the tax laws of other jurisdictions.
ARCH CAPITAL 31
2020 FORM 10-K

---

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Set forth below are risk factors relating to our business. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks that we currently consider not to be material or of which we are not currently aware, and any of these risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results. You should carefully consider these risks along with the other information provided in this report, including our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our accompanying consolidated financial statements, as well as the information under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” before investing in any of our securities. We may amend, supplement or add to the risk factors described below from time to time in future reports filed with the SEC.
Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations
We operate in a highly competitive environment, and we may not be able to compete successfully in our industry.
The insurance and reinsurance industry is highly competitive. We compete on an international and regional basis with major U.S. and non-U.S. insurers and reinsurers, many of which have greater financial, marketing and management resources than we do. See “Competition” in Item 1 for details on our competitors in each of the major segments we operate in. There has been significant consolidation in the insurance and reinsurance sector in recent years and we may experience increased competition as a result of that consolidation, with consolidated entities having enhanced market power. These consolidated entities may use their enhanced market power and broader capital base to negotiate price reductions for products and services that compete with ours, and we may experience rate declines and possibly write less business. Any failure by us to effectively compete could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The insurance and reinsurance industry is highly cyclical, and we may at times experience periods characterized by excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates.
Historically, insurers and reinsurers have experienced significant fluctuations in operating results due to competition, frequency of occurrence or severity of catastrophic events, levels of capacity, general economic conditions, changes in equity, debt and other investment markets, changes in legislation, case law and prevailing concepts of liability and other factors. Demand for reinsurance is influenced significantly by the underwriting
results of primary insurers and prevailing general economic conditions. The supply of insurance and reinsurance is related to prevailing prices and levels of surplus capacity that, in turn, may fluctuate in response to changes in rates of return being realized in the insurance and reinsurance industry on both underwriting and investment sides. As a result, the insurance and reinsurance business historically has been a cyclical industry characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity as well as periods when shortages of capacity permitted favorable premium levels and changes in terms and conditions. Until recently, the supply of insurance and reinsurance had increased over the past several years, and may again in the future, either as a result of capital provided by new entrants or by the commitment of additional capital by existing insurers or reinsurers. Continued increases in the supply of insurance and reinsurance may have consequences for us, including fewer contracts written, lower premium rates, increased expenses for customer acquisition and retention, and less favorable policy terms and conditions.
Claims for natural and man-made catastrophic events could cause large losses and substantial volatility in our results of operations and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
We have large aggregate exposures to natural and man-made catastrophic events. Natural catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tsunamis, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, tornadoes, explosions, severe winter weather, fires, droughts and other natural disasters. The frequency and severity of natural catastrophe activity, including hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods and droughts, has also been greater in recent years. Man-made catastrophic events may include acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. Catastrophes can also cause losses in non-property business such as workers’ compensation or general liability. In addition to the nature of the property business, we believe that economic and geographic trends affecting insured property, including inflation, property value appreciation and geographic concentration tend to generally increase the size of losses from catastrophic events over time. Actual losses from future catastrophic events may vary materially from estimates due to the inherent uncertainties in making such determinations resulting from several factors, including the potential inaccuracies and inadequacies in the data provided by clients, brokers and ceding companies, the modeling techniques and the application of such techniques, the contingent nature of business interruption exposures, the effects of any resultant demand surge on claims activity and attendant coverage issues.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related risks could materially affect our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity.
ARCH CAPITAL 32
2020 FORM 10-K
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global slowdown of economic activity, and the magnitude of the impact of the pandemic and the duration of the disruption and resulting decline in business activity is still highly uncertain. A prolonged COVID-19 pandemic could materially and adversely impact our own employees and operations, as well as the business operations of third parties with whom we interact. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our results of operations and could have a significant effect on our business, results of operations and future financial performance. We may experience higher levels of loss and claims activity in certain lines of business, and our premiums written and earned could also be adversely affected by a suppression of global commercial activity that results in a reduction in insurable assets and other exposure. Conditions of the financial markets resulting from the virus may also have a negative effect on the performance of our investment portfolio. Certain lines of our business may require additional forms of collateral in the event of a decline in the fair value of securities and benchmarks to which those repayment mechanisms are linked. The impact of the pandemic on the financial markets may also adversely affect our ability to fund through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, and through other means at acceptable terms.
Governmental, regulatory and rating actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect our financial performance and our ability to conduct our businesses as we have in the past.
Actions of the federal, state and local government in the U.S. and other countries where we do business, to address and mitigate the impact of COVID-19, may adversely affect us. For example, we are potentially subject to legislative and/or regulatory action that seeks to retroactively mandate coverage for losses which our insurance policies were not designed or priced to cover. There is proposed legislation in some states to require insurers to cover business interruption claims retroactively irrespective of terms, exclusions or other conditions included in the policies that would otherwise preclude coverage. Some proposed bills would require policies providing business interruption coverage to cover losses prospectively for pandemic-related losses. Insurance regulators in some states will not approve policy exclusions for losses from COVID-19, viruses or pandemics. In addition, a number of states have instituted, and other states are considering instituting, changes designed to effectively expand workers' compensation coverage by creating presumptions of compensability of claims for certain types of workers. Regulatory restrictions or requirements could also impact pricing, risk selection and our rights and obligations with respect to our policies and insureds, including our ability to cancel policies, our ability to increase rates or our right to collect premiums. Some state regulators have issued orders to review insurers’ rates to determine whether
premium refunds are required, and regulators in other states could take similar actions. Many insurers, including us, have also voluntarily provided, and may further provide, premium refunds to their customers. It is also possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by federal, state and local governments in response to COVID-19 could require an increase in taxes at the federal, state and local levels, which would adversely impact our results of operations.
We expect that certain mortgage loans may default or enter forbearance programs that allow borrowers to defer mortgage payments as borrowers face challenges related to COVID-19. Defaults related to the pandemic, if not cured, could remain in our defaulted loan inventory for a protracted period of time including due to foreclosure moratoria, potentially resulting in higher frequency (claim rate) and severity (amount of the claim) for those loans that ultimately result in a claim. Accordingly, extended or extensive forbearance programs, foreclosure moratoria and other changes in regulations or laws may adversely impact our mortgage insurance operations.
Under the GSEs’ PMIERs financial requirements, eligible insurers are required to hold additional risk-based required assets for delinquent mortgages. However, this amount is reduced for mortgages backed by a property located in a FEMA Declared Major Disaster Area, among other requirements. On June 30, 2020, as amended on September 29, 2020, and December 4, 2020, the GSEs published guidance clarifying the applicability of the reduced delinquent loan charges on loans with their first missed payments occurring between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 in response to a hardship related to COVID-19. Additionally, through June 30, 2021, the GSEs have temporarily required eligible insurers to obtain prior approval of dividends or entering into any new arrangements or altering any existing arrangements under tax sharing and intercompany expense-sharing agreements. In addition, the rating agencies continually review the financial strength ratings assigned to the Company and its subsidiaries, and the ratings are subject to change. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on financial results and condition, could cause one or more of the rating agencies to downgrade the ratings assigned to the Company and its subsidiaries. We expect the pandemic to result in a material increase in new defaults as borrowers fail to make timely payments on their mortgages, including as a result of increases in unemployment and entering mortgage forbearance programs that allow borrowers to defer mortgage payments, which may have an adverse impact on our results or operations. In addition, defaults related to the pandemic, if not cured, could remain in our defaulted loan inventory for a protracted period of time including due to foreclosure moratoria, potentially resulting in higher frequency (claim rate) and severity (amount of the claim) for those loans that ultimately result in a claim. Accordingly, extended or extensive forbearance programs,
ARCH CAPITAL 33
2020 FORM 10-K
foreclosure moratoria and other changes in regulations or laws may adversely impact our mortgage insurance segment.
Climate change, as well as increasing regulation in the area of climate change, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changing weather patterns and climatic conditions, such as global warming, have added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters in certain parts of the world and created additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposures. Although the loss experience of catastrophe insurers and reinsurers has historically been characterized as low frequency, there is a growing consensus today that climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and, in recent years, the frequency of major catastrophes appears to have increased, and may continue to increase in the future.
Claims for catastrophic events, or an unusual frequency of smaller losses in a particular period, could expose us to large losses, cause substantial volatility in our results of operations and could have a material adverse effect on our ability to write new business if we are not able to adequately assess and reserve for the increased frequency and severity of catastrophes resulting from these environmental factors. Additionally, catastrophic events could result in increased credit exposure to reinsurers and other counterparties we transact business with, declines in the value of investments we hold and significant disruptions to our physical infrastructure, systems and operations. Climate change-related risks may also specifically adversely impact the value of the securities that we hold. The effects of climate change could also lead to increased credit risk of other counterparties we transact business with, including reinsurers.
Changes in security asset prices may impact the value of our fixed income, real estate and commercial mortgage investments, resulting in realized or unrealized losses on our invested assets. These risks are not limited to, but can include: (i) changes in supply/demand characteristics for fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas); (ii) advances in low-carbon technology and renewable energy development; and (iii) effects of extreme weather events on the physical and operational exposure of industries and issuers, and the transition that these companies make towards addressing climate risk in their own businesses.
However, we cannot predict how legal, regulatory and/or social responses to concerns around global climate change may impact our business. We attempt to manage our exposure to such events through the use of underwriting controls, risk models, and the purchase of third-party reinsurance. Underwriting controls can include more restrictive underwriting criteria such as higher premiums and deductibles, or losses retained, and more specifically
excluded policy risks. Our deductible in connection with a catastrophic event is determined by market capacity, pricing conditions and surplus preservation. There can be no assurance that our reinsurance coverage and other measures taken will be sufficient to mitigate losses resulting from one or more catastrophic events. As a result, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events and the continuation and worsening of recent trends could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Environmental, Social and Governance and sustainability have become major topics that encompass a wide range of issues, including climate change and other environmental risks. We are also subject to complex and changing laws, regulation and public policy debates relating to climate change which are difficult to predict and quantify and may have an adverse impact on our business. Changes in regulations relating to climate change or our own leadership decisions implemented as a result of assessing the impact of climate change on our business may result in an increase in the cost of doing business or a decrease in premiums in certain lines of business.
We could face unanticipated losses from war, terrorism, cyber-attacks, pandemics and political instability, and these or other unanticipated losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We have substantial exposure to unexpected, large losses resulting from future man-made catastrophic events, such as acts of war, acts of terrorism, pandemics similar to the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability. These risks are inherently unpredictable. It is difficult to predict the timing of such events with statistical certainty or estimate the amount of loss any given occurrence will generate. In certain instances, we specifically insure and reinsure risks resulting from acts of terrorism. We may also insure against risk related to cybersecurity and cyber-attacks. In addition, our exposure to cyber-attacks includes exposure to ‘silent cyber’ risks, meaning risks and potential losses associated with policies where cyber risk is not specifically included nor excluded in the policies. Even in cases where we attempt to exclude losses from terrorism, cybersecurity and certain other similar risks from some coverages written by us, we may not be successful in doing so. Moreover, irrespective of the clarity and inclusiveness of policy language, there can be no assurance that a court or arbitration panel will not limit enforceability of policy language or otherwise issue a ruling adverse to us. Accordingly, while we believe our reinsurance programs, together with the coverage provided under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, as amended (“TRIP”) are sufficient to reasonably limit our net losses relating to potential future terrorist attacks, we can offer no assurance that our available capital will be adequate to cover losses when they materialize. To the extent that an act of terrorism is certified by the Secretary of the Treasury and aggregate
ARCH CAPITAL 34
2020 FORM 10-K
industry insured losses resulting from the act of terrorism exceeds the prescribed program trigger, our U.S. insurance operations may be covered under TRIP for up to 80% subject to a mandatory deductible of 20% of our prior year’s direct earned premium for covered property and liability coverages. The program trigger for calendar year 2020 and any program year thereafter is $200 million. If an act (or acts) of terrorism result in covered losses exceeding the $100 billion annual limit, insurers with losses exceeding their deductibles will not be responsible for additional losses. It is not possible to completely eliminate our exposure to unforecasted or unpredictable events, and to the extent that losses from such risks occur, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Underwriting risks and reserving for losses are based on probabilities and related modeling, which are subject to inherent uncertainties.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to assess accurately the risks associated with the businesses that we insure and reinsure. We establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses which represent estimates based on actuarial and statistical projections, at a given point in time, of our expectations of the ultimate future settlement and administration costs of losses incurred. We utilize actuarial models as well as available historical insurance industry loss ratio experience and loss development patterns to assist in the establishment of loss reserves. Most or all of these factors are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis, and the effects of these and unforeseen factors could negatively impact our ability to accurately assess the risks of the policies that we write. Changes in the assumptions used by these models or by management could lead to an increase in our estimate of ultimate losses in the future. In addition, there may be significant reporting lags between the occurrence of the insured event and the time it is reported to the insurer and additional lags between the time of reporting and final settlement of claims. In addition, the estimation of loss reserves is more difficult during times of adverse economic and market conditions due to unexpected changes in behavior of claimants and policyholders, including an increase in fraudulent reporting of exposures and/or losses, reduced maintenance of insured properties or increased frequency of small claims. Changes in the level of inflation also result in an increased level of uncertainty in our estimation of loss reserves. As a result, actual losses and loss adjustment expenses paid can deviate, perhaps substantially, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements.
If our loss reserves are determined to be inadequate, we will be required to increase loss reserves at the time of such determination with a corresponding reduction in our net income in the period when the deficiency becomes known. It is possible that claims in respect of events that have occurred
could exceed our claim reserves and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, in a particular period, or our financial condition in general. As a compounding factor, although most insurance contracts have policy limits, the nature of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance is such that losses and the associated expenses can exceed policy limits for a variety of reasons and could significantly exceed the premiums received on the underlying policies, thereby further adversely affecting our financial condition.
As of December 31, 2020, our consolidated reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, were approximately $12.2 billion. Such reserves were established in accordance with applicable insurance laws and GAAP. Loss reserves are inherently subject to uncertainty. In establishing the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, we have made various assumptions relating to the pricing of our reinsurance contracts and insurance policies and have also considered available historical industry experience and current industry conditions. Any estimates and assumptions made as part of the reserving process could prove to be inaccurate due to several factors, including the fact that for certain lines of business relatively limited historical information has been reported to us through December 31, 2020.
The failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
We seek to limit our loss exposure by writing a number of our reinsurance contracts on an excess of loss basis, adhering to maximum limitations on reinsurance written in defined geographical zones, limiting program size for each client and prudent underwriting of each program written. In the case of proportional treaties, we may seek per occurrence limitations or loss ratio caps to limit the impact of losses from any one or series of events. In our insurance operations, we seek to limit our exposure through the purchase of reinsurance. For our U.S. mortgage insurance business, in addition to utilizing reinsurance, we have developed a proprietary risk model that simulates the maximum loss resulting from a severe economic event impacting the housing market. We also seek to limit our loss exposure by geographic diversification. Geographic zone limitations involve significant underwriting judgments, including the determination of the area of the zones and the inclusion of a particular policy within a particular zone’s limits. Various provisions of our policies, negotiated to limit our risk, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage or choice of forum, may not be enforceable in the manner we intend, as it is possible that a court or regulatory authority could nullify or void an exclusion or limitation, or legislation could be enacted modifying or barring the use of these exclusions and limitations. Disputes relating to coverage and choice of legal forum may also arise.
ARCH CAPITAL 35
2020 FORM 10-K
Underwriting is inherently a matter of judgment, involving important assumptions about matters that are inherently unpredictable and beyond our control, and for which historical experience and probability analysis may not provide sufficient guidance. One or more catastrophic events or severe economic events could result in claims that substantially exceed our expectations, or the protections set forth in our policies could be voided, which, in either case, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of operations, possibly to the extent of eliminating our shareholders’ equity. In addition, factors such as global climate change limit the value of historical experience and therefore further limit the effectiveness of our loss limitation methods. See “Catastrophic Events and Severe Economic Events” in Item 7 for further details. Depending on business opportunities and the mix of business that may comprise our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance portfolio, we may seek to adjust our self-imposed limitations on probable maximum pre-tax loss for catastrophe exposed business and mortgage default exposed business.
The availability of reinsurance, retrocessional coverage and capital market transactions to limit our exposure to risks may be limited, and counterparty credit and other risks associated with our reinsurance arrangements may result in losses which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We manage risk using reinsurance, retrocessional coverage and capital markets transactions. Our insurance subsidiaries typically cede a portion of their premiums through pro rata, excess of loss and facultative reinsurance agreements. Our reinsurance subsidiaries purchase a limited amount of retrocessional coverage as part of their aggregate risk management program. In addition, our reinsurance subsidiaries participate in “common account” retrocessional arrangements for certain pro rata treaties. Such arrangements reduce the effect of individual or aggregate losses to all companies participating on such treaties, including the reinsurers, such as our reinsurance subsidiaries, and the ceding company. Economic conditions could also have a material impact on our ability to manage our risk aggregations through reinsurance or capital markets transactions. The availability and cost of reinsurance and retrocessional protection is subject to market conditions. As a result of these factors, we may not be able to successfully mitigate risk through reinsurance and retrocessional arrangements.
Further, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurance and retrocessions because the ceding of risk to reinsurers and retrocessionaires does not relieve us of our liability to the clients or companies we insure or reinsure. We monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers and attempt to place coverages only with carriers we view as substantial and financially sound. An inability of our reinsurers or
retrocessionaires to meet their obligations to us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our losses for a given event or occurrence may increase if our reinsurers or retrocessionaires dispute or fail to meet their obligations to us or the reinsurance or retrocessional protections purchased by us are exhausted or are otherwise unavailable for any reason. In certain instances, we also require collateral to mitigate our credit risk to our reinsurers or retrocessionaires. We are at risk that losses could exceed the collateral we have obtained. Our failure to establish adequate reinsurance or retrocessional arrangements or the failure of our existing reinsurance or retrocessional arrangements to protect us from overly concentrated risk exposure could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We could be materially adversely affected to the extent that important third parties with whom we do business do not adequately or appropriately manage their risks, commit fraud or otherwise breach obligations owed to us.
For certain lines of our insurance business, we authorize managing general agents, general agents and other producers to write business on our behalf within underwriting authorities prescribed by us. In addition, our mortgage group delegates the underwriting of a significant percentage of its primary new insurance written to certain mortgage lenders. Under this delegated underwriting program, the approved customer may determine whether mortgage loans meet our mortgage insurance program guidelines and commit us to issue mortgage insurance. We rely on the underwriting controls of these agents to write business within the underwriting authorities provided by us. Although we have contractual protections in some instances and we monitor such business on an ongoing basis, our monitoring efforts may not be adequate or our agents may exceed their underwriting authorities or otherwise breach obligations owed to us. In addition, our agents, our insureds or other third parties may commit fraud or otherwise breach their obligations to us. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any one of these issues.
While we conduct underwriting, financial, claims and information technology due diligence reviews and apply rigorous standards in the selection of these counterparties, there is no assurance they have provided us accurate or complete information to assess their risk or that they can manage effectively their own risks. Consequently, we assume a degree of credit and operational risk of those parties, and a material failure of their risks may result in material losses or damage to us.
ARCH CAPITAL 36
2020 FORM 10-K
Emerging claim and coverage issues, including issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect our business.
As industry practices and legal, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage may emerge, including new or expanded theories of liability. These or other changes could impose new financial obligations on us by extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or otherwise require us to make unplanned modifications to the products and services that we provide, or cause the delay or cancellation of products and services that we provide. In some instances, these changes may not become apparent until sometime after we have issued insurance or reinsurance contracts that are affected by the changes. As a result, the full extent of liability under our insurance or reinsurance contracts may not be known for many years after a contract is issued. The effects of unforeseen developments or substantial government intervention could adversely impact us.
We have exposure to a number of lines of business, such as trade credit, travel, workers compensation and property that do not contain a specific pandemic exclusion and/or explicitly afford business interruption coverage under a pandemic such as COVID-19. In May 2020, FCA commenced court proceedings against a number of insurance companies, including Arch Insurance (U.K.), to test how certain business interruption insurance policies respond to claims arising from COVID-19. The High Court in September 2020 handed down its judgment which, found in favor of policyholders on the majority of the key coverage issues in the representative sample of policies submitted by the defendants. Appeals were filed by six insurers, including Arch Insurance (U.K.), and in January 2021, the Supreme Court in the U.K. broadly confirmed the High Court’s rulings on the business wordings. The impact of this case on Arch Insurance (U.K.)’s results of operations has been modest, but the larger impact of this “test case” and other litigation which may flow from it in the U.K. or other jurisdictions where we offer business interruption cover, cannot be quantified or predicted with certainty at this time. A prolonged COVID-19 pandemic could trigger further litigation on coverage and claims issues and potentially result in material and adverse outcomes and impact our business results. See “Risks Relating to Our Mortgage Operations” for further details on our mortgage operations.
Acquisitions, the addition of new lines of insurance or reinsurance business, expansion into new geographic regions and/or entering into joint ventures or partnerships expose us to risks.
We may seek, from time to time, to acquire other companies, acquire selected blocks of business, expand our business lines, expand into new geographic regions and/or enter into
joint ventures or partnerships. Such activities expose us to challenges and risks, including: integrating financial and operational reporting systems; establishing satisfactory budgetary and other financial controls; funding increased capital needs, overhead expenses or cash flow shortages that may occur if anticipated sales and revenues are not realized or are delayed, whether by general economic or market conditions or unforeseen internal difficulties; obtaining management personnel required for expanded operations; obtaining necessary regulatory permissions; and establishing adequate reserves for any acquired book of business. In addition, the value of assets acquired may be lower than expected or may diminish due to credit defaults or changes in interest rates; the liabilities assumed may be greater than expected; and assets and liabilities acquired may be subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation. We may also be subject to financial exposures in the event that the sellers of the entities or business we acquire are unable or unwilling to meet their indemnification, reinsurance and other contractual obligations to us. Our failure to manage successfully any of the foregoing challenges and risks may adversely impact our results of operations.
The U.K.’s Withdrawal from the EU could adversely affect us.
The U.K. ceased to be a member state of the European Union in January 2020. Although the EU and U.K. reached a limited agreement in relation to certain matters, U.K. insurers and reinsurers no longer have automatic access to EU markets and vice versa. Our U.K. domiciled entities and our Lloyd’s syndicates, may no longer “passport” within the EU and. are now part of the U.K. temporary permissions regime which allows firms to operate in the U.K. for a limited period while they seek authorization from the U.K. regulators. While we have implemented changes in our operations to accommodate Brexit, the full extent to which our business, operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by Brexit is uncertain. The impact of the U.K.’s withdrawal on the U.K. and European economies and the broader global economy could be significant, resulting in increased volatility and potentially lower economic growth and instability in the financial and foreign exchange markets.
Our information technology systems may be unable to meet the demands of customers and our workforce.
Our information technology systems service our insurance portfolios. Accordingly, we are highly dependent on the effective operation of these systems. While we believe that the systems are adequate to service our insurance portfolios, there can be no assurance that they will operate in all manners in which we intend or possess all of the functionality required by customers currently or in the future.
ARCH CAPITAL 37
2020 FORM 10-K
Our customers, especially our mortgage insurance customers, require that we conduct our business in a secure manner, electronically via the Internet or via electronic data transmission. We must continually invest significant resources in establishing and maintaining electronic connectivity with customers. In order to integrate electronically with customers in the mortgage insurance industry, we require electronic connections between our systems and those of the industry's largest mortgage servicing systems and leading loan origination systems. Our mortgage group currently possesses connectivity with certain of these external systems, but there is no assurance that such connectivity is sufficient and we are continually undertaking new electronic integration efforts with third-party loan servicing and origination systems. We also rely on electronic integrations in our insurance operations with third parties and customers. Our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected if we do not possess or timely acquire the requisite set of electronic integrations necessary to keep pace with the technological demands of customers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased and unanticipated demands on our IT systems in use by our customers and our workforce as much of the general workforce continues to work remotely. Remote working may increase the risk of cyber security attacks or other data security incidents. There is no assurance that we will be able to respond effectively to all of the increased and varied demands on our IT systems during a prolonged pandemic.
Technology breaches or failures, including, but not limited to, those resulting from a malicious cyber attack on us or our business partners and service providers, could disrupt or otherwise negatively impact our business and/or expose us to litigation.
We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit, store and protect the electronic information, financial data and proprietary models that are critical to our business. Furthermore, a significant portion of the communications between our employees and our business partners and service providers depends on information technology and electronic information exchange. Like all companies, our information technology systems are vulnerable to data breaches, interruptions or failures due to events that may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, power outages, theft, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, hackers, errors in usage or through social engineering or phishing and general technology failures. Security breaches by third parties could expose us to the loss or misuse of our information, litigation, financial losses and potential liability. In addition, cyber incidents that impact the availability, reliability, speed, accuracy or other proper functioning of these systems could have a significant
negative impact on our operations and possibly our results. A cyber incident could also result in a violation of applicable privacy, data protection or other laws, damage our reputation, cause a loss of customers, adversely affect our stock price, cause us to incur remediation costs, increased insurance premiums, and/or give rise to monetary fines and penalties, any of which could adversely affect our business.
We outsource certain technology and business process functions to third parties and may continue do so in the future. This practice exposes us to increased risks related to data security, service disruptions or the effectiveness of our control system, which could result in monetary and reputational damage or harm to our competitive position.
A downgrade in our ratings or our inability to obtain a rating for our operating insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may adversely affect our relationships with clients and brokers and negatively impact sales of our products.
Similar to our competitors, a ratings downgrade or the potential for such a downgrade, or failure to obtain a necessary rating, could adversely affect our relationships with agents, brokers, wholesalers, intermediaries, clients and other distributors of our existing and new products and services. Some of the reinsurance agreements assumed by our reinsurance operations include provisions that a ratings downgrade or other specified triggering event with respect to our reinsurance operations, such as a reduction in surplus by specified amounts during specified periods, provide our ceding company clients certain rights, including, the right to terminate the subject reinsurance agreement and/or to require us to post additional collateral. Any ratings downgrade or failure to obtain a necessary rating could adversely affect our ability to compete in our markets, could cause our premiums and earnings to decrease and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, a downgrade in ratings of certain of our operating subsidiaries may constitute an event of default under our credit facilities.
We can offer no assurances that our ratings will remain at their current levels or that any of our ratings which are under review or watch by ratings agencies will remain unchanged. It is possible that rating agencies may heighten the level of scrutiny they apply when analyzing companies in our industry and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in their models for maintenance of certain rating levels. We may need to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings. Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are unfavorable to us. Equity financings could be dilutive to our existing shareholders and could result in the issuance of securities that have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our outstanding securities. If we are not able to obtain adequate capital, our business, results of
ARCH CAPITAL 38
2020 FORM 10-K
operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. See “Capital Resources” in Item 7 for further details.
For further information on our financial strength and/or issuer ratings, see “Ratings” in Item 1. For further information on our letter of credit facilities, see the Letter of Credit and Revolving Credit Facilities section of “Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments” in Item 7.
Our success will depend on our ability to maintain and enhance effective operating procedures and internal controls and our enterprise risk management (“ERM”) program.
We operate within an ERM framework designed to assess and monitor our risks. Operational risk and losses can result from, among other things, fraud, errors, failure to document transactions properly or to obtain proper internal authorization, failure to comply with regulatory requirements, information technology or information security failures and failure to train employees appropriately or adequately. We continuously enhance our operating procedures and internal controls to effectively support our business and our regulatory and reporting requirements. As a result of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake or circumvention of controls. There can be no assurance that any control system will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Any ineffectiveness in our controls or procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business. For further information on our ERM framework, see “Enterprise Risk Management” in Item 1.
We are exposed to credit risk in certain of our business operations.
In addition to exposure to credit risk related to our investment portfolio, reinsurance recoverables and reliance on brokers and other agents, we are exposed to credit risk in other areas of our business related to policyholders. We are exposed to credit risk in our insurance group’s surety unit where we guarantee to a third party that our policyholder will satisfy certain performance or financial obligations. If our policyholder defaults, we may suffer losses and be unable to be reimbursed by our policyholder. We are also exposed to credit risk from policyholders on smaller deductibles in other insurance group lines, such as healthcare and excess and surplus casualty. Although we have not experienced any material credit losses to date, an increased inability of our policyholders to meet their obligations to us could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See note 3, “Significant Accounting Policy.”
Our business is subject to applicable laws and regulations relating to economic trade sanctions and foreign bribery laws, the violation of which could adversely affect our operations.
We must comply with all applicable economic sanctions and anti-bribery laws and regulations of the U.S. and other foreign jurisdictions where we operate. U.S. laws and regulations applicable to us and others who provide insurance and reinsurance include the economic trade sanctions laws and regulations administered by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control as well as certain laws administered by the U.S. Department of State. New sanction regimes may be initiated, or existing sanctions expanded, at any time, which can immediately impact our business activities. We are also subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws such as the U.K. Bribery Act that generally bar corrupt payments or unreasonable gifts to foreign governments or officials. Although we have policies and controls in place designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, it is possible that an employee or intermediary could fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations. In such event, we could be exposed to fines, criminal penalties and other sanctions. Such violations could limit our ability to conduct business and/or damage our reputation, resulting in a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Financial Markets and Investments
Adverse developments in the financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and our businesses, and may also limit our access to capital; our policyholders, reinsurers and retrocessionaires may also be affected by such developments, which could adversely affect their ability to meet their obligations to us.
Adverse developments in the financial markets, such as disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets, may result in realized and unrealized capital losses that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and our businesses, and may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business. Depending on market conditions, we could incur additional realized and unrealized losses on our investment portfolio in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and business. Economic conditions could also have a material impact on the frequency and severity of claims and therefore could negatively impact our underwriting returns. In addition, our policyholders, reinsurers and retrocessionaires may be affected by developments in the financial markets, which could adversely affect their ability
ARCH CAPITAL 39
2020 FORM 10-K
to meet their obligations to us. The volatility in the financial markets could continue to significantly affect our investment returns, reported results and shareholders’ equity.
The capital requirements of our businesses depend on many factors, including regulatory and rating agency requirements, the performance of our investment portfolio, our ability to write new business successfully, the frequency and severity of catastrophe events and our ability to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses.
Disruption to the financial markets and the general economic downturn resulting from COVID-19 may adversely and materially impact our investments, financial condition and results of operation.
Disruption in the financial markets and the downturn in global economic activity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely and materially affect the performance of our investment portfolio. Significant, continued volatility in financial markets, changes in interest rates, increases in credit spreads, a lack of pricing transparency, decreased market liquidity, declines in equity prices and the strengthening or weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar, individually or in tandem, could have a material adverse effect on our results through realized losses, impairments and changes in unrealized positions in our investment portfolio. Furthermore, issuers of the investments we hold under the equity method of accounting report their financial information to us one month to three months following the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, the adverse impact of any disruptions in global financial markets on equity method income from these investments would likely not be reflected in our current quarter results and would instead be reported in the subsequent quarter.
Our operating results depend in part on the performance of our investment portfolio. A significant portion of cash and invested assets held by Arch consists of fixed maturities (69.9% as of December 31, 2020). Although our current investment guidelines and approach stress preservation of capital, market liquidity and diversification of risk, our investments are subject to market-wide risks and fluctuations. In addition, we are subject to risks inherent in particular securities or types of securities, as well as sector concentrations. We may not be able to realize our investment objectives, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. In the event that we are unsuccessful in correlating our investment portfolio with our expected insurance and reinsurance liabilities, we may be forced to liquidate our investments at times and prices that are not optimal, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and ability to conduct our business.
Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation may adversely affect our financial results.
We write business on a worldwide basis, and our results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the value of currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. The primary foreign currencies in which we operate are the Euro, the British Pound Sterling, the Australian Dollar and the Canadian Dollar. In order to minimize the possibility of losses we may suffer as a result of our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations in our net insurance liabilities, we invest in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. In addition, we may replicate investment positions in foreign currencies using derivative financial instruments. Changes in the value of investments due to foreign currency rate movements are reflected as a direct increase or decrease to shareholders' equity and are not included in the statement of income.
Uncertainty relating to the determination of LIBOR and the potential phasing out and replacement of LIBOR after 2021 may adversely affect our cost of capital, net investment income and mortgage reinsurance costs.
On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to end the use of LIBOR after 2021 as the benchmark rate that many banks and issuers use to set interests in loan documents. Recognizing the need to replace LIBOR, authorities in the United States convened the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) in 2014 to identify a replacement for LIBOR. In 2017, the ARRC identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) - a combination of certain overnight repo rates, as its preferred alternative to LIBOR, and in April 2018, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing the SOFR rate. Because SOFR is an overnight risk-free rate, versus LIBOR which has various terms and an embedded credit charge, the transition from LIBOR to SOFR will require adjustments. The uncertainty of these adjustments, and the timing of when the transition will occur may adversely affect the value of and trading market for LIBOR-based securities. Moreover, the transition to SOFR from LIBOR may adversely affect the performance of our investment portfolio, our cost of capital and our cost of issuing Bellemeade mortgage risk transfer securities. While we have an internal committee focused on managing the replacement of LIBOR for our investments and operations, we do not believe that it is possible to predict how markets will respond to the transition to SOFR, or any other rate, from LIBOR on new or existing financial instruments or quantify the potential effect of any such event on us at this time.
ARCH CAPITAL 40
2020 FORM 10-K
Our reinsurance subsidiaries may be required to provide collateral to ceding companies, by applicable regulators, their contracts or other commercial considerations. Their ability to conduct business could be significantly and negatively affected if they are unable to do so.
Arch Re Bermuda is a registered Bermuda insurance company and is not licensed or admitted as an insurer in any jurisdiction in the U.S., although Arch Re Bermuda has been approved as a “certified reinsurer” in certain U.S. states that allow reduced collateral for reinsurance ceded to such reinsurers. Arch Re Bermuda's contracts generally require it to post a letter of credit or provide other security, even in U.S. states where it has been approved for reduced collateral. State credit for reinsurance rules also generally provide that certified reinsurers such as Arch Re Bermuda must provide 100% collateral in the event their certified status is “terminated” or upon the entry of an order of rehabilitation, liquidation or conservation against a ceding insurer.
Although, to date, Arch Re Bermuda has not experienced any difficulties in providing collateral when required, if we are unable to post security in the form of letters of credit or trust funds when required, the operations of Arch Re Bermuda could be significantly and negatively affected.
Risks Relating to Our Mortgage Operations
The ultimate performance of the Arch MI U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio remains uncertain.
The mix of business in our insured loan portfolio may affect losses. The presence of multiple higher-risk characteristics in a loan materially increases the likelihood of a claim on such a loan unless there are other characteristics to mitigate the risk. The geographic mix of Arch MI U.S.’s business could increase losses and harm our financial performance.
Generally, we cannot cancel mortgage insurance coverage or adjust renewal premiums during the life of a mortgage insurance policy. As a result, higher than anticipated claims generally cannot be offset by premium increases on policies in force or mitigated by our non-renewal or cancellation of insurance coverage. The premiums charged, and the associated investment income, may not be adequate to compensate us for the risks and costs associated with the insurance coverage provided to customers. An increase in the number or size of claims, compared to what we anticipate, could adversely affect Arch MI U.S.’s results of operations and financial condition.
The frequency and severity of claims we incur is uncertain and will depend largely on general economic factors outside of our control, including, among others, changes in unemployment, home prices and interest rates in the U.S. Deteriorating economic conditions in the U.S., potentially
due to prolonged recessionary conditions related to COVID-19, could adversely affect the performance of our U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
If the volume of low down payment mortgage originations declines, or if other government housing policies, practices or regulations change, the amount of mortgage insurance we write in the U.S. could decline, which would reduce our mortgage insurance revenues.
The size of the U.S. mortgage insurance market depends in large part upon the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations. Factors affecting the volume of low down payment mortgage originations include, among others: restrictions on mortgage credit due to stringent underwriting standards and liquidity issues affecting lenders; changes in mortgage interest rates and home prices, and other economic conditions in the U.S. and regional economies; population trends, including the rate of household formation; and U.S. government housing policy.
Most recently, on December 10, 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued its final rule amending the general qualified mortgage (“QM”) definition and eliminated the exception that all GSEs loans were deemed QM. The General QM definition in the final rule differs from the definition of QM applicable to loans sold to FHA, creating incentives for originators to originate loans under the FHA program rather than sell loans to the GSEs. On January 14, 2021, the FHFA as conservator of the GSEs and the Department of Treasury entered into a letter agreement that further amended the senior preferred stock purchase arrangement (“PSPA”). This letter agreement, among other provisions, imposed restrictions on the amount of high risk loans that can be purchased by the GSEs. A decline in the volume of low-down payment home mortgage originations or purchases by the GSEs could decrease demand for mortgage insurance, decrease our U.S. new insurance written and reduce mortgage insurance revenues.
Changes to the role of the GSEs in the U.S. housing market or to GSE eligibility requirements for mortgage insurers could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition, or reduce our operating flexibility.
Substantially all of Arch MI U.S.’s insurance written has been for loans sold to the GSEs. The charters of the GSEs require credit enhancement for low down payment mortgages in order for such loans to be eligible for purchase or guarantee by the GSEs. If the charters of the GSEs were amended to change or eliminate the acceptability of private mortgage insurance, our mortgage insurance business could decline significantly.
ARCH CAPITAL 41
2020 FORM 10-K
The PMIERs apply to Arch Mortgage Insurance Company and United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company, which are GSE-approved mortgage insurers (“eligible mortgage insurers”). The PMIERs impose limitations on the type of risk insured, the forms and insurance policies issued, standards for the geographic and customer diversification of risk, procedures for claims handling, acceptable underwriting practices, quality assurance, loss mitigation, claims handling, standards for certain reinsurance cessions and financial requirements, among other things. The financial requirements require a mortgage insurer’s available assets, which generally include only the most liquid assets of an insurer, to meet or exceed “minimum required assets” as of each quarter end. Arch MI U.S.’s minimum required assets under the PMIERs will be determined, in part, by the particular risk profiles of the loans it insures. If, absent other changes, Arch MI U.S.’s mix of business changes to include more loans with higher loan-to-value ratios or lower credit scores, it will have a higher minimum required asset amount under the PMIERs and, accordingly, be required to hold more capital in order to maintain GSE eligibility. Our eligible mortgage insurers each satisfied the PMIERs’ financial requirements as of December 31, 2020. While we intend to continue to comply with these requirements, there can be no assurance that the GSEs will not change the PMIERs or that Arch Mortgage Insurance Company or United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company will continue as eligible mortgage insurers. If either or both of the GSEs were to cease to consider Arch Mortgage Insurance Company or United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company as eligible mortgage insurers and, therefore, cease accepting our mortgage insurance products, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.
The implementation of the Basel III Capital Accord and FHFA’s Enterprise Capital Rule may adversely affect the use of mortgage insurance and CRT opportunities.
With certain exceptions, the Basel III Rules became effective on January 1, 2014. In December 2017, the Basel Committee published final revisions to the Basel Capital Accord which is informally denominated in the U.S. as “Basel IV.” The Basel Committee expects the new rules to be fully implemented by January 2027. Under the revised Basel rules, banks using the standardized approach for credit risk management will determine the risk-weight for residential mortgages based on the loan-to-value ratio at loan origination, without consideration of mortgage insurance. The U.S. regulatory agencies have not proposed adopting the Basel IV rules on mortgage capital requirements and could determine that current U.S. rules are “at least as stringent” as the Basel IV provisions, and therefore do not need to be modified. However, if the U.S. regulators decide to adopt the Basel IV approach, the capital relief benefits of MI would be diminished, which could adversely affect the demand for mortgage insurance.
Further, a new “Basel-like” risk-based capital rule for the GSEs was adopted by the FHFA in 2020. The rule requires the GSEs to hold the greater of the risk-based capital amount or the leverage ratio. The rule limits the reduction in capital for CRTs to third parties under the risk-based capital calculation and disallows any reduction for CRT to the leverage ratio. By its terms, this rule will become fully effective only if the GSEs are released from conservatorship, though the PSPA letter agreement contractually requires compliance sooner.
If the Enterprise Capital Rule becomes fully implemented without revision, significantly higher capital requirements for the GSEs would be mandated and the opportunity for participating in CRT transactions could be reduced. This, along with the cap on certain high-risk loans in the PSPA letter agreement with Treasury, could result in higher GSE fees and potentially smaller market share for the Enterprises and could adversely impact the demand for MI policies. Additionally, the GSEs may amend PMIERs to align the capital requirements and reduce the recognition of CRT for eligible insurers. Such changes could require us to contribute additional capital to Arch MI U.S. in the future and could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Risk Relating to Our Company and Our Shares
Some of the provisions of our bye-laws and our shareholders agreement may have the effect of hindering, delaying or preventing third party takeovers or changes in management initiated by shareholders. These provisions may also prevent our shareholders from receiving premium prices for their shares in an unsolicited takeover.
Some provisions of our bye-laws could have the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover bids from third parties or changes in management initiated by shareholders. These provisions may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors, since the board has the authority to overrule the operation of several of the limitations.
Among other things, our bye-laws provide: for a classified board of directors, in which the directors of the class elected at each annual general meeting holds office for a term of three years, with the term of each class expiring at successive annual general meetings of shareholders; that the number of directors is determined by the board from time to time by a vote of the majority of our board; that directors may only be removed for cause, and cause removal shall be deemed to exist only if the director whose removal is proposed has been convicted of a felony or been found by a court to be liable for gross negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties; that our board has the right to fill vacancies, including vacancies created by an expansion of the board;
ARCH CAPITAL 42
2020 FORM 10-K
and for limitations on a shareholder’s right to raise proposals or nominate directors at general meetings. Our bye-laws provide that certain provisions which may have anti-takeover effects may be repealed or altered only with prior board approval and upon the affirmative vote of holders of shares representing at least 65% of the total voting power of our shares entitled generally to vote at an election of directors.
The bye-laws also contain a provision limiting the rights of any U.S. person (as defined in section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) that owns shares of Arch Capital, directly, indirectly or constructively (within the meaning of section 958 of the Code), representing more than 9.9% of the voting power of all shares entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. The votes conferred by such shares of such U.S. person will be reduced by whatever amount is necessary so that after any such reduction the votes conferred by the shares of such person will constitute 9.9% of the total voting power of all shares entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. Notwithstanding this provision, the board may make such final adjustments to the aggregate number of votes conferred by the shares of any U.S. person that the board considers fair and reasonable in all circumstances to ensure that such votes represent 9.9% of the aggregate voting power of the votes conferred by all shares of Arch Capital entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. Arch Capital will assume that all shareholders (other than specified persons) are U.S. persons unless we receive assurance satisfactory to us that they are not U.S. persons.
The bye-laws also provide that the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting power of our shares (excluding shares owned by any person (and such person’s affiliates and associates) that is the owner of 15% or more (a “15% Holder”) of our outstanding voting shares) shall be required for various corporate actions, including: merger or consolidation of the company into a 15% Holder; sale of any or all of our assets to a 15% Holder; the issuance of voting securities to a 15% Holder; or amendment of these provisions; provided, however, the super majority vote will not apply to any transaction approved by the board.
The provisions described above may have the effect of making more difficult or discouraging unsolicited takeover bids from third parties. To the extent that these effects occur, shareholders could be deprived of opportunities to realize takeover premiums for their shares and the market price of their shares could be depressed. In addition, these provisions could also result in the entrenchment of incumbent management.
There are regulatory limitations on the ownership and transfer of our common shares.
The jurisdictions where we operate have laws and regulations
that require regulatory approval of a change in control of an insurer or an insurer's holding company. Where such laws apply to us, there can be no effective change in our control unless the person seeking to acquire control has filed a statement with the regulators and obtained prior approval for the proposed change. Certain regulators may at any time, by written notice, object to a person holding shares in an insurer or an insurer's holding company if it appears to the regulator that the person is not or is no longer fit and proper to be such a holder. The regulator may require the shareholder to reduce its holding in the insurer or an insurer's holding company and direct, among other things, that such shareholder’s voting rights attaching to the shares in an insurer or an insurer's holding company shall not be exercisable.
Arch Capital is a holding company and is dependent on dividends and other distributions from its operating subsidiaries.
Arch Capital is a holding company whose assets primarily consist of the shares in our subsidiaries. Generally, Arch Capital depends on its available cash resources, liquid investments and dividends or other distributions from subsidiaries to make payments, including the payment of debt service obligations and operating expenses it may incur and any payments of dividends, redemption amounts or liquidation amounts with respect to our preferred shares and common shares, and to fund the share repurchase program. The ability of our regulated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions is subject to legislative constraints and dependent on their ability to meet applicable regulatory standards. In addition, the ability of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to Arch Capital and to intermediate parent companies owned by Arch Capital could be constrained by our dependence on financial strength ratings from independent rating agencies. Our ratings from these agencies depend to a large extent on the capitalization levels of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.
General market conditions and unpredictable factors could adversely affect market prices for our outstanding preferred shares.
There can be no assurance about the market prices for our series of preferred shares that are traded publicly. Several factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the fair value of our preferred shares, including, but not limited to:
•whether dividends have been declared and are likely to be declared on any series of our preferred shares from time to time;
•our creditworthiness, financial condition, performance and prospects;
ARCH CAPITAL 43
2020 FORM 10-K
•whether the ratings on any series of our preferred shares provided by any ratings agency have changed;
•the market for similar securities; and
•economic, financial, geopolitical, regulatory or judicial events that affect us and/or the insurance or financial markets generally.
Dividends on our preferred shares are non-cumulative.
Dividends on our preferred shares are non-cumulative and payable only out of lawfully available funds of Arch Capital under Bermuda law. Consequently, if Arch Capital's board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) does not authorize and declare a dividend for any dividend period with respect to any series of our preferred shares, holders of such preferred shares would not be entitled to receive any such dividend, and such unpaid dividend will not accrue and will never be payable. Arch Capital will have no obligation to pay dividends for a dividend period on or after the dividend payment date for such period if its board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) has not declared such dividend before the related dividend payment date; if dividends on our series E or series F preferred shares are authorized and declared with respect to any subsequent dividend period, Arch Capital will be free to pay dividends on any other series of preferred shares and/or our common shares. In the past, we have not paid dividends on our common shares.
Our preferred shares are equity and are subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness.
Our preferred shares are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, these preferred shares will rank junior to all of our indebtedness and other non-equity claims with respect to assets available to satisfy our claims, including in our liquidation. Our existing and future indebtedness may restrict payments of dividends on our preferred shares. Additionally, unlike indebtedness, where principal and interest would customarily be payable on specified due dates, in the case of preferred shares, (1) dividends are payable only if declared by the board of directors of Arch Capital (or a duly authorized committee of the board) and (2) as described under “Risks Relating to Our Company-Arch Capital is a holding company and is dependent on dividends and other distributions from its operating subsidiaries,” we are subject to certain regulatory and other constraints affecting our ability to pay dividends and make other payments.
We may issue additional securities that rank equally with or senior to our series E and series F preferred shares without limitation. The issuance of securities ranking equally with or senior to our preferred shares may reduce the amount available for dividends and the amount recoverable by
holders of such series in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Arch Capital.
The voting rights of holders of our preferred shares are limited.
Holders of our preferred shares have no voting rights with respect to matters that generally require the approval of voting shareholders. The limited voting rights of holders of our preferred shares include the right to vote as a class on certain fundamental matters that affect the preference or special rights of our preferred shares as set forth in the certificate of designations relating to each series of preferred shares. In addition, if dividends on our series E or series F preferred shares have not been declared or paid for the equivalent of six dividend payments, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods, holders of the outstanding series E or series F preferred shares will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors to our board of directors subject to the terms and to the limited extent as set forth in the certificate of designations relating to such series of preferred shares.
Risks Relating to Taxation
We and our non-U.S. subsidiaries may become subject to U.S. federal income taxation and/or the U.S. federal income tax liabilities of our U.S. subsidiaries may increase, including as a result of changes in tax law.
Arch Capital and its non-U.S. subsidiaries intend to operate their business in a manner that will not cause them to be treated as engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and, thus, will not be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes (other than U.S. excise taxes on insurance and reinsurance premiums and withholding taxes on certain U.S. source investment income) on their income. However, because there is uncertainty as to the activities which constitute being engaged in a trade or business in the U.S., there can be no assurances that the IRS will not contend successfully that Arch Capital or its non-U.S. subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business in the U.S., in which case our shareholders' equity and earnings could be adversely affected.
Congress has been considering several legislative proposals intended to eliminate certain perceived tax advantages of Bermuda and other non-U.S. insurance companies. There is no assurance that any such legislative proposal will not be enacted into law and any such enacted law which could materially increase our income tax liabilities or those of our subsidiaries.
ARCH CAPITAL 44
2020 FORM 10-K
The enactment and implementation of the Tax Cuts Act may have a material and adverse impact on our operations and financial condition.
Certain provisions in the Tax Cuts Act could have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and business operation. One such provision imposes a 10% minimum base erosion and anti-abuse tax (increased to 12.5% for the 2026 taxable year and the subsequent taxable years) on the “modified taxable income” of a U.S. corporation (or a non-U.S. corporation engaged in a U.S. trade or business) over such corporation’s regular U.S. federal income tax, reduced by certain tax credits. The “modified taxable income” of a corporation is determined without deduction for certain payments by such corporation to its non-U.S. affiliates (including reinsurance premiums). Other provisions of the Tax Cuts Act that could have a material and adverse impact on us include a provision that defers or disallows a U.S. corporation’s deduction of interest expense to the extent such interest expense exceeds a specified percentage of such U.S. corporation’s “adjusted taxable income” and a provision that adjusts the manner in which a U.S. property and casualty insurance company computes its loss reserve.
In addition, there is no assurance that subsequent changes in tax laws or regulations will not materially and adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
We may become subject to taxes in Bermuda after March 31, 2035, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Under current Bermuda law, we are not subject to tax on income, profits, withholding, capital gains or capital transfers. Furthermore, we have obtained from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 of Bermuda, an assurance that, in the event that Bermuda enacts legislation imposing tax computed on profits, income, any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of the tax will not be applicable to us or our operations until March 31, 2035. Given the limited duration of the Minister of Finance's assurance we cannot be certain that we will not be subject to any Bermuda tax after that date, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. This assurance does not, however, prevent the imposition of taxes on any person ordinarily resident in Bermuda or any company in respect of its ownership of real property or leasehold interests in Bermuda.
The impact of Bermuda's letter of commitment to the OECD to eliminate harmful tax practices is uncertain and could adversely affect our tax status in Bermuda
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) has published reports and launched a global initiative among member and non-member countries on measures to limit harmful tax competition. These measures are largely directed at counteracting the effects of tax havens and preferential tax regimes in countries around the world. Bermuda was not listed in the most recent report as an uncooperative tax haven jurisdiction because it had previously committed to eliminate harmful tax practices, to embrace international tax standards for transparency, to exchange information and to eliminate an environment that attracts business with no substantial domestic activity. We are not able to predict what changes will arise from the commitment or whether such changes will subject us to additional taxes.
The impact of commitments made by the government of Bermuda in order to avoid being named on the EU’s list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions is uncertain and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
On December 5, 2017 the Council of the European Union published its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (the “EU Blacklist”). Bermuda was not named on the EU Blacklist due to commitments made by its government to improve certain “substance requirement” deficiencies that were identified by the EU during the screening process. This commitment led to the passing of the Economic Substance Act 2018 (as amended) of Bermuda (the “ES Act”) in December 2018, which came into force on 1 January 2019. While the the legislation remains subject to further clarification and interpretation, it is not currently possible to ascertain the steps required to ensure our continued compliance with the ES Act and makes it difficult to predict its future impact. Any entity found to be lacking adequate economic substance may be fined or ordered by a court to take action to remedy such failure (or face being struck off the companies register). As a result, there is a risk that non-compliance with its economic substance requirements under the ES Act could require Arch to enhance its infrastructure in Bermuda, and this may result in some additional operational expenditures, increased tax liabilities and/or compliance costs for Arch.
