Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission file number 1-10816
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN
 
39-1486475
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
MGIC PLAZA, 250 EAST KILBOURN AVENUE,
 
 
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
 
53202
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(414) 347-6480
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class:
 
Common Stock, Par Value $1 Per Share
 
 
Common Share Purchase Rights
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☒Yes ☐No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  ☐ Yes ☒No

State the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2018: Approximately $3.9 billion*

* Solely for purposes of computing such value and without thereby admitting that such persons are affiliates of the Registrant, shares held by directors and executive officers of the Registrant are deemed to be held by affiliates of the Registrant. Shares held are those shares beneficially owned for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 but excluding shares subject to stock options.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock as of February 15, 2019: 355,636,284

The following documents have been incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, as indicated:
Document
 
Part and Item Number of Form 10-K Into Which Incorporated*
Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, provided such Proxy Statement is filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018. If not so filed, the information provided in Items 10 through 14 of Part III will be included in an amended Form 10-K filed within such 120 day period.
 
Items 10 through 14 of Part III

* In each case, to the extent provided in the Items listed.



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Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms


Table of Contents
 
 
Page No.
PART I 
 
 
 
Item 1. 
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 1B.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
PART II
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
Item 6.
 
Item 7.
 
Item 7A.
 
Item 8.
 
Item 9.
 
Item 9A.
 
Item 9B.
PART III
 
 
 
Item 10.
 
Item 11.
 
Item 12.
 
Item 13.
 
Item 14.
PART IV
 
 
 
Item 15.
 
Item 16.
 
 
 
 




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Glossary of terms and acronyms

/ A
ARMs
Adjustable rate mortgages

ABS
Asset-backed securities

ASC
Accounting Standards Codification

Available Assets
Assets, as designated under the PMIERs, that are readily available to pay claims, and include the most liquid investments

/ B
Book or book year
A group of loans insured in a particular calendar year

BPMI
Borrower-paid mortgage insurance

/ C
CECL
Current expected credit losses

CFPB
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

CLO
Collateralized loan obligations

CMBS
Commercial mortgage-backed securities

/ D
DAC
Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs

Debt-to-income ("DTI") ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of a borrower's total debt payments to gross income

Direct
When referring to insurance or risk written or in force, "direct" means before giving effect to reinsurance

/ E
ETFs
Exchange traded funds
 
/ F
Fannie Mae
Federal National Mortgage Association

FCRA
Fair Credit Reporting Act

FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency

FHA
Federal Housing Administration

FHFA
Federal Housing Finance Agency

FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, of which MGIC is a member

FICO score
A measure of consumer credit risk provided by credit bureaus, typically produced from statistical models by Fair Isaac Corporation utilizing data collected by the credit bureaus

FOMC
Federal Open Market Committee

Freddie Mac
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

/ G
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States

GSEs
Collectively, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

/ H
HAMP
Home Affordable Modification Program

HARP
Home Affordable Refinance Program

Home Re
Home Re 2018-1, Ltd., an unaffiliated special purpose insurer domiciled in Bermuda



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HOPA
Homeowners Protection Act

/ I
IADA
Individual Assistance Disaster Area

IBNR
Losses incurred but not reported

IIF
Insurance in force, which for loans insured by us, is equal to the unpaid principal balance, as reported to us

/ L
LAE
Loss adjustment expenses

Legacy book
Mortgage insurance policies written prior to 2009

Loan-to-value ("LTV") ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the dollar amount of the first mortgage loan to the value of the property at the time the loan became insured and does not reflect subsequent housing price appreciation or depreciation. Subordinate mortgages may also be present

Long-term debt:
5% Notes
5% Convertible Senior Notes due on May 1, 2017, with interest payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year

2% Notes
2% Convertible Senior Notes due on April 1, 2020, with interest payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year

5.75% Notes
5.75% Senior Notes due on August 15, 2023, with interest payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year

9% Debentures
9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due on April 1, 2063, with interest payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year

FHLB Advance or the Advance
1.91% Fixed rate advance from the FHLB due on February 10, 2023, with interest payable monthly

 
Loss ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the sum of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to NPE

Low down payment loans or mortgages
Loans with less than 20% down payments

LPMI
Lender-paid mortgage insurance

/ M
MBA
Mortgage Bankers Association

MBS
Mortgage-backed securities

MD&A
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

MGIC
Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, a subsidiary of MGIC Investment Corporation

MAC
MGIC Assurance Corporation, a subsidiary of MGIC

Minimum Required Assets
The greater of $400 million or the total of the minimum amount of Available Assets that must be held under the PMIERs based upon a percentage of RIF weighted by certain risk attributes

MPP
Minimum Policyholder Position, as required under certain state requirements. The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums

/ N
N/A
Not applicable for the period presented

NAIC
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners

NIW
New Insurance Written, is the aggregate original principal amount of the mortgages that are insured during a period

N/M
Data, or calculation, deemed not meaningful for the period presented


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NPE
The amount of premiums earned, net of premiums assumed and ceded under reinsurance agreements

NPL
Non-performing loan, which is a delinquent loan, at any stage in its delinquency

NPW
The amount of premiums written, net of premiums assumed and ceded under reinsurance agreements

/ O
OCI
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin

/ P
Persistency
The percentage of our insurance remaining in force from one year prior

PMI
Private Mortgage Insurance (as an industry or product type)

PMIERs
Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements issued by the GSEs

Premium Yield
The ratio of NPE divided by the average IIF outstanding for the period measured

Primary
Insurance written on a flow and bulk basis

/ Q
QSR Transaction
Quota share reinsurance transaction

/ R
REMIC
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit

RESPA
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act

RIF
Risk in force, which for an individual loan insured by us, is equal to the unpaid loan principal balance, as reported to us, multiplied by the insurance coverage percentage. RIF is sometimes referred to as exposure

 
Risk-to-capital
Under certain state regulations, the ratio of RIF, net of quota share reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default and for which loss reserves have been established, to the level of statutory capital

RMBS
Residential mortgage-backed securities

/ S
State Capital Requirements
Under certain state regulations, the minimum amount of statutory capital relative to risk in force (or similar measure)

/ T
Tax Act
The U.S. tax reform enacted on December 22, 2017 and commonly referred to as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act"

/ U
Underwriting Expense Ratio
The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the underwriting and operating expenses, net and amortization of DAC of our combined insurance operations (which excludes underwriting and operating expenses of our non-insurance subsidiaries) to NPW

Underwriting profit
NPE minus incurred losses and underwriting expenses

USDA
U.S. Department of Agriculture

/ V
VA
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VIE
Variable interest entity



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PART I

Item 1. Business
See the "Glossary of terms and acronyms" for definitions and descriptions of terms used throughout this annual report.

A.    General
We are a holding company and through wholly-owned subsidiaries we provide private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services. In 2018, our net premiums written were $1.0 billion and our primary NIW was $50.5 billion. As of December 31, 2018, our direct primary IIF was $209.7 billion and our direct primary RIF was $54.1 billion. For further information about our results of operations, see our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and our MD&A in Item 7. As of December 31, 2018, our principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, MGIC, was licensed in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.  During 2018, we wrote new insurance in each of those jurisdictions.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES
Our business strategies are to 1) prudently grow IIF, 2) pursue new business opportunities that meet our return objectives, 3) preserve and expand our role and that of the PMI industry in housing finance policy, 4) manage and deploy capital to optimize the creation of shareholder value and 5) expand and develop the talents of our co-workers.

Following are several of our 2018 accomplishments that furthered our business strategies.

Increased primary NIW from $49.1 billion in 2017 to $50.5 billion in 2018 and increased primary IIF by more than 7.6% year-over-year. The NIW is consistent with the Company's risk and return goals.
Held leadership roles in key trade associations.
Continued to enhance the reputation of the Company and the industry relative to changing housing finance policy and a broader role for PMI.
Positioned ourselves for a successful launch in the first quarter 2019 of MiQTM, our loan level pricing system that establishes our premium rates based on a borrower's individual risk profile and loan attributes, and considers more attributes than were considered in 2018.
 
Executed a $318 million insurance linked note transaction, which allows the Company to better manage its risk profile and provides a new source of capital.
Increased dividends from MGIC to our holding company from $140 million in 2017 to $220 million in 2018.
Initiated ratings from A.M. Best and received an A- rating.
Executed $175 million in share repurchases for more than 4% of our common stock outstanding.

OVERVIEW OF THE PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND ITS OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
We established the PMI industry in 1957 to provide a private market alternative to federal government insurance programs. PMI covers losses from homeowner defaults on residential mortgage loans, reducing, and in some instances eliminating, the loss to the insured institution.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been the major purchasers of the mortgage loans underlying new insurance written by private mortgage insurers. The GSEs purchase residential mortgage loans as part of their governmental mandate to provide liquidity in the secondary mortgage market. The GSEs cannot buy low down payment mortgage loans without certain forms of credit enhancement. Lenders generally have used private mortgage insurance to satisfy this credit enhancement requirement. Therefore, PMI facilitates the sale of low down payment mortgages in the secondary mortgage market to the GSEs and plays an important role in the housing finance system by assisting consumers, especially first-time and lower net-worth homebuyers, to finance homes with low down payment mortgages. PMI also reduces the regulatory capital that depository institutions are required to hold against certain low down payment mortgages that they hold as assets. (GSE programs initiated in 2018 that provide loan level default coverage by various (re)insurers (which may include affiliates of private mortgage insurers) are discussed below.)

Because the GSEs have been the major purchasers of the mortgages underlying new insurance written by private mortgage insurers, the PMI industry in the U.S. is defined in large part by the requirements and practices of the GSEs. These requirements and practices, as well as those of the federal regulators that oversee the GSEs and lenders, impact the operating results and financial performance of private mortgage insurers. In 2008, the federal government took control of the GSEs through a conservatorship process. The FHFA is the conservator


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of the GSEs and has the authority to control and direct their operations. In the past, members of Congress have introduced several bills intended to change the business practices of the GSEs and the FHA, however, no legislation has been enacted.

The Administration issued a June 2018 report indicating that the conservatorship of the GSEs should end and that the GSEs should transition to fully private entities. It is unclear whether and when that would occur and how that would impact us. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including private mortgage insurance, will play in the domestic residential housing finance system in the future. The timing and impact on our business or any resulting changes is uncertain. Some changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when any action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last. See our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses” in Item 1A.

The GSEs have private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements, or PMIERs, for private mortgage insurers that insure loans delivered to or purchased by the GSEs. The financial requirements of the PMIERs require a mortgage insurer’s Available Assets to equal or exceed its Minimum Required Assets. While on an overall basis, the amount of Available Assets MGIC must hold in order to continue to insure GSE loans is greater under the PMIERs than the amount state regulation currently requires, our reinsurance transactions mitigate the negative effect of the PMIERs on our returns. See "Regulation – Direct Regulation" below for information about our compliance with the financial requirements of the PMIERs.

The private mortgage insurance industry is greatly impacted by macroeconomic conditions that affect home loan originations and credit performance of home loans, including unemployment rates, home prices, restrictions on mortgage credit due to underwriting standards, interest rates, household formations and homeownership rates. During the last several years preceding the financial crisis, the mortgage lending industry increasingly made home loans with higher risk profiles. In certain sections of this Annual Report, we discuss our insurance written in 2005-2008 separately from our insurance written in earlier and later years. Beginning in 2007, job creation slowed and the housing markets began slowing in certain areas, with declines in certain other areas. In 2008 and 2009, employment in the U.S. decreased substantially and nearly all geographic areas in the U.S. experienced home price declines. Together, these conditions resulted in significant adverse developments for us and our industry. The operating environment for private
 
mortgage insurers has materially improved in recent years as the economy has recovered.

During 2018, $292 billion of mortgages were insured with primary coverage by private mortgage insurers, compared to, $270 billion in each of 2017 and 2016. Although the 2018 volume was significantly greater than the recent low in 2010 of $70 billion, it remains below the volumes of 2001 through 2007 when, on average, approximately $311 billion of mortgages were insured with primary coverage by private mortgage insurers.

For most of our business, we and other private mortgage insurers compete directly with federal and state governmental and quasi-governmental agencies that sponsor government-backed mortgage insurance programs, principally the FHA, VA and USDA. The publication Inside Mortgage Finance estimates that in 2018, the FHA accounted for 29.9% of low down payment residential mortgages that were subject to FHA, VA, USDA or primary private mortgage insurance, compared to 33.9% in 2017. In the prior ten years, the FHA’s market share has been as low as 29.9% in 2018 and as high as 66.8% in 2009. Factors that influence the FHA’s market share include relative rates and fees, underwriting guidelines and loan limits of the FHA, VA, USDA, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs; lenders' perceptions of legal risks under FHA versus GSE programs; flexibility for the FHA to establish new products as a result of federal legislation and programs; returns obtained by lenders for Ginnie Mae securitization of FHA-insured loans compared to those obtained from selling loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for securitization; and differences in policy terms, such as the ability of a borrower to cancel insurance coverage under certain circumstances. We cannot predict how the factors listed above or the FHA’s share of NIW will change in the future.

Inside Mortgage Finance estimates that in 2018, the VA accounted for 24.4% of all low down payment residential mortgages that were subject to FHA, VA, USDA or primary private mortgage insurance, compared to 24.7% in 2017. In the prior ten years, the VA's market share has been as high as 27.2% in 2016 and as low as 14.3% in 2009. We believe that the VA’s market share has generally been increasing because of an increase in the number of borrowers that are eligible for the VA’s program, which offers 100% LTV loans and charges a one-time funding fee that can be included in the loan amount, and because eligible borrowers have opted to use the VA program when refinancing their mortgages.

The private mortgage insurance industry also competes with alternatives to mortgage insurance, such as investors using risk mitigation and credit risk transfer techniques other than PMI, investors willing to hold credit risk on their own balance sheets without credit enhancement, and “piggyback loans,” which combine a first lien loan with a second lien loan.


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In 2018, the GSE initiated programs with loan level mortgage default coverage provided by various (re)insurers that are not mortgage insurers governed by PMIERs, and that are not selected by the lenders. While we view these programs as competing with traditional private mortgage insurance, we have participated in them and may participate in future GSE or other programs.

The GSEs (and other investors) have also used other forms of credit enhancement that did not involve traditional private mortgage insurance, such as engaging in credit-linked note transactions executed in the capital markets, or using other forms of debt issuances or securitizations that transfer credit risk directly to other investors, including competitors and an affiliate of MGIC; and using other risk mitigation techniques in conjunction with reduced levels of private mortgage insurance coverage.

In addition to the FHA, VA, other governmental agencies and the alternatives to mortgage insurance discussed above, we also compete with other mortgage insurers. The level of competition, including price competition, within the private mortgage insurance industry has intensified over the past several years. See "Our Products and Services – Sales and Marketing and Competition – Competition" below for more information about the impact on our business of competition in the private mortgage insurance industry.

In addition to being subject to the requirements and practices of the GSEs, private mortgage insurers are subject to comprehensive, detailed regulation by state insurance departments. The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, MGIC's domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the RIF (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. The NAIC plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. A working group of state regulators has been considering since 2016 a risk-based capital framework to establish capital requirements for mortgage insurers, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to the capital requirements.

Due to the changing environment described above, as well as other factors discussed below, at this time the greatest uncertainty we face is whether private mortgage insurance will remain a significant credit enhancement alternative for low down payment single family mortgages. An increase in the use of alternatives to private mortgage insurance, such as GSE programs with loan level default coverage provided by (re)insurers that are not mortgage insurers subject to PMIERs, or a possible restructuring or change in the charters of the GSEs, could significantly affect our business. For additional information about this uncertainty, see our
 
risk factors titled “The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance” and “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses” in Item 1A.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPANY
We are a Wisconsin corporation organized in 1984. Our principal office is located at MGIC Plaza, 250 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (telephone number (414) 347-6480). As used in this annual report, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations or to MGIC Investment Corporation, as a separate entity, as the context requires, and “MGIC” refers to Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation.

Our revenues and losses may be materially affected by the risk factors that are included in Item 1A of this annual report. These risk factors are an integral part of this annual report. These risk factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements that we may make. Forward looking statements consist of statements which relate to matters other than historical fact. Among others, statements that include words such as we “believe,” “anticipate” or “expect,” or words of similar import, are forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements or other statements were made. No reader of this annual report should rely on these statements being current at any time other than the time at which this annual report was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

B. Our Products and Services
MORTGAGE INSURANCE
In general, there are two principal types of private mortgage insurance: “primary” and “pool.”

Primary Insurance. Primary insurance provides mortgage default protection on individual loans and covers a percentage of the unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest and certain expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure or sale approved by us (collectively, the “claim amount”). In addition to the loan principal, the claim amount is affected by the mortgage note rate and the time necessary to complete the foreclosure or sale process. The insurer generally pays the coverage percentage of the claim amount specified in the primary policy, but has the option to pay 100% of the claim amount and acquire title to the property. Primary insurance is generally written on first mortgage loans secured by owner


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occupied "single-family" homes, which are one-to-four family homes and condominiums. Primary insurance can be written on first liens secured by non-owner occupied single-family homes, which are referred to in the home mortgage lending industry as investor loans, and on vacation or second homes. Primary coverage can be used on any type of residential mortgage loan instrument approved by the mortgage insurer.

References in this document to amounts of insurance written or in force, risk written or in force and other historical data related to our insurance refer only to direct (before giving effect to reinsurance) primary insurance, unless otherwise indicated. Primary insurance may be written on a flow basis, in which loans are insured in individual, loan-by-loan transactions, or may be written on a bulk basis, in which each loan in a portfolio of loans is individually insured in a single, bulk transaction. Our new primary insurance written was $50.5 billion in 2018, compared to $49.1 billion in 2017 and $47.9 billion in 2016. The 2018 increase compared to 2017 reflects an increase in the purchase mortgage originations we insured offsetting a decrease in the refinance originations we insured.

The following charts show, on a direct basis, our primary IIF and primary RIF as of December 31 for the years indicated.
Primary insurance and risk in force
(In billions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Primary IIF
 
$
209.7

 
$
194.9

 
$
182.0

 
$
174.5

 
$
164.9

Primary RIF
 
54.1

 
50.3

 
47.2

 
45.5

 
42.9


For loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the coverage percentage must comply with the requirements established by the particular GSE to which the loan is delivered. The GSEs have different loan purchase programs that allow different levels of mortgage insurance coverage. Under the “charter coverage” program, on certain loans lenders may choose a mortgage insurance coverage percentage that is less than the GSEs’ “standard coverage” and only the minimum required by the GSEs’ charters, with the GSEs paying a lower price for such loans. In 2018, nearly all of our volume was on loans with GSE standard or higher coverage.

For loans that are not sold to the GSEs, the lender determines the coverage percentage from those that we offer. Higher coverage percentages generally result in increased severity, which is the amount paid on a claim. We charge higher premium rates for higher coverage percentages. However, there can be no assurance that the higher premium rates adequately reflect the risks associated with higher coverage percentages. In accordance with GAAP for the mortgage insurance industry, reserves for losses are only established for delinquent loans. Because, historically, relatively few
 
delinquencies occur in the early years of a book of business, the higher premium revenue from higher coverage has historically been recognized before any significant higher losses resulting from that higher coverage may be incurred. For more information, see “– Exposure to Catastrophic Loss; Defaults; Claims; Loss Mitigation – Claims.”

In general, mortgage insurance coverage cannot be terminated by the insurer. However, subject to certain restrictions as are specified in our insurance policy, we may terminate or rescind coverage for, among other reasons, non-payment of premium, certain material misrepresentations made in connection with the application for the insurance policy or if the loan was never eligible for coverage under our policy. Mortgage insurance coverage is renewable at the option of the insured lender, at the renewal rate fixed when the loan was initially insured. Lenders may cancel insurance written on a flow basis at any time at their option or because of mortgage repayment, which may be accelerated because of the refinancing of mortgages. In the case of a loan purchased by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, a borrower meeting certain conditions may require the mortgage servicer to cancel insurance upon the borrower’s request, generally when the principal balance of the loan is 80% or less of the home’s current value.

Mortgage insurance for loans secured by one-family, primary residences can be canceled under HOPA. In general, HOPA requires a servicer to cancel the mortgage insurance if a borrower requests cancellation when the principal balance of the loan is first scheduled to reach 80% of the original value, or reaches that percentage through payments, if 1) the borrower is current on the loan and has a “good payment history” (as defined by HOPA), 2) the borrower provides evidence as and if required by the mortgage owner that the value of the property has not declined below the original value, and 3) if required by the mortgage owner, the borrower’s equity in the property is not subject to a subordinate lien. Additionally, HOPA requires mortgage insurance to terminate automatically when the principal balance of the loan is first scheduled to reach 78% of the original value and the borrower is current on loan payments or thereafter becomes current. Annually, servicers must inform borrowers of their right to cancel or terminate mortgage insurance. The provisions of HOPA described above apply only to borrower paid mortgage insurance, which is described below.

Coverage tends to continue for borrowers experiencing economic difficulties or living in areas experiencing home price depreciation. The persistency of coverage for those borrowers coupled with cancellation of coverage for other borrowers can increase the percentage of an insurer’s portfolio covering loans with more credit risk. This development can also occur during periods of heavy mortgage refinancing because borrowers experiencing property value appreciation are less likely to require mortgage insurance at the time of


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refinancing, while borrowers not experiencing property value appreciation are more likely to continue to require mortgage insurance at the time of refinancing or not qualify for refinancing at all (including if they have experienced economic difficulties) and thus remain subject to the mortgage insurance coverage.

The percentage of NIW on loans representing refinances was 7% for 2018, compared to 11% for 2017 and 20% for 2016. When a borrower refinances a mortgage loan insured by us by paying it off in full with the proceeds of a new mortgage that is also insured by us, the insurance on that existing mortgage is cancelled, and insurance on the new mortgage is considered to be NIW. Therefore, continuation of our coverage from a refinanced loan to a new loan results in both a cancellation of insurance and NIW. When a lender and borrower modify a loan rather than replace it with a new one, or enter into a new loan pursuant to a loan modification program, our insurance continues without being cancelled, assuming that we consent to the modification or new loan. As a result, such modifications or new loans, including those modified under HARP, are not included in our NIW.

In addition to varying with the coverage percentage, our premium rates for insurance have varied depending upon the perceived risk of a claim on the insured loan and thus taken into account, among other things, the LTV ratio, the borrower’s credit score and DTI ratio, whether the loan is a fixed payment loan or a non-fixed payment loan (a non-fixed payment loan is referred to in the home mortgage lending industry as an ARM), the number of borrowers the mortgage term and whether the property is the borrower’s primary residence. We generally utilized a national, rather than a regional or local, premium rate policy. However, depending upon regional economic conditions, we have made, and may make, changes to our underwriting requirements to implement more restrictive standards in certain markets and for loan characteristics that we categorize as higher risk. In the first quarter of 2019 we introduced MiQ™, our loan level pricing system that establishes our premium rates based on more risk attributes than were considered in 2018. Premium rates cannot be changed after the issuance of coverage.

The borrower’s mortgage loan instrument may require the borrower to pay the mortgage insurance premium. Our industry refers to the related mortgage insurance as “borrower-paid.” If the borrower is not required to pay the premium and mortgage insurance is required in connection with the origination of the loan, then the premium is paid by the lender, who may recover the premium through an increase in the note rate on the mortgage or higher origination fees. Our industry refers to the related mortgage insurance as “lender-paid.” Most of our primary IIF is borrower-paid mortgage insurance.
 
There are several payment plans available to the borrower, or lender, as the case may be. Under the single premium plan, the borrower or lender pays us in advance a single payment covering a specified term exceeding twelve months. Under the monthly premium plan, the borrower or lender pays us a monthly premium payment to provide only one month of coverage. Under the annual premium plan, an annual premium is paid to us in advance, with annual renewal premiums paid in advance thereafter.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the single premium plan represented approximately 17%, 19% and 19%, respectively, of our NIW. The monthly premium plan represented approximately 83%, 81% and 81%, respectively. The annual premium plan represented less than 1% of NIW in each of those years. Depending on the actual life of a single premium policy and its premium rate relative to that of a monthly premium policy, a single premium policy may generate more or less premium than a monthly premium policy over its life.

Pool and Other Insurance. Pool insurance is generally used as an additional “credit enhancement” for certain secondary market mortgage transactions. Pool insurance generally covers the amount of the loss on a defaulted mortgage loan that exceeds the claim payment under the primary coverage, if primary insurance is required on that mortgage loan, as well as the total loss on a defaulted mortgage loan which did not require primary insurance. Pool insurance may have a stated aggregate loss limit for a pool of loans and may also have a deductible under which no losses are paid by the insurer until losses on the pool of loans exceed the deductible. As of December 31, 2018, less than 1% of our RIF was pool insurance.

In connection with the GSEs' credit risk transfer programs, we provide insurance and reinsurance covering portions of the credit risk related to certain reference pools of mortgages acquired by the GSEs.

GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION
The following tables reflect the percentage of primary RIF in the top 10 jurisdictions and top 10 core-based statistical areas for the MGIC Book at December 31, 2018. We refer to the insurance that has been written by MGIC (including MGIC Indemnity Corporation, a subsidiary of MGIC, for portions of 2012 and 2013) as the "MGIC Book."



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Dispersion of Primary Risk in Force
Top 10 jurisdictions
 
 
California
8.6
%
Florida
7.0
%
Texas
6.2
%
Pennsylvania
5.2
%
Ohio
4.5
%
Illinois
4.2
%
Virginia
3.5
%
Georgia
3.3
%
Michigan
3.3
%
Minnesota
3.1
%
Total
48.9
%

Top 10 core-based statistical areas
 
 
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights
2.8
%
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
2.6
%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
2.5
%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
2.1
%
Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land
1.9
%
Philadelphia
1.9
%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
1.9
%
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale
1.9
%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
1.4
%
Cincinnati
1.3
%
Total
20.3
%

The percentages shown above for various core-based statistical areas can be affected by changes, from time to time, in the federal government’s definition of a core-based statistical area.



 



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INSURANCE IN FORCE BY POLICY YEAR
The following table sets forth for the MGIC Book the dispersion of our primary IIF and RIF as of December 31, 2018, by year(s) of policy origination since we began operations in 1985.
Primary insurance in force and risk in force by policy year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance in Force
 
Risk in Force
Policy Year
Total
(In millions)
 
Percent of
Total
 
Total
(In millions)
 
Percent of
Total
2004 and prior
$
3,575

 
1.7
%
 
$
995

 
1.8
%
2005
3,408

 
1.6
%
 
969

 
1.8
%
2006
6,361

 
3.0
%
 
1,753

 
3.2
%
2007
14,052

 
6.7
%
 
3,619

 
6.7
%
2008
6,128

 
2.9
%
 
1,564

 
2.9
%
2009
812

 
0.4
%
 
186

 
0.3
%
2010
528

 
0.2
%
 
152

 
0.3
%
2011
1,089

 
0.5
%
 
314

 
0.6
%
2012
4,186

 
2.0
%
 
1,194

 
2.2
%
2013
7,256

 
3.5
%
 
2,048

 
3.8
%
2014
12,943

 
6.2
%
 
3,459

 
6.4
%
2015
23,408

 
11.2
%
 
6,138

 
11.4
%
2016
35,712

 
17.0
%
 
9,047

 
16.7
%
2017
43,325

 
20.7
%
 
10,853

 
20.1
%
2018
46,924

 
22.4
%
 
11,771

 
21.8
%
Total
$
209,707

 
100.0
%
 
$
54,063

 
100.0
%



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PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
The following table reflects, at the dates indicated and by the categories indicated, the total dollar amount of primary RIF for the MGIC Book and the percentage of that primary RIF, as determined on the basis of information available on the date of mortgage origination.
Characteristics of primary risk in force
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Primary RIF (In millions):
$
54,063

 
$
50,319

Loan-to-value ratios:
 
 
 
95.01% and above
14.8
%
 
13.8
%
90.01 - 95.00%
52.2
%
 
52.0
%
85.01 - 90.00%
27.5
%
 
28.3
%
80.01 - 85.00%
4.8
%
 
4.9
%
80% and below
0.7
%
 
1.0
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Debt-to-income ratios:
 
 
 
45.01% and above
14.3
%
 
12.6
%
38.01% - 45.00%
33.3
%
 
33.3
%
38% and below
52.4
%
 
54.1
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Loan Type:
 
 
 
Fixed(1)
98.7
%
 
98.2
%
ARMs(2)
1.3
%
 
1.8
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Original Insured Loan Amount:(3)
 
 
 
Conforming loan limit and below
97.5
%
 
97.6
%
Non-conforming
2.5
%
 
2.4
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Mortgage Term:
 
 
 
15-years and under
1.6
%
 
2.1
%
Over 15 years
98.4
%
 
97.9
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Property Type:
 
 
 
Single-family detached
87.5
%
 
87.6
%
Condominium/Townhouse/Other attached
11.7
%
 
11.7
%
Other(4)
0.8
%
 
0.7
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Occupancy Status:
 
 
 
Owner occupied
97.5
%
 
97.3
%
Second home
2.0
%
 
2.0
%
Investor property
0.5
%
 
0.7
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Documentation:
 
 
 
Reduced:(5)
 
 
 
Stated
1.5
%
 
2.0
%
No
0.3
%
 
0.4
%
Full documentation
98.2
%
 
97.6
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%


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Characteristics of primary risk in force
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
FICO Score:(6)
 
 
 
760 and greater
37.7
%
 
36.6
%
740 - 759
15.6
%
 
15.0
%
720 - 739
13.9
%
 
13.6
%
700 - 719
11.3
%
 
11.2
%
680 - 699
8.6
%
 
9.0
%
660 - 679
4.8
%
 
5.2
%
640 - 659
3.3
%
 
3.7
%
639 and less
4.8
%
 
5.7
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
(1) 
Includes fixed rate mortgages with temporary buydowns (where in effect, the applicable interest rate is typically reduced by one or two percentage points during the first two years of the loan), ARMs in which the initial interest rate is fixed for at least five years, and balloon payment mortgages (a loan with a maturity, typically five to seven years, that is shorter than the loan’s amortization period).

(2) 
Includes ARMs where payments adjust fully with interest rate adjustments. Also includes pay option ARMs and other ARMs with negative amortization features, which collectively at December 31, 2018 and 2017, represented 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively, of primary RIF. As indicated in note (1), does not include ARMs in which the initial interest rate is fixed for at least five years. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, ARMs with LTV ratios in excess of 90% represented 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively, of primary RIF.

(3) 
Loans within the conforming loan limit have an original principal balance that does not exceed the maximum original principal balance of loans that the GSEs will purchase. The conforming loan limit for one unit properties was $417,000 from 2007 through 2016, $424,100 for 2017, $453,100 for 2018 and $484,350 for 2019. The limit for high cost communities has been higher and is $726,525 for 2019. Non-conforming loans are loans with an original principal balance above the conforming loan limit.

(4) 
Includes cooperatives and manufactured homes deemed to be real estate.

(5) 
Reduced documentation loans were originated prior to 2009 under programs in which there was a reduced level of verification or disclosure compared to traditional mortgage loan underwriting, including programs in which the borrower’s income and/or assets were disclosed
 
in the loan application but there was no verification of those disclosures ("stated" documentation) and programs in which there was no disclosure of income or assets in the loan application ("no" documentation). In accordance with industry practice, loans approved by GSE and other automated underwriting (AU) systems under “doc waiver” programs that did not require verification of borrower income are classified by us as “full documentation.” Based in part on information provided by the GSEs, we estimate full documentation loans of this type were approximately 4% of 2007 NIW. Information for other periods is not available. We understand these AU systems granted such doc waivers for loans they judged to have higher credit quality. We also understand that the GSEs terminated their “doc waiver” programs in the second half of 2008.

(6) 
Represents the FICO score at loan origination. The weighted average “decision FICO score” at loan origination for NIW in 2018 and 2017 was 745. The FICO score for a loan with multiple borrowers is the lowest of the borrowers’ decision FICO scores. A borrower’s “decision FICO score” is determined as follows: if there are three FICO scores available, the middle FICO score is used; if two FICO scores are available, the lower of the two is used; if only one FICO score is available, it is used. A FICO score is a score based on a borrower’s credit history generated by a model developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.




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OTHER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Contract Underwriting. A non-insurance subsidiary of ours performs contract underwriting services for lenders, underwriting loans to conform to prescribed guidelines. The guidelines might be the lender's own guidelines or the guidelines of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or a non-GSE investor. These services are provided for loans that require private mortgage insurance as well as for loans that do not require private mortgage insurance.

Under our contract underwriting agreements, we may be required to provide certain remedies to our customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. The related contract underwriting remedy expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, was immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed.

Other. We provide various fee-based services for the mortgage finance industry, such as analysis of loan originations and portfolios, and mortgage lead generation.

We provide insurance and reinsurance related to certain mortgages under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac credit risk transfer programs. The amount of risk associated with these transactions is currently $53 million.

REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS
Quota Share Transactions. At each of December 31, 2018 and 2017, approximately 78% of our IIF was subject to quota share reinsurance transactions. In 2018, approximately 75% of our NIW was subject to quota share reinsurance transactions, compared to 84% in 2017.

We have in place QSR transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers that covers most of our insurance written from 2013 through 2018, and a portion of our insurance written prior to 2013. The structure of the transactions is a 30% quota share for all policies covered, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. Generally, under the transactions, we will receive a profit commission provided that the loss ratio on the loans covered under the transactions remains below 60% (62% for the transaction covering 2018 NIW). We expect that in the first quarter of 2019, we will enter into a similar agreement covering most of our NIW in 2019, on terms no less favorable than our existing transactions. Although reinsuring against possible loan losses does not discharge us from liability to a policyholder, it reduces the amount of capital we are required to retain against potential future losses for PMIERs, rating agency and insurance regulatory purposes. The GSEs' approvals of the reinsurance transactions are subject to
 
several conditions and the transactions will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually by the GSEs. We may not receive full credit under the PMIERs for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transactions.

Excess of Loss Transaction. On October 30, 2018, MGIC entered into a fully collateralized reinsurance agreement with an unaffiliated special purpose insurer that provides for up to $318.6 million of aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance coverage on a portfolio of mortgage insurance policies with in force dates on or after July 1, 2016 and before January 1, 2018. MGIC will retain the first layer of $168.7 million of aggregate losses, and the reinsurer will then provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. The aggregate coverage decreases over a ten-year period as the underlying covered mortgages amortize, principal is prepaid or mortgage insurance losses are paid. For further information about our reinsurance agreements, including the Company's early termination rights, see Note 9 – “Reinsurance,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.

CUSTOMERS
Originators of residential mortgage loans such as savings institutions, commercial banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, mortgage bankers and other lenders have historically determined the placement of mortgage insurance written on a flow basis and as a result are our customers. To obtain primary insurance from us written on a flow basis, a mortgage lender must first apply for and receive a mortgage guaranty master policy from us. Our top 10 customers, none of whom represented more than 10% of our consolidated revenues, generated 24% of our NIW on a flow basis in 2018, compared to 23% in 2017 and 24% in 2016.  Our largest customer accounted for approximately 5%, 4% and 5% of our flow NIW in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our relationships with our customers could be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including if our premium rates are higher than those of our competitors, our underwriting requirements result in our declining to insure some of the loans originated by our customers and our insurance policy rescissions and claim curtailments that affect the customer.  Information about some of the other factors that can affect a mortgage insurer’s relationship with its customers can be found in our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or increase our losses” in Item 1A.

SALES AND MARKETING AND COMPETITION
Sales and Marketing. Our employees sell our insurance products throughout all regions of the United States and in Puerto Rico and Guam.



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Competition. Our competition includes other mortgage insurers, governmental agencies and products designed to eliminate the need to purchase private mortgage insurance. For flow business, we and other private mortgage insurers compete directly with federal and state governmental and quasi-governmental agencies, principally the FHA and the VA. The FHA, VA and USDA sponsor government-backed mortgage insurance programs, and it is estimated that during 2018, 2017 and 2016, they accounted for a combined approximately 56.8%, 61.4% and 63.9%, respectively, of the total low down payment residential mortgages which were subject to FHA, VA, USDA or primary private mortgage insurance. For more information about the market share of the FHA and the VA, see “Overview of the Private Mortgage Insurance Industry and its Operating Environment” above.

In addition to competition from the FHA, VA and USDA, we and other private mortgage insurers face competition from state-supported mortgage insurance funds in several states. From time to time, other state legislatures and agencies consider expanding the authority of their state governments to insure residential mortgages.

The PMI industry is highly competitive. We believe that we currently compete with other private mortgage insurers based on premium rates, underwriting requirements, financial strength (including based on creditor financial strength ratings), customer relationships, name recognition, reputation, the strength of our management team and field organization, the ancillary products and services provided to lenders, and the effective use of technology and innovation in the delivery and servicing of our mortgage insurance products.

The U.S. PMI industry currently consists of six active mortgage insurers and their affiliates. The names of these mortgage insurers can be found in our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or increase our losses” in Item 1A. Until 2010, the PMI industry had not had new entrants in many years. Since 2010, two public companies have been formed and begun writing business and a worldwide insurer and reinsurer with mortgage insurance operations in Europe completed the purchase of two competitors. Our market share (as measured by NIW) was 17.4% in 2018, compared to 18.3% in 2017 and 17.9% in 2016, in each case excluding HARP refinances. (source: Inside Mortgage Finance).
If we are unable to compete effectively in the current or any future markets as a result of the financial strength ratings assigned to our insurance subsidiaries, our future new insurance written could be negatively affected. Substantially all of our insurance written since 2008 has been for loans purchased by the GSEs. The
 
GSEs' current PMIERs do not require an insurer to maintain minimum financial strength ratings. However, depending on the evolution of housing finance reform, the level of issuances of non-GSE MBS may increase in the future. Financial strength ratings may be considered by issuers of non-GSE MBS in determining whether to purchase private mortgage insurance for loans supporting such securities. In assigning financial strength ratings, in addition to considering the adequacy of the mortgage insurer’s capital to withstand very high claim scenarios under assumptions determined by the rating agency, we believe rating agencies review a mortgage insurer’s historical and projected operating performance, franchise risk, business outlook, competitive position, management, corporate strategy, and other factors. The rating agency issuing the financial strength rating can withdraw or change its rating at any time. At the time that this annual report was finalized, the financial strength of MGIC was rated Baa2 (with a stable outlook) by Moody’s Investors Service, BBB+ (with a stable outlook) by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and A- (with a stable outlook) by A.M. Best.

RISK MANAGEMENT
Enterprise Risk Management. The Company has an enterprise risk management (“ERM”) framework that it believes is commensurate with the size, nature and complexity of the Company’s business activities (all of which relate to insuring or reinsuring mortgage credit risk) and strategies. Among the key objectives of the ERM framework are to have a clear and well documented shared understanding, by senior management and the Board, of the Company’s risk management philosophy and overall appetite for risk, and that there are appropriate monitoring, management and reporting mechanisms to support the framework.

Risk Governance.  The Company maintains a Senior Management Oversight Committee (“SMOC”) that, at the management level, serves as its primary risk management governance organization. The SMOC seeks to maintain an enterprise-wide view of risk. The SMOC oversees the Company’s ERM framework; oversees the risks associated with strategic and business issues critical to the Company, monitoring the Company’s risk profile across the set of identified key risks (see “Risk Identification and Assessment” below); and supports the Risk Management Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (“RMC”). The SMOC, of which the CEO is a member, is chaired by the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, who is the principal management liaison to the RMC.

Risk Management and Controls. The Company’s management of risk uses the “three lines of defense” model. The front-line business units, whose activities create inherent risk exposures, represent the “first line of defense.” Front-line business units are responsible for ensuring risks are taken and managed within the


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guidelines established by the Company’s Risk Management (“RM”) group.

RM, along with the Company’s separate compliance program, comprise the “second line of defense” and are management and oversight functions that are primarily responsible for many aspects of the management of risk. RM is generally responsible for the ERM framework, for policies and metrics that dimension the risk tolerances of the Company’s business activities and for measurement and assessment of all key risks and reporting of those risks to the SMOC and the RMC.

Internal Audit forms the “third line of defense” and serves in an independent assurance capacity.  It reports to senior management and the Audit Committee of the Board regarding the effectiveness of the first and second lines of defense. Internal Audit is responsible for establishing a comprehensive audit plan that covers all functions and identified material risks of the Company, communication of any material deficiencies to the SMOC and the Audit Committee, and determining whether corrective actions fully remediate any noted deficiencies.

Risk Identification and Assessment. The Company completes an annual key risk identification and assessment process that is focused on identifying and assessing those risks with the potential to have the greatest impact on the Company’s ability to accomplish its strategic goals. These key risks include both risks that are, at least in part, internal to the Company (e.g., mortgage credit risk) and therefore, at least in part, within management’s direct control, as well as, risks that are external to the Company (e.g., business risk) and outside of management’s direct control. The results of the identification and assessment are reviewed and approved annually by both the SMOC and the RMC.

Risk Appetite.  The Company has established risk appetite statements for each of its key risks, as well as quantitative or qualitative metrics used as thresholds for dimensioning the risk appetite for each key risk. The resulting risk appetite statements and associated metrics are reviewed and approved annually by the SMOC and the RMC.

Risk Reporting and Communication. RM produces various analyses, reports and key risk indicators (“KRIs”) that are reported to the SMOC, the RMC and the Board quarterly.  For our largest risk exposure, mortgage credit risk, these KRIs include risk factors for the Company’s NIW, IIF, quality control and claim activity. 

Although the Company has in place the ERM framework discussed above, it may not be effective in identifying, or adequate in controlling or mitigating, the risks we face. For more information, see our Risk Factor titled "If our risk management programs are not effective in identifying, or adequate in controlling or mitigating, the risks we face, or if the models used in our businesses
 
are inaccurate, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition" in Item 1A.

MORTGAGE CREDIT RISK
We believe that mortgage credit risk is materially affected by:

the condition of the economy, including the direction of change in home prices and employment, in the area in which the property is located;
the borrower’s credit profile, including the borrower’s credit history, DTI ratio and cash reserves, and the willingness of a borrower with sufficient resources to make mortgage payments when the mortgage balance exceeds the value of the home;
the loan product, which encompasses the LTV ratio, the type of loan instrument, including whether the instrument provides for fixed or variable payments and the amortization schedule, the type of property and the purpose of the loan;
origination practices of lenders and the percentage of coverage on insured loans; and
the size of insured loans.

We believe that, excluding other factors, claim incidence increases:

during periods of economic contraction and home price depreciation, including when these conditions may not be nationwide, compared to periods of economic expansion and home price appreciation;
for loans to borrowers with lower FICO scores compared to loans to borrowers with higher FICO scores;
for loans to borrowers with higher DTI ratios compared to loans to borrowers with lower DTI ratios;
for loans with less than full underwriting documentation compared to loans with full underwriting documentation;
for loans with higher LTV ratios compared to loans with lower LTV ratios;
for ARMs when the reset interest rate significantly exceeds the interest rate at the time of loan origination;
for loans that permit the deferral of principal amortization compared to loans that require principal amortization with each monthly payment;


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for loans in which the original loan amount exceeds the conforming loan limit compared to loans below that limit; and
for cash out refinance loans compared to rate and term refinance loans.

Other types of loan characteristics relating to the individual loan or borrower may also affect the risk potential for a loan. The presence of a number of 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.

We charge higher premium rates to reflect the increased risk of claim incidence that we perceive is associated with a loan. Not all higher risk characteristics are reflected in our premium rates; however, in the first quarter of 2019 we introduced MiQ™, our loan level pricing system that establishes our premium rates based on more risk attributes than were considered in 2018. There can be no assurance that our premium rates adequately reflect the increased risk, particularly in a period of economic recession, high unemployment, slowing home price appreciation or home price declines. For additional information, see our risk factors in Item 1A, including the one titled “The premiums we charge may not be adequate to compensate us for our liabilities for losses and as a result any inadequacy could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.”

Underwriting Insurance Applications. Applications for mortgage insurance are submitted to us through both our delegated and non-delegated options. Under the delegated option, applications are submitted to us electronically and we rely upon the lender’s representations and warranties that the data submitted is true, accurate and consistent with the documents in the lender's loan origination file, when making our insurance decision. If the loan data submitted meets the underwriting requirements, a commitment to insure the loan is immediately issued. If the requirements are not met, the loan is reviewed by one of our underwriters. Non-delegated applications are submitted with documents from the lender’s loan origination file. During loan set-up, data is entered from those application documents and electronically evaluated against our
 
underwriting requirements. An internally generated feedback report guides the mortgage insurance review as a full review of the mortgage documents is performed by one of our underwriters. If the loan meets the underwriting requirements, a commitment to insure the loan is issued.