We may become subject to increased taxation in Bermuda and other countries as a result of the OECD's plan on “Base erosion and profit shifting.”
The OECD, with the support of the G20, initiated the “base erosion and profit shifting” (“BEPS”) project in 2013 in response to concerns that changes are needed to international tax laws to address situations where multinationals may pay little or no tax in certain jurisdictions by shifting profits away from jurisdictions where the activities creating those profits may take place. In November 2015, “final reports” were approved for adoption by the G20 finance ministers. The final reports provide the basis for international standards for
ARCH CAPITAL 45
2020 FORM 10-K
corporate taxation that are designed to prevent, among other things, the artificial shifting of income to tax havens and low-tax jurisdictions, the erosion of the tax base through interest deductions on intercompany debt and the artificial avoidance of permanent establishments (i.e., tax nexus with a jurisdiction).
Legislation to adopt and implement these standards, including country by country reporting, has been enacted or is currently under consideration in a number of jurisdictions. As a result, our income may be taxed in jurisdictions where it is not currently taxed and at higher rates of tax than currently taxed, which may substantially increase our effective tax rate. Also, the continued adoption of these standards may increase the complexity and costs associated with tax compliance and adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.
In May 2019, the OECD published a “Programme of Work,” divided into two pillars, which is designed to address the tax challenges created by an increasing digitalized economy. Pillar One addresses the broader challenge of a digitalized economy and focuses on the allocation of group profits among taxing jurisdictions based on a market-based concept rather than historical “permanent establishment” concepts. Pillar Two addresses the remaining BEPS risk of profit shifting to entities in low tax jurisdictions by introducing a global minimum tax and a proposed tax on base eroding payments, which would operate through a denial of a deduction or imposition of source-based taxation (including withholding tax) on certain payments. In January 2020, the OECD released a statement excluding most financial services activities, including insurance activities, from the scope of the profit reallocation mechanism in Pillar I. The OECD statement cited the presence of commercial (rather than consumer) customers as grounds for the carve-out, but also acknowledged that a “compelling case” could be made that the consumer-facing business lines of insurance companies should be excluded from the scope of Pillar I given the impact of regulations and licensing requirements that typically ensure that residual profits are largely realized in local customer markets. However, the OECD noted that the proper scope for Pillar I as applied to “unregulated elements of the financial services sector” may require further consideration. To date, the proposal has been written broadly enough to potentially apply to our activities, and we are unable to determine at this time when such measures would be implemented and if so, whether they will be in a form that whether it would have a material adverse impact on our operations and results.
The EU’s review of harmful tax competition could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations
During 2017, the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (“ECOFIN”) released a list of noncooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The stated aim of this list, and accompanying report, was to promote good governance worldwide in order to maximize efforts to prevent tax fraud and tax evasion. Bermuda was not on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, but did feature in the report (along with approximately 40 other jurisdictions) as having committed to address concerns relating to economic substance by December 31, 2018. In accordance with that commitment, Bermuda has enacted the ES Act that came into force on 1 January 2019, that requires a registered entity other than an entity which is resident for tax purposes in certain jurisdictions outside Bermuda (“non-resident entity”) that carries on as a business any one or more of the “relevant activities” referred to in the ES Act, , which includes carrying on an insurance business, to maintain a substantial economic presence in Bermuda and to satisfy economic substance requirements. Any entity that must satisfy economic substance requirements but fails to do so could face automatic disclosure to competent authorities in the EU of the information filed by the entity with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies in connection with the economic substance requirements and may also face financial penalties, restriction or regulation of its business activities and/or may be struck off as a registered entity in Bermuda.
At present, the impact of these new economic substance requirements is unclear, and it is impossible to predict the nature and effect of these requirements on us. As the legislation is new and remains subject to further clarification and interpretation, it is not currently possible to ascertain the precise impact of the ES Act. Compliance with economic substance requirements may increase the complexity and costs of carrying on our business and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Application of the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directives
As part of the BEPS project, the EU Council adopted on 12 July 2016 Council Directive (EU) 2016/1164 (“ATAD I”), as amended by Council Directive (EU) 2017/952 (“ATAD II”, together with ATAD I, “ATAD”), to provide for minimum standard across EU Member States for tackling aggressive tax planning involving hybrid tax mismatches and interest deductibility. ATAD I was required to be transposed into domestic Member State law with effect from January 1, 2019, whilst ATAD II was required to be transposed into domestic Member State law with effect from January 1, 2020 (with an exception in respect of reverse hybrid mismatch provisions, which will take effect on January 1, 2022). The full impact of the application of ATAD is not yet clear. However, ATAD could result in increased tax liabilities and/or compliance costs and administrative burden for us.
ARCH CAPITAL 46
2020 FORM 10-K

---

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We lease office space in Bermuda where our principal offices are located. Our insurance group leases space for offices in the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, U.K., Europe and Australia. Our reinsurance group leases space for offices in the U.S., Bermuda, U.K., Europe, Canada and Dubai. Our mortgage group leases space for offices in the U.S., Hong Kong and Australia. We believe that the above described office space is adequate for our needs. However, as we continue to develop our business, we may open additional office locations in 2021.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of our business. As of December 31, 2020, we were not a party to any litigation or arbitration which is expected by management to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and liquidity.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ARCH CAPITAL 47
2020 FORM 10-K
PART II

---

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
HOLDERS
As of February 19, 2021, and based on information provided to us by our transfer agent and proxy solicitor, there were 893 holders of record of our common shares (NASDAQ: ACGL) and approximately 86,000 beneficial holders of our common shares.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following table summarizes our purchases of common shares for the 2020 fourth quarter:
Issuer Purchases of Common Shares
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan or Programs (2)
10/1/2020-10/31/2020
451 $ 31.01 - $ 924,514
11/1/2020-11/30/2020
142,559 $ 31.28 - $ 920,548
12/1/2020-12/31/2020
131,476 $ 32.93 - $ 916,528
Total
274,486 $ 32.07 - $ 916,528
(1) Includes repurchases by Arch Capital of shares, from time to time, from employees in order to facilitate the payment of withholding taxes on restricted shares granted and the exercise of stock appreciation rights. We purchased these shares at their fair market value, as determined by reference to the closing price of our common shares on the day the restricted shares vested or the stock appreciation rights were exercised.
(2) Remaining amount available at December 31, 2020 under Arch Capital’s share repurchase authorization, under which repurchases may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2021.
ARCH CAPITAL 48
2020 FORM 10-K
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares for each of the last five years through December 31, 2020 to the cumulative total return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, of (1) S&P 500 Composite Stock Index (“S&P 500 Index”) and (2) the S&P 500 Property & Casualty Insurance Index. The share price performance presented below is not necessarily indicative of future results.
CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (1)(2)(3)
Base Period
Company Name/Index 12/31/15 12/31/16 12/31/17 12/31/18 12/31/19 12/31/20
l Arch Capital Group Ltd. $100.00 $123.71 $130.14 $114.92 $184.47 $155.14
n
S&P 500 Index $100.00 $111.96 $136.40 $130.42 $171.49 $203.04
p S&P 500 Property & Casualty Insurance Index $100.00 $115.71 $141.61 $134.97 $169.88 $181.70
(1) Stock price appreciation plus dividends.
(2) The above graph assumes that the value of the investment was $100 on December 31, 2015.
(3) This graph is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

---

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Part II, Item 6 is no longer required as the Company has adopted certain provisions within the amendments to Regulation S-K that eliminate Item 301.
ARCH CAPITAL 49
2020 FORM 10-K

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Comparisons between 2019 and 2018 have been omitted from this Form 10-K, but may be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements which involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements and, therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements are discussed in this report, including the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Risk Factors.”
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented under Item 8. Tabular amounts are in U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share amounts, unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL
Overview
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (“Arch Capital” and, together with its subsidiaries, “we” or “us”) is a publicly listed Bermuda exempted company with approximately $15.8 billion in capital at December 31, 2020 and, through operations in Bermuda, the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong, writes specialty lines of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, as well as mortgage insurance and reinsurance, on a worldwide basis. It is our belief that our underwriting platform, our experienced management team and our strong capital base have enabled us to establish a strong presence in the insurance and reinsurance markets.
The worldwide property casualty insurance and reinsurance industry is highly competitive and has traditionally been subject to an underwriting cycle in which a hard market (high premium rates, restrictive underwriting standards, as well as terms and conditions, and underwriting gains) is eventually followed by a soft market (low premium rates, relaxed
underwriting standards, as well as broader terms and conditions, and underwriting losses). Property casualty market conditions may affect, among other things, the demand for our products, our ability to increase premium rates, the terms and conditions of the insurance policies we write, changes in the products offered by us or changes in our business strategy.
The financial results of the property casualty insurance and reinsurance industry are influenced by factors such as the frequency and/or severity of claims and losses, including natural disasters or other catastrophic events, variations in interest rates and financial markets, changes in the legal, regulatory and judicial environments, inflationary pressures and general economic conditions. These factors influence, among other things, the demand for insurance or reinsurance, the supply of which is generally related to the total capital of competitors in the market.
Mortgage insurance and reinsurance is subject to similar cycles to property casualty except that they have historically been more dependent on macroeconomic conditions.
Current Outlook
In keeping with our longstanding underwriting approach, we look for acceptable books of business to underwrite without sacrificing discipline. We continue to write a portion of our overall book in catastrophe-exposed business, which has the potential to increase the volatility of our operating results. From an operating perspective, our 2020 results reflected the benefits of rate improvements as all three of our underwriting segments are seeing attractive opportunities to grow at acceptable rates of return. We know from experience that this is an opportune time to significantly expand our participation into this hardening market. As such, we raised an additional $1.0 billion of capital in the form of long-term senior notes at the end of June 2020 and continue to deploy capital to those lines that provide the best expected returns.
Rate improvements in 2020 have enabled us to continue to expand writings in our property casualty segments as risk adjusted returns are increasingly achieved. In the insurance segment, our renewal rate changes increased approximately 12% in the 2020 fourth quarter and we believe that this trend of increasing rates will continue through 2021.
COVID-19 has continued to significantly impact social and economic activity in the U.S. and global markets. We are committed to the safety of our employees, including
ARCH CAPITAL 50
2020 FORM 10-K
restricting travel and instituting an extensive work from home policy. These actions have helped prevent a major disruption to our clients and operations. The impact of the spread of COVID-19 has changed some of our outlook for 2021, but we are navigating this period with a strong capital base. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our business, results of operations and financial results depends on numerous evolving factors including, but not limited to, the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, the extent to which it will impact macroeconomic conditions, the speed of the anticipated recovery and governmental, business and individual reactions to the pandemic. Given the continuing evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak and the response to curb its spread including the release of vaccines, we continue to not be able to estimate the future effects of the COVID-19 outbreak to our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
For the 2020 period, we recorded $272 million for COVID-19 losses across our property casualty segments. We continue to have limited information to accurately quantify our potential exposure to the pandemic in certain areas but have established IBNR reserves for occurrences based on policy terms and conditions including limits, sub-limits, and deductibles. These reserves were recorded across a number of lines of business, such as trade credit, travel, workers compensation and property where we have limited exposure to policies that do not contain a specific pandemic exclusion and/or explicitly afford business interruption coverage under a pandemic. Given the unusual circumstances and breadth of the pandemic, we have classified COVID-19 losses as a catastrophe.
For our U.S. primary mortgage operations, reported delinquencies were 4.19% at December 31, 2020, compared to 4.69% at September 30, 2020. Delinquencies continue to be better than our expectations at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, delinquency rates remain at elevated levels, reflecting the impact of the recession and forbearance programs under the CARES Act (including any extensions) to borrowers experiencing a hardship during COVID-19. Forbearance allows for mortgage payments to be suspended for up to 18 months along with a suspension of foreclosures and evictions. See “Results of Operations-Mortgage Segment” for further details on our mortgage operations.
Record mortgage originations fueled by low mortgage rates are continuing to create surges in both purchase and refinancing activity. There remains significant uncertainty on the economy’s health and the lack of a full understanding on how COVID-19 may impact individual borrowers and, as such, caution is warranted on predicting how this will ultimately affect our results of operations.
We believe that delinquency rates could increase in the future from the current level, as additional borrowers may request
forbearance on their mortgage loans under the CARES Act. We would record loss reserves on these delinquencies which would result in elevated levels of incurred losses over the coming quarters. Over time, we would expect many of these delinquencies to cure and revert back to performing loans as the economy returns to a less-stressed state. At this time, we do not have enough visibility to predictably forecast the rate at which forbearance delinquencies will be reported to us, cure or ultimately turn into claims on an annual, let alone a quarterly basis. We are cautiously optimistic that delinquencies will continue to cure as vaccines enable economies to reopen. Record home purchases in the U.S. in 2020 supported a 5% price appreciation nationwide while historically low interest rates accelerated housing and refinancing demand. Our outlook for continued growth in 2021 remains positive. For further discussion of the potential impacts of COVID-19, see “ITEM 1A - Risk Factors”.
We remain committed to providing solutions across many offerings as the marketplace evolves, including the mortgage credit risk transfer programs initiated by government sponsored enterprises, or “GSEs.” In addition, we enter into aggregate excess of loss mortgage reinsurance agreements with various special purpose reinsurance companies domiciled in Bermuda (the Bellemeade Agreements) and issue mortgage insurance linked notes, increasing our protection for mortgage tail risk. The Bellemeade structures provide approximately $4.0 billion of aggregate reinsurance coverage.
FINANCIAL MEASURES
Management uses the following three key financial indicators in evaluating our performance and measuring the overall growth in value generated for Arch Capital’s common shareholders:
Book Value per Share
Book value per share represents total common shareholders’ equity available to Arch divided by the number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding. Management uses growth in book value per share as a key measure of the value generated for our common shareholders each period and believes that book value per share is the key driver of Arch Capital’s share price over time. Book value per share is impacted by, among other factors, our underwriting results, investment returns and share repurchase activity, which has an accretive or dilutive impact on book value per share depending on the purchase price. Book value per share was $30.31 at December 31, 2020, a 14.7% increase from $26.42 at December 31, 2019. The growth in 2020 reflected strong underwriting results and investment returns.
ARCH CAPITAL 51
2020 FORM 10-K
Operating Return on Average Common Equity
Operating return on average common equity (“Operating ROAE”) represents annualized after-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders divided by average common shareholders’ equity available to Arch during the period. After-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders, a “non-GAAP measure” as defined in the SEC rules, represents net income available to Arch common shareholders, excluding net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses and transaction costs and other, net of income taxes. Management uses Operating ROAE as a key measure of the return generated to Arch common shareholders. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Our Operating ROAE was 4.8% for 2020, compared to 12.0% for 2019. The lower Operating ROAE for 2020 reflected impact of elevated catastrophic activity including COVID-19 on underwriting results and lower investment income than in the 2019 periods.
Total Return on Investments
Total return on investments includes investment income, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net realized gains and losses and the change in unrealized gains and losses generated by Arch’s investment portfolio. Total return is calculated on a pre-tax basis and before investment expenses excluding amounts reflected in the ‘other’ segment, and reflects the effect of financial market conditions along with foreign currency fluctuations. Management uses total return on investments as a key measure of the return generated to Arch common shareholders on the capital held in the business, and compares the return generated by our investment portfolio against benchmark returns which we measured our portfolio against during the periods.
The following table summarizes the pre-tax total return (before investment expenses) of investment held by Arch compared to the benchmark return (both based in U.S. Dollars) against which we measured our portfolio during the periods:
Arch
Portfolio (1) Benchmark
Return
Pre-tax total return (before investment expenses):
Year Ended December 31, 2020 7.77 % 7.16 %
Year Ended December 31, 2019 7.30 % 7.39 %
(1) Our investment expenses were approximately 0.31% and 0.33%, respectively, of average invested assets in 2020 and 2019.
Total return for our investment portfolio outperformed the benchmark return index in 2020 and reflected the impact of
lower interest rates on our fixed income portfolio. The duration of our investment portfolio decreased to 3.01 years at year-end, reflecting our ongoing positioning of the portfolio towards shorter-term and high credit opportunities, as we expect the yield curve may steepen over the coming quarters.
The benchmark return index is a customized combination of indices intended to approximate a target portfolio by asset mix and average credit quality while also matching the approximate estimated duration and currency mix of our insurance and reinsurance liabilities. Although the estimated duration and average credit quality of this index will move as the duration and rating of its constituent securities change, generally we do not adjust the composition of the benchmark return index except to incorporate changes to the mix of liability currencies and durations noted above. The benchmark return index should not be interpreted as expressing a preference for or aversion to any particular sector or sector weight. The index is intended solely to provide, unlike many master indices that change based on the size of their constituent indices, a relatively stable basket of investable indices. At December 31, 2020, the benchmark return index had an average credit quality of “Aa3” by Moody’s, an estimated duration of 3.02 years.
The benchmark return index included weightings to the following indices:
%
ICE BoAML 1-10 Year A - AAA U.S. Corporate Index 21.00 %
ICE BoAML 1-5 Year U.S. Treasury Index 15.00
MSCI ACWI Net Total Return USD Index 8.60
ICE BoAML 3-5 Year Fixed Rate Asset Backed Securities Index 7.00
S&P Leveraged Loan Total Return Index 5.20
Bloomberg Barclays CMBS Invest Grade Aaa Total Return Index 5.00
ICE BoAML 1-10 Year BBB U.S. Corporate Index 4.00
ICE BoAML U.S. Mortgage Backed Securities Index 4.00
ICE BoAML 1-5 Year U.K. Gilt Index 4.00
ICE BoAML German Government 1-10 Year Index 3.50
ICE BoAML 0-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index 3.25
ICE BoAML 1-10 Year U.S. Municipal Securities Index 3.00
ICE BoAML 5-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index 3.00
ICE BoAML 1-5 Year Australia Government Index 2.75
ICE BoAML U.S. High Yield Constrained Index 2.50
ICE BoAML 1-5 Year Canada Government Index 2.00
Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Total Return Index 1.50
Hedge Fund Research HFRX ED Distressed Restructuring Index (Flagship Funds) 1.50
Dow Jones Global ex-US Select Real Estate Securities Total Return Net Index 0.90
FTSE Nareit All Mortgage Capped Index Total Return USD 0.90
Bloomberg Barclays CMBS: Erisa Eligible Unhedged USD 0.90
ICE BoAML 20+ Year Canada Government Index 0.50
Total 100.00 %
ARCH CAPITAL 52
2020 FORM 10-K
COMMENT ON NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Throughout this filing, we present our operations in the way we believe will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use our financial information in evaluating the performance of our company. This presentation includes the use of after-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders, which is defined as net income available to Arch common shareholders, excluding net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses, transaction costs and other and income taxes, and the use of annualized operating return on average common equity. The presentation of after-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders and annualized operating return on average common equity are non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G. The reconciliation of such measures to net income available to Arch common shareholders and annualized return on average common equity (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures) in accordance with Regulation G is included under “Results of Operations” below.
We believe that net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses and transaction costs and other in any particular period are not indicative of the performance of, or trends in, our business. Although net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method and net foreign exchange gains or losses are an integral part of our operations, the decision to realize investment gains or losses, the recognition of the change in the carrying value of investments accounted for using the fair value option in net realized gains or losses, the recognition of net impairment losses, the recognition of equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method and the recognition of foreign exchange gains or losses are independent of the insurance underwriting process and result, in large part, from general economic and financial market conditions. Furthermore, certain users of our financial information believe that, for many companies, the timing of the realization of investment gains or losses is largely opportunistic. In addition, changes in allowance for credit losses and net impairment losses recognized in earnings on the Company’s investments represent other-than-temporary declines in expected recovery values on securities without actual realization. The use of the equity method on certain of our investments in certain funds that invest in fixed maturity securities is driven by the ownership structure of such funds (either limited partnerships or limited liability companies). In applying the equity method, these investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on our proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds
(which include changes in the market value of the underlying securities in the funds). This method of accounting is different from the way we account for our other fixed maturity securities and the timing of the recognition of equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method may differ from gains or losses in the future upon sale or maturity of such investments. Transaction costs and other include advisory, financing, legal, severance, incentive compensation and other transaction costs related to acquisitions. We believe that transaction costs and other, due to their non-recurring nature, are not indicative of the performance of, or trends in, our business performance. Due to these reasons, we exclude net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses and transaction costs and other from the calculation of after-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders.
We believe that showing net income available to Arch common shareholders exclusive of the items referred to above reflects the underlying fundamentals of our business since we evaluate the performance of and manage our business to produce an underwriting profit. In addition to presenting net income available to Arch common shareholders, we believe that this presentation enables investors and other users of our financial information to analyze our performance in a manner similar to how management analyzes performance. We also believe that this measure follows industry practice and, therefore, allows the users of financial information to compare our performance with our industry peer group. We believe that the equity analysts and certain rating agencies which follow us and the insurance industry as a whole generally exclude these items from their analyses for the same reasons.
Our segment information includes the presentation of consolidated underwriting income or loss and a subtotal of underwriting income or loss before the contribution from the ‘other’ segment. Such measures represent the pre-tax profitability of our underwriting operations and include net premiums earned plus other underwriting income, less losses and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition expenses and other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include those operating expenses that are incremental and/or directly attributable to our individual underwriting operations. Underwriting income or loss does not incorporate items included in our corporate (non-underwriting) segment. While these measures are presented in note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8, they are considered non-GAAP financial measures when presented elsewhere on a consolidated basis. The reconciliations of underwriting income or loss to income before income taxes (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure) on a consolidated basis and a subtotal before the contribution from the ‘other’ segment, in
ARCH CAPITAL 53
2020 FORM 10-K
accordance with Regulation G, is shown in note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
We measure segment performance for our three underwriting segments based on underwriting income or loss. We do not manage our assets by underwriting segment, with the exception of goodwill and intangible assets, and, accordingly, investment income and other non-underwriting related items are not allocated to each underwriting segment. For the ‘other’ segment, performance is measured based on net income or loss.
Along with consolidated underwriting income, we provide a subtotal of underwriting income or loss before the contribution from the ‘other’ segment. Pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, Watford is considered a variable interest entity and we concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of Watford. As such, we consolidate the results of Watford in our consolidated financial statements, although we only own approximately 13% of Watford’s common equity as of December 31, 2020. Watford has its own management and board of directors that is responsible for its results and profitability. In addition, we do not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford. Since Watford is an independent company, the assets of Watford can be used only to settle obligations of Watford and Watford is solely responsible for its own liabilities and commitments. Our financial exposure to Watford is limited to our investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from reinsurance transactions. We believe that presenting certain information excluding the ‘other’ segment enables investors and other users of our financial information to analyze our performance in a manner similar to how our management analyzes performance.
Our presentation of segment information includes the use of a current year loss ratio which excludes favorable or adverse development in prior year loss reserves. This ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined in Regulation G. The reconciliation of such measure to the loss ratio (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure) in accordance with Regulation G is shown on the individual segment pages. Management utilizes the current year loss ratio in its analysis of the underwriting performance of each of our underwriting segments.
Total return on investments includes investment income, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net realized gains and losses and the change in unrealized gains and losses generated by Arch’s investment portfolio. Total return is calculated on a pre-tax basis and before investment expenses, excludes amounts reflected in the ‘other’ segment, and reflects the effect of financial market conditions along with foreign currency
fluctuations. In addition, total return incorporates the timing of investment returns during the periods. There is no directly comparable GAAP financial measure for total return. Management uses total return on investments as a key measure of the return generated to Arch common shareholders on the capital held in the business, and compares the return generated by our investment portfolio against benchmark returns which we measured our portfolio against during the periods.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our consolidated financial data, including a reconciliation of net income available to Arch common shareholders to after-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders. Each line item reflects the impact of our percentage ownership of Watford’s common equity during such period.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Net income available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,363,909 $ 1,594,707
Net realized (gains) losses (814,808) (349,848)
Equity in net (income) loss of investments accounted for using the equity method (146,693) (123,672)
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses 80,591 10,732
Transaction costs and other 9,964 14,444
Income tax expense (benefit) (1) 64,145 16,276
After-tax operating income available to Arch common shareholders $ 557,108 $ 1,162,639
Beginning common shareholders’ equity $ 10,717,371 $ 8,659,827
Ending common shareholders’ equity 12,325,886 10,717,371
Average common shareholders’ equity $ 11,521,629 $ 9,688,599
Annualized return on average common equity % 11.8 16.5
Annualized operating return on average common equity % 4.8 12.0
(1)Income tax on net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses and transaction costs and other reflects the relative mix reported by jurisdiction and the varying tax rates in each jurisdiction.
Results in all periods presented reflected the impact of current insurance and reinsurance market conditions and the impact of low interest yields on our investment portfolio.
Segment Information
We classify our businesses into three underwriting segments - insurance, reinsurance and mortgage - and two other operating segments - corporate (non-underwriting) and ‘other.’ Our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage segments each have managers who are responsible for the overall
ARCH CAPITAL 54
2020 FORM 10-K
profitability of their respective segments and who are directly accountable to our chief operating decision makers, the Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Arch Capital and the President and Chief Underwriting Officer of Arch Capital. The chief operating decision makers do not assess performance, measure return on equity or make resource allocation decisions on a line of business basis. Management measures segment performance for our three underwriting segments based on underwriting income or loss. We do not manage our assets by underwriting segment, with the exception of goodwill and intangible assets, and, accordingly, investment income is not allocated to each underwriting segment.
We determined our reportable segments using the management approach described in accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used for the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Intersegment business is allocated to the segment accountable for the underwriting results.
Insurance Segment
The following tables set forth our insurance segment’s underwriting results:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 % Change
Gross premiums written $ 4,688,562 $ 3,907,993 20.0
Premiums ceded (1,525,655) (1,266,267)
Net premiums written 3,162,907 2,641,726 19.7
Change in unearned premiums (291,487) (244,646)
Net premiums earned 2,871,420 2,397,080 19.8
Other underwriting income (31) -
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (2,092,453) (1,615,475)
Acquisition expenses (418,483) (361,614)
Other operating expenses (489,153) (454,770)
Underwriting income (loss) $ (128,700) $ (34,779) (270.1)
Underwriting Ratios % Point Change
Loss ratio 72.9 % 67.4 % 5.5
Acquisition expense ratio 14.6 % 15.1 % (0.5)
Other operating expense ratio 17.0 % 19.0 % (2.0)
Combined ratio 104.5 % 101.5 % 3.0
The insurance segment consists of our insurance underwriting units which offer specialty product lines on a worldwide basis, as described in note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Premiums Written.
The following tables set forth our insurance segment’s net premiums written by major line of business:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Property, energy, marine and aviation $ 619,034 19.6 $ 368,120 13.9
Professional Lines 743,486 23.5 534,323 20.2
Programs 437,973 13.8 426,535 16.1
Construction and national accounts 364,104 11.5 369,202 14.0
Excess and surplus casualty 297,330 9.4 228,023 8.6
Travel, accident and health 212,974 6.7 305,170 11.6
Lenders products 156,119 4.9 111,708 4.2
Other 331,887 10.5 298,645 11.3
Total $ 3,162,907 100.0 $ 2,641,726 100.0
Net premiums written by the insurance segment were 19.7% higher in 2020 than in 2019. The higher level of net premiums written reflected increases across most lines of business, due in part to new business opportunities, rate increases and growth in existing accounts, partially offset by a decrease in travel business, reflecting the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Net Premiums Earned.
The following tables set forth our insurance segment’s net premiums earned by major line of business:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Property, energy, marine and aviation $ 517,247 18.0 $ 298,966 12.5
Professional Lines 655,872 22.8 499,224 20.8
Programs 432,854 15.1 414,103 17.3
Construction and national accounts 387,934 13.5 325,687 13.6
Excess and surplus casualty 270,620 9.4 200,615 8.4
Travel, accident and health 190,944 6.6 305,085 12.7
Lenders products 114,687 4.0 66,079 2.8
Other 301,262 10.5 287,321 12.0
Total $ 2,871,420 100.0 $ 2,397,080 100.0
ARCH CAPITAL 55
2020 FORM 10-K
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.
The table below shows the components of the insurance segment’s loss ratio:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Current year
73.2 % 68.1 %
Prior period reserve development
(0.3) % (0.7) %
Loss ratio
72.9 % 67.4 %
Current Year Loss Ratio.
The insurance segment’s current year loss ratio was 5.1 points higher in 2020 than in 2019. The 2020 loss ratio included 9.5 points of current year catastrophic event activity, including 4.1 points for exposure related to COVID-19, compared to 1.4 points in 2019. The balance of the change in the 2020 loss ratio resulted, in part, from the effect of rate increases, changes in mix of business and the level of attritional losses.
Prior Period Reserve Development.
The insurance segment’s net favorable development was $7.8 million, or 0.3 points, for 2020, compared to $15.8 million, or 0.7 points, for 2019. See note 5, “Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for information about the insurance segment’s prior year reserve development.
Underwriting Expenses.
The insurance segment’s underwriting expense ratio was 31.6% in 2020, compared to 34.1% in 2019, with the decrease primarily primarily due to growth in net premiums earned.
Reinsurance Segment
The following tables set forth our reinsurance segment’s underwriting results:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 % Change
Gross premiums written $ 3,472,086 $ 2,323,223 49.5
Premiums ceded (1,014,716) (720,500)
Net premiums written 2,457,370 1,602,723 53.3
Change in unearned premiums (295,141) (136,334)
Net premiums earned 2,162,229 1,466,389 47.5
Other underwriting income (loss) 4,454 6,444
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (1,628,320) (1,011,329)
Acquisition expenses (354,048) (239,032)
Other operating expenses (168,011) (141,484)
Underwriting income $ 16,304 $ 80,988 (79.9)
Underwriting Ratios % Point Change
Loss ratio 75.3 % 69.0 % 6.3
Acquisition expense ratio 16.4 % 16.3 % 0.1
Other operating expense ratio 7.8 % 9.6 % (1.8)
Combined ratio 99.5 % 94.9 % 4.6
The reinsurance segment consists of our reinsurance underwriting units which offer specialty product lines on a worldwide basis, as described in note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
Premiums Written.
The following tables set forth our reinsurance segment’s net premiums written by major line of business:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Property excluding property catastrophe $ 697,086 28.4 $ 403,320 25.2
Property catastrophe 286,210 11.6 110,643 6.9
Other Specialty 709,308 28.9 466,977 29.1
Casualty 542,319 22.1 510,374 31.8
Marine and aviation 141,414 5.8 53,679 3.3
Other 81,033 3.3 57,730 3.6
Total $ 2,457,370 100.0 $ 1,602,723 100.0
Gross premiums written by the reinsurance segment in 2020 were 49.5% higher than in 2019, while net premiums written were 53.3% higher than in 2019. The growth in net premiums written reflected increases in most lines of business, primarily due to growth in existing accounts, new business, and rate increases.
ARCH CAPITAL 56
2020 FORM 10-K
Net Premiums Earned.
The following tables set forth our reinsurance segment’s net premiums earned by major line of business:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Property excluding property catastrophe $ 562,208 26.0 $ 362,841 24.7
Property catastrophe 237,736 11.0 90,934 6.2
Other Specialty 626,409 29.0 478,517 32.6
Casualty 549,056 25.4 429,288 29.3
Marine and aviation 109,624 5.1 48,274 3.3
Other 77,196 3.6 56,535 3.9
Total $ 2,162,229 100.0 $ 1,466,389 100.0
Net premiums earned in 2020 were 47.5% higher than in 2019, reflecting changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters, including the mix and type of business written.
Other Underwriting Income (Loss).
Other underwriting income in 2020 was $4.5 million, compared to $6.4 million in 2019.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.
The table below shows the components of the reinsurance segment’s loss ratio:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Current year
81.5 % 72.2 %
Prior period reserve development
(6.2) % (3.2) %
Loss ratio
75.3 % 69.0 %
Current Year Loss Ratio.
The reinsurance segment’s current year loss ratio was 9.3 points higher in 2020 than in 2019. The 2020 loss ratio included 20.1 points for current year catastrophic event activity, including 7.2 points for exposure related to COVID-19, compared to 5.7 points in 2019, primarily related to Hurricane Dorian and Typhoons Hagibis and Faxai. The balance of the change in the 2020 current year loss ratio resulted, in part, from the effect of rate increases, changes in mix of business and the level of attritional losses.
Prior Period Reserve Development.
The reinsurance segment’s net favorable development was $134.0 million, or 6.2 points, for 2020, compared to $46.4 million, or 3.2 points, for 2019, See note 5, “Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for information about the reinsurance segment’s prior year reserve development.
Underwriting Expenses.
The underwriting expense ratio for the reinsurance segment was 24.2% in 2020, compared to 25.9% in 2019, reflecting growth in net premiums earned.
Mortgage Segment
Our mortgage operations include U.S. and international mortgage insurance and reinsurance operations as well as participation in GSE credit risk-sharing transactions. Our mortgage group includes direct mortgage insurance in the U.S. primarily through Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company and Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company (together, “Arch MI U.S.”); mortgage reinsurance through Arch Re Bermuda to mortgage insurers on both a proportional and non-proportional basis globally; direct mortgage insurance in Europe through Arch Insurance (EU) and in Hong Kong through Arch MI Asia; in Australia through Arch LMI; and participation in various GSE credit risk-sharing products primarily through Arch Re Bermuda.
The following tables set forth our mortgage segment’s underwriting results.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 % Change
Gross premiums written $ 1,473,999 $ 1,466,265 0.5
Premiums ceded (194,149) (204,509)
Net premiums written 1,279,850 1,261,756 1.4
Change in unearned premiums 118,085 104,584
Net premiums earned 1,397,935 1,366,340 2.3
Other underwriting income 20,316 16,005
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (528,344) (53,513)
Acquisition expenses (134,240) (134,319)
Other operating expenses (162,202) (153,092)
Underwriting income $ 593,465 $ 1,041,421 (43.0)
Underwriting Ratios % Point Change
Loss ratio 37.8 % 3.9 % 33.9
Acquisition expense ratio 9.6 % 9.8 % (0.2)
Other operating expense ratio 11.6 % 11.2 % 0.4
Combined ratio 59.0 % 24.9 % 34.1
ARCH CAPITAL 57
2020 FORM 10-K
Premiums Written.
The following table sets forth our mortgage segment’s net premiums written by underwriting location (i.e., where the business is underwritten):
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Net premiums written by underwriting location
United States $ 1,021,950 $ 1,032,868
Other 257,900 228,888
Total $ 1,279,850 $ 1,261,756
Gross premiums written by the mortgage segment in 2020 were 0.5% higher than in 2019. Net premiums written for 2020 were 1.4% higher than in the 2019 period primarily reflecting growth in Australian single premium mortgage insurance, partially offset by a lower level of U.S. primary mortgage insurance in force on monthly premium policies.
The persistency rate of the primary portfolio of mortgage loans of Arch MI U.S. was 58.7% at December 31, 2020 compared to 75.7% at December 31, 2019, with the decrease primarily reflecting a higher level of refinancing activity. The persistency rate represents the percentage of mortgage insurance in force at the beginning of a 12-month period that remains in force at the end of such period.
Net Premiums Earned.
The following table sets forth our mortgage segment’s net premiums earned by underwriting location (i.e., where the business is underwritten):
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Net premiums earned by underwriting location
United States $ 1,158,563 $ 1,134,849
Other 239,372 231,491
Total $ 1,397,935 $ 1,366,340
Net premiums earned for 2020 were 2.3% higher than in 2019, primarily reflecting a higher level of single premiums earned as a result of policy terminations due to mortgage refinance activity.
Other Underwriting Income.
Other underwriting income, which is due in part to GSE risk-sharing transactions receiving derivative accounting treatment was $20.3 million for 2020, compared to $16.0 million for 2019.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.
The table below shows the components of the mortgage segment’s loss ratio:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Current year
39.2 % 13.1 %
Prior period reserve development
(1.4) % (9.2) %
Loss ratio
37.8 % 3.9 %
Unlike property and casualty business for which we estimate ultimate losses on premiums earned, losses on mortgage insurance business are only recorded at the time a borrower is delinquent on their mortgage, in accordance with primary mortgage insurance industry practice. Because our primary mortgage insurance reserving process does not take into account the impact of future losses from loans that are not delinquent, mortgage insurance loss reserves are not an estimate of ultimate losses. In addition to establishing loss reserves for delinquent loans, under GAAP, we are required to establish a premium deficiency reserve for our mortgage insurance products if the amount of expected future losses and maintenance costs exceeds expected future premiums, existing reserves and the anticipated investment income for such product. We assess the need for a premium deficiency reserve on a quarterly basis and perform a full analysis annually. No such reserve was established during 2020 and 2019.
Current Year Loss Ratio.
The mortgage segment’s current year loss ratio was 26.1 points higher in 2020 compared to 2019. The percentage of loans in default on U.S. primary mortgage insurance increased from 1.54% at December 31, 2019 to 4.19% at December 31, 2020.
Incurred losses for the 2020 periods reflected elevated delinquency rates due, in part, to financial stress from the COVID-19 pandemic. Segregating estimated losses due to COVID-19 from the overall mortgage segment estimated losses would require knowledge of the number of delinquencies specifically attributable to COVID-19. As this exercise cannot be performed accurately, the Company is not reporting COVID-19 provisions separately from its overall loss provisions.
We insure mortgages for homes in areas that have been impacted by catastrophic events. Generally, mortgage insurance losses occur only when a credit event occurs and, following a physical damage event, when the home is restored to pre-storm condition. Our ultimate claims exposure will depend on the number of delinquency notices received and the ultimate claim rate related to such notices. In the event of natural disasters, cure rates are influenced by the
ARCH CAPITAL 58
2020 FORM 10-K
adequacy of homeowners and flood insurance carried on a related property, and a borrower's access to aid from government entities and private organizations, in addition to other factors which generally impact cure rates in unaffected areas.
Prior Period Reserve Development.
The mortgage segment’s net favorable development was $19.0 million, or 1.4 points, for 2020, compared to $125.2 million, or 9.2 points, for 2019. See note 5, “Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for information about the mortgage segment’s prior year reserve development.
Underwriting Expenses.
The underwriting expense ratio for the mortgage segment was 21.2% for 2020, in line with 21.0% for 2019.
Corporate (Non-Underwriting) Segment
The corporate (non-underwriting) segment results include net investment income, other income (loss), corporate expenses, transaction costs and other, amortization of intangible assets, interest expense, items related to our non-cumulative preferred shares, net realized gains or losses, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses and income taxes. Such amounts exclude the results of the ‘other’ segment.
Net Investment Income.
The components of net investment income were derived from the following sources:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Fixed maturities
$ 358,804 $ 440,824
Equity securities
28,007 13,455
Short-term investments
6,573 14,642
Other (1)
77,951 86,440
Gross investment income
471,335 555,361
Investment expenses (2)
(69,427) (64,294)
Net investment income
$ 401,908 $ 491,067
(1) Amounts include dividends and other distributions on investment funds, term loan investments, funds held balances, cash balances and other.
(2) Investment expenses were approximately 0.31% of average invested assets for 2020, compared to 0.33% for 2019.
The pre-tax investment income yield was 1.78% for 2020, compared to 2.52% for 2019. The lower level of net investment income for 2020 compared to 2019 reflected lower yields available in the financial markets. The pre-tax
investment income yields were calculated based on amortized cost. Yields on future investment income may vary based on financial market conditions, investment allocation decisions and other factors.
Corporate Expenses.
Corporate expenses were $68.5 million for 2020, compared to $65.7 million for 2019. Such amounts primarily represent certain holding company costs necessary to support our worldwide operations and costs associated with operating as a publicly traded company.
Transaction Costs and Other.
Transaction costs and other were $9.5 million for 2020, compared to $14.4 million for 2019. Amounts in both periods are primarily related to acquisition activity.
Amortization of Intangible Assets.
Amortization of intangible assets for 2020 was $69.0 million, compared to $82.1 million for 2019 . Amounts in 2020 and 2019 primarily related to amortization of finite-lived intangible assets related to our 2016 acquisition of United Guaranty Corporation.
Interest Expense.
Interest expense was $120.2 million for 2020, compared to $93.7 million for 2019. Interest expense primarily reflects amounts related to our outstanding senior notes. The higher level of interest expense mainly resulted from the issuance of $1.0 billion of 3.635% senior notes in June 2020.
Net Realized Gains (Losses).
We recorded net realized gains of $813.8 million for 2020, compared to net realized gains of $348.0 million for 2019. Currently, our portfolio is actively managed to maximize total return within certain guidelines. The effect of financial market movements on the investment portfolio will directly impact net realized gains and losses as the portfolio is adjusted and rebalanced. Net realized gains or losses from the sale of fixed maturities primarily results from our decisions to reduce credit exposure, to change duration targets, to rebalance our portfolios or due to relative value determinations.
Net realized gains or losses also include realized and unrealized contract gains and losses on our derivative instruments, changes in the fair value of assets accounted for using the fair value option and in the fair value of equities, along with changes in the allowance for credit losses on financial assets and net impairment losses recognized in earnings. See note 9, “Investment Information-Net Realized Gains (Losses),” to our consolidated financial statements for
ARCH CAPITAL 59
2020 FORM 10-K
additional information. See note 9, “Investment Information-Allowance for Credit Losses,” to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Investments Accounted for Using the Equity Method.
We recorded $146.7 million of equity in net income related to investments accounted for using the equity method for 2020, compared to $123.7 million for 2019. Investments accounted for using the equity method totaled $2.0 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2019. See note 9, “Investment Information-Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Investments Accounted For Using the Equity Method,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information.
Net Foreign Exchange Gains or Losses.
Net foreign exchange losses for 2020 were $80.2 million, compared to net foreign exchange losses for 2019 of $9.3 million. Amounts in such periods were primarily unrealized and resulted from the effects of revaluing our net insurance liabilities required to be settled in foreign currencies at each balance sheet date.
Income Tax Expense.
Our income tax provision on income before income taxes resulted in an expense of 7.4% for 2020, compared to an expense of 8.7% for 2019. Our effective tax rate fluctuates from year to year consistent with the relative mix of income or loss reported by jurisdiction and the varying tax rates in each jurisdiction.
See note 15, “Income Taxes,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a reconciliation of the difference between the provision for income taxes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average statutory tax rate for 2020 and 2019.
Other Segment
The ‘other’ segment includes the results of Watford. Pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), Watford is considered a variable interest entity and we concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of Watford. As such, we consolidate the results of Watford in our consolidated financial statements, although we only own approximately 13% of Watford’s common equity as of December 31, 2020. See note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests,” and note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make many estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities (including reserves), revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, insurance and other reserves, reinsurance recoverables, allowance for current expected credit losses, investment valuations, goodwill and intangible assets, bad debts, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience, where possible, and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, which form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results will differ from these estimates and such differences may be material. We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect significant estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Loss Reserves
We are required by applicable insurance laws and regulations and GAAP to establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, or Loss Reserves, that arise from the business we underwrite. Loss Reserves for our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage operations are balance sheet liabilities representing estimates of future amounts required to pay losses and loss adjustment expenses for insured or reinsured events which have occurred at or before the balance sheet date. Loss Reserves do not reflect contingency reserve allowances to account for future loss occurrences. Losses arising from future events will be estimated and recognized at the time the losses are incurred and could be substantial. See note 6, “Short Duration Contracts,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information on our reserving process.
ARCH CAPITAL 60
2020 FORM 10-K
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, our Loss Reserves, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, by type and by operating segment were as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Insurance segment:
Case reserves $ 2,051,640 $ 1,601,627
IBNR reserves 3,889,823 3,403,051
Total net reserves 5,941,463 5,004,678
Reinsurance segment:
Case reserves 1,560,523 1,273,523
Additional case reserves 280,472 166,251
IBNR reserves 2,253,953 1,835,993
Total net reserves 4,094,948 3,275,767
Mortgage segment:
Case reserves 631,921 266,030
IBNR reserves 271,702 157,712
Total net reserves 903,623 423,742
Other segment:
Case reserves 566,587 478,036
Additional case reserves 32,321 29,059
IBNR reserves 660,132 597,910
Total net reserves 1,259,040 1,105,005
Total:
Case reserves 4,810,671 3,619,216
Additional case reserves 312,793 195,310
IBNR reserves 7,075,610 5,994,666
Total net reserves $ 12,199,074 $ 9,809,192
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the insurance segment’s Loss Reserves by major line of business, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, were as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Professional lines (1) $ 1,482,820 $ 1,322,969
Construction and national accounts 1,395,067 1,248,750
Excess and surplus casualty (2) 816,495 564,254
Programs 699,354 571,926
Property, energy, marine and aviation 517,692 371,822
Travel, accident and health 98,910 109,613
Lenders products 48,946 28,233
Other (3) 882,179 787,111
Total net reserves $ 5,941,463 $ 5,004,678
(1) Includes professional liability, executive assurance and healthcare business.
(2) Includes casualty and contract binding business.
(3) Includes alternative markets, excess workers’ compensation and surety business.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the reinsurance segment’s Loss Reserves by major line of business, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, were as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Casualty (1) $ 1,995,849 $ 1,796,073
Other specialty (2) 917,178 649,309
Property excluding property catastrophe (3) 594,033 471,775
Marine and aviation 204,205 160,930
Property catastrophe 268,858 113,565
Other (4) 114,825 84,115
Total net reserves $ 4,094,948 $ 3,275,767
(1) Includes executive assurance, professional liability, workers’ compensation, excess motor, healthcare and other.
(2) Includes non-excess motor, surety, accident and health, workers’ compensation catastrophe, agriculture, trade credit and other.
(3) Includes property facultative business.
(4) Includes life, casualty clash and other.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the mortgage segment’s Loss Reserves by major line of business, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, were as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
U.S. primary mortgage insurance (1) $ 649,748 $ 278,689
Other 253,875 145,053
Total net reserves $ 903,623 $ 423,742
(1) At December 31, 2020, 27.7% of total net reserves represent policy years 2010 and prior and the remainder from later policy years. At December 31, 2019, 58.2% of total net reserves represent policy years 2010 and prior and the remainder from later policy years.
Potential Variability in Loss Reserves
The tables below summarize the effect of reasonably likely scenarios on the key actuarial assumptions used to estimate our Loss Reserves, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, at December 31, 2020 by underwriting segment (excluding the ‘other’ segment). The scenarios shown in the tables summarize the effect of (i) changes to the expected loss ratio selections used at December 31, 2020, which represent loss ratio point increases or decreases to the expected loss ratios used, and (ii) changes to the loss development patterns used in our reserving process at December 31, 2020, which represent claims reporting that is either slower or faster than the reporting patterns used. We believe that the illustrated sensitivities are indicative of the potential variability inherent in the estimation process of those parameters. The results show the impact of varying each key actuarial assumption using the chosen sensitivity on our IBNR reserves, on a net basis and across all accident years.
ARCH CAPITAL 61
2020 FORM 10-K
INSURANCE SEGMENT Higher Expected Loss Ratios Slower Loss Development Patterns
Reserving lines selected assumptions:
Property, energy, marine and aviation 5 points
3 months
Third party occurrence business 10 6
Third party claims-made business 10 6
Multi-line and other specialty 10 6
Increase (decrease) in Loss Reserves:
Property, energy, marine and aviation $ 36,369 $ 51,268
Third party occurrence business 283,179 148,656
Third party claims-made business 120,367 135,996
Multi-line and other specialty 134,517 157,928
INSURANCE SEGMENT Lower Expected Loss Ratios Faster Loss Development Patterns
Reserving lines selected assumptions:
Property, energy, marine and aviation (5) points
(3) months
Third party occurrence business (10) (6)
Third party claims-made business (10) (6)
Multi-line and other specialty (10) (6)
Increase (decrease) in Loss Reserves:
Property, energy, marine and aviation $ (36,369) $ (31,443)
Third party occurrence business (282,830) (130,607)
Third party claims-made business (119,319) (103,301)
Multi-line and other specialty (131,395) (114,712)
REINSURANCE SEGMENT Higher Expected Loss Ratios Slower Loss Development Patterns
Reserving lines selected assumptions:
Casualty 10 points
6 months
Other specialty 5 3
Property excluding property catastrophe 5 3
Property catastrophe 5 3
Marine and aviation 5 3
Other 5 3
Increase (decrease) in Loss Reserves:
Casualty $ 141,847 $ 170,356
Other specialty 72,488 46,210
Property excluding property catastrophe 21,611 52,793
Property catastrophe 16,492 26,950
Marine and aviation 10,005 15,780
Other 6,844 5,357
REINSURANCE SEGMENT Lower Expected Loss Ratios Faster Loss Development Patterns
Reserving lines selected assumptions:
Casualty (10) points
(6) months
Other specialty (5) (3)
Property excluding property catastrophe (5) (3)
Property catastrophe (5) (3)
Marine and aviation (5) (3)
Other (5) (3)
Increase (decrease) in Loss Reserves:
Casualty $ (141,847) $ (133,152)
Other specialty (72,488) (72,373)
Property excluding property catastrophe (21,611) (48,999)
Property catastrophe (16,492) (17,277)
Marine and aviation (10,043) (15,519)
Other (6,844) (5,005)
It is not necessarily appropriate to sum the total impact for a specific factor or the total impact for a specific business category as the business categories are not perfectly correlated. In addition, the potential variability shown in the tables above are reasonably likely scenarios of changes in our key assumptions at December 31, 2020 and are not meant to be a “best case” or “worst case” series of outcomes and, therefore, it is possible that future variations may be more or less than the amounts set forth above.
For our mortgage segment, we considered the sensitivity of loss reserve estimates at December 31, 2020 by assessing the potential changes resulting from a parallel shift in severity and default to claim rate. For example, assuming all other factors remain constant, for every one percentage point change in primary claim severity (which we estimate to be 29% of the unpaid principal balance at December 31, 2020), we estimated that our loss reserves would change by approximately $30.0 million at December 31, 2020. For every one percentage point change in our primary net default to claim rate (which we estimate to be approximately 20% at December 31, 2020), we estimated a $45.0 million change in our loss reserves at December 31, 2020.
ARCH CAPITAL 62
2020 FORM 10-K
Simulation Results
In order to illustrate the potential volatility in our Loss Reserves, we used a Monte Carlo simulation approach to simulate a range of results based on various probabilities. Both the probabilities and related modeling are subject to inherent uncertainties. The simulation relies on a significant number of assumptions, such as the potential for multiple entities to react similarly to external events, and includes other statistical assumptions. The simulation results shown for each segment do not add to the total simulation results, as the individual segment simulation results do not reflect the diversification effects across our segments.
At December 31, 2020, our recorded Loss Reserves by underwriting segment, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, and the results of the simulation were as follows:
Insurance Segment Reinsurance Segment Mortgage Segment Total
Loss
Reserves (1) $5,941,463 $4,094,948 $903,623 $10,940,034
Simulation results:
90th percentile (2) $7,181,065 $5,038,203 $1,081,713 $12,683,107
10th percentile (3) $4,734,118 $3,251,451 $738,596 $9,246,934
(1) Net of reinsurance recoverables. Excludes amounts reflected in the ‘other’ segment.
(2) Simulation results indicate that a 90% probability exists that the net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses will not exceed the indicated amount.
(3) Simulation results indicate that a 10% probability exists that the net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses will be at or below the indicated amount.