Beginning in 2013, we aligned most of our underwriting requirements with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for loans that receive and are processed in accordance with certain approval recommendations from a GSE automated underwriting system. Our underwriting requirements are available on our website at http://www.mgic.com/underwriting/index.html. Our underwriters are authorized to approve loans that do not meet all of our underwriting requirements provided appropriate offsetting factors can be identified.

EXPOSURE TO CATASTROPHIC LOSSES; DELINQUENCIES; CLAIMS; LOSS MITIGATION
Exposure to Catastrophic Losses. The PMI industry experienced catastrophic losses in the mid-to-late 1980s, similar to the losses we experienced in 2007-2013. For background information about such losses in 2007-2013, refer to “General – Overview of Private Mortgage Insurance Industry and its Operating Environment” above.

Delinquencies. The claim cycle on PMI generally begins with the insurer’s receipt of notification of a delinquency on an insured loan from the loan servicer. We consider a loan to be delinquent when it is two or more payments past due. Most servicers report delinquent loans to us within this two month period. The incidence of delinquency is affected by a variety of factors, including the level of borrower income growth, unemployment, health issues, family status, the level of interest rates, rates of home price appreciation or depreciation and general borrower creditworthiness. Delinquencies that are not cured result in a claim to us. See “– Claims.” Delinquencies may be cured by the borrower bringing current the delinquent loan payments or by a sale of the property and the satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In addition, when a policy is rescinded or a claim is denied we remove the loan from our delinquency inventory.




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The following table shows the number of insured primary and pool loans in the MGIC Book, the related number of delinquent loans and the percentage of delinquent loans, or delinquency rate, as of December 31, 2014-2018.
Delinquency statistics for the MGIC book
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Primary Insurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insured loans in force
1,058,292
 
1,023,951
 
998,294
 
992,188
 
968,748
Delinquent loans
32,898
 
46,556
 
50,282
 
62,633
 
79,901
Delinquency rate – all loans
3.1%
 
4.6%
 
5.0%
 
6.3%
 
8.3%
Defaulted loans in our claims received inventory
809
 
954
 
1,385
 
2,769
 
4,746
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pool Insurance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insured loans in force
23,675
 
31,364
 
39,071
 
52,189
 
62,869
Delinquent loans
859
 
1,309
 
1,883
 
2,739
 
3,797
Delinquency rate
3.6%
 
4.2%
 
4.8%
 
5.3%
 
6.0%
Different geographical areas may experience different delinquency rates due to varying localized economic conditions from year to year and the amount of time it takes for foreclosures to be completed for uncured delinquencies. The following table shows the percentage of primary loans we insured that were delinquent as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 for the 15 jurisdictions for which we paid the most claims during 2018.
Jurisdiction delinquency rates
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New Jersey*
4.6
%
 
7.3
%
 
11.3
%
New York*
6.1

 
8.0

 
10.5

Florida*
3.9

 
9.5

 
6.6

Illinois*
3.3

 
4.1

 
5.5

Maryland
4.1

 
5.4

 
7.4

Pennsylvania*
3.2

 
4.2

 
5.3

California
2.2

 
2.6

 
3.1

Puerto Rico*
10.3

 
24.2

 
10.7

Ohio*
2.6

 
3.2

 
4.2

Massachusetts
3.2

 
4.1

 
6.1

Connecticut*
3.5

 
4.4

 
5.6

Virginia
2.1

 
2.8

 
3.8

Georgia
3.4

 
4.5

 
5.5

Texas
3.6

 
6.0

 
4.8

Michigan
2.3

 
2.9

 
3.4

All other jurisdictions
2.6

 
3.3

 
4.2

Note: Asterisk denotes jurisdictions in the table above that predominantly use a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time for a foreclosure to be completed.

 
We believe the increase in delinquency rates from 2016 to 2017 in Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas reflect the impact of the 2017 hurricanes experienced in those areas. Based on our analysis and past experience, we do not expect the 2017 hurricane activity to result in a material increase in our incurred losses or paid claims.
   
The primary delinquency inventory in those same jurisdictions as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 appears in a table found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Consolidated Results of Operations – Losses and expenses – Loss Reserves,” in Item 7.

Claims. Claims result from delinquencies that are not cured or a short sale that we approve. Whether a claim results from an uncured delinquency depends, in large part, on the borrower’s equity in the home at the time of delinquency, the borrower’s or the lender’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage and the willingness and ability of the borrower and lender to enter into a loan modification that provides for a cure of the delinquency. Various factors affect the frequency and amount of claims, including local home prices and employment levels, and interest rates. If a delinquency goes to claim, any premium collected from the time of delinquency to the time of claim payment is returned to the servicer along with the claim payment.

Under the terms of our master policy, the lender is required to file a claim for primary insurance with us within 60 days after it has acquired title to the underlying property (typically through foreclosure). For the past several years, the average time it took to receive a claim associated with a delinquency increased significantly from our historical experience of approximately twelve months, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. Recently, the average time


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for servicers to process foreclosures has decreased, which has reduced the average time to receive a claim associated with new delinquent notices that do not cure. It is difficult to estimate how long it may take for current and future delinquencies that do not cure to develop into paid claims.

Within 60 days after a claim has been filed and all documents required to be submitted to us have been delivered, we have the option of either (1) paying the coverage percentage specified for that loan, with the insured retaining title to the underlying property and receiving all proceeds from the eventual sale of the property (we have elected this option for the vast majority of claim payments in the recent past), or (2) paying 100% of the claim amount in exchange for the lender’s conveyance to us of good and marketable title to the property. After we receive title to a property, we sell it for our own account. If we fail to pay a claim timely, we would be subject to additional interest expense.

Claim activity is not evenly spread throughout the coverage period of a book of primary business. Relatively few claims are typically received during the first two years following issuance of coverage on a loan. This is typically followed by a period of rising claims which, based on industry experience, has historically reached its highest level in the third and fourth years after the year of loan origination. Thereafter, the number of claims typically received has historically declined at a gradual rate, although the rate of decline can be affected by conditions in the economy, including slowing home price appreciation or home price depreciation. Moreover, when a loan is refinanced, because the new loan replaces, and is a continuation of, an earlier loan, the pattern of claims frequency for that new loan may be different from the historical pattern for other loans. Persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment, and other factors can affect the pattern of claim activity. For example, a weak economy can lead to claims from older books of business increasing, continuing at stable levels or experiencing a lower rate of decline. As of December 31, 2018, 59% of our primary RIF was written subsequent to December 31, 2015, 70% of our primary RIF was written subsequent to December 31, 2014, and 76% of our primary RIF was written subsequent to December 31, 2013. See “Our Products and Services – Mortgage Insurance – Primary Insurance In Force and Risk In Force by Policy Year” above.

Another important factor affecting MGIC Book losses is the amount of the average claim size, which is generally referred to as claim severity. The main determinants of claim severity are the amount of the mortgage loan, the coverage percentage on the loan, loss mitigation efforts and local market conditions. For information about our primary average claim paid, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Consolidated Results of Operations – Net Losses and LAE Paid,” in Item 7.
 
Net losses paid and primary losses paid for the top 15 jurisdictions and all other jurisdictions for 2018, 2017 and 2016 appear in tables found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Consolidated Results of Operations – Losses and expenses – Net Losses and LAE Paid,” in Item 7.

Loss Mitigation.
Before paying a claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. Our insurance policies generally provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy, including the requirement to mitigate our loss by performing reasonable loss mitigation efforts or, for example, diligently pursuing a foreclosure or bankruptcy relief in a timely manner. We call such reduction of claims submitted to us “curtailments.” In each of 2018 and 2017, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 5.8% and 5.6%, respectively.

When reviewing the loan file associated with a claim, we may determine that we have the right to rescind coverage on the loan. In our SEC reports, we refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims as “rescissions” and variations of this term. The circumstances in which we are entitled to rescind coverage narrowed under more restrictive policy terms beginning in 2012. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 82% of our IIF was written under the more restrictive terms. We expect a new version of our master policy, containing more restrictive terms to be effective for business beginning in the third or fourth quarter of 2019. For more information, see our Risk Factor titled "The mix of business we write affects our Minimum Required Assets under the PMIERs, our premium yields and the likelihood of losses occurring" in Item 1A. In recent quarters, an immaterial percentage of claims
received in a quarter have been resolved by rescissions. We do not expect future rescissions will be a significant portion of the claims we resolve over the next few years.

Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions, curtailments, and reversals of rescissions and curtailments. When we rescind coverage, we return all premiums previously paid to us under the policy and are relieved of our obligation to pay a claim under the policy. A variance between ultimate actual rescission, curtailment or reversal rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.

When the insured disputes our right to rescind coverage or curtail a claim, we generally engage in discussions in an attempt to settle the dispute. If we are unable to reach a settlement, the outcome of a dispute ultimately may be determined by legal proceedings. Under ASC 450-20, until a liability associated with settlement discussions or legal proceedings becomes probable and


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can be reasonably estimated, we consider our claim payment or rescission resolved for financial reporting purposes and do not accrue an estimated loss. Where we have determined that a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we have recorded our best estimate of our probable loss.

In addition to matters for which we have recorded a probable loss, we are involved in other discussions and/or proceedings with insureds with respect to our claims paying practices. Although it is reasonably possible that when these matters are resolved we will not prevail in all cases, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability. We estimate the maximum exposure associated with matters where a loss is reasonably possible to be approximately $279 million, although we believe (but can give no assurance that) we will ultimately resolve these matters for significantly less than this amount. This estimate of our maximum exposure does not include interest or consequential or exemplary damages.

Although loan modification programs continued to mitigate our losses in 2018, their impact has decreased significantly from the impact we experienced in 2008-2012. 

LOSS RESERVES
A significant period of time typically elapses between the time when a borrower becomes delinquent on a mortgage payment, which is the event triggering a potential future claim payment by us, the reporting of the delinquency to us, the acquisition of the property by the lender (typically through foreclosure) or the sale of the property with our approval, and the eventual payment of the claim related to the uncured delinquency or a rescission. To recognize the estimated liability for losses related to outstanding reported delinquencies, or delinquency inventory, we establish loss reserves.  Loss reserves are established by estimating the number of loans in our delinquency inventory that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity. Our loss reserve estimates are established based upon historical experience, including rescission and curtailment activity. In accordance with GAAP for the mortgage insurance industry, we generally do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not currently delinquent.

We also establish reserves to provide for the estimated costs of settling claims, general expenses of administering the claims settlement process, legal fees and other fees (“loss adjustment expenses”), and for losses and loss adjustment expenses from delinquencies that have occurred, but which have not yet been reported to us.

 
Our reserving process bases our estimates of future events on our past experience. However, estimation of loss reserves is inherently judgmental and conditions that have affected the development of the loss reserves in the past may not necessarily affect development patterns in the future, in either a similar manner or degree. For further information, see our risk factors in Item 1A, including the ones titled “Because we establish loss reserves only upon a loan delinquency rather than based on estimates of our ultimate losses on risk in force, losses may have a disproportionate adverse effect on our earnings in certain periods,” and “Because loss reserve estimates are subject to uncertainties, paid claims may be substantially different than our loss reserves.”

Our losses incurred from our RIF have declined in recent years in part due to the improving economy, the run-off of the insurance policies we wrote before the financial crisis and the credit quality of insurance policies written since the financial crisis. These factors resulted in fewer delinquent loans, as well as an improved cure rate on delinquent loans. Our losses incurred were $36.6 million in 2018, compared to $53.7 million in 2017 and $240.2 million in 2016. For information about the decrease in losses incurred from 2016 to 2018, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Consolidated Results of Operations – Losses and expenses – Losses incurred, net,” in Item 7.

C. Investment Portfolio
POLICY AND STRATEGY
At December 31, 2018, the fair value of our investment portfolio was approximately $5.2 billion. In addition, at December 31, 2018, our total assets included approximately $152 million of cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2018, approximately $248 million of investments and cash and cash equivalents was held by our parent company, and the remainder was held by our subsidiaries, primarily MGIC.

As of December 31, 2018, approximately 77% of our investment portfolio (excluding cash and cash equivalents) was managed by Wellington Management Company, LLP, although we maintain overall control of investment policy and strategy. We maintain direct management of the remainder of our investment portfolio. Unless otherwise indicated, the remainder of the discussion regarding our investment portfolio refers to our investment portfolio only and not to cash and cash equivalents.

The investment policy of our operating companies (primarily MGIC) emphasizes preservation of PMIERs assets, limiting portfolio volatility and maximizing total return with an emphasis on yield (subject to the other objectives). Our holding company investment policy emphasizes providing liquidity with minimal realized losses through holding high credit quality, low volatility


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assets. Consequently, our investment portfolio consists almost entirely of high-quality, investment grade, fixed income securities. Our investment portfolio strategy considers tax efficiency. The mix of tax-exempt municipal securities in our investment portfolio will be dependent upon their value, relative to taxable equivalent securities, determined in part by federal statutory tax rates. Our investment policies and strategies are subject to change depending upon regulatory, economic and market conditions and our existing or anticipated financial condition and operating requirements.

Our investment policies in effect at December 31, 2018 limit investments in the securities of a single issuer, other than the U.S. government, and generally limit the purchase of fixed income securities to those that are rated investment grade by at least one rating agency. They also limit the amount of investment in foreign governments and foreign domiciled securities and in any individual foreign country. In addition, the guidelines require maintenance of weighted average credit quality of at least an "A" rating.

The aggregate market value of the holdings of a single obligor, or type of investment, as applicable, is limited to:
U.S. government and GNMA securities
 
No limit
Pre-refunded municipals escrowed in Treasury securities
 
No limit
Individual U.S. government agencies(1)
 
10% of portfolio market value
Individual securities rated “AAA” or “AA” (2)
 
3% of portfolio market value
Individual securities rated “BBB” or “A” (2)
 
2% of portfolio market value
Foreign governments & foreign domiciled securities (in total) (3)
 
20% of portfolio market value
(1) 
As used with respect to our investment portfolio, U.S. government agencies include all GSEs and Federal Home Loan Banks.
(2) 
For the holding company, individual securities with a rating of "AA" or "AAA" may represent a maximum 10% of the portfolio market value and individual securities with a rating of "BBB" or "A" may represent a maximum 5%.
(3)
For the holding company, there is no maximum aggregate limit for foreign government or foreign domiciled securities.

For information about the credit ratings of securities in our investment portfolio, see "Balance Sheet Review" in Item 7.

 
Investment Operations
At December 31, 2018, the sectors of our investment portfolio were as shown in the table below:
Investment portfolio - sectors
 
 
 
 
Percentage of Portfolio’s Fair Value
1.  Corporate
47%
2.  Tax-Exempt Municipals
22
3.  Asset-Backed
14
4.  Taxable Municipals
11
5.  U.S. government and agency debt
3
6. GNMA and other agency mortgage-backed securities
3
 
100%

We had no derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Securities with stated maturities due within up to one year, after one year and up to five years, after five years and up to ten years, and after ten years, represented 9%, 32%, 19% and 23%, respectively, of the total fair value of our investment in fixed income debt securities. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are not included in these maturity categories as the expected maturities may be different from the stated maturities depending on the periodic payments during the life of the security. Asset-backed securities represent 14% of the investment portfolio (CLOs represent 6%, CMBS represent 5% and other asset-backed securities securities represent 3%). GNMA and other agency mortgage-backed securities represent 3% of the investment portfolio. Our pre-tax yield was 3.1%, 2.7% and 2.6% for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and our after-tax yield was 2.6%, 2.0% and 1.9% for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Our ten largest holdings at December 31, 2018 appear in the table below:
Investment portfolio - top ten largest holdings
 
 
 
Fair Value
(In thousands)
1.  New York St Dorm Auth Rev
$
57,035

2.  Goldman Sachs Group
51,400

3.  JP Morgan Chase
38,678

4.  Wells Fargo and Company
36,698

5.  Chicago Ill Tran Auth and O Hare Apt
35,894

6.  Pennsylvania St Turnpike Comm
35,033

7.  Citigroup Inc
33,212

8.  New York City NY Transitional
32,113

9.  Metropolitan Trans Auth NY
31,459

10. Bank of America Corp
31,438

 
$
382,960




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Note: This table excludes securities issued by the U.S. government or U.S. government agencies.  

For further information concerning investment operations, see Note 5 – “Investments,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.

D. Regulation
Direct Regulation
We are subject to comprehensive, detailed regulation by state insurance departments. These regulations are principally designed for the protection of our insured policyholders, rather than for the benefit of investors. Although their scope varies, state insurance laws generally grant broad supervisory powers to agencies or officials to examine insurance companies and enforce rules or exercise discretion affecting almost every significant aspect of the insurance business.

In general, regulation of our subsidiaries’ businesses relates to:
licenses to transact businesses;
policy forms;
premium rates;
insurable loans;
annual and other reports on financial condition;
the basis upon which assets and liabilities must be stated;
requirements regarding contingency reserves equal to 50% of premiums earned;
minimum capital levels and adequacy ratios;
reinsurance requirements;
limitations on the types of investment instruments which may be held in an investment portfolio;
privacy;
deposits of securities;
transactions among affiliates;
cybersecurity
limits on dividends payable;
suitability of officers and directors; and
claims handling.

Wisconsin has adopted the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Act, which requires, among other things, that we:
no less than annually, conduct an Own Risk and Solvency Assessment ("ORSA") to assess the material risks associated with our business and our current and estimated projected future solvency position;
 
maintain a risk management framework to assess, monitor, manage and report on material risks;
provide a confidential high-level ORSA Summary Report annually to the OCI; and
Provide an Enterprise Risk Management Report annually to the OCI.

The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the RIF (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, currently the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position. The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.

At December 31, 2018, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 9.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $2.6 billion above the required MPP of $1.3 billion.

The NAIC plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. A working group of state regulators has been considering since 2016 a risk-based framework to establish capital requirements for mortgage insurers, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to the capital requirements. See our risk factors “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain significantly more capital in order to maintain our eligibility” and “State Capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis” in Item 1A, for information about regulations governing our capital adequacy and our expectations regarding our future capital position. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Capital Adequacy" in Item 7 for information about our current capital position.

Most states also regulate transactions between insurance companies and their parents or affiliates and have restrictions on transactions that have the effect of inducing lenders to place business with the insurer. For a description of limits on dividends payable to us from MGIC, see Note 14 – “Statutory Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.



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Mortgage insurance premium rates are also subject to state regulation to protect policyholders against the adverse effects of excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory rates and to encourage competition in the insurance marketplace. Any increase in premium rates must be justified, generally on the basis of the insurer’s loss experience, expenses and future trend analysis. The general mortgage default experience may also be considered. Premium rates are subject to review and challenge by state regulators.

We are required to establish statutory accounting contingency loss reserves in an amount equal to 50% of net earned premiums. These amounts cannot be withdrawn for a period of 10 years, except as permitted by insurance regulations. With regulatory approval a mortgage guaranty insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net premiums earned in a calendar year. For further information, see Note 14 – “Statutory Information,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8.

Mortgage insurers are generally single-line companies, restricted to writing residential mortgage insurance business only. Although we, as an insurance holding company, are prohibited from engaging in certain transactions with MGIC or our other insurance subsidiaries without submission to and, in some instances, prior approval by applicable insurance departments, we are not subject to insurance company regulation on our non-insurance businesses.

Wisconsin’s insurance regulations generally provide that no person may acquire control of us unless the transaction in which control is acquired has been approved by the OCI. The regulations provide for a rebuttable presumption of control when a person owns or has the right to vote more than 10% of the voting securities. In addition, the insurance regulations of other states in which MGIC is licensed require notification to the state’s insurance department a specified time before a person acquires control of us. If regulators in these states disapprove the change of control, our licenses to conduct business in the disapproving states could be terminated. For further information about regulatory proceedings applicable to us and our industry, see “We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future” in Item 1A.

The CFPB was established by the Dodd-Frank Act to regulate the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under federal law. The CFPB’s rules implementing laws that require mortgage lenders to make ability-to-pay determinations prior to extending credit affect the characteristics of loans being originated and the volume of loans available to be insured. We are uncertain whether the CFPB will issue any other rules or regulations that affect our business.
 
Such rules and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.

As the most significant purchasers and sellers of conventional mortgage loans and beneficiaries of private mortgage insurance, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae impose financial and other requirements on private mortgage insurers in order for them to be eligible to insure loans sold to the GSEs (these requirements are referred to as the "PMIERs", as discussed above). These requirements are subject to change from time to time. Based on our interpretation of the financial requirements of the PMIERs, as of December 31, 2018, MGIC’s Available Assets totaled $4.8 billion, or $1.4 billion in excess of its Minimum Required Assets. MGIC is in compliance with the requirements of the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs. If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings. For information about matters that could negatively affect our compliance with the PMIERs, see our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain significantly more capital in order to maintain our eligibility” in Item 1A.

Revised PMIERs were published in September 2018 and will become effective March 31, 2019. If the revised PMIERs had been effective as of December 31, 2018, we estimate that MGIC’s pro forma excess of Available Assets over Minimum Required Assets would have been approximately $1 billion. The decrease in the pro forma excess from the reported excess of $1.4 billion is primarily due to the elimination of any credit for future premiums that had previously been allowed for certain insurance policies.

The FHFA is the conservator of the GSEs and has the authority to control and direct their operations. The increased role that the federal government has assumed in the residential mortgage market through the GSE conservatorship may increase the likelihood that the business practices of the GSEs change, including through administrative action, in ways that have a material adverse effect on us and that the charters of GSEs are changed by new federal legislation. In the past, members of Congress introduced several bills intended to scale back the GSEs; however, no legislation has been enacted. The Administration issued a June 2018 report indicating that the conservatorship of the GSEs should end and that the GSEs should transition to fully private entities, competing on a level playing field with private issuers of mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") (such issuers, collectively with the GSEs, referred to in the report as the "guarantors"). The report further indicated that a federal entity should regulate the guarantors, including their capital adequacy, and that guarantors should have access to an explicit federal guarantee on the MBS that is exposed only after substantial losses


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are incurred by the private market, including the guarantors. It is unclear whether and when that would occur and how that would impact us. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including private mortgage insurance, will play in the domestic residential housing finance system in the future or the impact of any such changes on our business. In addition, the timing of the impact of any resulting changes on our business is uncertain. Most meaningful changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when Congressional action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last. For additional information about the potential impact that any such changes in the GSE’s roles may have on us, see the risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses” in Item 1A.

In December 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office released a report that calls for federal standards and oversight for mortgage insurers to be developed and implemented. It is uncertain if and when the standards and oversight will become effective and what form they will take.

Indirect Regulation
We are also indirectly, but significantly, impacted by regulations affecting purchasers of mortgage loans, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and regulations affecting governmental insurers, such as the FHA and the VA, and lenders. See our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses” in Item 1A for a discussion of how potential changes in the GSEs’ business practices could affect us. Private mortgage insurers, including MGIC, are highly dependent upon federal housing legislation and other laws and regulations to the extent they affect the demand for private mortgage insurance and the housing market generally. From time to time, those laws and regulations have been amended in ways that affect competition from government agencies. Proposals are discussed from time to time by Congress and certain federal agencies to reform or modify the FHA and the Government National Mortgage Association, which securitizes mortgages insured by the FHA.

Subject to certain exceptions, in general, RESPA prohibits any person from giving or receiving any “thing of value” pursuant to an agreement or understanding to refer settlement services.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have uniform guidelines on real estate lending by insured lending institutions under their
 
supervision. The guidelines specify that a residential mortgage loan originated with a loan-to-value ratio of 90% or greater should have appropriate credit enhancement in the form of mortgage insurance or readily marketable collateral, although no depth of coverage percentage is specified in the guidelines.

Lenders are subject to various laws, including the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and the Fair Housing Act, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are subject to various laws, including laws relating to government sponsored enterprises, which may impose obligations or create incentives for increased lending to low and moderate income persons, or in targeted areas.

There can be no assurance that other federal laws and regulations affecting these institutions and entities will not change, or that new legislation or regulations will not be adopted which will adversely affect the private mortgage insurance industry. In this regard, see the risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses” in Item 1A.

E. Employees
At December 31, 2018, we had 793 full- and part-time employees, approximately 34% of whom were assigned to our field offices. The number of employees given above does not include “on-call” employees. The number of “on-call” employees can vary substantially, primarily as a result of changes in demand for contract underwriting services. In recent years, the number of “on-call” employees has ranged from fewer than 40 to more than 110.

F. Website Access
We make available, free of charge, through our Internet website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of our website is http://mtg.mgic.com, and such reports and amendments are accessible through the “Reports & Filings” link at such address. The inclusion of our website address in this report is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to include or incorporate by reference the information on our website into this report.


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Item 1A. Risk Factors
As used below, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations or to MGIC Investment Corporation, as the context requires; and “MGIC” refers to Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation.

Our actual results could be affected by the risk factors below. These risk factors are an integral part of this annual report. These risk factors may also cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements that we may make. Forward looking statements consist of statements which relate to matters other than historical fact, including matters that inherently refer to future events. Among others, statements that include words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “will” or “expect,” or words of similar import, are forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements or other statements were made. No reader of this annual report should rely on these statements being current at any time other than the time at which this annual report was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and / or increase our losses.
Our private mortgage insurance competitors include:
Arch Mortgage Insurance Company,
Essent Guaranty, Inc.,
Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation,
National Mortgage Insurance Corporation, and
Radian Guaranty Inc.
The private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive and is expected to remain so. We believe that we currently compete with other private mortgage insurers based on premium rates, underwriting requirements, financial strength (including based on credit or financial strength ratings), customer relationships, name recognition, reputation, the strength of our management team and field organization, the ancillary products and services provided to lenders and the effective use of technology and innovation in the delivery and servicing of our mortgage insurance products.

 
Much of the competition in the industry in the last few years has centered on pricing practices which have included: (i) reductions in standard filed rates for borrower-paid mortgage insurance policies ("BPMI"); (ii) use by competitors of a spectrum of filed rates to allow for formulaic, risk-based pricing that may be adjusted more frequently within certain parameters (referred to as "loan level pricing systems"); and (iii) use of customized rates (discounted from standard rates) that are made available to lenders that meet certain criteria.
We monitor various competitive and economic factors while seeking to balance both profitability and market share considerations in developing our pricing strategies. We reduced certain of our rates in 2018, which will reduce our premium yield (net premiums earned divided by the average insurance in force) over time as older insurance policies with higher premium rates run off and new insurance policies with lower premium rates are written.
In 2018, we continued to evolve our pricing from a standard rate card approach, where premium rates vary based on relatively few attributes, to a more granular approach, where more attributes are considered. In the first quarter of 2019, we introduced MiQ™, our loan level pricing system that establishes our premium rates based on more risk attributes than were considered in 2018. The widespread use of loan level pricing systems by the private mortgage industry will make it more difficult to compare our rates to those offered by our competitors. We may not be aware of industry changes until we observe that our volume of new insurance written ("NIW") has changed and our volume may fluctuate more as a result.
There can be no assurance that our premium rates adequately reflect the risk associated with the underlying mortgage insurance policies. For additional information, see our risk factors titled “The premiums we charge may not be adequate to compensate us for our liabilities for losses and as a result any inadequacy could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations" and "If our risk management programs are not effective in identifying, or adequate in controlling or mitigating, the risks we face, or if the models used in our businesses are inaccurate, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition." 
Our relationships with our customers, which may affect the amount of our new business written, could be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including if our premium rates are higher than those of our competitors, our underwriting requirements result in our declining to insure some of the loans originated by our customers, or our insurance policy rescissions and claim curtailments affect the customer. Regarding the concentration of our


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new business, our largest customer accounted for approximately 4% and 5% of our NIW in each of 2017 and 2018, respectively, and our top ten customers accounted for approximately 23% and 24% of our NIW, in each of 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Certain of our competitors have access to capital at a lower cost than we do (including, through off-shore reinsurance vehicles, which are tax-advantaged). As a result, they may be able to achieve higher after-tax rates of return on their NIW compared to us, which could allow them to leverage reduced premium rates to gain market share, and they may be better positioned to compete outside of traditional mortgage insurance, including by participating in alternative forms of credit enhancement pursued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the "GSEs") discussed in our risk factor titled "The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance."
Substantially all of our insurance written since 2008 has been for loans purchased by the GSEs. The current private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements ("PMIERs") of the GSEs require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of assets to support its insured risk, as discussed in our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility.” The PMIERs do not require an insurer to maintain minimum financial strength ratings; however, our financial strength ratings can affect us in the following ways:
A downgrade in our financial strength ratings could result in increased scrutiny of our financial condition by the GSEs and/or our customers, potentially resulting in a decrease in the amount of our new insurance written.
Our ability to participate in the non-GSE mortgage market (which has been limited since 2008, but may grow in the future), could depend on our ability to maintain and improve our investment grade ratings for our mortgage insurance subsidiaries. We could be competitively disadvantaged with some market participants because the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries are lower than those of some competitors. MGIC's financial strength rating from Moody’s is Baa2 (with a stable outlook) , from Standard & Poor’s is BBB+ (with a stable outlook) and from A.M. Best is A- (with a stable outlook).
Financial strength ratings may also play a greater role if the GSEs no longer operate in their current capacities, for example, due to legislative or regulatory action. In addition, although the PMIERs do not require minimum financial strength ratings,
 
the GSEs consider financial strength ratings to be important when using forms of credit enhancement other than traditional mortgage insurance, as discussed in our risk factor titled "The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance."
If we are unable to compete effectively in the current or any future markets as a result of the financial strength ratings assigned to our insurance subsidiaries, our future new insurance written could be negatively affected.
The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance.
Alternatives to private mortgage insurance include:
lenders using FHA, VA and other government mortgage insurance programs,
investors using risk mitigation and credit risk transfer techniques other than private mortgage insurance,
lenders and other investors holding mortgages in portfolio and self-insuring, and
lenders originating mortgages using piggyback structures to avoid private mortgage insurance, such as a first mortgage with an 80% loan-to-value ratio and a second mortgage with a 10%, 15% or 20% loan-to-value ratio (referred to as 80-10-10, 80-15-5 or 80-20 loans, respectively) rather than a first mortgage with a 90%, 95% or 100% loan-to-value ratio that has private mortgage insurance.
In 2018, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae initiated programs with loan level mortgage default coverage provided by various (re)insurers that are not mortgage insurers governed by PMIERs, and that are not selected by the lenders. Due to differences in policy terms, these programs offer premium rates that are generally below prevalent single premium lender paid mortgage insurance ("LPMI") rates. While we view these programs as competing with traditional private mortgage insurance, we have participated in them and may participate in future GSE or other programs.
The GSEs (and other investors) have also used other forms of credit enhancement that did not involve traditional private mortgage insurance, such as engaging in credit-linked note transactions executed in the capital markets, or using other forms of debt issuances or securitizations that transfer credit risk directly to other investors, including competitors and an affiliate of MGIC; using other risk mitigation techniques in conjunction with reduced levels of private mortgage insurance


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coverage; or accepting credit risk without credit enhancement.
The FHA's share of the low down payment residential mortgages that were subject to FHA, VA, USDA or primary private mortgage insurance was 29.9% in 2018, 33.9% in 2017 and 34.2% in 2016 (these figures exclude FHA's home equity conversion mortgages, or HECMs). In the past ten years, the FHA’s share has been as low as 29.9% in 2018 and as high as 66.8% in 2009. Factors that influence the FHA’s market share include relative rates and fees, underwriting guidelines and loan limits of the FHA, VA, private mortgage insurers and the GSEs; lenders' perceptions of legal risks under FHA versus GSE programs; flexibility for the FHA to establish new products as a result of federal legislation and programs; returns expected to be obtained by lenders for Ginnie Mae securitization of FHA-insured loans compared to those obtained from selling loans to the GSEs for securitization; and differences in policy terms, such as the ability of a borrower to cancel insurance coverage under certain circumstances. We cannot predict how the factors that affect the FHA’s share of new insurance written will change in the future.
The VA's share of the low down payment residential mortgages that were subject to FHA, VA, USDA or primary private mortgage insurance was 24.4% in 2018, 24.7% in 2017 and 27.2% in 2016. In the past ten years, the VA’s share has been as low as 14.3% in 2009 and as high as 27.2% in 2016. We believe that the VA’s market share has generally been increasing because of an increase in the number of borrowers that are eligible for the VA’s program, which offers 100% loan-to-value ratio ("LTV") loans and charges a one-time funding fee that can be included in the loan amount, and because eligible borrowers have opted to use the VA program when refinancing their mortgages.
Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses.
The GSEs’ charters generally require credit enhancement for a low down payment mortgage loan (a loan amount that exceeds 80% of a home’s value) in order for such loan to be eligible for purchase by the GSEs. Lenders generally have used private mortgage insurance to satisfy this credit enhancement requirement. (For information about GSE programs initiated in 2018 that provide loan level default coverage by various (re)insurers (which may include affiliates of private mortgage insurers), see our risk factor titled "The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance.") Because low down payment mortgages purchased by the GSEs have generally been insured with private mortgage insurance, the business
 
practices of the GSEs greatly impact our business and include:
private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements of the GSEs, the financial requirements of which are discussed in our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility,”
the capital and collateral requirements for participants in the GSEs' alternative forms of credit enhancement discussed in our risk factor titled "The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance,"
the level of private mortgage insurance coverage, subject to the limitations of the GSEs’ charters, when private mortgage insurance is used as the required credit enhancement on low down payment mortgages,
the amount of loan level price adjustments and guaranty fees (which result in higher costs to borrowers) that the GSEs assess on loans that require private mortgage insurance,
whether the GSEs influence the mortgage lender’s selection of the mortgage insurer providing coverage,
the underwriting standards that determine which loans are eligible for purchase by the GSEs, which can affect the quality of the risk insured by the mortgage insurer and the availability of mortgage loans,
the terms on which mortgage insurance coverage can be canceled before reaching the cancellation thresholds established by law,
the programs established by the GSEs intended to avoid or mitigate loss on insured mortgages and the circumstances in which mortgage servicers must implement such programs,
the terms that the GSEs require to be included in mortgage insurance policies for loans that they purchase, including limitations on the rescission rights of mortgage insurers,
the extent to which the GSEs intervene in mortgage insurers’ claims paying practices, rescission practices or rescission settlement practices with lenders, and


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the maximum loan limits of the GSEs compared to those of the FHA and other investors.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) has been the conservator of the GSEs since 2008 and has the authority to control and direct their operations. The increased role that the federal government has assumed in the residential housing finance system through the GSE conservatorship may increase the likelihood that the business practices of the GSEs change, including through administrative action, in ways that have a material adverse effect on us and that the charters of the GSEs are changed by new federal legislation. In the past, members of Congress have introduced several bills intended to change the business practices of the GSEs and the FHA; however, no legislation has been enacted.
The Administration issued a June 2018 report indicating that the conservatorship of the GSEs should end and that the GSEs should transition to fully private entities, competing on a level playing field with private issuers of mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") (such issuers, collectively with the GSEs, referred to in the report as the "guarantors"). The report further indicated that a federal entity should regulate the guarantors, including their capital adequacy, and that guarantors should have access to an explicit federal guarantee on the MBS that is exposed only after substantial losses are incurred by the private market, including the guarantors. The report also indicated that a fee on the outstanding volume of MBS would be transferred to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (of which the FHA is a part) to be used for affordable housing purposes. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including private mortgage insurance, will play in the residential housing finance system in the future. The timing and impact on our business of any resulting changes is uncertain. Most meaningful changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when Congressional action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last.
We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility.
We must comply with the PMIERs to be eligible to insure loans delivered to or purchased by the GSEs. The PMIERs include financial requirements, as well as business, quality control and certain transaction approval requirements. The financial requirements of the PMIERs require a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) to equal or exceed its “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book of insurance in force and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).
 
Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, as of December 31, 2018, MGIC’s Available Assets totaled $4.8 billion, or $1.4 billion in excess of its Minimum Required Assets. MGIC is in compliance with the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs. Revised PMIERs were published in September 2018 and will become effective March 31, 2019. If the revised PMIERs had been effective as of December 31, 2018, we estimate that MGIC’s pro forma excess of Available Assets over Minimum Required Assets would have been approximately $1 billion. The decrease in the pro forma excess from the reported excess of $1.4 billion is primarily due to the elimination of any credit for future premiums that had previously been allowed for certain insurance policies. 
In calculating our "Minimum Required Assets," we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers and expect to be allowed full credit for our excess-of-loss reinsurance transaction entered into on October 30, 2018, discussed in our risk factor titled "The mix of business we write affects our Minimum Required Assets under the PMIERs, our premium yields and the likelihood of losses occurring." Our reinsurance transactions will be reviewed under the PMIERs at least annually and there is a risk we will not receive full credit in future periods for the risk ceded under them. If MGIC is not allowed certain levels of credit under the PMIERs, under certain circumstances, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance transactions, without penalty.
If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings. Factors that may negatively impact MGIC’s ability to continue to comply with the financial requirements of the PMIERs include the following:
The GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time and may make the PMIERs more onerous in the future. In June 2018, the FHFA issued a proposed rule on regulatory capital requirements for the GSEs ("Enterprise Capital Requirements"), which included a framework for determining the capital relief allowed to the GSEs for loans with private mortgage insurance. The GSEs have indicated that there may be potential future implications for PMIERs based upon feedback the FHFA receives on its proposed rule on Enterprise Capital Requirements (public comments were due by November 16, 2018). In addition, the PMIERs provide that the factors that determine Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs have indicated that they will generally provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of such updates.


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Our future operating results may be negatively impacted by the matters discussed in the rest of these risk factors. Such matters could decrease our revenues, increase our losses or require the use of assets, thereby creating a shortfall in Available Assets.
Should capital be needed by MGIC in the future, capital contributions from our holding company may not be available due to competing demands on holding company resources, including for repayment of debt.
While on an overall basis, the amount of Available Assets MGIC must hold in order to continue to insure GSE loans is greater under the PMIERs than what state regulation currently requires, our reinsurance transactions mitigate the negative effect of the PMIERs on our returns. However, reinsurance may not always be available to us or available on similar terms, it subjects us to counterparty credit risk and the GSEs may change the credit they allow under the PMIERs for risk ceded under our reinsurance transactions.
We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future.
Before paying an insurance claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. When reviewing the files, we may determine that we have the right to rescind coverage on the loan. In our SEC reports, we refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims collectively as “rescissions” and variations of that term. In addition, our insurance policies generally provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy. We call such reduction of claims “curtailments.” In recent quarters, an immaterial percentage of claims received in a quarter have been resolved by rescissions. In 2017 and 2018, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 5.6% and 5.8%, respectively.
Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions, curtailments, and reversals of rescissions and curtailments. A variance between ultimate actual rescission, curtailment and reversal rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.
When the insured disputes our right to rescind coverage or curtail claims, we generally engage in discussions in an attempt to settle the dispute. If we are unable to reach a settlement, the outcome of a dispute ultimately may be determined by legal proceedings.
Under ASC 450-20, until a liability associated with settlement discussions or legal proceedings becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated, we consider
 
our claim payment or rescission resolved for financial reporting purposes and do not accrue an estimated loss. Where we have determined that a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we have recorded our best estimate of our probable loss.
In addition to matters for which we have recorded a probable loss, we are involved in other discussions and/or proceedings with insureds with respect to our claims paying practices. Although it is reasonably possible that when these matters are resolved we will not prevail in all cases, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability. We estimate the maximum exposure associated with matters where a loss is reasonably possible to be approximately $279 million. This estimate of maximum exposure is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment, numerous assumptions and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimate of maximum exposure will change from time to time. This estimate of our maximum exposure does not include interest or consequential or exemplary damages.
Mortgage insurers, including MGIC, have been involved in litigation and regulatory actions related to alleged violations of the anti-referral fee provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is commonly known as RESPA, and the notice provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is commonly known as FCRA. While these proceedings in the aggregate have not resulted in material liability for MGIC, there can be no assurance that the outcome of future proceedings, if any, under these laws would not have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, various regulators, including the CFPB, state insurance commissioners and state attorneys general may bring other actions seeking various forms of relief in connection with alleged violations of RESPA. The insurance law provisions of many states prohibit paying for the referral of insurance business and provide various mechanisms to enforce this prohibition. While we believe our practices are in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, it is not possible to predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of any such reviews or investigations nor is it possible to predict their effect on us or the mortgage insurance industry.
In addition to the matters described above, we are involved in other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, based on the facts known at this time, the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
We are subject to comprehensive regulation and other requirements, which we may fail to satisfy.
We are subject to comprehensive, detailed regulation by state insurance departments. These regulations are


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principally designed for the protection of our insured policyholders, rather than for the benefit of investors. Although their scope varies, state insurance laws generally grant broad supervisory powers to agencies or officials to examine insurance companies and enforce rules or exercise discretion affecting almost every significant aspect of the insurance business. State insurance regulatory authorities could take actions, including changes in capital requirements, that could have a material adverse effect on us. For more information about state capital requirements, see our risk factor titled “State capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.” To the extent that we are construed to make independent credit decisions in connection with our contract underwriting activities, we also could be subject to increased regulatory requirements under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, commonly known as ECOA, FCRA, and other laws. For more details about the various ways in which our subsidiaries are regulated, see “Business - Regulation” in Item 1. In addition to regulation by state insurance regulators, the CFPB may issue additional rules or regulations, which may materially affect our business.
In December 2013, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office released a report that calls for federal standards and oversight for mortgage insurers to be developed and implemented. It is uncertain if and when the standards and oversight will become effective and what form they will take.
If our risk management programs are not effective in identifying, or adequate in controlling or mitigating, the risks we face, or if the models used in our businesses are inaccurate, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our enterprise risk management program, described in "Business - Our Products and Services - Risk Management" in Item 1, may not be effective in identifying, or adequate in controlling or mitigating, the risks we face in our business.
We employ proprietary and third party models to project returns, price products (including through our new loan level pricing system), calculate reserves, generate projections used to estimate future pre-tax income and to evaluate loss recognition testing, evaluate risk, determine internal capital requirements, perform stress testing, and for other uses. These models rely on estimates and projections that are inherently uncertain and may not operate as intended. In addition, from time to time we seek to improve certain models, and the conversion process may result in material changes to assumptions, including those about returns and financial results. The models we employ are complex, which increases our risk of error in their design, implementation or use. Also, the associated input data,
 
assumptions and calculations may not be correct, and the controls we have in place to mitigate that risk may not be effective in all cases. The risks related to our models may increase when we change assumptions and/or methodologies, or when we add or change modeling platforms. We have enhanced, and we intend to continue to enhance, our modeling capabilities. Moreover, we may use information we receive through enhancements to refine or otherwise change existing assumptions and/or methodologies.
Because we establish loss reserves only upon a loan delinquency rather than based on estimates of our ultimate losses on risk in force, losses may have a disproportionate adverse effect on our earnings in certain periods.
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, commonly referred to as GAAP, we establish reserves for insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses only when notices of default on insured mortgage loans are received and for loans we estimate are in default but for which notices of default have not yet been reported to us by the servicers (this is often referred to as “IBNR”). Because our reserving method does not take account of losses that could occur from loans that are not delinquent, such losses are not reflected in our financial statements, except in the case where a premium deficiency exists. As a result, future losses on loans that are not currently delinquent may have a material impact on future results as such losses emerge.
Because loss reserve estimates are subject to uncertainties, paid claims may be substantially different than our loss reserves.
When we establish reserves, we estimate the ultimate loss on delinquent loans using estimated claim rates and claim amounts. The estimated claim rates and claim amounts represent our best estimates of what we will actually pay on the loans in default as of the reserve date and incorporate anticipated mitigation from rescissions and curtailments. The establishment of loss reserves is subject to inherent uncertainty and requires judgment by management. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be affected by several factors, including a change in regional or national economic conditions, and a change in the length of time loans are delinquent before claims are received. The change in conditions may include changes in unemployment, affecting borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and changes in home prices, which may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Changes to our estimates could have a material impact on our future results, even in a stable economic environment. In addition, historically, losses incurred have followed a


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seasonal trend in which the second half of the year has weaker credit performance than the first half, with higher new default notice activity and a lower cure rate.
We rely on our management team and our business could be harmed if we are unable to retain qualified personnel or successfully develop and/or recruit their replacements.
Our success depends, in part, on the skills, working relationships and continued services of our management team and other key personnel. The unexpected departure of key personnel could adversely affect the conduct of our business. In such event, we would be required to obtain other personnel to manage and operate our business. In addition, we will be required to replace the knowledge and expertise of our aging workforce as our workers retire. In either case, there can be no assurance that we would be able to develop or recruit suitable replacements for the departing individuals; that replacements could be hired, if necessary, on terms that are favorable to us; or that we can successfully transition such replacements in a timely manner. We currently have not entered into any employment agreements with our officers or key personnel. Volatility or lack of performance in our stock price may affect our ability to retain our key personnel or attract replacements should key personnel depart. Without a properly skilled and experienced workforce, our costs, including productivity costs and costs to replace employees may increase, and this could negatively impact our earnings.
If the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations declines, the amount of insurance that we write could decline.
The factors that may affect the volume of low down payment mortgage originations include:
restrictions on mortgage credit due to more stringent underwriting standards, liquidity issues or risk-retention and/or capital requirements affecting lenders,
the level of home mortgage interest rates,
the health of the domestic economy as well as conditions in regional and local economies and the level of consumer confidence,
housing affordability,
new and existing housing availability,
the rate of household formation, which is influenced, in part, by population and immigration trends,
 
the rate of home price appreciation, which in times of heavy refinancing can affect whether refinanced loans have loan-to-value ratios that require private mortgage insurance, and
government housing policy encouraging loans to first-time homebuyers.
A decline in the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations could decrease demand for mortgage insurance and decrease our new insurance written. For other factors that could decrease the demand for mortgage insurance, see our risk factor titled “The amount of insurance we write could be adversely affected if lenders and investors select alternatives to private mortgage insurance.”
State capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis.
The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, MGIC's domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to its risk in force (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position (“MPP”). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.
At December 31, 2018, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 9.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $2.6 billion above the required MPP of $1.3 billion. Our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP reflect full credit for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded under such transactions. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under the State Capital Requirements, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance transactions, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, you should read the rest of these risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.