For informational purposes, based on the total simulation results, a change in our Loss Reserves to the amount indicated at the 90th percentile would result in a decrease in income before income taxes of approximately $1.7 billion, or $4.25 per diluted share, while a change in our Loss Reserves to the amount indicated at the 10th percentile would result in an increase in income before income taxes of approximately $1.7 billion, or $4.13 per diluted share. The simulation results noted above are informational only, and no assurance can be given that our ultimate losses will not be significantly different than the simulation results shown above, and such differences could directly and significantly impact earnings favorably or unfavorably in the period they are determined. We do not have significant exposure to pre-2002 liabilities, such as asbestos-related illnesses and other long-tail liabilities. It is difficult to provide meaningful trend information for certain liability/casualty coverages for which the claim-tail may be especially long, as claims are often reported and ultimately paid or settled years, or even decades,
after the related loss events occur. Any estimates and assumptions made as part of the reserving process could prove to be inaccurate due to several factors, including the fact that for certain lines of business relatively limited historical information has been reported to us through December 31, 2020.
Mortgage Operations Supplemental Information
The mortgage segment’s insurance in force (“IIF”) and risk in force (“RIF”) were as follows at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(U.S. Dollars in millions) December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Insurance In Force (IIF) (1):
U.S. primary mortgage insurance $ 280,579 66.2 $ 287,150 68.7
Mortgage reinsurance 31,220 7.4 26,768 6.4
Other (2) 111,740 26.4 104,346 24.9
Total $ 423,539 100.0 $ 418,264 100.0
Risk In Force (RIF) (3):
U.S. primary mortgage insurance $ 70,522 90.5 $ 73,388 91.9
Mortgage reinsurance 2,226 2.9 2,129 2.7
Other (2) 5,146 6.6 4,380 5.5
Total $ 77,894 100.0 $ 79,897 100.0
(1) Represents the aggregate dollar amount of each insured mortgage loan’s current principal balance.
(2) Includes participation in GSE credit risk-sharing transactions and international insurance business.
(3) Represents the aggregate amount of each insured mortgage loan’s current principal balance multiplied by the insurance coverage percentage specified in the policy for insurance policies issued and after contract limits and/or loss ratio caps for credit risk-sharing or reinsurance transactions.
The insurance in force and risk in force for our U.S. primary mortgage insurance business by policy year were as follows at December 31, 2020:
(U.S. Dollars in millions) IIF RIF Delinquency
Amount % Amount % Rate (1)
Policy year:
2010 and prior $ 13,684 4.9 $ 3,088 4.4 11.78 %
2011 904 0.3 239 0.3 3.97 %
2012 3,651 1.3 992 1.4 2.98 %
2013 7,546 2.7 2,107 3.0 3.30 %
2014 8,261 2.9 2,273 3.2 4.06 %
2015 15,032 5.4 4,048 5.7 3.72 %
2016 24,958 8.9 6,648 9.4 4.77 %
2017 24,748 8.8 6,413 9.1 5.52 %
2018 27,304 9.7 6,918 9.8 6.76 %
2019 48,304 17.2 12,001 17.0 4.61 %
2020 106,187 37.8 25,795 36.6 0.76 %
Total $ 280,579 100.0 $ 70,522 100.0 4.19 %
ARCH CAPITAL 63
2020 FORM 10-K
(1)Represents the ending percentage of loans in default.
The insurance in force and risk in force for our U.S. primary mortgage insurance business by policy year were as follows at December 31, 2019:
(U.S. Dollars in millions) IIF RIF Delinquency
Amount % Amount % Rate (1)
Policy year:
2010 and prior $ 17,251 6.0 $ 3,990 5.4 8.79 %
2011 1,678 0.6 464 0.6 1.59 %
2012 6,293 2.2 1,753 2.4 0.89 %
2013 12,276 4.3 3,433 4.7 0.99 %
2014 13,714 4.8 3,778 5.1 1.16 %
2015 25,788 9.0 6,880 9.4 0.87 %
2016 40,898 14.2 10,670 14.5 1.03 %
2017 43,896 15.3 11,262 15.3 1.00 %
2018 51,776 18.0 13,086 17.8 0.86 %
2019 73,580 25.6 18,072 24.6 0.14 %
Total $ 287,150 100.0 $ 73,388 100.0 1.54 %
(1)Represents the ending percentage of loans in default.
The following tables provide supplemental disclosures on risk in force for our U.S. primary mortgage insurance business at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(U.S. Dollars in millions) December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Credit quality (FICO):
>=740 $ 40,774 57.8 $ 42,301 57.6
680-739 24,498 34.7 25,240 34.4
620-679 4,837 6.9 5,444 7.4
<620 413 0.6 403 0.5
Total $ 70,522 100.0 $ 73,388 100.0
Weighted average FICO score 743 743
Loan-to-Value (LTV):
95.01% and above $ 8,643 12.3 $ 9,064 12.4
90.01% to 95.00% 37,877 53.7 40,136 54.7
85.01% to 90.00% 20,013 28.4 20,890 28.5
85.00% and below 3,989 5.7 3,298 4.5
Total $ 70,522 100.0 $ 73,388 100.0
Weighted average LTV 92.8 % 93.0 %
Total RIF, net of external reinsurance $ 56,658 $ 58,512
(U.S. Dollars in millions) December 31,
2020 2019
Amount % Amount %
Total RIF by State:
Texas $ 5,636 8.0 $ 5,678 7.7
California 5,261 7.5 5,187 7.1
Florida 3,632 5.2 3,887 5.3
Georgia 2,959 4.2 2,753 3.8
Illinois 2,762 3.9 2,616 3.6
North Carolina 2,622 3.7 2,470 3.4
Virginia 2,526 3.6 2,881 3.9
Minnesota 2,520 3.6 2,514 3.4
Massachusetts 2,464 3.5 2,432 3.3
Washington 2,220 3.1 2,474 3.4
Others 37,920 53.8 40,496 55.2
Total $ 70,522 100.0 $ 73,388 100.0
The following table provides supplemental disclosures for our U.S. primary mortgage insurance business related to insured loans and loss metrics for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except loan and claim count) Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Rollforward of insured loans in default:
Beginning delinquent number of loans 20,163 20,665
New notices 102,324 39,017
Cures (68,691) (36,601)
Paid claims (1,562) (2,918)
Ending delinquent number of loans (1) 52,234 20,163
Ending number of policies in force (1) 1,245,771 1,307,884
Delinquency rate (1) 4.19 % 1.54 %
Losses:
Number of claims paid 1,562 2,918
Total paid claims $ 64,903 $ 116,854
Average per claim $ 41.6 $ 40.0
Severity (2) 92.4 % 96.0 %
Average reserve per default (in thousands) (1) $ 12.6 $ 13.3
(1) Includes first lien primary and pool policies.
(2) Represents total paid claims divided by RIF of loans for which claims were paid.
The risk-to-capital ratio, which represents total current (non-delinquent) risk in force, net of reinsurance, divided by total statutory capital, for Arch MI U.S. was approximately 9.3 to 1 at December 31, 2020, compared to 12.0 to 1 at December 31, 2019.
ARCH CAPITAL 64
2020 FORM 10-K
Ceded Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, our insurance and mortgage insurance operations cede a portion of their premium on a quota share or excess of loss basis through treaty or facultative reinsurance agreements. Our reinsurance operations also obtain reinsurance whereby another reinsurer contractually agrees to indemnify it for all or a portion of the reinsurance risks underwritten by our reinsurance operations. Such arrangements, where one reinsurer provides reinsurance to another reinsurer, are usually referred to as “retrocessional reinsurance” arrangements. In addition, our reinsurance subsidiaries participate in “common account” retrocessional arrangements for certain pro rata treaties. Such arrangements reduce the effect of individual or aggregate losses to all companies participating on such treaties, including the reinsurers, such as our reinsurance operations, and the ceding company. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets, predicated on the reinsurers’ ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, our insurance or reinsurance operations would be liable for such defaulted amounts.
The availability and cost of reinsurance and retrocessional protection is subject to market conditions, which are beyond our control. Although we believe that our insurance and reinsurance operations have been successful in obtaining adequate reinsurance and retrocessional protection, it is not certain that they will be able to continue to obtain adequate protection at cost effective levels. As a result of such market conditions and other factors, our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage operations may not be able to successfully mitigate risk through reinsurance and retrocessional arrangements and may lead to increased volatility in our results of operations in future periods. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-The failure of any of the loss limitation methods we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.”
Effective January 1, 2021, our insurance operations had in effect a reinsurance program which provided coverage for certain property-catastrophe related losses equal to $276 million in excess of various retentions per occurrence.
For purposes of managing risk, we reinsure a portion of our exposures, paying to reinsurers a part of the premiums received on the policies we write, and we may also use retrocessional protection. On a consolidated basis, ceded premiums written represented 26.3% of gross premiums written for 2020, compared to 25.8% for 2019. We monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers and attempt to place coverages only with substantial, financially sound carriers. If the financial condition of our reinsurers or retrocessionaires deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to
make payments, we will provide for probable losses resulting from our inability to collect amounts due from such parties, as appropriate. We evaluate the credit worthiness of all the reinsurers to which we cede business. We report reinsurance recoverables net of an allowance for expected credit loss. The allowance is based upon our ongoing review of amounts outstanding, the financial condition of our reinsurers, amounts and form of collateral obtained and other relevant factors. A ratings based probability-of-default and loss-given-default methodology is used to estimate the allowance for expected credit loss. See “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations-We are exposed to credit risk in certain of our business operations” and “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further details.
Premium Revenues and Related Expenses
Insurance premiums written are generally recorded at the policy inception and are primarily earned on a pro rata basis over the terms of the policies for all products, usually 12 months. Premiums written include estimates in our insurance operations’ programs, specialty lines, collateral protection business and for participation in involuntary pools. Such premium estimates are derived from multiple sources which include the historical experience of the underlying business, similar business and available industry information. Unearned premium reserves represent the portion of premiums written that relates to the unexpired terms of in-force insurance policies.
Reinsurance premiums written include amounts reported by brokers and ceding companies, supplemented by our own estimates of premiums where reports have not been received. The determination of premium estimates requires a review of our experience with the ceding companies, familiarity with each market, the timing of the reported information, an analysis and understanding of the characteristics of each line of business, and management’s judgment of the impact of various factors, including premium or loss trends, on the volume of business written and ceded to us. On an ongoing basis, our underwriters review the amounts reported by these third parties for reasonableness based on their experience and knowledge of the subject class of business, taking into account our historical experience with the brokers or ceding companies. In addition, reinsurance contracts under which we assume business generally contain specific provisions which allow us to perform audits of the ceding company to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, including accurate and timely reporting of information. Based on a review of all available information, management establishes premium estimates where reports have not been received. Premium estimates are updated when new information is received and differences between such estimates and actual amounts are recorded in the period in which estimates are changed or the actual amounts are
ARCH CAPITAL 65
2020 FORM 10-K
determined. Premiums written are recorded based on the type of contracts we write. Premiums on our excess of loss and pro rata reinsurance contracts are estimated when the business is underwritten. For excess of loss contracts, premiums are recorded as written based on the terms of the contract. Estimates of premiums written under pro rata contracts are recorded in the period in which the underlying risks incept and are based on information provided by the brokers and the ceding companies. For multi-year reinsurance treaties which are payable in annual installments, generally, only the initial annual installment is included as premiums written at policy inception due to the ability of the reinsured to commute or cancel coverage during the term of the policy. The remaining annual installments are included as premiums written at each successive anniversary date within the multi-year term.
Reinstatement premiums for our insurance and reinsurance operations are recognized at the time a loss event occurs, where coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. Reinstatement premiums, if obligatory, are fully earned when recognized. The accrual of reinstatement premiums is based on an estimate of losses and loss adjustment expenses, which reflects management’s judgment, as described above in “-Loss Reserves.”
The amount of reinsurance premium estimates included in premiums receivable and the amount of related acquisition expenses by type of business were as follows at December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
Gross Amount Acquisition Expenses Net
Amount
Other specialty
$ 285,738 $ (82,226) $ 203,512
Casualty
125,675 (34,157) 91,518
Property excluding property catastrophe
132,553 (42,272) 90,281
Marine and aviation
84,648 (22,297) 62,351
Property catastrophe
20,053 (3,286) 16,767
Other
62,473 (5,858) 56,615
Total
$ 711,140 $ (190,096) $ 521,044
Premium estimates are reviewed by management at least quarterly. Such review includes a comparison of actual reported premiums to expected ultimate premiums along with a review of the aging and collection of premium estimates. Based on management’s review, the appropriateness of the premium estimates is evaluated, and any adjustment to these estimates is recorded in the period in which it becomes known. Adjustments to premium estimates could be material and such adjustments could directly and significantly impact earnings favorably or unfavorably in the period they are determined because the estimated premium may be fully or substantially earned.
A significant portion of amounts included as premiums receivable, which represent estimated premiums written, net of commissions, are not currently due based on the terms of the underlying contracts. Based on currently available information, we report premiums receivable net of an allowance for expected credit loss. We monitor credit risk associated with premiums receivable through our ongoing review of amounts outstanding, aging of the receivable, historical data and counterparty financial strength measures.
Reinsurance premiums assumed, irrespective of the class of business, are generally earned on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies or reinsurance contracts. Contracts and policies written on a “losses occurring” basis cover claims that may occur during the term of the contract or policy, which is typically 12 months. Accordingly, the premium is earned evenly over the term. Contracts which are written on a “risks attaching” basis cover claims which attach to the underlying insurance policies written during the terms of such contracts. Premiums earned on such contracts usually extend beyond the original term of the reinsurance contract, typically resulting in recognition of premiums earned over a 24-month period.
Certain of our reinsurance contracts include provisions that adjust premiums or acquisition expenses based upon the experience under the contracts. Premiums written and earned, as well as related acquisition expenses, are recorded based upon the projected experience under such contracts.
Retroactive reinsurance reimburses a ceding company for liabilities incurred as a result of past insurable events covered by the underlying policies reinsured. In certain instances, reinsurance contracts cover losses both on a prospective basis and on a retroactive basis and, accordingly, we bifurcate the prospective and retrospective elements of these reinsurance contracts and accounts for each element separately where practical. Underwriting income generated in connection with retroactive reinsurance contracts is deferred and amortized into income over the settlement period while losses are charged to income immediately. Subsequent changes in estimated amount or timing of cash flows under such retroactive reinsurance contracts are accounted for by adjusting the previously deferred amount to the balance that would have existed had the revised estimate been available at the inception of the reinsurance transaction, with a corresponding charge or credit to income.
Mortgage guaranty insurance policies are contracts that are generally non-cancelable by the insurer, are renewable at a fixed price, and provide for payment of premiums on a monthly, annual or single basis. Upon renewal, we are not able to re-underwrite or re-price our policies. Consistent with industry accounting practices, premiums written on a monthly basis are earned as coverage is provided. Premiums written on an annual basis are amortized on a monthly pro
ARCH CAPITAL 66
2020 FORM 10-K
rata basis over the year of coverage. Primary mortgage insurance premiums written on policies covering more than one year are referred to as single premiums. A portion of the revenue from single premiums is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies related to insured loans are canceled for any reason and the policy is a non-refundable product, the remaining unearned premium related to each canceled policy is recognized as earned premium upon notification of the cancellation.
Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that is applicable to the estimated unexpired risk of insured loans. A portion of premium payments may be refundable if the insured cancels coverage, which generally occurs when the loan is repaid, the loan amortizes to a sufficiently low amount to trigger a lender permitted or legally required cancellation, or the value of the property has increased sufficiently in accordance with the terms of the contract. Premium refunds reduce premiums earned in the consolidated statements of income. Generally, only unearned premiums are refundable.
Acquisition costs that are directly related and incremental to the successful acquisition or renewal of business are deferred and amortized based on the type of contract. For property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts, deferred acquisition costs are amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Consistent with mortgage insurance industry accounting practice, amortization of acquisition costs related to the mortgage insurance contracts for each underwriting year’s book of business is recorded in proportion to estimated gross profits. Estimated gross profits are comprised of earned premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses. For each underwriting year, we estimate the rate of amortization to reflect actual experience and any changes to persistency or loss development.
Acquisition expenses and other expenses related to our underwriting operations that vary with, and are directly related to, the successful acquisition or renewal of business are deferred and amortized based on the type of contract. Our insurance and reinsurance operations capitalize incremental direct external costs that result from acquiring a contract but do not capitalize salaries, benefits and other internal underwriting costs. For our mortgage insurance operations, which include a substantial direct sales force, both external and certain internal direct costs are deferred and amortized. Deferred acquisition costs are carried at their estimated realizable value and take into account anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses, based on historical and current experience, and anticipated investment income.
A premium deficiency occurs if the sum of anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses, unamortized acquisition costs
and maintenance costs and anticipated investment income exceed unearned premiums. A premium deficiency reserve (“PDR”) is recorded by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required in order to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency exceeds unamortized acquisition costs then a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency.
To assess the need for a PDR on our mortgage exposures, we develop loss projections based on modeled loan defaults related to our current policies in force. This projection is based on recent trends in default experience, severity and rates of defaulted loans moving to claim, as well as recent trends in the rate at which loans are prepaid, and incorporates anticipated interest income. Evaluating the expected profitability of our existing mortgage insurance business and the need for a PDR for our mortgage business involves significant reliance upon assumptions and estimates with regard to the likelihood, magnitude and timing of potential losses and premium revenues. The models, assumptions and estimates we use to evaluate the need for a PDR may prove to be inaccurate, especially during an extended economic downturn or a period of extreme market volatility and uncertainty.
No premium deficiency charges were recorded by us during 2020 and 2019.
Fair Value Measurements
We review our securities measured at fair value and discuss the proper classification of such investments with investment advisors and others. See note 10, “Fair Value,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a summary of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2020 by valuation hierarchy.
Reclassifications
We have reclassified the presentation of certain prior year information to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on our net income, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.
Significant Accounting Pronouncements
For all other significant accounting policies see note 3, “Significant Accounting Policies” and note 3-(r), “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for disclosures concerning our companies significant accounting policies and recent accounting pronouncements.
ARCH CAPITAL 67
2020 FORM 10-K
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Investable Assets
At December 31, 2020, total investable assets held by Arch were $26.9 billion, excluding the $2.7 billion included in the ‘other’ segment (i.e., attributable to Watford).
Investable Assets Held by Arch
The Finance, Investment and Risk Committee (“FIR”) of our board of directors establishes our investment policies and sets the parameters for creating guidelines for our investment managers. The FIR reviews the implementation of the investment strategy on a regular basis. Our current approach stresses preservation of capital, market liquidity and diversification of risk. While maintaining our emphasis on preservation of capital and liquidity, we expect our portfolio to become more diversified and, as a result, we may expand into areas which are not currently part of our investment strategy. Our Chief Investment Officer administers the investment portfolio, oversees our investment managers and formulates investment strategy in conjunction with the FIR.
The following table summarizes the fair value of investable assets held by Arch (i.e., excluding the ‘other’ segment):
Investable assets (1): Estimated
Fair Value % of
Total
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities (2) $ 18,771,296 69.9
Short-term investments (2) 2,063,240 7.7
Cash 694,997 2.6
Equity securities (2) 1,436,104 5.3
Other investments 1,480,347 5.5
Other investable assets (3) 500,000 1.9
Investments accounted for using the equity method 2,047,889 7.6
Securities transactions entered into but not settled at the balance sheet date (137,578) (0.5)
Total investable assets held by Arch $ 26,856,295 100.0
Average effective duration (in years) 3.01
Average S&P/Moody’s credit ratings (4) AA/Aa2
Embedded book yield (5) 1.56 %
December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities (2) $ 16,894,021 75.8
Short-term investments (2) 1,004,257 4.5
Cash 623,793 2.8
Equity securities (2) 827,842 3.7
Other investments 1,336,920 6.0
Investments accounted for using the equity method 1,660,396 7.5
Securities transactions entered into but not settled at the balance sheet date (61,553) (0.3)
Total investable assets held by Arch $ 22,285,676 100.0
Average effective duration (in years) 3.40
Average S&P/Moody’s credit ratings (4) AA/Aa2
Embedded book yield (5) 2.55 %
(1)In securities lending transactions, we receive collateral in excess of the fair value of the securities pledged. For purposes of this table, we have excluded the collateral received under securities lending, at fair value and included the securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value.
(2)Includes investments carried as available for sale, at fair value and at fair value under the fair value option.
(3)Participation interests in a receivable of a reverse repurchase agreement.
(4)Average credit ratings on our investment portfolio on securities with ratings by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”).
(5)Before investment expenses.
At December 31, 2020, approximately $19.2 billion, or 71%, of total investable assets held by Arch were internally managed, compared to $15.8 billion, or 71%, at December 31, 2019.
ARCH CAPITAL 68
2020 FORM 10-K
The following table summarizes our fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements (“Fixed Maturities”) by type:
Estimated
Fair Value % of
Total
December 31, 2020
Corporate bonds $ 8,039,745 42.8
Mortgage backed securities 616,619 3.3
Municipal bonds 492,734 2.6
Commercial mortgage backed securities 390,990 2.1
U.S. government and government agencies 5,354,863 28.5
Non-U.S. government securities 2,310,157 12.3
Asset backed securities 1,566,188 8.3
Total $ 18,771,296 100.0
December 31, 2019
Corporate bonds $ 6,561,354 38.8
Mortgage backed securities 541,800 3.2
Municipal bonds 880,119 5.2
Commercial mortgage backed securities 734,244 4.3
U.S. government and government agencies 4,632,947 27.4
Non-U.S. government securities 1,995,813 11.8
Asset backed securities 1,547,744 9.2
Total $ 16,894,021 100.0
The following table provides the credit quality distribution of our Fixed Maturities. For individual fixed maturities, S&P ratings are used. In the absence of an S&P rating, ratings from Moody’s are used, followed by ratings from Fitch Ratings.
Estimated Fair Value % of
Total
December 31, 2020
U.S. government and gov’t agencies (1) $ 5,963,758 31.8
AAA 3,117,046 16.6
AA 2,063,738 11.0
A 3,760,280 20.0
BBB 2,699,201 14.4
BB 574,189 3.1
B 268,095 1.4
Lower than B 54,795 0.3
Not rated 270,194 1.4
Total $ 18,771,296 100.0
December 31, 2019
U.S. government and gov’t agencies (1) $ 5,215,489 30.9
AAA 3,392,341 20.1
AA 2,115,828 12.5
A 3,849,458 22.8
BBB 1,495,467 8.9
BB 355,803 2.1
B 216,663 1.3
Lower than B 56,865 0.3
Not rated 196,107 1.2
Total $ 16,894,021 100.0
(1)Includes U.S. government-sponsored agency mortgage backed securities and agency commercial mortgage backed securities.
The following table provides information on the severity of the unrealized loss position as a percentage of amortized cost for all Fixed Maturities which were in an unrealized loss position:
Severity of gross unrealized losses: Estimated Fair Value Gross
Unrealized
Losses % of
Total Gross
Unrealized
Losses
December 31, 2020
0-10% $ 3,583,981 $ (55,542) 79.4
10-20% 95,495 (12,183) 17.4
20-30% 1,061 (406) 0.6
Greater than 30% 1,249 (1,785) 2.6
Total $ 3,681,786 $ (69,916) 100.0
December 31, 2019
0-10% $ 4,136,798 $ (49,072) 95.3
10-20% 12,405 (1,796) 3.5
20-30% 830 (273) 0.5
Greater than 30% 315 (363) 0.7
Total $ 4,150,348 $ (51,504) 100.0
The following table summarizes our top ten exposures to fixed income corporate issuers by fair value at December 31, 2020, excluding guaranteed amounts and covered bonds:
Estimated Fair Value Credit
Rating (1)
Bank of America Corporation $ 323,808 A-/A2
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 275,040 A-/A2
Wells Fargo & Company 264,035 BBB+/A2
Nestlé S.A. 213,454 AA-/Aa3
Citigroup Inc. 187,920 BBB+/A3
Morgan Stanley 178,906 BBB+/A2
Johnson & Johnson 156,579 AAA/Aaa
Apple Inc. 152,573 AA+/Aa1
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 129,030 BBB+/A3
Comcast Corporation 115,407 A-/A3
Total $ 1,996,752
(1)Average credit ratings as assigned by S&P and Moody’s, respectively.
ARCH CAPITAL 69
2020 FORM 10-K
The following table provides information on our structured securities, which include residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and asset backed securities (“ABS”):
Agencies Investment Grade Below Investment Grade Total
Dec. 31, 2020
RMBS $ 584,499 $ 4,102 $ 28,018 $ 616,619
CMBS 24,396 342,491 24,103 390,990
ABS - 1,403,137 163,051 1,566,188
Total $ 608,895 $ 1,749,730 $ 215,172 $ 2,573,797
Dec. 31, 2019
RMBS $ 503,929 $ 7,770 $ 30,101 $ 541,800
CMBS 78,612 629,424 26,208 734,244
ABS - 1,483,449 64,295 1,547,744
Total $ 582,541 $ 2,120,643 $ 120,604 $ 2,823,788
The following table summarizes our equity securities, which include investments in exchange traded funds:
December 31,
2020 2019
Equities (1) $ 676,437 $ 375,067
Exchange traded funds
Fixed income (2) 341,139 7,237
Equity and other (3) 418,528 445,538
Total $ 1,436,104 $ 827,842
(1)Primarily in consumer non-cyclical, consumer cyclical, technology, communications and industrial stocks at December 31, 2020.
(2)Primarily in corporate and MBS at December 31, 2020.
(3)Primarily in foreign equities, utilities, large and mid cap stocks at December 31, 2020.
The following table summarizes our other investments and other investable assets:
December 31,
2020 2019
Term loan investments
380,193 264,083
Lending 572,636 602,841
Credit related funds 90,780 123,020
Energy 65,813 97,402
Investment grade fixed income 138,646 151,594
Infrastructure 165,516 61,786
Private equity 48,750 18,915
Real estate 18,013 17,279
Total fair value option
1,480,347 1,336,920
Other investable assets 500,000 -
Total other investments $ 1,980,347 $ 1,336,920
The following table summarizes our investments accounted for using the equity method, by strategy:
December 31,
2020 2019
Credit related funds $ 740,060 $ 428,437
Equities 343,058 293,686
Real estate 258,518 246,851
Lending 179,629 202,690
Private equity 235,289 144,983
Infrastructure 175,882 235,033
Energy 115,453 108,716
Total
$ 2,047,889 $ 1,660,396
Our investment strategy allows for the use of derivative instruments. We utilize various derivative instruments such as futures contracts to enhance investment performance, replicate investment positions or manage market exposures and duration risk that would be allowed under our investment guidelines if implemented in other ways. See note 11, “Derivative Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional disclosures concerning derivatives.
Accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP and provides a common definition of fair value to be used throughout GAAP. See note 10, “Fair Value,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a summary of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2020 and 2019 segregated by level in the fair value hierarchy.
Investable Assets in the ‘Other’ Segment
Investable assets in the ‘other’ segment are managed by Watford. The board of directors of Watford establishes their investment policies and guidelines.
ARCH CAPITAL 70
2020 FORM 10-K
The following table summarizes investable assets in the ‘other’ segment:
December 31,
2020 2019
Investments accounted for using the fair value option:
Other investments $ 851,538 $ 1,092,396
Fixed maturities 455,163 416,592
Short-term investments 418,690 329,303
Equity securities 64,994 59,799
Total 1,790,385 1,898,090
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value 613,503 706,875
Equity securities 52,410 65,337
Cash 211,451 102,437
Securities sold but not yet purchased (21,679) (66,257)
Securities transactions entered into but not settled at the balance sheet date 11,542 (1,893)
Total investable assets included in ‘other’ segment $ 2,657,612 $ 2,704,589
Reinsurance Recoverables
The following table details our reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 2020:
% of Total A.M. Best
Rating (1)
Lloyd’s syndicates (2) 5.5 A
Hannover Rück SE
5.1 A+
Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation
4.9 A+
Everest Reinsurance Company
4.5 A+
Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
3.4 A+
XL Re 3.3 A+
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company 3.2 A
Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.
3.1 A+
Berkley Insurance Company
2.5 A+
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
2.5 A+
Odyssey Re 1.9 A
All other -- “A-” or better
24.0
All other -- not rated (3)
36.1
Total
100.0
(1) The financial strength ratings are as of February 11, 2021 and were assigned by A.M. Best based on its opinion of the insurer’s financial strength as of such date. An explanation of the ratings listed in the table follows: the rating of “A+” is designated “Superior”; and the “A” rating is designated “Excellent.”
(2) The A.M. Best group rating of “A” (Excellent) has been applied to all Lloyd’s syndicates.
(3) Over 94% of such amount is collateralized through reinsurance trusts, funds withheld arrangements, letters of credit or other.
See note 8, “Reinsurance,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further details.
Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
We establish reserves for losses and LAE (“Loss Reserves”) which represent estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections, at a given point in time, of our expectations of the ultimate settlement and administration costs of losses incurred. Estimating Loss Reserves is inherently difficult. We utilize actuarial models as well as available historical insurance industry loss ratio experience and loss development patterns to assist in the establishment of Loss Reserves. Actual losses and loss adjustment expenses paid will deviate, perhaps substantially, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements-Loss Reserves” and see Item 1“Business-Reserves” for further details.
Shareholders’ Equity and Book Value per Share
Total shareholders’ equity available to Arch was $13.1 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $11.5 billion at December 31, 2019. The increase in 2020 primarily reflected the impact of investment returns, partially offset by the impact of a higher level of catastrophic activity (including COVID-19) on underwriting returns.
The following table presents the calculation of book value per share:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data) December 31,
2020 2019
Total shareholders’ equity available to Arch $ 13,105,886 $ 11,497,371
Less preferred shareholders’ equity 780,000 780,000
Common shareholders’ equity available to Arch $ 12,325,886 $ 10,717,371
Common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, net of treasury shares (1) 406,720,642 405,619,201
Book value per share $ 30.31 $ 26.42
(1) Excludes the effects of 17,839,333 and 18,853,018 stock options and 1,153,784 and 1,586,779 restricted stock and performance units outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
LIQUIDITY
Our liquidity and capital resources were not materially impacted by COVID-19 during the 2020 period. We raised an additional $1.0 billion of capital in the form of long-term senior notes at the end of June 2020. For further discussion of our risks related to our potential future impacts of COVID-19 on our liquidity and capital resources, see “ITEM 1A - Risk Factors”.
ARCH CAPITAL 71
2020 FORM 10-K
This section does not include information specific to Watford. We do not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and our financial exposure to Watford is limited to our investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from reinsurance transactions with Watford.
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of our business operations.
Arch Capital is a holding company whose assets primarily consist of the shares in its subsidiaries. Generally, Arch Capital depends on its available cash resources, liquid investments and dividends or other distributions from its subsidiaries to make payments, including the payment of debt service obligations and operating expenses it may incur and any dividends or liquidation amounts with respect to our preferred and common shares.
In 2020, Arch Capital received dividends of $221.6 million from Arch Re Bermuda, our Bermuda-based reinsurer and insurer which can pay approximately $3.8 billion to Arch Capital in 2021 without providing an affidavit to the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”).
Our insurance and reinsurance operations provide liquidity in that premiums are received in advance, sometimes substantially in advance, of the time losses are paid. The period of time from the occurrence of a claim through the settlement of the liability may extend many years into the future. Sources of liquidity include cash flows from operations, financing arrangements or routine sales of investments.
As part of our investment strategy, we seek to establish a level of cash and highly liquid short-term and intermediate-term securities which, combined with expected cash flow, is believed by us to be adequate to meet our foreseeable payment obligations. However, due to the nature of our operations, cash flows are affected by claim payments that may comprise large payments on a limited number of claims and which can fluctuate from year to year. We believe that our liquid investments and cash flow will provide us with sufficient liquidity in order to meet our claim payment obligations. However, the timing and amounts of actual claim payments related to recorded Loss Reserves vary based on many factors, including large individual losses, changes in the legal environment, as well as general market conditions. The ultimate amount of the claim payments could differ materially from our estimated amounts. Certain lines of business written by us, such as excess casualty, have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity. The foregoing may result in significant variability in loss payment patterns. The impact of this variability can be
exacerbated by the fact that the timing of the receipt of reinsurance recoverables owed to us may be slower than anticipated by us. Therefore, the irregular timing of claim payments can create significant variations in cash flows from operations between periods and may require us to utilize other sources of liquidity to make these payments, which may include the sale of investments or utilization of existing or new credit facilities or capital market transactions. If the source of liquidity is the sale of investments, we may be forced to sell such investments at a loss, which may be material.
We expect that our liquidity needs, including our anticipated insurance obligations and operating and capital expenditure needs, for the next twelve months, at a minimum, will be met by funds generated from underwriting activities and investment income, as well as by our balance of cash, short-term investments, proceeds on the sale or maturity of our investments, and our credit facilities.
Dividend Restrictions
Arch Capital has no material restrictions on its ability to make distributions to shareholders. However, the ability of our regulated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions or other payments to us is limited by the applicable local laws and relevant regulations of the various countries and states in which we operate. See note 25, “Statutory Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information on dividend restrictions.
The payment of dividends from Arch Re Bermuda is, under certain circumstances, limited under Bermuda law, which requires our Bermuda operating subsidiary to maintain certain measures of solvency and liquidity.
Our U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to insurance laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The ability of our regulated insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions is dependent on their ability to meet applicable regulatory standards. These regulations include restrictions that limit the amount of dividends or other distributions, such as loans or cash advances, available to shareholders without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities. Each state requires prior regulatory approval of any payment of extraordinary dividends.
We also have insurance subsidiaries that are the parent company for other insurance subsidiaries, which means that dividends and other distributions will be subject to multiple layers of regulations in order for our insurance subsidiaries to be able to dividend funds to Arch Capital. The inability of the subsidiaries of Arch Capital to pay dividends and other permitted distributions could have a material adverse effect
ARCH CAPITAL 72
2020 FORM 10-K
on Arch Capital’s cash requirements and our ability to make principal, interest and dividend payments on the senior notes, preferred shares and common shares.
In addition to meeting applicable regulatory standards, the ability of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends is also constrained by our dependence on the financial strength ratings of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries from independent rating agencies. The ratings from these agencies depend to a large extent on the capitalization levels of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. We believe that Arch Capital has sufficient cash resources and available dividend capacity to service its indebtedness and other current outstanding obligations.
Restricted Assets
Our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain assets on deposit, which primarily consist of fixed maturities, with various regulatory authorities to support their operations. The assets on deposit are available to settle insurance and reinsurance liabilities to third parties. Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries maintain assets in trust accounts as collateral for insurance and reinsurance transactions with affiliated companies and also have investments in segregated portfolios primarily to provide collateral or guarantees for letters of credit to third parties. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, such amounts approximated $7.7 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively, excluding amounts related to the ‘other’ segment.
Our investments in certain securities, including certain fixed income and structured securities, investments in funds accounted for using the equity method, other alternative investments and investments in ventures such as Watford and others may be illiquid due to contractual provisions or investment market conditions. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of anticipated cash requirements, then we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner or may be forced to sell or terminate them at unfavorable values. Our unfunded investment commitments totaled approximately $2.1 billion at December 31, 2020 and are callable by our investment managers. The timing of the funding of investment commitments is uncertain and may require us to access cash on short notice.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, excluding amounts related to the ‘other’ segment:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Total cash provided by (used for):
Operating activities $ 2,705,054 $ 1,810,060
Investing activities (3,301,816) (1,689,640)
Financing activities 856,771 3,663
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash 17,822 16,063
Increase (decrease) in cash $ 277,831 $ 140,146
•Cash provided by operating activities for 2020 was higher than in 2019, primarily reflected a higher level of premiums collected than in the 2019 period.
•Cash used for investing activities for 2020 was higher than in 2019, reflecting a higher level of securities purchased, and the investing of proceeds from our issuance of senior notes.
•Cash provided by financing activities for 2020 was higher than in 2019, primarily reflected the issuance of $1.0 billion of senior notes. Cash flows also reflected $83.5 million of repurchases under our share repurchase program.
Investments
At December 31, 2020, our investable assets were $26.9 billion, excluding the $2.7 billion of investable assets related to the ‘other’ segment. The primary goals of our asset liability management process are to satisfy the insurance liabilities, manage the interest rate risk embedded in those insurance liabilities and maintain sufficient liquidity to cover fluctuations in projected liability cash flows, including debt service obligations. Generally, the expected principal and interest payments produced by our fixed income portfolio adequately fund the estimated runoff of our insurance reserves. Although this is not an exact cash flow match in each period, the substantial degree by which the fair value of the fixed income portfolio exceeds the expected present value of the net insurance liabilities, as well as the positive cash flow from newly sold policies and the large amount of high quality liquid bonds, provide assurance of our ability to fund the payment of claims and to service our outstanding debt without having to sell securities at distressed prices or access credit facilities. Please refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a discussion of other risks relating to our business and investment portfolio.
ARCH CAPITAL 73
2020 FORM 10-K
CAPITAL RESOURCES
This section does not include information specific to Watford. We do not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and our financial exposure to Watford is limited to our investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from reinsurance transactions with Watford.
The following table provides an analysis of our capital structure:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except
share data) December 31,
2020 2019
Senior notes $ 2,723,423 $ 1,734,209
Shareholders’ equity available to Arch:
Series E non-cumulative preferred shares 450,000 450,000
Series F non-cumulative preferred shares 330,000 330,000
Common shareholders’ equity 12,325,886 10,717,371
Total $ 13,105,886 $ 11,497,371
Total capital available to Arch $ 15,829,309 $ 13,231,580
Debt to total capital (%) 17.2 13.1
Preferred to total capital (%) 4.9 5.9
Debt and preferred to total capital (%) 22.1 19.0
On June 30, 2020, Arch Capital issued $1.0 billion of 30 year senior notes. The net proceeds of the offering were contributed to Arch Re Bermuda to support our underwriting operations.
In November 2020, Arch Capital, Arch-U.S. and Arch Finance filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC. This registration statement allows for the possible future offer and sale by us of various types of securities, including unsecured debt securities, preference shares, common shares, warrants, share purchase contracts and units and depositary shares. The shelf registration statement enables us to efficiently access the public debt and/or equity capital markets in order to meet our future capital needs. The shelf registration statement also allows selling shareholders to resell common shares that they own in one or more offerings from time to time. We will not receive any proceeds from any shares offered by the selling shareholders.
Capital Adequacy
We monitor our capital adequacy on a regular basis and will seek to adjust our capital base (up or down) according to the needs of our business. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our
ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by several ratings agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our key operating subsidiaries to compete; (2) sufficient capital to enable our underwriting subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by statutory agencies in the U.S. and other key markets; and (3) our non-U.S. operating companies are required to post letters of credit and other forms of collateral that are necessary for them to operate as they are “non-admitted” under U.S. state insurance regulations.
In addition, Arch MI U.S. is required to maintain compliance with the GSEs requirements, known as PMIERs. The financial requirements require an eligible mortgage insurer’s available assets, which generally include only the most liquid assets of an insurer, to meet or exceed “minimum required assets” as of each quarter end. Minimum required assets are calculated from PMIERs tables with several risk dimensions (including origination year, original loan-to-value and original credit score of performing loans, and the delinquency status of non-performing loans) and are subject to a minimum amount. Arch MI U.S. satisfied the PMIERs’ financial requirements as of December 31, 2020 with a PMIER sufficiency ratio of 173%, compared to 161% at December 31, 2019.
As part of our capital management program, we may seek to raise additional capital or may seek to return capital to our shareholders through share repurchases, cash dividends or other methods (or a combination of such methods). Any such determination will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our profits, financial requirements and other factors, including legal restrictions, rating agency requirements and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.
To the extent that our existing capital is insufficient to fund our future operating requirements or maintain such ratings, we may need to raise additional funds through financings or limit our growth. We can provide no assurance that, if needed, we would be able to obtain additional funds through financing on satisfactory terms or at all. Any adverse developments in the financial markets, such as disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets, may result in realized and unrealized capital losses that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and our businesses, and may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business. In addition to common share capital, we depend on external sources of finance to support our underwriting activities, which can be in the form (or any combination) of debt securities, preference shares, common equity and bank credit facilities providing loans and/or letters of credit.
ARCH CAPITAL 74
2020 FORM 10-K
Arch Capital, through its subsidiaries, provides financial support to certain of its insurance subsidiaries and affiliates, through certain reinsurance arrangements beneficial to the ratings of such subsidiaries. Historically, our U.S.-based insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance subsidiaries have entered into separate reinsurance arrangements with Arch Re Bermuda covering individual lines of business. The reinsurance agreements between our U.S.-based property casualty insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and Arch Re Bermuda were canceled on a cutoff basis as of January 1, 2018. As a result, the level of subject business ceded to Arch Re Bermuda was substantially lower beginning in 2018 than in prior periods. In 2019, certain reinsurance agreements between our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries were reinstated.
Except as described in the above paragraph, or where express reinsurance, guarantee or other financial support contractual arrangements are in place, each of Arch Capital’s subsidiaries or affiliates is solely responsible for its own liabilities and commitments (and no other Arch Capital subsidiary or affiliate is so responsible). Any reinsurance arrangements, guarantees or other financial support contractual arrangements that are in place are solely for the benefit of the Arch Capital subsidiary or affiliate involved and third parties (creditors or insureds of such entity) are not express beneficiaries of such arrangements.
Share Repurchase Program
The board of directors of Arch Capital has authorized the investment in Arch Capital’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Since the inception of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2020, Arch Capital has repurchased approximately 389.2 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $4.1 billion. At December 31, 2020, $916.5 million of share repurchases were available under the program. Repurchases under the program may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2021. The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the development of the economy, corporate and regulatory considerations. We will continue to monitor our share price and, depending upon results of operations, market conditions and the development of the economy, as well as other factors, we will consider share repurchases on an opportunistic basis. See note 27, “Subsequent Events”.
GUARANTOR INFORMATION
The below table provides a description of our senior notes payable at December 31, 2020, excluding amounts attributable to the ‘other’ segment (i.e., Watford):
Interest
Principal
Carrying
Issuer/Due
(Fixed)
Amount
Amount
Arch Capital:
May 1, 2034
7.350 % $ 300,000 $ 297,367
June 30, 2050
3.635 % 1,000,000 988,500
Arch-U.S.:
Nov. 1, 2043 (1)
5.144 % 500,000 494,944
Arch Finance:
Dec. 15, 2026 (1)
4.011 % 500,000 497,211
Dec. 15, 2046 (1)
5.031 % 450,000 445,402
Total
$ 2,750,000 $ 2,723,424
(1) Fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Arch Capital.
Our senior notes were issued by Arch Capital, Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc. (“Arch-U.S.”) and Arch Capital Finance LLC (“Arch Finance”). Arch-U.S. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Capital and Arch Finance is a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Arch-U.S. Our 2034 senior notes and 2050 senior notes issued by Arch Capital are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Arch Capital and ranked equally with all of its existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The 2043 senior notes issued by Arch-U.S. are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Arch-U.S. and Arch Capital and rank equally and ratably with the other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Arch-U.S. and Arch Capital. The 2026 senior notes and 2046 senior notes issued by Arch Finance are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Arch Finance and Arch Capital and rank equally and ratably with the other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Arch Finance and Arch Capital.
Arch Capital and Arch-U.S. are each holding companies and, accordingly, they conduct substantially all of their operations through their operating subsidiaries. Arch Finance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arch U.S. MI Holdings Inc., a U.S. holding company. As a result, Arch Capital, Arch-U.S. and Arch Finance's cash flows and their ability to service their debt depends upon the earnings of their operating subsidiaries and on their ability to distribute the earnings, loans or other payments from such subsidiaries to Arch Capital, Arch-U.S. and Arch Finance, respectively.
See note 19, “Debt and Financing Arrangements,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional disclosures concerning our senior notes and revolving credit agreement borrowings. For additional information on our preferred shares, see note 21, “Shareholders’ Equity,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.
ARCH CAPITAL 75
2020 FORM 10-K
During 2020 and 2019, we made interest payments of $110.5 million and $98.7 million respectively, related to our senior notes and other financing arrangements.
The following tables present condensed financial information for Arch Capital (parent guarantor) and Arch-U.S. (subsidiary issuer):
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Arch Capital Arch-U.S. Arch Capital Arch-U.S.
Assets
Total investments $ 172 $ 396,547 $ 42 $ 692,606
Cash 18,932 11,368 18,113 54,518
Investments in subsidiaries 14,377,529 5,205,904 11,786,861 4,347,806
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates - 201,515 17 200,635
Other assets 18,390 34,405 20,461 32,187
Total assets $ 14,415,023 $ 5,849,739 $ 11,825,494 $ 5,327,752
Liabilities
Senior notes 1,285,867 494,944 297,254 494,831
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates - 586,805 - 536,805
Other liabilities 23,270 41,876 30,869 33,267
Total liabilities 1,309,137 1,123,625 328,123 1,064,903
Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity available to Arch 13,105,886 4,726,114 11,497,371 4,262,849
Total shareholders' equity 13,105,886 4,726,114 11,497,371 4,262,849
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 14,415,023 $ 5,849,739 $ 11,825,494 $ 5,327,752
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Arch Capital Arch-U.S. Arch Capital Arch-U.S.
Revenues
Net investment income $ 53 $ 18,084 $ 212 $ 14,270
Net realized gains (losses) (2,110) 26,096 - 25,313
Equity in net income (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method - 2,507 - 779
Other income (loss) (437) - (762) -
Total revenues (2,494) 46,687 (550) 40,362
Expenses
Corporate expenses 65,566 7,227 62,701 7,221
Interest expense 40,445 47,566 22,154 47,951
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses 3 - 1 -
Total expenses 106,014 54,793 84,856 55,172
Income (loss) before income taxes (108,508) (8,106) (85,406) (14,810)
Income tax (expense) benefit - 2,689 - 3,696
Income (loss) before equity in net income of subsidiaries (108,508) (5,417) (85,406) (11,114)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries 1,514,029 330,589 1,721,725 564,657
Net income available to Arch 1,405,521 325,172 1,636,319 553,543
Preferred dividends (41,612) - (41,612) -
Net income available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,363,909 $ 325,172 $ 1,594,707 $ 553,543
ARCH CAPITAL 76
2020 FORM 10-K
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
This section does not include information specific to Watford. We do not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and our financial exposure to Watford is limited to our investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from reinsurance transactions with Watford.
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides an analysis of our contractual commitments at December 31, 2020:
Payment due by period
Total
2021 2022 and 2023
2024 and 2025
Thereafter
Operating activities
Estimated gross payments for losses and loss adjustment expenses (1) $ 14,994,345 $ 4,068,858 $ 4,785,334 $ 2,322,283 $ 3,817,870
Deposit accounting liabilities (2) 10,570 5,390 1,116 385 3,679
Contractholder payables (3) 1,995,562 634,430 685,990 277,803 397,339
Operating lease obligations 152,309 32,309 56,185 32,497 31,318
Purchase obligations 72,995 33,437 30,502 8,204 852
Investing activities
Unfunded investment commitments (4) 2,146,521 2,146,521 - - -
Financing activities
Securities lending payable (5) 301,089 301,089 - - -
Senior notes (including interest payments) 5,417,148 126,815 253,629 253,629 4,783,075
Financing lease obligations 2,016 2,016 - - -
Total contractual obligations and commitments $ 25,092,555 $ 7,350,865 $ 5,812,756 $ 2,894,801 $ 9,034,133
(1)The estimated expected contractual commitments related to the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are presented on a gross basis (i.e., not reflecting any corresponding reinsurance recoverable amounts that would be due to us). It should be noted that until a claim has been presented to us, determined to be valid, quantified and settled, there is no known obligation on an individual transaction basis, and while estimable in the aggregate, the timing and amount contain significant uncertainty.
(2)The estimated expected contractual commitments related to deposit accounting liabilities have been estimated using projected cash flows from the underlying contracts. It should be noted that, due to the nature of such liabilities, the timing and amount contain significant uncertainty.
(3)Certain insurance policies written by our insurance operations feature large deductibles, primarily in construction and national accounts lines. Under such contracts, we are obligated to pay the claimant for the full amount of the claim and are subsequently reimbursed by the policyholder for the deductible amount. In the event we are unable to collect from the policyholder, we would be liable for such defaulted amounts.
(4)Unfunded investment commitments are callable by our investment managers. We have assumed that such investments will be funded in the next year but the funding may occur over a longer period of time, due to market conditions and other factors.
(5)As part of our securities lending program, we loan securities to third parties and receive collateral in the form of cash or securities. Such collateral is due back to the third parties at the close of the securities lending transactions, a majority of which is overnight and continuous by nature.
Letter of Credit and Revolving Credit Facilities
In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into agreements with financial institutions to obtain secured and unsecured credit facilities.
On December 17, 2019 Arch Capital and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an $750.0 million five-year credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndication of lenders. The Credit Facility consists of a $250.0 million secured facility for letters of credit (the “Secured Facility”) and a $500.0 million unsecured facility for revolving loans and letters of credit (the “Unsecured Facility”). Obligations of each borrower under the Secured Facility for letters of credit are secured by cash and eligible securities of such borrower held in collateral accounts. Commitments under the Credit Facility may be increased up to, but not exceeding, an aggregate of $1.3 billion. Arch Capital has a one-time option
to convert any or all outstanding revolving loans of Arch Capital and/or Arch-U.S. to term loans with the same terms as the revolving loans except that any prepayments may not be re-borrowed. Arch-U.S. guarantees the obligations of Arch Capital, and Arch Capital guarantees the obligations of Arch-U.S. Borrowings of revolving loans may be made at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative base rate at the option of Arch Capital. Arch Capital and its lenders may agree on a LIBOR successor rate at the appropriate time to address the replacement of LIBOR. Secured letters of credit are available for issuance on behalf of Arch Capital insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. The Credit Facility is structured such that each party that requests a letter of credit or borrowing does so only for itself and for only its own obligations.
The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on
ARCH CAPITAL 77
2020 FORM 10-K
indebtedness, consolidated tangible net worth, minimum shareholders’ equity levels and minimum financial strength ratings. Arch Capital and its subsidiaries which are party to the agreement were in compliance with all covenants contained therein at December 31, 2020.
See note 19, “Debt and Financing Arrangements,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional disclosures concerning our senior notes and revolving credit agreement borrowings.
RATINGS
Our ability to underwrite business is affected by the quality of our claims paying ability and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent agencies. Such ratings from third party internationally recognized statistical rating organizations or agencies are instrumental in establishing the financial security of companies in our industry. We believe that the primary users of such ratings include commercial and investment banks, policyholders, brokers, ceding companies and investors. Insurance ratings are also used by insurance and reinsurance intermediaries as an important means of assessing the financial strength and quality of insurers and reinsurers, and are often an important factor in the decision by an insured or intermediary of whether to place business with a particular insurance or reinsurance provider. Periodically, rating agencies evaluate us to confirm that we continue to meet their criteria for the ratings assigned to us by them. S&P, Moody’s, A.M. Best Company and Fitch Ratings are ratings agencies which have assigned financial strength ratings to one or more of Arch Capital’s subsidiaries.
If we are not able to obtain adequate capital, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected, which could include, among other things, the following possible outcomes: (1) potential downgrades in the financial strength ratings assigned by ratings agencies to our operating subsidiaries, which could place those operating subsidiaries at a competitive disadvantage compared to higher-rated competitors; (2) reductions in the amount of business that our operating subsidiaries are able to write in order to meet capital adequacy-based tests enforced by statutory agencies; and (3) any resultant ratings downgrades could, among other things, affect our ability to write business and increase the cost of bank credit and letters of credit. In addition, under certain of the reinsurance agreements assumed by our reinsurance operations, upon the occurrence of a ratings downgrade or other specified triggering event with respect to our reinsurance operations, such as a reduction in surplus by specified amounts during specified periods, our ceding company clients may be provided with certain rights, including, among other things, the right to terminate the subject reinsurance agreement and/or to require that our reinsurance operations post additional collateral.
The ratings issued on our companies by these agencies are announced publicly and are available directly from the agencies. Our Internet site (www.archcapgroup.com, under Credit Ratings) contains information about our ratings, but such information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
CATASTROPHIC EVENTS AND SEVERE ECONOMIC EVENTS
We have large aggregate exposures to natural and man-made catastrophic events, pandemic events like COVID-19 and severe economic events. Natural catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, floods, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, tornadoes, explosions, severe winter weather, fires, droughts and other natural disasters. Catastrophes can also cause losses in non-property business such as mortgage insurance, workers’ compensation or general liability. In addition to the nature of property business, we believe that economic and geographic trends affecting insured property, including inflation, property value appreciation and geographic concentration, tend to generally increase the size of losses from catastrophic events over time.
We have substantial exposure to unexpected, large losses resulting from future man-made catastrophic events, such as acts of war, acts of terrorism and political instability. These risks are inherently unpredictable. It is difficult to predict the timing of such events with statistical certainty or estimate the amount of loss any given occurrence will generate. It is not possible to completely eliminate our exposure to unforecasted or unpredictable events and, to the extent that losses from such risks occur, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Therefore, claims for natural and man-made catastrophic events could expose us to large losses and cause substantial volatility in our results of operations, which could cause the value of our common shares to fluctuate widely. In certain instances, we specifically insure and reinsure risks resulting from terrorism. Even in cases where we attempt to exclude losses from terrorism and certain other similar risks from some coverages written by us, we may not be successful in doing so. Moreover, irrespective of the clarity and inclusiveness of policy language, there can be no assurance that a court or arbitration panel will limit enforceability of policy language or otherwise issue a ruling adverse to us.
We seek to limit our loss exposure by writing a number of our reinsurance contracts on an excess of loss basis, adhering to maximum limitations on reinsurance written in defined geographical zones, limiting program size for each client and prudent underwriting of each program written. In the case of proportional treaties, we may seek per occurrence limitations or loss ratio caps to limit the impact of losses from any one or series of events. In our insurance operations, we seek to limit
ARCH CAPITAL 78
2020 FORM 10-K
our exposure through the purchase of reinsurance. We cannot be certain that any of these loss limitation methods will be effective. We also seek to limit our loss exposure by geographic diversification. Geographic zone limitations involve significant underwriting judgments, including the determination of the area of the zones and the inclusion of a particular policy within a particular zone's limits. There can be no assurance that various provisions of our policies, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage or choice of forum, will be enforceable in the manner we intend. Disputes relating to coverage and choice of legal forum may also arise. Underwriting is inherently a matter of judgment, involving important assumptions about matters that are inherently unpredictable and beyond our control, and for which historical experience and probability analysis may not provide sufficient guidance. One or more catastrophic or other events could result in claims that substantially exceed our expectations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or our results of operations, possibly to the extent of eliminating our shareholders' equity.
For our natural catastrophe exposed business, we seek to limit the amount of exposure we will assume from any one insured or reinsured and the amount of the exposure to catastrophe losses from a single event in any geographic zone. We monitor our exposure to catastrophic events, including earthquake and wind and periodically reevaluate the estimated probable maximum pre-tax loss for such exposures. Our estimated probable maximum pre-tax loss is determined through the use of modeling techniques, but such estimate does not represent our total potential loss for such exposures.
Our models employ both proprietary and vendor-based systems and include cross-line correlations for property, marine, offshore energy, aviation, workers compensation and personal accident. We seek to limit the probable maximum pre-tax loss to a specific level for severe catastrophic events. Currently, we seek to limit our 1-in-250 year return period net probable maximum loss from a severe catastrophic event in any geographic zone to approximately 25% of tangible shareholders’ equity available to Arch (total shareholders’ equity available to Arch less goodwill and intangible assets). We reserve the right to change this threshold at any time.
Based on in-force exposure estimated as of January 1, 2021, our modeled peak zone catastrophe exposure is a windstorm affecting the Florida Tri-County, with a net probable maximum pre-tax loss of $860 million, followed by windstorms affecting Northeastern U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico with net probable maximum pre-tax losses of $775 million and $689 million, respectively. Our exposures to other perils, such as U.S. earthquake and international events, were less than the exposures arising from U.S. windstorms and hurricanes in both periods. As of January 1, 2021, our modeled peak zone earthquake exposure (San Francisco area
earthquake) represented approximately 65% of our peak zone catastrophe exposure, and our modeled peak zone international exposure (U.K. windstorm) was substantially less than both our peak zone windstorm and earthquake exposures.
We also have significant exposure to losses due to mortgage defaults resulting from severe economic events in the future. For our U.S. mortgage insurance business, we have developed a proprietary risk model (“Realistic Disaster Scenario” or “RDS”) that simulates the maximum loss resulting from a severe economic downturn impacting the housing market. The RDS models the collective impact of adverse conditions for key economic indicators, the most significant of which is a decline in home prices. The RDS model projects paths of future home prices, unemployment rates, income levels and interest rates and assumes correlation across states and geographic regions. The resulting future performance of our in-force portfolio is then estimated under the economic stress scenario, reflecting loan and borrower information.
Currently, we seek to limit our modeled RDS loss from a severe economic event to approximately 25% of total tangible shareholders’ equity available to Arch. We reserve the right to change this threshold at any time. Based on in-force exposure estimated as of January 1, 2021, our modeled RDS loss was 6% of tangible shareholders’ equity available to Arch.
Net probable maximum loss estimates are net of expected reinsurance recoveries, before income tax and before excess reinsurance reinstatement premiums. RDS loss estimates are net of expected reinsurance recoveries and before income tax. Catastrophe loss estimates are reflective of the zone indicated and not the entire portfolio. Since hurricanes and windstorms can affect more than one zone and make multiple landfalls, our catastrophe loss estimates include clash estimates from other zones. Our catastrophe loss estimates and RDS loss estimates do not represent our maximum exposures and it is highly likely that our actual incurred losses would vary materially from the modeled estimates. There can be no assurances that we will not suffer pre-tax losses greater than 25% of our tangible shareholders’ equity from one or more catastrophic events or severe economic events due to several factors, including the inherent uncertainties in estimating the frequency and severity of such events and the margin of error in making such determinations resulting from potential inaccuracies and inadequacies in the data provided by clients and brokers, the modeling techniques and the application of such techniques or as a result of a decision to change the percentage of shareholders' equity exposed to a single catastrophic event or severe economic event. In addition, actual losses may increase if our reinsurers fail to meet their obligations to us or the reinsurance protections purchased by us are exhausted or are otherwise unavailable. See “Risk
ARCH CAPITAL 79
2020 FORM 10-K
Factors-Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations” Depending on business opportunities and the mix of business that may comprise our insurance, reinsurance and mortgage portfolios, we may seek to adjust our self-imposed limitations on probable maximum pre-tax loss for catastrophe exposed business and mortgage default exposed business. See “-Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements-Ceded Reinsurance” for a discussion of our catastrophe reinsurance programs.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We have entered into various aggregate excess of loss reinsurance agreements with various special purpose reinsurance companies domiciled in Bermuda. These are special purpose variable interest entities that are not consolidated in our financial results because we do not have the unilateral power to direct those activities that are significant to its economic performance. As of December 31, 2020, our estimated off-balance sheet maximum exposure to loss from such entities was $56.3 million. See note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information.
MARKET SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Our investment results are subject to a variety of risks, including risks related to changes in the business, financial condition or results of operations of the entities in which we invest, as well as changes in general economic conditions and overall market conditions. We are also exposed to potential loss from various market risks, including changes in equity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
In accordance with the SEC’s Financial Reporting Release No. 48, we performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures could have on the future earnings, fair values or cash flows of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2020. Market risk represents the risk of changes in the fair value of a financial instrument and consists of several components, including liquidity, basis and price risks.
The sensitivity analysis performed as of December 31, 2020 presents hypothetical losses in cash flows, earnings and fair values of market sensitive instruments which were held by us on December 31, 2020 and are sensitive to changes in interest rates and equity security prices. This risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the following sensitivity analysis represent forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially from these projected results due to actual
developments in the global financial markets. The analysis methods used by us to assess and mitigate risk should not be considered projections of future events of losses.
We have not included Watford in the following analyses as we do not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and our financial exposure to Watford is limited to our investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from the reinsurance transactions.
The focus of the SEC’s market risk rules is on price risk. For purposes of specific risk analysis, we employ sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures could have on the future earnings, fair values or cash flows of our financial instruments. The financial instruments included in the following sensitivity analysis consist of all of our investments and cash.
Investment Market Risk
Fixed Income Securities. We invest in interest rate sensitive securities, primarily debt securities. We consider the effect of interest rate movements on the fair value of our fixed maturities, fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, short-term investments and certain of our other investments, equity securities and investment funds accounted for using the equity method which invest in fixed income securities (collectively, “Fixed Income Securities”) and the corresponding change in unrealized appreciation. As interest rates rise, the fair value of our Fixed Income Securities falls, and the converse is also true. Based on historical observations, there is a low probability that all interest rate yield curves would shift in the same direction at the same time. Furthermore, at times interest rate movements in certain credit sectors exhibit a much lower correlation to changes in U.S. Treasury yields. Accordingly, the actual effect of interest rate movements may differ materially from the amounts set forth in the following tables.
The following table summarizes the effect that an immediate, parallel shift in the interest rate yield curve would have had on our investment portfolio at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(U.S. dollars in billions) Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points
-100 -50 -
+50 +100
Dec. 31, 2020
Total fair value $ 25.82 $ 25.44 $ 25.07 $ 24.69 $ 24.31
Change from base 3.0 % 1.5 % (1.5) % (3.0) %
Change in unrealized value $ 0.75 $ 0.38 $ (0.38) $ (0.75)
Dec. 31, 2019
Total fair value $ 21.54 $ 21.19 $ 20.83 $ 20.48 $ 20.13
Change from base 3.4 % 1.7 % (1.7) % (3.4) %
Change in unrealized value $ 0.71 $ 0.35 $ (0.35) $ (0.71)
ARCH CAPITAL 80
2020 FORM 10-K
In addition, we consider the effect of credit spread movements on the market value of our Fixed Income Securities and the corresponding change in unrealized value. As credit spreads widen, the fair value of our Fixed Income Securities falls, and the converse is also true. In periods where the spreads on our Fixed Income Securities are much higher than their historical average due to short-term market dislocations, a parallel shift in credit spread levels would result in a much more pronounced change in unrealized value.
The following table summarizes the effect that an immediate, parallel shift in credit spreads in a static interest rate environment would have had on the portfolio at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
(U.S. dollars in billions) Credit Spread Shift in Percentage
-100 -50 -
+50 +100
Dec. 31, 2020
Total fair value $ 25.54 $ 25.32 $ 25.07 $ 24.82 $ 24.59
Change from base 1.9 % 1.0 % (1.0) % (1.9) %
Change in unrealized value $ 0.48 $ 0.25 $ (0.25) $ (0.48)
Dec. 31, 2019
Total fair value $ 21.19 $ 21.02 $ 20.83 $ 20.65 $ 20.48
Change from base 1.7 % 0.9 % (0.9) % (1.7) %
Change in unrealized value $ 0.35 $ 0.19 $ (0.19) $ (0.35)
Another method that attempts to measure portfolio risk is Value-at-Risk (“VaR”). VaR measures the worst expected loss under normal market conditions over a specific time interval at a given confidence level. The 1-year 95th percentile parametric VaR reported herein estimates that 95% of the time, the portfolio loss in a one-year horizon would be less than or equal to the calculated number, stated as a percentage of the measured portfolio’s initial value. The VaR is a variance-covariance based estimate, based on linear sensitivities of a portfolio to a broad set of systematic market risk factors and idiosyncratic risk factors mapped to the portfolio exposures. The relationships between the risk factors are estimated using historical data, and the most recent data points are generally given more weight. As of December 31, 2020, our portfolio’s VaR was estimated to be 4.30%, compared to an estimated 3.19% at December 31, 2019.
Equity Securities. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of our investments in equity securities (excluding securities included in Fixed Income Securities above) totaled $1.1 billion and $820.6 million, respectively. These investments are exposed to price risk, which is the potential loss arising from decreases in fair value. An immediate hypothetical 10% decline in the value of each position would reduce the fair value of such investments by approximately $109.5 million and $82.1 million at December 31, 2020 and
2019, respectively, and would have decreased book value per share by approximately $0.27 and $0.20, respectively. An immediate hypothetical 10% increase in the value of each position would increase the fair value of such investments by approximately $109.5 million and $82.1 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and would have increased book value per share by approximately $0.27 and $0.20, respectively.
Investment-Related Derivatives. At December 31, 2020, the notional value of all derivative instruments (excluding to-be-announced mortgage backed securities which are included in the fixed income securities analysis above and foreign currency forward contracts which are included in the foreign currency exchange risk analysis below) was $8.6 billion, compared to $8.0 billion at December 31, 2019. If the underlying exposure of each investment-related derivative held at December 31, 2020 depreciated by 100 basis points, it would have resulted in a reduction in net income of approximately $85.7 million, and a decrease in book value per share of $0.21, compared to $80.4 million and $0.20, respectively, on investment-related derivatives held at December 31, 2019. If the underlying exposure of each investment-related derivative held at December 31, 2020 appreciated by 100 basis points, it would have resulted in an increase in net income of approximately $85.7 million, and an increase in book value per share of $0.21, compared to $80.4 million and $0.20, respectively, on investment-related derivatives held at December 31, 2019. See note 11, “Derivative Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional disclosures concerning derivatives.
For further discussion on investment activity, please refer to “-Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources-Financial Condition-Investable Assets.”
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Foreign currency rate risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Through our subsidiaries and branches located in various foreign countries, we conduct our insurance and reinsurance operations in a variety of local currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. We generally hold investments in foreign currencies which are intended to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations in our net insurance liabilities. We may also utilize foreign currency forward contracts and currency options as part of our investment strategy. See note 11, “Derivative Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information.
ARCH CAPITAL 81
2020 FORM 10-K
The following table provides a summary of our net foreign currency exchange exposures, as well as foreign currency derivatives in place to manage these exposures:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except
per share data) December 31,
2020 December 31,
Net assets (liabilities), denominated in foreign currencies, excluding shareholders’ equity and derivatives $ (309,968) $ 265,501
Shareholders’ equity denominated in foreign currencies (1) 695,355 744,690
Net foreign currency forward contracts outstanding (2) 1,108,161 81,731
Net exposures denominated in foreign currencies $ 1,493,548 $ 1,091,922
Pre-tax impact of a hypothetical 10% appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies:
Shareholders’ equity $ (149,355) $ (109,192)
Book value per share $ (0.37) $ (0.27)
Pre-tax impact of a hypothetical 10% decline of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies:
Shareholders’ equity $ 149,355 $ 109,192
Book value per share $ 0.37 $ 0.27
(1) Represents capital contributions held in the foreign currencies of our operating units.
(2) Represents the net notional value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts.
Although the Company generally attempts to match the currency of its projected liabilities with investments in the same currencies, from time to time the Company may elect to over or underweight one or more currencies, which could increase the Company’s exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and increase the volatility of the Company’s shareholders’ equity. Historical observations indicate a low probability that all foreign currency exchange rates would shift against the U.S. Dollar in the same direction and at the same time and, accordingly, the actual effect of foreign currency rate movements may differ materially from the amounts set forth above. For further discussion on foreign exchange activity, please refer to “-Results of Operations.”
Effects of Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses and interest rates. The potential exists, after a catastrophe loss, for the development of inflationary pressures in a local economy. The anticipated effects of inflation on us are considered in our catastrophe loss models. The actual effects of inflation on our results cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Reference is made to the information appearing above under the subheading “Market Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management” under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” which information is hereby incorporated by reference.
ARCH CAPITAL 82
2020 FORM 10-K

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to Financial Statements Page No.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 86
Consolidated Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 87
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 88
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 89
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 90
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - General
Note 2 - Businesses Acquired
Note 3 - Significant Accounting Policies
Note 4 - Segment Information
Note 5 - Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Note 6 - Short Duration Contracts
Note 7 - Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
Note 8 - Reinsurance
Note 9 - Investment Information
Note 10 - Fair Value
Note 11 - Derivative Instruments
Note 12 - VIE and Noncontrolling Interests
Note 13 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Note 14 - Earnings Per Common Share
Note 15 - Income Taxes
Note 16 - Transactions with Related Parties
Note 17 - Leases
Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies
Note 19 - Debt and Financing Arrangements
Note 20 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Note 21 - Shareholders’ Equity
Note 22 - Share-Based Compensation
Note 23 - Retirement Plans
Note 24 - Legal Proceedings
Note 25 - Statutory Information
Note 26 - Unaudited Condensed Quarterly Financial Information
Note 27 - Subsequent Event
ARCH CAPITAL 83
2020 FORM 10-K
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Arch Capital Group Ltd.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of changes in shareholders’ equity, and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, including the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
ARCH CAPITAL 84
2020 FORM 10-K
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Valuation of Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
As described in Notes 3, 5 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses represents estimates of future amounts required to pay losses and loss adjustment expenses for insured or reinsured events which have occurred at or before the balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s total reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses was $16.5 billion. For the insurance and reinsurance segments, management estimates ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses using various generally accepted actuarial methods applied to known losses and other relevant information. Ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are generally determined by extrapolation of claim emergence and settlement patterns observed in the past that can reasonably be expected to persist into the future. Management makes a number of key assumptions in their reserving process, including estimating loss development patterns and expected loss ratios. For the mortgage segment, the lead actuarial methodology used by management is a frequency-severity method based on the inventory of pending delinquencies. The assumptions of frequency and severity reflect judgments based on historical data and experience.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when developing their estimate, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor subjectivity and judgment in performing procedures related to the valuation of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, (ii) the significant auditor effort and judgment in evaluating audit evidence related to the aforementioned key actuarial methods and key assumptions, and (iii) the audit effort included the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the valuation of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, including controls over the selection of key actuarial methods and development of key assumptions. These procedures also included, among others, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing one or a combination of procedures, including (i) developing an independent estimate, on a test basis, of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, and comparing the independent estimate to management’s actuarially determined reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses to evaluate the reasonableness of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses and (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the actuarial methods and reasonableness of the assumptions, related to loss development patterns, expected loss ratios, frequency, and severity used by management to determine the Company’s reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses. Developing the independent estimate and evaluating the appropriateness of the key methods and reasonableness of the key assumptions related to loss development patterns, expected loss ratios, frequency and severity, as applicable, involved testing the completeness and accuracy of historical data provided by management.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 26, 2021
We have served as the Company’s or its predecessor’s auditor since 1995.
ARCH CAPITAL 85
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
December 31,
2020 2019
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $18,143,305 and $16,598,808; net of allowance for credit losses: $2,397 at December 31, 2020)
$ 18,717,825 $ 16,894,526
Short-term investments available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,924,292 and $957,283; net of allowance for credit losses: $0 at December 31, 2020)
1,924,922 956,546
Collateral received under securities lending, at fair value (amortized cost: $301,089 and $388,366)
301,096 388,376
Equity securities, at fair value 1,444,830 838,925
Other investments (portion measured at fair value: $3,824,796 and $3,663,477)
4,324,796 3,663,477
Investments accounted for using the equity method 2,047,889 1,660,396
Total investments 28,761,358 24,402,246
Cash 906,448 726,230
Accrued investment income 103,299 117,937
Securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value (amortized cost: $294,493 and $378,738)
294,912 379,868
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for credit losses: $37,781 and $21,003)
2,064,586 1,778,717
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses (net of allowance for credit losses: $11,636 and $1,364)
4,500,802 4,346,816
Contractholder receivables (net of allowance for credit losses: $8,638 and $0)
1,986,924 2,119,460
Ceded unearned premiums 1,234,075 1,234,683
Deferred acquisition costs 790,708 633,400
Receivable for securities sold 92,743 24,133
Goodwill and intangible assets 692,863 738,083
Other assets 1,853,579 1,383,788
Total assets $ 43,282,297 $ 37,885,361
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 16,513,929 $ 13,891,842
Unearned premiums 4,838,965 4,339,549
Reinsurance balances payable 683,263 667,072
Contractholder payables 1,995,562 2,119,460
Collateral held for insured obligations 215,581 206,698
Senior notes 2,861,113 1,871,626
Revolving credit agreement borrowings 155,687 484,287
Securities lending payable 301,089 388,366
Payable for securities purchased 218,779 87,579
Other liabilities 1,510,888 1,513,330
Total liabilities 29,294,856 25,569,809
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 58,548 55,404
Shareholders’ Equity
Non-cumulative preferred shares 780,000 780,000
Common shares ($0.0011 par, shares issued: 579,000,841 and 574,617,195)
643 638
Additional paid-in capital 1,977,794 1,889,683
Retained earnings 12,362,463 11,021,006
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax 488,895 212,091
Common shares held in treasury, at cost (shares: 172,280,199 and 168,997,994)
(2,503,909) (2,406,047)
Total shareholders' equity available to Arch 13,105,886 11,497,371
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests 823,007 762,777
Total shareholders' equity 13,928,893 12,260,148
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity $ 43,282,297 $ 37,885,361
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ARCH CAPITAL 86
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenues
Net premiums earned $ 6,991,935 $ 5,786,498 $ 5,231,975
Net investment income 519,608 627,738 563,633
Net realized gains (losses) 823,460 363,198 (408,173)
Other underwriting income 26,784 24,861 15,073
Equity in net income of investments accounted for using the equity method 146,693 123,672 45,641
Other income (loss) 16,795 2,233 2,419
Total revenues 8,525,275 6,928,200 5,450,568
Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses 4,689,599 3,133,452 2,890,106
Acquisition expenses 1,004,842 840,945 805,135
Other operating expenses 875,176 800,997 677,809
Corporate expenses 81,988 80,111 78,994
Amortization of intangible assets 69,031 82,104 105,670
Interest expense 143,456 120,872 120,484
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) 83,634 20,609 (69,402)
Total expenses 6,947,726 5,079,090 4,608,796
Income before income taxes 1,577,549 1,849,110 841,772
Income taxes:
Current tax expense (benefit) 197,662 144,361 85,863
Deferred tax expense (benefit) (85,824) 11,449 28,088
Income tax expense 111,838 155,810 113,951
Net income $ 1,465,711 $ 1,693,300 $ 727,821
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (60,190) (56,981) 30,150
Net income available to Arch 1,405,521 1,636,319 757,971
Preferred dividends (41,612) (41,612) (41,645)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares - - (2,710)
Net income available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,363,909 $ 1,594,707 $ 713,616
Net income per common share and common share equivalent
Basic $ 3.38 $ 3.97 $ 1.76
Diluted $ 3.32 $ 3.87 $ 1.73
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding
Basic 403,062,179 401,802,815 404,347,621
Diluted 410,259,455 411,609,478 412,906,478
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ARCH CAPITAL 87
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Comprehensive Income
Net income $ 1,465,711 $ 1,693,300 $ 727,821
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax
Unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of available-for-sale investments:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during year 678,717 500,771 (270,057)
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses, included in net income (426,187) (118,941) 144,573
Foreign currency translation adjustments 33,336 18,110 (24,830)
Comprehensive income 1,751,577 2,093,240 577,507
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (60,190) (56,981) 30,150
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (9,062) (9,130) 3,346
Comprehensive income available to Arch $ 1,682,325 $ 2,027,129 $ 611,003
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ARCH CAPITAL 88
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Non-cumulative preferred shares
Balance at beginning of year $ 780,000 $ 780,000 $ 872,555
Preferred shares issued - - -
Preferred shares redeemed - - (92,555)
Balance at end of year 780,000 780,000 780,000
Convertible non-voting common equivalent preferred shares
Balance at beginning of year - - 489,627
Preferred shares converted to common shares - - (489,627)
Balance at end of year - - -
Common shares
Balance at beginning of year 638 634 611
Common shares issued, net 5 4 23
Balance at end of year 643 638 634
Additional paid-in capital
Balance at beginning of year 1,889,683 1,793,781 1,230,617
Preferred shares converted to common shares - - 489,608
Amortization of share-based compensation 70,535 64,152 55,920
Other changes 17,576 31,750 17,636
Balance at end of year 1,977,794 1,889,683 1,793,781
Retained earnings
Balance at beginning of year 11,021,006 9,426,299 8,562,889
Cumulative effect of an accounting change (22,452) - 149,794
Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted 10,998,554 9,426,299 8,712,683
Net income 1,465,711 1,693,300 727,821
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (60,190) (56,981) 30,150
Preferred share dividends (41,612) (41,612) (41,645)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares - - (2,710)
Balance at end of year 12,362,463 11,021,006 9,426,299
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at beginning of year 212,091 (178,720) 118,044
Unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of available-for-sale investments, net of deferred income tax:
Balance at beginning of year 258,486 (114,178) 157,400
Cumulative effect of an accounting change
- - (149,794)
Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted
258,486 (114,178) 7,606
Unrealized holding gains (losses) during period, net of reclassification adjustment
252,530 381,830 (125,484)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) during period attributable to noncontrolling interests
(9,721) (9,166) 3,700
Balance at end of year 501,295 258,486 (114,178)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income tax:
Balance at beginning of year (46,395) (64,542) (39,356)
Foreign currency translation adjustments 33,336 18,110 (24,830)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests 659 37 (356)
Balance at end of year (12,400) (46,395) (64,542)
Balance at end of year 488,895 212,091 (178,720)
Common shares held in treasury, at cost
Balance at beginning of year (2,406,047) (2,382,167) (2,077,741)
Shares repurchased for treasury (97,862) (23,880) (304,426)
Balance at end of year (2,503,909) (2,406,047) (2,382,167)
Total shareholders’ equity available to Arch 13,105,886 11,497,371 9,439,827
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests 823,007 762,777 791,560
Total shareholders’ equity $ 13,928,893 $ 12,260,148 $ 10,231,387
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ARCH CAPITAL 89
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Operating Activities
Net income $ 1,465,711 $ 1,693,300 $ 727,821
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net realized (gains) losses (844,625) (377,967) 390,379
Equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the
equity method and other income or loss (47,951) (14,013) 36,694
Amortization of intangible assets 69,031 82,104 105,670
Share-based compensation 71,262 66,417 55,776
Changes in:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable 2,113,827 489,981 243,734
Unearned premiums, net of ceded unearned premiums 445,781 252,569 114,772
Premiums receivable (318,643) (237,752) (211,296)
Deferred acquisition costs (143,948) (47,260) (37,847)
Reinsurance balances payable 65,950 182,132 73,438
Other items, net 10,110 (41,052) 60,181
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,886,505 2,048,459 1,559,322
Investing Activities
Purchases of fixed maturity investments (39,765,277) (30,053,777) (33,327,660)
Purchases of equity securities (1,595,010) (811,967) (1,001,149)
Purchases of other investments (1,808,727) (1,470,545) (2,014,622)
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity investments 37,949,346 28,595,865 31,513,271
Proceeds from sales of equity securities 1,147,264 429,818 1,118,445
Proceeds from sales, redemptions and maturities of other investments 1,029,578 1,209,559 1,561,958
Proceeds from redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity investments 871,134 643,265 892,755
Net settlements of derivative instruments 179,006 59,982 44,699
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments (1,029,681) 39,833 485,473
Change in cash collateral related to securities lending 81,210 (62,193) 180,883
Purchases of fixed assets (39,872) (37,837) (29,809)
Other (62,197) (348,486) 21,736
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (3,043,226) (1,806,483) (554,020)
Financing Activities
Redemption of preferred shares - - (92,555)
Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program (83,472) (2,871) (282,762)
Proceeds from common shares issued, net 1,876 6,203 (7,608)
Proceeds from borrowings 1,018,793 200,083 218,259
Repayments of borrowings (359,000) (49,182) (576,401)
Change in cash collateral related to securities lending (81,210) 62,193 (180,883)
Change in third party investment in non-redeemable noncontrolling interests (2,867) (75,056) -
Change in third party investment in redeemable noncontrolling interests - (161,882) -
Dividends paid to redeemable noncontrolling interests (4,945) (12,515) (17,989)
Other 73,715 (6,023) (7,226)
Preferred dividends paid (41,612) (41,612) (41,645)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 521,278 (80,662) (988,810)
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash and restricted cash 22,289 17,741 (19,133)
Increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash 386,846 179,055 (2,641)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year 903,698 724,643 727,284
Cash and restricted cash, end of year $ 1,290,544 $ 903,698 $ 724,643
Income taxes paid (received) $ 202,940 $ 109,463 $ (980)
Interest paid $ 133,491 $ 126,945 $ 119,775
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
ARCH CAPITAL 90
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. General
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (“Arch Capital”) is a publicly listed Bermuda exempted company which provides insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries.
As used herein, the “Company” means Arch Capital and its subsidiaries. Similarly, “Common Shares” means the common shares of Arch Capital. The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the results of Watford Holdings Ltd., and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Watford”). See note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests”.
2. Business Acquired
Barbican Group Holdings Limited
On November 29, 2019, the Company closed the acquisition of Barbican Group Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Barbican”).
The Ardonagh Group
On January 1, 2019, the Company’s U.K. insurance operations entered into a transaction with The Ardonagh Group to acquire renewal rights for a U.K. commercial lines book of business, consisting of commercial property, casualty, motor, professional liability, personal accident and travel business.
McNeil
On December 6, 2018, the Company closed the acquisition of McNeil & Co. (“McNeil”), a nationwide leader in specialized risk management and insurance programs headquartered in Cortland, New York.
3. Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Arch Capital and its subsidiaries, including Arch Reinsurance Ltd. (“Arch Re Bermuda”), Arch Reinsurance Company (“Arch Re U.S.”), Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc.(“Arch-U.S.”), Arch Insurance Company, Arch Specialty Insurance Company, Arch Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“Arch P&C”), Arch Indemnity Insurance Company, Arch Insurance Canada Ltd. (“Arch Insurance Canada”), Arch Reinsurance Europe Designated Activity Company (“Arch Re Europe”), Arch Mortgage Insurance
Company (“AMIC”), Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company, United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company (“UGRIC”), Arch Insurance (EU) Designated Activity Company (“Arch Insurance (EU)”), Arch Insurance (UK) Limited (“Arch Insurance (U.K.)”), Lloyd’s of London syndicate: Arch Syndicate 2012 (“Arch Syndicate 2012”) and Arch Syndicate 1955 (“Arch Syndicate 1955”) and Watford. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
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 and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions. The Company’s principal estimates include:
•The reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses;
•Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including the provision for uncollectible amounts;
•Estimates of written and earned premiums;
•The valuation of the investment portfolio and assessment of allowance for credit losses;
•The valuation of purchased intangible assets;
•The assessment of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment; and
•The valuation of deferred tax assets.
The Company has reclassified the presentation of certain prior year information to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s net income, shareholders’ equity or cash flows.
(b) Premium Revenues and Related Expenses
Insurance. Insurance premiums written are generally recorded at the policy inception and are primarily earned on a pro rata basis over the terms of the policies for all products, usually 12 months. Premiums written include estimates that are derived from multiple sources which include the historical experience of the underlying business, similar business and available industry information. Unearned premium reserves represent the portion of premiums written that relates to the unexpired terms of in-force insurance policies.
Reinsurance. Reinsurance premiums written include amounts reported by brokers and ceding companies, supplemented by the Company’s own estimates of premiums where reports have not been received. The determination of premium estimates requires a review of the Company’s experience with the ceding companies, familiarity with each market, the
ARCH CAPITAL 91
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
timing of the reported information, an analysis and understanding of the characteristics of each line of business, and management’s judgment of the impact of various factors, including premium or loss trends, on the volume of business written and ceded to the Company. On an ongoing basis, the Company’s underwriters review the amounts reported by these third parties for reasonableness based on their experience and knowledge of the subject class of business, taking into account the Company’s historical experience with the brokers or ceding companies. In addition, reinsurance contracts under which the Company assumes business generally contain specific provisions which allow the Company to perform audits of the ceding company to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, including accurate and timely reporting of information. Based on a review of all available information, management establishes premium estimates where reports have not been received. Premium estimates are updated when new information is received and differences between such estimates and actual amounts are recorded in the period in which estimates are changed or the actual amounts are determined.
Reinsurance premiums written are recorded based on the type of contracts the Company writes. Premiums on the Company’s excess of loss and pro rata reinsurance contracts are estimated when the business is underwritten. For excess of loss contracts, premiums are recorded as written based on the terms of the contract. Estimates of premiums written under pro rata contracts are recorded in the period in which the underlying risks are expected to incept and are based on information provided by the brokers and the ceding companies. For multi-year reinsurance treaties which are payable in annual installments, generally, only the initial annual installment is included as premiums written at policy inception due to the ability of the reinsured to commute or cancel coverage during the term of the policy. The remaining annual installments are included as premiums written at each successive anniversary date within the multi-year term.
Reinsurance premiums written, irrespective of the class of business, are generally earned on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies or reinsurance contracts. Contracts and policies written on a “losses occurring” basis cover claims that may occur during the term of the contract or policy, which is typically 12 months. Accordingly, the premium is earned evenly over the term. Contracts which are written on a “risks attaching” basis cover claims which attach to the underlying insurance policies written during the terms of such contracts. Premiums earned on such contracts usually extend beyond the original term of the reinsurance contract, typically resulting in recognition of premiums earned over a 24-month period. Certain of the Company’s reinsurance contracts include provisions that adjust premiums or acquisition expenses based upon the experience under the contracts. Premiums written and earned, as well as related
acquisition expenses, are recorded based upon the projected experience under such contracts.
The Company also writes certain reinsurance business that is intended to provide insurers with risk management solutions that complement traditional reinsurance. Under these contracts, the Company assumes a measured amount of insurance risk in exchange for an anticipated margin, which is typically lower than on traditional reinsurance contracts. The terms and conditions of these contracts may include additional or return premiums based on loss experience, loss corridors, sublimits and caps. Examples of such business include aggregate stop-loss coverages, financial quota share coverages and multi-year retrospectively rated excess of loss coverages. If these contracts are deemed to transfer risk, they are accounted for as reinsurance. Otherwise, such contracts are accounted for under the deposit method.
Mortgage. Mortgage guaranty insurance policies are contracts that are generally non-cancelable by the insurer, are renewable at a fixed price, and provide for payment of premiums on a monthly, annual or single basis. Upon renewal, the Company is not able to re-underwrite or re-price its policies. Consistent with industry accounting practices, premiums written on a monthly basis are earned as coverage is provided. Premiums written on an annual basis are amortized on a monthly pro rata basis over the year of coverage. Primary mortgage insurance premiums written on policies covering more than one year are referred to as single premiums. A portion of the revenue from single premiums is recognized in premiums earned in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premiums and earned over the estimated expiration of risk of the policy. If single premium policies related to insured loans are canceled due to repayment by the borrower and the policy is a non-refundable product, the remaining unearned premium related to each canceled policy is recognized as earned premium upon notification of the cancellation.
Reinstatement premiums for the Company’s insurance and reinsurance operations are recognized at the time a loss event occurs, where coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. Reinstatement premiums, if obligatory, are fully earned when recognized. The accrual of reinstatement premiums is based on an estimate of losses and loss adjustment expenses, which reflects management’s judgment.
Premium estimates are reviewed by management at least quarterly. Such review includes a comparison of actual reported premiums to expected ultimate premiums along with a review of the aging and collection of premium estimates. Based on management’s review, the appropriateness of the premium estimates is evaluated, and any adjustment to these estimates is recorded in the period in which it becomes known. Adjustments to premium estimates could be material
ARCH CAPITAL 92
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
and such adjustments could directly and significantly impact earnings favorably or unfavorably in the period they are determined because the estimated premium may be fully or substantially earned. A significant portion of amounts included as premiums receivable, which represent estimated premiums written, net of commissions, are not currently due based on the terms of the underlying contracts.
Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that is applicable to the estimated unexpired risk of insured loans. A portion of premium payments may be refundable if the insured cancels coverage, which generally occurs when the loan is repaid, the loan amortizes to a sufficiently low amount to trigger a lender permitted or legally required cancellation, or the value of the property has increased sufficiently in accordance with the terms of the contract. Premium refunds reduce premiums earned in the consolidated statements of income. Generally, only unearned premiums are refundable.
Premiums receivable include amounts receivable from agents, brokers and insured that are both currently due and amounts not yet due on insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance policies. Premiums receivable balances are reported net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The Company monitors credit risk associated with premiums receivable through its ongoing review of amounts outstanding, aging of the receivable, historical loss data, and counterparty financial strength measures. The allowance also includes estimated uncollectible amounts related to dispute risk. In certain instances, credit risk may be reduced by the Company’s right to offset loss obligations or unearned premiums against premiums receivable. Any allowance for credit losses is charged to net realized gains (losses) in the period the receivable is recorded and revised in subsequent periods to reflect changes in the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses. See note 7, “Allowance for Expected Credit Losses” for additional information.
Acquisition Costs. Acquisition costs that are directly related and incremental to the successful acquisition or renewal of business are deferred and amortized based on the type of contract. The Company’s insurance and reinsurance operations capitalize incremental direct external costs that result from acquiring a contract but do not capitalize salaries, benefits and other internal underwriting costs. For the Company’s mortgage insurance operations, which include a substantial direct sales force, both external and certain internal direct costs are deferred and amortized. For property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts, deferred acquisition costs are amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Consistent with mortgage insurance industry accounting practice, amortization of acquisition costs related to the mortgage insurance contracts for each underwriting year’s book of business is recorded in proportion to estimated gross profits. Estimated gross profits
are comprised of earned premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses. For each underwriting year, the Company estimates the rate of amortization to reflect actual experience and any changes to persistency or loss development.
Deferred acquisition costs are carried at their estimated realizable value and take into account anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses, based on historical and current experience, and anticipated investment income.
A premium deficiency occurs if the sum of anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses, unamortized acquisition costs and maintenance costs exceed unearned premiums (including expected future premiums) and anticipated investment income. A premium deficiency reserve (“PDR”) is recorded by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required in order to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency exceeds unamortized acquisition costs then a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency.
To assess the need for a PDR on mortgage exposures, the Company develops loss projections based on modeled loan defaults related to its current policies in force. This projection is based on recent trends in default experience, severity and rates of defaulted loans moving to claim, as well as recent trends in the rate at which loans are prepaid, and incorporates anticipated interest income. Evaluating the expected profitability of the Company’s existing mortgage insurance business and the need for a PDR for its mortgage business involves significant reliance upon assumptions and estimates with regard to the likelihood, magnitude and timing of potential losses and premium revenues.
No premium deficiency charges were recorded by the Company during 2020, 2019 or 2018.
(c) Deposit Accounting
Certain assumed reinsurance contracts that are deemed not to transfer insurance risk, are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. However, it is possible that the Company could incur financial losses on such contracts. Management exercises significant judgment in the assumptions used in determining whether assumed contracts should be accounted for as reinsurance contracts or deposit contracts. For those contracts that contain only significant underwriting risk, the estimated profit margin is deferred and amortized over the contract period and such amount is included in the Company’s underwriting results. When the estimated profit margin is explicit, the margin is reflected as other underwriting income and any adverse financial results on such contracts are reflected as incurred losses. When the estimated profit margin is implicit, the margin is reflected as an offset to paid losses and any adverse financial results on such contracts are reflected as incurred losses. Additional
ARCH CAPITAL 93
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
judgments are required when applying the accounting guidance with respect to the revenue recognition criteria for contracts deemed to transfer only significant underwriting risk. For those contracts that contain only significant timing risk, an accretion rate is established at inception of the contract based on actuarial estimates whereby the deposit accounting liability is increased to the estimated amount payable over the contract term. The accretion on the deposit is based on the expected rate of return required to fund the expected future payment obligations. Periodically the Company reassesses the estimated ultimate liability and the related expected rate of return. The accretion of the deposit accounting liability as well as changes to the estimated ultimate liability and the accretion rate would be reflected as part of interest expense in the Company’s results of operations. Any negative accretion in a deposit accounting liability is shown in other underwriting income in the Company’s results of operations.
Under some of these contracts, the ceding company retains the related assets on a funds-held basis. Such amounts are included in “Other assets” on the Company’s balance sheet. Interest income produced by those assets are recorded as part of net investment income in the Company's results of operations.
(d) Retroactive Reinsurance
Retroactive reinsurance reimburses a ceding company for liabilities incurred as a result of past insurable events covered by the underlying policies reinsured. In certain instances, reinsurance contracts cover losses both on a prospective basis and on a retroactive basis and, accordingly, the Company bifurcates the prospective and retrospective elements of these reinsurance contracts and accounts for each element separately where practical. Underwriting income generated in connection with retroactive reinsurance contracts is deferred and amortized into income over the settlement period while losses are charged to income immediately. Subsequent changes in estimated amount or timing of cash flows under such retroactive reinsurance contracts are accounted for by adjusting the previously deferred amount to the balance that would have existed had the revised estimate been available at the inception of the reinsurance transaction, with a corresponding charge or credit to income.
(e) Reinsurance Ceded
In the normal course of business, the Company purchases reinsurance to increase capacity and to limit the impact of individual losses and events on its underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. The Company uses pro rata, excess of loss and facultative reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance ceding commissions that represent a recovery of acquisition costs are recognized as a reduction to acquisition costs while
the remaining portion is deferred. The accompanying consolidated statement of income reflects premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses and acquisition costs, net of reinsurance ceded. See note 8, “Reinsurance” for information on the Company's reinsurance usage. Reinsurance premiums ceded and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable are estimated in a manner consistent with that of the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, the Company’s insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts.
Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets, predicated on the reinsurers’ ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. In certain instances, the Company obtains collateral, including letters of credit and trust accounts to further reduce the credit exposure on its reinsurance recoverables. The Company reports its reinsurance recoverables net of an allowance for expected credit loss. The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, the financial condition of its reinsurers, amounts and form of collateral obtained and other relevant factors. A ratings based probability-of-default and loss-given-default methodology is used to estimate the allowance for expected credit loss. Any allowance for credit losses is charged to net realized gains (losses) in the period the recoverable is recorded and revised in subsequent periods to reflect changes in the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses. See note 7, “Allowance for Expected Credit Losses” for additional information.
(f) Cash
Cash includes cash equivalents, which are investments with original maturities of three months or less which are not part of the investment portfolio.
(g) Restricted Cash
Restricted cash represents amounts held for the benefit of third parties and is legally or contractually restricted as to withdrawal or usage by the Company. Such amounts are included in “Other assets” on the Company’s balance sheet.
(h) Investments
The Company currently classifies substantially all of its fixed maturity investments and short-term investments as “available for sale” and, accordingly, they are carried at estimated fair value (also known as fair value) with the changes in fair value recorded as an unrealized gain or loss component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. The fair value of fixed maturity securities and equity securities is generally determined from quotations received from nationally recognized pricing
ARCH CAPITAL 94
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
services, or when such prices are not available, by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications. Short-term investments comprise securities due to mature within one year of the date of issue. Short-term investments include certain cash equivalents which are part of investment portfolios under the management of external and internal investment managers.
The Company enters into securities lending agreements with financial institutions to enhance investment income whereby it loans certain of its securities to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms, for short periods of time through a lending agent. Such securities have been reclassified as “Securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value.” The Company maintains legal control over the securities it lends, retains the earnings and cash flows associated with the loaned securities and receives a fee from the borrower for the temporary use of the securities. Collateral received is required at a rate of 102% or greater of the fair value of the loaned securities including accrued investment income and is monitored and maintained by the lending agent. Such collateral is reflected as “Collateral received under securities lending, at fair value.”
The Company’s investment portfolio includes certain funds that, due to their ownership structure, are accounted for by the Company using the equity method. In applying the equity method, these investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds (which include changes in the fair value of the underlying securities in the funds). Such investments are generally recorded on a one to three month lag based on the availability of reports from the investment funds. Changes in the carrying value of such investments are recorded in net income as “Equity in net income (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method.” As such, fluctuations in the carrying value of the investments accounted for using the equity method may increase the volatility of the Company’s reported results of operations.
The Company’s investment portfolio includes equity securities that are accounted for at fair value. Such holdings primarily include publicly traded common stocks. Dividend income on equities is reflected in net investment income. Changes in fair value on equity securities are included in “Net realized gains (losses)” in the consolidated statement of income.
The Company elected to carry certain fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other investments at fair value under the fair value option afforded by accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and liabilities. The fair value for certain of the Company’s other investments are determined using net asset values (“NAVs”) as advised by external fund managers. The NAV
is based on the fund manager’s valuation of the underlying holdings in accordance with the fund’s governing documents.
Changes in fair value of investments accounted for using the fair value option are included in “Net realized gains (losses).” The primary reasons for electing the fair value option were to address simplification and cost-benefit considerations.
The Company invests in reverse repurchase agreements that are generally treated as collateralized receivables. Receivables for reverse repurchase agreements are reflected in “Other investments” in the Company's consolidated balance sheet and may be short or long-term investments depending on their terms. These agreements are recorded at their contracted resale amount plus accrued interest, other than those that are accounted for at fair value. In reverse repurchase transactions, the Company obtains an interest in the purchased assets that are received as collateral.
The Company invests in limited partner interests and shares of limited liability companies. Such amounts are included in investments accounted for using the equity method and other investments. These investments can often have characteristics of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE refers to entities that have characteristics such as (i) insufficient equity at risk to allow the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support or (ii) instances where the equity investors, as a group, do not have the characteristic of a controlling financial interest. If the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, it is required to consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary is defined as the variable interest holder that is determined to have the controlling financial interest as a result of having both (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. At inception of the VIE as well as on an ongoing basis, the Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary based on an analysis of the Company’s level of involvement in the VIE, the contractual terms, and the overall structure of the VIE. The Company's maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying amounts reported in the Company's consolidated balance sheet and any unfunded commitment.
The Company conducts a periodic review to identify and evaluate credit based impairments related to the Company’s available for sale investments. The Company derives estimated credit losses by comparing expected future cash flows to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. Estimates of expected future cash flows consider among other things, macroeconomic conditions as well as the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects for the issuer, and the likelihood of the recoverability of principal and interest. Effective January 1, 2020, credit losses are
ARCH CAPITAL 95
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
recognized through an allowance account subject to reversal, rather than a reduction in amortized cost. Declines in value attributable to factors other than credit are reported in other comprehensive income while the allowance for credit loss is charged to net realized gains (losses).
For available for sale investments that the Company intends to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the full amount of the impairment is included in net realized gains (losses). The new cost basis of the investment is the previous amortized cost basis reduced by the impairment recognized in net realized gains (losses). The new cost basis is not adjusted for any subsequent recoveries in fair value.
The Company reports accrued investment income separately from investment balances and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued investment income. Any uncollectible accrued interest income is written off in the period it is deemed uncollectible.
Prior to January 1, 2020, the Company performed quarterly reviews of its investments to determine whether declines in fair value below the cost basis were considered other-than-temporary in accordance with applicable accounting guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of OTTI. The process of determining whether a security was other-than-temporarily impaired required judgment and involved analyzing many factors. These factors included (i) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer, (ii) the time period in which there was a significant decline in value, (iii) the significance of the decline and (iv) the analysis of specific credit events. When there were credit-related losses associated with debt securities for which the Company did not have an intent to sell and it was more likely than not that it would not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss was recognized in earnings and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors (e.g., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) was recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). The amount of the credit loss of an impaired debt security was the difference between the amortized cost and the greater of (i) the present value of expected future cash flows and (ii) the fair value of the security. In instances where no credit loss existed but it was more likely than not that the Company would have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in fair value below amortized cost was recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounted for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI were recognized in earnings, the
difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected would be accreted or amortized into net investment income. See note 9, “Investment Information” for additional information.
Net investment income includes interest and dividend income together with amortization of market premiums and discounts and is net of investment management and custody fees. Anticipated prepayments and expected maturities are used in applying the interest method for certain investments such as mortgage and other asset-backed securities. When actual prepayments differ significantly from anticipated prepayments, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. The net investment in such securities is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the acquisition of the security. Such adjustments, if any, are included in net investment income when determined.
Investment gains or losses realized on the sale of investments, except for certain fund investments, are determined on a first-in, first-out basis and are reflected in net income. Investment gains or losses realized on the sale of certain fund investments are determined on an average cost basis. Unrealized appreciation or decline in the value of available for sale securities, which are carried at fair value, is excluded from net income and recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income tax.
(i) Derivative Instruments
The Company recognizes all derivative instruments, including embedded derivative instruments, at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets. The Company employs the use of derivative instruments within its operations to mitigate risks arising from assets and liabilities held in foreign currencies as well as part of its overall investment strategy. For such instruments, changes in assets and liabilities measured at fair value are recorded as “Net realized gains” in the consolidated statements of income. In addition, the Company’s derivative instruments include amounts related to underwriting activities where an insurance or reinsurance contract meets the accounting definition of a derivative instrument. For such contracts, changes in fair value are reflected in “Other underwriting income” in the consolidated statements of income as the underlying contract originates from the Company’s underwriting operations. For the periods ended 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company did not designate any derivative instruments as hedges under the relevant accounting guidance. See note 11, “Derivative Instruments” for additional information.
ARCH CAPITAL 96
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(j) Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Insurance and Reinsurance. The reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses consists of estimates of unpaid reported losses and loss adjustment expenses and estimates for losses incurred but not reported. The reserve for unpaid reported losses and loss adjustment expenses, established by management based on reports from ceding companies and claims from insureds, excludes estimates of amounts related to losses under high deductible policies, and represents the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to or specifically identified by the Company. Such reserves are supplemented by management’s estimates of reserves for losses incurred for which reports or claims have not been received. The Company’s reserves are based on a combination of reserving methods, incorporating both Company and industry loss development patterns. The Company selects the initial expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratios based on information derived by its underwriters and actuaries during the initial pricing of the business, supplemented by industry data where appropriate. Such ratios consider, among other things, rate changes and changes in terms and conditions that have been observed in the market. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, are reflected in income in the period in which they are determined. As actual loss information has been reported, the Company has developed its own loss experience and its reserving methods include other actuarial techniques. Over time, such techniques have been given further weight in its reserving process based on the continuing maturation of the Company’s reserves. Inherent in the estimates of ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are expected trends in claims severity and frequency and other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled. Accordingly, ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are recorded on an undiscounted basis, except for excess workers’ compensation and employers’ liability business written by the Company’s insurance operations.
Mortgage. The reserves for mortgage guaranty insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses are the estimated claim settlement costs on notices of delinquency that have been received by the Company, as well as loan delinquencies that have been incurred but have not been reported by the lenders. Consistent with primary mortgage insurance industry accounting practice, the Company does not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not currently delinquent (defined as two or more payments in arrears). The Company establishes loss reserves on a case-by-case basis when insured loans are reported delinquent using estimated claim rates and average claim sizes for each cohort, net of any salvage recoverable. The Company also reserves
for delinquencies that have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company prior to the close of an accounting period. To determine this reserve, the Company estimates the number of delinquencies not yet reported using historical information regarding late reported delinquencies and applies estimated claim rates and claim sizes for the estimated delinquencies not yet reported.
The establishment of reserves across the Company’s segments is an inherently uncertain process, are necessarily based on estimates, and the ultimate net cost may vary from such estimates. The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting liability are reviewed and updated using the most current information available. Any resulting adjustments, which may be material, are reflected in current operations.
(k) Contractholder Receivables and Payables and Collateral Held for Insured Obligations
Certain insurance policies written by the Company’s U.S. insurance operations feature large deductibles, primarily in its construction and national accounts line of business. Under such contracts, the Company is obligated to pay the claimant for the full amount of the claim. The Company is subsequently reimbursed by the policy holder for the deductible amount. These amounts are included on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheet as contractholder payables and contractholder receivables. In the event that the Company is unable to collect from the policyholder, the Company would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Collateral, primarily in the form of letters of credit, cash and trusts, is obtained from the policyholder to mitigate the Company’s credit risk. In the instances where the Company receives collateral in the form of cash, the Company reflects it in “Collateral held for insured obligations.”