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At December 31, 2018, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes a reinsurance affiliate) was 9.8 to 1. Reinsurance transactions with our affiliate permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.
The NAIC plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. In May 2016, a working group of state regulators released an exposure draft of a risk-based capital framework to establish capital requirements for mortgage insurers, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to the capital requirements and certain items have not yet been completely addressed by the framework, including the treatment of ceded risk, minimum capital floors, and action level triggers. Currently we believe that the PMIERs contain more restrictive capital requirements than the draft Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act in most circumstances.
While MGIC currently meets, and expects to continue to meet, the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin and all other jurisdictions, it could be prevented from writing new business in the future in all jurisdictions if it fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin, or it could be prevented from writing new business in a particular jurisdiction if it fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of that jurisdiction, and in each case MGIC does not obtain a waiver of such requirements. It is possible that regulatory action by one or more jurisdictions, including those that do not have specific State Capital Requirements, may prevent MGIC from continuing to write new insurance in such jurisdictions. If we are unable to write business in a particular jurisdiction, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere. In addition, a lender’s assessment of the future ability of our insurance operations to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs may affect its willingness to procure insurance from us. In this regard, see our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or increase our losses.” A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its insurance in force on a timely basis, you should read the rest of these risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.
 
Downturns in the domestic economy or declines in the value of borrowers’ homes from their value at the time their loans closed may result in more homeowners defaulting and our losses increasing, with a corresponding decrease in our returns.
Losses result from events that reduce a borrower’s ability or willingness to continue to make mortgage payments, such as unemployment, health issues, family status, and whether the home of a borrower who defaults on his mortgage can be sold for an amount that will cover unpaid principal and interest and the expenses of the sale. In general, favorable economic conditions reduce the likelihood that borrowers will lack sufficient income to pay their mortgages and also favorably affect the value of homes, thereby reducing and in some cases even eliminating a loss from a mortgage default. A deterioration in economic conditions, including an increase in unemployment, generally increases the likelihood that borrowers will not have sufficient income to pay their mortgages and can also adversely affect home prices, which in turn can influence the willingness of borrowers with sufficient resources to make mortgage payments to do so when the mortgage balance exceeds the value of the home. Home prices may decline even absent a deterioration in economic conditions due to declines in demand for homes, which in turn may result from changes in buyers’ perceptions of the potential for future appreciation, restrictions on and the cost of mortgage credit due to more stringent underwriting standards, higher interest rates generally, changes to the deductibility of mortgage interest for income tax purposes, decreases in the rate of household formations, or other factors. Changes in home prices and unemployment levels are inherently difficult to forecast given the uncertainty in the current market environment, including uncertainty about the effect of actions the federal government has taken and may take with respect to tax policies, mortgage finance programs and policies, and housing finance reform.
The mix of business we write affects our Minimum Required Assets under the PMIERs, our premium yields and the likelihood of losses occurring.
The Minimum Required Assets under the PMIERs are, in part, a function of the direct risk-in-force and the risk profile of the loans we insure, considering loan-to-value ratio, credit score, vintage, Home Affordable Refinance Program ("HARP") status and delinquency status; and whether the loans were insured under lender-paid mortgage insurance policies or other policies that are not subject to automatic termination consistent with the Homeowners Protection Act requirements for borrower paid mortgage insurance. Therefore, if our direct risk-in-force increases through increases in new insurance written, or if our mix of business changes to include loans with higher loan-to-value ratios or lower FICO scores, for example, or if we insure a higher percentage of loans under lender-paid mortgage insurance policies,


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all other things equal, we will be required to hold more Available Assets in order to maintain GSE eligibility.
The minimum capital required by the risk-based capital framework contained in the exposure draft released by the NAIC in May 2016 would be, in part, a function of certain loan and economic factors, including property location, loan-to-value ratio and credit score; general underwriting quality in the market at the time of loan origination; the age of the loan; and the premium rate we charge. Depending on the provisions of the capital requirements when they are released in final form and become effective, our mix of business may affect the minimum capital we are required to hold under the new framework.
The percentage of our NIW from all single-premium policies (LPMI and BPMI, combined) has ranged from approximately 10% in 2013 to 19% in 2017 and was 17% in 2018. Depending on the actual life of a single premium policy and its premium rate relative to that of a monthly premium policy, a single premium policy may generate more or less premium than a monthly premium policy over its life.
We have in place quota share reinsurance ("QSR") transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers that cover most of our insurance written from 2013 through 2018, and a portion of our insurance written prior to 2013. Although the transactions reduce our premiums, they have a lesser impact on our overall results, as losses ceded under the transactions reduce our losses incurred and the ceding commissions we receive reduce our underwriting expenses. The blended pre-tax cost of reinsurance under our different transactions is less than 6% (but will decrease if losses are materially higher than we expect). This blended pre-tax cost is derived by dividing the reduction in our pre-tax income on loans covered by reinsurance by our direct (that is, without reinsurance) premiums from such loans. Although the pre-tax cost of the reinsurance under each transaction is generally constant, the effect of the reinsurance on the various components of pre-tax income will vary from period to period, depending on the level of ceded losses. We expect that in the first quarter of 2019, we will enter into an agreement covering most of our new insurance written in 2019, on terms no less favorable than our existing transactions.
On October 30, 2018, MGIC entered into a reinsurance agreement that provides for up to $318.6 million of aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance coverage for a portion of the risk associated with certain mortgage insurance policies having an insurance coverage in force date on or after July 1, 2016 and before January 1, 2018. For the reinsurance coverage period, MGIC will retain the first layer of $168.7 million of aggregate losses, and the reinsurer will provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. The reinsurance premiums ceded under this reinsurance
 
agreement reduced our net premiums by $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.
In addition to the effect of reinsurance on our premiums, we expect a decline in our premium yield resulting from the premium rates themselves. An increasing percentage of our insurance in force is from book years with lower premium rates because premium rates have trended lower in recent periods and are expected to continue to trend lower into 2019.
The circumstances in which we are entitled to rescind coverage have narrowed for insurance we have written in recent years. During the second quarter of 2012, we began writing a portion of our new insurance under an endorsement to our then existing master policy (the “Gold Cert Endorsement”), which limited our ability to rescind coverage compared to that master policy. To comply with requirements of the GSEs, we introduced our current master policy in 2014. Our rescission rights under our current master policy are comparable to those under our previous master policy, as modified by the Gold Cert Endorsement. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 82% of our flow, primary insurance in force was written under our Gold Cert Endorsement or our current master policy. The revised PMIERs, which become effective March 31, 2019, include rescission relief principles that were provided as guidance to be used when drafting our new master policy. The principles will, among other things, further limit the circumstances under which we may rescind coverage, potentially resulting in higher losses than would be the case under our existing master policies. We expect a new version of our master policy, incorporating these rescission relief principles, to be effective for business written beginning in the third or fourth quarter of 2019, subject to state statutory approvals.
From time to time, in response to market conditions, we change the types of loans that we insure and the requirements under which we insure them. We also change our underwriting guidelines, in part through aligning some of them with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for loans that receive and are processed in accordance with certain approval recommendations from a GSE automated underwriting system. We also make exceptions to our underwriting requirements on a loan-by-loan basis and for certain customer programs. As a result of changes to our underwriting guidelines and requirements (including those related to debt to income ("DTI") ratios, credit scores, and the manner in which income levels and property values are determined) and other factors, our business written beginning in the second half of 2013 is expected to have a somewhat higher claim incidence than business written in 2009 through the first half of 2013, but materially below that on business written in 2005-2008. However, we believe this business presents an acceptable level of risk. Our underwriting requirements are available on our website at http://www.mgic.com/underwriting/index.html.


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Even when home prices are stable or rising, mortgages with certain characteristics have higher probabilities of claims. These characteristics include higher LTV ratios, lower FICO scores, limited underwriting, including limited borrower documentation, or higher DTI ratios, as well as loans having combinations of higher risk factors. As of December 31, 2018, mortgages with these characteristics in our primary risk in force included mortgages with LTV ratios greater than 95% (14.8%), loans with borrowers having FICO scores below 620 (2.3%), mortgages with borrowers having FICO scores of 620-679 (10.3%), mortgages with limited underwriting, including limited borrower documentation (2.2%), and mortgages with borrowers having DTI ratios greater than 45% (or where no ratio is available) (14.3%), each attribute as determined at the time of loan origination. An individual loan may have more than one of these attributes.
Beginning in 2017, the percentage of NIW that we have written on mortgages with LTV ratios greater than 95% and mortgages with DTI ratios greater than 45% has increased. In 2018, we started considering DTI ratios when setting our premium rates, and we changed our methodology for calculating DTI ratios for pricing and eligibility purposes to exclude the impact of mortgage insurance premiums. As a result of this change, we expect to insure certain loans that would not have previously met our guidelines and to offer premium rates for certain loans lower than would have been offered under our previous methodology.
Until our loan level pricing system (discussed in our risk factor titled "Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and / or increase our losses") is more broadly adopted by customers, we will be unable to adjust our rates as quickly as those competitors using loan level pricing systems for the majority of their business. During that time, there is an increased risk that we are adversely selected by lenders to insure certain loans, which may result in an increase in the credit risk we bear and/or a decrease in the volume of loans we insure.
As of December 31, 2018, approximately 1% of our primary risk in force consisted of adjustable rate mortgages which allow for adjustment of the initial interest rate during the five years after the mortgage closing (“ARMs”). We classify as fixed rate loans adjustable rate mortgages with an initial interest rate that is fixed during the five years after the mortgage closing and loans with temporary interest rate adjustments during the initial five years, commonly referred to as "buydowns," that convert to a fixed rate for the duration of the loan term. If interest rates should rise between the time of origination of such loans and when their interest rates may be reset, claim rates on such loans may be substantially higher than for loans without variable interest rate features. In addition, prior to 2011,
 
we insured “interest-only” loans, which may also be ARMs, and loans with negative amortization features, such as pay option ARMs. We believe claim rates on these loans will be substantially higher than on loans without scheduled payment increases that are made to borrowers of comparable credit quality.
If state or federal regulations or statutes are changed in ways that ease mortgage lending standards and/or requirements, or if lenders seek ways to replace business in times of lower mortgage originations, it is possible that more mortgage loans could be originated with higher risk characteristics than are currently being originated, such as loans with lower FICO scores and higher DTIs. Lenders could pressure mortgage insurers to insure such loans, which are expected to experience higher claim rates. Although we attempt to incorporate these higher expected claim rates into our underwriting and pricing models, there can be no assurance that the premiums earned and the associated investment income will be adequate to compensate for actual losses even under our current underwriting requirements. We do, however, believe that our insurance written beginning in the second half of 2008 will generate underwriting profits.
The premiums we charge may not be adequate to compensate us for our liabilities for losses and as a result any inadequacy could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We set premiums at the time a policy is issued based on our expectations regarding likely performance of the insured risks over the long term. Our premiums are subject to approval by state regulatory agencies, which can delay or limit our ability to increase our premiums. 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 we charge, the investment income we earn and the amount of reinsurance we carry 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 our results of operations or financial condition. Our premium rates are also based in part on the amount of capital we are required to hold against the insured risk. If the amount of capital we are required to hold increases from the amount we were required to hold when a policy was written, we cannot adjust premiums to compensate for this and our returns may be lower than we assumed.
The losses we have incurred on our 2005-2008 books of business have exceeded our premiums from those books. The incurred losses from those books, although declining, continue to generate a material portion of our


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total incurred losses. The ultimate amount of these losses will depend in part on general economic conditions, including unemployment, and the direction of home prices.
We are susceptible to disruptions in the servicing of mortgage loans that we insure.
We depend on reliable, consistent third-party servicing of the loans that we insure. Over the last several years, the mortgage loan servicing industry has experienced consolidation and an increase in the number of specialty servicers servicing delinquent loans. The resulting change in the composition of servicers could lead to disruptions in the servicing of mortgage loans covered by our insurance policies. Further changes in the servicing industry resulting in the transfer of servicing could cause a disruption in the servicing of delinquent loans which could reduce servicers’ ability to undertake mitigation efforts that could help limit our losses. Future housing market conditions could lead to additional increases in delinquencies and transfers of servicing.
Changes in interest rates, house prices or mortgage insurance cancellation requirements may change the length of time that our policies remain in force.
The premium from a single premium policy is collected upfront and generally earned over the estimated life of the policy. In contrast, premiums from a monthly premium policy are received and earned each month over the life of the policy. In each year, most of our premiums earned are from insurance that has been written in prior years. As a result, the length of time insurance remains in force, which is generally measured by persistency (the percentage of our insurance remaining in force from one year prior), is a significant determinant of our revenues. Future premiums on our monthly premium policies in force represent a material portion of our claims paying resources and a low persistency rate will reduce those future premiums. In contrast, a higher than expected persistency rate will decrease the profitability from single premium policies because they will remain in force longer than was estimated when the policies were written.
Our persistency rate was 81.7% at December 31, 2018, 80.1% at December 31, 2017 and 76.9% at December 31, 2016. Since 2000, our year-end persistency ranged from a high of 84.7% at December 31, 2009 to a low of 47.1% at December 31, 2003.
Our persistency rate is primarily affected by the level of current mortgage interest rates compared to the mortgage coupon rates on our insurance in force, which affects the vulnerability of the insurance in force to refinancing. Our persistency rate is also affected by the mortgage insurance cancellation policies of mortgage investors along with the current value of the homes underlying the mortgages in the insurance in force. In
 
2018, the GSEs announced changes to various mortgage insurance termination requirements that are intended to further simplify the process of evaluating borrower-initiated requests for mortgage insurance termination and may reduce our persistency rate in the future.
Our holding company debt obligations materially exceed our holding company cash and investments.
At December 31, 2018, we had approximately $248 million in cash and investments at our holding company and our holding company’s debt obligations were $815 million in aggregate principal amount, consisting of $425 million of 5.75% Senior Notes due in 2023 ("5.75% Notes") and $390 million of 9% Debentures (of which approximately $133 million was purchased, and is held, by MGIC, and is eliminated on the consolidated balance sheet). Annual debt service on the 5.75% Notes and 9% Debentures outstanding as of December 31, 2018, is approximately $60 million (of which approximately $12 million will be paid to MGIC and will be eliminated on the consolidated statement of operations).
The 5.75% Senior Notes and 9% Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries. The payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries which, other than investment income and raising capital in the public markets, is the principal source of our holding company cash inflow, is restricted by insurance regulation. MGIC is the principal source of dividend-paying capacity. In 2018 and 2017, MGIC paid a total of $220 million and $140 million, respectively, in dividends to our holding company. We expect MGIC to continue to pay quarterly dividends of at least the $60 million amount paid in the fourth quarter of 2018, subject to approval by its Board of Directors. We ask the OCI not to object before MGIC pays dividends.
On April 26, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $200 million of our common stock through the end of 2019. During 2018, we repurchased approximately 16.0 million shares of our common stock using approximately $175 million of holding company resources. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time. If any additional capital contributions to our subsidiaries were required, such contributions would decrease our holding company cash and investments. As described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2016, MGIC borrowed $155 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. This is an obligation of MGIC and not of our holding company.


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Your ownership in our company may be diluted by additional capital that we raise or if the holders of our outstanding convertible debt convert that debt into shares of our common stock.
As noted above under our risk factor titled “We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility,” although we are currently in compliance with the requirements of the PMIERs, there can be no assurance that we would not seek to issue non-dilutive debt capital or to raise additional equity capital to manage our capital position under the PMIERs or for other purposes. Any future issuance of equity securities may dilute your ownership interest in our company. In addition, the market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares or similar securities in the market or the perception that such sales could occur.
At December 31, 2018, we had outstanding $390 million principal amount of 9% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due in 2063 ("9% Debentures") (of which approximately $133 million was purchased, and is held, by MGIC, and is eliminated on the consolidated balance sheet). The principal amount of the 9% Debentures is currently convertible, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.0741 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of debentures. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share. We may redeem the 9% Debentures in whole or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 9% Debentures being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds $17.55 for at least 20 of the 30 trading days preceding notice of the redemption.
We have the right, and may elect, to defer interest payable under the debentures in the future. If a holder elects to convert its debentures, the interest that has been deferred on the debentures being converted is also convertible into shares of our common stock. The conversion rate for such deferred interest is based on the average price that our shares traded at during a 5-day period immediately prior to the election to convert the associated debentures. We may elect to pay cash for some or all of the shares issuable upon a conversion of the debentures.
For a discussion of the dilutive effects of our convertible securities on our earnings per share, see Note 4 – “Earnings Per Share” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8. As noted above, during 2018, we repurchased shares of our common stock and may do so in the future. In addition, we have in the past, and may in the future, purchase our debt securities.
 
We could be adversely affected if personal information on consumers that we maintain is improperly disclosed and our information technology systems may become outdated and we may not be able to make timely modifications to support our products and services.
As part of our business, we maintain large amounts of personal information on consumers. While we believe we have appropriate information security policies and systems to prevent unauthorized disclosure, there can be no assurance that unauthorized disclosure, either through the actions of third parties or employees, will not occur. Unauthorized disclosure could adversely affect our reputation, result in a loss of business and expose us to material claims for damages.
We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex information technology systems. All information technology systems are potentially vulnerable to damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including through the actions of third parties. Due to our reliance on our information technology systems, their damage or interruption could severely disrupt our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, business prospects and results of operations.
In addition, we are in the process of upgrading certain of our information systems that have been in place for a number of years and are implementing our loan level pricing system. The implementation of these technological improvements, as well as their integration with customer systems when applicable, is complex, expensive and time consuming. If we fail to timely and successfully implement and integrate the new technology systems, or if the systems do not operate as expected, it could have an adverse impact on our business, business prospects and results of operations.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to manage risks in our investment portfolio.
Our investment portfolio is an important source of revenue and is our primary source of claims paying resources. Although our investment portfolio consists mostly of highly-rated fixed income investments, our investment portfolio is affected by general economic conditions and tax policy, which may adversely affect the markets for credit and interest-rate-sensitive securities, including the extent and timing of investor participation in these markets, the level and volatility of interest rates and credit spreads and, consequently, the value of our fixed income securities, and as such, we may not achieve our investment objectives. Volatility or lack of liquidity in the markets in which we hold securities has at times reduced the market value of some of our investments, and if this worsens substantially it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.


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For the significant portion of our investment portfolio that is held by MGIC, to receive full capital credit under insurance regulatory requirements and under the PMIERs, we generally are limited to investing in investment grade fixed income securities whose yields reflect their lower credit risk profile. Our investment income depends upon the size of the portfolio and its reinvestment at prevailing interest rates. A prolonged period of low investment yields would have an adverse impact on our investment income as would a decrease in the size of the portfolio.
In addition, we structure our investment portfolio to satisfy our expected liabilities, including claim payments in our mortgage insurance business. If we underestimate our liabilities or improperly structure our investments to meet these liabilities, we could have unexpected losses resulting from the forced liquidation of fixed income investments before their maturity, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our financial results may be adversely impacted by natural disasters; certain hurricanes may impact our incurred losses, the amount and timing of paid claims, our inventory of notices of default and our Minimum Required Assets under PMIERs.
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and floods, could trigger an economic downturn in the affected areas, which could result in a decline in our business and an increased claim rate on policies in those areas. Natural disasters could lead to a decrease in home prices in the affected areas, which could result in an increase in claim severity on policies in those areas. If we were to attempt to limit our new insurance written in disaster-prone areas, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere.
Natural disasters could also lead to increased reinsurance rates or reduced availability of reinsurance. This may cause us to retain more risk than we otherwise would retain and could negatively affect our compliance with the financial requirements of the PMIERs.
We insure mortgages for homes in areas that have been impacted by recent natural disasters, including 2017 and 2018 hurricanes. We do not expect those hurricanes to result in a material increase in our incurred losses or paid claims. However, the following factors could cause our actual results to differ from our expectation in the forward looking statement in the preceding sentence:
Home values in hurricane-affected areas may decrease at the time claims are filed from their current levels thereby adversely affecting our ability to mitigate loss.
Hurricane-affected areas may experience deteriorating economic conditions resulting in more borrowers defaulting on their loans in the future (or
 
failing to cure existing defaults) than we currently expect.
If an insured contests our claim denial or curtailment, there can be no assurance we will prevail. We describe how claims under our policy are affected by damage to the borrower’s home in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 14, 2017.
Due to the suspension of certain foreclosures by the GSEs from time-to-time, our receipt of claims associated with foreclosed mortgages in hurricane-affected areas may be delayed.
The PMIERs require us to maintain significantly more "Minimum Required Assets" for delinquent loans than for performing loans; however, the increase in Minimum Required Assets is not as great for certain delinquent loans in areas that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared major disaster areas. An increase in delinquency notices resulting from hurricanes may result in an increase in "Minimum Required Assets" and a decrease in the level of our excess "Available Assets" which is discussed in our risk factor titled "We may not continue to meet the GSEs’ private mortgage insurer eligibility requirements and our returns may decrease as we are required to maintain more capital in order to maintain our eligibility."



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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

Item 2. Properties
At December 31, 2018, we leased office space in various cities throughout the United States under leases expiring between 2019 and 2021 and which required monthly rental payments that in the aggregate are immaterial.

We own our headquarters facility and an additional office/warehouse facility, both located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which contain an aggregate of approximately 310,000 square feet of space.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business may be filed or pending against us from time to time. For information about such legal proceedings, you should review our risk factor titled “We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to the risk of additional legal proceedings in the future” in Item 1A.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.


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Executive Officers of the Registrant
Certain information with respect to our executive officers as of February 22, 2019 is set forth below:
Executive officers of the registrant
 
Name and Age
 
Title
Patrick Sinks, 62
 
President and Chief Executive Officer of MGIC Investment Corporation and MGIC; Director of MGIC Investment Corporation and MGIC
Timothy J. Mattke, 43
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MGIC Investment Corporation and MGIC
James J. Hughes, 56
 
Executive Vice President – Sales and Business Development of MGIC
Stephen C. Mackey, 58
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of MGIC Investment Corporation and MGIC
Paula C. Maggio, 50
 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MGIC Investment Corporation and MGIC
Salvatore A. Miosi, 52
 
Executive Vice President – Business Strategy and Operations of MGIC
Gregory A. Chi, 59
 
Senior Vice President – Information Services and Chief Information Officer of MGIC, until retirement in March 2019
Robert J. Candelmo, 55
 
Vice President – Chief Technology Officer of MGIC until March 2019. Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of MGIC, effective upon Mr. Chi’s retirement in March 2019

Mr. Sinks has served as our Chief Executive Officer since March 2015 and has been our and MGIC’s President since January 2006.  He was Executive Vice President – Field Operations of MGIC from January 2004 to January 2006 and was Senior Vice President – Field Operations of MGIC from July 2002 to January 2004. From March 1985 to July 2002, he held various positions within MGIC’s finance and accounting organization, the last of which was Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Sinks has been a director of MGIC Investment Corporation and MGIC since July 2014.

Mr. Mattke has been the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since March 2014. He served as the Company’s Controller from 2009 through March 2014. He joined the Company in 2006. Prior to his becoming Controller, he was Assistant Controller of MGIC beginning in August 2007 and prior to that was a manager in MGIC’s accounting department.  Before joining MGIC, Mr. Mattke was an audit manager and an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s independent registered accounting firm.

Mr. Hughes has served as Executive Vice President – Sales and Business Development of MGIC since January 2017. He served as Senior Vice President –
 
Sales and Business Development of MGIC from 2015 to January 2017, and Vice President, Managing Director in the sales area from 2001 to 2015. He joined MGIC in 1987 and prior to becoming Vice President, Managing Director, he had been an Account Manager and a Sales Manager.

Mr. Mackey joined MGIC in June 2015 and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since September 2015. Before joining MGIC, Mr. Mackey was with JP Morgan Chase & Company from March 2011 until June 2015, where he held a number of senior leadership positions, including Managing Director, Firmwide Market Risk, Senior Vice President and Risk Management Executive in Mortgage Banking and Senior Vice President and Controller in Mortgage Banking. He has a diverse professional background prior to JP Morgan that includes 13 years with Fannie Mae where he had been a Vice President.

Ms. Maggio joined the Company in July 2018 and has served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since July 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Maggio had been Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Retail Properties of America, Inc. from 2016 to 2018, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (SHR) from 2012 to 2015, and in various other leadership roles with SHR since joining that firm in 2000. Prior to joining SHR, Ms. Maggio had been in private legal practice from 1994-2000.

Mr. Miosi has served as Executive Vice President – Business Strategy and Operations since January 2017. He served as Senior Vice President – Business Strategy and Operations of MGIC from 2015 to January 2017, and Vice President - Marketing from 2004 to 2015. Mr. Miosi joined the company in 1988 and has also held a variety of leadership positions in the operations, technology and marketing divisions.

Mr. Chi joined MGIC in February 2012, has served as MGIC’s Senior Vice President – Information Services and Chief Information Officer since March 2012 and will retire in March 2019. Prior to joining MGIC, Mr. Chi had been Senior Vice President of Enterprise Delivery Services with SunTrust Bank since 2008. Prior to joining SunTrust, Mr. Chi held various senior management positions in the financial services industry.

Mr. Candelmo joined MGIC in October 2014 as its Vice President – Chief Technology Officer and will become its Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer in March 2019, upon the retirement of Mr. Chi. Prior to joining MGIC, Mr. Candelmo had been Senior Vice President of Enterprise Information Services with SunTrust Bank since 2008. Prior to joining SunTrust, Mr. Candelmo had held various other leadership roles within the information technology discipline.



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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a)
Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MTG.”

As of February 15, 2019, the number of shareholders of record was 294. In addition, we estimate there are approximately 46,000 beneficial owners of shares held by brokers and fiduciaries.

Information regarding equity compensation plans is contained in Item 12.

(b)
Not applicable.

(c)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about purchases of MGIC Investment Corporation common stock by us during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
Share repurchases
Period Beginning
 
Period Ending
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
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 program (1)
October 1, 2018
 
October 31, 2018
 
565,061

 
$
11.67

 
565,061

 
$
93,345,524

November 1, 2018
 
November 30, 2018
 
3,739,659

 
$
11.61

 
3,739,659

 
$
49,940,971

December 1, 2018
 
December 31, 2018
 
2,478,919

 
$
10.09

 
2,478,919

 
$
24,940,973

 
 
 
 
6,783,639

 
$
11.06

 
6,783,639

 
 

(1) 
On April 26, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $200 million of common stock through the end of 2019. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 41

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms


Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Summary of operations
 
 
As of and for the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written
 
$
992,262

 
$
997,955

 
$
975,091

 
$
1,020,277

 
$
881,962

Net premiums earned
 
975,162

 
934,747

 
925,226

 
896,222

 
844,371

Investment income, net
 
141,331

 
120,871

 
110,666

 
103,741

 
87,647

Realized investment (losses) gains, net including net impairment losses
 
(1,353
)
 
231

 
8,921

 
28,361

 
1,357

Other revenue
 
8,708

 
10,205

 
17,670

 
12,964

 
9,259

Total revenues
 
1,123,848

 
1,066,054

 
1,062,483

 
1,041,288

 
942,634

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Losses incurred, net
 
36,562

 
53,709

 
240,157

 
343,547

 
496,077

Change in premium deficiency reserve
 

 

 

 
(23,751
)
 
(24,710
)
Underwriting and other expenses
 
190,143

 
170,749

 
160,409

 
164,366

 
146,059

Interest expense
 
52,993

 
57,035

 
56,672

 
68,932

 
69,648

Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 
65

 
90,531

 
507

 
837

Total losses and expenses
 
279,698

 
281,558

 
547,769

 
553,601

 
687,911

Income before tax
 
844,150

 
784,496

 
514,714

 
487,687

 
254,723

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (1)
 
174,053

 
428,735

 
172,197

 
(684,313
)
 
2,774

Net income
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

 
$
1,172,000

 
$
251,949

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
386,078

 
394,766

 
431,992

 
468,039

 
413,547

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted income per share
 
$
1.78

 
$
0.95

 
$
0.86

 
$
2.60

 
$
0.64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet data
Total investments
 
$
5,159,019

 
$
4,990,561

 
$
4,692,350

 
$
4,663,206

 
$
4,612,669

Cash and cash equivalents
 
151,892

 
99,851

 
155,410

 
181,120

 
197,882

Total assets
 
5,677,802

 
5,619,499

 
5,734,529

 
5,868,343

 
5,251,414

Loss reserves
 
674,019

 
985,635

 
1,438,813

 
1,893,402

 
2,396,807

Premium deficiency reserve
 

 

 

 

 
23,751

Short- and long-term debt
 
574,713

 
573,560

 
572,406

 

 
61,883

Convertible senior notes
 

 

 
349,461

 
822,301

 
830,015

Convertible junior subordinated debentures
 
256,872

 
256,872

 
256,872

 
389,522

 
389,522

Shareholders' equity
 
3,581,891

 
3,154,526

 
2,548,842

 
2,236,140

 
1,036,903

Book value per share
 
10.08

 
8.51

 
7.48

 
6.58

 
3.06

(1) 
In 2017, we remeasured our net deferred tax assets at the lower enacted corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act. In 2015 we reversed the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. See Note 12 – "Income Taxes" to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for a discussion of tax matters and their impact on our consolidated financial statements.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 42

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms


Other data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
New primary insurance written ($ millions)
 
$
50,526

 
$
49,123

 
$
47,875

 
$
43,031

 
$
33,439

New primary risk written ($ millions)
 
$
12,657

 
$
12,217

 
$
11,831

 
$
10,824

 
$
8,530

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IIF (at year-end) ($ millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Direct primary IIF
 
$
209,707

 
$
194,941

 
$
182,040

 
$
174,514

 
$
164,919

RIF (at year-end) ($ millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary RIF
 
$
54,063

 
$
50,319

 
$
47,195

 
$
45,462

 
$
42,946

Direct pool RIF
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

With aggregate loss limits
 
228

 
236

 
244

 
271

 
303

Without aggregate loss limits
 
191

 
235

 
303

 
388

 
505

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary loans in default ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Policies in force
 
1,058,292

 
1,023,951

 
998,294

 
992,188

 
968,748

Loans in default
 
32,898

 
46,556

 
50,282

 
62,633

 
79,901

Percentage of loans in default
 
3.11
%
 
4.55
%
 
5.04
%
 
6.31
%
 
8.25
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance operating ratios (GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
 
3.7
%
 
5.7
%
 
26.0
%
 
38.3
%
 
58.8
%
Underwriting Expense ratio
 
18.2
%
 
16.0
%
 
15.3
%
 
14.9
%
 
14.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk-to-capital ratio (statutory)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation
 
9.0:1

 
9.5:1

 
10.7:1

 
12.1:1

 
14.6:1

Combined insurance companies
 
9.8:1

 
10.5:1

 
12.0:1

 
13.6:1

 
16.4:1




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 43

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INTRODUCTION
As used below, “we” and “our” refer to MGIC Investment Corporation’s consolidated operations or to MGIC Investment Corporation, as a separate entity, as the context requires. References to "we" and "our" in the context of debt obligations refer to MGIC Investment Corporation. See the "Glossary of terms and acronyms" for definitions and descriptions of terms used throughout this annual report. The Risk Factors contained in Item 1A discuss trends and uncertainties affecting us and are an integral part of the MD&A.

Forward Looking and Other Statements
As discussed under “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part 1 of this Report, actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by forward looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward looking statements or other statements were made. Therefore, no reader of this document should rely on these statements being current as of any time other than the time at which this document was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
OVERVIEW
This Overview of the MD&A highlights selected information and may not contain all of the information that is important to readers of this Annual Report. Hence, this Overview is qualified by the information that appears elsewhere in this Annual Report, including the other portions of the MD&A.

Through our subsidiary, MGIC, we are a leading provider of PMI in the United States, as measured by $209.7 billion of primary IIF on a consolidated basis at December 31, 2018.
Summary of financial results of MGIC Investment Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Selected statement of operations data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
1,123.8

 
$
1,066.1

 
5
 %
Losses incurred, net
 
36.6

 
53.7

 
(32
)%
Other operating and underwriting expenses, net
 
178.2

 
159.6

 
12
 %
Income before tax
 
844.2

 
784.5

 
8
 %
Provision for income taxes
 
174.1

 
428.7

 
(59
)%
Net income
 
670.1

 
355.8

 
88
 %
Diluted income per share
 
$
1.78

 
$
0.95

 
87
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP Financial Measures (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted pre-tax operating income
 
$
845.5

 
$
784.3

 
8
 %
Adjusted net operating income
 
668.7

 
517.7

 
29
 %
Adjusted net operating income per diluted share
 
$
1.78

 
$
1.36

 
31
 %
(1) 

SUMMARY OF 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Net income of $670.1 million for 2018 increased by $314.3 million when compared to the prior year, and diluted income per share of $1.78 increased by 87% when compared to the prior year. These increases primarily reflect decreases in our provision for income taxes and losses incurred associated with delinquency notices received in the current year, partially offset by a decrease in favorable loss reserve development associated with delinquency notices received in prior


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 44

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

years. Adjusted net operating income of $668.7 million for 2018 (2017: $517.7 million) and adjusted net operating income per diluted share of $1.78 (2017: $1.36) each increased from the prior year primarily for the same reasons.

The decrease in our tax provision reflects the lower corporate income tax rate in 2018 under the Tax Act, the 2017 remeasurement of our deferred tax assets and an additional tax provision recorded in 2017 for the settlement of our IRS litigation, partially offset by the tax associated with a 2018 increase in income before tax.

Losses incurred, net were $36.6 million, down 32% when compared to the prior year. The decrease was driven by a 20% decline in new delinquency notices compared to the prior year, along with a lower estimated claim rate on new notices (approximately 9%, down from approximately 10% in the prior year). The decline in new delinquency notices reflected, in part, that 2017 notices included an elevated level of notices associated with major hurricanes. The estimated claim rate on 2017 notices, excluding those associated with hurricanes, was 10.5%. The decrease in our estimated claim rate on new notices reflects improved cure activity due to the current economic environment. Favorable loss reserve development associated with delinquency notices received in prior years was $167 million and $231 million, in 2018 and 2017, respectively, due to a lower estimated claim rate in each year compared to the prior year-end.

During 2018, MGIC paid $220 million in dividends to our holding company. During 2018, we repurchased approximately 16.0 million shares of our common stock for approximately $175 million.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Economic conditions
Current U.S. economic conditions continue to support favorable housing fundamentals, such as low unemployment, strong consumer confidence, increasing household formations, and appreciating home values. We benefit from favorable housing fundamentals that increase home purchase activity and provide borrowers reliable, or increasing, financial resources.

As a result of the current and expected economic conditions, mortgage interest rates have been higher on average in 2018 compared to 2017. The increase in mortgage interest rates did not materially impact home purchasing activity in 2018. Despite the impact of rising rates on housing affordability, the homeownership rate continued to edge up in 2018. In particular, the homeownership rate of those 35 and younger (which likely includes many first time homebuyers that require mortgage insurance) is indicated to be at levels last seen in 2013. The increase in purchase mortgage originations, and first-time homebuyer activity, resulted
 
in a modest increase in our NIW in 2018 when compared to 2017.

The level of unemployment, interest rates, and home prices may change in the future. For the possible effects of such changes, see our risk factors titled "If the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations declines, the amount of insurance that we write could decline,” “Downturns in the domestic economy or declines in the value of borrowers’ homes from their value at the time their loans closed may result in more homeowners defaulting and our losses increasing, with a corresponding decrease in our returns,” and “Changes in interest rates, house prices or mortgage insurance cancellation requirements may change the length of time that our policies remain in force."

Mortgage lending
These recent years of favorable housing fundamentals and in our view, favorable risk characteristics of insured loans, has provided a favorable credit backdrop for the business we have written in recent years. In that regard, we have experienced a declining delinquent inventory, and lower losses incurred and claims paid. Our most recent book years continue to experience a low level of losses.

Although we generally view the risk characteristics of 2018 insured loans to be favorable, lending standards did ease in 2018. The percentage of our NIW with DTI ratios over 45% increased significantly in 2018 compared to recent years. The increase was primarily driven by adjustments to GSE underwriting guidelines for loans with DTI ratios over 45%. The rising cost of homeownership and a decrease in the percentage of our NIW from refinance transactions also resulted in an increasing percentage of our NIW with LTV ratios over 95%.

Refer to "Mortgage Insurance Portfolio" for additional discussion of changes in our NIW mix during 2018 and our efforts to mitigate our risk from the increase in NIW with DTI ratios over 45%.

Competition
PMI. The private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive and is expected to remain so. We believe that we currently compete with other private mortgage insurers based on premium rates, underwriting requirements, financial strength (including based on credit or financial strength ratings), customer relationships, name recognition, reputation, the strength of our management team and field organization, the ancillary products and services provided to lenders and the effective use of technology and innovation in the delivery and servicing of our mortgage insurance products.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 45

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Pricing practices
Much of the competition in the industry in the last few years has centered on pricing practices which have included: (i) reductions in standard filed rates for borrower-paid mortgage insurance policies ("BPMI"); (ii) use by competitors of a spectrum of filed rates to allow for formulaic, risk-based pricing that may be adjusted more frequently within certain parameters (referred to as "loan level pricing systems"); and (iii) use of customized rates (discounted from standard rates) that are made available to lenders that meet certain criteria.

In response to industry competition, and changing customer preferences, the delivery of premium rates has continued to migrate from standard rate cards, to use of loan level pricing systems; and use of customized rates (discounted from standard rates) that are made available to lenders that meet certain criteria. Loan level pricing systems incorporate more loan attributes than standard rate cards. They are considered more dynamic pricing models that can react faster to changing market conditions, including those conditions that increase or decrease risk, and they assist in managing risk and shaping the insured portfolio. We expect the adoption of mortgage insurers' loan level pricing systems by lenders to continue to increase.

Our pricing approach continues to evolve with the industry. In the first quarter of 2019 we introduced MiQ™, our loan level pricing system. We expect adoption of MiQ™ to increase during 2019 and the pace of adoption will be driven primarily by customer demand.

GSE Risk Share Transactions
In 2018, the GSEs initiated programs with loan level mortgage default coverage provided by various (re)insurers that are not mortgage insurers governed by PMIERs, and that are not selected by the lenders. Due to differences in policy terms, these programs offer premium rates that are generally below prevalent single premium LPMI rates. While we view these programs as competing with traditional private mortgage insurance, we have participated in them and may participate in future GSE or other programs.
The GSEs (and other investors) have also used other forms of credit enhancement that did not involve traditional private mortgage insurance, such as engaging in credit-linked note transactions executed in the capital markets, or using other forms of debt issuances or securitizations that transfer credit risk directly to other investors, including competitors and an affiliate of MGIC; using other risk mitigation techniques in conjunction with reduced levels of private mortgage insurance coverage; or accepting credit risk without credit enhancement.

 
Government programs. PMI also competes against government mortgage insurance programs such as the FHA, VA, and USDA, primarily for lower FICO score business. The market share of primary mortgage insurance written by government programs continued to exceed that written by PMI in 2018, however PMI recaptured share from those programs due in part to a reduction in refinance originations in 2018. Generally, PMI industry share is 3-4 times higher for purchase originations than refinance originations. The increase in the percentage of originations from purchase transactions along with the PMI premium rate reductions, have contributed to a PMI market share at its highest level since the financial crisis.

Refer to "Mortgage Insurance Portfolio" for additional discussion of the 2018 business environment and the impact it had on operating measures including NIW, IIF and RIF.

PMIERs
Since December 31, 2015 we have operated under the requirements of the PMIERs of the GSEs in order to insure loans delivered to or purchased by them. The PMIERs include financial requirements that require an approved mortgage insurer to have Available Assets that meet or exceed its Minimum Required Assets. MGIC's Available Assets under PMIERs totaled $4.8 billion, an excess of $1.4 billion over its Minimum Required Assets at December 31, 2018.

Revised PMIERs were published in September 2018 and will become effective March 31, 2019. See "Revised PMIERs" below for additional information on the changes made to the PMIERs and their impact on MGIC's excess of Available Assets over its Minimum Required Assets.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR 2019
Our outlook for 2019 should be viewed against the backdrop of the business environment discussed above.

NIW
We expect our 2019 NIW to be relatively flat with 2018. Our NIW is affected by total mortgage originations, the percentage of total mortgage originations utilizing private mortgage insurance (the "PMI penetration rate"), and our market share within the PMI industry. As of late January 2019, total mortgage origination forecasts indicate relatively flat origination volume in 2019 compared to 2018, with a slight increase in purchase originations offsetting a decline in refinance originations. We expect the PMI penetration rate to remain strong in part because the PMI industry's share of purchase originations has historically been 3-4 times greater than its share of refinance originations.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 46

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

The widespread use of loan level pricing systems by the PMI industry will make it more difficult to compare our rates to those offered by our competitors. We may not be aware of industry changes until we observe that our volume of NIW has changed and our volume may fluctuate more as a result.

IIF and RIF
Our IIF increased 7.6% in 2018 and we expect our IIF to increase in 2019. Our book of IIF is the main driver of our revenues and earnings, and its growth is driven by our ability to generate NIW and retain existing policies in force, as measured by our persistency. Interest rates influence both our NIW and persistency. In a rising rate environment, total mortgage originations may decline, however, we would also expect policy cancellation rates to decline, and in turn increase persistency, although the impact generally lags the change in interest rates.

Results of operations
Premiums. We believe that in 2019, growth in our earned premiums (on a direct basis) will continue to be slower than the growth of our IIF. Overall, our premium rates have been trending down in recent years, including in 2018, and the affected books of business represent an increasing percentage of our total IIF.

Our 2019 direct premiums written and net premiums earned are expected to be comparable to 2018. Our net premiums earned will be impacted by the decrease in premium rates noted above and by the amount of premiums we cede under our quota share and excess of loss reinsurance transactions. The amount of profit commission we receive, which reduces the amount of premiums we cede, is variable year-to-year and is dependent on the amount of losses ceded. Our profit commission in recent years has benefited from favorable loss reserve development associated with delinquency notices received in prior years. Further, 2019 will include a full year of premiums ceded under our excess of loss reinsurance transaction that went into effect in the fourth quarter of 2018. The actual amount of premiums we cede in 2019 will also be affected by any changes in the structure of our reinsurance coverage, such as termination of existing quota share reinsurance or additional excess of loss coverage.

Factors that affect the amount of premiums we earn from our IIF are further discussed in our "Consolidated Results of Operations - Premium yield."

Investment income. Net investment income is a material contributor to our results of operations. We expect an increase in our net investment income in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to an increase in our invested assets. The amount of investment income will also be impacted by the yield we can earn on investments.

 
Losses. We expect 2019 losses incurred with respect to delinquency notices received in 2019 to be lower than the comparable amount for 2018 as we expect to receive fewer new delinquency notices in 2019. Overall, however, 2019 losses incurred, net are expected to increase compared to 2018 if we experience no favorable loss reserve development associated with delinquency notices received in prior years.

Income taxes. We expect our 2019 effective tax rate to be approximately 21%.

Revised PMIERs
The primary change included in the financial requirements of the revised PMIERs published in September 2018 and effective March 31, 2019, is the elimination of any credit for future premiums that had previously been allowed for certain insurance policies. As a result, upon their effectiveness, MGIC's excess of Available Assets over its Minimum Required Assets will decrease. See "GSEs" below for the expected impact of the revised PMIERs.

CAPITAL
Share repurchase program
On April 26, 2018, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $200 million of our common stock through the end of 2019. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time. During 2018, we utilized approximately $175 million (of which $12 million settled in January 2019) of cash at our holding company to repurchase approximately 16.0 million shares of our common stock.

GSEs
We must comply with the PMIERs to be eligible to insure loans delivered to or purchased by the GSEs. The PMIERs include financial requirements, as well as business, quality control and certain transaction approval requirements. The financial requirements of the PMIERs require a mortgage insurer’s “Available Assets” (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) to equal or exceed its “Minimum Required Assets” (which are based on an insurer’s book of insurance in force and are calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and are subject to a floor amount).

Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, as of December 31, 2018, MGIC’s Available Assets totaled $4.8 billion, or $1.4 billion in excess of its Minimum Required Assets. If the revised PMIERs discussed above had been effective as of December 31, 2018, we estimate that MGIC’s pro forma excess of Available Assets over Minimum Required Assets would have been approximately $1 billion.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 47

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

If MGIC ceases to be eligible to insure loans purchased by one or both of the GSEs, it would significantly reduce the volume of our new business writings. Factors that may negatively impact MGIC’s ability to continue to comply with the financial requirements of the PMIERs include the following:
è
The GSEs may amend the PMIERs at any time and may make the PMIERs more onerous in the future. In June 2018, the FHFA issued a proposed rule on regulatory capital requirements for the GSEs ("Enterprise Capital Requirements"), which included a framework for determining the capital relief allowed to the GSEs for loans with PMI. The GSEs have indicated that there may be potential future implications for PMIERs based upon feedback the FHFA receives on its proposed rule on Enterprise Capital Requirements (public comments were due by November 16, 2018). In addition, the PMIERs provide that the factors that determine Minimum Required Assets will be updated every two years and may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions or loan performance. The GSEs have indicated that they will generally provide notice 180 days prior to the effective date of such updates.
è
Our future operating results may be negatively impacted by the matters discussed in our risk factors. Such matters could decrease our revenues, increase our losses or require the use of assets, thereby creating a shortfall in Available Assets.
è
Should capital be needed by MGIC in the future, capital contributions from our holding company may not be available due to competing demands on holding company resources, including for repayment of debt.

While on an overall basis, the amount of Available Assets MGIC must hold in order to continue to insure GSE loans is greater under the PMIERs than what state regulation currently requires, our reinsurance transactions mitigate the negative effect of the PMIERs on our returns.

State Regulations
The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to its RIF (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk. Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires an MPP.
 
At December 31, 2018, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 9.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements, and its policyholder position was $2.6 billion above the required MPP of $1.3 billion. Our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP reflect full credit for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance transactions, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, you should read our risk factors for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.
At December 31, 2018, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes a reinsurance affiliate) was 9.8 to 1. Reinsurance transactions with our affiliate permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.
The NAIC plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. A working group of state regulators has been considering since 2016 a risk-based capital framework to establish capital requirements for mortgage insurers, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to the capital requirements and certain items have not yet been completely addressed by the framework, including the treatment of ceded risk, minimum capital floors, and action level triggers. Currently we believe that the PMIERs contain the more restrictive capital requirements in most circumstances.

GSE REFORM
The FHFA has been the conservator of the GSEs since 2008 and has the authority to control and direct their operations. The increased role that the federal government has assumed in the residential housing finance system through the GSE conservatorship may increase the likelihood that the business practices of the GSEs change, including through administrative action, in ways that have a material adverse effect on us and that the charters of the GSEs are changed by new federal legislation. In the past, members of Congress have introduced several bills intended to change the business practices of the GSEs and the FHA; however, no legislation has been enacted.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 48

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

The Administration issued a June 2018 report indicating that the conservatorship of the GSEs should end and that the GSEs should transition to fully private entities, competing on a level playing field with private issuers of MBS (such issuers, collectively with the GSEs, referred to in the report as the "guarantors"). The report further indicated that a federal entity should regulate the guarantors, including their capital adequacy, and that guarantors should have access to an explicit federal guarantee on the MBS that is exposed only after substantial losses are incurred by the private market, including the guarantors. The report also indicated that a fee on the outstanding volume of MBS would be transferred to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (of which the FHA is a part) to be used for affordable housing purposes. As a result of the matters referred to above, it is uncertain what role the GSEs, FHA and private capital, including private mortgage insurance, will play in the residential housing finance system in the future. The timing and impact on our business of any resulting changes is uncertain. Most meaningful changes would require Congressional action to implement and it is difficult to estimate when Congressional action would be final and how long any associated phase-in period may last.

For additional information about the business practices of the GSEs, see our risk factor titled “Changes in the business practices of the GSEs, federal legislation that changes their charters or a restructuring of the GSEs could reduce our revenues or increase our losses” in Item 1A.

LOAN MODIFICATIONS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAMS
The federal government, including through the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the GSEs, and several lenders have modification and refinance programs to make outstanding loans more affordable to borrowers with the goal of reducing the number of foreclosures. These programs included HAMP, which expired at the end of 2016, and HARP, which expired at the end of 2018. The GSEs have introduced other loan modifications programs to replace HAMP and HARP.

From 2008 through 2012, we were notified of modifications that cured delinquencies that, had they become paid claims, would have resulted in a material increase in our incurred losses. Nearly all of the reported loan modifications were for loans insured in 2009 and prior.

We cannot determine the total benefit we may derive from loan modification programs, particularly given the uncertainty around the re-default rates for defaulted loans that have been modified. Our loss reserves do not account for potential re-defaults of current loans.

 
The following table shows the percentage of our primary RIF that has been modified as of December 31, 2018.
Modifications
 
 
 
 
 
Policy Year
 
HARP (1)
Modifications
 
HAMP & Other Modifications
2003 and Prior
 
10.5%
 
45.1%
2004
 
18.1%
 
48.3%
2005
 
25.6%
 
46.5%
2006
 
28.7%
 
43.3%
2007
 
40.5%
 
33.3%
2008
 
56.7%
 
20.5%
2009
 
42.5%
 
7.6%
2010 - 2018
 
—%
 
0.5%
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
6.2%
 
6.4%
(1) 
Includes proprietary programs that are substantially the same as HARP.

Approximately 12.6% of our total primary RIF has been modified as of December 31, 2018. Based on loan count at December 31, 2018, the loans associated with 97.6% of all HARP modifications and 79.6% of HAMP and other modifications were current.

FACTORS AFFECTING OUR RESULTS
Our results of operations are affected by:

Premiums written and earned
Premiums written and earned in a year are influenced by:
NIW, which increases IIF. Many factors affect NIW, including the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations and competition to provide credit enhancement on those mortgages from the FHA, the VA, other mortgage insurers, GSE programs that may reduce or eliminate the demand for mortgage insurance and other alternatives to mortgage insurance. NIW does not include loans previously insured by us that are modified, such as loans modified under HARP.

Cancellations, which reduce IIF. Cancellations due to refinancings are affected by the level of current mortgage interest rates compared to the mortgage coupon rates throughout the in force book, current home values compared to values when the loans in the in force book were insured and the terms on which mortgage credit is available. Home price appreciation can give homeowners the right to cancel mortgage insurance on their loans if sufficient home equity is achieved. Cancellations also result from policy rescissions, which require us to return any premiums received on the rescinded policies, and claim payments, which require us to return any premium received on the related policies from the date of default on the insured loans.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 49

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Cancellations of single premium policies, which are generally non-refundable, result in immediate recognition of any remaining unearned premium.

Premium rates, which are affected by product type, competitive pressures, the risk characteristics of the insured loans and the percentage of coverage on the insured loans. The substantial majority of our monthly and annual mortgage insurance premiums are under premium plans for which, for the first ten years of the policy, the amount of premium is determined by multiplying the initial premium rate by the original loan balance; thereafter, the premium rate resets to a lower rate used for the remaining life of the policy. However, for loans that have utilized HARP, the initial ten-year period resets as of the date of the HARP transaction. The remainder of our monthly and annual premiums are under premium plans for which premiums are determined by a fixed percentage of the loan’s amortizing balance over the life of the policy.

Premiums ceded, net of a profit commission, under our quota share reinsurance transactions, and premiums ceded under our excess of loss reinsurance transaction. See Note 9 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our reinsurance transactions.

Premiums earned are generated by the insurance that is in force during all or a portion of the period. A change in the average IIF in the current period compared to an earlier period is a factor that will increase (when the average in force is higher) or reduce (when it is lower) premiums earned in the current period, although this effect may be enhanced (or mitigated) by differences in the average premium rates between the two periods, as well as by premiums that are returned or expected to be returned in connection with claim payments and rescissions, and premiums ceded under reinsurance transactions. Also, NIW and cancellations during a period will generally have a greater effect on premiums earned in subsequent periods than in the period in which these events occur.

Investment income
Our investment portfolio is composed principally of investment grade fixed income securities. The principal factors that influence investment income are the size of the portfolio and its yield. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of the investment portfolio is mainly a function of cash generated from (or used in) operations, such as NPW, investment income, net claim payments and expenses, and cash provided by (or used for) non-operating activities, such as debt or stock issuances or repurchases.
 
Losses incurred
Losses incurred are the current expense that reflects estimated payments that will ultimately be made as a result of delinquencies on insured loans. As explained under “Critical Accounting Policies” below, we recognize an estimate of this expense only for delinquent loans. The level of new delinquencies has historically followed a seasonal pattern, with new delinquencies in the first part of the year lower than new delinquencies in the latter part of the year, though this pattern can be affected by the state of the economy and local housing markets. Losses incurred are generally affected by:

The state of the economy, including unemployment and housing values, each of which affects the likelihood that loans will become delinquent and whether loans that are delinquent cure their delinquency.

The product mix of the in force book, with loans having higher risk characteristics generally resulting in higher delinquencies and claims.

The size of loans insured, with higher average loan amounts tending to increase losses incurred.

The percentage of coverage on insured loans, with deeper average coverage tending to increase incurred losses.

The rate at which we rescind policies or curtail claims. Our estimated loss reserves incorporate our estimates of future rescissions of policies and curtailments of claims, and reversals of rescissions and curtailments. We collectively refer to such rescissions and denials as “rescissions” and variations of this term. We call reductions to claims "curtailments."

The distribution of claims over the life of a book. Historically, the first few years after loans are originated are a period of relatively low claims, with claims increasing substantially for several years subsequent and then declining, although persistency, the condition of the economy, including unemployment and housing prices, and other factors can affect this pattern. For example, a weak economy or housing value declines can lead to claims from older books increasing, continuing at stable levels or experiencing a lower rate of decline. See further information under “Mortgage insurance earnings and cash flow cycle” below.

Losses ceded under reinsurance agreements. See Note 9 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our reinsurance agreements.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 50

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Underwriting and other expenses
Underwriting and other expenses includes items such as employee compensation, fees for professional services, depreciation and maintenance expense, and premium taxes, and are reported net of ceding commissions associated with our reinsurance agreements. Employee compensation expenses are variable due to share-based compensation, changes in benefits, and headcount (which can fluctuate due to volume).See Note 9 – “Reinsurance” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our reinsurance agreements.

Interest expense
Interest expense reflects the interest associated with our outstanding debt obligations and credit facility discussed in Note 7 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Other
Certain activities that we do not consider being part of our fundamental operating activities may also impact our results of operations and are described below.

Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed income securities. Realized investment gains and losses are a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of a fixed income security and the fixed income security’s cost basis, as well as any “other than temporary” impairments (“OTTI”) recognized in earnings. The amount received on the sale of fixed income securities is affected by the coupon rate of the security compared to the yield of comparable securities at the time of sale.

Equity securities. Effective January 1, 2018, realized investment gains and losses are accounted for as a function of the periodic change in fair value. For 2017 and 2016, realized investment gains and losses were accounted for as a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of an equity security and the equity security’s cost basis, as well as any OTTI recognized in earnings.

Loss on debt extinguishment
At times, we may undertake activities to enhance our capital position, improve our debt profile and/or reduce potential dilution from our outstanding convertible debt. Extinguishing our outstanding debt obligations early through these discretionary activities may result in losses primarily driven by the payment of consideration in excess of our carrying value.

Refer to “Explanation and reconciliation of our use of Non-GAAP financial measuresbelow to understand how these items impact our evaluation of our core financial performance.

 
MORTGAGE INSURANCE EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW CYCLE
In general, the majority of any underwriting profit that a book generates occurs in the early years of the book, with the largest portion of any underwriting profit realized in the first year following the year the book was written. Subsequent years of a book may result in either underwriting profit or underwriting losses. This pattern of results typically occurs because relatively few of the claims that a book will ultimately experience typically occur in the first few years of the book, when premium revenue is highest, while subsequent years are affected by declining premium revenues, as the number of insured loans decreases (primarily due to loan prepayments) and increasing losses. The typical pattern is also a function of premium rates generally resetting to lower levels after ten years.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 51

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

EXPLANATION AND RECONCILIATION OF OUR USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We believe that use of the Non-GAAP measures of adjusted pre-tax operating income (loss), adjusted net operating income (loss) and adjusted net operating income (loss) per diluted share facilitate the evaluation of the company's core financial performance thereby providing relevant information to investors. These measures are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to GAAP measures of performance. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. Therefore, their measures may not be comparable to those used by us.

Adjusted pre-tax operating income (loss) is defined as GAAP income (loss) before tax, excluding the effects of net realized investment gains (losses), gain (loss) on debt extinguishment, net impairment losses recognized in income (loss) and infrequent or unusual non-operating items, where applicable.
    
Adjusted net operating income (loss) is defined as GAAP net income (loss) excluding the after-tax effects of net realized investment gains (losses), gain (loss) on debt extinguishment, net impairment losses recognized in income (loss), and infrequent or unusual non-operating items, where applicable, which include the effects of changes in our deferred tax valuation allowance. The amounts of adjustments to components of pre-tax operating income (loss) are tax effected using a federal statutory income tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016.
    
Adjusted net operating income (loss) per diluted share is calculated in a manner consistent with the accounting standard regarding earnings per share, by dividing (i) adjusted net operating income (loss) after making adjustments for interest expense on convertible debt, whenever the impact is dilutive, by (ii) diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, which reflects share dilution from unvested restricted stock units and from convertible debt when dilutive under the "if-converted" method.

 
Although adjusted pre-tax operating income (loss) and adjusted net operating income (loss) exclude certain items that have occurred in the past and are expected to occur in the future, the excluded items represent items that are: (1) not viewed as part of the operating performance of our primary activities; or (2) impacted by both discretionary and other economic or regulatory factors and are not necessarily indicative of operating trends, or both. These excluded items, along with the reasons for their treatment, are described below. Trends in the profitability of our fundamental operating activities can be more clearly identified without the fluctuations of these excluded items.

(1)
Net realized investment gains (losses). The recognition of net realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly across periods as the timing of individual securities sales is highly discretionary and is influenced by such factors as market opportunities, our tax and capital profile, and overall market cycles.
(2)
Gains and losses on debt extinguishment. Gains and losses on debt extinguishment result from discretionary activities that are undertaken to enhance our capital position, improve our debt profile, and/or reduce potential dilution from our outstanding convertible debt.
(3)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings. The recognition of net impairment losses on investments can vary significantly in both size and timing, depending on market credit cycles, individual issuer performance, and general economic conditions.
(4)
Infrequent or unusual non-operating items. Our income tax expense for 2017 reflects the remeasurement of our net deferred tax assets to reflect the lower corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act. Our 2018, 2017 and 2016 income tax expense also includes amounts related to our IRS dispute and is related to past transactions which are non-recurring in nature and are not part of our primary operating activities.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 52

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Non-GAAP reconciliations
 
Reconciliation of Income before tax / Net income to Adjusted pre-tax operating income / Adjusted net operating income:
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
(in thousands)
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax Effect
 
Net
(after-tax)
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax Effect
 
Net
(after-tax)
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax Effect
 
Net
(after-tax)
Income before tax / Net income
 
$
844,150

 
$
174,053

 
$
670,097

 
784,496

 
428,735

 
355,761

 
514,714

 
172,197

 
342,517

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional income tax (provision) related to the rate decrease included in the Tax Act
 

 

 

 

 
(132,999
)
 
132,999

 

 

 

Additional income tax benefit (provision) related to IRS litigation
 

 
2,462

 
(2,462
)
 

 
(29,039
)
 
29,039

 

 
(731
)
 
731

Net realized investment losses (gains)
 
1,353

 
284

 
1,069

 
(231
)
 
(81
)
 
(150
)
 
(8,921
)
 
(3,122
)
 
(5,799
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 

 

 
65

 
23

 
42

 
90,531

 
31,686

 
58,845

Adjusted pre-tax operating income / Adjusted net operating income
 
$
845,503

 
$
176,799

 
$
668,704

 
$
784,330

 
$
266,639

 
$
517,691

 
$
596,324

 
$
200,030

 
$
396,294

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Net income per diluted share to Adjusted net operating income per diluted share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
386,078

 
 
 
 
 
394,766

 
 
 
 
 
431,992

Net income per diluted share
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.78

 
 
 
 
 
$
0.95

 
 
 
 
 
$
0.86

Additional income tax (provision) related to the rate decrease included in the Tax Act
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
0.34

 
 
 
 
 

Additional income tax (benefit) provision related to IRS litigation
 
 
 
 
 
(0.01
)
 
 
 
 
 
0.07

 
 
 
 
 

Net realized investment losses (gains)
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
(0.01
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
0.14

Adjusted net operating income per diluted share (1)
 
 
 
 
 
$
1.78

 
 
 
 
 
$
1.36

 
 
 
 
 
$
0.99


(1) 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018, the Reconciliation of Net income per diluted share to Adjusted net operating income per diluted share does not foot due to rounding of the adjustments.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 53

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

MORTGAGE INSURANCE PORTFOLIO

MORTGAGE ORIGINATIONS
The primary mortgage insurance market is affected by total mortgage originations and PMI's market share. Total originations are estimated to have declined in 2018, due to lower refinance originations, offset only in part by higher purchase originations. Refinance originations fell as a result of higher mortgage interest rates on average; while continued solid housing fundamentals, such as household formations, low unemployment, and attractive mortgage rates supported the increase in purchase originations. Total mortgage originations in 2019 are forecast to be similar to 2018 estimated levels, with a continued decline in refinance originations offset by an increase in purchase originations. We expect PMI's market share to remain strong in part because the PMI industry's share of purchase originations has historically been 3-4 times higher than its share of refinance originations. Competition from government mortgage insurance programs and GSE alternative risk share transactions will also continue to impact the PMI's market share. In consideration of these factors, and our market share within the PMI industry, our 2019 NIW is expected to be relatively flat with that of 2018.
https://cdn.kscope.io/80466c106cf0abcc619682f0e2e68961-mtg-mortgageoriginations.jpg
E - Estimated, F- Forecast
Source: GSEs and MBA estimates/forecasts as of January 2019. Amounts represent the average of all sources.
Estimated total of PMI, FHA, USDA, and VA primary mortgage insurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in billions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Primary mortgage insurance
 
$675
 
$701
 
$748
Source: Inside Mortgage Finance - February 15, 2019 or SEC filings. Includes HARP NIW.

 
MORTGAGE INSURANCE INDUSTRY
We compete against five other private mortgage insurers, as well as government mortgage insurance programs, including those offered by the FHA, VA, and USDA. Refer to "Overview - Business Environment - Competition" for a discussion of our competitive position.

The PMI industry increased its share of the primary mortgage insurance market in 2018 and 2017, each when compared to the respective prior year. PMI's share increased primarily due to a higher percentage of purchase originations; an increase in 97% LTV loan offerings from lenders that sell loans to the GSEs, which provided an alternative to similar FHA loan programs for qualified borrowers; and PMI premium rate reductions in recent periods, which increases PMI's competitiveness compared to government programs.
Estimated primary MI market share
 
 
 
 
(% of total primary MI volume)
2018
2017
2016
PMI
43.2%
38.6%
36.1%
FHA
29.9%
33.9%
34.2%
VA
24.4%
24.7%
27.2%
USDA
2.5%
2.8%
2.5%
Source: Inside Mortgage Finance - February 15, 2019. Includes HARP NIW.

Our estimated market share within the PMI industry declined in 2018 when compared to 2017, due to the competitive dynamics in the industry, including, but not limited to, the migration to a more dynamic pricing approach across the industry. For additional discussion of the competitive landscape of the industry refer to "Overview - Business Environment - Competition."
Estimated MGIC market share
 
 
 
 
(% of total primary private MI volume)
2018
2017
2016
MGIC
17.4%
18.3%
17.9%
Source: Inside Mortgage Finance - February 15, 2019 or SEC filings. Excludes HARP NIW.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 54

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

NEW INSURANCE WRITTEN
NIW for 2018 continued to have what we believe are favorable risk characteristics. The following tables provide information about characteristics of our NIW.
Primary NIW by FICO score
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(% of primary NIW)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
760 and greater
 
42.2
%
 
41.8
%
 
43.0
%
740 - 759
 
17.1
%
 
16.8
%
 
16.1
%
720 - 739
 
14.5
%
 
14.1
%
 
14.1
%
700 - 719
 
11.9
%
 
11.9
%
 
11.4
%
680 - 699
 
7.2
%
 
8.1
%
 
8.4
%
660 - 679
 
3.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
3.9
%
640 - 659
 
2.3
%
 
2.3
%
 
2.2
%
639 and less
 
1.0
%
 
1.0
%
 
1.0
%
Total
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Primary NIW by loan-to-value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(% of primary NIW)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
95.01% and above
 
16.0
%
 
10.7
%
 
5.8
%
90.01% to 95.00%
 
43.3
%
 
46.5
%
 
47.8
%
85.01% to 90.00%
 
28.7
%
 
29.5
%
 
31.7
%
80.01% to 85%
 
12.0
%
 
13.3
%
 
14.7
%

An increase in the percentage of purchase originations, discussed above, an increase in 97% LTV programs offered by lenders, and home price appreciation, have increased the percentage of our NIW with LTV ratios greater than 95% in 2018 compared to 2017.
Primary NIW by debt-to-income ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(% of primary NIW)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
45.01% and above
 
19.6
%
 
10.4
%
 
4.9
%
38.01% to 45.00%
 
33.1
%
 
35.8
%
 
35.3
%
38.00% and below
 
47.3
%
 
53.8
%
 
59.8
%

In 2018, the percentage of our NIW with DTI ratios over 45% was 20%, up significantly from 10% in 2017. The increase was primarily driven by adjustments to GSE underwriting guidelines for loans with DTI ratios over 45%. Under our 2018 QSR Transaction, we may cede risk for loans insured with DTI ratios below 50%; however, the amount of risk we may cede for loans insured with DTI ratios over 45% in any quarter is limited to a percentage of all risk written that is materially below the percentage of our risk written in 2018 associated with loans with DTI ratios over 45%.

 
To mitigate our risk from the increase in NIW written on loans with DTI ratios over 45%, effective in March 2018 we changed our underwriting guidelines to generally require such loans to have a FICO score of at least 700. Further, effective in July 2018, we added risk-based adjustments to our premium rates for loans with DTI ratios greater than 45%. We are continuing to monitor our exposure to such loans and may take further action.
Primary NIW by policy payment type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(% of primary NIW)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Monthly premiums
 
83.0
%
 
80.8
%
 
80.6
%
Single premiums
 
16.8
%
 
19.0
%
 
19.1
%
Annual Premiums
 
0.2
%
 
0.2
%
 
0.3
%
Primary NIW by type of mortgage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(% of primary NIW)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Purchases
 
93.2
%
 
88.6
%
 
80.4
%
Refinances
 
6.8
%
 
11.4
%
 
19.6
%

IIF AND RIF
Our IIF grew 7.6% in 2018, compared to growth of 7.1% in 2017, as NIW more than offset policy cancellations. Cancellations are primarily due to refinances, but also result from rescissions, claim payments, and policy cancellations when borrowers achieve the required amount of home equity. Refinancing activity has historically been affected by the level of mortgage interest rates and the level of home price appreciation. Cancellations generally move inversely to the change in the direction of interest rates, although they generally lag a change in direction.

Persistency. Our persistency at December 31, 2018 was 81.7% compared to 80.1% at December 31, 2017. Since 2000, our year-end persistency ranged from a high of 84.7% at December 31, 2009 to a low of 47.1% at December 31, 2003.
Insurance in force and risk in force
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
($ in billions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
NIW
 
$
50.5

 
$
49.1

 
$
47.9

Cancellations
 
(35.7
)
 
(36.2
)
 
(40.4
)
Increase in primary IIF
 
$
14.8

 
$
12.9

 
$
7.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary IIF as of December 31,
 
$
209.7

 
$
194.9

 
$
182.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct primary RIF as of December 31,
 
$
54.1

 
$
50.3

 
$
47.2




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 55

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

CREDIT PROFILE OF OUR PRIMARY RIF
The proportion of our total primary RIF written after 2008 has been steadily increasing in proportion to our total primary RIF. Our 2009 and later books possess significantly improved risk characteristics when compared to our 2005-2008 origination years. The credit profile of our pre-2009 RIF has benefited from modification programs such as HARP. HARP allowed borrowers who were not delinquent, but who may not otherwise have been able to refinance their loans under the current GSE underwriting standards due to, for example, the current LTV exceeding 100%, to refinance and lower their note rate. Loans associated with 97.6% of all our HARP modifications were current as of December 31, 2018. The aggregate of our 2009-2018 books and our HARP modifications accounted for approximately 89% of our total primary RIF at December 31, 2018.

The composition of our primary RIF as of December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is shown below.
Primary risk in force
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
($ in millions)
 
RIF
% of RIF
 
RIF
% of RIF
 
RIF
% of RIF
2009+
 
$
45,083

83
%
 
$
39,248

78
%
 
$
33,368

71
%
2005 - 2008 (HARP)
 
3,109

5
%
 
3,773

7
%
 
4,489

9
%
Other years (HARP)
 
229

1
%
 
308

1
%
 
396

1
%
Subtotal
 
48,421

89
%
 
43,329

86
%
 
38,253

81
%
2005-2008 (Non-HARP)
 
4,796

9
%
 
5,894

12
%
 
7,467

16
%
Other years (Non-HARP)
 
846

2
%
 
1,095

2
%
 
1,475

3
%
Subtotal
 
5,642

11
%
 
6,989

14
%
 
8,942

19
%
Total Primary RIF
 
$
54,063

100
%
 
$
50,318

100
%
 
$
47,195

100
%

POOL AND OTHER INSURANCE
MGIC has written no new pool insurance since 2008, however, for a variety of reasons, including responding to capital market alternatives to private mortgage insurance and customer demands, MGIC may write pool risk in the future. Our direct pool RIF was $419 million ($228 million on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $191 million on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at December 31, 2018 compared to $471 million ($236 million on pool policies with aggregate loss limits and $235 million on pool policies without aggregate loss limits) at December 31, 2017. If claim payments associated with a specific pool reach the aggregate loss limit, the remaining IIF within the pool would be cancelled and any remaining defaults under the pool would be removed from our default inventory.

In connection with the GSEs' credit risk transfer programs, an insurance subsidiary of MGIC provides insurance and reinsurance covering portions of the credit risk related to certain reference pools of mortgages acquired by the GSEs. Our RIF, as reported to us, related to these programs was approximately $53 million as of December 31, 2018.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 56

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following section of the MD&A provides a comparative discussion of our Consolidated Results of Operations for the three-year period ended December 31, 2018. For a discussion of the Critical Accounting Policies used by us that affect the Consolidated Results of Operations, see "Critical Accounting Policies" below.

Revenues
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net premiums written
 
$
992.3

 
$
998.0

 
$
975.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
 
$
975.2

 
$
934.7

 
$
925.2

Investment income, net of expenses
 
141.3

 
120.9

 
110.7

Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(1.4
)
 
0.2

 
8.9

Other revenue
 
8.7

 
10.2

 
17.7

Total revenues
 
$
1,123.8

 
$
1,066.0

 
$
1,062.5


NET PREMIUMS WRITTEN AND EARNED
2018 compared to 2017. NPW was relatively flat compared to the prior year. NPE increased 4% compared to the prior year primarily due to lower ceded premiums, net, as the increase in profit commission more than offset the increase in gross ceded premiums. The profit commission increased due to a decrease in ceded losses. The increase in NPE also reflects an increase in our IIF compared to the prior year, however this impact is being offset in part by a lower premium yield.

2017 compared to 2016. NPW increased 2% from the prior year, due to an increase in our average IIF, a decline in premium refunds and lower ceded premiums, net as the increase in profit commission more than offset the increase in gross ceded premiums. Premium refunds declined due to lower claim activity and our profit commission increased due a decrease in ceded losses. NPE increased slightly from the prior year due to the decline in premium refunds and lower ceded premiums, net, which offset lower earned premiums from our IIF during the year as our premium yield decreased.



 
Premium yield
Premium yield is NPE divided by average IIF during the year and is influenced by a number of key drivers, which have a varying impact from period to period. The following table reconciles the change in our premium yield for the years ended 2018 and 2017 from the respective prior years.
Premium yield
 
 
 
 
 
(In basis points)
 
2018
 
2017
Premium yield - prior year
 
49.6

 
51.9

Reconciliation:
 
 
 
 
Change in premium rates
 
(2.8
)
 
(3.8
)
Change in premium refunds and accruals
 
0.6

 
1.3

Single premium policy persistency
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.6
)
Reinsurance
 
1.2

 
0.8

Premium yield - end of year
 
48.2

 
49.6


The declines in our premium yield in each of 2018 and 2017 compared to the respective prior years reflect:
Negative drivers:
è
A larger percentage of our IIF from book years with lower premium rates due to a decline in premium rates in recent years resulting from insuring mortgages with lower risk characteristics and pricing competition, and certain policies undergoing premium rate resets on their ten-year anniversaries, and
è
lower amounts of accelerated earned premium from cancellations on single premium policies prior to their estimated policy life, primarily due to less refinancing activity.
 
 
Positive drivers:
è
less of an adverse impact from our reinsurance due to lower ceded losses, which resulted in a higher profit commission, and
è
less of an adverse impact from premium refunds primarily due to lower claim activity.

We expect our premium yield to further decline in 2019, primarily due to lower average premium rates on our IIF.

See "Overview – Factors Affecting Our Results" above for additional factors that also influence the amount of net premiums written and earned in a year. Our reinsurance affects premiums, underwriting expenses and losses incurred and should be analyzed by reviewing its total effect on our statements of operations, as discussed below under “Reinsurance agreements.”




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 57

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS
Quota share reinsurance
Our quota share reinsurance affects various lines of our statements of operations and therefore we believe it should be analyzed by reviewing its effect on our pre-tax net income, as described below.
è
We cede a fixed percentage of premiums earned and received on insurance covered by the transactions.
è
We receive the benefit of a profit commission through a reduction in the premiums we cede. The profit commission varies directly and inversely with the level of losses on a "dollar for dollar" basis and is eliminated at levels of losses that we do not expect to occur. This means that lower levels of losses result in a higher profit commission and less benefit from ceded losses; higher levels of losses result in more benefit from ceded losses and a lower profit commission (or for levels of losses we do not expect, its elimination).
è
We receive the benefit of a ceding commission through a reduction in underwriting expenses equal to 20% of premiums ceded (before the effect of the profit commission).
è
We cede a fixed percentage of losses incurred on insurance covered by the transactions.

The blended pre-tax cost of reinsurance under our different quota share transactions is less than 6% (but will decrease if losses are materially higher than we expect). This blended pre-tax cost is derived by dividing the reduction in our pre-tax net income on loans covered by reinsurance by our direct (that is, without reinsurance) premiums from such loans. Although the pre-tax cost of the reinsurance under each transaction is generally constant, the effect of the quota share reinsurance on the various components of pre-tax income discussed above will vary from period to period, depending on the level of ceded losses.

Covered Risk
The amount of our NIW (and, consequently, our NIW) subject to our QSR transactions as shown in the following table will vary from period to period in part due to coverage limits that may be triggered depending on the mix of our risk written during the period.

The percentage of our 2018 NIW covered by our 2018 QSR Transaction decreased when compared to the percentage of 2017 and 2016 NIW covered by our 2017 QSR Transaction and 2015 QSR Transaction, respectively, primarily due to the following factors.
2018 compared to 2017:
è
The 2018 transaction excluded loans with LTV ratios of 85% and below.
è
Despite the 2018 transaction's increased coverage limit for risk written on loans with (1) LTV ratios of 95% and greater, and (2) DTI ratios greater than 45%, the risk written in 2018 exceeded these coverage limits.

 
2017 compared to 2016:
è
The 2017 transaction excluded loans with amortization terms equal to or less than 20 years.
è
Despite the 2017 transaction allowing some risk written on loans with DTI ratios greater than 45%; the percentage of such risk written in 2017 exceeded the coverage limit.

2019 QSR Transaction. The transaction covering our 2019 NIW will include increased coverage limits for risk written on loans with LTV ratios of 95% or greater and loans with DTI ratios greater than 45%, each when compared to our 2018 QSR Transaction.

The following table provides information related to our quota share reinsurance agreements for 2018, 2017, and 2016.
Quota share reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
NIW subject to QSR Transactions
 
75.1
%
 
84.0
%
 
89.2
%
IIF subject to QSR Transactions
 
77.5
%
 
78.0
%
 
76.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of operations:
Ceded premiums written and earned, net of profit commission
 
$
108,337

 
$
120,974

 
$
125,460

% of direct premiums written
 
10
%
 
11
%
 
11
%
% of direct premiums earned
 
10
%
 
11
%
 
12
%
Profit commission
 
$
147,667

 
$
125,629

 
$
112,685

Ceding commissions
$
51,201

 
$
49,321

 
$
47,629

Ceded losses incurred
 
$
6,543

 
$
22,336

 
$
30,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage insurance portfolio:
Ceded RIF (in millions)
 
$
12,839

 
$
11,849

 
$
10,764


Excess of loss reinsurance
Our excess of loss reinsurance transaction entered into October 30, 2018, which covers losses beginning August 1, 2018, provides up to $318.6 million of loss coverage on an existing portfolio of in force policies having an in force date on or after July 1, 2016 and before January 1, 2018. The initial aggregate exposed principal balance was approximately $7.5 billion, which takes into account the unpaid principal balance, mortgage insurance coverage percentage, net retained quota share percentage, and the reinsurance inclusion percentage.

The premiums ceded to the reinsurer, Home Re, are composed of coverage premiums, initial expense and supplemental premiums. The coverage premiums are


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 58

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

generally calculated as the difference between the amount of interest payable by Home Re on the notes it issued to raise funds to collateralize its reinsurance obligations to us, and the investment income collected on the collateral assets. Total ceded premiums for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $2.8 million. The amount of coverage premium due will vary each month due to changes in interest rates and the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount.

Captive reinsurance
The following table provides information related to our captive reinsurance agreements for 2018, 2017, and 2016.
Captive reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
IIF subject to captive reinsurance agreements
 
%
 
1
%
 
2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statements of operations:
Ceded premiums written
 
$
125

 
$
4,467

 
$
7,987

% of direct premiums written
 
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.7
%
Ceded premiums earned
 
$
174

 
$
4,476

 
$
8,090

% of direct premiums earned
 
%
 
0.4
%
 
0.8
%
Ceded losses incurred
 
$
286

 
$
(1,135
)
 
$
3,994


INVESTMENT INCOME, NET
2018 compared to 2017. Net investment income increased 17% to $141 million in 2018 compared to $121 million in 2017. The increase in investment income was due to higher average investment yields, as well as a higher average investment portfolio balance.

2017 compared to 2016. Net investment income increased 9% to $121 million in 2017 compared to $111 million in 2016. The increase in investment income was due to higher average investment yields, as well as a higher average investment portfolio balance.

See "Balance Sheet Review" in this MD&A for further discussion regarding our investment portfolio.

NET REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)
Net realized investment losses in 2018, and gains in 2017, and 2016 were $1 million, $231 thousand and $9 million, respectively.

OTHER REVENUE
2018 compared to 2017. Other revenue decreased to $9 million in 2018 from $10 million in 2017, primarily due to lower contract underwriting revenues.

 
2017 compared to 2016. Other revenue decreased to $10 million in 2017 from $18 million in 2016, due to lower contract underwriting revenues and a non-recurring gain in 2016 of approximately $4 million related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates upon our substantial liquidation of our Australian operations.

Losses and expenses
Losses and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Losses incurred, net
 
$
36.6

 
$
53.7

 
$
240.2

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
11.9

 
11.1

 
9.6

Other underwriting and operating expenses, net
 
178.2

 
159.6

 
150.8

Interest expense
 
53.0

 
57.0

 
56.7

Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 
0.1

 
90.5

Total losses and expenses
$
279.7

 
$
281.6

 
$
547.8


LOSSES INCURRED, NET
As discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies” below and consistent with industry practices, we establish loss reserves for future claims only for loans that are currently delinquent. The terms “delinquent” and “default” are used interchangeably by us. We consider a loan delinquent when it is two or more payments past due. Loss reserves are established based on estimating the number of loans in our default inventory that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity.

Estimation of losses is inherently judgmental. The conditions that affect the claim rate and claim severity include the current and future state of the domestic economy, including unemployment and the current and future strength of local housing markets. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrower income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values, that could result in, among other things, greater losses on loans, and may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Historically, losses incurred have followed a seasonal trend in which the second half of the year has weaker credit performance than the first half, with higher new notice activity and a lower cure rate. Our estimates are also affected by any agreements we enter into regarding our claims paying practices, such as the settlement agreements discussed in Note 17 – “Litigation and


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 59

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements. Changes to our estimates could result in a material impact to our consolidated results of operations and financial position, even in a stable economic environment.

2018 compared to 2017. Losses incurred, net decreased 32% to $37 million compared to $54 million in 2017. The decrease was due to a decrease in losses and LAE incurred in respect to delinquencies reported in 2018, offset in part by a decrease in favorable development on prior year delinquencies. New delinquency notices declined 20% when compared to 2017, in part due to elevated 2017 notice activity associated with 2017 hurricanes, and the estimated claim rate on new notices also declined. Favorable development on prior year delinquencies occurred in 2018 due to a lower estimated claim rate on previously reported delinquencies, partially offset by increases in our expected severity assumption on previously reported delinquencies. During 2018, cure activity on loans that were delinquent twelve months or more was significantly higher than our previous estimates.

2017 compared to 2016. Losses incurred, net decreased 78% to $54 million compared to $240 million in 2016. The decrease was due to both a decrease in losses and LAE incurred in respect to delinquencies reported in 2017 and favorable development on prior year delinquencies. Losses incurred with respect to delinquencies reported in 2017 declined as we estimated a lower claim rate on new notices in 2017, which offset the slight increase in new notices received. The increase in new notices was caused by hurricane activity in the third quarter of 2017. Favorable development on prior year delinquencies occurred in 2017 and 2016 due to a lower estimated claim rate on previously reported delinquencies, partially offset by increases in our expected severity assumption on previously reported delinquencies. During 2017, cure activity on loans that were delinquent twelve months or more was significantly higher than our previous estimates.
 
See "New notice claim rate" and "Claims severity" below for additional factors and trends that impact these loss reserve assumptions.
Composition of losses incurred
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current year / New notices
 
$
204

 
$
285

 
$
388

Prior year reserve development
 
(167
)
 
(231
)
 
(148
)
Losses incurred, net
 
$
37

 
$
54

 
$
240

 
Loss ratio
The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the sum of incurred losses and LAE, net to net premiums earned. The decline in the loss ratio in 2018 when compared to 2017, and in 2017 compared to 2016, reflects the lower level of losses incurred, net and an increase in earned premiums.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Loss ratio
 
3.7
%
 
5.7
%
 
26.0
%

New notice claim rate
New notice claim rate - total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New notices
 
54,448

 
68,268

 
67,434

Claim rate (1)
 
9
%
 
10
%
 
12
%
(1) 
Claim rate is the respective full year weighted average rate and is rounded to the nearest whole percent.
New notices - loans insured 2008 and prior
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New notices
 
38,897

 
52,313

 
59,004

Previously delinquent
 
93
%
 
90
%
 
90
%

New notices declined in 2018 compared to 2017 due to favorable economic conditions and an improving risk profile of our RIF; however, 2017 new notice activity also includes the impact of hurricane activity. The increase in new notices in 2017 compared to 2016 was driven by the 2017 hurricane activity.

Our estimated claim rate on new notices declined in 2018 compared to 2017, and in 2017 compared to 2016, in each case reflecting the economic environment and our expectation of cure activity on the new notices received. We also estimated a materially lower new notice claim rate for those notices received in the fourth quarter of 2017 that we estimated to have been caused by hurricane activity that occurred in the third quarter of 2017. When excluding our estimate of new notices caused by hurricanes, our 2017 new notice claim rate approximated 10.5%, marginally higher than the actual full-year rate.

New notice activity continues to be primarily driven by loans insured in 2008 and prior, which continue to experience a cycle whereby many loans become delinquent, cure, and become delinquent again. As a result of this cycle significant judgment is required in establishing the estimated claim rate.





MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 60

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Claims severity
Factors that impact claim severity include:
è
exposure on the loan, which is the unpaid principal balance of the loan times our insurance coverage percentage,
è
length of time between delinquency and claim filing (which impacts the amount of interest and expenses, with a longer period between default and claim filing generally increasing severity), and
è
curtailments.

As discussed in Note 8 - "Loss Reserves," the average time for servicers to process foreclosures has recently shortened. Therefore, we expect the average number of missed payments at the time a claim is received to be approximately 18 to 24 for new notices we have recently received, and expect to receive in 2019, compared to an average of 40 missed payments for claims received in 2018. Our loss reserves estimates take into consideration trends over time, because the development of the delinquencies may vary from period to period without establishing a meaningful trend.

The majority of loans from 2005 through 2008 (which represent 60% of the loans in the delinquent inventory) are covered by master policy terms that, except under certain circumstances, do not limit the number of years that an insured can include interest when filing a claim. Under our current master policy terms, an insured can include accumulated interest when filing a claim only for the first three years the loan is delinquent. In each case, the insured must comply with its obligations under the terms of the applicable master policy.

The quarterly trend in claims severity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 is shown in the following table.
Claims severity trend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period
 
Average exposure on claim paid
 
Average claim paid
 
% Paid to exposure
 
Average number of missed payments at claim received date
Q4 2018
 
$
45,366

 
$
47,980

 
105.8
%
 
41

Q3 2018
 
43,290

 
47,230

 
109.1
%
 
42

Q2 2018
 
44,522

 
50,175

 
112.7
%
 
39

Q1 2018
 
45,597

 
51,069

 
112.0
%
 
38

Q4 2017
 
44,437

 
49,177

 
110.7
%
 
36

Q3 2017
 
43,313

 
46,389

 
107.1
%
 
35

Q2 2017
 
44,747

 
49,105

 
109.7
%
 
35

Q1 2017
 
44,238

 
49,110

 
111.0
%
 
35

Q4 2016
 
43,200

 
48,297

 
111.8
%
 
35

Q3 2016
 
43,747

 
48,050

 
109.8
%
 
34

Q2 2016
 
43,709

 
47,953

 
109.7
%
 
35

Q1 2016
 
44,094

 
49,281

 
111.8
%
 
34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Table excludes material settlements. Settlements include amounts paid in settlement of disputes for claims paying practices and NPL commutations.

Our estimate of loss reserves is sensitive to the underlying factors; it is possible that even a relatively small change in our estimated claim rate or severity could have a material impact on reserves and, correspondingly, on our consolidated results of operations even in a stable economic environment. For example, as of December 31, 2018, assuming all other factors remain constant, a $1,000 increase/decrease in the average severity reserve factor would change the reserve amount by approximately +/- $12 million. A 1 percentage point increase/decrease in the average claim rate reserve factor would change the reserve amount by approximately +/- $19 million.