Contractholder receivables are reported net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, changes in policyholder credit standing, amounts and form of collateral obtained, and other relevant factors. A ratings based probability-of-default and loss-given-default methodology is used to estimate the allowance for expected credit losses. Any allowance for credit losses is charged to net realized gains (losses) in the period the receivable is recorded and revised in subsequent periods to reflect changes in the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses. See note 7, “Allowance for Expected Credit Losses” for additional information.
(l) Foreign Exchange
Assets and liabilities of foreign operations whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar are translated at the prevailing exchange rates at each balance sheet date. Revenues and
ARCH CAPITAL 97
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
expenses of such foreign operations are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The net effect of the translation adjustments for foreign operations is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income tax. Monetary assets and liabilities, such as premiums receivable and the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, denominated in foreign currencies are revalued at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date with the resulting foreign exchange gains and losses included in net income. Accounts that are classified as non-monetary, such as deferred acquisition costs and the unearned premium reserves, are not revalued. In the case of foreign currency denominated fixed maturity securities which are classified as “available for sale,” the change in exchange rates between the local currency in which the investments are denominated and the Company’s functional currency at each balance sheet date is included in unrealized appreciation or decline in value of securities, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income tax.
(m) Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset may not be realized. The Company considers future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In the event the Company determines that it will not be able to realize all or part of its deferred income tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred income tax assets would be charged to income in the period in which such determination is made. In addition, if the Company subsequently assesses that the valuation allowance is no longer needed, a benefit would be recorded to income in the period in which such determination is made. See note 15, “Income Taxes” for additional information.
The Company recognizes a tax benefit where it concludes that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in the Company’s judgment, is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
(n) Share-Based Payment Arrangements
The Company applies a fair value based measurement method in accounting for its share-based payment
arrangements with eligible employees and directors. Compensation expense is estimated based on the fair value of the award at the grant date and is recognized in net income over the requisite service period with a corresponding increase in shareholders’ equity. No value is attributed to awards that employees forfeit because they fail to satisfy vesting conditions. The Company’s (i) time-based awards generally vest over a three year period with one-third vesting on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date and (ii) performance-based awards cliff vest after each three year performance period based on achievement of the specified performance criteria. The share-based compensation expense associated with awards that have graded vesting features and vest based on service conditions only is calculated on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Compensation expense recognized in connection with performance awards is based on the achievement of the specified performance and service conditions. The final measure of compensation expense recognized over the requisite service period reflects the final performance outcome. During the recognition period compensation expense is accrued based on the performance condition that is probable of achievement. For awards granted to retirement-eligible employees where no service is required for the employee to retain the award, the grant date fair value is immediately recognized as compensation expense at the grant date because the employee is able to retain the award without continuing to provide service. For employees near retirement eligibility, attribution of compensation cost is over the period from the grant date to the retirement eligibility date. These charges had no impact on the Company’s cash flows or total shareholders’ equity. See note 22, “Share-Based Compensation” for information relating to the Company’s share-based payment awards.
(o) Guaranty Fund and Other Related Assessments
Liabilities for guaranty fund and other related assessments in the Company’s insurance and reinsurance operations are accrued when the Company receives notice that an amount is payable, or earlier if a reasonable estimate of the assessment can be made.
(p) Treasury Shares
Treasury shares are common shares purchased by the Company and not subsequently canceled. These shares are recorded at cost and result in a reduction of the Company’s shareholders’ equity in its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(q) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired and is assigned to the applicable reporting unit at acquisition. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis.
ARCH CAPITAL 98
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Impairment tests may be performed more frequently if the facts and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. In performing impairment tests, the Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, more than a 50% probability) that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform goodwill impairment test described in the accounting guidance.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as insurance licenses are evaluated for impairment similar to goodwill. Finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities include the value of acquired insurance and reinsurance contracts, which are estimated based on the present value of future expected cash flows and amortized in proportion to the estimated profits expected to be realized. Other finite-lived intangible assets, including customer lists, trade name and IT platforms, are amortized over their useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities are periodically reviewed for indicators of impairment. An impairment is recognized when the carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows and is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and fair value.
If goodwill or intangible assets are impaired, such assets are written down to their fair values with the related expense recorded in the Company’s results of operations.
(r) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Adopted
The Company adopted ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” The ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurement as part of the disclosure framework project with the objective to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments in this update allow for removal of (1) the amount and reasons for transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; (2) the policy for transfers between levels; and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company adopted ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40).” This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing certain implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance provides flexibility in adoption, allowing for either retrospective adjustment or prospective adjustment for all implementation
costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company adopted ASU 2020-09, “Debt (Topic 470): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-10762.” This ASU aligns the SEC release issued in March 2020 amending Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X regarding financial disclosure requirements for registered debt offerings involving subsidiaries as either issuers or guarantors and affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral. This new guidance narrows the circumstances that require separate financial statements of subsidiary issuers and guarantors and streamlines the alternative disclosures required in lieu of those statements. The amendment is effective on January 4, 2021 with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to apply the amended requirements for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and is no longer providing condensed consolidating financial information that resulted from the registered debt obligations of its subsidiaries, Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc. and Arch Capital Finance LLC., that were disclosed in Note 26 of the financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Form 10-K.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326).” The ASU applies a new credit loss model (current expected credit losses) for determining credit related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, including reinsurance recoverable, contractholder receivables, and premiums receivable, and requires an entity to estimate its lifetime “expected credit loss” and record an allowance that, when deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, presents the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments.
The ASU also amends the previous other-than-temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities by requiring the recognition of impairments relating to credit losses through an allowance account and limits the amount of credit loss to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. In addition, the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists.
The Company adopted the ASU for the quarter ending March 31, 2020 by recognizing an after-tax cumulative effect adjustment of $22.5 million to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2020. The cumulative effect adjustment decreased retained earnings and increased the allowance for credit losses.
ARCH CAPITAL 99
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” was issued in December 2019. This ASU eliminates certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The ASU also clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect this guidance to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2020-04, “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting,” was issued in March 2020. This ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to investments, derivatives, or other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. Along with the optional expedients, the amendments include a general principle that permits an entity to consider contract modifications due to reference reform to be an event that does not require contract re-measurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. This standard may be elected over time through December 31, 2022 as reference rate reform activities occur. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect this guidance to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
4. Segment Information
The Company classifies its businesses into three underwriting segments - insurance, reinsurance and mortgage - and two other operating segments - ‘other’ and corporate (non-underwriting). The Company determined its reportable segments using the management approach described in accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used for the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Intersegment business is allocated to the segment accountable for the underwriting results.
The Company’s insurance, reinsurance and mortgage segments each have managers who are responsible for the overall profitability of their respective segments and who are directly accountable to the Company’s chief operating decision makers, the Chief Executive Officer of Arch Capital, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Arch Capital and the
President and Chief Underwriting Officer of Arch Capital. The chief operating decision makers do not assess performance, measure return on equity or make resource allocation decisions on a line of business basis. Management measures segment performance for its three underwriting segments based on underwriting income or loss. The Company does not manage its assets by underwriting segment, with the exception of goodwill and intangible assets, and, accordingly, investment income is not allocated to each underwriting segment.
The insurance segment consists of the Company’s insurance underwriting units which offer specialty product lines on a worldwide basis. Product lines include:
• Construction and national accounts: primary and excess casualty coverages to middle and large accounts in the construction industry and a wide range of products for middle and large national accounts, specializing in loss sensitive primary casualty insurance programs (including large deductible, self-insured retention and retrospectively rated programs).
• Excess and surplus casualty: primary and excess casualty insurance coverages, including middle market energy business, and contract binding, which primarily provides casualty coverage through a network of appointed agents to small and medium risks.
• Lenders products: collateral protection, debt cancellation and service contract reimbursement products to banks, credit unions, automotive dealerships and original equipment manufacturers and other specialty programs that pertain to automotive lending and leasing.
• Professional lines: directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions liability, employment practices liability, fiduciary liability, crime, professional indemnity and other financial related coverages for corporate, private equity, venture capital, real estate investment trust, limited partnership, financial institution and not-for-profit clients of all sizes and medical professional and general liability insurance coverages for the healthcare industry. The business is predominately written on a claims-made basis.
• Programs: primarily package policies, underwriting workers’ compensation and umbrella liability business in support of desirable package programs, targeting program managers with unique expertise and niche products offering general liability, commercial automobile, inland marine and property business with minimal catastrophe exposure.
• Property, energy, marine and aviation: primary and excess general property insurance coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property coverage, for commercial
ARCH CAPITAL 100
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
clients. Coverages for marine include hull, war, specie and liability. Aviation and stand-alone terrorism are also offered.
• Travel, accident and health: specialty travel and accident and related insurance products for individual, group travelers, travel agents and suppliers, as well as accident and health, which provides accident, disability and medical plan insurance coverages for employer groups, medical plan members, students and other participant groups.
• Other: includes alternative market risks (including captive insurance programs), excess workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance coverages for qualified self-insured groups, associations and trusts, and contract and commercial surety coverages, including contract bonds (payment and performance bonds) primarily for medium and large contractors and commercial surety bonds for Fortune 1000 companies and smaller transaction business programs.
The reinsurance segment consists of the Company’s reinsurance underwriting units which offer specialty product lines on a worldwide basis. Product lines include:
•Casualty: provides coverage to ceding company clients on third party liability and workers’ compensation exposures from ceding company clients, primarily on a treaty basis. Exposures include, among others, executive assurance, professional liability, workers’ compensation, excess and umbrella liability, excess motor and healthcare business.
•Marine and aviation: provides coverage for energy, hull, cargo, specie, liability and transit, and aviation business, including airline and general aviation risks. Business written may also include space business, which includes coverages for satellite assembly, launch and operation for commercial space programs.
•Other specialty: provides coverage to ceding company clients for proportional motor and other lines including surety, accident and health, workers’ compensation catastrophe, agriculture, trade credit and political risk.
•Property catastrophe: provides protection for most catastrophic losses that are covered in the underlying policies written by reinsureds, including hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, hail and fire, and coverage for other perils on a case-by-case basis. Property catastrophe reinsurance provides coverage on an excess
of loss basis when aggregate losses and loss adjustment expense from a single occurrence of a covered peril exceed the retention specified in the contract.
•Property excluding property catastrophe: provides coverage for both personal lines and commercial property exposures and principally covers buildings, structures, equipment and contents. The primary perils in this business include fire, explosion, collapse, riot, vandalism, wind, tornado, flood and earthquake. Business is assumed on both a proportional and excess of loss basis. In addition, facultative business is written which focuses on commercial property risks on an excess of loss basis.
•Other. includes life reinsurance business on both a proportional and non-proportional basis, casualty clash business and, in limited instances, non-traditional business which is intended to provide insurers with risk management solutions that complement traditional reinsurance.
The mortgage segment includes the Company’s U.S. and international mortgage insurance and reinsurance operations as well as government sponsored enterprise (“GSE”) credit-risk sharing transactions. AMIC and UGRIC (components of “Arch MI U.S.”) are approved as eligible mortgage insurers by Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), each a government sponsored enterprise, or “GSE.”. Arch MI U.S. also includes Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company, which is not a GSE-approved entity.
The corporate (non-underwriting) segment results include net investment income, other income (loss), other expenses incurred by the Company, interest expense, net realized gains or losses, net impairment losses included in earnings, equity in net income or loss of investments accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses, transaction costs and other, income taxes and items related to the Company’s non-cumulative preferred shares. Such amounts exclude the results of the ‘other’ segment. The ‘other’ segment includes the results of Watford (see note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests”). Watford has its own management and board of directors that is responsible for the overall profitability of the ‘other’ segment. For the ‘other’ segment, performance is measured based on net income or loss.
ARCH CAPITAL 101
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables summarize the Company’s underwriting income or loss by segment, together with a reconciliation of underwriting income or loss to net income available to Arch common shareholders, summary information regarding net premiums written and earned by major line of business and net premiums written by location:
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Insurance Reinsurance Mortgage Sub-Total Other Total
Gross premiums written (1) $ 4,688,562 $ 3,472,086 $ 1,473,999 $ 9,632,691 $ 728,546 $ 10,088,068
Premiums ceded (1,525,655) (1,014,716) (194,149) (2,732,564) (190,957) (2,650,352)
Net premiums written 3,162,907 2,457,370 1,279,850 6,900,127 537,589 7,437,716
Change in unearned premiums (291,487) (295,141) 118,085 (468,543) 22,762 (445,781)
Net premiums earned 2,871,420 2,162,229 1,397,935 6,431,584 560,351 6,991,935
Other underwriting income (loss) (31) 4,454 20,316 24,739 2,045 26,784
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (2,092,453) (1,628,320) (528,344) (4,249,117) (440,482) (4,689,599)
Acquisition expenses (418,483) (354,048) (134,240) (906,771) (98,071) (1,004,842)
Other operating expenses (489,153) (168,011) (162,202) (819,366) (55,810) (875,176)
Underwriting income (loss) $ (128,700) $ 16,304 $ 593,465 481,069 (31,967) 449,102
Net investment income 401,908 117,700 519,608
Net realized gains (losses) 813,781 9,679 823,460
Equity in net income (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method 146,693 - 146,693
Other income (loss) 16,795 - 16,795
Corporate expenses (68,492) - (68,492)
Transaction costs and other (9,456) (4,040) (13,496)
Amortization of intangible assets (69,031) - (69,031)
Interest expense (120,214) (23,242) (143,456)
Net foreign exchange gains (losses) (80,161) (3,473) (83,634)
Income (loss) before income taxes 1,512,892 64,657 1,577,549
Income tax expense (111,812) (26) (111,838)
Net income (loss) 1,401,080 64,631 1,465,711
Amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (2,997) (4,117) (7,114)
Amounts attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - (53,076) (53,076)
Net income (loss) available to Arch 1,398,083 7,438 1,405,521
Preferred dividends (41,612) - (41,612)
Net income (loss) available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,356,471 $ 7,438 $ 1,363,909
Underwriting Ratios
Loss ratio 72.9 % 75.3 % 37.8 % 66.1 % 78.6 % 67.1 %
Acquisition expense ratio 14.6 % 16.4 % 9.6 % 14.1 % 17.5 % 14.4 %
Other operating expense ratio 17.0 % 7.8 % 11.6 % 12.7 % 10.0 % 12.5 %
Combined ratio 104.5 % 99.5 % 59.0 % 92.9 % 106.1 % 94.0 %
Goodwill and intangible assets $ 280,978 $ 18,963 $ 385,272 $ 685,213 $ 7,650 $ 692,863
Total investable assets $ 26,856,295 $ 2,657,612 $ 29,513,907
Total assets 39,791,983 3,490,314 43,282,297
Total liabilities 26,789,149 2,505,707 29,294,856
(1) Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total.
ARCH CAPITAL 102
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Insurance Reinsurance Mortgage Sub-Total Other Total
Gross premiums written (1) $ 3,907,993 $ 2,323,223 $ 1,466,265 $ 7,695,645 $ 754,881 $ 8,138,960
Premiums ceded (1,266,267) (720,500) (204,509) (2,189,440) (222,019) (2,099,893)
Net premiums written 2,641,726 1,602,723 1,261,756 5,506,205 532,862 6,039,067
Change in unearned premiums (244,646) (136,334) 104,584 (276,396) 23,827 (252,569)
Net premiums earned 2,397,080 1,466,389 1,366,340 5,229,809 556,689 5,786,498
Other underwriting income - 6,444 16,005 22,449 2,412 24,861
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (1,615,475) (1,011,329) (53,513) (2,680,317) (453,135) (3,133,452)
Acquisition expenses, net (361,614) (239,032) (134,319) (734,965) (105,980) (840,945)
Other operating expenses (454,770) (141,484) (153,092) (749,346) (51,651) (800,997)
Underwriting income (loss) $ (34,779) $ 80,988 $ 1,041,421 1,087,630 (51,665) 1,035,965
Net investment income 491,067 136,671 627,738
Net realized gains (losses) 348,037 15,161 363,198
Equity in net income (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method 123,672 - 123,672
Other income (loss) 2,233 - 2,233
Corporate expenses (65,667) - (65,667)
Transaction costs and other (14,444) - (14,444)
Amortization of intangible assets (82,104) - (82,104)
Interest expense (93,735) (27,137) (120,872)
Net foreign exchange gains (losses) (9,252) (11,357) (20,609)
Income (loss) before income taxes 1,787,437 61,673 1,849,110
Income tax (expense) benefit (155,790) (20) (155,810)
Net income (loss) 1,631,647 61,653 1,693,300
Amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests - (16,909) (16,909)
Amounts attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - (40,072) (40,072)
Net income (loss) available to Arch 1,631,647 4,672 1,636,319
Preferred dividends (41,612) - (41,612)
Net income (loss) available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,590,035 $ 4,672 $ 1,594,707
Underwriting Ratios
Loss ratio 67.4 % 69.0 % 3.9 % 51.3 % 81.4 % 54.2 %
Acquisition expense ratio 15.1 % 16.3 % 9.8 % 14.1 % 19.0 % 14.5 %
Other operating expense ratio 19.0 % 9.6 % 11.2 % 14.3 % 9.3 % 13.8 %
Combined ratio 101.5 % 94.9 % 24.9 % 79.7 % 109.7 % 82.5 %
Goodwill and intangible assets $ 289,021 $ 2,516 $ 438,896 $ 730,433 $ 7,650 $ 738,083
Total investable assets $ 22,285,676 $ 2,704,589 $ 24,990,265
Total assets 34,374,468 3,510,893 37,885,361
Total liabilities 22,977,636 2,592,173 25,569,809
(1) Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total.
ARCH CAPITAL 103
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Insurance Reinsurance Mortgage Sub-Total Other Total
Gross premiums written (1) $ 3,262,332 $ 1,912,522 $ 1,360,708 $ 6,534,423 $ 735,015 $ 6,961,004
Premiums ceded (1,050,207) (539,950) (202,833) (1,791,851) (130,840) (1,614,257)
Net premiums written 2,212,125 1,372,572 1,157,875 4,742,572 604,175 5,346,747
Change in unearned premiums (6,464) (111,356) 28,361 (89,459) (25,313) (114,772)
Net premiums earned 2,205,661 1,261,216 1,186,236 4,653,113 578,862 5,231,975
Other underwriting income - (682) 13,033 12,351 2,722 15,073
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (1,520,680) (846,882) (81,289) (2,448,851) (441,255) (2,890,106)
Acquisition expenses, net (349,702) (211,280) (118,595) (679,577) (125,558) (805,135)
Other operating expenses (364,138) (133,350) (142,432) (639,920) (37,889) (677,809)
Underwriting income (loss) $ (28,859) $ 69,022 $ 856,953 897,116 (23,118) 873,998
Net investment income 437,958 125,675 563,633
Net realized gains (losses) (287,258) (120,915) (408,173)
Equity in net income (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method 45,641 - 45,641
Other income (loss) 2,419 - 2,419
Corporate expenses (58,608) - (58,608)
Transaction costs and other (11,386) (9,000) (20,386)
Amortization of intangible assets (105,670) - (105,670)
Interest expense (101,019) (19,465) (120,484)
Net foreign exchange gains (losses) 58,711 10,691 69,402
Income (loss) before income taxes 877,904 (36,132) 841,772
Income tax benefit (113,924) (27) (113,951)
Net income 763,980 (36,159) 727,821
Amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests - (18,357) (18,357)
Amounts attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - 48,507 48,507
Net income (loss) available to Arch 763,980 (6,009) 757,971
Preferred dividends (41,645) - (41,645)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares (2,710) - (2,710)
Net income (loss) available to Arch common shareholders $ 719,625 $ (6,009) $ 713,616
Underwriting Ratios
Loss ratio 68.9 % 67.1 % 6.9 % 52.6 % 76.2 % 55.2 %
Acquisition expense ratio 15.9 % 16.8 % 10.0 % 14.6 % 21.7 % 15.4 %
Other operating expense ratio 16.5 % 10.6 % 12.0 % 13.8 % 6.5 % 13.0 %
Combined ratio 101.3 % 94.5 % 28.9 % 81.0 % 104.4 % 83.6 %
Goodwill and intangible assets $ 114,012 $ - $ 513,258 $ 627,270 $ 7,650 $ 634,920
Total investable assets $ 19,566,861 $ 2,757,663 $ 22,324,524
Total assets 28,845,473 3,372,856 32,218,329
Total liabilities 19,518,395 2,262,255 21,780,650
(1) Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total.
ARCH CAPITAL 104
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables provide summary information regarding net premiums earned by major line of business and net premiums written by underwriting location:
INSURANCE SEGMENT Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net premiums earned (1)
Property, energy, marine and aviation $ 517,247 $ 298,966 $ 205,069
Professional Lines (2) 655,872 499,224 458,425
Programs 432,854 414,103 389,186
Construction and national accounts 387,934 325,687 322,440
Excess and surplus casualty (3) 270,620 200,615 172,424
Travel, accident and health 190,944 305,085 297,147
Lenders products 114,687 66,079 94,248
Other (4) 301,262 287,321 266,722
Total $ 2,871,420 $ 2,397,080 $ 2,205,661
Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)
United States $ 2,158,415 $ 1,983,476 $ 1,736,651
Europe 856,572 559,214 401,974
Other 147,920 99,036 73,500
Total $ 3,162,907 $ 2,641,726 $ 2,212,125
(1) Insurance segment results include premiums assumed through intersegment transactions and exclude premiums ceded through intersegment transactions.
(2) Includes professional liability, executive assurance and healthcare business.
(3) Includes casualty and contract binding business.
(4) Includes alternative markets, excess workers' compensation and surety business.
REINSURANCE SEGMENT Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net premiums earned (1)
Property excluding property catastrophe $ 562,208 $ 362,841 $ 287,788
Property catastrophe 237,736 90,934 75,249
Other Specialty (2) 626,409 478,517 474,568
Casualty (3) 549,056 429,288 347,034
Marine and aviation 109,624 48,274 39,238
Other (4) 77,196 56,535 37,339
Total $ 2,162,229 $ 1,466,389 $ 1,261,216
Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)
United States $ 687,622 $ 529,943 $ 413,550
Bermuda 1,001,990 578,618 487,523
Europe and other 767,758 494,162 471,499
Total $ 2,457,370 $ 1,602,723 $ 1,372,572
(1) Reinsurance segment results include premiums assumed through intersegment transactions and exclude premiums ceded through intersegment transactions.
(2) Includes proportional motor, surety, accident and health, workers’ compensation catastrophe, agriculture, trade credit and other.
(3) Includes executive assurance, professional liability, workers’ compensation, excess motor, healthcare and other.
(4) Includes life, casualty clash and other.
ARCH CAPITAL 105
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MORTGAGE SEGMENT Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net premiums earned by underwriting location
United States $ 1,158,563 $ 1,134,849 $ 1,009,765
Other 239,372 231,491 176,471
Total $ 1,397,935 $ 1,366,340 $ 1,186,236
Net premiums written by underwriting location
United States $ 1,021,950 $ 1,032,868 $ 948,323
Other 257,900 228,888 209,552
Total $ 1,279,850 $ 1,261,756 $ 1,157,875
OTHER SEGMENT Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net premiums earned (1)
Casualty (2) $ 245,272 $ 246,894 $ 277,589
Other specialty (3) 186,717 185,547 204,485
Property catastrophe 23,037 13,399 10,998
Property excluding property catastrophe 1,130 3,503 2,802
Marine and aviation 429 - -
Other (4) 103,766 107,346 82,988
Total $ 560,351 $ 556,689 $ 578,862
Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)
United States $ 115,471 $ 127,176 $ 49,800
Europe 97,753 52,065 91,635
Bermuda 324,365 353,621 462,740
Total $ 537,589 $ 532,862 $ 604,175
(1) Other segment results include premiums assumed through intersegment transactions and exclude premiums ceded through intersegment transactions.
(2) Includes professional liability, excess motor, programs and other.
(3) Includes proportional motor and other.
(4) Includes mortgage, US programs and other.
ARCH CAPITAL 106
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table represents an analysis of losses and loss adjustment expenses and a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of year $ 13,891,842 $ 11,853,297 $ 11,383,792
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable 4,082,650 2,814,291 2,464,910
Net reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of year 9,809,192 9,039,006 8,918,882
Net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to losses occurring in:
Current year 4,851,051 3,297,037 3,162,818
Prior years (161,452) (163,585) (272,712)
Total net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses 4,689,599 3,133,452 2,890,106
Net losses and loss adjustment expense reserves of acquired business (1) - 209,486 -
Retroactive reinsurance transactions 182,210 (225,500) (420,404)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses and other 179,190 36,003 (143,414)
Net paid losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to losses occurring in:
Current year (661,529) (621,202) (524,048)
Prior years (1,999,588) (1,762,053) (1,682,116)
Total net paid losses and loss adjustment expenses (2,661,117) (2,383,255) (2,206,164)
Net reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of year 12,199,074 9,809,192 9,039,006
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable 4,314,855 4,082,650 2,814,291
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of year $ 16,513,929 $ 13,891,842 $ 11,853,297
(1) Primarily related to the acquisition of Barbican. See Note 2.
Development on Prior Year Loss Reserves
Year Ended December 31, 2020
During 2020, the Company recorded estimated net favorable development on prior year loss reserves of $161.5 million, which consisted of net favorable development of $7.8 million from the insurance segment, $134.0 million from the reinsurance segment, $19.0 million from the mortgage segment, and $0.7 million from the ‘other’ segment.
The insurance segment’s net favorable development of $7.8 million, or 0.3 points of net earned premium, consisted of $83.0 million of net favorable development in short-tailed and long-tailed lines partially offset by $75.2 million of net adverse development from medium-tailed lines. Net favorable development of $33.6 million in short-tailed lines reflected $21.6 million of favorable development from property (excluding marine), primarily from the 2015 to 2018 accident years, (i.e., the year in which a loss occurred) and $8.4 million of favorable development on travel and accident, primarily from the 2019 accident year. Net favorable development of $49.4 million in long-tailed lines included $38.8 million of favorable development related to other
business, including alternative markets and excess workers’ compensation, across all accident years, and $9.3 million of favorable development related to construction business. Net adverse development in medium-tailed lines reflected $37.9 million of adverse development in surety business, primarily from the 2019 accident year, $23.1 million in contract binding business, primarily from the 2016 to 2019 accident years, and $16.0 million in program business, primarily from the 2016 to 2019 accident years.
The reinsurance segment’s net favorable development of $134.0 million, or 6.2 points of net earned premium, consisted of $155.9 million of net favorable development from short-tailed and medium-tailed lines, partially offset by $21.9 million of net adverse development from long-tailed lines. Net favorable development of $144.0 million in short-tailed lines reflected $87.7 million related to property catastrophe and property other than property catastrophe business, primarily from the 2015 to 2019 underwriting years (i.e., losses attributable to contracts having an inception or renewal date within the given twelve-month period), and $53.6 million from other specialty lines, across most underwriting years. The net reduction of loss estimates for
ARCH CAPITAL 107
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
the reinsurance segment’s short-tailed lines primarily resulted from varying levels of reported and paid claims activity than previously anticipated which led to decreases in certain loss ratio selections during 2020. Adverse development in long-tailed lines reflected an increase in casualty reserves, primarily from the 2012 to 2015 underwriting years.
The mortgage segment’s net favorable development of $19.0 million, or 1.4 points of net earned premium, included $16.2 million of favorable development on U.S. primary mortgage insurance business. Such development was primarily driven by subrogation recoveries on second lien business and student loan business.
Year Ended December 31, 2019
During 2019, the Company recorded estimated net favorable development on prior year loss reserves of $163.6 million, which consisted of net favorable development of $15.8 million from the insurance segment, $46.4 million from the reinsurance segment and $125.2 million from the mortgage segment, partially offset by $23.8 million of net adverse development from the ‘other’ segment.
The insurance segment’s net favorable development of $15.8 million, or 0.7 points of net earned premium, consisted of $54.9 million of net favorable development from short-tailed lines and $39.1 million of net adverse development from medium-tailed and long-tailed lines. Net favorable development in short-tailed lines primarily resulted from lenders products and property (including special risk other than marine) reserves across all accident years, partially offset by net adverse development in travel business, primarily from the 2018 accident year. Net adverse development in medium-tailed and long-tailed lines of $39.1 million was primarily due to net adverse development of $33.6 million in contract binding business, primarily from the 2013 to 2017 accident years, and $30.1 million in programs, primarily from the 2014 and 2018 accident years. Such amounts were partially offset by net favorable development of $19.3 million in professional liability business, primarily from the 2013 to 2016 accident years, and $15.8 million in surety business, primarily from the 2014 to 2016 accident years.
The reinsurance segment’s net favorable development of $46.4 million, or 3.2 points of net earned premium, consisted of $70.5 million of net favorable development from short-tailed lines and $16.0 million of net favorable development from medium-tailed lines, partially offset by $40.1 million of net adverse development from long-tailed lines. Favorable development in short-tailed lines included $33.7 million from property catastrophe and property other than property catastrophe reserves, primarily from the 2017 and 2018 underwriting years and $40.8 million in other specialty, primarily from 2016 to 2018 underwriting years. The net
reduction of loss estimates for the reinsurance segment’s short-tailed lines primarily resulted from varying levels of reported and paid claims activity than previously anticipated which led to decreases in certain loss ratio selections during 2019. Net favorable development of $16.0 million in medium-tailed lines included reductions in marine and aviation reserves, primarily from the 2011 to 2017 underwriting years. Net adverse development in long-tailed lines of $40.1 million was primarily due to net adverse development of $44.5 million in casualty business, primarily from the 2013 to 2018 underwriting years.
The mortgage segment’s net favorable development of $125.2 million, or 9.2 points of net earned premium, included $117.1 million of favorable development on U.S. primary mortgage insurance business. Such development was primarily driven by lower than expected claim rates on first lien business and subrogation recoveries on second lien business.
Year Ended December 31, 2018
During 2018, the Company recorded estimated net favorable development on prior year loss reserves of $272.7 million, which consisted of $24.4 million from the insurance segment, $138.5 million from the reinsurance segment, $107.6 million from the mortgage segment and $2.2 million from the ‘other’ segment.
The insurance segment’s net favorable development of $24.4 million, or 1.1 points of net earned premium, consisted of $48.4 million of net favorable development from short-tailed lines and $26.3 million of net favorable development from long-tailed lines, partially offset by $50.3 million of net adverse development from medium-tailed lines. Favorable development in short-tailed lines predominantly consisted of $50.1 million of net favorable development in property lines, primarily from the 2010 to 2017 accident years, partially offset by $5.0 million of adverse development on travel, accident and health business from the 2013 to 2017 accident years. Net favorable development in long-tailed lines of $26.3 million included $19.7 million of net favorable development on executive assurance business, primarily from the 2015 accident year, and $1.4 million of net favorable development in casualty business, primarily from the 2009 to 2015 accident years. Net adverse development in medium tailed lines of $50.3 million was primarily due to net adverse development in contract binding business for accident years 2013 to 2017.
The reinsurance segment’s net favorable development of $138.5 million, or 11.0 points of net earned premium, consisted of $110.4 million from short-tailed lines and $28.1 million from medium-tailed and long-tailed lines. Favorable development in short-tailed lines included $80.8 million from property catastrophe and property other than property
ARCH CAPITAL 108
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
catastrophe reserves, primarily from the 2008 to 2017 underwriting years. The net reduction of loss estimates for the reinsurance segment’s short-tailed lines primarily resulted from varying levels of reported and paid claims activity than previously anticipated which led to decreases in certain loss ratio selections during 2018. Net favorable development of $28.1 million in medium-tailed and long-tailed lines included reductions in casualty reserves of $12.5 million, primarily from the 2002 to 2010 underwriting years, and in marine and aviation reserves of $15.6 million, spread across most underwriting years.
The mortgage segment’s net favorable development of $107.6 million, or 9.1 points of net earned premium, included $103.4 million of favorable development on U.S. primary mortgage insurance business. Such development was primarily driven by lower than expected claim rates on first lien business and subrogation recoveries on second lien business.
Retroactive Reinsurance Transactions
In 2020, the Company entered into a reinsurance-to-close agreement related to a third party arrangement covering the 2017 and prior years of account for certain London syndicate business. In 2019, the Company entered into a retroactive reinsurance transaction with third party reinsurer to reinsure run-off liabilities associated with certain U.S. insurance exposures, which was commuted in 2020. In 2018, the Company entered into a retroactive reinsurance transaction with third party reinsurers to reinsure run-off liabilities associated with certain U.S. insurance exposures.
6. Short Duration Contracts
The Company’s reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses primarily relate to short-duration contracts with various characteristics (e.g., type of coverage, geography, claims duration). The Company considered such information in determining the level of disaggregation for disclosures related to its short-duration contracts, as detailed in the table below:
Reportable segment Level of disaggregation Included lines of business
Insurance Property energy, marine and aviation Property energy, marine and aviation
Third party occurrence business Excess and surplus casualty (excluding contract binding); construction and national accounts; and other (including alternative market risks, excess workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance coverages)
Third party claims-made business Professional lines
Multi-line and other specialty Programs; contract binding (part of excess and surplus casualty); travel, accident and health; lenders products; and other (contract and commercial surety coverages)
Reinsurance Casualty Casualty
Property catastrophe Property catastrophe
Property excluding property catastrophe Property excluding property catastrophe
Marine and aviation Marine and aviation
Other specialty Other specialty
Mortgage Direct mortgage insurance in the U.S. Mortgage insurance on U.S. primary exposures
The Company determined the following to be insignificant for disclosure purposes: (i) amounts included in the ‘other’ segment (i.e., Watford) as described in note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests”; (ii) certain mortgage business, including non-U.S. primary business, second lien and student loan exposures, global mortgage reinsurance and participation in various GSE credit risk-sharing products, (iii) certain reinsurance business, including casualty clash and non-traditional lines and (iv) amounts associated with Barbican’s reserves for underwriting years 2018 and prior. Such amounts are included as reconciling items.
The Company is required to establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“Loss Reserves”) that arise from the business the Company underwrites. Loss Reserves for the insurance, reinsurance and mortgage segments represent estimates of future amounts required to pay losses and loss adjustment expenses for insured or reinsured events which have occurred at or before the balance sheet date. Loss Reserves do not reflect contingency reserve allowances to account for future loss occurrences. Losses arising from future events will be estimated and recognized at the time the losses are incurred and could be substantial.
Insurance Segment
Loss Reserves for the insurance segment are comprised of estimated amounts for (1) reported losses (“case reserves”) and (2) incurred but not reported losses (“IBNR reserves”). Generally, claims personnel determine whether to establish a
ARCH CAPITAL 109
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
case reserve for the estimated amount of the ultimate settlement of individual claims. The estimate reflects the judgment of claims personnel based on general corporate reserving practices, the experience and knowledge of such personnel regarding the nature and value of the specific type of claim and, where appropriate, advice of counsel. The Company also contracts with a number of outside third party administrators in the claims process who, in certain cases, have limited authority to establish case reserves. The work of such administrators is reviewed and monitored by our claims personnel. Loss Reserves are also established to provide for loss adjustment expenses and represent the estimated expense of settling claims, including legal and other fees and the general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process. Periodically, adjustments to the case reserves may be made as additional information is reported or payments are made. IBNR reserves are established to provide for incurred claims which have not yet been reported at the balance sheet date as well as to adjust for any projected variance in case reserving. Actuaries estimate ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses using various generally accepted actuarial methods applied to known losses and other relevant information. Like case reserves, IBNR reserves are adjusted as additional information becomes known or payments are made. The process of estimating reserves involves a considerable degree of judgment by management and, as of any given date, is inherently uncertain.
Ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are generally determined by extrapolation of claim emergence and settlement patterns observed in the past that can reasonably be expected to persist into the future. In forecasting ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to any line of business, past experience with respect to that line of business is the primary resource, developed through both industry and company experience, but cannot be relied upon in isolation. Uncertainties in estimating ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are magnified by the length of the time lag between when a claim actually occurs and when it is reported and settled. This time lag is sometimes referred to as the “claim-tail.” During this period additional facts regarding coverages written in prior accident years, as well as about actual claims and trends, may become known and, as a result, may lead to adjustments of the related Loss Reserves. If the Company determines that an adjustment is appropriate, the adjustment is recorded in the accounting period in which such determination is made. Accordingly, should Loss Reserves need to be increased or decreased in the future from amounts currently established, future results of operations would be negatively or positively impacted respectively. The Company authorizes managing general agents, general agents and other producers to write program business on the Company’s behalf within prescribed underwriting authorities. This delegated authority process introduces additional complexity to the actuarial determination of unpaid future
losses and loss adjustment expenses. In order to monitor adherence to the underwriting guidelines given to such parties, the Company periodically performs underwriting and claims due diligence reviews.
In determining ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses, the cost to indemnify claimants, provide needed legal defense and other services for insureds and administer the investigation and adjustment of claims are considered. These claim costs are influenced by many factors that change over time, such as expanded coverage definitions as a result of new court decisions, inflation in costs to repair or replace damaged property, inflation in the cost of medical services and legislated changes in statutory benefits, as well as by the particular, unique facts that pertain to each claim. As a result, the rate at which claims arose in the past and the costs to settle them may not always be representative of what will occur in the future. The factors influencing changes in claim costs are often difficult to isolate or quantify and developments in paid and incurred losses from historical trends are frequently subject to multiple and conflicting interpretations. Changes in coverage terms or claims handling practices may also cause future experience and/or development patterns to vary from the past. A key objective of actuaries in developing estimates of ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses, and resulting IBNR reserves, is to identify aberrations and systemic changes occurring within historical experience and adjust for them so that the future can be projected more reliably. Because of the factors previously discussed, this process requires the substantial use of informed judgment and is inherently uncertain.
Although Loss Reserves are initially determined based on underwriting and pricing analyses, the Company’s insurance segment applies several generally accepted actuarial methods, as discussed below, on a quarterly basis to evaluate the Loss Reserves, in addition to the expected loss method, in particular for Loss Reserves from more mature accident years (the year in which a loss occurred). Each quarter, as part of the reserving process, the segments’ actuaries reaffirm that the assumptions used in the reserving process continue to form a sound basis for the projection of liabilities. If actual loss activity differs substantially from expectations based on historical information, an adjustment to Loss Reserves may be supported. The Company places more or less reliance on a particular actuarial method based on the facts and circumstances at the time the estimates of Loss Reserves are made.
These methods generally fall into one of the following categories or are hybrids of one or more of the following categories:
•Expected loss methods - these methods are based on the assumption that ultimate losses vary proportionately with premiums. Expected loss and loss adjustment expense
ARCH CAPITAL 110
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ratios are typically developed based upon the information derived by underwriters and actuaries during the initial pricing of the business, supplemented by industry data available from organizations, such as statistical bureaus and consulting firms, where appropriate. These ratios consider, among other things, rate increases and changes in terms and conditions that have been observed in the market. Expected loss methods are useful for estimating ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses in the early years of long-tailed lines of business, when little or no paid or incurred loss information is available, and is commonly applied when limited loss experience exists for a company.
•Historical incurred loss development methods - these methods assume that the ratio of losses in one period to losses in an earlier period will remain constant in the future. These methods use incurred losses (i.e., the sum of cumulative historical loss payments plus outstanding case reserves) over discrete periods of time to estimate future losses. Historical incurred loss development methods may be preferable to historical paid loss development methods because they explicitly take into account open cases and the claims adjusters’ evaluations of the cost to settle all known claims. However, historical incurred loss development methods necessarily assume that case reserving practices are consistently applied over time. Therefore, when there have been significant changes in how case reserves are established, using incurred loss data to project ultimate losses may be less reliable than other methods.
•Historical paid loss development methods - these methods, like historical incurred loss development methods, assume that the ratio of losses in one period to losses in an earlier period will remain constant. These methods use historical loss payments over discrete periods of time to estimate future losses and necessarily assume that factors that have affected paid losses in the past, such as inflation or the effects of litigation, will remain constant in the future. Because historical paid loss development methods do not use incurred losses to estimate ultimate losses, they may be more reliable than the other methods that use incurred losses in situations where there are significant changes in how incurred losses are established by a company’s claims adjusters. However, historical paid loss development methods are more leveraged (meaning that small changes in payments have a larger impact on estimates of ultimate losses) than actuarial methods that use incurred losses because cumulative loss payments take much longer to equal the expected ultimate losses than cumulative incurred amounts. In addition, and for similar reasons, historical paid loss development methods are often slow to react to situations when new or different factors arise than those that have affected paid losses in the past.
•Adjusted historical paid and incurred loss development methods - these methods take traditional historical paid and incurred loss development methods and adjust them for the estimated impact of changes from the past in factors such as inflation, the speed of claim payments or the adequacy of case reserves. Adjusted historical paid and incurred loss development methods are often more reliable methods of predicting ultimate losses in periods of significant change, provided the actuaries can develop methods to reasonably quantify the impact of changes. As such, these methods utilize more judgment than historical paid and incurred loss development methods.
•Bornhuetter-Ferguson (“B-F”) paid and incurred loss methods - these methods utilize actual paid and incurred losses and expected patterns of paid and incurred losses, taking the initial expected ultimate losses into account to determine an estimate of expected ultimate losses. The B-F paid and incurred loss methods are useful when there are few reported claims and a relatively less stable pattern of reported losses.
•Frequency-Severity methods - These methods utilize actual paid and incurred claim experience, but break the data down into its component pieces: claim counts, often expressed as a ratio to exposure or premium (frequency), and average claim size (severity). The component pieces are projected to an ultimate level and multiplied together to result in an estimate of ultimate loss. These methods are especially useful when the severity of claims can be confined to a relatively stable range of estimated ultimate average claim value.
•Additional analyses - other methodologies are often used in the reserving process for specific types of claims or events, such as catastrophic or other specific major events. These include vendor catastrophe models, which are typically used in the estimation of Loss Reserves at the early stage of known catastrophic events before information has been reported to an insurer or reinsurer.
In the initial reserving process for short-tail insurance lines (consisting of property, energy, marine and aviation and other exposures including travel, accident and health and lenders products), the Company relies on a combination of the reserving methods discussed above. For catastrophe-exposed business, the reserving process also includes the usage of catastrophe models for known events and a heavy reliance on analysis of individual catastrophic events and management judgment. The development of losses on short-tail business can be unstable, especially for policies characterized by high severity, low frequency losses. As time passes, for a given accident year, additional weight is given to the paid and incurred B-F loss development methods and eventually to the historical paid and incurred loss development methods in the reserving process. The Company
ARCH CAPITAL 111
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
makes a number of key assumptions in their reserving process, including that historical paid and reported development patterns are stable, catastrophe models provide useful information about our exposure to catastrophic events that have occurred and underwriters’ judgment as to potential loss exposures can be relied on. The expected loss ratios used in the initial reserving process for short-tail business have varied over time due to changes in pricing, reinsurance structure, estimates of catastrophe losses, policy changes (such as attachment points, class and limits) and geographical distribution. As losses in short-tail lines are reported relatively quickly, expected loss ratios are selected for the current accident year based upon actual attritional loss ratios for earlier accident years, adjusted for rate changes, inflation, changes in reinsurance programs and expected attritional losses based on modeling. Furthermore, ultimate losses for short-tail business are known in a reasonably short period of time.
In the initial reserving process for medium-tail and long-tail insurance lines (consisting of third party occurrence business, third party claims made business, and other exposures including surety, programs and contract binding exposures), the Company primarily relies on the expected loss method. The development of the Company’s medium-tail and long-tail business may be unstable, especially if there are high severity major events, as a portion of the Company’s casualty business is in high excess layers. As time passes, for a given accident year, additional weight is given to the paid and incurred B-F loss development methods and historical paid and incurred loss development methods in the reserving process. The Company makes a number of key assumptions in reserving for medium-tail and long-tail lines, including that the pricing loss ratio is the best estimate of the ultimate loss ratio at the time the policy is entered into, that the loss
development patterns, which are based on a combination of company and industry loss development patterns and adjusted to reflect differences in the insurance segment’s mix of business, are reasonable and that claims personnel and underwriters analyses of our exposure to major events are assumed to be the best estimate of exposure to the known claims on those events. The expected loss ratios used in the initial reserving process for medium-tail and long-tail business for recent accident years have varied over time, in some cases significantly, from earlier accident years. As the credibility of historical experience for earlier accident years increases, the experience from these accident years will be given a greater weighting in the actuarial analysis to determine future accident year expected loss ratios, adjusted for changes in pricing, loss trends, terms and conditions and reinsurance structure.
In 2018, the Company entered into a loss portfolio transfer and adverse development cover reinsurance agreement accounted for as retroactive reinsurance. The agreement transfers Loss Reserves and future favorable or adverse development on certain runoff programs, within multi-line and other specialty business, and certain third party occurrence business (the “Covered Lines”). As incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses for the Covered Lines are ceded to the reinsurer, the Company is not exposed to changes in the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from the Covered Lines. To avoid distortion, the incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses and cumulative paid losses and loss adjustment expenses for the Covered Lines are excluded entirely from the tables below. Reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 2020 included $153.1 million related to this reinsurance agreement.
ARCH CAPITAL 112
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables present information on the insurance segment’s short-duration insurance contracts:
Property, energy, marine and aviation ($000’s except claim count)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 269,739 $ 272,897 $ 231,841 $ 220,231 $ 210,926 $ 207,814 $ 200,918 $ 201,198 $ 197,833 $ 196,436 $ 689 4,219
2012 232,500 231,742 205,098 198,837 196,405 192,406 190,192 178,039 177,673 931 4,269
2013 158,718 156,344 148,800 143,046 134,620 133,544 128,301 126,968 809 4,278
2014 148,185 145,765 147,315 136,096 132,209 134,234 134,937 4,206 3,930
2015 112,333 109,799 103,944 102,469 97,809 91,788 5,249 4,618
2016 104,139 100,986 105,330 100,147 96,127 882 6,389
2017 280,695 246,272 235,932 230,421 9,327 6,752
2018 180,981 186,030 173,693 14,784 5,347
2019 179,056 178,564 20,553 6,051
2020 359,394 168,463 16,980
Total $ 1,766,001
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 34,478 $ 99,724 $ 142,231 $ 167,867 $ 200,473 $ 202,347 $ 197,720 $ 198,626 $ 195,245 $ 195,347
2012 20,522 92,855 138,431 161,255 166,965 179,371 180,734 172,611 173,460
2013 32,239 84,759 110,548 119,791 121,922 125,156 123,036 124,369
2014 25,859 53,669 77,804 84,103 87,721 98,463 115,293
2015 23,567 64,916 76,299 86,214 87,887 86,207
2016 24,728 83,321 98,420 97,218 94,703
2017 30,219 139,854 195,518 211,694
2018 30,026 102,285 134,858
2019 26,130 105,380
2020 55,619
Total 1,296,930
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 23,517
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 492,588
Third party occurrence business ($000’s except claim count)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 234,068 $ 240,669 $ 254,181 $ 258,784 $ 252,615 $ 253,976 $ 247,052 $ 239,676 $ 234,782 $ 235,073 $ 35,138 70,924
2012 241,062 262,718 268,365 271,035 257,418 252,822 242,930 243,484 241,378 50,208 65,495
2013 282,968 296,839 306,751 301,789 281,786 274,391 272,528 269,437 60,720 66,685
2014 329,809 335,720 338,623 342,868 339,495 343,995 342,731 77,547 74,964
2015 358,858 391,666 398,670 391,904 391,231 382,518 107,083 77,257
2016 389,623 394,281 405,889 399,394 374,728 142,000 76,765
2017 417,183 417,748 422,441 412,318 195,684 82,267
2018 430,216 452,975 450,736 248,271 74,789
2019 456,059 487,224 318,622 80,934
2020 606,827 524,473 67,541
Total $ 3,802,970
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 7,020 $ 25,276 $ 43,479 $ 73,448 $ 113,502 $ 134,622 $ 152,756 $ 160,609 $ 172,940 $ 181,505
2012 6,966 30,824 58,444 83,328 108,252 129,572 143,177 154,282 162,202
2013 6,845 29,230 71,370 101,196 122,120 149,098 164,187 174,700
2014 9,209 40,263 71,519 112,591 161,993 191,168 211,503
2015 11,119 44,542 88,443 139,403 181,566 211,573
2016 11,689 41,938 87,565 136,793 164,573
2017 13,396 52,323 99,827 135,025
2018 17,002 63,798 115,076
2019 18,392 73,120
2020 24,439
Total 1,453,716
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 209,031
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 2,558,285
ARCH CAPITAL 113
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Third party claims-made business ($000’s except claim count)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 287,607 $ 330,898 $ 322,274 $ 317,074 $ 322,934 $ 301,240 $ 288,038 $ 289,974 $ 291,477 $ 290,124 $ 4,594 11,762
2012 317,360 319,961 318,161 313,622 291,010 275,388 277,388 284,875 285,236 13,772 14,760
2013 301,715 320,387 324,167 320,284 294,465 290,961 281,751 271,262 15,306 14,543
2014 264,354 279,544 298,715 278,706 281,513 297,485 291,729 29,279 13,935
2015 258,817 277,437 276,328 259,902 255,276 252,329 29,255 13,817
2016 275,119 291,377 308,195 314,515 321,850 61,156 15,734
2017 270,523 285,993 311,980 308,401 82,537 15,923
2018 272,844 314,412 319,956 123,386 14,988
2019 289,463 317,668 186,452 18,871
2020 383,914 327,587 21,538
Total $ 3,042,469
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 13,740 $ 72,365 $ 130,424 $ 175,139 $ 208,665 $ 228,450 $ 240,267 $ 254,300 $ 269,579 $ 276,887
2012 17,709 69,020 121,112 164,605 190,200 209,097 227,179 251,078 255,098
2013 19,015 87,408 137,890 179,302 197,907 217,030 238,798 245,504
2014 13,815 63,296 129,502 172,835 207,640 229,512 243,338
2015 9,061 52,019 100,048 126,452 174,108 193,130
2016 10,547 68,178 127,229 158,159 205,514
2017 9,289 67,572 113,047 143,149
2018 12,255 68,300 118,184
2019 12,387 65,345
2020 17,098
Total 1,763,247
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 97,957
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 1,377,179
Multi-line and other specialty ($000’s except claim count) (1)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 183,081 $ 188,766 $ 182,979 $ 176,545 $ 172,649 $ 172,403 $ 168,888 $ 170,350 $ 170,091 $ 166,577 $ 1,790 44,989
2012 253,525 264,217 258,467 256,106 255,277 247,050 247,279 244,191 244,246 2,551 55,512
2013 274,361 283,112 274,483 281,697 271,687 275,386 273,177 270,853 4,661 72,323
2014 349,754 373,978 370,442 387,082 398,240 410,366 418,512 12,232 111,727
2015 398,755 418,761 420,642 443,258 456,329 471,865 18,596 151,598
2016 482,653 504,586 514,650 516,239 537,591 28,282 177,931
2017 551,688 579,217 578,341 615,833 45,947 221,643
2018 570,069 621,534 629,299 74,894 247,622
2019 613,638 667,415 134,996 234,383
2020 654,302 403,044 117,814
Total $ 4,676,493
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 51,312 $ 103,372 $ 117,927 $ 136,686 $ 148,049 $ 151,710 $ 157,199 $ 159,526 $ 162,460 $ 162,995
2012 78,337 165,836 190,064 209,124 222,929 231,776 232,987 236,282 239,244
2013 86,791 152,773 185,611 222,086 237,898 251,698 257,744 260,374
2014 109,236 206,444 255,332 306,411 341,580 367,026 380,041
2015 142,009 250,360 304,197 350,781 380,818 409,455
2016 181,415 323,681 382,805 425,642 464,774
2017 187,606 363,275 419,454 480,336
2018 214,475 399,852 464,970
2019 213,950 397,104
2020 174,862
Total 3,434,155
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 31,453
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 1,273,791
(1) In 2019, the Company entered into a loss portfolio transfer agreement, which transferred reserves associated with certain multi-line business for accident years 2017 and prior to a third party. This loss portfolio transfer agreement was commuted in 2020, therefore the complete history of the subject business is now included in the multi-line triangles above.