See Note 8 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements and “Critical Accounting Policies” below for a discussion of our losses incurred and claims paying practices (including curtailments).



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 61

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

The length of time a loan is in the delinquent inventory can differ from the number of payments that the borrower has not made or is considered delinquent. These differences typically result from a borrower making monthly payments that do not result in the loan becoming fully current. The number of payments that a borrower is delinquent is shown in the following table.
Primary delinquent inventory - number of payments delinquent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
3 payments or less
 
15,519

 
21,678

 
18,419

4 - 11 payments
 
8,842

 
12,446

 
12,892

12 payments or more (1)
 
8,537

 
12,432

 
18,971

Total
 
32,898

 
46,556

 
50,282

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 payments or less
 
47
%
 
46
%
 
36
%
4 - 11 payments
 
27
%
 
27
%
 
26
%
12 payments or more
 
26
%
 
27
%
 
38
%
Total
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
(1) 
Approximately 38%, 43%, and 46% of the primary delinquent inventory with 12 payments or more delinquent has at least 36 payments delinquent as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

NET LOSSES AND LAE PAID
This section provides information on our claim payment trends and exposure on our outstanding RIF for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018. The table below presents our net losses and LAE paid for each of those years.
Net losses and LAE paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Total primary (excluding settlements)
 
$
282

 
$
446

 
$
599

Claims paying practices and NPL settlements (1)
 
50

 
54

 
53

Pool (2)
 
6

 
10

 
56

Other
 

 

 
(1
)
Direct losses paid
 
338

 
510

 
707

Reinsurance
 
(19
)
 
(23
)
 
(23
)
Net losses paid
 
319

 
487

 
684

LAE
 
16

 
18

 
20

Net losses and LAE paid before terminations
 
335

 
505

 
704

Reinsurance terminations
 
(2
)
 

 
(3
)
Net losses and LAE paid
 
$
333

 
$
505

 
$
701

(1) 
See Note 8 - "Loss Reserves" for additional information on our settlements of disputes for claims paying practices and commutations of NPLs.
(2) 
2016 included $42 million paid under the terms of our settlement with Freddie Mac as discussed in Note 8 - "Loss Reserves" to our consolidated financial statements.
 
Net losses and LAE paid decreased 34% in 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to lower claim activity on our primary business. Net losses and LAE paid decreased 28% in 2017 compared to 2016 due to lower claim activity on our primary business and the completion of our settlement payments to Freddie Mac in 2016 related to our pool business. During each of 2018, 2017 and 2016, losses paid included settlement payments under commutations of coverage on pools of NPLs and/or related to disputes concerning our claims paying practices. We believe losses and LAE paid will be lower in 2019 compared to 2018.

Primary losses paid for the top 15 jurisdictions (based on 2018 losses paid, excluding settlement amounts) and all other jurisdictions for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 appears in the table below.
Primary paid losses by jurisdiction
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New Jersey*
 
$
42

 
$
61

 
$
60

New York*
 
32

 
37

 
35

Florida*
 
29

 
49

 
85

Illinois*
 
19

 
28

 
43

Maryland
 
18

 
23

 
29

Pennsylvania*
 
12

 
22

 
26

California
 
11

 
17

 
27

Puerto Rico*
 
9

 
18

 
17

Ohio*
 
8

 
16

 
21

Massachusetts
 
8

 
13

 
14

Connecticut*
 
7

 
11

 
14

Virginia
 
6

 
10

 
15

Georgia
 
5

 
10

 
13

Texas
 
5

 
8

 
10

Michigan
 
4

 
7

 
14

All other jurisdictions
 
67

 
116

 
176

Total primary (excluding settlements)
 
$
282

 
$
446

 
$
599

 
Note: Asterisk denotes jurisdictions in the table above that predominately use a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 62

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

The primary average claim paid for the top 5 jurisdictions (based on 2018 losses paid, excluding settlement amounts) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 appears in table below. The primary average claim paid can vary materially from period to period based upon a variety of factors, including the local market conditions, average loan amount, average coverage percentage, time between default and claim payment and loss mitigation efforts on loans for which claims are paid.
Primary average claim paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New Jersey*
$
89,504

 
$
87,333

 
$
81,955

New York*
98,026

 
81,043

 
70,869

Florida*
59,320

 
62,751

 
60,737

Illinois*
44,379

 
46,089

 
50,047

Maryland
72,966

 
73,569

 
72,396

All other jurisdictions
37,743

 
39,146

 
40,828

All jurisdictions
49,218

 
48,476

 
48,416

 
Note: Asterisk denotes jurisdictions in the table above that predominately use a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.

The primary average RIF on delinquent loans as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and for the top 5 jurisdictions (based on 2018 losses paid, excluding settlement amounts) appears in the following table.
Primary average exposure - delinquent loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New Jersey
$
65,521

 
$
65,684

 
$
65,196

New York
71,795

 
71,260

 
68,729

Florida
53,371

 
54,872

 
54,018

Illinois
39,753

 
40,794

 
41,765

Maryland
65,421

 
66,266

 
66,005

All other jurisdictions
40,136

 
39,848

 
39,287

All jurisdictions
44,584

 
45,153

 
44,520


 
LOSS RESERVES
Our primary default rate at December 31, 2018 was 3.11% (2017: 4.55%, 2016: 5.04%). Our primary delinquent inventory was 32,898 loans at December 31, 2018, representing a decrease of 29% from 2017 and 35% from 2016. The reduction in our primary delinquent inventory is the result of the total number of delinquent loans: (1) that have cured; (2) for which claim payments have been made; or (3) that have resulted in rescission, claim denial, or removal from inventory due to settlements of claims paying disputes or commutations of coverage of pools of NPLs, collectively, exceeding the total number of new delinquencies on insured loans. In recent periods, we have experienced improved cure rates and the number of delinquencies in the inventory with twelve or more missed payments has been declining. Generally, the fewer missed payments associated with a delinquent loan, the lower the likelihood it will result in a claim. Our commutations of coverage on pools of NPLs have each been completed with amounts paid approximating the loss reserves previously established on the delinquent loans. We expect our delinquent inventory to decline in 2019 from 2018 levels.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 63

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

The primary and pool loss reserves as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 appear in table below.
Gross reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Primary:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct loss reserves (In millions)
 
$
610

 
 
$
913

 
 
$
1,334

 
IBNR and LAE
 
50

 
 
58

 
 
79

 
Total primary loss reserves
 
660

 
 
971

 
 
1,413

 
Ending delinquent inventory
 
 
32,898

 
 
46,556

 
 
50,282

Percentage of loans delinquent (default rate)
 
 
3.11
%
 
 
4.55
%
 
 
5.04
%
Average direct reserve per default
 
 
$
20,077

 
 
$
20,851

 
 
$
28,104

Primary claims received inventory included in ending delinquent inventory
 
 
809

 
 
954

 
 
1,385

Pool (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct loss reserves (In millions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With aggregate loss limits
 
10

 
 
10

 
 
18

 
Without aggregate loss limits
 
3

 
 
4

 
 
7

 
Total pool direct loss reserves
 
13

 
 
14

 

25

 
Ending delinquent inventory:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With aggregate loss limits
 
 
595

 
 
952

 
 
1,382

Without aggregate loss limits
 
 
264

 
 
357

 
 
501

Total pool ending delinquent inventory
 


859

 


1,309

 


1,883

Pool claims received inventory included in ending delinquent inventory
 
 
24

 
 
42

 
 
72

Other gross reserves (In millions)
 
1

 
 
1

 
 
1

 
(1) 
Since a number of our pool policies include aggregate loss limits and/or deductibles, we do not disclose an average direct reserve per default for our pool business.

The average direct reserve per default as of December 31, 2017 included the impact of delinquencies we estimated to be caused by hurricane activity that remained in our ending delinquent inventory at December 31, 2017, which had a materially lower new notice claim rate than other new notices received. When excluding the estimated hurricane delinquencies, the average direct reserve per default was $24,000. The average direct reserve per default as of December 31, 2018 declined when compared to the average as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 because the estimated claim rates on loans that remain in our delinquent inventory were lower as of December 31, 2018.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 64

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

The primary default inventory for the top 15 jurisdictions (based on 2018 losses paid, excluding settlement amounts) at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 appears in table the below.
Primary delinquent inventory by jurisdiction
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
New Jersey*
1,151

 
1,749

 
2,586

New York*
1,855

 
2,387

 
3,171

Florida*
2,853

 
6,501

 
4,150

Illinois*
1,781

 
2,136

 
2,649

Maryland
842

 
1,026

 
1,312

Pennsylvania*
1,929

 
2,403

 
2,984

California
1,260

 
1,402

 
1,590

Puerto Rico*
1,503

 
3,761

 
1,844

Ohio*
1,627

 
2,025

 
2,614

Massachusetts
596

 
759

 
1,108

Connecticut*
480

 
574

 
690

Virginia
588

 
731

 
885

Georgia
1,220

 
1,550

 
1,853

Texas
2,369

 
3,975

 
3,201

Michigan
1,041

 
1,260

 
1,482

All other jurisdictions
11,803

 
14,317

 
18,163

Total
32,898

 
46,556

 
50,282

 
Note: Asterisk denotes jurisdictions in the table above that predominately use a judicial foreclosure process, which generally increases the amount of time it takes for a foreclosure to be completed.

Florida, Puerto Rico, and Texas each experienced an increase in their delinquent inventory as of December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016. The increases were driven by hurricanes in the third quarter of 2017, which resulted in significant new notice activity in the fourth quarter of 2017. Primarily due to 2018 cure activity on hurricane-related notices, each of those jurisdictions had significant reductions in their delinquent inventory in 2018.

 
The primary default inventory by policy year at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 appears in the table below.
Primary delinquent inventory by policy year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
2004 and prior
6,061

 
8,739

 
11,116

2004 and prior %:
18
%
 
19
%
 
22
%
2005
3,340

 
4,916

 
5,826

2006
5,299

 
7,719

 
9,267

2007
8,702

 
12,807

 
15,816

2008
2,369

 
3,455

 
4,140

2005 - 2008 %
60
%
 
62
%
 
70
%
2009
172

 
315

 
421

2010
121

 
199

 
222

2011
159

 
266

 
246

2012
312

 
549

 
364

2013
592

 
957

 
686

2014
1,264

 
1,757

 
1,142

2015
1,418

 
1,992

 
814

2016
1,459

 
1,930

 
222

2017
1,282

 
955

 

2018
348

 

 

2009 and later %:
22
%
 
19
%
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
32,898

 
46,556

 
50,282


The delinquent inventory as of December 31, 2017 for most policy years included new notices from hurricane impacted areas that had not cured. As a result, delinquencies, including in the most recent policy years, were greater than they otherwise would have been as of December 31, 2017. The majority of the notices received in the hurricane impacted areas cured during 2018.

The losses we have incurred on our 2005 through 2008 books have exceeded our premiums from those books. Although uncertainty remains with respect to the ultimate losses we will experience on these books of business, as we continue to write new insurance on high-quality loans, those books are a declining percentage of our total mortgage insurance portfolio. Our 2005 through 2008 books of business represented approximately 15% and 19% of our total primary RIF at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Approximately 39% of the remaining primary RIF on our 2005 through 2008 books of business benefited from HARP as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 65

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

On our primary business, the highest claim frequency years have typically been the third and fourth year after the year of loan origination. However, the pattern of claims frequency can be affected by many factors, including persistency and deteriorating economic conditions. Low persistency can accelerate the period in the life of a book during which the highest claim frequency occurs. Deteriorating economic conditions can result in increasing claims following a period of declining claims. As of December 31, 2018, 59% of our primary RIF was written subsequent to December 31, 2015, 70% of our primary RIF was written subsequent to December 31, 2014, and 76% of our primary RIF was written subsequent to December 31, 2013.
 
UNDERWRITING AND OTHER EXPENSES, NET
2018 compared to 2017. Underwriting and other expenses for 2018 increased when compared to 2017 primarily due to higher compensation expenses.

2017 compared to 2016. Underwriting and other expenses for 2017 increased when compared to 2016, primarily due to higher compensation, professional services, and depreciation expenses.

Underwriting expense ratio
The underwriting expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the underwriting and operating expenses, net and amortization of DAC of our combined insurance operations (which excludes underwriting and operating expenses of our non-insurance operations) to NPW, and is presented in the table below for the past three years.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Underwriting expense ratio
 
18.2
%
 
16.0
%
 
15.3
%

The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in 2018 when compared to 2017 was due to an increase in expenses and a decrease in our NPW. The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in 2017 when compared to 2016 was due to an increase in expenses, offset in part by an increase in our NPW.

INTEREST EXPENSE
2018 compared to 2017. Interest expense for 2018 decreased 7% to $53 million compared to $57 million in 2017 as our previously outstanding 5% Notes matured and our 2% Notes were extinguished, each during 2017.

2017 compared to 2016. Interest expense for 2017 was relatively flat with 2016 as a full-year of interest on our 5.75% Notes issued in August 2016 offset lower interest due to the maturity of our 5% Notes and extinguishment of our 2% Notes.

 
LOSS ON DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT
Loss on debt extinguishment in 2016 reflects the repurchases of a portion of our outstanding 2% and 5% Notes at amounts above our carrying values. The loss on debt extinguishment from MGIC's purchase of a portion of our 9% Debentures represents the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the liability component on the purchase date.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE AND EFFECTIVE TAX RATE
Income tax provision and effective tax rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except rate)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Income before tax
 
$
844,150

 
$
784,496

 
$
514,714

Provision for income taxes
 
174,053

 
428,735

 
172,197

Effective tax rate
 
20.6
%
 
54.7
%
 
33.5
%

2018 compared to 2017. The decrease in income tax expense for 2018 compared to 2017 reflects the lower 2018 federal statutory income tax rate under the Tax Act, the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets in 2017, as well as an additional tax provision recorded in 2017 for the settlement of our IRS litigation, partially offset by a 2018 increase in income before tax. Our 2018 effective tax rate was below the federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the benefits of tax-preferenced securities.

2017 compared to 2016. The increase in income tax expense in 2017 compared to 2016 was due to the 2017 remeasurement of net deferred tax assets at the lower corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act, the 2017 increase in income before tax, and an additional tax provision recorded for the expected settlement of our IRS litigation. The difference between the federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and our effective tax provision rate of 54.7% in 2017 was primarily due to the remeasurement of deferred tax assets at the lower corporate tax rate and the additional tax provision recorded for the settlement of our IRS litigation. The difference between the federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and our effective tax provision rate of 33.5% in 2016 was primarily due to the benefits of tax‑ preferenced securities.

See Note 12 – “Income Taxes” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our tax position.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 66

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Shareholders' equity
Shareholders' equity
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
Shareholders' equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
371

 
$
371

 
$

Paid-in capital
 
1,863

 
1,851

 
12

Treasury stock
 
(175
)
 

 
(175
)
AOCL, net of tax
 
(124
)
 
(44
)
 
(80
)
Retained earnings
 
1,647

 
977

 
670

Total
 
$
3,582

 
$
3,155

 
$
427


The increase in shareholders' equity was due to net income during 2018, offset in part by a decrease in the fair value of our investment portfolio and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

Total assets and total liabilities
As of December 31, 2018, total assets were $5.7 billion and total liabilities were $2.1 billion. Compared to year-end 2017, total assets increased by $58.3 million and total liabilities decreased by $369.1 million.

The following sections focus on the assets and liabilities experiencing major developments in 2018.

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
The investment portfolio increased 3%, to $5.2 billion as of December 31, 2018 (2017: $5.0 billion), as net cash from operations was used in part for additional investment.

The return we generate on our investment portfolio is an important component of our consolidated financial results. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of a diverse mix of highly rated fixed income securities.

The investment portfolio is designed to achieve the following objectives:
Operating Companies (1)
 
Holding Company
è
Preserve PMIERs assets
 
è
Provide liquidity with minimized realized loss
è
Maximize total return with emphasis on yield, subject to our other objectives
 
è
Maintain highly liquid, low volatility assets
è
Limit portfolio volatility
 
è
Maintain high credit quality
è
Duration 3.5 to 5.5 years
 
è
Duration maximum of 2.5 years
(1) 
Primarily MGIC
 
To achieve our portfolio objectives, our asset allocation considers the risk and return parameters of the various asset classes in which we invest. This asset allocation is informed by, and based on the following factors:
è
economic and market outlooks;
è
diversification effects;
è
security duration;
è
liquidity;
è
capital considerations; and
è
income tax rates.

The average duration and embedded investment yield of our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is shown in the following table.
Portfolio duration and embedded investment yield
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Duration (in years)
 
4.1
 
4.3
 
4.6
Pre-tax yield (1) (2)
 
3.1%
 
2.7%
 
2.6%
After-tax yield (1) (2)
 
2.6%
 
2.0%
 
1.9%
(1) 
Embedded investment yield is calculated on a yield-to-worst basis.

The credit risk of a security is evaluated through analysis of the security's underlying fundamentals, including the issuer's sector, scale, profitability, debt coverage, and ratings. The investment policy guidelines limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument. The following table shows the security ratings of our fixed income investments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Fixed income security ratings
% of fixed income securities at fair value
 
 
Security Ratings (1)
Period
 
AAA
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
December 31, 2018
 
19%
 
23%
 
33%
 
25%
December 31, 2017
 
21%
 
26%
 
36%
 
17%
(1) 
Ratings are provided by one or more of: Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings. If three ratings are available, the middle rating is utilized; otherwise the lowest rating is utilized.

Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2018 had a greater proportion of its invested value in corporate and loan-backed fixed income securities when compared to December 31, 2017. This shift in investment mix through new investments during 2018 resulted in a higher investment yield, but also increased the


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 67

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

percentage of “BBB” rated securities when compared to the prior year.

See Note 5 – “Investments” to our consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure on our investment portfolio.

Investments outlook
The U.S. economy continued to grow in 2018 and is expected to continue to grow in 2019. Against this positive macroeconomic backdrop, which includes very low unemployment, the FOMC has increased its benchmark interest rate to a range of 2.25-2.50 basis points as of December 31, 2018, up 100 basis points from the prior year end. Continued economic growth may result in additional increases to the FOMC benchmark interest rate in 2019. Our investment portfolio of fixed income securities is subject to interest rate risk and its fair value is likely to decline in a rising interest rate environment. We seek to manage our exposure to interest rate risk and volatility by maintaining a diverse mix of high quality securities with an intermediate duration profile. While higher interest rates may adversely impact the fair values of our fixed income securities, they present an opportunity to reinvest investment income and proceeds from security maturities into higher yielding securities. In light of the corporate income tax rate reduction in the fourth quarter of 2017, we reduced the percentage of our investments in tax-exempt securities during 2018 and increased our corporate and CLO concentrations. We will continue to evaluate the relative value of tax-exempt versus taxable fixed income securities during 2019, and our investment allocations may shift over time.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents increased 52%, to $152 million as of December 31, 2018 (2017: $100 million), as net cash generated from operating activities was only partly offset by net cash used in investing and financing activities.

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes, net decreased 70%, to $69 million as of December 31, 2018 (2017: $234 million), primarily through the continued use of our net operating loss carryforwards to offset taxable income. We had no remaining net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2018.

 
LOSS RESERVES
Loss reserves, which represent our estimated liability for losses and settlement expenses under our mortgage guaranty insurance policies, net of related reinsurance balances recoverable, decreased 32% to $641 million as of December 31, 2018 from $937 million as of December 31, 2017. This decrease was driven by the payment of claims during 2018 and favorable development on previously received delinquencies, offset in part by losses incurred on new delinquency notices received in 2018 that remain in inventory.

OTHER LIABILITIES
Other liabilities decreased 30% to $180 million as of December 31, 2018 (2017: $256 million), primarily due to a decrease in our income taxes payable due to payments associated with the settlement of our IRS litigation and a decline in our premium refund accrual due to lower estimated claim rates.

Off-balance sheet arrangements
Home Re is a special purpose VIE that is not consolidated in our consolidated financial statements because we do not have the unilateral power to direct those activities that are significant to its economic performance. See Note 9 - "Reinsurance," to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 68

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
We have three primary types of cash flows: (1) operating cash flows, which consist mainly of cash generated by our insurance operations and income earned on our investment portfolio, less amounts paid for claims, interest expense and operating expenses, (2) investing cash flows related to the purchase, sale and maturity of investments and purchases of property and equipment and (3) financing cash flows generally from activities that impact our capital structure, such as changes in debt and shares outstanding. The following table summarizes these three cash flows on a consolidated basis for the last three years.
Summary of consolidated cash flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Total cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
 
$
544,517

 
$
406,657

 
$
224,760

Investing activities
 
(317,780
)
 
(303,641
)
 
(93,392
)
Financing activities
 
(171,550
)
 
(158,575
)
 
(157,078
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
$
55,187

 
$
(55,559
)
 
$
(25,710
)

Operating activities
The following list highlights the major sources and uses of cash flow from operating activities:
Sources
+
Premiums received
+
Loss payments from reinsurers
+
Investment income
 
 
Uses
-
Claim payments
-
Premium ceded to reinsurers
-
Interest expense
-
Operating expenses
-
IRS litigation settlement payments
Our largest source of cash is from premiums received from our insurance policies, which we receive on a monthly installment basis for most policies. Premiums are received at the beginning of the coverage period for single premium and annual premium policies. Our largest cash outflow is for claims that arise when a delinquency results in an insured loss. We invest our claims paying resources from premiums and other sources in various investment securities that earn interest. We also use cash to pay for our ongoing expenses such as salaries, debt interest, and rent.
 
In connection with the reinsurance we use to manage the risk associated with our insurance policies, we cede, or pay out, part of the premiums we receive to our reinsurers and collect cash back when claims subject to our reinsurance coverage are paid.

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2018 increased compared to 2017 primarily due to a lower level of losses paid, net and an increase in investment income, offset in part by payments made in connection with our IRS litigation settlement.

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2017 increased compared to 2016 primarily due to a lower level of losses paid and an increase in net premiums written, offset in part by increases in payments for interest and other expenses.

Investing activities
The following list highlights the major sources and uses of cash flow from investing activities:
Sources
+
Proceeds from sales of investments
+
Proceeds from maturity of fixed income securities
 
 
Uses
-
Purchases of investments
-
Purchases of property and equipment

We maintain an investment portfolio that is primarily invested in a diverse mix of fixed income securities. As of December 31, 2018, our portfolio had a fair value of $5.2 billion, an increase of $168.5 million, or 3.4% from December 31, 2017. In addition to investment portfolio activities, our investing activities included additions to property and equipment. Beginning in 2016, we began an initiative to update our corporate headquarters building, which is substantially complete, and continued our investment in our technology infrastructure to enhance our ability to conduct business and execute our strategies.

Net cash flows used in investing activities in 2018, 2017, and 2016 primarily reflect purchasing fixed income securities in an amount that exceeded our proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed income securities during the year as cash from operations was available for additional investment. In addition, cash was used in each of 2018, 2017, and 2016 to make additions to property and equipment.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 69

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Financing activities
The following list highlights the major sources and uses of cash flow from financing activities:
Sources
+
Proceeds from debt and/or common stock issuances
 
 
Uses
-
Repayment/repurchase of debt
-
Repurchase of common stock
-
Payment of debt issuance costs
-
Payment of withholding taxes related to share-based compensation net share settlement

Net cash flows used in financing activities in 2018 reflect repurchases of our common stock and the payment of withholding taxes related to share-based compensation net share settlement.

Net cash flows used in financing activities for 2017 included the repayment at maturity of our 5% Notes, redemption of a portion of our 2% Notes, expenses paid to establish our revolving credit facility and payment of withholding taxes related to share-based compensation net share settlement.

Cash flows used in financing activities for 2016 included the repurchase of a portion of the outstanding principal on our 5% Notes and 2% Notes, the purchase by MGIC of a portion of the outstanding principal on our 9% Debentures, and payment of withholding taxes related to share-based compensation net share settlement. MGIC's ownership of our 9% Debentures is eliminated in consolidation. These transactions were offset in part by cash inflows from the issuance of long-term debt, including an FHLB borrowing and our 5.75% Notes, net of related issuance fees.

* * *

For a further discussion of matters affecting our cash flows, see "Balance Sheet Review" and "Debt at our Holding Company and Holding Company Liquidity" below.

 
CAPITALIZATION
Capital Risk
Capital risk is the risk of adverse impact on our ability to comply with capital requirements (regulatory and GSE) and to maintain the level, structure and composition of capital required for meeting financial performance objectives.

A strong capital position is essential to our business strategy and is important to maintain a competitive position in our industry. Our capital strategy focuses on long-term stability, which enables us to build and invest in our business, even in a stressed environment.

Our capital management objectives are to:
è
influence and ensure compliance with capital requirements,
è
manage relationships to foster access to capital and reinsurance markets,
è
size our capital to balance competitive needs, handle contingencies and create shareholder value, including analyzing the size and form of capital return to shareholders
è
position our mix of debt, equity and/or reinsurance to support our business strategy while considering the competing needs of credit ratings agencies, regulators and shareholders, and
è
support business opportunities by efficiently using company resources, aligning legal structure and enabling capital flexibility.

These objectives are achieved through ongoing monitoring and management of our capital position, mortgage insurance portfolio stress modeling, and a capital governance framework. Capital management is intended to be flexible in order to react to a range of potential events. The focus we place on any individual objective may change over time due to factors that include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, changes at the GSEs, competition, and alternative transactions to transfer mortgage risk.





MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 70

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Capital Structure
The following table summarizes our capital structure as of December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except ratio)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Common stock, paid-in capital, retained earnings, less treasury stock
 
$
3,706,105

 
$
3,198,309

 
$
2,623,942

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(124,214
)
 
(43,783
)
 
(75,100
)
Total shareholders' equity
 
3,581,891

 
3,154,526

 
2,548,842

Long-term debt, par value
 
836,872

 
836,872

 
1,189,472

Total capital resources
 
$
4,418,763

 
$
3,991,398

 
$
3,738,314

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of long-term debt to shareholders' equity
 
23.4
%
 
26.5
%
 
46.7
%

The increase in total shareholders' equity in 2018 from 2017 was primarily due to net income during 2018, offset by our repurchases of our common stock and the increase in unrealized investment losses. The increase in shareholders' equity in 2017 from 2016 was primarily due to net income in 2017 and conversion of substantially all of our then-remaining 2% Notes into shares of common stock. See Note 13 - "Shareholders' Equity" for further information on the 2% Note conversion.

DEBT AT OUR HOLDING COMPANY AND HOLDING COMPANY LIQUIDITY
Debt obligations - holding company
The 5.75% Notes and 9% Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries. We have no debt obligations due within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2018, our 5.75% Note had $425 million of outstanding principal, due in August 2023, and our 9% Debentures had $389.5 million of outstanding principal, due in April 2063. MGIC's ownership of $132.7 million of our holding company's 9% Debentures is eliminated in consolidation, but they remain outstanding obligations owed by our holding company to MGIC. The 9% Debentures are a convertible debt issuance. Subject to certain limitations and restrictions, holders of the 9% Debentures may convert their notes into shares of our common stock at their option prior to certain dates prescribed under the terms of their issuance, in which case our corresponding obligation will be eliminated prior to the scheduled maturity.

See Note 7 - "Debt" for further information on our outstanding debt obligations and transactions impacting our consolidated financial statements in 2018 and 2017.

Liquidity analysis - holding company
As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $248 million in cash and investments at our holding company. These resources are maintained primarily to service our debt interest expense, pay debt maturities, and to settle intercompany obligations. While these assets are held, we generate investment income that serves to offset a
 
portion of our interest expense. Investment income and the payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries are the principal sources of holding company cash inflow. MGIC is the principal source of dividends, and their payment is restricted by insurance regulation. See Note 14 - "Statutory Information" to our consolidated financial statements for additional information about MGIC's dividend restrictions. The payment of dividends from MGIC is also influenced by our view of the appropriate level of PMIERs Available Assets to maintain an excess of Minimum Required Assets. Other sources of holding company cash inflow include any unused capacity on our unsecured revolving credit facility and raising capital in the public markets. The ability to raise capital in the public markets is subject to prevailing market conditions, investor demand for the securities to be issued, and our deemed creditworthiness.

Over the next twelve months the principal demand on holding company resources will be interest payments on our 5.75% Notes and 9% Debentures approximating $60 million. We expect MGIC will continue to pay dividends of at least $60 million per quarter in 2019. Our unsecured revolving credit facility provides $175 million of borrowing capacity, of which no amount is currently drawn. We believe our holding company has sufficient sources of liquidity to meet its payment obligations for the foreseeable future.

During 2018, we used approximately $175 million (of which $12 million settled in January 2019) of available holding company cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. We may use additional holding company cash to repurchase additional shares or to repurchase our outstanding debt obligations. Such repurchases may be material, may be made for cash, including with funds provided by debt, and/or exchanges for other securities, and may be made in open market purchases, privately negotiated acquisitions or other transactions. See "Overview-Capital" of this MD&A for a discussion of the share repurchase program authorized on April 26, 2018.



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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

In 2018, our holding company cash and investments increased by $32 million, to $248 million as of December 31, 2018. Cash inflows included $220 million of dividends received from MGIC and $35 million of other inflows, which included intercompany activity. Cash outflows included $163 million used to repurchase shares of our common stock and $60 million of interest payments, of which approximately $12 million was paid to MGIC for the portion of our 9% Debentures owned by MGIC.

The net unrealized losses on our holding company investment portfolio were approximately $2.2 million at December 31, 2018 and the portfolio had a modified duration of approximately 1.4 years.

Scheduled debt maturities beyond the next twelve months include $425 million of our 5.75% Notes in 2023 and $389.5 million of our 9% Debentures in 2063, of which MGIC owns $132.7 million. The principal amount of the 9% Debentures is currently convertible, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.0741 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of debentures. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share. We may redeem the 9% Debentures in whole or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 9% Debentures being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds $17.55 for at least 20 of the 30 trading days preceding notice of the redemption.
 
See Note 7 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements for additional information about the conversion terms of our 9% Debentures and the terms of our indebtedness, including our option to defer interest. The description in Note 7 - “Debt" to our consolidated financial statements is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the notes and debentures. The terms of our 9% Debentures are contained in the Indenture dated as of March 28, 2008, between us and U.S. Bank National Association filed as an exhibit to our Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 12, 2008. The terms of our 5.75% Notes are contained in a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 5, 2016, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, which is included as an exhibit to our 8-K filed with the SEC on August 5, 2016, and in the Indenture dated as of October 15, 2000 between us and the trustee.

Although not anticipated in the near term, we may also contribute funds to our insurance operations to comply with the PMIERs or the State Capital Requirements. See “Overview – Capital” above for a discussion of these requirements. See the discussion of our non-insurance contract underwriting services in Note 17 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements for other possible uses of holding company resources.
 
DEBT AT SUBSIDIARIES
MGIC is a member of the FHLB. Membership in the FHLB provides MGIC access to an additional source of liquidity via a secured lending facility. MGIC has outstanding a $155.0 million fixed rate advance from the FHLB. Interest on the advance is payable monthly at a fixed annual rate of 1.91%. The principal of the advance matures on February 10, 2023, but may be prepaid at any time. Such prepayment would be below par if interest rates have risen after the advance was originated, or above par if interest rates have declined. The advance is secured by eligible collateral in the form of pledged securities from the investment portfolio, whose market value must be maintained at a minimum of 102% of the principal balance of the advance.

Capital Adequacy
PMIERs
We operate under the PMIERs of the GSEs that became effective December 31, 2015. Revised PMIERs were published in September 2018 and will become effective March 31, 2019. Refer to "Overview - Capital - GSEs" of this MD&A for further discussion of PMIERs.

As of December 31, 2018, MGIC’s Available Assets under PMIERs totaled approximately $4.8 billion, an excess of approximately $1.4 billion over its Minimum Required Assets; and MGIC is in compliance with the requirements of the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans delivered to or purchased by the GSEs. If the revised PMIERs had been effective as of December 31, 2018, we estimate that MGIC's pro forma excess of Available Assets over Minimum Required Assets would have been approximately $1.0 billion. The decrease in the pro forma excess from the reported excess of $1.4 billion is primarily due to the elimination of any credit for future premiums that had previously been allowed for certain insurance policies.

Maintaining a sufficient level of excess Available Assets will allow MGIC to remain in compliance with the PMIERs financial requirements. Our reinsurance transactions provided an aggregate of approximately $1.2 billion of PMIERs capital credit as of December 31, 2018. Our 2019 QSR transaction terms are expected to be no less favorable than our existing QSR transactions and will also provide PMIERs capital credit. Refer to Note 9 - "Reinsurance" to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on our reinsurance transactions.
We plan to continuously comply with the PMIERs through our operational activities or through the contribution of funds from our holding company, subject to demands on the holding company's resources, as outlined above.



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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

RISK-TO-CAPITAL
We compute our risk-to-capital ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as on a combined insurance operations basis. The risk-to-capital ratio is our net RIF divided by our policyholders’ position. Our net RIF includes both primary and pool RIF, and excludes risk on policies that are currently in default and for which loss reserves have been established and the risk covered by quota share reinsurance. The risk amount includes pools of loans with contractual aggregate loss limits and without these limits. Policyholders’ position consists primarily of statutory policyholders’ surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet. A mortgage insurance company is required to make annual additions to a contingency reserve of approximately 50% of net earned premiums. These contributions must generally be maintained for a period of ten years.  However, with regulatory approval a mortgage insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net earned premiums in a calendar year.

The table below presents MGIC’s separate company risk-to-capital calculation. 
Risk-to-capital - MGIC separate company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
(In millions, except ratio)
 
2018
 
2017
RIF - net (1)
 
$
34,502

 
$
31,144

Statutory policyholders' surplus
 
$
1,682

 
$
1,620

Statutory contingency reserve
 
2,138

 
1,654

Statutory policyholders' position
 
$
3,820

 
$
3,274

Risk-to-capital
 
9.0:1

 
9.5:1

(1) 
RIF – net, as shown in the table above, is net of quota share reinsurance and exposure on policies currently in default and for which loss reserves have been established.
 
The table below presents our combined insurance companies’ risk-to-capital calculation (which includes a reinsurance affiliate). Reinsurance transactions with our affiliate permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.
Risk-to-capital - Combined insurance companies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
(In millions, except ratio)
 
2018
 
2017
RIF - net (1)
 
$
40,239

 
$
36,818

Statutory policyholders' surplus
 
$
1,683

 
$
1,622

Statutory contingency reserve
 
2,443

 
1,897

Statutory policyholders' position
 
$
4,126

 
$
3,519

Risk-to-capital
 
9.8:1

 
10.5:1

(1) 
RIF – net, as shown in the table above, is net of quota share reinsurance and exposure on policies currently delinquent ($1.6 billion at December 31, 2018 and $2.3 billion at December 31, 2017) and for which loss reserves have been established.

The 2018 reductions in the risk-to-capital of MGIC and our combined insurance companies were due to an increase in statutory policyholders' position, primarily due to an increase in statutory contingency reserves, partially offset by an increase in net RIF. Our RIF, net of reinsurance, increased in 2018, due to an increase in our IIF. Our risk-to-capital ratio will decrease if the percentage increase in capital exceeds the percentage increase in insured risk. 

For additional information regarding regulatory capital see Note 14 – “Statutory Information” to our consolidated financial statements as well as our risk factor titled “State capital requirements may prevent us from continuing to write new insurance on an uninterrupted basis” in Item IA

Financial Strength Ratings
MGIC financial strength ratings
 
 
 
Rating Agency
Rating
Outlook
Moody's Investor Services
Baa2
Stable
Standard and Poor's Rating Services
BBB+
Stable
A.M. Best
A-
Stable

For further information about the importance of MGIC’s ratings, see our risk factor titled “Competition or changes in our relationships with our customers could reduce our revenues, reduce our premium yields and/or increase our losses” in Item 1A.
MAC financial strength ratings
 
 
 
Rating Agency
Rating
Outlook
A.M. Best
A-
Stable


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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2018, the approximate future payments under our contractual obligations and estimated claim payments on established loss reserves.
Contractual obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments due by period
 
 
 
 
Less than
 
 
 
 
 
More than
(In millions)
 
Total
 
1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
5 years
Long-term debt obligations
 
$
2,001.1

 
$
51.3

 
$
101.3

 
$
678.4

 
$
1,170.1

Operating lease obligations
 
3.0

 
1.4

 
1.4

 
0.2

 

Purchase obligations
 
10.2

 
7.4

 
2.3

 
0.5

 

Other long-term liabilities
 
674.1

 
252.8

 
306.0

 
115.3

 

Total
 
$
2,688.4

 
312.9

 
$
411.0

 
$
794.4

 
$
1,170.1

Our long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2018 include their related interest and are discussed in Note 7 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements and under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above. Our operating lease obligations include operating leases on certain office space, data processing equipment and autos, as discussed in Note 16 – “Leases” to our consolidated financial statements. Purchase obligations consist primarily of agreements to purchase items related to our ongoing infrastructure projects and information technology investments in the normal course of business.

Our other long-term liabilities represent the loss reserves established to recognize the liability for losses and LAE related to existing defaults on insured mortgage loans. The timing of the future claim payments associated with the established loss reserves was determined primarily based on two key assumptions: the length of time it takes for a notice of delinquency to develop into a received claim and the length of time it takes for a received claim to be paid. The future claim payment periods are estimated based on historical experience, and could emerge differently than this estimate, in part, due to uncertainty regarding the effect of certain factors, such as loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and changes in some state foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation process. See Note 8 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements and “Critical Accounting Policies” below for additional information on our loss reserves. In accordance with GAAP for the mortgage insurance industry, we establish loss reserves only for delinquent loans. Because our reserving method does not take account of the impact of future losses that could occur from loans that are not delinquent, our obligation for ultimate losses that we expect to occur under our policies in force at any period end is not reflected in our consolidated financial statements or in the table above.

Benefit Plans
We have a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all domestic employees, as well as a supplemental executive retirement plan. Retirement benefits are based on compensation and years of service. We maintain plan assets to fund our defined benefit pension plan obligations. We do not have a minimum funding requirement for the defined benefit pension plan for 2019 and do not anticipate having a minimum funding requirement in 2020. We have significant discretion in making contributions above those necessary to satisfy the minimum funding requirements. In 2018, 2017, and 2016, there was no minimum funding requirement for the defined benefit pension plan. In 2018, 2017, and 2016, we voluntarily made contributions totaling $10.0 million, $9.1 million, and $8.7 million, respectively. We plan on making a voluntary contribution of approximately $7 million to the defined benefit pension plan in 2019. In determining future contributions, we will consider the performance of the plan's investment portfolio, the effects of interest rates on the projected benefit obligation of the plan and our other capital requirements. As of December 31, 2018, we had accrued a liability of $7.4 million related to our defined benefit pension plan as the projected obligation was in excess of plan assets. The supplemental executive retirement plan benefits are accrued for and are paid from MGIC assets following employee retirements. We plan on paying benefits of approximately $4 million under the supplemental executive retirement plan in 2019.

Our projected benefit obligations under these plans are subject to numerous actuarial assumptions that may change in the future and as a result could substantially increase or decrease our obligations. Plan assets held to pay our defined benefit pension plan obligations are primarily invested in a portfolio of debt securities to preserve capital and to provide monthly cash flows aligned with the liability component of our obligations, with a lesser percentage invested in a mix of equity securities. If the performance of our invested plan assets differs from our expectations, the funded status of the benefit pension plan may decline, even with no significant change in the obligations. See Note 11 - "Benefit Plans" to our consolidated financial statements for a complete discussion of these plans and their effect on the consolidated financial statements.


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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies described below require significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

LOSS RESERVES
Reserves are established for estimated insurance losses and LAE based on when notices of delinquency on insured mortgage loans are received. For reporting purposes, we consider a loan delinquent when it is two or more payments past due. Even though the accounting standard, ASC 944, regarding accounting and reporting by insurance entities specifically excluded mortgage insurance from its guidance relating to loss reserves, we establish loss reserves using the general principles contained in the insurance standard. However, consistent with industry standards for mortgage insurers, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans which are not currently delinquent.

We establish reserves using estimated claim rates and claim severities in estimating the ultimate loss.

The estimated claim rates and claim severities are used to determine the amount we estimate will actually be paid on the delinquent loans as of the reserve date. If a policy is rescinded we do not expect that it will result in a claim payment and thus the rescission generally reduces the historical claim rate used in establishing reserves. In addition, if a loan cures its delinquency, including through a successful loan modification, the cure reduces the historical claim rate used in establishing reserves. Our methodology to estimate claim rates and claim severities is based on our review of recent trends in the delinquent inventory. To establish reserves, we utilize a reserving model that continually incorporates historical data into the estimated claim rate. The model also incorporates an estimate for the amount of the claim we will pay, or severity. The severity is estimated using the historical percentage of our claims paid compared to our loan exposures, as well as the RIF of the loans currently in default. We do not utilize an explicit rescission rate in our reserving methodology, but rather our reserving methodology incorporates the effects rescission activity has had on our historical claim rate and claim severities. We review recent trends in the claim rate, severity, levels of defaults by geography and average loan exposure. As a result, the process to determine reserves does not include quantitative ranges of outcomes that are reasonably likely to occur.

The claim rates and claim severities are affected by external events, including actual economic conditions such as changes in unemployment rates, interest rates or housing values; and natural disasters. Our estimation process does not include a correlation between claim
 
rates and claim severities to projected economic conditions such as changes in unemployment rates, interest rates or housing values. Our experience is that analysis of that nature would not produce reliable results as the change in one economic condition cannot be isolated to determine its specific effect on our ultimate paid losses because each economic condition is also influenced by other economic conditions. Additionally, the changes and interactions of these economic conditions are not likely homogeneous throughout the regions in which we conduct business. Each economic condition influences our ultimate paid losses differently, even if apparently similar in nature. Furthermore, changes in economic conditions may not necessarily be reflected in our loss development in the quarter or year in which the changes occur. Actual claim results often lag changes in economic conditions by at least nine to twelve months.

Our estimates are also affected by any agreements we enter into regarding our claims paying practices, such as the settlement agreements discussed in Note 17 – “Litigation and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements.

Our estimate of loss reserves is sensitive to changes in claim rate and claim severity; it is possible that even a relatively small change in our estimated claim rate or severity could have a material impact on reserves and, correspondingly, on our consolidated results of operations even in a stable economic environment.  For example, as of December 31, 2018, assuming all other factors remain constant, a $1,000 increase/decrease in the average severity reserve factor would change the reserve amount by approximately +/- $12 million. A 1 percentage point increase/decrease in the average claim rate reserve factor would change the reserve amount by approximately +/- $19 million. Historically, it has not been uncommon for us to experience variability in the development of the loss reserves through the end of the following year at this level or higher, as shown by the historical development of our loss reserves in the table below:
Historical development of loss reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Losses incurred related to prior years (1)
 
Reserve at end of prior year
2018
 
$
(167,366
)
 
$
985,635

2017
 
(231,204
)
 
1,438,813

2016
 
(147,658
)
 
1,893,402

2015
 
(110,302
)
 
2,396,807

2014
 
(100,359
)
 
3,061,401

(1) 
A negative number for a prior year indicates a redundancy of loss reserves.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 75

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

See Note 8 – “Loss Reserves” to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent loss development.

IBNR Reserves
Reserves are established for estimated IBNR, which results from delinquencies occurring prior to the close of an accounting period, but which have not been reported to us. Consistent with reserves for reported delinquencies, IBNR reserves are established using estimated claim rates and claim severities for the estimated number of delinquencies not reported. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had IBNR reserves of approximately $29 million and $35 million, respectively.

The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrower income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values, that could result in, among other things, greater losses on loans, and may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance.
 
LAE
Reserves are established for the estimated costs of settling claims, including legal and other expenses and general expenses of administering the claims settlement process.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
When a policy term ends, the primary mortgage insurance written by us is renewable at the insured’s option through continued payment of the premium in accordance with the schedule established at the inception of the policy life. We are generally obligated to renew the policies and have no ability to reunderwrite or reprice these policies after issuance. Premiums written under policies having single and annual premium payments are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the policy life. Premiums written on policies covering more than one year are amortized over the policy life based on historical experience, which includes the anticipated incurred loss pattern.. Premiums written on annual policies are earned on a monthly pro rata basis. Premiums written on monthly policies are earned as the monthly coverage is provided. When a policy is cancelled, all premium that is non-refundable is immediately earned. Any refundable premium is returned to the servicer or borrower. Policies may be cancelled by the insured, or due to rescissions or claim payments. When a policy is rescinded, all previously collected premium is returned to the servicer and when a claim is paid, all premium collected since the date of default is returned. The liability associated with our estimate of premium to be returned is accrued for separately and this liability is included in “Other
 
liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in these liabilities and the actual return of premium affect premiums written and earned.
 