ARCH CAPITAL 114
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses by age, net of reinsurance, as of December 31, 2020:
Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses by age, net of reinsurance
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Property, energy, marine and aviation
18.6 % 41.7 % 19.6 % 7.8 % 3.9 % 3.3 % 2.3 % (1.0) % (0.6) % 0.1 %
Third party occurrence business 3.2 % 9.2 % 11.3 % 11.6 % 11.3 % 8.8 % 6.2 % 3.9 % 4.3 % 3.6 %
Third party claims-made business
4.5 % 18.7 % 18.4 % 12.9 % 12.2 % 7.1 % 5.8 % 5.2 % 3.3 % 2.5 %
Multi-line and other specialty 30.8 % 27.7 % 10.5 % 10.4 % 6.7 % 4.6 % 2.3 % 1.2 % 1.5 % 0.3 %
Reinsurance Segment
Loss Reserves for the Company’s reinsurance segment are comprised of (1) case reserves, (2) additional case reserves (“ACRs”) and (3) IBNR reserves. The Company receives reports of claims notices from ceding companies and records case reserves based upon the amount of reserves recommended by the ceding company. Case reserves may be supplemented by ACRs, which may be estimated by the Company’s claims personnel ahead of official notification from the ceding company, or when judgment regarding the size or severity of the known event differs from the ceding company. In certain instances, the Company establishes ACRs even when the ceding company does not report any liability on a known event. In addition, specific claim information reported by ceding companies or obtained through claim audits can alert the Company to emerging trends such as changing legal interpretations of coverage and liability, claims from unexpected sources or classes of business, and significant changes in the frequency or severity of individual claims. Such information is often used in the process of estimating IBNR reserves. IBNR reserves are established to provide for incurred claims which have not yet been reported at the balance sheet date as well as to adjust for any projected variance in case reserving. Actuaries estimate ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses using various generally accepted actuarial methods applied to known losses and other relevant information. Like case reserves, IBNR reserves are adjusted as additional information becomes known or payments are made. The process of estimating Loss Reserves involves a considerable degree of judgment by management and, as of any given date, is inherently uncertain.
The estimation of Loss Reserves for the reinsurance segment is subject to the same risk factors as the estimation of Loss Reserves for the insurance segment. In addition, the inherent uncertainties of estimating such reserves are even greater for reinsurers, due primarily to the following factors: (1) the claim-tail for reinsurers is generally longer because claims are first reported to the ceding company and then to the reinsurer through one or more intermediaries, (2) the reliance on premium estimates, where reports have not been received from the ceding company, in the reserving process, (3) the potential for writing a number of reinsurance contracts with different ceding companies with the same exposure to a single loss event, (4) the diversity of loss development
patterns among different types of reinsurance contracts, (5) the necessary reliance on the ceding companies for information regarding reported claims and (6) the differing reserving practices among ceding companies.
Ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses are generally determined by extrapolation of claim emergence and settlement patterns observed in the past that can reasonably be expected to persist into the future.As with the insurance segment, the process of estimating Loss Reserves for the reinsurance segment involves a considerable degree of judgment by management and, as of any given date, is inherently uncertain. As discussed above, such uncertainty is greater for reinsurers compared to insurers. As a result, our reinsurance operations obtain information from numerous sources to assist in the process. Pricing actuaries from the reinsurance segment devote considerable effort to understanding and analyzing a ceding company’s operations and loss history during the underwriting of the business, using a combination of ceding company and industry statistics. Such statistics normally include historical premium and loss data by class of business, individual claim information for larger claims, distributions of insurance limits provided, loss reporting and payment patterns, and rate change history. This analysis is used to project expected loss ratios for each treaty during the upcoming contract period.
As mentioned above, there can be a considerable time lag from the time a claim is reported to a ceding company to the time it is reported to the reinsurer. The lag can be several years in some cases and may be attributed to a number of reasons, including the time it takes to investigate a claim, delays associated with the litigation process, the deterioration in a claimant’s physical condition many years after an accident occurs, the case reserving approach of the ceding company, etc. In the reserving process, the Company assumes that such lags are predictable, on average, over time and therefore the lags are contemplated in the loss reporting patterns used in their actuarial methods. This means that the reinsurance segment must rely on estimates for a longer period of time than does an insurance company. Backlogs in the recording of assumed reinsurance can also complicate the accuracy of loss reserve estimation. As of December 31, 2020 there were no significant backlogs related to the processing of assumed reinsurance information at our reinsurance operations.
ARCH CAPITAL 115
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The reinsurance segment relies heavily on information reported by ceding companies, as discussed above. In order to determine the accuracy and completeness of such information, underwriters, actuaries, and claims personnel often perform audits of ceding companies and regularly review information received from ceding companies for unusual or unexpected results. Material findings are usually discussed with the ceding companies. The Company sometimes encounters situations where they determine that a claim presentation from a ceding company is not in accordance with contract terms. In these situations, the Company attempts to resolve the dispute with the ceding company. Most situations are resolved amicably and without the need for litigation or arbitration. However, in the infrequent situations where a resolution is not possible, the Company will vigorously defend its position in such disputes.
Although Loss Reserves are initially determined based on underwriting and pricing analysis, the Company applies several generally accepted actuarial methods, as discussed above, on a quarterly basis to evaluate its Loss Reserves in addition to the expected loss method, in particular for reserves from more mature underwriting years (the year in which business is underwritten). Each quarter, as part of the reserving process, the Company’s actuaries reaffirm that the assumptions used in the reserving process continue to form a sound basis for projection of liabilities. If actual loss activity differs substantially from expectations based on historical information, an adjustment to Loss Reserves may be supported. Estimated Loss Reserves for more mature underwriting years are now based more on actual loss activity and historical patterns than on the initial assumptions based on pricing indications. More recent underwriting years rely more heavily on internal pricing assumptions. The Company places more or less reliance on a particular actuarial method based on the facts and circumstances at the time the estimates of Loss Reserves are made.
In the initial reserving process for short-tail reinsurance lines (consisting of property excluding property catastrophe and property catastrophe exposures), the Company relies on a combination of the reserving methods discussed above. For known catastrophic events, the reserving process also includes the usage of catastrophe models and a heavy reliance on analysis which includes ceding company inquiries and management judgment. The development of property losses may be unstable, especially where there is high catastrophic exposure, may be characterized by high severity, low frequency losses for excess and catastrophe-exposed business and may be highly correlated across contracts. As time passes, for a given underwriting year, additional weight is given to the paid and incurred B-F loss development methods and historical paid and incurred loss development
methods in the reserving process. The Company makes a number of key assumptions in reserving for short-tail lines, including that historical paid and reported development patterns are stable, catastrophe models provide useful information about our exposure to catastrophic events that have occurred and our underwriters’ judgment and guidance received from ceding companies as to potential loss exposures may be relied on. The expected loss ratios used in the initial reserving process for property exposures have varied over time due to changes in pricing, reinsurance structure, estimates of catastrophe losses, terms and conditions and geographical distribution. As losses in property lines are reported relatively quickly, expected loss ratios are selected for the current underwriting year incorporating the experience for earlier underwriting years, adjusted for rate changes, inflation, changes in reinsurance programs, expectations about present and future market conditions and expected attritional losses based on modeling. Due to the short-tail nature of property business, reported loss experience emerges quickly and ultimate losses are known in a reasonably short period of time.
In the initial reserving process for medium-tail and long-tail reinsurance lines (consisting of casualty, other specialty, marine and aviation and other exposures), the Company primarily relies on the expected loss method. The development of medium-tail and long-tail business may be unstable, especially if there are high severity major events, with business written on an excess of loss basis typically having a longer tail than business written on a pro rata basis. As time passes, for a given underwriting year, additional weight is given to the paid and incurred B-F loss development methods and eventually to the historical paid and incurred loss development methods in the reserving process. Our reinsurance operations make a number of key assumptions in reserving for medium-tail and long-tail lines, including that the pricing loss ratio is the best estimate of the ultimate loss ratio at the time the contract is entered into, historical paid and reported development patterns are stable and claims personnel and underwriters’ analyses of our exposure to major events are our best estimate of our exposure to the known claims on those events. The expected loss ratios used in our reinsurance operations’ initial reserving process for medium-tail and long-tail contracts have varied over time due to changes in pricing, terms and conditions and reinsurance structure. As the credibility of historical experience for earlier underwriting years increases, the experience from these underwriting years is used in the actuarial analysis to determine future underwriting year expected loss ratios, adjusted for changes in pricing, loss trends, terms and conditions and reinsurance structure.
ARCH CAPITAL 116
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables present information on the reinsurance segment’s short-duration insurance contracts:
Casualty ($000’s)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 152,359 $ 155,796 $ 149,799 $ 145,259 $ 141,023 $ 138,257 $ 132,142 $ 129,307 $ 130,769 $ 126,543 $ 16,905 N/A
2012 145,770 143,950 139,762 127,563 117,551 111,938 120,655 123,884 122,312 28,208 N/A
2013 168,738 161,993 157,804 151,340 139,221 137,591 133,857 137,978 37,566 N/A
2014 219,506 224,801 222,220 236,505 233,033 242,792 243,067 48,039 N/A
2015 225,908 224,525 233,644 240,886 244,861 251,747 63,133 N/A
2016 217,499 229,862 254,032 268,880 275,966 65,394 N/A
2017 268,353 253,959 269,434 297,998 79,858 N/A
2018 282,010 296,507 286,944 81,666 N/A
2019 338,581 347,126 178,981 N/A
2020 393,328 333,679 N/A
Total $ 2,483,009
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 2,353 $ 11,509 $ 21,684 $ 38,998 $ 55,027 $ 64,486 $ 71,457 $ 76,722 $ 82,728 $ 87,463
2012 1,371 8,637 14,875 25,738 36,809 48,109 59,877 70,308 76,287
2013 2,549 10,050 23,209 43,263 54,797 63,415 71,150 77,089
2014 3,962 16,160 40,949 63,636 91,366 114,798 135,101
2015 4,490 20,340 47,381 71,231 97,007 120,889
2016 5,763 25,720 51,822 86,989 114,096
2017 6,441 29,414 59,377 108,591
2018 7,588 31,118 106,454
2019 15,824 57,682
2020 17,822
Total 901,474
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 303,572
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 1,885,107
Property catastrophe ($000’s)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 215,493 $ 195,232 $ 176,170 $ 162,993 $ 159,174 $ 158,465 $ 156,150 $ 152,082 $ 150,971 $ 150,459 $ - N/A
2012 150,570 123,288 108,787 102,254 99,998 99,178 97,143 97,252 96,637 132 N/A
2013 69,044 49,507 37,714 33,143 30,567 29,848 28,910 29,060 (132) N/A
2014 46,774 32,188 26,438 23,491 21,671 20,957 20,845 (10) N/A
2015 34,895 19,282 12,724 6,643 4,746 4,102 67 N/A
2016 26,671 19,556 15,313 11,487 9,027 1,302 N/A
2017 82,521 49,340 46,354 32,747 87 N/A
2018 75,309 63,106 44,448 5,855 N/A
2019 51,202 35,789 9,545 N/A
2020 273,069 50,368 N/A
Total $ 696,183
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 63,175 $ 89,042 $ 122,060 $ 137,400 $ 143,141 $ 145,774 $ 147,929 $ 148,338 $ 148,929 $ 148,403
2012 25,850 70,843 83,929 90,834 92,993 94,122 94,732 95,419 95,521
2013 12,283 19,701 24,911 26,953 28,859 29,117 29,119 29,846
2014 13,702 20,635 19,293 20,170 19,786 19,993 20,146
2015 (3,161) (1,825) 2,660 2,959 2,537 2,630
2016 (6,752) 2,646 3,057 4,515 3,803
2017 30,173 30,224 34,534 24,209
2018 25,505 14,232 26,189
2019 3,878 17,393
2020 53,495
Total 421,635
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 1,624
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 276,172
ARCH CAPITAL 117
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Property excluding property catastrophe ($000’s)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 208,318 $ 180,624 $ 168,122 $ 164,414 $ 160,264 $ 158,952 $ 156,647 $ 155,606 $ 154,261 $ 152,753 $ 801 N/A
2012 156,980 122,552 124,408 119,838 115,425 113,201 111,722 109,122 103,596 251 N/A
2013 116,130 77,474 71,100 66,669 64,950 64,162 62,949 63,769 770 N/A
2014 144,299 118,056 99,891 91,272 88,994 84,679 82,899 2,063 N/A
2015 215,856 189,735 185,288 189,702 188,992 177,928 12,275 N/A
2016 178,103 147,154 139,032 138,008 141,789 15,986 N/A
2017 262,387 245,333 231,062 223,442 17,528 N/A
2018 223,917 241,754 238,162 18,520 N/A
2019 219,130 209,696 32,266 N/A
2020 387,907 167,596 N/A
Total $ 1,781,941
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 47,949 $ 122,137 $ 142,081 $ 146,626 $ 148,684 $ 149,788 $ 150,028 $ 150,302 $ 151,322 $ 150,417
2012 26,158 78,416 93,752 102,445 103,452 104,091 103,274 103,216 103,076
2013 26,068 43,068 50,208 53,389 54,202 56,090 61,601 62,591
2014 23,641 63,144 72,133 77,098 78,753 79,146 79,009
2015 75,725 119,578 150,207 161,447 166,632 160,271
2016 33,418 96,174 99,954 105,486 113,336
2017 25,807 118,658 148,638 156,523
2018 29,724 108,263 153,599
2019 43,809 125,698
2020 102,474
Total 1,206,994
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 6,125
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 581,072
Marine and aviation ($000’s)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 39,359 $ 32,956 $ 35,889 $ 32,436 $ 28,811 $ 27,213 $ 27,264 $ 24,871 $ 23,792 $ 23,517 $ 1,317 N/A
2012 59,117 58,956 55,172 52,428 51,223 49,865 46,183 43,165 41,316 2,228 N/A
2013 39,538 38,509 37,545 36,101 35,993 35,248 34,806 31,087 5,039 N/A
2014 31,333 29,576 27,763 26,059 24,050 23,695 22,347 5,044 N/A
2015 34,066 37,875 31,953 31,910 30,964 28,618 4,738 N/A
2016 27,409 22,804 23,622 19,344 17,029 8,230 N/A
2017 28,868 26,407 23,878 20,853 6,783 N/A
2018 28,355 26,395 24,957 7,490 N/A
2019 49,466 55,921 17,208 N/A
2020 84,238 58,896 N/A
Total $ 349,883
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 4,421 $ 12,122 $ 16,530 $ 19,235 $ 15,959 $ 16,634 $ 21,988 $ 21,911 $ 21,973 $ 21,979
2012 2,664 11,480 27,623 33,428 35,174 36,379 37,871 38,164 38,257
2013 5,109 14,330 19,075 22,111 23,135 24,427 24,804 24,520
2014 4,373 8,221 11,872 12,748 14,939 15,376 16,253
2015 11 13,476 19,120 20,971 22,773 22,456
2016 (7,300) (1,655) 552 3,292 5,900
2017 1,659 6,546 9,372 11,037
2018 2,006 7,087 11,384
2019 11,015 21,930
2020 9,339
Total 183,055
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 16,534
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 183,362
ARCH CAPITAL 118
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Other specialty ($000’s)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of reported claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2011
unaudited 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2011 $ 115,554 $ 100,395 $ 96,117 $ 94,512 $ 92,703 $ 91,334 $ 90,727 $ 88,820 $ 89,163 $ 87,648 $ 1,058 N/A
2012 231,531 219,627 209,355 203,114 200,945 203,898 202,085 196,309 187,908 4,635 N/A
2013 259,594 232,427 222,046 218,354 219,314 216,861 216,579 210,455 10,351 N/A
2014 283,138 263,653 265,417 258,595 253,373 255,341 250,825 15,127 N/A
2015 217,666 208,927 207,220 204,179 204,458 201,046 19,996 N/A
2016 231,160 228,501 222,788 217,054 223,777 18,179 N/A
2017 282,024 271,084 260,051 259,041 40,904 N/A
2018 338,298 334,567 326,027 53,316 N/A
2019 378,545 358,997 80,438 N/A
2020 551,374 259,496 N/A
Total $ 2,657,098
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2011 $ 29,717 $ 59,715 $ 72,298 $ 77,018 $ 80,642 $ 82,468 $ 84,815 $ 85,960 $ 85,643 $ 85,854
2012 47,484 126,138 149,753 161,073 169,096 173,202 177,742 179,614 179,943
2013 58,962 122,813 149,617 166,100 175,892 181,279 188,746 189,147
2014 71,006 151,115 187,560 201,189 207,965 219,234 221,978
2015 56,438 118,770 143,690 150,969 160,243 168,314
2016 67,730 143,624 168,425 180,542 192,947
2017 76,847 171,632 201,378 209,005
2018 75,395 211,954 243,257
2019 84,416 167,055
2020 101,559
Total 1,759,059
All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance 8,956
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 906,995
The following table presents the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses by age, net of reinsurance, as of December 31, 2020:
Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses by age, net of reinsurance
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Casualty
2.4 % 7.2 % 11.2 % 12.2 % 10.3 % 8.4 % 7.3 % 5.7 % 4.8 % 3.7 %
Property catastrophe 20.5 % 30.2 % 25.1 % 2.9 % (1.2) % 1.4 % 0.7 % 1.2 % 0.2 % (0.3) %
Property excluding property catastrophe
26.4 % 39.5 % 12.8 % 5.2 % 2.3 % 0.2 % 2.0 % 0.6 % 0.3 % (0.6) %
Marine and aviation
6.5 % 27.2 % 19.1 % 10.0 % 4.2 % 2.2 % 7.9 % (0.2) % 0.2 % - %
Other specialty 26.9 % 33.9 % 12.3 % 5.2 % 4.3 % 3.1 % 2.4 % 0.8 % (0.1) % 0.2 %
Mortgage Segment
The Company’s mortgage segment includes (1) direct mortgage insurance in the U.S., (2) direct mortgage insurance in Europe, (3) global mortgage reinsurance and (4) participation in various GSE credit risk-sharing products. The latter three categories along with second lien and student loan exposures are excluded on the basis of insignificance for the purposes of presenting disclosures related to short duration contracts.
For direct mortgage insurance business, the Company establishes case reserves for loans that have been reported as delinquent by loan servicers as well as those that are delinquent but not reported (IBNR reserves). The Company’s U.S. mortgage insurance operations also reserve for the expenses of adjusting claims related to these delinquencies. The trigger that creates a case reserve estimate is that an insured loan is reported to us as being two payments in arrears. The actuarial reviews and documentation created in the reserving process are completed in accordance with
generally accepted actuarial standards. The selected assumptions reflect actuarial judgment based on the analysis of historical data and experience combined with information concerning current underwriting, economic, judicial, regulatory and other influences on ultimate claim settlements.
Because the reserving process requires the Company to forecast future conditions, it is inherently uncertain and requires significant judgment and estimation. The use of different estimates would result in the establishment of different reserve levels. Additionally, changes in estimates are likely to occur from period to period as economic conditions change, and the ultimate liability may vary significantly from the estimates used. Major risk factors include (but are not limited to) changes in home prices and borrower equity, which can limit the borrower’s ability to sell the property and satisfy the outstanding loan balance, and changes in unemployment, which can affect the borrower’s income and ability to make mortgage payments. The unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, with no historical
ARCH CAPITAL 119
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
precedent, adds further uncertainty to current reserve estimates.
The lead actuarial methodology used by the Company is a frequency-severity method based on the inventory of pending delinquencies. Each month the loan servicers report the delinquency status of each insured loan. Using the frequency-severity method allows the Company to take advantage of its knowledge of the number of delinquent loans and the coverage provided (“risk size”) on those loans by directly relating the reserves to these amounts. The delinquencies are grouped into homogeneous cohorts for analysis, reflecting product type and age of delinquency. A claim rate is then developed for each cohort which represents the frequency with which the delinquencies become claims. The claim frequency rates are based on an analysis of the patterns of emerging cure counts and claim counts, the foreclosure status of the pending delinquencies, the product and geographical mix of the delinquencies and our view of future economic and claim conditions, which include trends in home prices and unemployment. Claim rates can vary materially by age of delinquency, depending on the mix of delinquencies and economic conditions.
Claim size severity estimates are determined by examining the risk sizes on the delinquent loans and estimating the portion of risk that will be paid, as well as any expenses. This is done based on a review of historical development patterns, an assessment of economic conditions and the level of equity the borrowers may have in their homes, as well as considering economic conditions and loss mitigation opportunities. Mortgage insurance is generally not subject to large claim sizes, as with some other lines of insurance. A claim size over $250,000 is rare, and this helps reduce the volatility of claim size estimates.
The claim rate and claim size assumptions generate case reserves for the population of reported delinquencies. The reserve for unreported delinquencies (included in IBNR reserves) is estimated by looking at historical patterns of reporting. Claim rates and claim sizes can then be assigned to estimated unreported delinquencies using assumptions made in the establishment of case reserves.
Mortgage insurance Loss Reserves are short-tail, in the sense that the vast majority of delinquencies are resolved within two years of being reported. Due to the forbearances and foreclosure moratoriums associated with COVID-19, settlement timelines may be extended. While reserves are initially analyzed by reserve cohort, as described above, they are also rolled up by underwriting year to ensure that reserve assumptions are consistent with the performance of the underwriting year. The accuracy of prior reserve assumptions is also checked in hindsight to determine if adjustments to the assumptions are needed.
Loss Reserves for the Company’s mortgage reinsurance business and GSE credit-risk sharing transactions are comprised of case reserves and IBNR reserves. The Company’s mortgage reinsurance operations receive reports of delinquent loans and claims notices from ceding companies and record case reserves based upon the amount of reserves recommended by the ceding company. In addition, specific claim and delinquency information reported by ceding companies is used in the process of estimating IBNR reserves.
ARCH CAPITAL 120
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The tables below include the acquired business of United Guaranty Corporation (“UGC”) (including UGRIC), across all periods presented. Consistent with prior practice, the Company provides accident years 2012 and forward in the disclosures below. The following table presents information on the mortgage segment’s short-duration insurance contracts:
Direct mortgage insurance business in the U.S. ($000’s except claim count)
Incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance December 31, 2020
Total of IBNR liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative
number of paid claims
Year ended December 31,
Accident year 2012
unaudited 2013
unaudited 2014
unaudited 2015
unaudited 2016
unaudited 2017
unaudited 2018
unaudited 2019
unaudited 2020
2012 $ 520,835 $ 480,592 $ 475,317 $ 469,238 $ 467,296 $ 459,467 $ 458,065 $ 456,286 $ 456,331 5 15,083
2013 469,311 419,668 411,793 405,809 395,693 393,149 390,987 391,062 3 9,471
2014 316,095 297,151 279,434 266,027 265,992 261,091 262,682 7 6,290
2015 222,790 197,238 198,001 194,677 189,235 190,913 4 4,543
2016 183,556 170,532 148,715 140,608 142,392 7 3,411
2017 179,376 132,220 107,255 108,181 630 2,429
2018 132,318 96,357 89,120 1,281 1,512
2019 108,424 119,253 2,921 566
2020 420,003 15,879 32
Total $ 2,179,937
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
2012 (106,065) 186,605 327,605 395,695 426,024 441,577 448,151 452,348 453,587
2013 41,447 203,957 308,956 353,189 373,909 382,200 386,853 387,894
2014 20,099 129,159 201,925 233,879 247,038 254,175 256,285
2015 16,159 92,431 151,222 171,337 180,321 183,472
2016 11,462 72,201 113,357 127,286 131,161
2017 8,622 48,112 78,650 87,317
2018 3,966 31,478 50,135
2019 2,899 20,105
2020 1,040
1,570,996
All outstanding liabilities before 2012, net of reinsurance 14,504
Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance $ 623,445
The following table presents the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses by age, net of reinsurance, as of December 31, 2020:
Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses by age, net of reinsurance
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
U.S. Primary 3.0 % 39.0 % 27.8 % 11.1 % 4.9 % 2.5 % 1.1 % 0.6 % 0.3 %
Other Segment
Loss Reserves for the ‘other’ segment (i.e., Watford) are comprised of case reserves, ACRs and IBNR reserves. For all business assumed by Watford, the Company acts as reinsurance underwriting manager, provides actuarial and risk management services and recommends a level of Loss Reserves to Watford. The Company does not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and the Company’s financial exposure to Watford is limited to its investment in Watford’s common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from the reinsurance transactions. The estimation of Loss Reserves for Watford is subject to the same risk factors as the estimation of Loss Reserves for the Company’s insurance, reinsurance
and mortgage segments as described earlier. Watford performs its own reserve reviews and sets its reserves independently. As noted previously, the Company determined that amounts in the ‘other’ segment are insignificant for the purposes of these footnote disclosures.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not make any significant changes in its methodologies or assumptions as described above (a) to determine the presented amounts of IBNR reserves, (b) for expected development on case reserves.
The Company measures claim frequency information on an individual claim count basis. Claim counts are provided for the insurance and mortgage segments, where reliable
ARCH CAPITAL 121
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
information is available. For insurance business, any claim which is reported to the Company is included in the count, even if it is subsequently settled without liability to the Company. The Company does not include claim count information for losses from U.S. insurance pool business where individual loss information is unavailable and impracticable to obtain. For mortgage business, only delinquencies which subsequently become claims are included in the claim count. For reinsurance business, claim counts are not provided. A significant amount of the Company’s reinsurance business is written on a proportional basis, for which individual loss information is typically unavailable and impracticable to obtain.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company did not make any significant changes in its methodologies or assumptions as described above to calculate the cumulative claim frequency.
The following table represents a reconciliation of the disclosures of net incurred and paid loss development tables to the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
Net outstanding liabilities
Insurance
Property, energy, marine and aviation
$ 492,588
Third party occurrence business
2,558,285
Third party claims-made business
1,377,179
Multi-line and other specialty
1,273,791
Reinsurance
Casualty
1,885,107
Property catastrophe
276,172
Property excluding property catastrophe
581,072
Marine and aviation
183,362
Other specialty
906,995
Mortgage
U.S. primary 623,445
Other short duration lines not included in disclosures (1) 1,765,397
Total for short duration lines 11,923,393
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
Insurance
Property, energy, marine and aviation
331,817
Third party occurrence business
1,272,034
Third party claims-made business
808,238
Multi-line and other specialty
246,915
Reinsurance
Casualty
536,809
Property catastrophe
266,946
Property excluding property catastrophe
70,108
Marine and aviation
63,781
Other specialty
317,011
Mortgage
U.S. primary 52,016
Other short duration lines not included in disclosures (2) 1,090,486
Intercompany eliminations (718,507)
Total for short duration lines 4,337,654
Lines other than short duration 75,369
Discounting (23,326)
Unallocated claims adjustment expenses 200,839
252,882
Total gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 16,513,929
(1) Includes net outstanding liabilities of $1.2 billion for the ‘other’ segment.
(2) Includes unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable of $153.1 million related to the loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement.
ARCH CAPITAL 122
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
7. Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
Premiums Receivable
The following table provides a roll forward of the allowance for expected credit losses of the Company’s premium receivables:
December 31, 2020
Premium Receivables, Net of Allowance Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of period $ 1,778,717 $ 21,003
Cumulative effect of accounting change (1) 6,539
Change for provision of expected credit losses (2) 10,239
Balance at end of period $ 2,064,586 $ 37,781
(1) Adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” See note 3.
(2) Amounts deemed uncollectible are written-off in operating expenses. For the 2020 period, amounts written off totaled $2.8 million.
Reinsurance Recoverables
The Company monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers and attempts to place coverages only with substantial, financially sound carriers. Although the Company has not experienced any material credit losses to date, an inability of its reinsurers or retrocessionaires to meet their obligations to it over the relevant exposure periods for any reason could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
The following table provides a roll forward of the allowance for expected credit losses of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables:
December 31, 2020
Reinsurance Recoverables, Net of Allowance Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of period $ 4,346,816 $ 1,364
Cumulative effect of accounting change (1) 12,010
Change for provision of expected credit losses (1,738)
Balance at end of period $ 4,500,802 $ 11,636
(1) Adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” See note 3.
The following table summarizes the Company’s reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses (not including ceded unearned premiums) at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31,
2020 2019
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 4,500,802 $ 4,346,816
% due from carriers with A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better 63.9 % 61.2 %
% due from all other carriers with no A.M. Best rating (1) 36.1 % 38.8 %
Largest balance due from any one carrier as % of total shareholders’ equity 1.8 % 1.7 %
(1) Over 94% of such amount is collateralized through reinsurance trusts, funds withheld arrangements, letters of credit or other.
Contractholder Receivables
The following table provides a roll forward of the allowance for expected credit losses of the Company’s contractholder receivables:
December 31, 2020
Contractholder Receivables, Net of Allowance Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
Balance at beginning of period $ 2,119,460 $ 0
Cumulative effect of accounting change (1) 6,663
Change for provision of expected credit losses 1,975
Balance at end of period $ 1,986,924 $ 8,638
(1) Adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” See note 3.
8. Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries cede a portion of their premium through pro rata and excess of loss reinsurance agreements on a treaty or facultative basis. The Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries participate in “common account” retrocessional arrangements for certain pro rata treaties. Such arrangements reduce the effect of individual or aggregate losses to all companies participating on such treaties, including the reinsurers, such as the Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries, and the ceding company. In addition, the Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries may purchase retrocessional coverage as part of their risk management program. The Company’s mortgage subsidiaries cede a portion of their premium through quota share arrangements and enter into various aggregate excess of loss mortgage reinsurance agreements with various special purpose reinsurance companies. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets, predicated on the reinsurers’ ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the
ARCH CAPITAL 123
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
agreements, the Company’s insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts.
The effects of reinsurance on the Company’s written and earned premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses with unaffiliated reinsurers were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Premiums Written
Direct $ 6,553,910 $ 5,681,523 $ 4,838,902
Assumed 3,534,158 2,457,437 2,122,102
Ceded (2,650,352) (2,099,893) (1,614,257)
Net $ 7,437,716 $ 6,039,067 $ 5,346,747
Premiums Earned
Direct $ 6,361,451 $ 5,447,829 $ 4,799,842
Assumed 3,213,873 2,337,950 1,988,038
Ceded (2,583,389) (1,999,281) (1,555,905)
Net $ 6,991,935 $ 5,786,498 $ 5,231,975
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Direct $ 4,392,392 $ 2,953,072 $ 2,472,133
Assumed 2,204,323 1,602,528 1,307,317
Ceded (1,907,116) (1,422,148) (889,344)
Net $ 4,689,599 $ 3,133,452 $ 2,890,106
Bellemeade Re
The Company has entered into various aggregate excess of loss mortgage reinsurance agreements with various special purpose reinsurance companies domiciled in Bermuda (the “Bellemeade Agreements”). For the respective coverage periods, the Company will retain the first layer of the respective aggregate losses and the special purpose reinsurance companies will provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding coverage amount. The Company will then retain losses in excess of the outstanding coverage limit. The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage decreases over a ten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize.
The following table summarizes the respective coverages and retentions at December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
Initial Coverage at Issuance Current
Coverage Remaining Retention, Net
Bellemeade 2017-1 Ltd. (1) 368,114 145,573 125,953
Bellemeade 2018-1 Ltd. (2) 374,460 250,095 123,690
Bellemeade 2018-2 Ltd. (3) 653,278 108,395 305,606
Bellemeade 2018-3 Ltd. (4) 506,110 302,563 129,874
Bellemeade 2019-1 Ltd. (5) 341,790 219,256 116,530
Bellemeade 2019-2 Ltd. (6) 621,022 398,316 162,457
Bellemeade 2019-3 Ltd. (7) 700,920 528,084 181,036
Bellemeade 2019-4 Ltd. (8) 577,267 468,737 118,102
Bellemeade 2020-1 Ltd. (9) 528,540 308,458 754,782
Bellemeade 2020-2 Ltd. (10) 449,167 449,167 239,278
Bellemeade 2020-3 Ltd. (11) 451,816 451,816 171,580
Bellemeade 2020-4 Ltd. (12) 337,013 337,013 147,466
Total $ 5,909,497 $ 3,967,473 $ 2,576,354
(1) Issued in October 2017, covering in-force policies issued between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2017.
(2) Issued in April 2018, covering in-force policies issued between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.
(3) Issued in August 2018, covering in-force policies issued between April 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015.
(4) Issued in October 2018, covering in-force policies issued between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018.
(5) Issued in March 2019, covering in-force policies primarily issued between 2005 to 2008 under United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company (“UGRIC”); as well as policies issued through 2015 under both UGRIC and Arch Mortgage Insurance Company.
(6) Issued in April 2019, covering in-force policies issued between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
(7) Issued in July 2019, covering in-force policies issued in 2016.
(8) Issued in October 2019, covering in-force policies issued between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019.
(9) Issued in June 2020, covering in-force policies issued between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. $450 million was directly funded by Bellemeade 2020-1 Ltd. with an additional $79 million of capacity provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers.
(10) Issued in September 2020, covering in-force policies issued between January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. $423 million was directly funded by Bellemeade 2020-2 Ltd. with an additional $26 million of capacity provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers.
(11) Issued in November 2020, covering in-force policies issued between June 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. $418 million was directly funded by Bellemeade 2020-3 Ltd. with an additional $34 million of capacity provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers.
(12) Issued in December 2020, covering in-force policies issued between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. $321 million was directly funded by Bellemeade 2020-4 Ltd. with an additional $16 million of capacity provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers.
See Note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests.”
ARCH CAPITAL 124
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. Investment Information
At December 31, 2020, total investable assets of $29.5 billion included $26.9 billion held by the Company and $2.7 billion attributable to Watford.
Available For Sale Investments
The following table summarizes the fair value and cost or amortized cost of the Company’s securities classified as available for sale:
Estimated
Fair
Value Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Allowance for Expected Credit Losses (2) Cost or
Amortized
Cost
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities (1):
Corporate bonds $ 7,856,571 $ 414,247 $ (34,388) $ (896) $ 7,477,608
Mortgage backed securities 630,001 8,939 (5,028) (278) 626,368
Municipal bonds 494,522 27,291 (3,835) (11) 471,077
Commercial mortgage backed securities 389,900 8,722 (2,954) (122) 384,254
U.S. government and government agencies 5,557,077 22,612 (12,611) - 5,547,076
Non-U.S. government securities 2,433,733 153,891 (8,060) - 2,287,902
Asset backed securities 1,634,804 19,225 (10,715) (1,090) 1,627,384
Total 18,996,608 654,927 (77,591) (2,397) 18,421,669
Short-term investments 1,924,922 2,693 (2,063) - 1,924,292
Total $ 20,921,530 $ 657,620 $ (79,654) $ (2,397) $ 20,345,961
December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities (1):
Corporate bonds $ 6,406,591 $ 191,889 $ (12,793) $ 6,227,495
Mortgage backed securities 562,309 9,669 (931) 553,571
Municipal bonds 881,926 24,628 (2,213) 859,511
Commercial mortgage backed securities 733,108 14,951 (2,330) 720,487
U.S. government and government agencies 4,916,592 36,600 (10,134) 4,890,126
Non-U.S. government securities 2,078,757 48,549 (20,330) 2,050,538
Asset backed securities 1,683,753 24,017 (4,724) 1,664,460
Total 17,263,036 350,303 (53,455) 16,966,188
Short-term investments 956,546 811 (1,548) 957,283
Total $ 18,219,582 $ 351,114 $ (55,003) $ 17,923,471
(1) In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the fair value of the fixed maturities pledged. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received under securities lending, at fair value and included the securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value. See “-Securities Lending Agreements.”
(2) Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and as a result any credit impairment losses on the Company’s available-for-sale investments are recorded as an allowance, subject to reversal. See note 3.
ARCH CAPITAL 125
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table summarizes, for all available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position, the fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time the security has been in a continual unrealized loss position:
Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
Estimated Fair
Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair
Value Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair
Value Gross Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities (1):
Corporate bonds $ 747,442 $ (33,086) $ 3,934 $ (1,302) $ 751,376 $ (34,388)
Mortgage backed securities 284,619 (4,788) 3,637 (240) 288,256 (5,028)
Municipal bonds 67,937 (3,835) - - 67,937 (3,835)
Commercial mortgage backed securities 126,624 (2,916) 2,655 (38) 129,279 (2,954)
U.S. government and government agencies 1,285,907 (12,611) - - 1,285,907 (12,611)
Non-U.S. government securities 543,844 (7,658) 2,441 (402) 546,285 (8,060)
Asset backed securities 634,470 (9,110) 57,737 (1,605) 692,207 (10,715)
Total 3,690,843 (74,004) 70,404 (3,587) 3,761,247 (77,591)
Short-term investments 97,920 (2,063) - - 97,920 (2,063)
Total $ 3,788,763 $ (76,067) $ 70,404 $ (3,587) $ 3,859,167 $ (79,654)
December 31, 2019
Fixed maturities (1):
Corporate bonds $ 675,131 $ (12,350) $ 37,671 $ (443) $ 712,802 $ (12,793)
Mortgage backed securities 102,887 (927) 203 (4) 103,090 (931)
Municipal bonds 220,296 (2,213) - - 220,296 (2,213)
Commercial mortgage backed securities 147,290 (2,302) 2,683 (28) 149,973 (2,330)
U.S. government and government agencies 1,373,127 (10,089) 32,058 (45) 1,405,185 (10,134)
Non-U.S. government securities 1,224,243 (20,163) 37,610 (167) 1,261,853 (20,330)
Asset backed securities 441,522 (3,334) 48,313 (1,390) 489,835 (4,724)
Total 4,184,496 (51,378) 158,538 (2,077) 4,343,034 (53,455)
Short-term investments 95,777 (1,548) - - 95,777 (1,548)
Total $ 4,280,273 $ (52,926) $ 158,538 $ (2,077) $ 4,438,811 $ (55,003)
(1) In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the fair value of the fixed maturities pledged. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received and reinvested and included the fixed maturities pledged. See “-Securities Lending Agreements.”
At December 31, 2020, on a lot level basis, approximately 2,320 security lots out of a total of approximately 11,180 security lots were in an unrealized loss position and the largest single unrealized loss from a single lot in the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio was $0.9 million. The Company believes that such securities were temporarily impaired at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2019, on a lot level basis, approximately 2,230 security lots out of a total of approximately 9,590 security lots were in an unrealized loss position and the largest single unrealized loss from a single lot in the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio was $0.9 million.
ARCH CAPITAL 126
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The contractual maturities of the Company’s fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements are shown in the following table. Expected maturities, which are management’s best estimates, will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Maturity Estimated Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Estimated Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less $ 348,200 $ 339,951 $ 428,659 $ 423,617
Due after one year through five years 10,629,959 10,340,819 10,126,403 9,996,206
Due after five years through 10 years 4,881,564 4,654,754 3,317,535 3,219,567
Due after 10 years 482,180 448,139 411,269 388,280
16,341,903 15,783,663 14,283,866 14,027,670
Mortgage backed securities 630,001 626,368 562,309 553,571
Commercial mortgage backed securities 389,900 384,254 733,108 720,487
Asset backed securities 1,634,804 1,627,384 1,683,753 1,664,460
Total (1) $ 18,996,608 $ 18,421,669 $ 17,263,036 $ 16,966,188
(1) In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the fair value of the fixed maturities pledged. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received and reinvested and included the fixed maturities pledged. See “-Securities Lending Agreements.”
Securities Lending Agreements
The Company enters into securities lending agreements with financial institutions to enhance investment income whereby it loans certain of its securities to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms, for short periods of time through a lending agent. The Company maintains legal control over the securities it lends (shown as ‘Securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value’ on the Company’s balance sheet), retains the earnings and cash flows associated with the loaned securities and receives a fee from the borrower for the temporary use of the securities. An indemnification agreement with the lending agent protects the Company in the event a borrower becomes insolvent or fails to return any of the securities on loan to the Company.
The Company receives collateral (shown as ‘Collateral received under securities lending, at fair value’ on the Company’s balance sheet) in the form of cash or U.S. government and government agency securities. At December 31, 2020, the fair value of the cash collateral received on securities lending was nil and the fair value of security collateral received was $301.1 million. At December 31, 2019, the fair value of the cash collateral received on securities lending was $81.2 million and the fair value of security collateral received was $307.2 million.
The Company’s securities lending transactions were accounted for as secured borrowings with significant investment categories as follows:
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
Overnight and Continuous Less than 30 Days 30-90 Days 90 Days or More Total
December 31, 2020
U.S. government and government agencies $ 142,317 $ - $ 139,290 $ - $ 281,607
Corporate bonds 3,021 - - - 3,021
Equity securities 16,461 - - - 16,461
Total $ 161,799 $ - $ 139,290 $ - $ 301,089
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending in offsetting disclosure in Note 11
-
Amounts related to securities lending not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 11
$ 301,089
December 31, 2019
U.S. government and government agencies $ 240,332 $ - $ 115,973 $ - $ 356,305
Corporate bonds 2,570 - - - 2,570
Equity securities 29,491 - - - 29,491
Total $ 272,393 $ - $ 115,973 $ - $ 388,366
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending in offsetting disclosure in Note 11
-
Amounts related to securities lending not included in offsetting disclosure in Note 11
$ 388,366
ARCH CAPITAL 127
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Equity Securities, at Fair Value
At December 31, 2020, the Company held $1.4 billion of equity securities, at fair value, compared to $838.9 million at December 31, 2019. Pursuant to applicable accounting guidance, changes in fair value on equity securities are recorded through net income effective January 1, 2018.
Other Investments
The following table summarizes the Company’s other investments and other investable assets:
December 31,
2020 2019
Fixed maturities $ 843,354 $ 754,452
Other investments 2,331,885 2,429,316
Short-term investments 557,008 377,014
Equity securities 92,549 102,695
Investments accounted for using the fair value option 3,824,796 3,663,477
Other investable assets (1) 500,000 -
Total other investments $ 4,324,796 $ 3,663,477
(1) Participation interests in a receivable of a reverse repurchase agreement.
The following table summarizes the Company’s other investments, as detailed in the previous table, by strategy:
December 31,
Term loan investments
1,231,731 1,326,018
Lending 572,636 602,841
Credit related funds 90,780 123,020
Energy 65,813 97,402
Investment grade fixed income 138,646 151,594
Infrastructure 165,516 61,786
Private equity 48,750 49,376
Real estate 18,013 17,279
Total
$ 2,331,885 $ 2,429,316
Investments Accounted For Using the Equity Method
The following table summarizes the Company’s investments accounted for using the equity method, by strategy:
December 31,
2020 2019
Credit related funds $ 740,060 $ 428,437
Equities 343,058 293,686
Real estate 258,518 246,851
Lending 179,629 202,690
Private equity 235,289 144,983
Infrastructure 175,882 235,033
Energy 115,453 108,716
Total
$ 2,047,889 $ 1,660,396
In applying the equity method, investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds (which include changes in the fair value of the underlying securities in the funds). Such investments are generally recorded on a one to three month lag based on the availability of reports from the investment funds.
A summary of financial information for the Company’s investment funds accounted for using the equity method is as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Invested assets $ 44,131,377 $ 26,383,370
Total assets 49,078,464 28,039,181
Total liabilities 6,054,189 3,595,695
Net assets $ 43,024,275 $ 24,443,486
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Total revenues $ 5,762,098 $ 164,669 $ 4,565,354
Total expenses 1,656,029 528,762 1,135,602
Net income (loss) $ 4,106,069 $ (364,093) $ 3,429,752
Certain of the Company’s other investments and investments accounted for using the equity method are in investment funds for which the Company has the option to redeem at agreed upon values as described in each investment fund’s subscription agreement. Depending on the terms of the various subscription agreements, investments in investment funds may be redeemed daily, monthly, quarterly or on other terms. Two common redemption restrictions which may impact the Company’s ability to redeem these investment funds are gates and lockups. A gate is a suspension of redemptions which may be implemented by the general partner or investment manager of the fund in order to defer, in whole or in part, the redemption request in the event the aggregate amount of redemption requests exceeds a predetermined percentage of the investment fund's net assets which may otherwise hinder the general partner or investment manager's ability to liquidate holdings in an orderly fashion in order to generate the cash necessary to fund extraordinarily large redemption payouts. A lockup period is the initial amount of time an investor is contractually required to hold the security before having the ability to redeem. If the investment funds are eligible to be redeemed, the time to redeem such fund can take weeks or months following the notification.
Limited Partnership Interests
In the normal course of its activities, the Company invests in limited partnerships as part of its overall investment strategy. Such amounts are included in ‘investments accounted for using the equity method’ and ‘investments accounted for using the fair value option.’ The Company determined that
ARCH CAPITAL 128
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
these limited partnership interests represented variable interests in the funds because the general partner did not have a significant interest in the funds. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and any unfunded commitment.
The following table summarizes investments in limited partnership interests where the Company has a variable interest by balance sheet item:
December 31,
2020 2019
Investments accounted for using the equity method (1) $ 2,047,889 $ 1,660,396
Investments accounted for using the fair value option (2) 184,720 188,283
Total $ 2,232,609 $ 1,848,679
(1) Aggregate unfunded commitments were $1.8 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2019.
(2) Aggregate unfunded commitments were $35.6 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $41.7 million at December 31, 2019.
Net Investment Income
The components of net investment income were derived from the following sources:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Fixed maturities $ 412,481 $ 505,399 $ 470,912
Term loans 84,149 98,949 87,926
Equity securities 28,958 15,857 13,154
Short-term investments 10,840 15,820 18,793
Other (1) 72,395 80,618 64,942
Gross investment income 608,823 716,643 655,727
Investment expenses (89,215) (88,905) (92,094)
Net investment income $ 519,608 $ 627,738 $ 563,633
(1) Includes income distributions from investment funds and other items.
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Net realized gains (losses) were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Available for sale securities:
Gross gains on investment sales $ 595,941 $ 235,655 $ 69,299
Gross losses on investment sales (117,282) (104,612) (223,123)
Change in fair value of assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option:
Fixed maturities 15,881 41,910 (90,898)
Other investments 13,656 (35,734) (90,778)
Equity securities 14,629 15,869 (5,984)
Short-term investments 2,279 3,801 (461)
Equity securities, at fair value (1):
Net realized gains (losses) on securities sold 26,849 11,313 (40,117)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities still held at reporting date 102,394 97,768 (22,828)
Allowance for credit losses:(3)
Investments related (3,597) - -
Underwriting related (10,007) - -
Net impairment losses (533) (3,165) (2,829)
Derivative instruments (2) 179,675 119,741 15,636
Other 3,575 (19,348) (16,090)
Net realized gains (losses) $ 823,460 $ 363,198 $ (408,173)
(1) Effective January 1, 2018, changes in fair value on equity securities are recorded through net income.
(2) See Note 11 for information on the Company’s derivative instruments.
(3) Adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” See note 3.
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Investments Accounted For Using the Equity Method
The Company recorded equity in net income related to investments accounted for using the equity method of $146.7 million for 2020, compared to $123.7 million for 2019 and $45.6 million for 2018. In applying the equity method, investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds (which include changes in the market value of the underlying securities in the funds). Such investments are generally recorded on a one to three month lag based on the availability of reports from the investment funds.
ARCH CAPITAL 129
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
The following table provides a roll forward of the allowance for expected credit losses of the Company’s securities classified as available for sale:
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Structured Securities (1) Municipal
Bonds Corporate
Bonds Total
Balance at beginning of period $ - $ - $ - $ -
Cumulative effect of accounting change (2) 517 - 117 634
Additions for current-period provision for expected credit losses 2,942 67 7,644 10,653
Additions (reductions) for previously recognized expected credit losses (1,398) 6 (5,638) (7,030)
Reductions due to disposals (571) (62) (1,227) (1,860)
Write-offs charged against the allowance - - - -
Balance at end of period $ 1,490 $ 11 $ 896 $ 2,397
(1) Includes asset backed securities, mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities.
(2) Adoption of ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” See note 3.
Restricted Assets
The Company is required to maintain assets on deposit, which primarily consist of fixed maturities, with various regulatory authorities to support its underwriting operations. The Company’s subsidiaries maintain assets in trust accounts as collateral for transactions with affiliated companies and also have investments in segregated portfolios primarily to provide collateral or guarantees for letters of credit to third parties
The following table details the value of the Company’s restricted assets:
December 31,
2020 2019
Assets used for collateral or guarantees:
Affiliated transactions $ 4,643,334 $ 4,526,761
Third party agreements 3,083,324 2,278,248
Deposits with U.S. regulatory authorities 827,552 797,371
Deposits with non-U.S. regulatory authorities 179,099 119,238
Total restricted assets $ 8,733,309 $ 7,721,618
In addition, Watford maintains a secured credit facility to provide borrowing capacity for investment purposes and a total return swap agreement and maintains assets pledged as collateral for such purposes. The Company does not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and the Company’s financial exposure to Watford is limited to its investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from reinsurance transactions. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Watford held $954.6 million and $1.0 billion, respectively, in pledged assets to collateralize the credit facility mentioned above.
Reconciliation of Cash and Restricted Cash
The following table details reconciliation of cash and restricted cash within the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cash $ 906,448 $ 726,230 $ 646,556
Restricted cash (included in ‘other assets’) 384,096 177,468 78,087
Cash and restricted cash $ 1,290,544 $ 903,698 $ 724,643
10. Fair Value
Accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP and provides a common definition of fair value to be used throughout GAAP. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly fashion between market participants at the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for the disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The level in the hierarchy within which a given fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement (Level 1 being the highest priority and Level 3 being the lowest priority).
ARCH CAPITAL 130
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The levels in the hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument
Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for securities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such securities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. The Company reviews its securities measured at fair value and discusses the proper classification of such investments with investment advisers and others.
The Company determines the existence of an active market based on its judgment as to whether transactions for the financial instrument occur in such market with sufficient frequency and volume to provide reliable pricing information. The independent pricing sources obtain market quotations and actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. The Company uses quoted values and other data provided by nationally recognized independent pricing sources as inputs into its process for determining fair values of its fixed maturity investments. To validate the techniques or models used by pricing sources, the Company's review process includes, but is not limited to: (i) quantitative analysis (e.g., comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated); (ii) a review of the prices obtained in the pricing process and the range of resulting fair values; (iii) initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by outside parties to calculate fair value; (iv) a comparison of the fair value estimates to the Company’s knowledge of the current market; (v) a comparison of the pricing services' fair values to other pricing services' fair values for the same investments; and (vi) periodic back-testing, which includes randomly selecting purchased or sold securities and comparing the executed prices to the fair value estimates from the pricing service. A price source hierarchy was maintained in order to determine which price source would be used (i.e., a price obtained from a pricing service with more seniority in the hierarchy will be used over a less senior one in all cases). The hierarchy prioritizes pricing services based on availability and reliability and assigns the highest priority to index providers. Based on the above review, the
Company will challenge any prices for a security or portfolio which are considered not to be representative of fair value.
In certain circumstances, when fair values are unavailable from these independent pricing sources, quotes are obtained directly from broker-dealers who are active in the corresponding markets. Such quotes are subject to the validation procedures noted above. Of the $26.5 billion of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2020, approximately $150.1 million, or 0.6%, were priced using non-binding broker-dealer quotes. Of the $22.9 billion of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2019, approximately $179.6 million, or 0.8%, were priced using non-binding broker-dealer quotes.