Fee income of our non-insurance subsidiaries is earned and recognized as the services are provided and the customer is obligated to pay.

DEFERRED INSURANCE POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
Costs directly associated with the successful acquisition of mortgage insurance business, consisting of employee compensation and other policy issuance and underwriting expenses, are initially deferred and reported as deferred insurance policy acquisition costs ("DAC"). The deferred costs are net of any ceding commissions received associated with our reinsurance transactions. For each underwriting year of business, these costs are amortized to income in proportion to estimated gross profits over the estimated life of the policies. We utilize anticipated investment income in our calculation. This includes accruing interest on the unamortized balance of DAC. The estimates for each underwriting year are reviewed quarterly and updated when necessary to reflect actual experience and any changes to key variables such as persistency or loss development.

Because our insurance premiums are earned over time, changes in persistency result in DAC being amortized against revenue over a longer or shorter period of time. However, even a 10% change in persistency would not have a material effect on the amortization of DAC in the subsequent year.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Investment Portfolio
Fixed income securities. Our fixed income securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. The related unrealized investment gains or losses are, after considering the related tax expense or benefit, recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity. Realized investment gains and losses on fixed income securities are reported in income based upon specific identification of securities sold, as well as any "other than temporary" impairments ("OTTI") recognized in earnings.

Equity securities. At December 31, 2017, equity securities were classified as available-for-sale and were reported at fair value, except for certain equity securities that were carried at cost, for which the amount reported approximated fair value. These equity securities carried at cost were reported as Other invested assets at December 31, 2018, as required under ASU 2016-01, discussed in "Recent Accounting and Reporting Developments" in Note 3 - "Significant Accounting Policies." The updated guidance also requires, effective January 1, 2018, the periodic change in fair value of equity securities to be recognized as realized


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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

investment gains and losses. For periods prior, realized investment gains and losses on equity securities were a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of an equity security and the equity security's cost basis, as well as any OTTI recognized in earnings.

Other invested assets. Other invested assets are carried at cost. These assets represent our investment in FHLB stock, which due to restrictions, is required to be redeemed or sold only to the security issuer at par value.

In accordance with fair value guidance, we applied the following fair value hierarchy in order to measure fair value for assets and liabilities:
è
Level 1
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that we can access. Financial assets using Level 1 inputs primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, money market funds, and certain equity securities.
è
Level 2
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets that we can access; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable in the marketplace for the instrument. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value of the instruments. Financial assets using Level 2 inputs primarily include obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and most municipal bonds.

The independent pricing sources used for our Level 2 investments vary by type of investment. See
Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" for further information.
è
Level 3
Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable or, from par values due to restrictions on certain securities that require them to be redeemed or sold only to the security issuer at par value. The inputs used to derive the fair value of Level 3 securities reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. Financial assets using Level 3 inputs include obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions and certain equity securities (2017 only). Our non-financial assets that are classified as Level 3 securities consist of real estate acquired through claim settlement. The fair value of real estate acquired is the lower of our acquisition cost or a percentage of the appraised value. The percentage applied to the appraised value is based upon our historical sales experience adjusted for current trends.

To determine the fair value of securities available-for-sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, independent pricing sources have been utilized. One price is provided per security based on observable market data. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the
 
pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. A variety of inputs are utilized; in approximate order of priority, they are: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including data published in market research publications.

Market indicators, industry and economic events are also considered. This information is evaluated using a multidimensional pricing model. This model combines all inputs to arrive at a value assigned to each security. Quality controls are performed by the independent pricing sources throughout this process, which include reviewing tolerance reports, data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. In addition, on a quarterly basis, we perform quality controls over values received from the pricing sources which also include reviewing tolerance reports, trading information, data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from the independent pricing sources.

Unrealized losses and OTTI
Each quarter we perform reviews of our investments in order to determine whether declines in fair value below amortized cost were considered other-than-temporary. In evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, we consider several factors including, but not limited to:
è
our intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis;
è
the present value of the discounted cash flows we expect to collect compared to the amortized cost basis of the security;
è
extent and duration of the decline;
è
failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
è
change in rating below investment grade; and
è
adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area.

Based on our evaluation, we will record an OTTI adjustment on a security if we intend to sell the impaired security, if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, or if the present value of the discounted cash flows we expect to collect is less than the amortized costs basis of the security. If the fair value of a security is below its amortized cost at the time of our intent to sell, the security is classified as other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of


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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms

the impairment is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations. Otherwise, when a security is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the losses are separated into the portion of the loss that represents the credit loss; and the portion that is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations, while the loss due to other factors is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes. A credit loss is determined to exist if the present value of the discounted cash flows, using the security’s original yield, expected to be collected from the security is less than the cost basis of the security.

Fair Value Option
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, we did not elect the fair value option for any financial instruments acquired, or issued, such as our outstanding debt obligations, for which the primary basis of accounting is not fair value.

 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our investment portfolio is essentially a fixed income portfolio and is exposed to market risk. Important drivers of the market risk are credit spread risk and interest rate risk.

Credit spread risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to adverse changes in credit spreads. Credit spread is the additional yield on fixed income securities above the risk-free rate (typically referenced as the yield on U.S. Treasury securities) that market participants require to compensate them for assuming credit, liquidity and/or prepayment risks.

We manage credit risk via our investment policy guidelines which primarily place our investments in investment grade securities and limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument. Guideline and investment portfolio detail is available in "Business – Section C, Investment Portfolio" in Item 1.

Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur a loss due to adverse changes in interest rates relative to the characteristics of our interest bearing assets.

One of the measures used to quantify interest rate this exposure is modified duration. Modified duration measures the price sensitivity of the assets to the changes in spreads. At December 31, 2018, the modified duration of our fixed income investment portfolio was 4.1 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.1% in the fair value of our fixed income portfolio. For an upward shift in the yield curve, the fair value of our portfolio would decrease and for a downward shift in the yield curve, the fair value would increase. A discussion of portfolio strategy appears in "Management's Discussion and Analysis – Balance Sheet Review– Investment Portfolio" in Item 7.


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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following consolidated financial statements are filed pursuant to this Item 8:
Index to consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
 
Page No.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 79


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
(In thousands)
 
Note
 
2018
 
2017
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment portfolio:
 
5 / 6
 
 
 
 
Fixed income, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost, 2018 - $5,196,784; 2017 - $4,946,278)
 
 
 
$
5,151,987

 
$
4,983,315

Equity securities, at fair value (cost, 2018 - $3,993; 2017 - $7,223)
 
 
 
3,932

 
7,246

Other invested assets, at cost
 
 
 
3,100

 

Total investment portfolio
 
 
 
5,159,019

 
4,990,561

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
 
151,892

 
99,851

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
 
 
3,146

 

Accrued investment income
 
 
 
48,001

 
46,060

Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves
 
 
33,328

 
48,474

Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
 
 
2,948

 
3,872

Premiums receivable
 
 
 
55,090

 
54,045

Home office and equipment, net
 
 
 
51,734

 
44,936

Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
 
 
 
17,888

 
18,841

Deferred income taxes, net
 
 
69,184

 
234,381

Other assets
 
 
 
85,572

 
78,478

Total assets
 
 
 
$
5,677,802

 
$
5,619,499

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss reserves
 
 
$
674,019

 
$
985,635

Unearned premiums
 
 
 
409,985

 
392,934

FHLB Advance
 
 
155,000

 
155,000

Senior notes
 
 
419,713

 
418,560

Convertible junior subordinated debentures
 
 
256,872

 
256,872

Other liabilities
 
 
 
180,322

 
255,972

Total liabilities
 
 
 
2,095,911

 
2,464,973

Contingencies
 
 


 


Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock (one dollar par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; shares issued 2018 - 371,353; 2017 - 370,567; outstanding 2018 - 355,371; 2017 - 370,567)
 
 
 
371,353

 
370,567

Paid-in capital
 
 
 
1,862,536

 
1,850,582

Treasury stock (shares at cost 2018 - 15,982)
 
 
 
(175,059
)
 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
(124,214
)
 
(43,783
)
Retained earnings
 
 
 
1,647,275

 
977,160

Total shareholders' equity
 
 
 
3,581,891

 
3,154,526

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
 
 
$
5,677,802

 
$
5,619,499

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 80


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Note
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premiums written:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
 
 
$
1,103,332

 
$
1,121,776

 
$
1,107,923

Assumed
 
 
 
271

 
1,905

 
1,053

Ceded
 
 
(111,341
)
 
(125,726
)
 
(133,885
)
Net premiums written
 
 
 
992,262

 
997,955

 
975,091

Increase in unearned premiums
 
 
 
(17,100
)
 
(63,208
)
 
(49,865
)
Net premiums earned
 
 
975,162

 
934,747

 
925,226

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income, net of expenses
 
 
141,331

 
120,871

 
110,666

Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
 
(1,353
)
 
231

 
8,921

Other revenue
 
 
 
8,708

 
10,205

 
17,670

Total revenues
 
 
 
1,123,848

 
1,066,054

 
1,062,483

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Losses incurred, net
 
8 / 9
 
36,562

 
53,709

 
240,157

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
 
 
 
11,932

 
11,111

 
9,646

Other underwriting and operating expenses, net
 
 
 
178,211

 
159,638

 
150,763

Interest expense
 
 
52,993

 
57,035

 
56,672

Loss on debt extinguishment
 
 

 
65

 
90,531

Total losses and expenses
 
 
 
279,698

 
281,558

 
547,769

Income before tax
 
 
 
844,150

 
784,496

 
514,714

Provision for income taxes
 
 
174,053

 
428,735

 
172,197

Net income
 
 
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
 
 
$
1.83

 
$
0.98

 
$
1.00

Diluted
 
 
 
$
1.78

 
$
0.95

 
$
0.86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
 
 
365,406

 
362,380

 
342,890

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
 
 
386,078

 
394,766

 
431,992

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 81


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
Note
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net income
 
 
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses
 
 
(64,646
)
 
47,547

 
(3,649
)
Benefit plans adjustment
 
 
(15,767
)
 
(5,839
)
 
(9,620
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
 
 

 
31

 
(951
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
 
 
(80,413
)
 
41,739

 
(14,220
)
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
$
589,684

 
$
397,500

 
$
328,297

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 82


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
Note
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
 
 
$
370,567

 
$
359,400

 
$
340,097

Issuance of common stock
 
 

 
10,386

 
18,313

Net common stock issued under share-based compensation plans
 
 
 
786

 
781

 
990

Balance, end of year
 
 
 
371,353

 
370,567

 
359,400

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paid-in capital
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
 
 
1,850,582

 
1,782,337

 
1,670,238

Cumulative effect of share-based compensation accounting standard update
 
 
 

 
49

 

Issuance of common stock
 
 

 
60,903

 
113,146

Net common stock issued under share-based compensation plans
 
 
 
(8,917
)
 
(7,602
)
 
(6,020
)
Reissuance of treasury stock, net under share-based compensation plans
 
 
 

 

 
(130
)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation
 
 
 

 

 
67

Equity compensation
 
 
 
20,871

 
14,895

 
11,373

Reacquisition of convertible junior subordinated debentures-equity component
 
 

 

 
(6,337
)
Balance, end of year
 
 
 
1,862,536

 
1,850,582

 
1,782,337

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Treasury stock
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
 
 

 
(150,359
)
 
(3,362
)
Purchases of common stock
 
 
(175,059
)
 

 
(147,127
)
Reissuance of treasury stock, net
 
 
 

 
150,359

 

Reissuance of treasury stock, net under share-based compensation plans
 
 
 

 

 
130

Balance, end of year
 
 
 
(175,059
)
 

 
(150,359
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
 
 
(43,783
)
 
(75,100
)
 
(60,880
)
Cumulative effect of financial instruments accounting standard update
 
 
(18
)
 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
 
(80,413
)
 
41,739

 
(14,220
)
Cumulative effect to reclassify certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
 

 
(10,422
)
 

Balance, end of year
 
 
 
(124,214
)
 
(43,783
)
 
(75,100
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance, beginning of year
 
 
 
977,160

 
632,564

 
290,047

Cumulative effect of financial instruments accounting standard update
 
 
18

 

 

Cumulative effect of share-based compensation accounting standard update
 
 
 

 
153

 

Net income
 
 
 
670,097

 
355,761

 
342,517

Reissuance of treasury stock, net
 
 

 
(21,740
)
 

Cumulative effect to reclassify certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 

 
10,422

 

Balance, end of year
 
 
 
1,647,275

 
977,160

 
632,564

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity
 
 
 
$
3,581,891

 
$
3,154,526

 
$
2,548,842


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 83


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and other amortization
 
58,215

 
64,430

 
61,342

Deferred tax expense
 
186,572

 
355,044

 
162,356

Net realized investment losses (gains)
 
1,353

 
(231
)
 
(8,921
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 
65

 
90,531

Change in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Accrued investment income
 
(1,941
)
 
(1,987
)
 
(3,849
)
Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves
 
15,146

 
2,019

 
(6,006
)
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
 
924

 
1,092

 
(1,645
)
Premiums receivable
 
(1,045
)
 
(1,653
)
 
(3,923
)
Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs
 
953

 
(1,082
)
 
(2,518
)
Profit commission receivable
 
(5,479
)
 
(2,844
)
 
(747
)
Loss reserves
 
(311,616
)
 
(453,178
)
 
(454,589
)
Unearned premiums
 
17,051

 
63,197

 
49,764

Return premium accrual
 
(22,900
)
 
(25,400
)
 
(18,800
)
Current income taxes
 
(77,551
)
 
51,296

 
4,941

Other, net
 
14,738

 
128

 
14,307

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
544,517

 
406,657

 
224,760

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of investments
 
(1,459,473
)
 
(1,293,695
)
 
(1,363,583
)
Proceeds from sales of investments
 
370,449

 
246,908

 
733,299

Proceeds from maturity of fixed income securities
 
785,175

 
759,212

 
547,444

Net increase in payables for securities
 
307

 

 

Additions to property and equipment
 
(14,238
)
 
(16,066
)
 
(10,552
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(317,780
)
 
(303,641
)
 
(93,392
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
 

 
150,000

 

Repayment of revolving credit facility
 

 
(150,000
)
 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 

 

 
573,094

Purchase or repayment of convertible senior notes
 

 
(145,620
)
 
(363,778
)
Payment of original issue discount - convertible senior notes
 

 
(4,504
)
 
(11,250
)
Purchase of convertible junior subordinated debentures
 

 

 
(100,860
)
Payment of original issue discount-convertible junior subordinated debentures
 

 

 
(41,540
)
Cash portion of loss on debt extinguishment
 

 

 
(59,460
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(163,419
)
 

 
(147,127
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 

 
(1,630
)
 
(1,127
)
Payment of withholding taxes related to share-based compensation net share settlement
 
(8,131
)
 
(6,821
)
 
(5,030
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(171,550
)
 
(158,575
)
 
(157,078
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
55,187

 
(55,559
)
 
(25,710
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
99,851

 
155,410

 
181,120

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 
$
155,038

 
$
99,851

 
$
155,410

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 84

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents



NOTE 1
 
Nature of Business
MGIC Investment Corporation is a holding company which, through Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation ("MGIC"), is principally engaged in the mortgage insurance business.  We provide mortgage insurance to lenders throughout the United States and to government sponsored entities to protect against loss from defaults on low down payment residential mortgage loans. Primary mortgage insurance provides mortgage default protection on individual loans and covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest and certain expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure or sale approved by us. Through certain non-insurance subsidiaries, we also provide various services for the mortgage finance industry, such as contract underwriting, analysis of loan originations and portfolios, and mortgage lead generation. MGIC Assurance Corporation ("MAC"), an insurance subsidiary of MGIC provides insurance for certain mortgages under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the "GSEs") credit risk transfer programs and is a participant in the Fannie Mae Enterprise-Paid Mortgage Insurance program.

At December 31, 2018, our direct domestic primary insurance in force ("IIF") was $209.7 billion, which represents the principal balance in our records of all mortgage loans that we insure, and our direct domestic primary risk in force ("RIF") was $54.1 billion, which represents the IIF multiplied by the insurance coverage percentage.

Substantially all of our insurance written since 2008 has been for loans purchased by the GSEs. We operate under the Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements ("PMIERs") of the GSEs that became effective December 31, 2015 and which have been amended from time to time. The financial requirements of the PMIERs require a mortgage insurer’s "Available Assets" (generally only the most liquid assets of an insurer) to equal or exceed its "Minimum Required Assets" (which are based on an insurer's book, calculated from tables of factors with several risk dimensions and subject to a floor amount). Based on our interpretation of the PMIERs, as of December 31, 2018, MGIC’s Available Assets are in excess of its Minimum Required Assets; and MGIC is in compliance with the financial requirements of the PMIERs and eligible to insure loans purchased by the GSEs.

NOTE 2
 
Basis of Presentation
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), as codified in the Accounting
 
Standards Codification ("ASC"). Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MGIC Investment Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In accordance with GAAP, we are required 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We have considered subsequent events through the date of this filing.

RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain reclassifications to 2017 and 2016 amounts have been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation. See Note 3 - "Significant Accounting Policies" for a discussion of our adoption of accounting guidance in 2018 that resulted in other reclassifications.

NOTE 3
 
Significant Accounting Policies
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
We consider money market funds and investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

RESTRICTED CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Restricted cash and cash equivalents consists of cash and money market funds held in trusts for the benefit of contractual counterparties under reinsurance agreements.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We carry certain financial instruments at fair value and disclose the fair value of all financial instruments. Our financial instruments carried at fair value are predominantly measured on a recurring basis. Financial instruments measured on a nonrecurring basis are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).

The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received upon a sale of an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on quoted market prices or inputs, where available. If prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based on valuation models or other valuation techniques that consider relevant transaction characteristics (such as maturity) and use as inputs observable or unobservable market parameters including yield curves, interest rates, volatilities, equity or debt prices, foreign exchange rates and credit curves.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 85

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value, as described below.

Valuation process
We use independent pricing sources to determine the fair value of a substantial majority of our financial instruments, which primarily consist of assets in our investment portfolio, but also includes amounts included in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. A variety of inputs are used; in approximate order of priority, they are: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications.

Market indicators, industry and economic events are also considered. This information is evaluated using a multidimensional pricing model. This model combines all inputs to arrive at a value assigned to each security. Quality controls are performed by the independent pricing sources throughout this process, which include reviewing tolerance reports, trading information, data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves.

On a quarterly basis, we perform quality controls over values received from the pricing sources which also include reviewing tolerance reports, data changes, and directional moves compared to market moves. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from the independent pricing sources.

Valuation hierarchy
A three-level valuation hierarchy has been established under GAAP for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of a financial instrument as of the measurement date. To determine the fair value of securities available-for-sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, independent pricing sources, as described in "Valuation process," have been utilized. One price is provided per security based on observable market data. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded.

 
The three levels are defined as follows.
è
Level 1
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that we can access. Financial assets using Level 1 inputs primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, money market funds, and certain equity securities.
è
Level 2
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets that we can access; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable in the marketplace for the instrument. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value of the instruments. Financial assets using Level 2 inputs primarily include obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and most municipal bonds.

The independent pricing sources used for our Level 2 investments vary by type of investment. See
Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" for further information.
è
Level 3
Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable or, from par values due to restrictions on certain securities that require them to be redeemed or sold only to the security issuer at par value. The inputs used to derive the fair value of Level 3 securities reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. Financial assets using Level 3 inputs include obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions and certain equity securities (2017 only). Our non-financial assets that are classified as Level 3 securities consist of real estate acquired through claim settlement. The fair value of real estate acquired is the lower of our acquisition cost or a percentage of the appraised value. The percentage applied to the appraised value is based upon our historical sales experience adjusted for current trends.

INVESTMENTS
Fixed income securities. Our fixed income securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. The related unrealized investment gains or losses are, after considering the related tax expense or benefit, recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity. Realized investment gains and losses on fixed income securities are reported in income based upon specific identification of securities sold. as well as any "other than temporary" impairments ("OTTI") recognized in earnings.

Equity securities. At December 31, 2017, equity securities were classified as available-for-sale and were reported at fair value, except for certain equity securities that were carried at cost, for which the amount reported approximated fair value. These equity securities carried at cost are reported as Other invested assets at


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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


December 31, 2018, as required under ASU 2016-01, discussed in "Recent Accounting and Reporting Developments" below. The updated guidance also requires, effective January 1, 2018, the periodic change in fair value of equity securities to be recognized as realized investment gains and losses. For periods prior, realized investment gains and losses on equity securities were a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of an equity security and the equity security's cost basis, as well as any OTTI recognized in earnings.

Other invested assets. Other invested assets are carried at cost. These assets represent our investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago ("FHLB") stock, which due to restrictions, is required to be redeemed or sold only to the security issuer at par value.

Unrealized losses and OTTI
Each quarter we perform reviews of our investments in order to determine whether declines in fair value below amortized cost were considered other-than-temporary. In evaluating whether a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, we consider several factors including, but not limited to:
è
our intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis;
è
the present value of the discounted cash flows we expect to collect compared to the amortized cost basis of the security;
è
extent and duration of the decline;
è
failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
è
change in rating below investment grade; and
è
adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area.

Based on our evaluation, we will record an OTTI adjustment on a security if we intend to sell the impaired security, if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, or if the present value of the discounted cash flows we expect to collect is less than the amortized cost basis of the security. If the fair value of a security is below its amortized cost at the time of our intent to sell, the security is classified as other-than-temporarily impaired and the full amount of the impairment is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations. Otherwise, when a security is considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the losses are separated into the portion of the loss that represents the credit loss and the portion that is due to other factors. The credit loss portion is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations, while the loss due to other factors is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. A credit loss is determined to exist if the present value of the
 
discounted cash flows, using the security’s original yield, expected to be collected from the security is less than the cost basis of the security.

HOME OFFICE AND EQUIPMENT
Home office and equipment is carried at cost net of depreciation.  For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is determined on a straight-line basis for the home office and equipment over estimated lives ranging from 3 to 45 years. For income tax purposes, we use accelerated depreciation methods.

Home office and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $38.1 million, $33.9 million and $30.6 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $6.0 million, $5.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

DEFERRED INSURANCE POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
Costs directly associated with the successful acquisition of mortgage insurance business, consisting of employee compensation and other policy issuance and underwriting expenses, are initially deferred and reported as deferred insurance policy acquisition costs ("DAC"). The deferred costs are net of any ceding commissions received associated with our reinsurance agreements.  For each underwriting year of business, these costs are amortized to income in proportion to estimated gross profits over the estimated life of the policies.  We utilize anticipated investment income in our calculation. This includes accruing interest on the unamortized balance of DAC. The estimates for each underwriting year are reviewed quarterly and updated when necessary to reflect actual experience and any changes to key variables such as persistency or loss development. 

LOSS RESERVES
Reserves are established for insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") when we receive notices of delinquency on insured mortgage loans. We consider a loan in default when it is two or more payments past due. Even though the accounting standard, ASC 944, regarding accounting and reporting by insurance entities specifically excludes mortgage insurance from its guidance relating to loss reserves, we establish loss reserves using the general principles contained in the insurance standard. However, consistent with industry standards for mortgage insurers, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans which are not currently delinquent. Loss reserves are established by estimating the number of loans in our inventory of delinquent loans that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity. Our loss estimates are established based upon historical experience, including with rescissions of policies, curtailments of claims, and loan modification activity. Adjustments to


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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


reserve estimates are reflected in the financial statements in the years in which the adjustments are made. The liability for reinsurance assumed is based on information provided by the ceding companies.

Reserves are established for estimated losses from delinquencies occurring prior to the close of an accounting period on notices of delinquency not yet reported to us. These incurred but not reported ("IBNR") reserves are also established using estimated claim rates and claim severities.

Reserves are established for the estimated costs of settling claims, including legal and other expenses and general expenses of administering the claims settlement process. Reserves are ceded to reinsurers under our reinsurance agreements. (See Note 8 – “Loss Reserves” and Note 9 – “Reinsurance.”)

PREMIUM DEFICIENCY RESERVE
After our loss reserves are initially established, we perform premium deficiency tests using our best estimate assumptions as of the testing date. Premium deficiency reserves are established, if necessary, when the present value of expected future losses and expenses exceeds the present value of expected future premium and already established reserves.  Products are grouped for premium deficiency testing purposes based on similarities in the way the products are acquired, serviced and measured for profitability.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
We write policies which are guaranteed renewable contracts at the insured's option on a monthly, single, or annual premium basis. We have no ability to reunderwrite or reprice these contracts. Premiums written on monthly premium policies are earned as coverage is provided. Premiums written on single premium policies and annual premium policies are initially deferred as unearned premium reserve and earned over the estimated policy life. Premiums written on policies covering more than one year are amortized over the policy life based on historical experience, which includes the anticipated incurred loss pattern. Premiums written on annual premium policies are earned on a monthly pro rata basis. When a policy is cancelled for a reason other than rescission or claim payment, all premium that is non-refundable is immediately earned. Any refundable premium is returned to the servicer or borrower. When a policy is cancelled due to rescission, all previously collected premium is returned to the servicer and when a policy is cancelled because a claim is paid, premium collected since the date of delinquency is returned. The liability associated with our estimate of premium to be returned is accrued for separately and included in "Other liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in this liability, and the actual return of premiums for all periods, affects premiums written and earned.

 
Fee income of our non-insurance subsidiaries is earned and recognized as the services are provided and the customer is obligated to pay. Fee income consists primarily of contract underwriting and related fee-based services provided to lenders and is included in “Other revenue” on the consolidated statements of operations.

INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes are provided under the liability method, which recognizes the future tax effects of temporary differences between amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the tax bases of these items.  The estimated tax effects are computed at the enacted federal statutory income tax rate. Changes in tax laws, rates, regulations, and policies or the final determination of tax audits or examinations, could materially affect our estimates and can be significant to our operating results. We evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax assets based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The recognition of a tax position is determined using a two-step approach, a more-likely-than-not threshold for recognition and derecognition, and a measurement attribute that is the greatest amount of benefit that is cumulatively greater than 50% likely of being realized. When evaluating a tax position for recognition and measurement, we presume that the tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. (See "Note 12 - Income Taxes.")

BENEFIT PLANS
We have a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all domestic employees, as well as a supplemental executive retirement plan. Retirement benefits are based on compensation and years of service.  We recognize these retirement benefit costs over the period during which employees render the service that qualifies them for benefits. Our policy is to fund pension cost as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

We offer both medical and dental benefits for retired domestic employees, their eligible spouses and dependents until the retiree reaches the age of 65. Under the plan retirees pay a premium for these benefits. We accrue the estimated costs of retiree medical and dental benefits over the period during which employees render the service that qualifies them for benefits. (See Note 11 – “Benefit Plans.”)



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 88

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


REINSURANCE
Loss reserves and unearned premiums are reported before taking credit for amounts ceded under reinsurance agreements.  Ceded loss reserves are reflected as "Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves."  Ceded unearned and prepaid reinsurance premiums are included in “Other assets.” Amounts due from reinsurers on paid claims are reflected as “Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses.” Ceded premiums payable are included in “Other liabilities.” Any profit commissions are included with “Premiums written – Ceded” and any ceding commissions are included with “Other underwriting and operating expenses, net.” We remain liable for all insurance ceded.  (See Note 9 – “Reinsurance.”)

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
We have certain share-based compensation plans. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period which generally corresponds to the vesting period.  Awards under our plans generally vest over periods ranging from one to three years.  (See Note 15 – “Share-based Compensation Plans.”)

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. The computation of basic EPS includes as "participating securities" an immaterial number of unvested share-based compensation awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, under the "two-class" method. Our participating securities are composed of vested restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSUs") with non-forfeitable rights to dividends (of which none have been declared since the issuance of these participating securities).
Diluted EPS includes the components of basic EPS and also gives effect to dilutive common stock equivalents. We calculate diluted EPS using the treasury stock method and if-converted method. Under the treasury stock method, diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our unvested restricted stock units result in the issuance of common stock. Under the if-converted method, diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our convertible debt instruments result in the issuance of common stock. The determination of potentially issuable shares does not consider the satisfaction of the conversion requirements and the shares are included in the determination of diluted EPS as of the beginning of the period, if dilutive. In addition to our 9% Debentures, of which a portion remain outstanding, we previously had several convertible senior note debt issuances that could have resulted in contingently issuable shares and we considered each potential issuance of shares separately to reflect the maximum potential dilution for the period the debt issuances were outstanding.
 
For purposes of calculating basic and diluted EPS, vested restricted stock and RSUs are considered outstanding.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions during 2018, 2017 or 2016.

RECENT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING DEVELOPMENTS
Accounting standards effective in 2018, or early adopted, and relevant to our financial statements

Table 3.1 shows the relevant amendments to accounting standards that have been implemented for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018; none had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
Standard / Interpretation
Table
3.1
 
 
 
 
 
Effective date
Amended Standards
ASC 230
Statement of Cash Flows
 
 
ASU 2016-18 - Restricted Cash
January 1, 2018
ASC 718
Compensation - Stock Compensation
 
 
ASU 2017-09 - Scope of Modification Accounting
January 1, 2018
ASC 310
Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs
 
 
ASU 2017-08 - Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
January 1, 2019
ASC 715
Compensation - Retirement Benefits
 
 
ASU 2017-07 - Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
January 1, 2018
ASC 825
Financial Instruments - Overall
 
 
ASU 2016-01 - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
January 1, 2018

Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash
In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued updated guidance related to the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 89

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


è
Adoption impact: The statements of cash flows presented for the three years ended December 31, 2018 are in accordance with the guidance of this updated standard.

Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting
In May 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance related to a change in the terms or conditions (modification) of a share-based award. The updated guidance provides that an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless the fair value and vesting conditions of the modified award and the classification of the award (equity or liability instrument) are the same as the original award immediately before the modification. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.
è
Adoption impact: The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
In March 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening the amortization period to the earliest call date. This updated guidance aligns with how callable debt securities, in the United States, are generally quoted, priced, and traded, which incorporates consideration of calls (also referred to as “yield-to-worst” pricing). The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods, but allows for early adoption.
è
Adoption impact: We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018 with no impact to our consolidated financial statements or disclosures as our accounting policy adhered to the updated guidance.

Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
In March 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance intended to improve the reporting of net benefit cost in the financial statements. The updated guidance requires that an employer report the service cost component of pension and post-retirement benefit costs in the same financial statement caption as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Previous guidance did not prescribe where the amount of net benefit cost should be presented in an employer’s statement of operations and did not require entities to disclose by line item the amount of net benefit cost that is included in the statement of operations. The updated guidance is effective for annual
 
periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods.
è
Adoption impact: The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures as the service cost component is reported in the same financial statement caption as other compensation costs and we do not present a subtotal of income outside of income from operations. The service cost component of our benefit plans is disclosed in Note 11 - “Benefit Plans” to our consolidated financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance to address the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of certain financial instruments. The updated guidance requires equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, that have a readily determinable fair value to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values may be remeasured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. A qualitative assessment for impairment is required for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The updated guidance also eliminates the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. Further, the updated guidance clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entities’ other deferred tax assets. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods and requires recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment at adoption.
è
Adoption impact: The adoption of this guidance resulted in an immaterial cumulative effect adjustment to our 2018 beginning accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and retained earnings to recognize unrealized gains on equity investments. At December 31, 2017, equity investments were classified as available-for-sale on the consolidated balance sheet. Upon adoption, the updated guidance eliminated the available-for-sale balance sheet classification for equity securities.

In February 2018, the FASB issued a separate update for technical corrections and improvements to clarify certain aspects of the guidance described above. This update clarifies the presentation of investments in, among other things, Federal Home Loan Bank stock and prohibits those investments from being shown with equity securities.
è
Adoption impact: At December 31, 2018, the value of our investment in FHLB stock, which is carried at cost, is presented within “Other invested assets” on our consolidated balance sheet.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 90

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Table 3.2 shows the relevant new amendments to accounting standards, which are not yet effective or adopted.
Standard / Interpretation
Table
3.2
 
 
 
 
 
Effective date
Amended Standards
ASC 326
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
 
 
ASU 2016-13 - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
January 1, 2020
ASC 820
Fair Value Measurement
 
 
ASU 2018-13 - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements
January 1, 2020
ASC 715
Compensation - Retirement Benefits
 
 
ASU 2018-14 - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
January 1, 2021

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance that requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial instruments. Entities will be required to utilize a current expected credit losses (“CECL”) methodology that incorporates their forecast of future economic conditions into their loss estimate unless such forecast is not reasonable and supportable, in which case the entity will revert to historical loss experience. Any allowance for CECL reduces the amortized cost basis of the financial instrument to the amount an entity expects to collect. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, rather than a write-down of the asset, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. 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 updated guidance is not prescriptive about certain aspects of estimating expected credit losses, including the specific methodology to use, and therefore will require significant judgment in application. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, but do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

 
Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement
In August 2018, the FASB issued updated guidance that changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The updated guidance removed the requirement to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The updated guidance clarifies that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurements as of the reporting date. Further, the updated guidance will require disclosure of changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption was permitted upon issuance of this update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any guidance that removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this update and to delay adoption of the additional disclosures until its effective date. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statement disclosures, but do not expect it to have a material impact.

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
In August 2018, the FASB issued amendments to modify the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans. The updated guidance removed the requirements to identify amounts that are expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the coming year and the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on service and interest cost and on the postretirement benefit obligation. The updated guidance added disclosures for the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with interest crediting rates and explanations for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. An entity should apply the amendments on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statement disclosures, but do not expect it to have a material impact.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 91

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


NOTE 4
 
Earnings Per Share
Table 4.1 reconciles basic and diluted EPS amounts:
Earnings per share
Table
4.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
 
365,406

 
362,380

 
342,890

Basic earnings per share
 
$
1.83

 
$
0.98

 
$
1.00

Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

Interest expense, net of tax (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
2% Notes
 

 
907

 
6,111

5% Notes
 

 
1,709

 
6,362

9% Debentures
 
18,264

 
15,027

 
15,893

Diluted income available to common shareholders
 
$
688,361

 
$
373,404

 
$
370,883

Weighted-average shares - basic
 
365,406

 
362,380

 
342,890

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unvested restricted stock units
 
1,644

 
1,493

 
1,470

2% Notes
 

 
8,317

 
54,450

5% Notes
 

 
3,548

 
13,107

9% Debentures
 
19,028

 
19,028

 
20,075

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
 
386,078

 
394,766

 
431,992

Diluted income per share
 
$
1.78

 
$
0.95

 
$
0.86

(1) 
Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 has been tax effected at a rate of 21%, 35%, and 35%, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, all of our then outstanding Convertible Senior Notes and Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures are reflected in diluted earnings per share using the “if-converted” method. Under this method, if dilutive, the common stock related to the outstanding Convertible Senior Notes and/or Convertible Junior Debentures is assumed issued as of the beginning of the reporting period and the related interest expense, net of tax, is added back to earnings in calculating diluted EPS.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 92

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


NOTE 5
 
Investments
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of our fixed income securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are shown below:
Details of fixed income investment securities by category as of December 31, 2018
Table
5.1a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses (1)
 
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
167,655

 
$
597

 
$
(1,076
)
 
$
167,176

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
1,701,826

 
29,259

 
(10,985
)
 
1,720,100

Corporate debt securities
 
2,439,173

 
2,103

 
(40,514
)
 
2,400,762

ABS
 
111,953

 
226

 
(146
)
 
112,033

RMBS
 
189,238

 
32

 
(10,309
)
 
178,961

CMBS
 
276,352

 
888

 
(9,580
)
 
267,660

CLOs
 
310,587

 
2

 
(5,294
)
 
305,295

Total fixed income securities
 
$
5,196,784

 
$
33,107

 
$
(77,904
)
 
$
5,151,987

Details of fixed income investment securities by category as of December 31, 2017
Table
5.1b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses (1)
 
Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
179,850

 
$
274

 
$
(1,278
)
 
$
178,846

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
2,105,063

 
56,210

 
(8,749
)
 
2,152,524

Corporate debt securities
 
2,065,475

 
10,532

 
(9,169
)
 
2,066,838

ABS
 
4,925

 

 
(2
)
 
4,923

RMBS
 
189,153

 
60

 
(7,364
)
 
181,849

CMBS
 
301,014

 
1,204

 
(4,906
)
 
297,312

CLOs
 
100,798

 
304

 
(79
)
 
101,023

Total fixed income securities
 
$
4,946,278

 
$
68,584

 
$
(31,547
)
 
$
4,983,315

(1) 
There were no OTTI losses recorded in other comprehensive (loss) income as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
We had $13.5 million and $13.6 million of investments at fair value on deposit with various states as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, due to regulatory requirements of those state insurance departments. In connection with our insurance and reinsurance activities, we are required to maintain assets in trusts for the benefit of contractual counterparties. The fair value of the investments on deposit in these trusts was $26.3 million and $7.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 93

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Table 5.2 compares the amortized cost and fair values of fixed income securities, by contractual maturity, as of December 31, 2018. The analysis is based upon contractual maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because most mortgage and asset-backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed separately in the table.
Fixed income securities maturity schedule
Table
5.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
 
$
484,485

 
$
482,919

Due after one year through five years
 
1,652,638

 
1,632,494

Due after five years through ten years
 
1,011,237

 
996,335

Due after ten years
 
1,160,294

 
1,176,290

 
 
4,308,654

 
4,288,038

 
 
 
 
 
ABS
 
111,953

 
112,033

RMBS
 
189,238

 
178,961

CMBS
 
276,352

 
267,660

CLOs
 
310,587

 
305,295

Total as of December 31, 2018
 
$
5,196,784

 
$
5,151,987


Proceeds from the sale of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale were $365.6 million, $246.9 million, and $728.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Gross gains of $0.7 million, $1.6 million, and $11.9 million and gross losses of $3.8 million, $1.4 million and $3.0 million were realized on those sales during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded $1.8 million of OTTI losses in earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no OTTI losses in earnings.

EQUITY SECURITIES
The cost and fair value of investments in equity securities as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are showing in tables 5.3a and 5.3b below. As described in Note 3 - "Significant Accounting Pronouncements," under updated guidance regarding the "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" which became effective on January 1, 2018, the amount of our FHLB stock investment has been reclassified and presented in "Other invested assets" on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018.
Details of equity investment securities as of December 31, 2018
Table
5.3a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Cost
 
Gross gains
 
Gross losses
 
Fair Value
Equity securities
 
3,993

 
11

 
(72
)
 
3,932

Details of equity investment securities as of December 31, 2017
Table
5.3b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Cost
 
Gross gains
 
Gross losses
 
Fair Value
Equity securities
 
7,223

 
39

 
(16
)
 
7,246


Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $4.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. Gross gains of $3.7 million were realized on those sales during the year ended December 31, 2018. There were no sales of equity securities in 2017 or 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $84 thousand of net losses on equity securities still held as of December 31, 2018, which are reported in Net realized investment (losses) gains on our consolidated statements of operations.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 94

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


OTHER INVESTED ASSETS
Other invested assets include an investment in FHLB stock that is carried at cost, which due to its nature approximates fair value. Ownership of FHLB stock provides access to a secured lending facility, and our current FHLB Advance amount is secured by eligible collateral whose fair value is maintained at a minimum of 102% of the outstanding principal balance of the FHLB Advance. As of December 31, 2018, that collateral consisted of fixed income securities included in our total investment portfolio, and cash and cash equivalents, with a total fair value of $168.9 million.

UNREALIZED INVESTMENT LOSSES
Tables 5.4a and 5.4b below summarize, for all available-for-sale investments in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized losses by the length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. Gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale investments amounted to $78 million and $32 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The fair value amounts reported in tables 5.4a and 5.4b below are estimated using the process described in Note 6 - "Fair Value Measurements" to these consolidated financial statements.
Unrealized loss aging for securities by type and length of time as of December 31, 2018
Table
5.4a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
23,710

 
$
(15
)
 
$
69,146

 
$
(1,061
)
 
$
92,856

 
$
(1,076
)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
316,655

 
(3,875
)
 
358,086

 
(7,110
)
 
674,741

 
(10,985
)
Corporate debt securities
 
1,272,279

 
(18,130
)
 
785,627

 
(22,384
)
 
2,057,906

 
(40,514
)
ABS
 
51,324

 
(146
)
 

 

 
51,324

 
(146
)
RMBS
 
24

 

 
178,573

 
(10,309
)
 
178,597

 
(10,309
)
CMBS
 
65,704

 
(1,060
)
 
163,272

 
(8,520
)
 
228,976

 
(9,580
)
CLOs
 
296,497

 
(5,294
)
 

 

 
296,497

 
(5,294
)
Total
 
$
2,026,193

 
$
(28,520
)
 
$
1,554,704

 
$
(49,384
)
 
$
3,580,897

 
$
(77,904
)
Unrealized loss aging for securities by type and length of time as of December 31, 2017
Table
5.4b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
144,042

 
$
(796
)
 
$
31,196

 
$
(482
)
 
$
175,238

 
$
(1,278
)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
505,311

 
(3,624
)
 
211,684

 
(5,125
)
 
716,995

 
(8,749
)
Corporate debt securities
 
932,350

 
(4,288
)
 
200,716

 
(4,881
)
 
1,133,066

 
(9,169
)
ABS
 
4,923

 
(2
)
 

 

 
4,923

 
(2
)
RMBS
 
14,979

 
(280
)
 
166,329

 
(7,084
)
 
181,308

 
(7,364
)
CMBS
 
51,096

 
(358
)
 
138,769

 
(4,548
)
 
189,865

 
(4,906
)
CLOs
 
14,243

 
(7
)
 
3,568

 
(72
)
 
17,811

 
(79
)
Equity securities
 
226

 
(2
)
 
431

 
(14
)
 
657

 
(16
)
Total
 
$
1,667,170

 
$
(9,357
)
 
$
752,693

 
$
(22,206
)
 
$
2,419,863

 
$
(31,563
)
For those securities in an unrealized loss position, the length of time the securities were in such a position, is measured by their month-end fair values. The unrealized losses in all categories of our investments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were primarily caused by changes in interest rates between the time of purchase and the respective year end. There were 721 and 586 securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value as a percent of amortized cost of the securities in an unrealized loss position was 98% and approximately 8% of the securities in an unrealized loss position were backed by the U.S. Government.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 95

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents



The source of net investment income is shown in table 5.5 below.
Net investment income
Table
5.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed income securities
 
$
140,539

 
$
122,105

 
$
112,513

Equity securities
 
228

 
206

 
182

Cash equivalents
 
3,423

 
1,447

 
754

Other
 
816

 
620

 
433

Investment income
 
145,006

 
124,378

 
113,882

Investment expenses
 
(3,675
)
 
(3,507
)
 
(3,216
)
Net investment income
 
$
141,331

 
$
120,871

 
$
110,666


The change in unrealized gains (losses) of investments is shown in table 5.6 below.
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
Table
5.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed income securities
 
$
(81,834
)
 
$
69,026

 
$
(5,403
)
Equity securities
 

 
39

 
(36
)
Other
 

 
(13
)
 
14

Change in unrealized gains/losses
 
$
(81,834
)
 
$
69,052

 
$
(5,425
)

NOTE 6
 
Fair Value Measurements
The following table describes the valuation methodologies generally used by the independent pricing sources, or by us, to measure financial instruments at fair value, including the general classification of such financial instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Level 1 measurements
Fixed income securities: Consist of primarily U.S. Treasury securities with valuations derived from quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that we can access.
Equity securities: Consist of actively traded, exchange-listed equity securities with valuations derived from quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that we can access.
Other: Consists of money market funds with valuations derived from quoted prices for identical assets in active markets that we can access.

Level 2 measurements
Fixed income securities:
Corporate Debt & U.S. Government and Agency Bonds are valued by surveying the dealer community, obtaining relevant trade data, benchmark quotes and spreads and incorporating this information into the valuation process.
Obligations of U.S. States & Political Subdivisions are valued by tracking, capturing, and analyzing quotes for active issues and trades reported via the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board records. Daily briefings and reviews of current economic conditions, trading levels, spread relationships, and the slope of the yield curve provide further data for evaluation.
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities ("RMBS") are valued by monitoring interest rate movements, and other pertinent data daily. Incoming market data is enriched to derive spread, yield and/or price data as appropriate, enabling known data points to be extrapolated for valuation application across a range of related securities.
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities ("CMBS") are valued using techniques that reflect market participants’ assumptions and maximize the use of relevant observable inputs including quoted prices for similar assets, benchmark yield curves and market corroborated inputs. Evaluation uses regular reviews of the inputs for


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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


securities covered, including executed trades, broker quotes, credit information, collateral attributes and/or cash flow waterfall as applicable.
Asset-Backed Securities ("ABS") are valued using spreads and other information solicited from market buy-and-sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts. Cash flows are generated for each tranche, benchmark yields are determined, and deal collateral performance and tranche level attributes including trade activity, bids, and offers are applied, resulting in tranche specific prices.
Collateralized loan obligations ("CLO") Collateralized Loan Obligations are valued by evaluating manager rating, seniority in the capital structure, assumptions about prepayment, default and recovery and their impact on cash flow generation. Loan level net asset values are determined and aggregated for tranches and as a final step prices are checked against available recent trade activity.

Level 3 measurements
Equity securities (2017): FHLB stock valued at par value due to restrictions that require it to be redeemed or sold only to the security issuer at par value.

RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Assets carried at fair value included those listed, by hierarchy level, in the following tables as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Assets carried at fair value by hierarchy level as of December 31, 2018
Table
6.1a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
167,176

 
$
42,264

 
$
124,912

 
$

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
1,720,100

 

 
1,720,087

 
13

Corporate debt securities
 
2,400,762

 

 
2,400,762

 

ABS
 
112,033

 

 
112,033

 

RMBS
 
178,961

 

 
178,961

 

CMBS
 
267,660

 

 
267,660

 

CLOs
 
305,295

 

 
305,295

 

Total fixed income securities
 
5,151,987

 
42,264

 
5,109,710

 
13

Equity securities
 
3,932

 
3,932

 

 

Other (1)
 
96,403

 
96,403

 

 

Real estate acquired (2)
 
14,535

 

 

 
14,535

Total
 
$
5,266,857

 
$
142,599

 
$
5,109,710

 
$
14,548



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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Assets carried at fair value by hierarchy level as of December 31, 2017
Table
6.1b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
178,846

 
$
81,598

 
$
97,248

 
$

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
 
2,152,524

 

 
2,152,253

 
271

Corporate debt securities
 
2,066,838

 

 
2,066,838

 

ABS
 
4,923

 

 
4,923

 

RMBS
 
181,849

 

 
181,849

 

CMBS
 
297,312

 

 
297,312

 

CLOs
 
101,023

 

 
101,023

 

Total fixed income securities
 
4,983,315

 
81,598

 
4,901,446

 
271

Equity securities (3)
 
7,246

 
2,978

 

 
4,268

Real estate acquired (2)
 
12,713

 

 

 
12,713

Total
 
$
5,003,274

 
$
84,576

 
$
4,901,446

 
$
17,252

(1) 
Consists of money market funds included in "Cash and Cash Equivalents" and "Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents" on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) 
Real estate acquired through claim settlement, which is held for sale, is reported in "Other assets" on the consolidated balance sheets.
(3) 
Equity securities in Level 3 are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. See "Reconciliation of Level 3 assets" below for information regarding a change in presentation of amounts previously included in Level 3 Equity securities.

Certain financial instruments, including insurance contracts, are excluded from fair value disclosure requirements. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents (Level 1) and accrued investment income (Level 2) approximated their fair values.

RECONCILIATIONS OF LEVEL 3 ASSETS
For assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is shown in tables 6.2a, 6.2b and 6.2c below. As described in Note 3 - "Significant Accounting Policies," under updated guidance regarding the "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" which became effective on January 1, 2018, our investment in FHLB stock is no longer presented with equity securities. Prior to the updated guidance, the FHLB stock was included in our Level 3 equity securities. As shown in table 6.2a below, for the year ended December 31, 2018, we have transferred the FHLB stock out of Level 3 assets, and it is carried at cost, which approximates fair value, on our consolidated balance sheet in "Other invested assets" as of December 31, 2018. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 for the years ending December 31, 2017 and 2016. There were no losses included in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 attributable to the change in unrealized losses on assets still held at the end of each applicable year.


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Table of Contents


Fair value roll-forward for financial instruments classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2018
Table
6.2a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Debt Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
Total Investments
 
Real Estate Acquired
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
271

 
$
4,268

 
$
4,539

 
$
12,713

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 
(3,100
)
 
(3,100
)
 

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings and reported as net realized investment gains
 

 
3,663

 
3,663

 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
 

 

 

 
(1,995
)
Purchases
 

 

 

 
33,912

Sales
 
(258
)
 
(4,831
)
 
(5,089
)
 
(30,095
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
13

 
$

 
$
13

 
$
14,535

Fair value roll-forward for financial instruments classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2017
Table
6.2b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Debt Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
Total Investments
 
Real Estate Acquired
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
691

 
$
4,268

 
$
4,959

 
$
11,748

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
 

 

 

 
(1,315
)
Purchases
 

 

 

 
34,749

Sales
 
(420
)
 

 
(420
)
 
(32,469
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
271

 
$
4,268

 
$
4,539

 
$
12,713

Fair value roll-forward for financial instruments classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2016
Table
6.2c
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Debt Securities
 
Equity Securities
 
Total Investments
 
Real Estate Acquired
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
1,228

 
$
2,855

 
$
4,083

 
$
12,149

Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings and reported as net realized investment gains
 

 
3,579

 
3,579

 

Included in earnings and reported as losses incurred, net
 

 

 

 
(1,142
)
Purchases
 

 
4,258

 
4,258

 
36,859

Sales
 
(537
)
 
(6,424
)
 
(6,961
)
 
(36,118
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
691

 
$
4,268

 
$
4,959

 
$
11,748

Additional fair value disclosures related to our investment portfolio are included in Note 5 – “Investments.



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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


FINANCIAL LIABILITIES NOT CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE
Financial liabilities are incurred in the normal course of our business. Table 6.3 compares the carrying value and fair value of our financial liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The fair values of our 5.75% Notes and 9% Debentures were based on observable market prices. The fair value of the FHLB Advance was estimated using cash flows discounted at current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements, and in all cases they are categorized as Level 2. See Note 7 - "Debt" for a description of the financial liabilities in table 6.3.
Financial liabilities not carried at fair value
Table
6.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(In thousands)
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB Advance
 
$
155,000

 
$
150,551

 
$
155,000

 
$
152,124

5.75% Notes
 
419,713

 
425,791

 
418,560

 
465,473

9% Debentures
 
256,872

 
338,069

 
256,872

 
353,507

Total financial liabilities
 
$
831,585

 
$
914,411

 
$
830,432

 
$
971,104


The 5.75% Notes and 9% Debentures are obligations of our holding company, MGIC Investment Corporation, and not of its subsidiaries.




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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


NOTE 7
 
Debt
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Table 7.1 shows the carrying value of our long-term debt obligations as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Long-term debt obligations
Table
7.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
FHLB Advance - 1.91%, due February 2023
 
$
155.0

 
$
155.0

5.75% Notes, due August 2023 (par value: $425 million)
 
419.7

 
418.5

9% Debentures, due April 2063
 
256.9

 
256.9

Long-term debt, carrying value
 
$
831.6

 
$
830.4


FHLB Advance
MGIC borrowed $155.0 million in the form of a fixed rate advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago ("Advance"). Interest on the Advance is payable monthly at an annual rate, fixed for the term of the Advance, of 1.91%. The principal of the Advance matures on February 10, 2023. MGIC may prepay the Advance at any time. Such prepayment would be below par if interest rates have risen after the Advance was originated, or above par if interest rates have declined. The Advance is secured by eligible collateral whose market value must be maintained at 102% of the principal balance of the Advance. MGIC provided eligible collateral from its investment portfolio.

5.75% Notes
Interest on the 5.75% Notes is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on February 15, 2017. We have the option to redeem these notes, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i)100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (ii) the make-whole amount, which is the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted at the treasury rate defined in the notes plus 50 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

The 5.75% Notes have covenants customary for securities of this nature, including customary events of default, and further provide that the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5.75% Notes may declare them immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of certain events of default after the expiration of the applicable grace period. In addition, in the case of an event of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries, the 5.75% Notes will become due and payable immediately. This
 
description is not intended to be complete in all respects and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the 5.75% Notes, including their covenants and events of default. We were in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2018.

9% Debentures
The 9% Debentures are currently convertible, at the holder's option, at an initial conversion rate, which is subject to adjustment, of 74.0741 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of the 9% Debentures at any time prior to the maturity date. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share. If a holder elects to convert their 9% Debentures, deferred interest, if any, owed on the 9% Debentures being converted is also converted into shares of our common stock. The conversion rate for any deferred interest is based on the average price that our shares traded at during a 5-day period immediately prior to the election to convert. We have 19.0 million authorized shares reserved for conversion under our 9% debentures.

The 9% Debentures include a conversion feature that allows us, at our option, to make a cash payment to converting holders in lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion of the 9% Debentures. We may redeem the 9% Debentures in whole or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 9% Debentures being redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds $17.55 for at least 20 of the 30 trading days preceding notice of the redemption.

Interest on the 9% Debentures is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. As long as no event of default with respect to the debentures has occurred and is continuing, we may defer interest, under an optional deferral provision, for one or more consecutive interest periods up to 10 years without giving rise to an event of default. Deferred interest will accrue additional interest at the rate then applicable to the debentures. During an optional deferral period we may not pay or declare dividends on our common stock.

When interest on the 9% Debentures is deferred, we are required, not later than a specified time, to use reasonable commercial efforts to begin selling qualifying securities to persons who are not our affiliates. The specified time is one business day after we pay interest on the 9% Debentures that was not deferred, or if earlier, the fifth anniversary of the scheduled interest payment date on which the deferral started. Qualifying securities are common stock, certain warrants and certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock. The requirement to use such efforts to sell such securities is called the Alternative Payment Mechanism.


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The net proceeds of Alternative Payment Mechanism sales are to be applied to the payment of deferred interest, including the compound portion. We cannot pay deferred interest other than from the net proceeds of Alternative Payment Mechanism sales, except at the final maturity of the debentures or at the tenth anniversary of the start of the interest deferral. The Alternative Payment Mechanism does not require us to sell common stock or warrants before the fifth anniversary of the interest payment date on which that deferral started if the net proceeds (counting any net proceeds of those securities previously sold under the Alternative Payment Mechanism) would exceed the 2% cap. The 2% cap is 2% of the average closing price of our common stock times the number of our outstanding shares of common stock. The average price is determined over a specified period ending before the issuance of the common stock or warrants being sold, and the number of outstanding shares is determined as of the date of our most recent publicly released financial statements.

We are not required to issue under the Alternative Payment Mechanism a total of more than 10 million shares of common stock, including shares underlying qualifying warrants. In addition, we may not issue under the Alternative Payment Mechanism qualifying preferred stock if the total net proceeds of all issuances would exceed 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the debentures.

The Alternative Payment Mechanism does not apply during any period between scheduled interest payment dates if there is a “market disruption event” that occurs over a specified portion of such period. Market disruption events include any material adverse change in domestic or international economic or financial conditions.

The provisions of the 9% Debentures are complex. The description above is not intended to be complete in all respects. Moreover, that description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the 9% Debentures, including their covenants and events of default. We were in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2018. The 9% Debentures rank junior to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness.

CREDIT FACILITY
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no amounts drawn on our unsecured revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement with various lenders provides for a $175 million unsecured revolving credit facility maturing on March 21, 2020. We are required under the Credit Agreement to pay commitment fees on the average daily amount of the unused revolving commitments of the lenders, and an annual administrative fee to the administrative agent. Commitment fees are recognized as interest expense.

 
INTEREST PAYMENTS
Interest payments were $51.3 million during 2018, $57.8 million during 2017, and $49.5 million during 2016.

NOTE 8
 
Loss Reserves
As described in Note 3 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Loss Reserves,” we establish reserves to recognize the estimated liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") related to defaults on insured mortgage loans. Loss reserves are established by estimating the number of loans in our inventory of delinquent loans that will result in a claim payment, which is referred to as the claim rate, and further estimating the amount of the claim payment, which is referred to as claim severity.

Estimation of losses is inherently judgmental. The conditions that affect the claim rate and claim severity include the current and future state of the domestic economy, including unemployment and the current and future strength of local housing markets; exposure on insured loans; the amount of time between default and claim filing; and curtailments and rescissions. The actual amount of the claim payments may be substantially different than our loss reserve estimates. Our estimates could be adversely affected by several factors, including a deterioration of regional or national economic conditions, including unemployment, leading to a reduction in borrowers’ income and thus their ability to make mortgage payments, and a drop in housing values which may affect borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below the mortgage balance. Changes to our estimates could result in a material impact to our consolidated results of operations and financial position, even in a stable economic environment.

LOSSES INCURRED
The “Losses incurred” section of table 8.1 below shows losses incurred on delinquencies that occurred in the current year and in prior years. The amount of losses incurred relating to delinquencies that occurred in the current year represents the estimated amount to be ultimately paid on such delinquencies.  The amount of losses incurred relating to delinquencies that occurred in prior years represents the difference between the actual claim rate and severity associated with those delinquencies resolved in the current year compared to the estimated claim rate and severity at the prior year-end, as well as a re-estimation of amounts to be ultimately paid on delinquencies continuing from the end of the prior year. This re-estimation of the claim rate and severity is the result of our review of current trends in the delinquent inventory, such as percentages of delinquencies that have resulted in a claim, the amount of the claims relative to the average loan exposure, changes in the relative level of delinquencies by geography and changes in average loan exposure.


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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Losses incurred on delinquencies that occurred in the current year decreased in 2018 compared to 2017 and in 2017 compared to 2016, in each case, primarily due to a decrease in the number of new delinquencies, net of cures, as well as a decrease in the estimated claim rate on recently reported delinquencies.

LOSSES PAID
The “Losses paid” section of table 8.1 below shows the amount of losses paid on delinquencies that occurred in the current year and losses paid on delinquencies that occurred in prior years. For several years, the average time it took to receive a claim associated with a delinquency had increased significantly from our historical experience of approximately twelve months. This was, in part, due to new loss mitigation protocols established by servicers and to changes in some state
 
foreclosure laws that may include, for example, a requirement for additional review and/or mediation processes. In recent quarters, we have experienced a decline in the average time it takes servicers to process foreclosures, which has reduced the average time to receive a claim associated with new delinquent notices that do not cure. All else being equal, the longer the period between delinquency and claim filing, the greater the severity.

Premium refunds
Our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected claim payments is accrued for separately in "Other liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets and approximated $40 million and $61 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


Table 8.1 provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending loss reserves for each of the past three years:
Development of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Table
8.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Reserve at beginning of year
 
$
985,635

 
$
1,438,813

 
$
1,893,402

Less reinsurance recoverable
 
48,474

 
50,493

 
44,487

Net reserve at beginning of year
 
937,161

 
1,388,320

 
1,848,915

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses incurred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE incurred in respect of delinquent notices received in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
203,928

 
284,913

 
387,815

Prior years (1)
 
(167,366
)
 
(231,204
)
 
(147,658
)
Total losses incurred
 
36,562

 
53,709

 
240,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses paid:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE paid in respect of delinquent notices received in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
7,298

 
11,267

 
14,823

Prior years
 
327,743

 
493,300

 
689,258

Reinsurance terminations
 
(2,009
)
 
301

 
(3,329
)
Total losses paid
 
333,032

 
504,868

 
700,752

Net reserve at end of year
 
640,691

 
937,161

 
1,388,320

Plus reinsurance recoverables
 
33,328

 
48,474

 
50,493

Reserve at end of year
 
$
674,019

 
$
985,635

 
$
1,438,813

(1) 
A negative number for prior year losses incurred indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves. See table 8.2 below for more information about prior year loss development.

Table 8.2 below shows the development of reserves in 2018, 2017 and 2016 for previously received delinquencies.
Reserve development on previously received delinquencies
Table
8.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Decrease in estimated claim rate on primary delinquencies
 
$
(213
)
 
$
(248
)
 
$
(148
)
Increase in estimated severity on primary delinquencies
 
29

 
9

 
9

Change in estimates related to pool reserves, LAE reserves, reinsurance and other
 
17

 
8

 
(9
)
Total prior year loss development (1)
 
$
(167
)
 
$
(231
)
 
$
(148
)
(1) 
A negative number for prior year loss development indicates a redundancy of prior year loss reserves.



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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we experienced favorable development on previously received delinquencies. This development was, in part, due to the resolution of approximately 73%, 67% and 63% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, of the prior year delinquent inventory, with improved cure rates. During 2018 and 2017, cure activity on loans that were delinquent twelve months or more was significantly higher than our previous estimates. The favorable development for the years ended 2018, 2017, and 2016 was offset, in part, by an increase in the estimated severity on previously reported delinquencies remaining in the delinquent inventory.

DELINQUENT INVENTORY
A roll-forward of our primary delinquent inventory for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 appears in table 8.3 below. The information concerning new notices and cures is compiled from monthly reports received from loan servicers. The level of new notice and cure activity reported in a particular month can be influenced by, among other things, the date on which a servicer generates its report, the number of business days in a month and transfers of servicing between loan servicers.
Primary delinquent inventory roll-forward
Table
8.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Beginning delinquent inventory
 
46,556

 
50,282

 
62,633

New Notices
 
54,448

 
68,268

 
67,434

Cures
 
(60,511
)
 
(61,094
)
 
(65,516
)
Paid claims
 
(5,750
)
 
(9,206
)
 
(12,367
)
Rescissions and denials
 
(267
)
 
(357
)
 
(629
)
Other items removed from inventory
 
(1,578
)
 
(1,337
)
 
(1,273
)
Ending delinquent inventory
 
32,898

 
46,556

 
50,282


Hurricane activity
New delinquent notice activity increased in 2017 compared to 2016 (particularly in the fourth quarter) because of hurricane activity that primarily impacted Puerto Rico, Texas, and Florida in the third quarter of 2017. In response to the hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared Individual Assistance Disaster Areas ("IADA") which we used to identify new notices of delinquency for reserving and loss mitigation purposes. We received 9,294 new notices of delinquency on loans in the IADAs in the fourth quarter of 2017, which compares to 1,968 new notices in the same areas in the fourth quarter of 2016. Loans in our ending delinquent inventory within the IADAs were 12,446 and 7,162 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The majority of notices of delinquency received from the IADAs due to the hurricane activity cured during 2018.

Other items removed from inventory
During 2018, 2017, and 2016 our losses paid included amounts paid upon commutation of coverage on pools of non-performing loans ("NPLs"), and in 2016 our losses paid also included amounts paid in connection
 
with settlements for disputes concerning our claims paying practices. The impacts of the commutations of coverage on NPLs and/or settlements in each of the past three years were as follows:
2018 - 1,578 notices removed from delinquent inventory with an amount paid of $50 million,
2017 - 1,337 notices removed from delinquent inventory with an amount paid of $54 million,
2016 - 1,273 notices removed from delinquent inventory with an amount paid of $53 million. In addition, we made a final payment of $42 million in connection with a 2012 settlement agreement with Freddie Mac regarding the aggregate loss limit under certain pool insurance policies.

Aging of delinquent inventory
Historically as a delinquency ages it becomes more likely to result in a claim. The new notice activity from hurricane impacted areas in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased the percentage of our delinquent inventory that has been delinquent for three months or less (table 8.4) as of December 31, 2017 when compared to December 31, 2016.

The number of consecutive months that a borrower has been delinquent is shown in the table below.
Primary delinquent inventory - consecutive months delinquent
Table
8.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
3 months or less
 
9,829

 
17,119

 
12,194

4 - 11 months
 
9,655

 
12,050

 
13,450

12 months or more (1)
 
13,414

 
17,387

 
24,638

Total
 
32,898

 
46,556

 
50,282

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 months or less
 
30
%
 
37
%
 
24
%
4 - 11 months
 
29
%
 
26
%
 
27
%
12 months or more
 
41
%
 
37
%
 
49
%
Total
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Primary claims received inventory included in ending delinquent inventory
 
809

 
954

 
1,385

(1) 
Approximately 38%, 45%, and 47% of the primary delinquent inventory delinquent for 12 consecutive months or more has been delinquent for at least 36 consecutive months as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


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Table of Contents


POOL INSURANCE DEFAULT INVENTORY
Pool insurance default inventory decreased to 859 at December 31, 2018 from 1,309 at December 31, 2017 and 1,883 at December 31, 2016.

CLAIMS PAYING PRACTICES
Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions. A variance between ultimate actual rescission rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses. Our estimate of premiums to be refunded on expected future rescissions is accrued for separately and is included in "Other liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets.

For information about discussions and legal proceedings with customers with respect to our claims paying practices, including settlements that we believe are probable, as defined in ASC 450-20, see Note 17 – “Litigation and Contingencies.”

NOTE 9
 
Reinsurance
Our consolidated financial statements reflect the effects of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Assumed reinsurance refers to the acceptance of certain insurance risks that other insurance companies have underwritten. Ceded reinsurance involves transferring certain insurance risks (along with the related earned premiums) we have underwritten to other insurance companies who agree to share these risks. The purpose of ceded reinsurance is to protect us, at a cost, against losses arising from our mortgage guaranty policies covered by the agreement and to manage our capital requirements under PMIERs. Reinsurance is currently placed on a quota-share and excess of loss basis, but we also have immaterial captive reinsurance agreements that remain in effect.

 
Table 9.1 below shows the effect of all reinsurance agreements on premiums earned and losses incurred as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Reinsurance
Table
9.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Premiums earned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
1,084,748

 
$
1,059,973

 
$
1,058,545

Assumed
 
1,805

 
509

 
662

Ceded
 
(111,391
)
 
(125,735
)
 
(133,981
)
Net premiums earned
 
$
975,162

 
$
934,747

 
$
925,226

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses incurred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
43,060

 
$
74,727

 
$
273,207

Assumed
 
331

 
183

 
1,138

Ceded
 
(6,829
)
 
(21,201
)
 
(34,188
)
Net losses incurred
 
$
36,562

 
$
53,709

 
$
240,157


QUOTA SHARE REINSURANCE
Each of the reinsurers under our quota share reinsurance agreements described below has an insurer financial strength rating of A- or better by Standard and Poor's Rating Services, A.M. Best, or both.

2018 QSR Transaction. Our 2018 quota share reinsurance agreement ("2018 QSR Transaction") provides coverage on eligible new business written in 2018. Under the 2018 QSR Transaction, we cede losses incurred and premiums on or after the effective date through December 31, 2029, at which time the agreement expires. Early termination of the agreement can be elected by us effective December 31, 2021, and annually thereafter, for a fee, or under specified scenarios for no fee upon prior written notice, including if we will receive less than 90% of the full credit amount under the PMIERs for the risk ceded in any required calculation period.

The structure of the 2018 QSR Transaction is a 30% quota share for all policies covered, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. Generally, under the 2018 QSR Transaction, we will receive a profit commission provided that the loss ratio on the loans covered under the agreement remains below 62%.



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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


2017 QSR Transaction. Our 2017 quota share reinsurance agreement ("2017 QSR Transaction") provides coverage on eligible new business written in 2017. Under our 2017 QSR Transaction we cede losses incurred and premiums on or after the effective date through December 31, 2028, at which time the agreement expires. Early termination of the agreement can be elected by us effective December 31, 2021 for a fee, or under specified scenarios for no fee upon prior written notice, including if we will receive less than 90% of the full credit amount under the PMIERs for the risk ceded in any required calculation period.

2015 QSR Transaction. Our 2015 quota share reinsurance agreement ("2015 QSR Transaction") provides coverage on eligible business written before 2017. Under the 2015 QSR Transaction we cede losses incurred and premiums through December 31, 2024, at which time the agreement expires. Early termination of the agreement can be elected by us for a fee on a bi-annual basis, or under specified scenarios for no fee upon prior written notice, including if we will receive less than 90% of the full credit amount under the PMIERs for the risk ceded in any required calculation period. Our next early termination option is at June 30, 2019 and requires 90 days' prior written notice.

The structure of both the 2017 QSR Transaction and 2015 QSR Transactions is a 30% quota share for all policies covered, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. Generally, under the 2017 and 2015 QSR Transactions, we will receive a profit commission provided that the loss ratio on the loans covered under the agreement remains below 60%.

Table 9.2 provides a summary of our quota share reinsurance agreements, excluding captive agreements, for 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Quota share reinsurance
Table
9.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Ceded premiums written and earned, net of profit commission (1)
 
$
108,337

 
$
120,974

 
$
125,460

Ceded losses incurred
 
6,543

 
22,336

 
30,201

Ceding commissions (2)
51,201

 
49,321

 
47,629

Profit commission
 
147,667

 
125,629

 
112,685

(1) 
Under our QSR Transactions, premiums are ceded on an earned and received basis as defined in our agreements.
(2) 
Ceding commissions are reported within Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

 
Under the terms of our QSR Transactions currently in effect, reinsurance premiums, ceding commission and profit commission are settled net on a quarterly basis. The reinsurance premium due after deducting the related ceding commission and profit commission is reported within "Other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets.
The reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves was $33.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $39.3 million as of December 31, 2017. The reinsurance recoverable balance is secured by funds on deposit from the reinsurers which are based on the funding requirements of PMIERs that address ceded risk.

2019 QSR Transaction. We have agreed to terms on a QSR Transaction with a group of unaffiliated reinsurers with an effective date of January 1, 2019 ("2019 QSR Transaction"), which provides coverage on eligible new business written in 2019. Under the 2019 QSR Transaction, we cede losses incurred and premiums on or after the effective date through December 31, 2030, at which time the agreement expires. Early termination of the agreement can be elected by us effective December 31, 2021, and bi-annually thereafter, for a fee, or under specified scenarios for no fee upon prior written notice, including if we will receive less than 90% of the full credit amount under the PMIERs for the risk ceded in any required calculation period.

The structure of the 2019 QSR Transaction is a 30% quota share, with a one-time option, elected by us, to reduce the cede rate to either 25% or 20% effective July 1, 2020, or bi-annually thereafter, for a fee, for all policies covered, with a 20% ceding commission as well as a profit commission. Generally, under the 2019 QSR Transaction, we will receive a profit commission provided that the loss ratio on the loans covered under the agreement remains below 62%.

EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE
On October 30, 2018, MGIC entered into a fully collateralized reinsurance agreement with Home Re 2018-1 Ltd. (“Home Re”), an unaffiliated special purpose insurer domiciled in Bermuda, that provides for up to $318.6 million of aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance coverage as of August 1, 2018 on a portfolio of mortgage insurance policies having an insurance coverage in force date on or after July 1, 2016 and before January 1, 2018. For the reinsurance coverage period, MGIC will retain the first layer of $168.7 million of aggregate losses, and Home Re will then provide second layer coverage up to the outstanding reinsurance coverage amount. The premiums ceded to the reinsurer, Home Re, are composed of coverage premiums, initial expense and supplemental premiums. The coverage premiums are generally calculated as the difference between the amount of interest payable by Home Re on the notes it issued to raise funds to


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collateralize its reinsurance obligations to us, and the investment income collected on the collateral assets.

The aggregate excess of loss reinsurance coverage decreases over a ten-year period, subject to certain conditions, as the underlying covered mortgages amortize, principal is prepaid, or mortgage insurance losses are paid. MGIC has rights to terminate the reinsurance agreement, which includes an option to terminate on or after October 25, 2025. Home Re financed the coverage by issuing mortgage insurance-linked notes in an aggregate amount of $318.6 million to unaffiliated investors. The notes have ten-year legal maturities and are non-recourse to any assets of MGIC or its affiliates. The proceeds of the notes were deposited into a reinsurance trust for the benefit of MGIC that will be the source of reinsurance claim payments to MGIC and principal repayments on the mortgage insurance-linked notes.

The amount of monthly reinsurance coverage premium ceded will fluctuate due to change in one-month LIBOR and changes in money market rates that affect investment income collected on the assets in the reinsurance trust. As the reinsurance premium will vary based on changes in these rates, we concluded that the reinsurance agreement contains an embedded derivative that will be accounted for separately as a freestanding derivative. The fair value of the derivative at December 31, 2018, and the change in fair value from inception of the reinsurance agreement to December 31, 2018, was not material to our consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations, respectively. Total ceded premiums were $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

In connection with entering into the reinsurance agreement with Home Re, we concluded that the risk transfer requirements for reinsurance accounting were met as Home Re is assuming significant insurance risk and a reasonable possibility of significant loss. In addition, we assessed whether Home Re was a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make sufficient decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in gains and losses of the entity. We concluded that Home Re is a VIE. However, given that MGIC (1) does not have the unilateral power to direct the activities that most significantly affect Home Re’s economic performance and (2) does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of Home Re, consolidation of Home Re is not required.

We are required to disclose our maximum exposure to loss, which we consider to be an amount that we could be required to record in our statement of operations, as a result of our involvement with this VIE. As of
 
December 31, 2018, we did not have exposure to the VIE as we have no investment in the VIE and had no reinsurance claim payments due from the VIE under our reinsurance agreement. We are unable to determine the timing or extent of losses that may be ceded under the reinsurance agreement. The VIE assets are deposited in a reinsurance trust for the benefit of MGIC that will be the source of reinsurance claim payments to MGIC. The purpose of the reinsurance trust is to provide security to MGIC for the obligations of the VIE under the reinsurance agreement. The trustee of the reinsurance trust, a recognized provider of corporate trust services, has established a segregated account within the reinsurance trust for the benefit of MGIC, pursuant to the trust agreement. The trust agreement is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. If the trustee of the reinsurance trust failed to distribute claim payments to us as provided in the reinsurance trust, we would incur a loss related to our losses ceded under the reinsurance agreement and deemed unrecoverable. We are also unable to determine the impact such possible failure by the trustee to perform pursuant to the reinsurance trust agreement may have on our consolidated financial statements. As a result, we are unable to quantify our maximum exposure to loss related to our involvement with the VIE. MGIC has certain termination rights under the reinsurance agreement should its claims not be paid. We consider our exposure to loss from our reinsurance agreement with the VIE to be remote.

The following presents the total assets of Home Re as of December 31, 2018.
Home Re total assets
Table
9.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Total VIE Assets
Home Re 2018-1 Ltd.
 
$
318,636


The reinsurance trust agreement provides that the trust assets may generally only be invested in certain money market funds that (i) invest at least 99.5% of their total assets in cash or direct U.S. federal government obligations, such as U.S. Treasury bills, as well as other short-term securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. federal government or issued by an agency of the U.S. federal government, (ii) have a principal stability fund rating of “AAAm” by S&P or a money market fund rating of “Aaa-mf” by Moody’s as of the Closing Date and thereafter maintain any rating with either S&P or Moody’s, and (iii) are permitted investments under the applicable credit for reinsurance laws and applicable PMIERs credit for reinsurance requirements.

The assets of Home Re provide capital credit under the PMIERs financial requirements (see Note 1 - "Nature of Business"). A decline in the assets available to pay claims would reduce the capital credit available to MGIC.


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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


NOTE 10
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The pretax components of our other comprehensive income (loss) and related income tax (expense) benefit for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are included in table 10.1 below.
Components of other comprehensive income (loss)
Table
10.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net unrealized investment (losses) gains arising during the year
 
$
(81,834
)
 
$
69,052

 
$
(5,425
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
17,188

 
(21,505
)
 
1,776

Net of taxes
 
(64,646
)
 
47,547

 
(3,649
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations
 
(19,958
)
 
(8,983
)
 
(14,799
)
Income tax benefit
 
4,191

 
3,144

 
5,179

Net of taxes
 
(15,767
)
 
(5,839
)
 
(9,620
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 
45

 
(1,463
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
 

 
(14
)
 
512

Net of taxes
 

 
31

 
(951
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(101,792
)
 
60,114

 
(21,687
)
Total income tax benefit (expense), net
 
21,379

 
(18,375
)
 
7,467

Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
$
(80,413
)
 
$
41,739

 
$
(14,220
)

The pretax and related income tax benefit (expense) components of the amounts reclassified from our accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") to our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are included in table 10.2 below.
Reclassifications from AOCL
Table
10.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (losses) gains included in net income (1)
 
$
(7,037
)
 
$
(2,580
)
 
$
6,207

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
1,477

 
903

 
(2,050
)
Net of taxes
 
(5,560
)
 
(1,677
)
 
4,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to benefit plan assets and obligations (2)
(2,232
)
 
906

 
1,480

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
469

 
(317
)
 
(518
)
Net of taxes
 
(1,763
)
 
589

 
962

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to foreign currency (3)
 

 

 
1,467

Income tax (expense)
 

 

 
(513
)
Net of taxes
 

 

 
954

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications
 
(9,269
)
 
(1,674
)
 
9,154

Total income tax benefit (expense), net
 
1,946

 
586

 
(3,081
)
Total reclassifications, net of tax
 
$
(7,323
)
 
$
(1,088
)
 
$
6,073

(1) 
(Decreases) increases Net realized investment gains on the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) 
Decreases (increases) Other underwriting and operating expenses, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
(3) 
Increases (decreases) Other revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.




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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


A roll-forward of AOCL for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, including amounts reclassified from AOCL, is included in table 10.3 below.
Roll-forward of AOCL
Table
10.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities
 
Net benefit plan assets and obligations recognized in shareholders' equity
 
Net unrealized foreign currency translation
 
Total AOCL
Balance, December 31, 2015, net of tax
 
$
(17,148
)
 
$
(44,652
)
 
$
920

 
$
(60,880
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
508

 
(8,658
)
 
3

 
(8,147
)
Less: Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 
4,157

 
962

 
954

 
6,073

Balance, December 31, 2016, net of tax
 
(20,797
)
 
(54,272
)
 
(31
)
 
(75,100
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
45,870

 
(5,250
)
 
31

 
40,651

Less: Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 
(1,677
)
 
589

 

 
(1,088
)
Less: Amounts reclassified for lower enacted corporate tax rate
 
(2,525
)
 
12,947

 

 
10,422

Balance, December 31, 2017, net of tax
 
29,275

 
(73,058
)
 

 
(43,783
)
Cumulative effect of adopting the accounting standard update for financial instruments
 
(18
)
 

 

 
(18
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
(70,206
)
 
(17,530
)
 

 
(87,736
)
Less: Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 
(5,560
)
 
(1,763
)
 

 
(7,323
)
Balance, December 31, 2018, net of tax
 
$
(35,389
)
 
$
(88,825
)
 
$

 
(124,214
)



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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


NOTE 11
 
Benefit Plans
We have a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all domestic employees, as well as a supplemental executive retirement plan.  We also offer both medical and dental benefits for retired domestic employees, their eligible spouses and dependents under a postretirement benefit plan. The following tables 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3 provide the components of aggregate annual net periodic benefit cost for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and changes in the benefit obligation and the funded status of the pension, supplemental executive retirement and other postretirement benefit plans as recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Table
11.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2016
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2016
1. Company Service Cost
 
$
10,530

 
$
9,556

 
$
9,130

 
$
1,160

 
$
813

 
$
751

2. Interest Cost
 
15,095

 
15,475

 
15,906

 
834

 
706

 
704

3. Expected Return on Assets
 
(22,250
)
 
(20,099
)
 
(19,508
)
 
(6,359
)
 
(5,248
)
 
(4,886
)
4. Other Adjustments
 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
 
3,375

 
4,932

 
5,528

 
(4,365
)
 
(3,729
)
 
(3,431
)
5. Amortization of:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

a. Net Transition Obligation/(Asset)
 

 

 

 

 

 

b. Net Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
 
(351
)
 
(426
)
 
(687
)
 
(4,104
)
 
(6,649
)
 
(6,649
)
c. Net Losses/(Gains)
 
6,937

 
6,169

 
5,856

 
(250
)
 

 

Total Amortization
 
6,586

 
5,743

 
5,169

 
(4,354
)
 
(6,649
)
 
(6,649
)
6. Net Periodic Benefit Cost
 
9,961

 
10,675

 
10,697

 
(8,719
)
 
(10,378
)
 
(10,080
)
7. Cost of settlements
 

 

 
1,277

 

 

 

8. Total Expense for Year
 
$
9,961

 
$
10,675

 
$
11,974

 
$
(8,719
)
 
$
(10,378
)
 
$
(10,080
)
Development of funded status
Table
11.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
Actuarial Value of Benefit Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Measurement Date
 
12/31/2018

 
12/31/2017

 
12/31/2018

 
12/31/2017

2. Accumulated Benefit Obligation
 
$
375,562

 
$
411,996

 
$
28,085

 
$
24,716

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Funded Status/Asset (Liability) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Projected Benefit Obligation
 
$
(376,153
)
 
$
(417,770
)
 
$
(28,085
)
 
$
(24,716
)
2. Plan Assets at Fair Value
 
359,719

 
401,142

 
77,762

 
85,303

3. Funded Status - Overfunded/Asset
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
49,677

 
$
60,587

4. Funded Status - Underfunded/Liability
 
(16,434
)
 
(16,628
)
 
N/A

 
N/A




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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Table
11.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
1. Net Actuarial (Gain)/Loss
 
$
110,321

 
$
109,904

 
$
939

 
$
(10,234
)
2. Net Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
 
(1,513
)
 
(1,850
)
 
2,690

 
(5,342
)
3. Net Transition Obligation/(Asset)
 

 

 

 

4. Total at Year End
 
$
108,808

 
$
108,054

 
$
3,629

 
$
(15,576
)

The amortization of gains and losses resulting from actual experience different from assumed experience or changes in assumptions including discount rates is included as a component of Net Periodic Benefit Cost/(Income) for the year.  The gain or loss in excess of a 10% corridor is amortized by the average remaining service period of participating employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

Table 11.4 shows the changes in the projected benefit obligation for 2018 and 2017.
Change in projected benefit / accumulated benefit
Table
11.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
1. Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year
 
$
417,770

 
$
369,808

 
$
24,716

 
$
17,378

2. Company Service Cost
 
10,530

 
9,556

 
1,160

 
813

3. Interest Cost
 
15,095

 
15,475

 
834

 
706

4. Plan Participants' Contributions
 

 

 
475

 
395

5. Net Actuarial (Gain)/Loss due to Assumption Changes
 
(36,132
)
 
38,496

 
(1,209
)
 
5,981

6. Net Actuarial (Gain)/Loss due to Plan Experience
 
2,487

 
2,338

 
(692
)
 
924

7. Benefit Payments from Fund (1)
 
(32,674
)
 
(17,578
)
 
(1,077
)
 
(1,404
)
8. Benefit Payments Directly by Company
 
(908
)
 
(335
)
 

 

9. Plan Amendments
 
(15
)
 
10

 
3,928

 

10. Other Adjustment
 

 

 
(50
)
 
(77
)
11. Benefit Obligation at End of Year
 
$
376,153

 
$
417,770

 
$
28,085

 
$
24,716

(1) 
Includes lump sum payments of $20.9 million and $6.3 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively, from our pension plan to eligible participants, which were former employees with vested benefits.

The decrease in our pension and supplemental executive retirement plans obligation in 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to an increase in the discount rate used to calculate the obligation and a higher amount of benefits paid from the fund. The increase in our other postretirement plan obligation was primarily due to a plan amendment, offset by an increase in the discount rate used to calculate the obligation. Table 11.8 below includes the actuarial assumptions used to calculate the benefit obligations of our plans for 2018 and 2017.



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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Tables 11.5 and 11.6 shows the changes in the fair value of the net assets available for plan benefits, and changes in other comprehensive income (loss) during 2018 and 2017.
Change in plan assets
Table
11.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
1. Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year
 
$
401,142

 
$
360,900

 
$
85,303

 
$
70,408

2. Company Contributions
 
10,908

 
9,435

 

 

3. Plan Participants' Contributions
 

 

 
475

 
395

4. Benefit Payments from Fund
 
(32,674
)
 
(17,578
)
 
(1,077
)
 
(1,404
)
5. Benefit Payments paid directly by Company
 
(908
)
 
(335
)
 

 

6. Actual Return on Assets
 
(19,583
)
 
48,720

 
(6,464
)
 
16,299

7. Other Adjustment
 
834

 

 
(475
)
 
(395
)
8. Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year
 
$
359,719

 
$
401,142

 
$
77,762

 
$
85,303

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI")
Table
11.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
1. AOCI in Prior Year
 
$
108,054

 
$
101,575

 
$
(15,576
)
 
$
(18,079
)
2. Increase/(Decrease) in AOCI
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

a. Recognized during year - Prior Service (Cost)/Credit
 
351

 
426

 
4,104

 
6,649

b. Recognized during year - Net Actuarial (Losses)/Gains
 
(6,937
)
 
(6,169
)
 
250

 

c. Occurring during year - Prior Service Cost
 
(15
)
 
10

 
3,928

 

d. Occurring during year - Net Actuarial Losses/(Gains)
 
7,355

 
12,212

 
10,923

 
(4,146
)
3. AOCI in Current Year
 
$
108,808

 
$
108,054

 
$
3,629

 
$
(15,576
)

Table 11.7 shows the amount of amortization on components of net periodic benefit costs expected to be recognized during the year ending December 31, 2019.
Amortization expected to be recognized during fiscal year ending
Table
11.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2018
1. Amortization of Net Transition Obligation/(Asset)
 
$

 
$

2. Amortization of Prior Service Cost/(Credit)
 
(280
)
 
(34
)
3. Amortization of Net Losses/(Gains)
 
8,271

 




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 112

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


The projected benefit obligations, net periodic benefit costs and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the plans were determined using the following weighted average assumptions.
Actuarial assumptions
Table
11.8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit Obligations at year end
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Discount Rate
 
4.40
%
 
3.75
%
 
4.25
%
 
3.55
%
2. Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Year
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1. Discount Rate
 
3.75
%
 
4.30
%
 
3.55
%
 
3.95
%
2. Expected Long-term Return on Plan Assets
 
5.75
%
 
5.75
%
 
7.50
%
 
7.50
%
3. Rate of Compensation Increase
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at year end
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1. Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Year
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
6.25
%
 
6.50
%
2. Rate to Which the Cost Trend Rate is Assumed to Decline (Ultimate Trend Rate)
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
5.00
%
 
5.00
%
3. Year That the Rate Reaches the Ultimate Trend Rate
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
2024

 
2024


In selecting a discount rate, we performed a hypothetical cash flow bond matching exercise, matching our expected pension plan and postretirement medical plan cash flows, respectively, against a selected portfolio of high quality corporate bonds. The modeling was performed using a bond portfolio of noncallable bonds with at least $50 million outstanding. The average yield of these hypothetical bond portfolios was used as the benchmark for determining the discount rate. In selecting the expected long-term rate of return on assets, we considered the average rate of earnings expected on the classes of funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits of these plans.  This included considering the trusts' targeted asset allocation for the year and the expected returns likely to be earned over the next 20 years.

The year-end asset allocations of the plans are shown in table 11.9 below.
Plan assets
Table
11.9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pension Plan
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
1. Equity Securities
 
23
%
 
21
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
2. Debt Securities
 
77
%
 
79
%
 
%
 
%
3. Total
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

In accordance with fair value guidance, we applied the following fair value hierarchy in order to measure fair value of our benefit plan assets:
è
Level 1
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that we can access. Financial assets using Level 1 inputs include equity securities, mutual funds, money market funds, certain U.S. Treasury securities and exchange traded funds ("ETFs").
è
Level 2
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable in the marketplace for the instrument. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value of the instruments. Financial assets using Level 2 inputs include certain municipal, corporate and foreign bonds, obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, and pooled equity accounts.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 113

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


To determine the fair value of securities in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, independent pricing sources have been used. One price is provided per security based on observable market data. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. A variety of inputs are used by the independent pricing sources including benchmark yields, reported trades, non-binding broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications. Inputs may be weighted differently for any security, and not all inputs are used for each security evaluation. Market indicators, industry and economic events are also considered. This information is evaluated using a multidimensional pricing model. In addition, on a quarterly basis, we perform quality controls over values received from the pricing source (the “Trustee”) which include comparing values to other independent pricing sources. In addition, we review annually the Trustee’s auditor’s report on internal controls in order to determine that their controls around valuing securities are operating effectively. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from the independent sources.