Fixed maturities
The Company uses the market approach valuation technique to estimate the fair value of its fixed maturity securities, when possible. The market approach includes obtaining prices from independent pricing services, such as index providers and pricing vendors, as well as to a lesser extent quotes from broker-dealers. The independent pricing sources obtain market quotations and actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Each source has its own proprietary method for determining the fair value of securities that are not actively traded. In general, these methods involve the use of “matrix pricing” in which the independent pricing source uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, investment yields, credit risks and spreads, benchmarking of like securities, broker-dealer quotes, reported trades and sector groupings to determine a reasonable fair value. The following describes the significant inputs generally used to determine the fair value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities by asset class:
•U.S. government and government agencies - valuations provided by independent pricing services, with all prices provided through index providers and pricing vendors. The Company determined that all U.S. Treasuries would be classified as Level 1 securities due to observed levels of trading activity, the high number of strongly correlated pricing quotes received on U.S. Treasuries and other factors. The fair values of U.S. government agency securities are generally determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. As the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the spreads for these securities are observable market inputs, the fair values of U.S. government agency securities are classified within Level 2.
•Corporate bonds - valuations provided by independent pricing services, substantially all through index providers and pricing vendors with a small amount through broker-dealers. The fair values of these securities are generally determined using the spread above the risk-free
ARCH CAPITAL 131
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
yield curve. These spreads are generally obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading and from broker-dealers who trade in the relevant security market. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for corporate bonds are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2.
•Mortgage-backed securities - valuations provided by independent pricing services, substantially all through pricing vendors and index providers with a small amount through broker-dealers. The fair values of these securities are generally determined through the use of pricing models (including Option Adjusted Spread) which use spreads to determine the expected average life of the securities. These spreads are generally obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading and from broker-dealers who trade in the relevant security market. The pricing services also review prepayment speeds and other indicators, when applicable. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for mortgage-backed securities are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2.
• Municipal bonds - valuations provided by independent pricing services, with all prices provided through index providers and pricing vendors. The fair values of these securities are generally determined using spreads obtained from broker-dealers who trade in the relevant security market, trade prices and the new issue market. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for municipal bonds are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2.
•Commercial mortgage-backed securities - valuations provided by independent pricing services, substantially all through index providers and pricing vendors with a small amount through broker-dealers. The fair values of these securities are generally determined through the use of pricing models which use spreads to determine the appropriate average life of the securities. These spreads are generally obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading and from broker-dealers who trade in the relevant security market. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for commercial mortgage-backed securities are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2.
•Non-U.S. government securities - valuations provided by independent pricing services, with all prices provided through index providers and pricing vendors. The fair values of these securities are generally based on international indices or valuation models which include daily observed yield curves, cross-currency basis index spreads and country credit spreads. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for non-U.S. government securities are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2.
•Asset-backed securities - valuations provided by independent pricing services, substantially all through index providers and pricing vendors with a small amount through broker-dealers. The fair values of these securities are generally determined through the use of pricing models (including Option Adjusted Spread) which use spreads to determine the appropriate average life of the securities. These spreads are generally obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading and from broker-dealers who trade in the relevant security market. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for asset-backed securities are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2. A small number of securities are included in Level 3 due to a low level of transparency on the inputs used in the pricing process.
Equity securities
The Company determined that exchange-traded equity securities would be included in Level 1 as their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets. Other equity securities are included in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. A small number of securities are included in Level 3 due to the lack of an available independent price source for such securities. As the significant inputs used to price these securities are unobservable, the fair value of such securities are classified as Level 3.
Other investments
The Company determined that exchange-traded investments would be included in Level 1 as their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets. Other investments also include term loan investments for which fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of term loan investments with similar characteristics, pricing models or matrix pricing. Such investments are generally classified within Level 2. A small number of securities are included in Level 3 due to the lack of an available independent price source for such securities.
Derivative instruments
The Company’s futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps and other derivatives trade in the over-the-counter derivative market. The Company uses the market approach valuation technique to estimate the fair value for these derivatives based on significant observable market inputs from third party pricing vendors, non-binding broker-dealer quotes and/or recent trading activity. As the significant inputs used in the pricing process for these derivative instruments are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are classified within Level 2.
ARCH CAPITAL 132
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Short-term investments
The Company determined that certain of its short-term investments held in highly liquid money market-type funds, Treasury bills and commercial paper would be included in Level 1 as their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets. The fair values of other short-term investments are generally determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve and are classified within Level 2.
Contingent consideration liabilities
Contingent consideration liabilities (included in ‘other liabilities’ in the consolidated balance sheets) include amounts related to the Company’s 2014 acquisition of CMG Mortgage Insurance Company and its affiliated mortgage insurance companies (the “CMG Entities”) and other acquisitions. Such amounts are remeasured at fair value at each balance sheet date with changes in fair value recognized in ‘net realized gains (losses).’ To determine the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, the Company estimates future payments using an income approach based on modeled inputs which include a weighted average cost of capital. The Company determined that contingent consideration liabilities would be included within Level 3.
ARCH CAPITAL 133
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level at December 31, 2020:
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Estimated
Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets measured at fair value (1):
Available for sale securities:
Fixed maturities:
Corporate bonds $ 7,856,571 $ - $ 7,856,558 $ 13
Mortgage backed securities 630,001 - 630,001 -
Municipal bonds 494,522 - 494,522 -
Commercial mortgage backed securities 389,900 - 389,900 -
U.S. government and government agencies 5,557,077 5,463,356 93,721 -
Non-U.S. government securities 2,433,733 - 2,433,733 -
Asset backed securities 1,634,804 - 1,631,378 3,426
Total 18,996,608 5,463,356 13,529,813 3,439
Short-term investments 1,924,922 1,920,565 4,357 -
Equity securities, at fair value 1,460,959 1,401,653 17,291 42,015
Derivative instruments (4) 177,383 - 177,383 -
Fair value option:
Corporate bonds 651,294 - 650,309 985
Non-U.S. government bonds 35,263 - 35,263 -
Mortgage backed securities 3,282 - 3,282 -
Commercial mortgage backed securities 1,090 - 1,090 -
Asset backed securities 152,151 - 152,151 -
U.S. government and government agencies 274 164 110 -
Short-term investments 557,008 420,131 136,877 -
Equity securities 92,549 23,373 188 68,988
Other investments 1,134,229 51,149 1,015,977 67,103
Other investments measured at net asset value (2) 1,197,656
Total 3,824,796 494,817 1,995,247 137,076
Total assets measured at fair value $ 26,384,668 $ 9,280,391 $ 15,724,091 $ 182,530
Liabilities measured at fair value:
Contingent consideration liabilities $ (461) $ - $ - $ (461)
Securities sold but not yet purchased (3) (21,679) - (21,679) -
Derivative instruments (4) (108,705) - (108,705) -
Total liabilities measured at fair value $ (130,845) $ - $ (130,384) $ (461)
(1) In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the fair value of the securities pledged. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received under securities lending, at fair value and included the securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value. See Note 9.
(2) In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Represents the Company’s obligations to deliver securities that it did not own at the time of sale. Such amounts are included in “other liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(4) See Note 11.
ARCH CAPITAL 134
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level at December 31, 2019:
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Estimated
Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets measured at fair value (1):
Available for sale securities:
Fixed maturities:
Corporate bonds $ 6,406,591 $ - $ 6,397,740 $ 8,851
Mortgage backed securities 562,309 - 562,055 254
Municipal bonds 881,926 - 881,926 -
Commercial mortgage backed securities 733,108 - 733,108 -
U.S. government and government agencies 4,916,592 4,805,581 111,011 -
Non-U.S. government securities 2,078,757 - 2,078,757 -
Asset backed securities 1,683,753 - 1,678,791 4,962
Total 17,263,036 4,805,581 12,443,388 14,067
Equity securities, at fair value 850,283 789,596 4,798 55,889
Short-term investments 956,546 904,804 51,742 -
Derivative instruments (4) 48,946 - 48,946 -
Fair value option:
Corporate bonds 488,402 - 487,470 932
Non-U.S. government bonds 50,465 - 50,465 -
Mortgage backed securities 11,947 - 11,947 -
Municipal bonds 377 - 377 -
Commercial mortgage backed securities 1,134 - 1,134 -
Asset backed securities 200,163 - 200,163 -
U.S. government and government agencies 1,962 1,852 110 -
Short-term investments 377,014 333,320 43,694 -
Equity securities 102,697 43,962 641 58,094
Other investments 1,418,273 53,287 1,296,169 68,817
Other investments measured at net asset value (2) 1,011,043
Total 3,663,477 432,421 2,092,170 127,843
Total assets measured at fair value $ 22,782,288 $ 6,932,402 $ 14,641,044 $ 197,799
Liabilities measured at fair value:
Contingent consideration liabilities $ (7,998) $ - $ - $ (7,998)
Securities sold but not yet purchased (3) (66,257) - (66,257) -
Derivative instruments (4) (39,750) - (39,750) -
Total liabilities measured at fair value $ (114,005) $ - $ (106,007) $ (7,998)
(1) In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the fair value of the securities pledged. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received under securities lending, at fair value and included the securities pledged under securities lending, at fair value. See Note 9.
(2) In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) Represents the Company’s obligations to deliver securities that it did not own at the time of sale. Such amounts are included in “other liabilities” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(4) See Note 11.
ARCH CAPITAL 135
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs for 2020 and 2019:
Assets
Liabilities
Available For Sale
Fair Value Option
Fair Value
Structured Securities (1)
Corporate Bonds
Corporate Bonds
Other Investments
Equity Securities
Equity Securities
Contingent
Consideration
Liabilities
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Balance at beginning of year
$ 5,216 $ 8,851 $ 932 $ 68,817 $ 58,094 $ 55,889 $ (7,998)
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings (2)
- (5,865) (13) (314) 10,894 8,214 (72)
Included in other comprehensive income (169) 397 - - - - -
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements
Purchases
- - 66 52,449 - 4,030 -
Issuances
- - - - - - -
Sales
- - - (56,833) - (26,118) -
Settlements
(1,413) (1,462) - - - - 7,609
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
(208) (1,908) - 2,984 - - -
Balance at end of year
$ 3,426 $ 13 $ 985 $ 67,103 $ 68,988 $ 42,015 $ (461)
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of year
$ 313 $ 8,141 $ 5,758 $ 62,705 $ - $ - $ (66,665)
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings (2)
1,760 2 (162) (8,119) 1,949 (3,418) (1,478)
Included in other comprehensive income 3 (267) - - - - -
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements
Purchases
- 881 - 3,746 - 36,077 -
Issuances
- - - - - - (548)
Sales
(1,757) - (28,583) (20,495) - (27,982) -
Settlements
(552) (1,766) - (600) - - 60,693
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
5,449 1,860 23,919 31,580 56,145 51,212 -
Balance at end of year
$ 5,216 $ 8,851 $ 932 $ 68,817 $ 58,094 $ 55,889 $ (7,998)
(1) Includes asset backed securities, mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities.
(2) Gains or losses were included in net realized gains (losses).
Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value
The Company uses various financial instruments in the normal course of its business. The carrying values of cash, accrued investment income, receivable for securities sold, certain other assets, payable for securities purchased and certain other liabilities approximated their fair values at December 31, 2020, due to their respective short maturities. As these financial instruments are not actively traded, their respective fair values are classified within Level 2.
At December 31, 2020, the Company’s senior notes were carried at their cost, net of debt issuance costs, of $2.9 billion and had a fair value of $3.7 billion. At December 31, 2019, the Company’s senior notes were carried at their cost, net of debt issuance costs, of $1.9 billion and had a fair value of $2.3 billion. The fair values of the senior notes were obtained from a third party pricing service and are based on observable
market inputs. As such, the fair value of the senior notes is classified within Level 2.
Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Company measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally quarterly, annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. These assets include investments accounted for using the equity method, certain other investments, goodwill and intangible assets, and long-lived assets. The Company uses a variety of techniques to measure the fair value of these assets when appropriate, as described below:
Investments accounted for using the equity method. When the Company determines that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable, the Company records the assets at fair value with the loss recognized in income. In such cases,
ARCH CAPITAL 136
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
the Company measures the fair value of these assets using the techniques discussed above in “-Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis.”
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. The Company tests goodwill and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. When the Company determines goodwill and intangible assets may be impaired, the Company uses techniques including discounted expected future cash flows, to measure fair value.
Long-Lived Assets. The Company tests its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable.
11. Derivative Instruments
The Company’s investment strategy allows for the use of derivative instruments. The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The Company utilizes exchange traded U.S. Treasury note, Eurodollar and other futures contracts and commodity futures to manage portfolio duration or replicate investment positions in its portfolios and the Company routinely utilizes foreign currency forward contracts, currency options, index futures contracts and other derivatives as part of its total return objective. In addition, certain of the Company’s investments are managed in portfolios which incorporate the use of foreign currency forward contracts which are intended to provide an economic hedge against foreign currency movements.
In addition, the Company purchases to-be-announced mortgage backed securities (“TBAs”) as part of its investment strategy. TBAs represent commitments to purchase a future issuance of agency mortgage backed securities. For the period between purchase of a TBA and issuance of the underlying security, the Company’s position is accounted for as a derivative. The Company purchases TBAs in both long and short positions to enhance investment performance and as part of its overall investment strategy.
The following table summarizes information on the fair values and notional values of the Company’s derivative instruments:
Estimated Fair Value
Asset
Derivatives Liability Derivatives Notional
Value (1)
December 31, 2020
Futures contracts (2) $ 11,046 $ (4,496) $ 3,099,796
Foreign currency forward contracts (2) 52,716 (6,202) 1,656,729
TBAs (3) - - -
Other (2) 113,621 (98,007) 5,763,919
Total $ 177,383 $ (108,705)
December 31, 2019
Futures contracts (2) $ 10,065 $ (13,722) $ 4,104,559
Foreign currency forward contracts (2) 5,352 (5,327) 686,878
TBAs (3) 55,010 - 53,229
Other (2) 33,529 (20,701) 4,356,300
Total $ 103,956 $ (39,750)
(1) Represents the absolute notional value of all outstanding contracts, consisting of long and short positions.
(2) The fair value of asset derivatives are included in ‘other assets’ and the fair value of liability derivatives are included in ‘other liabilities.’
(3) The fair value of TBAs are included in ‘fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value.’
The Company did not hold any derivatives which were designated as hedging instruments at December 31, 2020 or 2019.
The Company’s derivative instruments can be traded under master netting agreements, which establish terms that apply to all derivative transactions with a counterparty. In the event of a bankruptcy or other stipulated event of default, such agreements provide that the non-defaulting party may elect to terminate all outstanding derivative transactions, in which case all individual derivative positions (loss or gain) with a counterparty are closed out and netted and replaced with a single amount, usually referred to as the termination amount, which is expressed in a single currency. The resulting single net amount, where positive, is payable to the party “in-the-money” regardless of whether or not it is the defaulting party, unless the parties have agreed that only the non-defaulting party is entitled to receive a termination payment where the net amount is positive and is in its favor.
At December 31, 2020, $138.8 million and $93.0 million, respectively, of asset derivatives and liability derivatives were subject to a master netting agreement compared to $97.8 million and $37.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019. The remaining derivatives included in the table above were not subject to a master netting agreement.
ARCH CAPITAL 137
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Realized and unrealized contract gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments are reflected in net realized gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of income, as summarized in the following table:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net realized gains (losses):
Futures contracts $ 114,987 $ 114,123 $ 48,443
Foreign currency forward contracts 49,974 (9,499) (21,770)
TBAs 1,129 463 (133)
Other 13,585 14,654 (10,904)
Total $ 179,675 $ 119,741 $ 15,636
12. Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests
Watford Holdings Ltd.
In March 2014, Watford raised approximately $1.1 billion of capital consisting of $907.3 million in common equity ($895.6 million net of issuance costs) and $226.6 million in preference equity ($219.2 million net of issuance costs and discount). The Company invested $100.0 million and acquired 2,500,000 common shares. Watford’s common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Select Global Market under the ticker symbol “WTRE”. As of December 31, 2020, the Company owned approximately 13% of Watford’s outstanding common equity and, as of February 16, 2021, Arch Re Bermuda owned approximately 10.3% of Watford’s common equity.
Subsidiaries of the Company act as Watford’s reinsurance and insurance underwriting managers. HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“HPS”) manages Watford’s non-investment grade credit portfolios, and the Company manages Watford’s investment grade portfolios, each under separate long term services agreements. Maamoun Rajeh and Nicolas Papadopoulo, both officers of the Company, serve on the board of directors of Watford.
The Company concluded that Watford is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company includes the results of Watford in its consolidated financial statements. The Company concluded that Watford should be reflected in a separate operating segment (‘other’) and provides the income statement and total investable assets, total assets and total liabilities of Watford within Note 4.
Because Watford is an independent company, the assets of Watford can be used only to settle obligations of Watford and Watford is solely responsible for its own liabilities and commitments. The Company’s financial exposure to Watford is limited to its investment in Watford’s senior notes, common shares and preferred shares and counterparty credit
risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from the reinsurance transactions.
In the 2020 fourth quarter, Arch Capital, Watford Holdings Ltd. and Greysbridge Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Capital, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Arch Capital agreed to acquire all of the common shares of Watford Holdings Ltd. not owned by Arch for a cash purchase price of $35.00 per common share. Arch Capital has assigned its rights under the Merger Agreement to Greysbridge Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Capital (“Greysbridge”). The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021 and remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. Upon closing of the transaction, Watford will be wholly owned by Greysbridge and Greysbridge will be owned 40% by Arch Re Bermuda, 30% by certain investment funds managed by Kelso & Company and 30% by certain investment funds managed by Warburg Pincus LLC.
ARCH CAPITAL 138
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table provides the carrying amount and balance sheet caption in which the assets and liabilities of Watford are reported:
December 31,
2020 2019
Assets
Investments accounted for using the fair value option (1) $ 1,790,385 $ 1,898,091
Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value 655,249 745,708
Equity securities, at fair value 52,410 65,338
Cash 211,451 102,437
Accrued investment income 14,679 14,025
Premiums receivable 224,377 273,657
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and LAE 286,590 170,973
Ceded unearned premiums 122,339 132,577
Deferred acquisition costs, net 53,705 64,044
Receivable for securities sold 37,423 16,287
Goodwill and intangible assets 7,650 7,650
Other assets 75,801 60,070
Total assets of consolidated VIE $ 3,532,059 $ 3,550,857
Liabilities
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 1,519,583 $ 1,263,628
Unearned premiums 407,714 438,907
Reinsurance balances payable 63,269 77,066
Revolving credit agreement borrowings 155,687 484,287
Senior notes 172,689 172,418
Payable for securities purchased 25,881 18,180
Other liabilities 193,494 171,714
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE $ 2,538,317 $ 2,626,200
Redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 52,398 $ 52,305
(1) Included in “other investments” on the Company’s balance sheet.
The following table summarizes Watford’s cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Total cash provided by (used for):
Operating activities 181,736 239,284 229,315
Investing activities 258,589 (140,620) (285,281)
Financing activities (335,776) (61,433) (2,406)
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interests
The Company accounts for the portion of Watford’s common equity attributable to third party investors in the shareholders’ equity section of its consolidated balance sheets. The noncontrolling ownership in Watford’s common shares was approximately 87% at December 31, 2020. The portion of Watford’s income or loss attributable to third party investors
is recorded in the consolidated statements of income in ‘net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests.’
The following table sets forth activity in the non-redeemable noncontrolling interests:
December 31,
Balance, beginning of year $ 762,777 $ 791,560
Additional paid in capital attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,334 (2,929)
Repurchases attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests (1)
(2,867) (75,056)
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests 53,076 40,072
Other amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests (375) -
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 9,062 9,130
Balance, end of year $ 823,007 $ 762,777
(1) During 2020 and 2019, Watford’s board of directors authorized the investment in Watford’s common shares through a share repurchase program.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
The Company accounts for redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of its consolidated balance sheets in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Such redeemable noncontrolling interests primarily relate to the Watford Preference Shares issued in late March 2014 with a par value of $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The Watford Preference Shares were issued at a discounted amount of $24.50 per share. Holders of the Watford Preference Shares will be entitled to receive, if declared by Watford’s board, quarterly cash dividends on the last day of March, June, September, and December. Dividends accrued from the closing date to June 30, 2019 at a fixed rate of 8.5% per annum. From June 30, 2019 and subsequent, dividends will accrue based on a floating rate equal to the 3 month U.S. dollar LIBOR (with a 1% floor) plus a margin based on the difference between the fixed rate and the 5 year mid swap rate to the floating rate. Preferred dividends, including the accretion of the discount and issuance costs, are included in ‘net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests’ in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Because the redemption features are not solely within the control of Watford, the Company accounts for the redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Watford Preference Shares in the mezzanine section of its consolidated balance sheets.
On August 1, 2019, Watford redeemed 6,919,998 of its 9,065,200 issued and outstanding preference shares (“Watford Preference Shares”) at a total redemption price of $25.19748 per share, inclusive of all declared and unpaid dividends. The Company received $11.5 million pursuant to the redemption of Watford Preference Shares.
ARCH CAPITAL 139
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Preferred dividends on the Watford Preference Shares, including the accretion of the discount and issuance costs, was $4.4 million for 2020, compared to $17.8 million for 2019 and $19.6 million for 2018.
The following table sets forth activity in the redeemable noncontrolling interests:
December 31,
2019 2018
Balance, beginning of year $ 55,404 $ 206,292 $ 205,922
Redemption of noncontrolling interests - (157,709) -
Accretion of preference share issuance costs 93 244 370
Other 3,051 6,577 -
Balance, end of year $ 58,548 $ 55,404 $ 206,292
The portion of income or loss attributable to third party investors is recorded in the consolidated statements of income in ‘net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests’ as summarized in the table below:
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Amounts attributable to non-redeemable noncontrolling interests $ (53,076) $ (40,072) $ 48,507
Amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (7,114) (16,909) (18,357)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests $ (60,190) $ (56,981) $ 30,150
Bellemeade Re
The Company has entered into various aggregate excess of loss mortgage reinsurance agreements with various special purpose reinsurance companies domiciled in Bermuda (the Bellemeade Agreements). At the time the Bellemeade Agreements were entered into, the applicability of the accounting guidance that addresses VIEs was evaluated. As a result of the evaluation of the Bellemeade Agreements, the Company concluded that these entities are VIEs. However, given that the ceding insurers do not have the unilateral power to direct those activities that are significant to their economic performance, the Company does not consolidate such entities in its consolidated financial statements.
The following table presents the total assets of the Bellemeade entities, as well as the Company’s maximum exposure to loss associated with these VIEs, calculated as the maximum historical observable spread between the one month LIBOR, the basis for the contractual payments to bond holders, and short term invested trust asset yields.
Maximum Exposure to Loss
Bellemeade Entities (Issue Date) Total VIE Assets On-Balance Sheet (Asset) Liability Off-Balance Sheet Total
Dec 31, 2020
Bellemeade 2017-1 Ltd. (Oct-17) $ 145,573 $ (245) $ 844 $ 599
Bellemeade 2018-1 Ltd. (Apr-18) 250,095 (903) 2,245 1,342
Bellemeade 2018-2 Ltd. (Aug-18) 108,395 (138) 280 142
Bellemeade 2018-3 Ltd. (Oct-18) 302,563 (1,320) 3,262 1,942
Bellemeade 2019-1 Ltd. (Mar-19) 219,256 (1,361) 8,461 7,100
Bellemeade 2019-2 Ltd. (Apr-19) 398,316 (730) 5,201 4,471
Bellemeade 2019-3 Ltd. (Jul-19) 528,084 (861) 5,079 4,218
Bellemeade 2019-4 Ltd. (Oct-19) 468,737 (890) 6,676 5,786
Bellemeade 2020-1 Ltd. (Jun-20) (1) 275,068 (178) 1,012 834
Bellemeade 2020-2 Ltd. (Sep-20) (2) 423,420 (556) 6,839 6,283
Bellemeade 2020-3 Ltd. (Nov-20) (3) 418,158 (631) 9,605 8,974
Bellemeade 2020-4 Ltd. (Dec-20) (4) 321,393 (156) 6,816 6,660
Total $ 3,859,058 $ (7,969) $ 56,320 $ 48,351
Dec 31, 2019
Bellemeade 2017-1 Ltd. (Oct-17) $ 216,429 $ (442) $ 2,794 $ 2,352
Bellemeade 2018-1 Ltd. (Apr-18) 328,482 (1,574) 5,757 4,183
Bellemeade 2018-2 Ltd. (Aug-18) 437,009 (877) 2,524 1,647
Bellemeade 2018-3 Ltd. (Oct-18) 426,806 (1,113) 3,937 2,824
Bellemeade 2019-1 Ltd. (Mar-19) 257,358 (226) 3,027 2,801
Bellemeade 2019-2 Ltd. (Apr-19) 525,959 (78) 2,579 2,501
Bellemeade 2019-3 Ltd. (Jul-19) 656,523 (585) 9,273 8,688
Bellemeade 2019-4 Ltd. (Oct-19) 577,267 (302) 12,193 11,891
Total $ 3,425,833 $ (5,197) $ 42,084 $ 36,887
(1) An additional $79 million capacity was provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers and is not reflected in this table.
(2) An additional $26 million capacity was provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers and is not reflected in this table.
(3) An additional $34 million capacity was provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers and is not reflected in this table.
(4) An additional $16 million capacity was provided directly to Arch MI U.S. by a separate panel of reinsurers and is not reflected in this table.
See Note 8, “Reinsurance.”
ARCH CAPITAL 140
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents the changes in each component of AOCI, net of noncontrolling interests:
Unrealized Appreciation on Available-For-Sale Investments Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Total
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Beginning balance $ 258,486 $ (46,395) $ 212,091
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 668,996 33,995 702,991
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (426,187) - (426,187)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 242,809 33,995 276,804
Ending balance $ 501,295 $ (12,400) $ 488,895
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Beginning balance $ (114,178) $ (64,542) $ (178,720)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 491,605 18,147 509,752
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (118,941) - (118,941)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 372,664 18,147 390,811
Ending balance $ 258,486 $ (46,395) $ 212,091
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Beginning balance $ 157,400 $ (39,356) $ 118,044
Cumulative effect of an accounting change (149,794) - (149,794)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (266,357) (25,186) (291,543)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 144,573 - 144,573
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (121,784) (25,186) (146,970)
Ending balance $ (114,178) $ (64,542) $ (178,720)
The following tables present details about amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and the tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss):
Consolidated Statement of Income Amounts Reclassified from AOCI
Details About Line Item That Includes Year Ended December 31,
AOCI Components Reclassification 2020 2019 2018
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale investments
Net realized gains (losses) $ 478,659 $ 131,043 $ (153,822)
Provision for credit losses (3,597)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses (533) (3,165) (2,829)
Total before tax 474,529 127,878 (156,651)
Income tax (expense) benefit (48,342) (8,937) 12,078
Net of tax $ 426,187 $ 118,941 $ (144,573)
ARCH CAPITAL 141
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Following are the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss):
Before Tax Tax Expense Net of Tax
Amount (Benefit) Amount
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of investments:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period $ 754,572 $ 75,855 $ 678,717
Less reclassification of net realized gains (losses) included in net income 474,529 48,342 426,187
Foreign currency translation adjustments 33,706 370 33,336
Other comprehensive income (loss) $ 313,749 $ 27,883 $ 285,866
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of investments:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period $ 562,576 $ 61,805 $ 500,771
Less reclassification of net realized gains (losses) included in net income 127,878 8,937 118,941
Foreign currency translation adjustments 18,463 353 18,110
Other comprehensive income (loss) $ 453,161 $ 53,221 $ 399,940
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of investments:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period $ (294,267) $ (24,210) $ (270,057)
Less reclassification of net realized gains (losses) included in net income (156,651) (12,078) (144,573)
Foreign currency translation adjustments (25,006) (176) (24,830)
Other comprehensive income (loss) $ (162,622) $ (12,308) $ (150,314)
ARCH CAPITAL 142
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14. Earnings Per Common Share
The calculation of basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to Arch common shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares and common share equivalents outstanding. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Numerator:
Net income $ 1,465,711 $ 1,693,300 $ 727,821
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests (60,190) (56,981) 30,150
Net income available to Arch 1,405,521 1,636,319 757,971
Preferred dividends (41,612) (41,612) (41,645)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares - - (2,710)
Net income available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,363,909 $ 1,594,707 $ 713,616
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding 403,062,179 401,802,815 401,036,376
Series D preferred securities (1) - - 3,311,245
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 403,062,179 401,802,815 404,347,621
Effect of dilutive common share equivalents:
Nonvested restricted shares 1,682,309 1,673,770 1,474,207
Stock options (2) 5,514,967 8,132,893 7,084,650
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted 410,259,455 411,609,478 412,906,478
Earnings per common share:
Basic $ 3.38 $ 3.97 $ 1.76
Diluted $ 3.32 $ 3.87 $ 1.73
(1) The company has determined that, based on a review of the terms, features and rights of the Company’s non-voting common equivalent preferred shares compared to the rights of the Company’s common shareholders, the underlying common shares that the convertible securities convert to were common share equivalents at the time of their issuance.
(2) Certain stock options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share where the exercise price of the stock options exceeded the average market price and would have been anti-dilutive or where, when applying the treasury stock method to in-the-money options, the sum of the proceeds, including unrecognized compensation, exceeded the average market price and would have been anti-dilutive. For 2020, 2019 and 2018, the number of stock options excluded were 2,249,821, 1,302,017 and 5,673,821, respectively.
15. Income Taxes
Arch Capital is incorporated under the laws of Bermuda and, under current Bermuda law, is not obligated to pay any taxes in Bermuda based upon income or capital gains. The Company has received a written undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits, income, gain or appreciation on any capital asset, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax will not be applicable to Arch Capital or any of its operations until March 31, 2035. This undertaking does not, however, prevent the imposition of taxes on any person ordinarily resident in Bermuda or any company in respect of its ownership of real property or leasehold interests in Bermuda.
Arch Capital and its non-U.S. subsidiaries will be subject to U.S. federal income tax only to the extent that they derive U.S. source income that is subject to U.S. withholding tax or income that is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and is not exempt from U.S. tax under an applicable income tax treaty with the U.S. Arch Capital and its non-U.S. subsidiaries will be subject to a withholding tax on dividends from U.S. investments and interest from certain U.S. payors (subject to reduction by any applicable income tax treaty). Arch Capital and its non-U.S. subsidiaries intend to conduct their operations in a manner that will not cause them to be treated as engaged in a trade or business in the United States and, therefore, will not be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes (other than U.S. excise taxes on insurance and reinsurance premium and withholding taxes on dividends and certain other U.S. source investment income). However, because there is uncertainty as to the activities which constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the United States, there can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service will not contend
ARCH CAPITAL 143
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
successfully that Arch Capital or its non-U.S. subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business in the United States. If Arch Capital or any of its non-U.S. subsidiaries were subject to U.S. income tax, Arch Capital’s shareholders’ equity and earnings could be materially adversely affected. Arch Capital has subsidiaries and branches that operate in various jurisdictions around the world that are subject to tax in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The significant jurisdictions in which Arch Capital’s subsidiaries and branches are subject to tax are the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland, Australia and Denmark.
The components of income taxes attributable to operations were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Current expense (benefit):
United States $ 181,571 $ 139,407 $ 73,078
Non-U.S. 16,091 4,954 12,785
197,662 144,361 85,863
Deferred expense (benefit):
United States (89,170) 11,849 19,544
Non-U.S. 3,346 (400) 8,544
(85,824) 11,449 28,088
Income tax expense $ 111,838 $ 155,810 $ 113,951
The Company’s income or loss before income taxes was earned in the following jurisdictions:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Bermuda $ 1,114,117 $ 1,122,952 $ 388,492
United States 409,893 701,480 440,823
Other 53,539 24,678 12,457
Total $ 1,577,549 $ 1,849,110 $ 841,772
The expected tax provision computed on pre-tax income or loss at the weighted average tax rate has been calculated as the sum of the pre-tax income in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s applicable statutory tax rate. The 2020 applicable statutory tax rates by jurisdiction were as follows: Bermuda (0.0%), United States (21.0 %), United Kingdom (19.0 %), Ireland (12.5 %), Denmark (22.0 %), Canada (26.5 %), Gibraltar (10.0 %), Australia (30.0 %), Hong Kong (16.5 %) and the Netherlands (16.5 %).
A reconciliation of the difference between the provision for income taxes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Expected income tax expense (benefit) computed on pre-tax income at weighted average income tax rate $ 111,947 $ 149,799 $ 91,529
Addition (reduction) in income tax expense (benefit) resulting from:
Tax-exempt investment income (1,824) (3,091) (4,790)
Meals and entertainment 547 1,134 1,060
State taxes, net of U.S. federal tax benefit 5,027 3,314 2,086
Foreign branch taxes 2,094 1,231 5,428
Prior year adjustment 3,983 632 (2,522)
Foreign exchange gains & losses (1,736) 436 1,293
Changes in applicable tax rate - - (128)
Dividend withholding taxes 7,105 6,510 6,594
Change in valuation allowance 13,190 1,628 18,396
Contingent consideration 9 190 740
Share based compensation (2,533) (6,592) (5,356)
Intercompany loan write-off (22,083) - -
Other (3,888) 619 (379)
Income tax expense (benefit) $ 111,838 $ 155,810 $ 113,951
The effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred taxes assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period in which such change is enacted.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences based on enacted tax rates between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes.
ARCH CAPITAL 144
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss $ 67,142 $ 30,836
Uncrystallized losses 2,926 1,565
AMT credit carryforward - 1,323
Discounting of net loss reserves 74,247 52,582
Net unearned premium reserve 66,368 64,269
Compensation liabilities 27,351 21,693
Foreign tax credit carryforward 19,160 9,521
Interest expense 622 -
Goodwill and intangible assets 14,450 11,644
Bad debt reserves 1,864 5,983
Lease liability 23,604 26,438
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains 165 598
Other, net 1,725 206
Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 299,624 226,658
Valuation allowance (88,255) (48,219)
Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance 211,369 178,439
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization (495) (1,215)
Deposit accounting liability (1,751) (2,169)
Contingency reserve (64,593) (132,831)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (42,045) (29,847)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments (66,681) (38,764)
Right-of-use asset (19,239) (23,416)
Other, net (843) (3,680)
Total deferred tax liabilities (195,647) (231,922)
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) $ 15,722 $ (53,483)
The Company provides a valuation allowance to reduce certain deferred tax assets to an amount which management expects to more likely than not be realized. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s valuation allowance was $88.3 million, compared to $48.2 million at December 31, 2019. The valuation allowance in both periods was primarily attributable to valuation allowance on the Company’s U.K. Canadian and Australian operations and certain other deferred tax assets relating to loss carryforwards that have a limited use.
At December 31, 2020, the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 Expiration
Operating Loss Carryforwards
United Kingdom $ 237,277 No expiration
Ireland 11,336 No expiration
Australia 37,995 No expiration
Hong Kong 21,094 No expiration
Denmark 23 No expiration
United States (1) 27,425 2029 - 2038
Tax Credits
U.K. foreign tax credits 19,160 No expiration
U.S. refundable AMT credits 0 No expiration
(1) On January 30, 2014, the Company’s U.S. mortgage operations underwent an ownership change for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s acquisition of the CMG Entities. As a result of this ownership change, a limitation has been imposed upon the utilization of approximately $8.3 million of the Company’s existing U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. Utilization is limited to approximately $0.6 million per year in accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (“the Code”).
The Company’s U.S. mortgage operations are eligible for a tax deduction, subject to certain limitations, under Section 832(e) of the Code for amounts required by state law or regulation to be set aside in statutory contingency reserves. The deduction is allowed only to the extent that the Company purchases non-interest bearing U.S. Mortgage Guaranty Tax and Loss Bonds (“T&L Bonds”) issued by the U.S. Treasury Department in an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from deducting any portion of the statutory contingency reserves. T&L Bonds are reflected in ‘other assets’ on the Company’s balance sheet and totaled approximately $88.1 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $207.0 million at December 31, 2019.
Deferred income tax liabilities have not been accrued with respect to the undistributed earnings of the Company's U.S., U.K. and Ireland subsidiaries as it is the Company’s intention that all such earnings will be indefinitely reinvested. If the earnings were to be distributed, as dividends or otherwise, such amounts may be subject to withholding tax in the jurisdiction of the paying entity. The Company no longer intends to indefinitely reinvest earnings from the Company's Canada subsidiary, however, no income or withholding taxes have been accrued as the Canada subsidiary does not have positive cumulative earnings and profits and therefore a distribution from this particular subsidiary would not be subject to income taxes or withholding taxes. Potential tax implications of repatriation from the Company’s unremitted earnings that are indefinitely reinvested are driven by facts at the time of distribution. Therefore it is not practicable to estimate the income tax liabilities that might be incurred if
ARCH CAPITAL 145
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
such earnings were remitted. Distributions from the U.K. or Ireland would not be subject to withholding tax and no deferred income tax liability would need to be accrued.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s total unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, were $2.0 million. If recognized, the full amount of the unrecognized tax benefit would impact the consolidated effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Balance at beginning of year $ 2,008 $ 2,008
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year - -
Additions for tax positions of prior years - -
Reductions for tax positions of prior years - -
Settlements - -
Balance at end of year $ 2,008 $ 2,008
The Company or its subsidiaries or branches files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The following table details open tax years that are potentially subject to examination by local tax authorities, in the following major jurisdictions:
Jurisdiction Tax Years
United States 2015-2020
United Kingdom 2019-2020
Ireland 2016-2020
Canada 2016-2020
Switzerland 2017-2020
Denmark 2016-2020
Australia 2016-2020
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s current income tax payable (included in “Other liabilities”) was $9.2 million.
16. Transactions with Related Parties
In 2017, the Company acquired approximately 25% of Premia Holdings Ltd. Premia Holdings Ltd. is the parent of Premia Reinsurance Ltd., a multi-line Bermuda reinsurance company (together with Premia Holdings Ltd., “Premia”). Premia’s strategy is to reinsure or acquire companies or reserve portfolios in the non-life property and casualty insurance and reinsurance run-off market. Arch Re Bermuda and certain Arch co-investors invested $100.0 million and acquired approximately 25% of Premia as well as warrants to purchase additional common equity. Arch has appointed two directors to serve on the seven person board of directors of Premia. Arch Re Bermuda is providing a 25% quota share reinsurance treaty on certain business written by Premia.
In the 2019 fourth quarter, Barbican entered into certain reinsurance and related transactions with Premia pursuant to which Premia assumed a transfer of liability for the 2018 and prior years of account of Barbican as of July 1, 2019. Barbican recorded reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and funds held liability of $199.8 million and $149.6 million, respectively at December 31, 2020, compared to $177.7 million and $180.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019.
In the 2020 fourth quarter, Arch Capital and Arch Re Bermuda entered into agreements pursuant to which Arch Re Bermuda, together with certain co-investors, expect to acquire all of the common shares of Watford Holdings Ltd, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory and shareholder approval. See note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests.”
Certain directors and executive officers of the Company own common and preference shares of Watford. See note 12, “Variable Interest Entity and Noncontrolling Interests,” for information about Watford.
ARCH CAPITAL 146
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17. Leases
In the ordinary course of business, the Company renews and enters into new leases for office property and equipment. At the lease inception date, the Company determines whether a contract contains a lease and its classification as a finance or operating lease. Primarily all of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases. The Company’s operating leases have remaining lease terms of up to 10 years, some of which include options to extend the lease term. The Company considers these options when determining the lease term and measuring its lease liability and right-of-use asset. In addition, the Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
Short-term operating leases with an initial term of twelve months or less were excluded on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and represent an inconsequential amount of operating lease expense.
As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
Additional information regarding the Company’s operating leases is as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019
Operating lease costs $ 31,826 $ 30,478
Cash payments included in the measurement of lease liabilities reported in operating cash flows $ 30,365 $ 27,521
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities $ 12,060 $ 7,445
Right-of-use assets (1) $ 115,911 $ 131,661
Operating lease liability (1) $ 136,015 $ 150,519
Weighted average discount rate 3.9 % 3.9 %
Weighted average remaining lease term 5.8 years 6.4 years
(1) The right-of-use assets are included in ‘other assets’ while the operating lease liability is included in ‘other liabilities.’
The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company's operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2020:
Years Ending December 31,
2021 $ 32,309
2022 30,357
2023 25,828
2024 19,480
2025 13,017
2026 and thereafter 31,318
Total undiscounted lease liability 152,309
Less: present value adjustment (16,294)
Operating lease liability 136,015
All of these leases are for the rental of office space, with expiration terms that range from 2021 to 2030. Rental expense was approximately $31.8 million, $30.5 million and $27.6 million for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
At December 31, 2020, the Company has entered into certain financing lease agreements. The future lease payments for the Company’s financing leases are expected to be $2.1 million for 2021.
18. Commitments and Contingencies
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The creditworthiness of a counterparty is evaluated by the Company, taking into account credit ratings assigned by independent agencies. The credit approval process involves an assessment of factors, including, among others, the counterparty, country and industry credit exposure limits. Collateral may be required, at the discretion of the Company, on certain transactions based on the creditworthiness of the counterparty.
The areas where significant concentrations of credit risk may exist include unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, contractholder receivables, ceded unearned premiums, paid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable net of reinsurance balances payable, investments and cash and cash equivalent balances. A credit exposure exists with respect to reinsurance recoverables as they may become uncollectible. The Company manages its credit risk in its reinsurance relationships by transacting with reinsurers that it considers financially sound and, if necessary, the Company may hold collateral in the form of funds, trust accounts and/or irrevocable letters of credit. This collateral can be drawn on for amounts that remain unpaid beyond specified time periods on an individual reinsurer basis. In addition, certain insurance policies written by the Company’s insurance operations feature large deductibles, primarily in its construction and national accounts lines of business. Under such contracts, the Company is obligated to pay the claimant for the full amount of the claim. The Company is
ARCH CAPITAL 147
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
subsequently reimbursed by the policyholder for the deductible amount. These amounts are included on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheet in contractholder payables and contractholder receivables, respectively. In the event that the Company is unable to collect from the policyholder, the Company would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Collateral, primarily in the form of letters of credit, cash and trusts, is obtained from the policyholder to mitigate the Company’s credit risk. In the instances where the company receives collateral in the form of cash, the Company records a related liability in “Collateral held for insured obligations.”
In addition, the Company underwrites a significant amount of its business through brokers and a credit risk exists should any of these brokers be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations with respect to the payments of insurance and reinsurance balances owed to the Company. The following table summarizes the percentage of the Company’s gross premiums written generated from or placed by the largest brokers:
Broker
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Marsh & McLennan Companies and its subsidiaries 13.3 % 9.6 % 9.3 %
Aon Corporation and its subsidiaries 12.0 % 12.2 % 11.4 %
No other broker and no one insured or reinsured accounted for more than 10% of gross premiums written for 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The Company’s available for sale investment portfolio is managed in accordance with guidelines that have been tailored to meet specific investment strategies, including standards of diversification, which limit the allowable holdings of any single issue. There were no investments in any entity in excess of 10% of the Company’s shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2020 other than investments issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies.
Investment Commitments
The Company’s investment commitments, which are primarily related to agreements entered into by the Company to invest in funds and separately managed accounts when called upon, were approximately $2.1 billion and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Purchase Obligations
The Company has also entered into certain agreements which commit the Company to purchase goods or services, primarily related to software and computerized systems. Such purchase obligations were approximately $73.0 million and $55.6 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Employment and Other Arrangements
At December 31, 2020, the Company has entered into employment agreements with certain of its executive officers. Such employment arrangements provide for compensation in the form of base salary, annual bonus, share-based awards, participation in the Company’s employee benefit programs and the reimbursements of expenses.
19. Debt and Financing Arrangements
The Company’s senior notes payable at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Carrying Amount at
Interest Principal December 31,
(Fixed) Amount 2020 2019
2034 notes (1) 7.350 % 300,000 297,367 297,254
2043 notes (2) 5.144 % 500,000 494,944 494,831
2026 notes (3) 4.011 % 500,000 497,211 496,806
2046 notes (4) 5.031 % 450,000 445,402 445,317
2050 notes (5) 3.635 % 1,000,000 988,500 -
Watford notes (6) 6.500 % 140,000 137,689 137,418
$ 2,890,000 $ 2,861,113 $ 1,871,626
(1) Senior notes of Arch Capital issued on May 4, 2004 and due May 1, 2034 (“2034 notes”).
(2) Senior notes of Arch-U.S., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arch Capital, issued on December 13, 2013 and due November 1, 2043 (“2043 notes”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Arch Capital.
(3) Senior notes of Arch Capital Finance LLC (“Arch Finance”), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Arch Capital, issued on December 8, 2016 and due December 15, 2026 (“2026 notes”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Arch Capital.
(4) Senior notes of Arch Finance issued on December 8, 2016 and due December 15, 2046 (“2046 notes”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Arch Capital
(5) Senior notes of Arch Capital issued on June 30, 2020 and due June 30, 2050.
(6) Senior notes of Watford issued on July 2, 2019 and due July 2, 2029, reflecting the elimination of amounts owned by Arch-U.S.
The 2034 notes are Arch Capital’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of its existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. Interest payments on the 2034 notes are due on May 1st and November 1st of each year. Arch Capital may redeem the 2034 notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price.
The 2043 notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Arch-U.S. and Arch Capital, respectively, and rank equally and ratably with the other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Arch-U.S. and Arch Capital, respectively. Interest payments on the 2043 notes are due on May 1st and November 1st of each year. Arch-U.S. may redeem the 2043 notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price.
ARCH CAPITAL 148
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The 2026 notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Arch Finance and Arch Capital, respectively, and rank equally and ratably with the other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Arch Finance and Arch Capital, respectively. Interest payments on the 2026 notes are due on June 15th and December 15th of each year. Arch Finance may redeem the 2026 notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price.
The 2046 notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Arch Finance and Arch Capital, respectively, and rank equally and ratably with the other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Arch Finance and Arch Capital, respectively. Interest payments on the 2046 notes are due on June 15th and December 15th of each year. Arch Finance may redeem the 2046 notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price.
On June 30, 2020, Arch Capital completed a public offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of its 3.635% senior notes with a scheduled maturity of June 30, 2050 (the “2050 notes”). The 2050 notes are Arch Capital’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of its existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. Interest payments on the 2050 notes are due semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30, beginning on December 30, 2020, to holders of record on the preceding June 15 or December 15, as the case may be. Interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Subject to conditions of redemption, Arch Capital may redeem the 2050 notes at any time and from time to time prior to December 30, 2049, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.
On July 2, 2019, Watford completed an offering of $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.5% senior notes, due July 2, 2029 (“Watford Senior Notes”). Interest on the Watford Senior Notes will be paid semi-annually in arrears on each January 2 and July 2, commencing January 2, 2020. The $172.3 million net proceeds from the offering were used to redeem a portion of Watford Preference Shares. The Company purchased $35.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Watford Senior Notes.
Letter of Credit and Revolving Credit Facilities
In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into agreements with financial institutions to obtain secured and unsecured credit facilities.
On December 17, 2019, Arch Capital and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a $750.0 million five-year credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndication of lenders.
The Credit Facility consists of a $250.0 million secured facility for letters of credit (the “Secured Facility”) and a $500.0 million unsecured facility for revolving loans and letters of credit (the “Unsecured Facility”). Obligations of each borrower under the Secured Facility for letters of credit are secured by cash and eligible securities of such borrower held in collateral accounts. Commitments under the Credit Facility may be increased up to, but not exceeding, an aggregate of $1.3 billion. Arch Capital has a one-time option to convert any or all outstanding revolving loans of Arch Capital and/or Arch-U.S. to term loans with the same terms as the revolving loans except that any prepayments may not be re-borrowed. Arch-U.S. guarantees the obligations of Arch Capital, and Arch Capital guarantees the obligations of Arch-U.S. Borrowings of revolving loans may be made at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative base rate at the option of Arch Capital. Arch Capital and its lenders may agree on a LIBOR successor rate at the appropriate time to address the replacement of LIBOR. Secured letters of credit are available for issuance on behalf of certain Arch Capital subsidiaries. The Credit Facility is structured such that each party that requests a letter of credit or borrowing does so only for itself and its own obligations.
The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type, including restrictions on indebtedness, consolidated tangible net worth, minimum shareholders’ equity levels and minimum financial strength ratings. Arch Capital and its subsidiaries which are party to the agreement were in compliance with all covenants contained therein at December 31, 2020.
Commitments under the Credit Facility will expire on December 17, 2024, and all loans then outstanding must be repaid. Letters of credit issued under the Unsecured Facility will not have an expiration date later than December 17, 2025.
Under the $250.0 million secured letter of credit facility, Arch Capital’s subsidiaries had $218.4 million of letters of credit outstanding and remaining capacity of $31.6 million at December 31, 2020. In addition, certain of Arch Capital’s subsidiaries had outstanding secured and unsecured letters of credit of $250.0 million and $26.2 million respectively, which were issued in the normal course of business.
When issued, all secured letters of credit are secured by a portion of the investment portfolio. At December 31, 2020, these letters of credit were secured by investments with a fair value of $262.4 million.
Watford has access to a $100 million secured letter of credit facility expiring on May 16, 2021, a $50 million unsecured letter of credit facility which auto extends on September 17, 2021 and a $440 million secured credit facility expiring on November 30, 2021 that provides for borrowings and the
ARCH CAPITAL 149
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
issuance of letters of credit not to exceed $220 million. Borrowings of revolving loans may be made by Watford at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative base rate at the option of Watford. At December 31, 2020, Watford had $126.0 million in outstanding letters of credit under the facilities and $155.7 million of borrowings outstanding under the secured credit facility, backed by Watford’s investment portfolio. Watford was in compliance with all covenants contained in these credit facilities at December 31, 2020. The Company does not guarantee or provide credit support for Watford, and the Company’s financial exposure to Watford is limited to its investment in Watford’s senior notes, common and preferred shares and counterparty credit risk (mitigated by collateral) arising from the reinsurance transactions.
The Company’s outstanding revolving credit agreement borrowings were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Arch Capital $ - $ -
Watford 155,687 484,287
Total
$ 155,687 $ 484,287
20. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The following table shows an analysis of goodwill and intangible assets:
Goodwill Intangible assets (indefinite life) Intangible assets (finite life) Total
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2018 $ 249,620 $ 61,874 $ 323,426 $ 634,920
Acquisitions 74,780 24,431 82,482 181,693
Amortization - - (82,104) (82,104)
Impairment (1) - (1,000) - (1,000)
Foreign currency movements and other adjustments 2,151 606 1,817 4,574
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2019 326,551 85,911 325,621 738,083
Acquisitions (2) - - 39,178 39,178
Amortization - - (69,031) (69,031)
Impairment - - - -
Foreign currency movements and other adjustments (11,922) (6,692) 3,247 (15,367)
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 314,629 $ 79,219 $ 299,015 $ 692,863
Gross balance at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 318,043 $ 77,896 $ 784,921 $ 1,180,860
Accumulated amortization - - (489,828) (489,828)
Foreign currency movements and other adjustments (3,414) 1,323 3,922 1,831
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 314,629 $ 79,219 $ 299,015 $ 692,863
(1) The impairment to the indefinite-lived intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2019 of $1.0 million related to insurance licenses from the acquisition of UGC.
(2) Certain amounts for the Company’s 2020 acquisitions are considered provisional.
ARCH CAPITAL 150
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the components of goodwill and intangible assets:
Gross Balance Accumulated
Amortization Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment and Other Net
Balance
Dec. 31, 2020
Acquired insurance contracts $ 451,505 $ (381,349) $ 284 $ 70,440
Operating platform 52,674 (44,347) 60 8,387
Distribution relationships 285,141 (71,383) 3,450 217,208
Goodwill 318,043 - (3,414) 314,629
Insurance licenses 55,981 - - 55,981
Syndicate capacity 21,915 - 1,324 23,239
Unfavorable service contract (9,533) 9,147 - (386)
Other 5,134 (1,896) 127 3,365
Total $ 1,180,860 $ (489,828) $ 1,831 $ 692,863
Dec. 31, 2019
Acquired insurance contracts $ 452,470 $ (336,559) $ 310 $ 116,221
Operating platform 52,674 (39,571) (259) 12,844
Distribution relationships 243,838 (50,542) 212 193,508
Goodwill 331,448 - (4,897) 326,551
Insurance licenses 63,390 - - 63,390
Syndicate capacity 21,915 - 605 22,520
Unfavorable service contract (9,533) 8,657 - (876)
Other 5,134 (1,279) 70 3,925
Total $ 1,161,336 $ (419,294) $ (3,959) $ 738,083
The estimated remaining amortization expense for the Company’s intangible assets with finite lives is as follows:
2021 $ 56,269
2022 42,211
2023 40,014
2024 34,985
2025 19,919
2026 and thereafter 105,617
Total $ 299,015
The estimated remaining useful lives of these assets range from one to sixteen years at December 31, 2020.
Other than the impairments described above, the Company’s annual impairment reviews for goodwill and intangible assets
did not result in the recognition of impairment losses for 2020 and 2019.
21. Shareholders’ Equity
Authorized and Issued
The authorized share capital of Arch Capital consists of 1.8 billion Common Shares, par value of $0.0011 per share, and 50 million Preferred Shares, par value of $0.01 per share.
Common Shares
The following table presents a roll-forward of changes in Arch Capital’s issued and outstanding Common Shares:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Common Shares:
Shares issued and outstanding, beginning of year 574,617,195 570,737,283 549,872,226
Shares issued (1) 2,646,164 2,835,994 2,757,506
Conversion of Series D preferred shares (2) - - 17,022,600
Restricted shares issued, net of cancellations 1,737,482 1,043,918 1,084,951
Shares issued and outstanding, end of year 579,000,841 574,617,195 570,737,283
Common shares in treasury, end of year (172,280,199) (168,997,994) (168,282,449)
Shares issued and outstanding, end of year 406,720,642 405,619,201 402,454,834
(1) Includes shares issued from the exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights, the vesting of restricted share units and shares issued from the employee share purchase plan.
(2) Such shares represent common shares that were issued upon conversion of the non-voting common equivalent preference shares issued in connection with the AIG acquisition.
Three-For-One Common Share Split
In May 2018, shareholders approved a proposal to amend the memorandum of association by sub-dividing the authorized common shares of Arch Capital to effect a three-for-one split of Arch Capital’s common shares. The share split changed the Company’s authorized common shares to 1.8 billion common shares (600 million previously), with a par value of $.0011 per share ($.0033 previously). Information pertaining to the composition of the Company’s shareholders’ equity accounts, shares and earnings per share has been retroactively restated in the accompanying financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements to reflect the share split.
ARCH CAPITAL 151
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Share Repurchase Program
The board of directors of Arch Capital has authorized the investment in Arch Capital’s common shares through a share repurchase program. At December 31, 2020, $916.5 million of share repurchases were available under the program. Repurchases under the program may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2021. The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and corporate and regulatory considerations. See note 27, “Subsequent Events”.
Repurchases of Arch Capital’s common shares in connection with the share repurchase plan and other share-based transactions were held in the treasury under the cost method, and the cost of the common shares acquired is included in ‘Common shares held in treasury, at cost.’ At December 31, 2020, Arch Capital held 172.3 million shares for an aggregate cost of $2.5 billion in treasury, at cost.
The Company’s repurchases under the share repurchase program were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Aggregate cost of shares repurchased $ 83,472 $ 2,871 $ 282,762
Shares repurchased 2,850,102 110,598 10,559,850
Average price per share repurchased $ 29.29 $ 25.96 $ 26.78
Since the inception of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2020, Arch Capital has repurchased approximately 389.2 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $4.1 billion.
Convertible Non-Voting Common Equivalent Preferred Shares
On December 31, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of UGC. Based upon a formula set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement, AIG received 1,276,282 of Arch Capital’s Series D convertible non-voting common equivalent preferred shares (“Series D Preferred Shares”). Each Series D Preferred Share converts to 10 shares of Arch Capital fully paid non-assessable common stock.
The Company determined, based on a review of the terms features and rights of the Series D preferred shares compared to the rights of the Company’s common shareholders, the underlying 38,288,460 common shares that the convertible securities convert to were common share equivalents at the time of their issuance.
In June 2017, Arch Capital completed an underwritten public secondary offering of 21,265,860 common shares by AIG following transfer of 708,862 Series D Preferred Shares. In March 2018, Arch Capital completed an underwritten public secondary offering of 17,022,600 common shares by AIG following transfer of 567,420 Series D Preferred Shares. Proceeds from the sale of common shares pursuant to the public offering were received by AIG. At December 31, 2020 and 2018, no Series D Preferred Shares were outstanding.
Series F Preferred Shares
In August 2017 and November 2017, Arch Capital completed combined $330 million of underwritten public offerings ($230 million in August 2017 and $100 million in November 2017) of 13.2 million depositary shares (the “Series F Depositary Shares”), each of which represents a 1/1,000th interest in a share of its 5.45% Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares, Series F, with a $0.01 par value and $25,000 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to $25 liquidation preference per Series F Depositary Share) (the “Series F Preferred Shares”). Each Series F Depositary Share, evidenced by a depositary receipt, entitles the holder, through the depositary, to a proportional fractional interest in all rights and preferences of the Series F Preferred Shares represented thereby (including any dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights).
Holders of Series F Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board. Any such dividends will be payable from, and including, the date of original issue on a noncumulative basis, quarterly in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year, at an annual rate of 5.45%. Dividends on the Series F Preferred Shares are not cumulative. The Company will be restricted from paying dividends on or repurchasing its common shares unless certain dividend payments are made on the Series F Preferred Shares.
Except in specified circumstances relating to certain tax or corporate events, the Series F Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to August 17, 2022 (the fifth anniversary of the issue date). On and after that date, the Series F Preferred Shares will be redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25,000 per share of the Series F Preferred Shares (equivalent to $25 per depositary share), plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Series F Depositary Shares will be redeemed if and to the extent the related Series F Preferred Shares are redeemed by the Company. Neither the Series F Depositary Shares nor the Series F Preferred Shares have a stated maturity, nor will they be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. The Series F Preferred Shares are
ARCH CAPITAL 152
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
not convertible into any other securities. The Series F Preferred Shares will not have voting rights, except under limited circumstances. The net proceeds from the Series F Preferred Share offerings were used to redeem the Company’s outstanding 6.75% Series C Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares.
Series E Preferred Shares
On September 29, 2016, Arch Capital completed a $450 million underwritten public offering of 18.0 million depositary shares (the “Series E Depositary Shares”), each of which represents a 1/1,000th interest in a share of its 5.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares, Series E, with a $0.01 par value and $25,000 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to $25 liquidation preference per Series E Depositary Share) (the “Series E Preferred Shares”). Each Series E Depositary Share, evidenced by a depositary receipt, entitles the holder, through the depositary, to a proportional fractional interest in all rights and preferences of the Series E Preferred Shares represented thereby (including any dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights).
Holders of Series E Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board. Any such dividends will be payable from, and including, the date of original issue on a non-cumulative basis, quarterly in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year, at an annual rate of 5.25%. Dividends on the Series E Preferred Shares are not cumulative. The Company will be restricted from paying dividends on or repurchasing its common shares unless certain dividend payments are made on the Series E preferred shares.
Except in specified circumstances relating to certain tax or corporate events, the Series E Preferred Shares are not redeemable prior to September 29, 2021 (the fifth anniversary of the issue date). On and after that date, the Series E Preferred Shares will be redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25,000 per share of the Series E Preferred Shares (equivalent to $25 per Series E Depositary Share), plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Series E Depositary Shares will be redeemed if and to the extent the related Series E Preferred Shares are redeemed by the Company. Neither the Series E Depositary Shares nor the Series E Preferred Shares have a stated maturity, nor will they be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. The Series E Preferred Shares are not convertible into any other securities. The Series E Preferred Shares will not have voting rights, except under limited circumstances.
Series C Preferred Shares
On January 2, 2018, Arch Capital redeemed all outstanding 6.75% Series C non-cumulative preferred shares. The preferred shares were redeemed at a redemption price equal to $25 per share, plus all declared and unpaid dividends to (but excluding) the redemption date. In accordance with GAAP, following the redemption, original issuance costs related to such shares have been removed from additional paid-in capital and recorded as a “loss on redemption of preferred shares.” Such adjustment had no impact on total shareholders’ equity or cash flows.
22. Share-Based Compensation
Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plans
The Company utilizes share-based compensation plans for officers, other employees and directors of Arch Capital and its subsidiaries to provide competitive compensation opportunities, to encourage long-term service, to recognize individual contributions and reward achievement of performance goals and to promote the creation of long-term value for shareholders by aligning the interests of such persons with those of shareholders.
The 2018 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the “2018 Plan”) became effective as of May 9, 2018 following approval by shareholders of the Company. The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of restricted stock units, performance units, restricted shares, performance shares, stock options and stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards to our employees and directors. The 2018 Plan authorizes the issuance of 34,500,000 common shares and will terminate as to future awards on February 28, 2028. At December 31, 2020, 17,284,108 shares are available for future issuance.
The 2015 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the (“2015 Plan”) authorizes the issuance of 12,900,000 common shares and became effective as of May 7, 2015 following approval by shareholders of the Company. The 2015 Plan provides for the issuance of share-based awards to our employees and directors and will terminate as to future awards on February 26, 2025. At December 31, 2020, 555,759 shares are available for future issuance.
The 2012 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the “2012 Plan”) became effective as of May 9, 2012 following approval by shareholders of the Company. The 2012 Plan authorizes the issuance of 22,301,772 common shares and will terminate as to future awards on February 28, 2022. At December 31, 2020, 502,994 shares are available for grant under the 2012 Plan.
Upon shareholder approval on May 6, 2016, the Amended and Restated Arch Capital Group Ltd. 2007 Employee Share
ARCH CAPITAL 153
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) became effective and a total of 4,689,777 common shares were reserved for issuance. The purpose of the ESPP is to give employees of Arch Capital and its subsidiaries an opportunity to purchase common shares through payroll deductions, thereby encouraging employees to share in the economic growth and success of Arch Capital and its subsidiaries. The ESPP is designed to qualify as an “employee share purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. At December 31, 2020, 2,267,676 shares remain available for issuance.
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
The Company generally issues stock options and SARs to eligible employees, with exercise prices equal to the fair market values of the Company’s Common Shares on the grant dates. Such grants generally vest over a three year period with one-third vesting on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.
The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The expected life assumption is based on an expected term analysis, which incorporates the Company’s historical exercise experience. Expected volatility is based on the Company’s daily historical trading data of its common shares. The table below summarizes the assumptions used.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Dividend yield - % - % - %
Expected volatility 16.6 % 18.1 % 21.3 %
Risk free interest rate 1.2 % 2.5 % 2.8 %
Expected option life 6.0 years 6.0 years 6.0 years
A summary of stock option and SAR activity under the Company’s Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plans during 2020 is presented below:
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Number of
Options / SARs Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning of year 18,853,018 $ 20.94
Granted 1,121,833 $ 42.34
Exercised (1,981,216) $ 10.92
Forfeited or expired (154,302) $ 30.13
Outstanding, end of year 17,839,333 $ 23.32 4.74 $ 234,659
Exercisable, end of year 15,132,810 $ 21.30 4.10 $ 223,908
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised represents the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and SARs and the closing market price of the Company’s common shares on the exercise dates. During 2020, the Company received proceeds of $5.0 million from the exercise of stock options and recognized a tax benefit of $3.0 million from the exercise of stock options and SARs.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Weighted average grant date fair value $ 8.14 $ 7.90 $ 7.50
Aggregate intrinsic value of Options/SARs exercised $ 59,723 $ 51,350 $ 43,468
Restricted Common Shares and Restricted Units
The Company also issues restricted share and unit awards to eligible employees and directors, for which the fair value is equal to the fair market values of the Company’s Common Shares on the grant dates. Restricted share and unit awards generally vest over a three year period with one-third vesting on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.
A summary of restricted share and restricted unit activity under the Company’s Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plans for 2020 is presented below:
Restricted
Common
Shares
Restricted
Unit
Awards
Unvested Shares:
Unvested balance, beginning of year 1,045,921 1,563,012
Granted 1,328,033 207,297
Vested (697,090) (620,905)
Forfeited (41,019) (27,685)
Unvested balance, end of year 1,635,845 1,121,719
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value:
Unvested balance, beginning of year $ 31.02 $ 30.07
Granted $ 37.58 $ 37.32
Vested $ 30.86 $ 29.99
Forfeited $ 33.91 $ 30.76
Unvested balance, end of year $ 36.34 $ 31.43
ARCH CAPITAL 154
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares and restricted unit awards granted and the aggregate fair value of restricted shares and unit awards vesting in each year.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Restricted shares and restricted unit awards granted 1,535,330 1,195,741 1,563,287
Weighted average grant date fair value $ 37.55 $ 32.89 $ 26.86
Aggregate fair value of vested restricted share and unit awards $ 39,703 $ 46,262 $ 39,898
The aggregate intrinsic value of restricted units outstanding at December 31, 2020 was $40.5 million.
Performance Awards
The Company also issues performance share and unit awards (“performance awards”) to eligible employees, which are earned based on the achievement of pre-established threshold, target and maximum goals over three-year performance periods. Final payouts depend on the level of achievement along with each employees continued service through the vest date. The grant date fair value of the performance awards is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which incorporated the assumptions summarized in the table below. Expected volatility is based on the Company’s daily historical trading data of its common shares. The cumulative compensation expense recognized and unrecognized as of any reporting period date represents the adjusted estimate of performance shares and units that will ultimately be awarded, valued at their original grant date fair values.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Expected volatility 18.1 % 17.1 % 16.2 %
Risk free interest rate 1.1 % 2.5 % 2.6 %
Performance
Shares
Performance
Units
Unvested Shares:
Unvested balance, beginning of year 1,400,914 23,767
Granted 548,906 8,298
Vested - -
Forfeited (98,438) -
Unvested balance, end of year 1,851,382 32,065
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value:
Unvested balance, beginning of year $ 30.29 $ 29.75
Granted $ 44.17 $ 44.17
Vested $ - $ -
Forfeited $ 30.01 $ -
Unvested balance, end of year $ 34.42 $ 33.48
The following table presents the weighted average grant date fair values of performance awards granted.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Performance awards 557,204 696,360 743,513
Weighted average grant date fair value $ 44.17 $ 36.05 $ 24.77
The issuance of share-based awards and amortization thereon has no effect on the Company’s consolidated shareholders’ equity.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
The following tables present pre-tax and after-tax share-based compensation expense recognized as well as the unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested awards and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Pre-Tax
Stock options and SARs $ 11,744 $ 12,866 $ 16,272
Restricted share and unit awards 41,284 38,988 34,025
Performance awards 14,729 8,949 4,414
ESPP 2,135 3,045 1,224
Total $ 69,892 $ 63,848 $ 55,935
After-Tax
Stock options and SARs $ 10,388 $ 11,450 $ 14,894
Restricted share and unit awards 34,599 32,999 29,044
Performance awards 13,380 8,295 4,127
ESPP 1,978 2,758 1,114
Total $ 60,345 $ 55,502 $ 49,179
December 31, 2020
Stock Options and SARs Restricted Common
Shares and Units Performance Common Shares and Units
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards $ 9,333 $ 52,726 $ 9,450
Weighted average recognition period (years) 1.02 1.48 0.66
23. Retirement Plans
For purposes of providing employees with retirement benefits, the Company maintains defined contribution retirement plans. Contributions are based on the participants’ eligible compensation. For 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company expensed $52.0 million, $44.8 million and $40.8 million, respectively, related to these retirement plans.
ARCH CAPITAL 155
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
24. Legal Proceedings
The Company, in common with the insurance industry in general, is subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of its business. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was not a party to any litigation or arbitration which is expected by management to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and liquidity.
25. Statutory Information
The Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to insurance and/or reinsurance laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they operate. These regulations include certain restrictions on the amount of dividends or other distributions available to shareholders without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities.
The actual and required statutory capital and surplus for the Company’s principal operating subsidiaries at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31,
2020 2019
Actual capital and surplus (1):
Bermuda $ 16,193,415 $ 13,511,729
Ireland 883,337 721,439
United States 4,904,840 4,440,848
United Kingdom 967,440 748,276
Canada 64,286 61,351
Required capital and surplus:
Bermuda $ 6,431,413 $ 5,492,968
Ireland 701,161 542,703
United States 1,644,324 1,697,640
United Kingdom 601,662 349,328
Canada 37,441 32,763
(1)Such amounts include ownership interests in affiliated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.
There were no state-prescribed or permitted regulatory accounting practices for any of the Company’s insurance or reinsurance entities that resulted in reported statutory surplus that differed from that which would have been reported under the prescribed practices of the respective regulatory authorities, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The differences between statutory financial statements and statements prepared in accordance with GAAP vary by jurisdiction, however, with the primary differences being that statutory financial statements may not reflect deferred acquisition costs, certain net deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets, unrealized appreciation or depreciation on debt securities and certain unauthorized reinsurance recoverables and include contingency reserves.
The statutory net income (loss) for the Company’s principal operating subsidiaries for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Statutory net income (loss):
Bermuda $ 1,665,261 $ 1,876,416 $ 919,554
Ireland 18,397 26,367 29,223
United States 143,271 481,188 292,831
United Kingdom 4,078 (17,423) (18,467)
Canada (1,049) (1,023) 2,525
Bermuda
The Company has two Bermuda based subsidiaries: Arch Re Bermuda, a Class 4 general business insurer and Class C long-term insurer, and Watford, a Class 4 general business insurer. Under the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 (the “Insurance Act”), these subsidiaries are required to maintain minimum statutory capital and surplus equal to the greater of a minimum solvency margin and the enhanced capital requirement as determined by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”). The enhanced capital requirement is calculated based on the Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement model, a risk-based model that takes into account the risk characteristics of different aspects of the company’s business. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, all such requirements were met.
The ability of these subsidiaries to pay dividends is limited under Bermuda law and regulations. Under the Insurance Act, Arch Re Bermuda is restricted with respect to the payment of dividends. Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from declaring or paying in any financial year dividends of more than 25% of its total statutory capital and surplus (as shown on its previous financial year’s statutory balance sheet) unless it files, at least seven days before payment of such dividends, with the BMA an affidavit stating that it will continue to meet the required margins following the declaration of those dividends. Accordingly, Arch Re Bermuda can pay approximately $3.8 billion to Arch Capital during 2021 without providing an affidavit to the BMA.
Ireland
The Company has three Irish subsidiaries: Arch Re Europe, an authorized life and non-life reinsurer, Arch Insurance (EU), an authorized non-life insurer and Arch Underwriting Europe, a registered insurance and reinsurance intermediary. Irish authorized reinsurers and insurers, such as Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Irish intermediaries, such as Arch Underwriters Europe, are also subject to the general body of Irish laws and regulations including the provisions of the Companies Act 2014. As part of the Company’s Brexit
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
plan, Arch Insurance (EU) received approval from the Central Bank of Ireland (“CBOI”) to expand the nature of its business in 2019 commenced writing insurance lines in the European Economic Area in 2020, and the Part VII Transfer was completed at the end of December 2020. Arch Re Europe, Arch Insurance (EU) and Arch Underwriters Europe are subject to the supervision of the CBOI and must comply with Irish insurance acts and regulations as well as with directions and guidance issued by the CBOI. Arch Re Europe and Arch Insurance (EU) are required to maintain a minimum level of capital. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, these requirements were met.
The amount of dividends these subsidiaries are permitted to declare is limited to accumulated, realized profits, so far as not previously utilized by distribution or capitalization, less its accumulated, realized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital duly made. The solvency and capital requirements must still be met following any distribution. Dividends or distributions, if any, made by Arch Re Europe would result in an increase in available capital at Arch Re Bermuda.
United States
The Company’s U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to insurance laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The ability of the Company’s regulated insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions is dependent on their ability to meet applicable regulatory standards. These regulations include restrictions that limit the amount of dividends or other distributions, such as loans or cash advances, available to shareholders without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities.
Dividends or distributions, if any, made by Arch Re U.S. would result in an increase in available capital at Arch-U.S., the Company’s U.S. holding company. Arch Re U.S. can declare a maximum of approximately $147.6 million of dividends during 2021 subject to the approval of the Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Insurance.
AMIC and UGRIC have each been approved as an eligible mortgage insurer by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, subject to maintaining certain ongoing requirements (“eligible mortgage insurers”). In April 2015, the GSEs published comprehensive, revised requirements, known as the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements or “PMIERs.” As clarified and revised by the Guidance Letters issued by the GSEs in December 2016 and March 2017, the PMIERs apply to the Company’s eligible mortgage insurers, but do not apply to Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company, which is not GSE-approved.
The amount of assets required to satisfy the revised financial requirements of the PMIERs at any point in time will be affected by many factors, including macro-economic conditions, the size and composition of our eligible mortgage insurers’ mortgage insurance portfolio at the point in time, and the amount of risk ceded to reinsurers that may be deducted in our calculation of “minimum required assets.”
The Company’s U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries are subject to detailed regulation by their domiciliary and primary regulators, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (“Wisconsin OCI”) for Arch Mortgage Insurance Company and Arch Mortgage Guaranty Company, the North Carolina Department of Insurance (“NC DOI”) for United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company, and by state insurance departments in each state in which they are licensed. As mandated by state insurance laws, mortgage insurers are generally mono-line companies restricted to writing a single type of insurance business, such as mortgage insurance business. Each company is subject to either Wisconsin or North Carolina statutory requirements as to payment of dividends. Generally, both Wisconsin and North Carolina law precludes any dividend before giving at least 30 days’ notice to the Wisconsin OCI or NC DOI, as applicable, and prohibits paying any dividend unless it is fair and reasonable to do so. In addition, the state regulators and the GSEs limit or restrict our eligible mortgage insurers’ ability to pay stockholder dividends or otherwise return capital to shareholders. Under respective states law, our U.S. mortgage subsidiaries can declare a maximum of approximately $143.1 million of ordinary dividends in 2021, however, dividend capacity is limited by the respective companies unassigned surplus amounts. In certain instances, approval by the GSEs would be required for dividends or other forms of return of capital to shareholders due to the requirements under PMIERs, including the minimum required assets imposed on our eligible mortgage insurers by the GSEs. Such dividend would result in an increase in available capital at Arch U.S. MI Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Arch-U.S. The ability of the Company’s U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to prior notifications and approval through June 30, 2021, pursuant the GSEs’ PMIERs guidance related to COVID-19.
Mortgage insurance companies licensed in Wisconsin or North Carolina are required to establish contingency loss reserves for purposes of statutory accounting in an amount equal to at least 50% of net earned premiums. These amounts generally cannot be withdrawn for a period of 10 years and are separate liabilities for statutory accounting purposes, which affects the ability to pay dividends. However, with prior regulatory approval, a mortgage insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net premiums earned in a calendar year.
ARCH CAPITAL 157
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Under Wisconsin and North Carolina law, as well as that of 14 other states, a mortgage insurer must maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to its risk in force in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. While formulations of minimum capital vary in certain jurisdictions, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. Wisconsin and North Carolina both require a mortgage insurer to maintain a “minimum policyholder position” calculated in accordance with their respective regulations. Policyholders' position consists primarily of statutory policyholders' surplus plus the statutory contingency reserve, less ceded reinsurance. While the statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet, for risk-to-capital ratio calculations, it is included as capital for purposes of statutory capital.
United Kingdom
The Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) and the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) regulate insurance and reinsurance companies and the FCA regulates firms carrying on insurance mediation activities operating in the U.K., both under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Company’s U.K. insurance operations are conducted through Arch Insurance (U.K.), Lloyds syndicates: Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955. Arch Managing Agency Limited (“AMAL”) is the managing agent of Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955. Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955 provide access to Lloyd’s extensive distribution network and worldwide licenses. AMAL also acts as managing agent for third party members of Arch Syndicate 1955. All U.K. companies are also subject to a range of statutory provisions, including the laws and regulations of the Companies Acts 2006 (as amended) (the “U.K. Companies Acts”).
Arch Insurance (U.K.) and AMAL must maintain a margin of solvency at all times under the Solvency II Directive from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority. The regulations stipulate that insurers are required to maintain the minimum capital requirement and solvency capital requirement at all times. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, our subsidiaries were in compliance with these requirements.
As corporate members of Lloyd’s, AMAL (as managing agent of Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate 1955) and each syndicate’s respective corporate members are subject to the oversight of the Council of Lloyd’s. The capital required to support a Syndicate’s underwriting capacity, or funds at Lloyd’s, is assessed annually and is determined by Lloyd’s in accordance with the capital adequacy rules established by the PRA. The Company has provided capital to support the underwriting of Arch Syndicate 2012 and Arch Syndicate
1955 in the form of pledged assets provided by Arch Re Bermuda. The amount which the Company provides as funds at Lloyd’s is not available for distribution to the Company for the payment of dividends. Lloyd’s is supervised by the PRA and required to implement certain rules prescribed by the PRA under the Lloyd’s Act of 1982 regarding the operation of the Lloyd’s market. With respect to managing agents and corporate members, Lloyd’s prescribes certain minimum standards relating to management and control, solvency and other requirements and monitors managing agents’ compliance with such standards.
Under U.K. law, all U.K. companies are restricted from declaring a dividend to their shareholders unless they have “profits available for distribution.” The calculation as to whether a company has sufficient profits is based on its accumulated realized profits minus its accumulated realized losses. U.K. insurance regulatory laws do not prohibit the payment of dividends, but the PRA or FCA, as applicable, requires that insurance companies and insurance intermediaries maintain certain solvency margins and may restrict the payment of a dividend by Arch Insurance (U.K.) and AMAL.
Canada
Arch Insurance Canada and the Canadian branch of Arch Re U.S. (“Arch Re Canada”) are subject to federal, as well as provincial and territorial, regulation in Canada. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (“OSFI”) is the federal regulatory body that, under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), regulates federal Canadian and non-Canadian insurance companies operating in Canada. Arch Insurance Canada and Arch Re Canada are subject to regulation in the provinces and territories in which they underwrite insurance/reinsurance, and the primary goal of insurance/reinsurance regulation at the provincial and territorial levels is to govern the market conduct of insurance/reinsurance companies. Arch Insurance Canada is licensed to carry on insurance business by OSFI and in each province and territory. Arch Re Canada is licensed to carry-on reinsurance business by OSFI and in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
Under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), Arch Insurance Canada is required to maintain an adequate amount of capital in Canada, calculated in accordance with a test promulgated by OSFI called the Minimum Capital Test (“MCT”), and Arch Re Canada is required to maintain an adequate margin of assets over liabilities in Canada, calculated in accordance with a test promulgated by OSFI called the Branch Adequacy of Assets Test. Dividends or distributions, if any, made by Arch Insurance Canada would result in an increase in available capital at Arch Insurance Company (see “-United States” section).
ARCH CAPITAL 158
2020 FORM 10-K
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
26. Unaudited Condensed Quarterly Financial Information
The following table summarizes the 2020 and 2019 unaudited condensed quarterly financial information:
Fourth
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Second
Quarter
First
Quarter
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Net premiums written $ 1,758,015 $ 1,874,144 $ 1,668,311 $ 2,137,246
Net premiums earned 1,811,045 1,771,092 1,665,354 1,744,444
Net investment income 114,458 128,512 131,485 145,153
Net realized gains (losses) 353,333 280,499 556,588 (366,960)
Underwriting income (loss) 220,987 96,604 (22,539) 154,050
Net income (loss) attributable to Arch 543,544 419,039 298,821 144,117
Preferred dividends (10,403) (10,403) (10,403) (10,403)
Net income (loss) available to Arch common shareholders 533,141 408,636 288,418 133,714
Net income (loss) per common share -- basic $ 1.32 $ 1.01 $ 0.72 $ 0.33
Net income (loss) per common share -- diluted $ 1.30 $ 1.00 $ 0.71 $ 0.32
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Net premiums written $ 1,455,453 $ 1,613,457 $ 1,444,898 $ 1,525,259
Net premiums earned 1,515,882 1,438,023 1,463,727 1,368,866
Net investment income 154,263 161,488 155,038 156,949
Net realized gains (losses) 40,830 61,355 120,757 140,256
Underwriting income (loss) 251,421 231,262 293,134 260,148
Net income (loss) attributable to Arch 326,384 392,453 468,954 448,528
Preferred dividends (10,403) (10,403) (10,403) (10,403)
Net income (loss) available to Arch common shareholders 315,981 382,050 458,551 438,125
Net income (loss) per common share -- basic $ 0.78 $ 0.95 $ 1.14 $ 1.09
Net income (loss) per common share -- diluted $ 0.76 $ 0.92 $ 1.12 $ 1.07
27. Subsequent Events
Coface
On February 10, 2021, the Company announced that it had completed the share purchase agreement with Natixis to purchase a 29.5% stake in Coface, a France-based leader in the global trade credit insurance market. The consideration paid was €9.95 per share, or an aggregate €453 million including related fees. In connection with our minority stake in Coface, the Company has four representatives on the Coface Board of Directors.
Share Repurchases
From January 1 to February 24, 2021, the Company repurchased approximately 4.6 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $154.9 million. At February 24, 2021 approximately $761.6 million of repurchases were available under the share repurchase program.
Reinsurance to Close
As part of the Company’s acquisition of Barbican, on February 18, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with Premia Managing Agency Limited for the Reinsurance to Close (“RITC”) of Syndicate 1955’s 2018 underwriting year of account into Premia Syndicate 1884’s 2021 underwriting year of account. The RITC covers legacy business underwritten by Syndicate 1955 on the underwriting 2018 and prior years of account and under the agreement, approximately $380 million of net liabilities transferred to Syndicate 1884, with an effective date of January 1, 2021.
Texas Winter Storm
In February 2021, a winter storm struck Texas and other parts of the southern U.S., resulting in significant insured losses. It is too early to reasonably estimate losses for this recent event given the significant unknowns, the early stage of the damage assessment process and the unusual nature of the event.
ARCH CAPITAL 159
2020 FORM 10-K

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In connection with the filing of this Form 10-K, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation, as of December 31, 2020, for the purposes set forth in the applicable rules under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
We continue to enhance our operating procedures and internal controls (including information technology initiatives and controls over financial reporting) to effectively support our business and our regulatory and reporting requirements. Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. As a result of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more people.
The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. As a result of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatement due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on our assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in Item 8.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred in connection with our evaluation required pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ARCH CAPITAL 160
2020 FORM 10-K
PART III

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in our definitive proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) for our annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021, which we intend to file with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A no later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year which ended on December 31, 2020. Copies of our code of ethics applicable to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller are available free of charge to investors upon written request addressed to the attention of Arch Capital’s corporate secretary, Waterloo House, 100 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda. In addition, our code of ethics and certain other basic corporate documents, including the charters of our audit committee, compensation committee and nominating committee are posted on our website.
If any substantive amendments are made to the code of ethics or if there is a grant of a waiver, including any implicit waiver, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a report on Form 8-K, to the extent required by applicable law or the rules and regulations of any exchange applicable to us. Our website address is intended to be an inactive, textual reference only and none of the material on our website is incorporated by reference into this report.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement which we intend to file pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended on December 31, 2020, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
ARCH CAPITAL 161
2020 FORM 10-K

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Other than the information set forth below, the information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement which we intend to file pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended on December 31, 2020, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
The following information is as of December 31, 2020:
Column A Column B Column C
Plan Category Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Stock Options(1), Warrants and Rights Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
Stock Options(1), Warrants and Rights ($) Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column A)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 18,993,117 $ 23.32 20,610,537
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total 18,993,117 $ 23.32 20,610,537 (2)
________________________
(1) Includes all vested and unvested stock options outstanding of 17,839,333 and restricted stock and performance units outstanding of 1,153,784. The weighted average exercise price does not take into account restricted stock units. In addition, the weighted average remaining contractual life of the Company's outstanding exercisable stock options and SARs at December 31, 2020 was 4.7 years.
(2) Includes 2,267,676 common shares remaining available for future issuance under our Employee Share Purchase Plan and 18,342,861 common shares remaining available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans. Shares available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans may be issued in the form of stock options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted share units payable in common shares or cash, share awards in lieu of cash awards, dividend equivalents, performance shares and performance units and other share-based awards. In addition, 5,381,100 common shares, or 26.1% of the 20,610,537 common shares remaining available for future issuance may be issued in connection with full value awards (i.e., awards other than stock options or SARs).

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in the Proxy Statement which we intend to file pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended on December 31, 2020, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in our Proxy Statement which we intend to file pursuant to Regulation 14A with the SEC no later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended on December 31, 2020, which Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
ARCH CAPITAL 162
2020 FORM 10-K
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and Exhibits.
1.Financial Statements
Included in Part II - see Item 8 of this report.
2.Financial Statement Schedules
Page No.
II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 169
III. Supplementary Insurance Information
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 172
IV. Reinsurance
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 173
VI. Supplementary Information for Property and Casualty Insurance Underwriters
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 174
Schedules other than those listed above are omitted for the reason that they are not applicable or the information is provided in Item 8 of this report.
ARCH CAPITAL 163
2020 FORM 10-K
3. Exhibits
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form Original Number Date Filed Filed Herewith
1.1 Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2020, by and among Arch Capital Group Ltd., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and Lloyds Securities Inc., as representatives of the underwriters named therein.
8-K 1.1 June 24, 2020
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger among Arch Capital Group Ltd., Greysbridge Ltd. and Watford Holdings Ltd., dated October 9, 2020.
8-K 2.1 October 14, 2020
2.2 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger among Arch Capital Group Ltd., Greysbridge Ltd., and Watford Holdings Ltd., dated November 2, 2020.
8-K 2.1 November 2, 2020
3.1 Memorandum of Association of ACGL
S-4 3.1 September 8, 2000
3.2 Bye-Laws of ACGL
10-Q 3 August 5, 2016
3.3 ACGL Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital
10-K 3.3 February 28, 2011
4.1.1 Certificate of Designations of Series E Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares
8-K 4.1 September 29, 2016
4.1.2 Certificate of Designations of Series F Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares
8-K 4.1 August 17, 2017
4.2.1 Specimen Common Share Certificate
10-K405 4.1 April 2, 2001
4.2.2 Specimen Series E Non-Cumulative Preferred Share Certificate
8-K 4.2 September 29, 2016
4.2.3 Specimen Series F Non-Cumulative Preferred Share Certificate
8-K 4.2 August 17, 2017
4.3.1 Indenture, dated as of May 4, 2004, between ACGL, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank) (“JPMCB”), as trustee
8-K 4.1 June 30, 2020
4.3.2 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 4, 2004, between ACGL, as issuer, and JPMCB, as trustee
8-K 99.3 May 7, 2004
4.3.3 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2020, by and between Arch Capital Group Ltd. and The Bank of New York Mellon (including the form of Global Notes for the Notes).
8-K 4.2 June 30, 2020
4.4.1 Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2013, among Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc. (“Arch U.S.”), as issuer, ACGL, as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), as trustee
8-K 4.1 December 13, 2013
4.4.2 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2013, among Arch U.S., as issuer, ACGL, as guarantor, and BNYM, as trustee
8-K 4.2 December 13, 2013
4.4.3 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2018, among Arch Capital Finance LLC, as issuer, ACGL, as guarantor, and BNYM, as trustee
8-K 4.1 May 15, 2018
4.5.1 Deposit Agreement, dated September 29, 2016, between ACGL, as issuer, and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), as depositary, registrar and transfer agent and as dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts
8-K 4.3 September 29, 2016
4.5.2 Deposit Agreement, dated August 17, 2017, between ACGL, as issuer, and AST, as depositary, registrar and transfer agent and as dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts
8-K 4.3 August 17, 2017
4.6.1 Form of Depositary Receipt, dated September 29, 2016
8-K 4.4 September 29, 2016
4.6.2 Form of Depositary Receipt, dated August 17, 2017
8-K 4.4 August 17, 2017
4.7.1 Indenture, dated as of December 8, 2016, among Arch Capital Finance LLC, as issuer, ACGL, as guarantor, and BNYM, as trustee
8-K 4.1 December 9, 2016
4.7.2 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 8, 2016, among Arch Capital Finance LLC, as issuer, ACGL, as guarantor, and BNYM, as trustee
8-K 4.2 December 9, 2016
4.8 Description of Securities
10-K 4.7 February 28, 2020
10.2.1 Third Amended and Restated ACGL Incentive Compensation Plan†
10-Q 10.7 August 5, 2016
10.2.2 First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated ACGL Incentive Compensation Plan†
10-Q 10.1 May 5, 2017
10.3.1 ACGL 2007 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan†
DEF 14A April 3, 2007
10.3.2 ACGL 2012 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan†
DEF 14A March 27, 2012
10.3.3 ACGL 2015 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan†
DEF 14A March 26, 2015
10.3.4 ACGL 2018 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan†
DEF 14A March 28, 2018
10.3.5 ACGL Amended and Restated 2007 Employee Share Purchase Plan†
DEF 14A March 23, 2016
10.4.1 Form of Restricted Share Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2015, between ACGL and each of, Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Nicolas Papadopoulo, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.2 August 7, 2015
ARCH CAPITAL 164
2020 FORM 10-K
10.4.2 Form of Restricted Share Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2016, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Nicolas Papadopoulo, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.2 August 5, 2016
10.4.3 Form of Restricted Share Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2017, between ACGL and each of the Non-Employee Directors of ACGL†
10-Q 10.3 August 4, 2017
10.4.4 Form of Restricted Share Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2017, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Nicolas Papadopoulo, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.4 August 4, 2017
10.4.5 Form of Restricted Share Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2017, between ACGL and each of Nicolas Papadopoulo and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-K 10.4.13 February 28, 2018
10.4.6 Form of Restricted Share Agreement for Named Executive Officers and certain Executive Officers of ACGL and subsidiaries†
10-Q 10.3 August 8, 2018
10.4.7 Form of Restricted Share Agreement between ACGL and each of the Non-Employee Directors of ACGL†
10-Q 10.6 August 8, 2018
10.5 Form of Performance Restricted Share Agreement for Named Executive Officers and certain Executive Officers of ACGL and subsidiaries†
10-Q 10.5 August 8, 2018
10.6.1 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2015, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson and W. Preston Hutchings†
10-Q 10.3 August 7, 2015
10.6.2 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2016, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Nicolas Papadopoulo, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.3 August 5, 2016
10.6.3 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2017, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Nicolas Papadopoulo, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.5 August 4, 2017
10.6.4 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2017, between ACGL and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-K 10.5.6 February 28, 2018
10.6.5 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2017, between ACGL and Nicolas Papadopoulo†
10-K 10.5.7 February 28, 2018
10.6.6 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Named Executive Officers and certain Executive Officers of ACGL and subsidiaries†
10-Q 10.4 August 8, 2018
10.6.7 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2018, between ACGL and Marc Grandisson†
10-Q 10.5 May 9, 2018
10.7.1 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2008, between ACGL and each of, John D. Vollaro, Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.1 November 10, 2008
10.7.2 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2009, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings and John D. Vollaro†
10-K 10.12.4 February 26, 2010
10.7.3 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2010, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.4 November 8, 2010
10.7.4 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2011, between ACGL and Marc Grandisson†
10-Q 10.7 November 8, 2011
10.7.5 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2011, between ACGL and W. Preston Hutchings†
10-Q 10.9 November 8, 2011
10.7.6 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2011, between ACGL and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.12 November 8, 2011
10.7.7 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2011, between ACGL and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-Q 10.1 November 3, 2017
10.7.8 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2012 between ACGL and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-Q 10.2 November 3, 2017
10.7.9 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2012, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.3 November 9, 2012
10.7.10 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2012 between ACGL and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-Q 10.4 November 3, 2017
10.7.11 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2012, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.3 August 9, 2013
10.7.12 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2013, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.2 November 8, 2013
10.7.13 Form of Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2014, between ACGL and each of Marc Grandisson, W. Preston Hutchings, Maamoun Rajeh and Louis T. Petrillo†
10-Q 10.3 August 8, 2014
10.7.14 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, between ACGL and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-Q 10.15 November 3, 2017
ARCH CAPITAL 165
2020 FORM 10-K
10.7.15 Share Appreciation Right Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2014, between ACGL and Marc Grandisson†
10-Q 10.2 May 8, 2015
10.8.1 Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2008, between ACGL and John D. Vollaro†
8-K 10.1 October 28, 2008
10.8.2 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 27, 2015, between ACGL and John D. Vollaro†
10-Q 10.1 May 8, 2015
10.8.3 Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2018, between ACGL and John D. Vollaro†
10-Q 10.1 May 9, 2018
10.9 Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2018, between ACGL and W. Preston Hutchings†
10-Q 10.2 August 8, 2018
10.10 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated November 2, 2020, between ACGL and W. Preston Hutchings†
10-K X
10.11 Employment Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2017 between ACGL and Maamoun Rajeh†
10-Q 10.26 November 3, 2017
10.12 Employment Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2017 between ACGL and Nicholas Papadopoulo†
10-Q 10.27 November 3, 2017
10.13 Employment Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2018, between ACGL and François Morin†
8-K/A 10.1 July 26, 2018
10.14 Employment Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2018, between ACGL and Marc Grandisson†
8-K/A 10.1 April 11, 2018
10.15 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2018, between Arch Capital Services Inc. and Louis Petrillo†
10-K 10.16 February 28, 2019
10.16 Employment Agreement dated as of October 1,2019 between Arch Capital Group Ltd. and David Gansberg †
10-K 10.16 February 28, 2020
10.17 Arch U.S. Executive Supplemental Non-Qualified Savings and Retirement Plan†
10-K 10.24 March 2, 2009
10.18 Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17,2019, by and among ACGL, certain of its subsidiaries as subsidiary borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Fronting Bank and L/C Administrator, and the lenders party thereto
8-K 10.1 December 18, 2019
10.19 Voting and Support Agreement among Watford Holdings Ltd., Arch Reinsurance Ltd. and Gulf Reinsurance Ltd. dated October 9, 2020.
8-K 10.1 October 14, 2020
21 Subsidiaries of Registrant
X
23 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
X
24 Power of Attorney
X
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
101 The following financial information from ACGL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements X
104 Cove Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
ARCH CAPITAL 166
2020 FORM 10-K
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Marc Grandisson
Name: Marc Grandisson
Title: Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
February 26, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name Title Date
/s/ Marc Grandisson
Marc Grandisson Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
February 26, 2021
/s/ François Morin
François Morin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) and Treasurer February 26, 2021
*
John M. Pasquesi Chairman of the Board
February 26, 2021
*
John L. Bunce, Jr. Director February 26, 2021
*
Eric W. Doppstadt Director February 26, 2021
*
Laurie S. Goodman Director February 26, 2021
ARCH CAPITAL 167
2020 FORM 10-K
Name Title Date
*
Moira Kilcoyne Director February 26, 2021
*
Louis J. Paglia Director February 26, 2021
*
Brian S. Posner
Director February 26, 2021
*
Eugene S. Sunshine Director February 26, 2021
*
John D. Vollaro Director February 26, 2021
*
Thomas R. Watjen Director February 26, 2021
___________________
* By François Morin, as attorney-in-fact and agent, pursuant to a power of attorney, a copy of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 24 to this report.
/s/ François Morin
Name: François Morin
Attorney-in-Fact
ARCH CAPITAL 168
2020 FORM 10-K
SCHEDULE II
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet
(Parent Company Only)
December 31,
2020 2019
Assets
Total investments $ 172 $ 42
Cash 18,932 18,113
Investments in subsidiaries 14,377,529 11,786,861
Due from subsidiaries and affiliates - 17
Other assets 18,390 20,461
Total assets $ 14,415,023 $ 11,825,494
Liabilities
Senior notes $ 1,285,867 $ 297,254
Due to subsidiaries and affiliates - -
Other liabilities 23,270 30,869
Total liabilities 1,309,137 328,123
Shareholders' Equity
Non-cumulative preferred shares 780,000 780,000
Common shares ($0.0011 par, shares issued: 579,000,841 and 574,617,195)
643 638
Additional paid-in capital 1,977,794 1,889,683
Retained earnings 12,362,463 11,021,006
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax 488,895 212,091
Common shares held in treasury, at cost (shares: 172,280,199 and 168,997,994)
(2,503,909) (2,406,047)
Total shareholders' equity $ 13,105,886 $ 11,497,371
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 14,415,023 $ 11,825,494
The financial information for the parent company (Arch Capital Group Ltd.) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
ARCH CAPITAL 169
2020 FORM 10-K
SCHEDULE II
(continued)
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Statement of Income
(Parent Company Only)
Year Ended
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenues
Net investment income $ 53 $ 212 $ 49
Net realized gains (losses) (2,110) - 29
Other income (loss) (437) (762) 1,918
Total revenues (2,494) (550) 1,996
Expenses
Corporate expenses 65,566 62,701 64,279
Interest expense 40,445 22,154 22,147
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses 3 1 30
Total expenses 106,014 84,856 86,456
Income (loss) before income taxes (108,508) (85,406) (84,460)
Income tax (expense) benefit - - -
Income (loss) before equity in net income of subsidiaries (108,508) (85,406) (84,460)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries 1,514,029 1,721,725 842,431
Net income available to Arch 1,405,521 1,636,319 757,971
Preferred dividends (41,612) (41,612) (41,645)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares - - (2,710)
Net income available to Arch common shareholders $ 1,363,909 $ 1,594,707 $ 713,616
The financial information for the parent company (Arch Capital Group Ltd.) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
ARCH CAPITAL 170
2020 FORM 10-K
SCHEDULE II
(continued)
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Statement of Cash Flows
(Parent Company Only)
Year Ended
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Operating Activities:
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities $ 124,751 $ 52,487 $ 324,319
Investing Activities:
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments (130) 61 96,476
Capital contributed to subsidiaries (988,975) (2,121) -
Purchase of fixed assets (15) (162) (110)
Other - - (4)
Net Cash Used For Investing Activities (989,120) (2,222) 96,362
Financing Activities:
Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program (83,472) (2,871) (282,762)
Proceeds from common shares issued, net 1,876 6,203 (7,608)
Redemption of preferred shares - - (92,555)
Proceeds from borrowings 988,393 - -
Preferred dividends paid (41,612) (41,612) (41,645)
Net Cash Used For Financing Activities 865,185 (38,280) (424,570)
Increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash 816 11,985 (3,889)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year 18,144 6,159 10,048
Cash and restricted cash, end of period $ 18,960 $ 18,144 $ 6,159
The financial information for the parent company (Arch Capital Group Ltd.) should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
ARCH CAPITAL 171
2020 FORM 10-K
SCHEDULE III
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Deferred Acquisition Costs Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Unearned Premiums Net Premiums Earned Net Investment Income (1) Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Incurred Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs Other Operating Expenses (2) Net Premiums Written
December 31, 2020
Insurance $254,833 $8,989,930 $2,334,225 $2,871,420 NM $2,092,453 $418,483 $489,153 $3,162,907
Reinsurance 278,422 5,027,742 1,356,983 2,162,229 NM 1,628,320 354,048 168,011 2,457,370
Mortgage 203,748 976,673 740,043 1,397,935 NM 528,344 134,240 162,202 1,279,850
Other 53,705 1,519,583 407,714 560,351 NM 440,482 98,071 55,810 537,589
Total $790,708 $16,513,928 $4,838,965 $6,991,935 NM $4,689,599 $1,004,842 $875,176 $7,437,716
December 31, 2019
Insurance $188,684 $7,900,328 $1,991,496 $2,397,080 NM $1,615,475 $361,614 $454,770 $2,641,726
Reinsurance 197,856 4,270,013 971,776 1,466,389 NM 1,011,329 239,032 141,484 1,602,723
Mortgage 182,816 457,872 937,370 1,366,340 NM 53,513 134,319 153,092 1,261,756
Other 64,044 1,263,629 438,907 556,689 NM 453,135 105,980 51,651 532,862
Total $633,400 $13,891,842 $4,339,549 $5,786,498 NM $3,133,452 $840,945 $800,997 $6,039,067
December 31, 2018
Insurance $152,360 $7,093,018 $1,549,183 $2,205,661 NM $1,520,680 $349,702 $364,138 $2,212,125
Reinsurance 166,276 3,215,909 710,774 1,261,216 NM 846,882 211,280 133,350 1,372,572
Mortgage 170,080 511,610 1,103,565 1,186,236 NM 81,289 118,595 142,432 1,157,875
Other 80,858 1,032,760 390,114 578,862 NM 441,255 125,558 37,889 604,175
Total $569,574 $11,853,297 $3,753,636 $5,231,975 NM $2,890,106 $805,135 $677,809 $5,346,747
(1) The Company does not manage its assets by segment and, accordingly, net investment income is not allocated to each underwriting segment. See note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for information related to the ‘other’ segment.
(2) Certain other operating expenses relate to the Company’s corporate segment (non-underwriting). Such amounts are not reflected in the table above. See note 4, “Segment Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for information related to the corporate segment.
ARCH CAPITAL 172
2020 FORM 10-K
SCHEDULE IV
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
REINSURANCE
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross Amount Ceded to Other Companies (1) Assumed From Other Companies (1) Net
Amount Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Premiums Written:
Insurance
$ 4,659,416 $ (1,525,655) $ 29,146 $ 3,162,907 0.9 %
Reinsurance
305,435 (1,014,716) 3,166,651 2,457,370 128.9 %
Mortgage
1,192,316 (194,149) 281,683 1,279,850 22.0 %
Other
396,743 (190,957) 331,803 537,589 61.7 %
Total
$ 6,553,910 $ (2,650,352) $ 3,534,158 $ 7,437,716 47.5 %
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Premiums Written:
Insurance
$ 3,879,752 $ (1,266,267) $ 28,241 $ 2,641,726 1.1 %
Reinsurance
238,229 (720,500) 2,084,994 1,602,723 130.1 %
Mortgage
1,224,373 (204,509) 241,892 1,261,756 19.2 %
Other
339,169 (222,019) 415,712 532,862 78.0 %
Total
$ 5,681,523 $ (2,099,893) $ 2,457,437 $ 6,039,067 40.7 %
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Premiums Written:
Insurance
$ 3,232,234 $ (1,050,207) $ 30,098 $ 2,212,125 1.4 %
Reinsurance
213,809 (539,950) 1,698,713 1,372,572 123.8 %
Mortgage
1,139,099 (202,833) 221,609 1,157,875 19.1 %
Other
253,760 (130,840) 481,255 604,175 79.7 %
Total
$ 4,838,902 $ (1,614,257) $ 2,122,102 $ 5,346,747 39.7 %
(1) Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions and are included in the gross premiums written of each segment. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total.
ARCH CAPITAL 173
2020 FORM 10-K
SCHEDULE VI
ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE UNDERWRITERS
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F Column G Column H Column I Column J Column K
Affiliation with Registrant Deferred Acquisition Costs Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Discount, if any, deducted in Column C Unearned Premiums Net
Premiums Earned Net Investment Income Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to Amortization
of Deferred Acquisition Costs Net Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Net
Premiums Written
(a) Current Year (b)
Prior Years
Consolidated Subsidiaries
2020 $ 790,708 $ 16,513,929 $ 23,326 $ 4,838,965 $ 6,991,935 $ 519,608 $ 4,851,051 $ (161,452) $ 1,004,842 $ 2,661,117 $ 7,437,716
2019 633,400 13,891,842 22,012 4,339,549 5,786,498 627,738 3,297,037 (163,585) 840,945 2,383,255 6,039,067
2018 569,574 11,853,297 21,145 3,753,636 5,231,975 563,633 3,162,818 (272,712) 805,135 2,206,164 5,346,747