Tables 11.10a and 11.10b set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plan assets and related accrued investment income at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no securities that used Level 3 inputs.
Pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2018
Table
11.10a
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Domestic Mutual Funds
 
$
13,744

 
$

 
$
13,744

Corporate Bonds
 

 
181,363

 
181,363

U.S. Government Securities
 
19,904

 
1,324

 
21,228

Municipal Bonds
 

 
43,424

 
43,424

Foreign Bonds
 

 
30,113

 
30,113

ETFs
 
5,241

 

 
5,241

Pooled Equity Accounts
 

 
64,606

 
64,606

Total Assets at fair value
 
$
38,889

 
$
320,830

 
$
359,719

Pension plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2017
Table
11.10b
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Domestic Mutual Funds
 
$
1,006

 
$

 
$
1,006

Corporate Bonds
 

 
202,840

 
202,840

U.S. Government Securities
 
17,996

 
1,400

 
19,396

Municipal Bonds
 

 
62,293

 
62,293

Foreign Bonds
 

 
32,949

 
32,949

ETFs
 
5,734

 

 
5,734

Pooled Equity Accounts
 

 
76,924

 
76,924

Total Assets at fair value
 
$
24,736

 
$
376,406

 
$
401,142


The pension plan has implemented a strategy to reduce risk through the use of a targeted funded ratio.  The liability driven component is key to the asset allocation. The liability driven component seeks to align the duration of the fixed income asset allocation with the expected duration of the plan liabilities or benefit payments.  Overall asset allocation is dynamic and specifies target allocation weights and ranges based on the funded status.

An improvement in funded status results in the de-risking of the portfolio, allocating more funds to fixed income and less to equity. A decline in funded status would result in a higher allocation to equity. The maximum equity allocation is 40%.
 


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 114

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


The equity investments use combinations of mutual funds, ETFs, and pooled equity account structures focused on the following strategies:
Strategy
 
Objective
 
Investment types
Return seeking growth
 
Funded ratio improvement over the long term
 
Global quality growth
 
 
Global low volatility
Return seeking bridge
 
Downside protection in the event of a declining equity market
 
Enduring asset
 
 
Durable company

The fixed income objective is to preserve capital and to provide monthly cash flows for the payment of plan liabilities. Fixed income investments can include government, government agency, corporate, mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and municipal securities, and other classes of bonds.  The duration of the fixed income portfolio has an objective of being within one year of the duration of the accumulated benefit obligation.  The fixed income investments have an objective of a weighted average credit of A3/A-/A- by Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch, respectively.

Tables 11.11a and 11.11b set forth the other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. All are Level 1 assets.
Other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2018
Table
11.11a
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Total
Domestic Mutual Funds
 
$
60,405

 
$
60,405

International Mutual Funds
 
17,357

 
17,357

Total Assets at fair value
 
$
77,762

 
$
77,762

Other postretirement benefits plan assets at fair value as of December 31, 2017
Table
11.11b
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Total
Domestic Mutual Funds
 
$
64,489

 
$
64,489

International Mutual Funds
 
20,814

 
20,814

Total Assets at fair value
 
$
85,303

 
$
85,303


Our postretirement plan portfolio is designed to achieve the following objectives over each market cycle and for at least 5 years:
è Total return should exceed growth in the Consumer Price Index by 5.75% annually
è Achieve competitive investment results

 
The primary focus in developing asset allocation ranges for the portfolio is the assessment of the portfolio's investment objectives and the level of risk that is acceptable to obtain those objectives.  To achieve these objectives the minimum and maximum allocation ranges for fixed income securities and equity securities are:
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
Equities (long only)
70
%
 
100
%
Real estate
0
%
 
15
%
Commodities
0
%
 
10
%
Fixed income/Cash
0
%
 
10
%
Given the long term nature of this portfolio and the lack of any immediate need for significant cash flow, it is anticipated that the equity investments will consist of growth stocks and will typically be at the higher end of the allocation ranges above.

Investment in international mutual funds is limited to a maximum of 30% of the equity range. The allocation as of December 31, 2018 included 3% that was primarily invested in equity securities of emerging market countries and another 19% was invested in securities of companies primarily based in Europe and the Pacific Basin.

Tables 11.12 and 11.13 show the current and estimated future contributions and benefit payments.
Company contributions
Table
11.12
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2018
Company Contributions for the Year Ending:
 
 
 
 
1. Current
 
$
10,908

 
$

2. Current + 1
 
10,650

 




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 115

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Benefits payments - total
Table
11.13
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2018
Actual Benefit Payments for the Year Ending:
 
 
 
 
1. Current
 
$
33,582

 
$
652

Expected Benefit Payments for the Year Ending:
 
 

 
 

2. Current + 1
 
33,258

 
1,352

3. Current + 2
 
28,688

 
1,650

4. Current + 3
 
30,574

 
1,916

5. Current + 4
 
30,490

 
2,386

6. Current + 5
 
30,510

 
2,613

7. Current + 6 - 10
 
143,389

 
14,065


HEALTH CARE SENSITIVITIES
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the other postretirement benefits plan. A 1 percentage point change in the health care trend rate assumption would have the following effects on other postretirement benefits:
Health care trend rate assumption
Table
11.14
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
1-Percentage
Point Increase
 
1-Percentage
Point Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components
 
$
327

 
$
(282
)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
 
3,221

 
(2,866
)

PROFIT SHARING AND 401(K)
We have a profit sharing and 401(k) savings plan for employees.  At the discretion of the Board of Directors, we may make a contribution to the plan of up to 5% of each participant's eligible compensation. We provide a matching 401(k) savings contribution for employees on their before-tax contributions at a rate of 80% of the first $1,000 contributed and 40% of the next $2,000 contributed. For employees hired after January 1, 2014, the match is 100% up to 4% contributed.  We recognized expenses related to these plans of $6.0 million, $6.0 million and $5.9 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 
NOTE 12
 
Income Taxes
Net deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Table
12.1
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Total deferred tax assets
 
$
83,082

 
$
258,663

Total deferred tax liabilities
 
(13,898
)
 
(24,282
)
Net deferred tax asset
 
$
69,184

 
$
234,381

 
Table 12.2 includes the components of the net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Deferred tax components
Table
12.2
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
Unearned premium reserves
 
$
31,808

 
$
29,196

Benefit plans
 
(5,047
)
 
(7,162
)
Federal net operating loss
 

 
155,839

Loss reserves
 
3,113

 
4,994

Unrealized depreciation (appreciation) in investments
 
9,407

 
(7,782
)
Mortgage investments
 
8,307

 
8,963

Deferred compensation
 
8,662

 
7,265

AMT credit carryforward
 
17,521

 
37,017

Other, net
 
(4,587
)
 
6,051

Net deferred tax asset
 
$
69,184

 
$
234,381


We used the remaining balance of our Federal net operating loss carryforward to offset taxable income during 2018. We believe that all gross deferred tax assets at December 31, 2018 are fully realizable and no valuation allowance has been established.

Table 12.3 summarizes the components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes:
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Table
12.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Current Federal
 
$
(16,272
)
 
$
73,348

 
$
9,470

Deferred Federal
 
185,598

 
351,677

 
160,657

Other
 
4,727

 
3,710

 
2,070

Provision for income taxes
 
$
174,053

 
$
428,735

 
$
172,197


Our income tax expense for 2017 reflects the remeasurement of our net deferred tax assets to reflect the lower corporate tax rate of 21% under the Tax Act. As a result of the lower tax rate, we recorded a decrease to our net deferred tax assets of $133 million with a corresponding increase to our deferred income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 116

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Current federal income tax payments were $12.2 million, $22.0 million, and $4.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Table 12.6 reconciles the federal statutory income tax rate to our effective tax provision rate.
Effective tax rate reconciliation
Table
12.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Federal statutory income tax rate
21.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
Additional income tax provision related to the rate decrease included in the Tax Act
 %
 
17.0
 %
 
 %
Additional income tax provision related to IRS litigation
(0.3
)%
 
3.7
 %
 
0.1
 %
Tax exempt municipal bond interest
(0.7
)%
 
(1.4
)%
 
(1.9
)%
Other, net
0.6
 %
 
0.4
 %
 
0.3
 %
Effective tax rate
20.6
 %
 
54.7
 %
 
33.5
 %

As previously disclosed, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued proposed assessments for taxes, interest and penalties related to our treatment of the flow-through income and loss from an investment in a portfolio of residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits ("REMICs").

In 2014, we received Notices of Deficiency (commonly referred to as "90 day letters") from the IRS. We filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting most of the IRS' proposed adjustments reflected in the Notices of Deficiency. In July 2018, we finalized an agreement with the IRS to settle all issues in the examinations and related U.S. Tax Court case; the settlement was approved by the U.S. Tax Court on July 26, 2018. As a result of our settlement, we made federal tax and interest payments of $14.8 million during 2018. We also made state tax and interest payments of $36.8 million during 2018. The impact of the agreed upon settlement was previously reflected in our consolidated statements of operations.

 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is shown in table 12.7.
Unrecognized tax benefits reconciliation
Table
12.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
142,821

 
$
108,245

 
$
107,120

Additions for tax positions of prior years
 

 
35,003

 
1,125

Reductions for tax positions of prior years
 
(3,070
)
 
(427
)
 

Settlements
 
(139,751
)
 

 

Balance at end of year
 
$

 
$
142,821

 
$
108,245


With the approval of our settlement by the U.S. Tax Court, we have no unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2018. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes. During 2018, we recognized an interest benefit of $3.1 million. As of December 31, 2017, we had $52.0 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions. The statute of limitations related to the consolidated federal income tax return is closed for all years prior to 2015.

NOTE 13
 
Shareholders' Equity
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
As of January 1, 2018, the updated guidance of "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" became effective. The application of this guidance resulted in an immaterial cumulative effect adjustment to our 2018 beginning accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and retained earnings to recognize unrealized gains on equity securities.

As of January 1, 2017, we adopted the updated guidance of "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Compensation Accounting." The adoption of this guidance resulted in an immaterial cumulative effect adjustment to our 2017 beginning retained earnings. For the year ending December 31, 2017, we adopted the updated guidance of "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $10.4 million reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings in the fourth quarter of 2017.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 117

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
On April 26, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $200 million of our common stock through the end of 2019. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time.

During 2018, we repurchased approximately 16.0 million shares of our common stock at a weighted average cost per share of $10.95, which included commissions. As of December 31, 2018, the authorized share repurchase program had approximately $25 million remaining.

2017 CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
2% Notes
In April 2017, holders of approximately $202.5 million of the outstanding principal amount of our 2% Notes exercised their rights to convert their notes into shares of our common stock resulting in the delivery of approximately 29.1 million shares of our common stock to the holders. The transactions included the delivery of approximately 18.7 million from our treasury stock and an additional 10.4 million of newly issued shares. Shareholders' equity was increased by the carrying value of the notes at the time of conversion.

2016 CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
5% Notes
In 2016, we repurchased $188.5 million in aggregate principal of our 5% Notes at a purchase price of $195.5 million, plus accrued interest using funds held at our holding company. The excess of the purchase price over carrying value was reflected as a loss on debt extinguishment of $7.9 million on our consolidated statement of operations.

2% Notes
In 2016, we entered into privately negotiated agreements to repurchase $292.4 million in aggregate principal of our outstanding 2% Notes at a purchase price of $362.1 million, plus accrued interest. We funded the purchases with $230.7 million of cash, using proceeds from the issuance of our 5.75% Notes, and by issuing to certain sellers approximately 18.3 million shares of our common stock. The excess of the purchase price over carrying value is reflected as a loss of debt extinguishment of $74.3 million on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, we had repurchased all of the shares issued as partial consideration for our 2% Notes repurchases. The weighted average cost per share was $8.03, which included commissions, and the aggregate purchase amount was $147.1 million.

 
9% Debentures
In 2016, MGIC purchased $132.7 million in aggregate principal of our outstanding 9% Debentures at a purchase price of $150.7 million, plus accrued interest. The 9% Debentures include a conversion feature that allows us, at our option, to make a cash payment to converting holders in lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion of the 9% Debentures. The accounting standards applicable to extinguishment of debt with a cash conversion feature require the consideration paid to be allocated between the extinguishment of the liability component and reacquisition of the equity component. The purchase of the 9% Debentures resulted in an $8.3 million loss on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016, which represents the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the liability component on the purchase date. In addition, our shareholders' equity was separately reduced by $6.3 million as of December 31, 2016. This reduction represents the allocated portion of the consideration paid to reacquire the equity component of the 9% Debentures, net of tax.

NOTE 14
 
Statutory Information
STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
The statutory financial statements of our insurance companies are presented on the basis of accounting principles prescribed, or practices permitted, by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (the "OCI"), which has adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") Statements of Statutory Accounting Principles ("SSAP") as the basis of its statutory accounting principles. In converting from statutory to GAAP, typical adjustments include deferral of policy acquisition costs, the inclusion of net unrealized holding gains or losses in shareholders' equity relating to fixed income securities and the inclusion of statutory non-admitted assets.

In addition to the typical adjustments from statutory to GAAP, mortgage insurance companies are required to maintain contingency loss reserves equal to 50% of premiums earned under SSAP and principles prescribed by the OCI, and such amounts cannot be withdrawn for a period of ten years except as permitted by insurance regulations. With regulatory approval, a mortgage guaranty insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net premiums earned in a calendar year. For the year ended 2018, MGIC's losses incurred were 4% of net premiums earned. Changes in contingency loss reserves impact the statutory statement of operations. Contingency loss reserves are not reflected as liabilities under GAAP and changes in contingency loss reserves do not impact the GAAP statements of operations.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 118

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


The statutory net income loss, policyholders' surplus and contingency reserve liability of the insurance subsidiaries of our holding company are show in table 14.1 below. The surplus amounts included in the following table are the combined policyholders' surplus of our insurance operations as utilized in our risk-to-capital calculations.
Statutory financial information of holding company and insurance subsidiaries
Table
14.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of and for the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Statutory net income
 
$
375,484

 
$
310,776

 
$
106,326

Statutory policyholders' surplus
 
1,683,058

 
1,622,115

 
1,506,475

Contingency reserve
 
2,442,996

 
1,896,701

 
1,360,088


The surplus contributions made to MGIC, dividends paid by MGIC, and distributions from other insurance subsidiaries to us, are shown in table 14.2 below.
Surplus contributions and dividends of insurance subsidiaries
Table
14.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Additions to the surplus of MGIC from parent company funds
 
$

 

 
36,025

Dividends paid by MGIC to the parent company
 
$
220,000

 
140,000

 
64,000

Distributions from other insurance subsidiaries to the parent company
 
$

 

 
52,001


STATUTORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The insurance laws of 16 jurisdictions, including Wisconsin, our domiciliary state, require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the RIF (or a similar measure) in order for the mortgage insurer to continue to write new business. We refer to these requirements as the “State Capital Requirements” and, together with the GSE Financial Requirements, the “Financial Requirements.” While they vary among jurisdictions, the most common State Capital Requirements allow for a maximum risk-to-capital ratio of 25 to 1. A risk-to-capital ratio will increase if (i) the percentage decrease in capital exceeds the percentage decrease in insured risk, or (ii) the percentage increase in capital is less than the percentage increase in insured risk.  Wisconsin does not regulate capital by using a risk-to-capital measure but instead requires a minimum policyholder position
 
("MPP"). The “policyholder position” of a mortgage insurer is its net worth or surplus, contingency reserve and a portion of the reserves for unearned premiums.

At December 31, 2018, MGIC’s risk-to-capital ratio was 9.0 to 1, below the maximum allowed by the jurisdictions with State Capital Requirements and its policyholder position was $2.6 billion above the required MPP of $1.3 billion. In calculating our risk-to-capital ratio and MPP, we are allowed full credit for the risk ceded under our quota share reinsurance transactions with unaffiliated reinsurers. It is possible that under the revised State Capital Requirements discussed below, MGIC will not be allowed full credit for the risk ceded to the reinsurers. If MGIC is not allowed an agreed level of credit under either the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs, MGIC may terminate the reinsurance agreement, without penalty. At this time, we expect MGIC to continue to comply with the current State Capital Requirements; however, you should read the rest of these financial statement footnotes for information about matters that could negatively affect such compliance.

At December 31, 2018, the risk-to-capital ratio of our combined insurance operations (which includes a reinsurance affiliate) was 9.8 to 1. Reinsurance transactions with our affiliate permit MGIC to write insurance with a higher coverage percentage than it could on its own under certain state-specific requirements.
The NAIC plans to revise the minimum capital and surplus requirements for mortgage insurers that are provided for in its Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act. In May 2016, a working group of state regulators released an exposure draft of a risk-based capital framework to establish capital requirements for mortgage insurers, although no date has been established by which the NAIC must propose revisions to the capital requirements and certain items have not yet been completely addressed by the framework, including the treatment of ceded risk, minimum capital floors, and action level triggers. Currently we believe that the PMIERs contain the more restrictive capital requirements than the draft Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Model Act in most circumstances.

While MGIC currently meets the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin and all other jurisdictions, it could be prevented from writing new business in the future in all jurisdictions if it fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of Wisconsin, or it could be prevented from writing new business in a particular jurisdiction if it fails to meet the State Capital Requirements of that jurisdiction and in each case MGIC does not obtain a waiver of such requirements. It is possible that regulatory action by one or more jurisdictions, including those that do not have specific State Capital Requirements, may prevent MGIC from


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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


continuing to write new insurance in such jurisdictions. If we are unable to write business in all jurisdictions, lenders may be unwilling to procure insurance from us anywhere. In addition, a lender’s assessment of the future ability of our insurance operations to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs may affect its willingness to procure insurance from us. A possible future failure by MGIC to meet the State Capital Requirements or the PMIERs will not necessarily mean that MGIC lacks sufficient resources to pay claims on its insurance liabilities. While we believe MGIC has sufficient claims paying resources to meet its claim obligations on its IIF on a timely basis, you should read the rest of these financial statement footnotes for information about matters that could negatively affect MGIC’s claims paying resources.

DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
In 2018, MGIC paid a total of $220 million in dividends to our holding company, and we expect MGIC to continue to pay quarterly dividends. In 2016, distributions of $52 million were paid to our holding company from other insurance subsidiaries. These distributions were completed in conjunction with the transfer of risk and the final dissolution of those insurance entities during 2016. Our holding company subsequently contributed the majority of the funds to MGIC in relation to the transfer of risk.

MGIC is subject to statutory regulations as to payment of dividends. The maximum amount of dividends that MGIC may pay in any twelve-month period without regulatory approval by the OCI is the lesser of adjusted statutory net income or 10% of statutory policyholders' surplus as of the preceding calendar year end. Adjusted statutory net income is defined for this purpose to be the greater of statutory net income, net of realized investment gains, for the calendar year preceding the date of the dividend or statutory net income, net of realized investment gains, for the three calendar years preceding the date of the dividend less dividends paid within the first two of the preceding three calendar years. The OCI recognizes only statutory accounting principles prescribed, or practices permitted, by the State of Wisconsin for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company. The OCI has adopted certain prescribed accounting practices that differ from those found in other states. Specifically, Wisconsin domiciled companies record changes in the contingency reserves through the income statement as a change in underwriting deduction. As a result, in periods in which MGIC is increasing contingency reserves, statutory net income is reduced. For the year ended December 31, 2018, MGIC’s increase in contingency reserves was $484 million and statutory net income was $325 million. As of December 31, 2018, MGIC's statutory policyholders' surplus was $1,682 million.

 
NOTE 15
 
Share-based Compensation Plans
We have certain share-based compensation plans. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period which generally corresponds to the vesting period.  Awards under our plans generally vest over periods ranging from one to three years.

We have an omnibus incentive plan that was adopted on April 23, 2015. The purpose of the 2015 plan is to motivate and incent performance by, and to retain the services of, key employees and non-employee directors through receipt of equity-based and other incentive awards under the plan. The maximum number of shares of stock that can be awarded under the 2015 plan is 10.0 million. Awards issued under the plan that are subsequently forfeited will not count against the limit on the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the plan. The 2015 plan provides for the award of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, as well as cash incentive awards. No awards may be granted after April 23, 2025 under the 2015 plan. The vesting provisions of options, restricted stock and restricted stock units are determined at the time of grant. At December 31, 2018, 5.1 million shares were available for future grant under the 2015 plan.

The compensation cost that has been charged against income for share-based plans was $20.9 million, $14.9 million, and $11.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The related income tax benefit recognized for share-based plans was $3.0 million, $5.2 million, and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Table 15.1 summarizes restricted stock or restricted stock unit (collectively called “restricted stock”) activity during 2018.
Restricted stock
Table
15.1
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Market Value
 
Shares
Restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2017
$
8.78

 
3,300,609

Granted
15.69

 
1,685,264

Vested
7.81

 
(1,371,063
)
Forfeited
13.28

 
(31,304
)
Restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2018
$
12.27

 
3,583,506




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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


At December 31, 2018, the 3.6 million shares of restricted stock outstanding consisted of 2.7 million shares that are subject to performance conditions (“performance shares”) and 0.9 million shares that are subject only to service conditions (“time vested shares”). The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted during 2017 and 2016 was $10.41 and $5.66, respectively. The fair value of restricted stock granted is the closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. The total fair value of restricted stock vested during 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $19.1 million, $15.3 million, and $12.2 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2018, there was $18.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation agreements granted under the plans. Of this total, $12.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs relate to performance shares and $5.6 million relates to time vested shares. A portion of the unrecognized costs associated with the performance shares may or may not be recognized in future periods, depending upon whether or not the performance and service conditions are met. The cost associated with the time vested shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

NOTE 16
 
Leases
We lease certain office space as well as data processing equipment and autos under operating leases that expire during the next four years. Generally, rental payments are fixed.

Table 16.1 shows minimum the future operating lease payments as of December 31, 2018.
Minimum future operating lease payments
Table
16.1
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amount
2019
 
$
1,406

2020
 
1,069

2021
 
371

2022
 
161

2023 and thereafter
 

Total
 
$
3,007


Total rental expense under operating leases was $1.9 million in 2018, $2.0 million in 2017, and $2.1 million in 2016.


 
NOTE 17
 
Litigation and Contingencies
Before paying an insurance claim, we review the loan and servicing files to determine the appropriateness of the claim amount. When reviewing the files, we may determine that we have the right to rescind coverage on the loan. We refer to insurance rescissions and denials of claims collectively as “rescissions” and variations of that term. In addition, our insurance policies generally provide that we can reduce or deny a claim if the servicer did not comply with its obligations under our insurance policy. We call such reduction of claims “curtailments.” In recent quarters, an immaterial percentage of claims received in a quarter have been resolved by rescissions. In 2017 and 2018, curtailments reduced our average claim paid by approximately 5.6% and 5.8%, respectively.

Our loss reserving methodology incorporates our estimates of future rescissions, curtailments, and reversals of rescissions and curtailments. A variance between ultimate actual rescission, curtailment, and reversal rates and our estimates, as a result of the outcome of litigation, settlements or other factors, could materially affect our losses.

When the insured disputes our right to rescind coverage or curtail claims, we generally engage in discussions in an attempt to settle the dispute. If we are unable to reach a settlement, the outcome of a dispute ultimately may be determined by legal proceedings.
 
Under ASC 450-20, until a liability associated with settlement discussions or legal proceedings becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated, we consider our claim payment or rescission resolved for financial reporting purposes and do not accrue an estimated loss. Where we have determined that a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated we have recorded our best estimate of our probable loss.
In addition to matters for which we have recorded a probable loss, we are involved in other discussions and/or proceedings with insureds with respect to our claims paying practices. Although it is reasonably possible that when these matters are resolved we will not prevail in all cases, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate or range of estimates of the potential liability. We estimate the maximum exposure associated with matters where a loss is reasonably possible to be approximately $279 million. This estimate of maximum exposure is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment, numerous assumptions and known and unknown uncertainties. The matters underlying the estimate of maximum exposure will change from time to time. This estimate of our maximum exposure does not include interest or consequential or exemplary damages.



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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


Mortgage insurers, including MGIC, have been involved in litigation and regulatory actions related to alleged violations of the anti-referral fee provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is commonly known as RESPA, and the notice provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is commonly known as FCRA.

While these proceedings in the aggregate have not resulted in material liability for MGIC, there can be no assurance that the outcome of future proceedings, if any, under these laws would not have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, various regulators, including the CFPB, state insurance commissioners and state attorneys general may bring other actions seeking various forms of relief in connection with alleged violations of RESPA. The insurance law provisions of many states prohibit paying for the referral of insurance business and provide various mechanisms to enforce this prohibition. While we believe our practices are in conformity with applicable laws and regulations, it is not possible to predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of any such reviews or investigations nor is it possible to predict their effect on us or the mortgage insurance industry.

Through a non-insurance subsidiary, we utilize our underwriting skills to provide an outsourced underwriting service to our customers known as contract underwriting. As part of the contract underwriting activities, that subsidiary is responsible for the quality of the underwriting decisions in accordance with the terms of the contract underwriting agreements with customers. That subsidiary may be required to provide certain remedies to its customers if certain standards relating to the quality of our underwriting work are not met, and we have an established reserve for such future obligations. Claims for remedies may be made a number of years after the underwriting work was performed. The related contract underwriting remedy expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, was immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.

In addition to the matters described above, we are involved in other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, based on the facts known at this time, the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or consolidated results of operations.





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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Table of Contents


NOTE 18
 
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data
Unaudited quarterly financial data - current year:
Table:
18.1a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018:
 
Quarter
 
Full
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Year
Net premiums earned
 
$
232,107

 
$
246,964

 
$
250,426

 
$
245,665

 
$
975,162

Investment income, net of expenses
 
32,121

 
34,502

 
36,380

 
38,328

 
141,331

Realized (losses) gains
 
(329
)
 
(1,897
)
 
1,114

 
(241
)
 
(1,353
)
Other revenue
 
1,871

 
2,431

 
2,525

 
1,881

 
8,708

Loss incurred, net
 
23,850

 
(13,455
)
 
(1,518
)
 
27,685

 
36,562

Underwriting and other expenses, net
 
61,895

 
57,933

 
60,069

 
63,239

 
243,136

Provision for income tax
 
36,388

 
50,708

 
49,994

 
36,963

 
174,053

Net income
 
143,637

 
186,814

 
181,900

 
157,746

 
670,097

Income per share (a) (b):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
0.39

 
0.51

 
0.50

 
0.44

 
1.83

Diluted
 
0.38

 
0.49

 
0.49

 
0.43

 
1.78

Unaudited quarterly financial statements - prior year:
Table:
18.1b
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017:
 
Quarter
 
Full
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Year
Net premiums earned
 
$
229,103

 
$
231,136

 
$
237,083

 
$
237,425

 
$
934,747

Investment income, net of expenses
 
29,477

 
29,716

 
30,402

 
31,276

 
120,871

Realized gains (losses)
 
(125
)
 
(52
)
 
(50
)
 
458

 
231

Other revenue
 
2,425

 
2,512

 
2,925

 
2,343

 
10,205

Loss incurred, net
 
27,619

 
27,339

 
29,747

 
(30,996
)
 
53,709

Underwriting and other expenses, net
 
59,304

 
55,292

 
56,146

 
57,042

 
227,784

Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 
65

 

 

 
65

Provision for income tax
 
84,159

 
61,994

 
64,440

 
218,142

 
428,735

Net income
 
89,798

 
118,622

 
120,027

 
27,314

 
355,761

Income per share (a) (b):
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
0.26

 
0.32

 
0.32

 
0.07

 
0.98

Diluted
 
0.24

 
0.31

 
0.32

 
0.07

 
0.95

(a) 
Due to the use of weighted average shares outstanding when calculating earnings per share, the sum of the quarterly per share data may not equal the per share data for the year.
(b) 
In periods where convertible debt instruments are dilutive to earnings per share the “if-converted” method of computing diluted EPS requires an interest expense adjustment, net of tax, to net income available to shareholders. See Note 4 – “Earnings Per Share” for further discussion on our calculation of diluted EPS.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 123

https://cdn.kscope.io/80466c106cf0abcc619682f0e2e68961-pwclogoa03.jpg

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
MGIC Investment Corporation

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MGIC Investment Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, 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, 2018, 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, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 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, 2018, 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 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.

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.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 22, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1985.  





Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
MANAGEMENT'S CONCLUSION REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period.

MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is 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. Because of its inherent limitations, however, 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.

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on such evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.

 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, as stated in their report which appears herein.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2018 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information
None.



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MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms


PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
This information (other than on the executive officers) will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and is hereby incorporated by reference, provided such Proxy Statement is filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018. If not so filed, such information will be included in an amended Form 10-K filed within such 120 day period. The information on the executive officers appears at the end of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Our Code of Business Conduct is available on our website (http://mtg.mgic.com) under the “Leadership & Governance; Documents” links. Written copies of our Code of Business Conduct are available to any shareholder who submits a written request to our Secretary, addressed to: MGIC Investment Corporation, Secretary, P.O. Box 488, Milwaukee, WI 53201. We intend to disclose on our website any waivers and amendments to our Code of Business Conduct that are required to be disclosed under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K.

Item 11. Executive Compensation
This information will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is hereby incorporated by reference, provided such Proxy Statement is filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018. If not so filed, such information will be included in an amended Form 10-K filed within such 120 day period.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
This information, other than information regarding equity compensation plans required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission which appears below, will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and is hereby incorporated by reference, provided such Proxy Statement is filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018. If not so filed, such
 
information will be included in an amended Form 10-K filed within such 120 day period.

The table below sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2018, about the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans. No options, warrants or rights were outstanding at that date under any compensation plan or individual compensation arrangement with us. We have no compensation plan under which our equity securities may be issued that has not been approved by shareholders. Share units or phantom shares, which have no voting power and can be settled only in cash, are not considered to be equity securities for this purpose.
 
 
 
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
(a)
 
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (1)
 
3,574,733

(b)
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 

(c)
 
Number of Securities Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Row (a)) (2)
 
5,074,773


(1) 
Includes 3,548,904 restricted stock units (RSUs) granted under our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) for which shares will be issued if certain criteria are met. Of the RSUs granted under the 2015 Plan, 2,733,980 are subject to performance conditions and the remaining RSUs are subject to service conditions. Also includes 25,869 vested RSUs granted under our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan for which shares will be issued in the future.

(2) 
Reflects shares available for granting.  All of these shares are available under our 2015 Plan.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
To the extent applicable, this information will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and is hereby incorporated by reference, provided such Proxy Statement is filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018. If not so filed, such information will be included in an amended Form 10-K filed within such 120 day period.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 126


Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
This information will be included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and is hereby incorporated by reference, provided such Proxy Statement is filed within 120 days after December 31, 2018. If not so filed, such information will be included in an amended Form 10-K filed within such 120 day period.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 127

MGIC Investment Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents | Glossary of terms and acronyms


PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)
1.
Financial statements. The following financial statements are filed in Item 8 of this annual report:
 
Consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Consolidated statements of operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018
 
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018
 
Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018
 
Consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018
 
Notes to consolidated financial statements
 
Report of independent registered public accounting firm

2.
Financial statement schedules. The following financial statement schedules are filed as part of this Form 10-K and appear immediately following the signature page:
 
 
Page
 
Schedule I - Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties at December 31, 2018
 
Schedule II - Condensed financial information of Registrant
 
 
Condensed balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Condensed statements of operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018
 
Condensed statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018
 
Supplementary notes to parent company financial statements
 
Schedule IV – Reinsurance
 
All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
 
3.
Exhibits. The accompanying Index to Exhibits is incorporated by reference in answer to this portion of this Item and, except as otherwise indicated in the next sentence, the Exhibits listed in such Index are filed as part of this Form 10-K. Exhibit 32 is not filed as part of this Form 10-K but accompanies this Form 10-K.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 128


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

The agreements included as exhibits to this report are included to provide information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:

should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements provide to be inaccurate;
have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about the Company and its subsidiaries may be found elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or on the Company's website. See Item 1 “Business – Website Address.”
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
Form
 
 
Exhibit(s)
 
 
Filing Date
3.1
 
 
10-Q
 
3.1
 
August 8, 2013
3.2
 
 
8-K
 
3.2
 
July 28, 2017
4.1
 
 
10-Q
 
3.1
 
August 8, 2013
4.2
 
 
8-K
 
3.2
 
July 28, 2017
4.4
 
 
8-K
 
4.1
 
October 19, 2000
4.6
 
 
10-Q
 
4.6
 
May 12, 2008
4.8
 
 
8-K
 
4.1
 
August 5, 2016
4.9
 
 
8-A12B/A
 
4.1
 
April 27, 2018
 
 
[We are a party to various other agreements with respect to our long-term debt. These agreements are not being filed pursuant to Reg. S-K Item 601(b) (4) (iii) (A). We hereby agree to furnish a copy of such agreements to the Commission upon its request.]
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.2.4
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.4
 
March 16, 2005
10.2.5
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.5
 
March 16, 2005
10.2.16
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.16
 
February 21, 2017
10.2.17
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.17
 
February 21, 2017
10.2.18
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.18
 
February 23, 2018
10.2.19
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.19
 
February 23, 2018


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 129


 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
Form
 
 
Exhibit(s)
 
 
Filing Date
10.2.20
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.2.21
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
 
 
10-K
 
10.7
 
March 29, 2000
10.3.1
 
 
10-K
 
10.3.1
 
March 1, 2011
10.3.3
 
 
DEF 14A
 
App. A
 
March 24, 2015
10.5
 
 
10-K
 
10.10
 
March 29, 2000
10.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.7
 
 
8-K
 
10.7
 
January 29, 2014
10.8
 
 
10-K
 
10.8
 
February 27, 2015
10.9
 
MGIC Investment Corporation 1993 Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. [File 001‑10816] *
 
10-K
 
10.24
 
March 25, 1994
10.10
 
Two Forms of Award Agreement under MGIC Investment Corporation 1993 Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.*
 
10-Q
 
10.27 and 10.28
 
August 12, 1994
10.11.1
 
 
10-K
 
10.11.1
 
February 27, 2015
10.11.2
 
 
10-K
 
10.11.2
 
February 27, 2015
10.11.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.11.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.12
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.17
 
 
10-Q
 
10.2
 
November 7, 2018
21
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
99.1
 
 
10-K
 
99.1
 
March 2, 2009
99.2
 
 
10-K
 
99.2
 
March 2, 2009
99.7
 
 
10-Q
 
99.7
 
May 10, 2012
99.19
 
 
10-Q
 
99.19
 
November 7, 2014
99.25
 
 
10-Q
 
99.3
 
May 7, 2015
99.26
 
 
10-K
 
10.2.15
 
February 26, 2016
99.27
 
 
10-Q
 
99.27
 
May 5, 2017


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 130


 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
Form
 
 
Exhibit(s)
 
 
Filing Date
101.INS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan.
**
Certain portions of this Exhibit are redacted and covered by a confidential treatment request that has been granted. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Filed herewith.
††
Furnished herewith.
 

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 131


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, on February 22, 2019.

MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
/s/ Patrick Sinks
 
Patrick Sinks
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below as of the date set forth above by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.
/s/ Patrick Sinks
 
/s/ Curt S. Culver
Patrick Sinks
 
Curt S. Culver, Director
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Timothy A. Holt
/s/ Timothy J. Mattke
 
Timothy A. Holt, Director
Timothy J. Mattke
 
 
Executive Vice President and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
/s/ Kenneth M. Jastrow, II
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
Kenneth M. Jastrow, II, Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Julie K. Sperber
 
/s/ Jodeen A. Kozlak
Julie K. Sperber
 
Jodeen A. Kozlak, Director
Vice President, Controller and
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
/s/ Michael E. Lehman
 
 
Michael E. Lehman, Director
 
 
 
/s/ Daniel A. Arrigoni
 
 
Daniel A. Arrigoni, Director
 
/s/ Melissa B. Lora
 
 
Melissa B. Lora, Director
 
 
 
/s/ Cassandra C. Carr
 
 
Cassandra C. Carr, Director
 
/s/ Gary A. Poliner
 
 
Gary A. Poliner, Director
 
 
 
/s/ C. Edward Chaplin
 
 
C. Edward Chaplin, Director
 
/s/ Mark M. Zandi
 
 
Mark M. Zandi, Director
 
 
 


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 132


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

SCHEDULE I — Summary of investments - Other than investments in related parties - December 31, 2018

(In thousands)

Type of Investment
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amount at which shown in the balance sheet
Fixed income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States Government and government agencies and authorities
 
$
167,655

 
$
167,176

 
$
167,176

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
1,701,826

 
1,720,100

 
1,720,100

Public utilities
 
212,584

 
208,381

 
208,381

Asset-backed securities
 
111,953

 
112,033

 
112,033

Collateralized loan obligations
 
310,587

 
305,295

 
305,295

Mortgage-backed
 
465,590

 
446,621

 
446,621

All other corporate bonds
 
2,226,589

 
2,192,381

 
2,192,381

Total fixed income
 
5,196,784

 
5,151,987

 
5,151,987

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Common stocks:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
 
3,993

 
3,932

 
3,932

Total equity securities
 
3,993

 
3,932

 
3,932

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investments
 
$
5,200,777

 
$
5,155,919

 
$
5,155,919




MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 133


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Balance Sheets
Parent Company Only
 
 
December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Fixed income, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost, 2018 – $203,743; 2017 – $195,846)
 
$
201,507

 
$
194,061

Cash and cash equivalents
 
46,502

 
22,247

Investment in subsidiaries, at equity in net assets
 
3,981,970

 
3,567,034

Accounts receivable - affiliates
 
1,396

 
1,414

Income taxes - current and deferred
 
186,561

 
192,570

Accrued investment income
 
2,020

 
1,941

Other assets
 
740

 
1,275

Total assets
 
$
4,420,696

 
$
3,980,542

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 

 
 

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Senior notes
 
$
419,713

 
$
418,560

Convertible junior subordinated debentures
 
389,522

 
389,522

Accrued interest
 
17,930

 
17,934

Other liabilities
 
11,640

 

Total liabilities
 
838,805

 
826,016

 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 

 
 

Common stock, (one dollar par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; shares issued 2018 – 371,353; 2017 – 370,567; outstanding 2018 – 355,371; 2017 – 370,567)
 
371,353

 
370,567

Paid-in capital
 
1,862,536

 
1,850,582

Treasury stock (shares at cost 2018 – 15,982)
 
(175,059
)
 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(124,214
)
 
(43,783
)
Retained earnings
 
1,647,275

 
977,160

Total shareholders’ equity
 
3,581,891

 
3,154,526

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
4,420,696

 
$
3,980,542

See accompanying supplementary notes to Parent Company condensed financial statements.


MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 134


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Statements of Operations
Parent Company Only
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income, net of expenses
 
$
4,685

 
$
3,177

 
$
3,807

Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(532
)
 
(13
)
 
646

Total revenues
 
4,153

 
3,164

 
4,453

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating expenses
 
637

 
642

 
1,409

Interest expense
 
61,930

 
65,972

 
64,598

Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 
65

 
82,234

Total expenses
 
62,567

 
66,679

 
148,241

Loss before tax
 
(58,414
)
 
(63,515
)
 
(143,788
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
 
(13,517
)
 
95,517

 
(52,575
)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
 
714,994

 
514,793

 
433,730

Net income
 
670,097

 
355,761

 
342,517

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
(80,413
)
 
41,739

 
(14,220
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
589,684

 
$
397,500

 
$
328,297

See accompanying supplementary notes to Parent Company condensed financial statements.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 135


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Parent Company Only
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
670,097

 
$
355,761

 
$
342,517

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

 
 

 
 

Equity in net income of subsidiaries
 
(714,994
)
 
(514,793
)
 
(433,730
)
Dividends received from subsidiaries
 
199,692

 
110,145

 
64,000

Deferred tax (benefit) expense
 
(11,756
)
 
96,741

 
(55,988
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
 

 
65

 
82,234

Other
 
24,303

 
18,716

 
16,722

Change in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable - affiliates
 
18

 
(634
)
 
158

Income taxes receivable
 
17,859

 
297

 
3,602

Accrued investment income
 
112

 
(192
)
 
1,951

Accrued interest
 
(4
)
 
(2,819
)
 
6,811

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
185,327

 
63,287

 
28,277

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Capital distributions from subsidiaries
 

 

 
51,987

Capital contributions to subsidiaries
 

 

 
(36,025
)
Purchases of investments
 
(83,003
)
 
(97,091
)
 
(194,751
)
Proceeds from sales of investments
 
93,481

 
176,960

 
330,142

Net cash provided by investing activities
 
10,478

 
79,869

 
151,353

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from revolving credit facility
 

 
150,000

 

Repayment of revolving credit facility
 

 
(150,000
)
 

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 

 

 
418,094

Repurchase of convertible senior notes
 

 
(150,124
)
 
(426,191
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(163,419
)
 

 
(147,127
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 

 
(1,630
)
 
(1,127
)
Payment of withholding taxes related to share-based compensation net share settlement
 
(8,131
)
 
(6,821
)
 
(5,030
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(171,550
)
 
(158,575
)
 
(161,381
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
24,255

 
(15,419
)
 
18,249

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
22,247

 
37,666

 
19,417

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 
$
46,502

 
$
22,247

 
$
37,666

See accompanying supplementary notes to Parent Company condensed financial statements.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 136


SCHEDULE II — CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
PARENT COMPANY ONLY
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES


Note A

The accompanying Parent Company financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements appearing this annual report.

Note B

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to statutory regulations as to maintenance of policyholders’ surplus and payment of dividends. The maximum amount of dividends that the insurance subsidiaries may pay in any twelve-month period without regulatory approval by the OCI is the lesser of adjusted statutory net income or 10% of statutory policyholders’ surplus as of the preceding calendar year end. Adjusted statutory net income is defined for this purpose to be the greater of statutory net income, net of realized investment gains, for the calendar year preceding the date of the dividend or statutory net income, net of realized investment gains, for the three calendar years preceding the date of the dividend less dividends paid within the first two of the preceding three calendar years.

The payment of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries is the principal source of cash inflow for MGIC Investment Corporation, our holding company, other than investment income and raising capital in the public markets. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is restricted by insurance regulation as discussed above. MGIC is the principal source of dividend-paying capacity and, in 2018, it paid a total of $220 million in dividends in cash and fixed income securities to our holding company, and we expect MGIC to continue to pay quarterly dividends. During 2017, MGIC paid a total of $140 million in dividends in cash and fixed income securities to our holding company. During 2016, MGIC paid a total of $64 million in dividends; and other insurance subsidiaries paid distributions of $52 million to our holding company. These distributions were completed in conjunction with the transfer of risk and the final dissolution of those insurance entities during 2016. Our holding company subsequently contributed the majority of the funds, approximately $36 million, to MGIC in relation to the transfer of risk. No contributions were made to our insurance subsidiaries in 2018 or 2017.

 
Note C

The senior notes and convertible junior subordinated debentures ("9% Debentures"), discussed in Note 7 – “Debt” to our consolidated financial statements, are obligations of MGIC Investment Corporation, our holding company, and not of its subsidiaries. MGIC owns $132.7 million in aggregate principal of the 9% Debentures. The 9% Debentures owned by MGIC remain obligations of our holding company. For GAAP accounting purposes, the 9% Debentures owned by MGIC are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 137


MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

SCHEDULE IV — Reinsurance
Mortgage Insurance Premiums Earned
Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross Amount
 
Ceded to Other Companies
 
Assumed From Other Companies
 
Net Amount
 
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net
Years ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
$
1,084,748

 
$
111,391

 
$
1,805

 
$
975,162

 
0.2
%
2017
 
1,059,973

 
125,735

 
509

 
934,747

 
0.1
%
2016
 
1,058,545

 
133,981

 
662

 
925,226

 
0.1
%



MGIC Investment Corporation 2018 Form 10-K | 138
Exhibit


Exhibit 10.6

The 2019 bonus plan for our executive officers determines bonuses by the extent to which two financial performance goals and various business performance objective are met. In particular, it provides for the calculation of a percentage of which up to 75 percentage points is determined by the extent to which the two financial performance goals have been met through the Company’s actual performance, and up to 25 percentage points is determined by the extent to which, in the evaluation of the Management Development, Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Directors (the "Committee"), business performance objectives have been met.
Threshold, target and maximum performance achievement levels have been established for each financial performance goal and each is assigned a percentage weight, with the weight of both performance goals totaling 100%. Based on the actual achievement level and the weight assigned to each financial performance goal, a weighted percentage score for the goal is determined, the resulting scores are summed and multiplied by 75%. The business objectives are assigned a percentage in the aggregate, which is multiplied by 25%. The two resulting percentages are added. The Committee has discretion to decrease by as much as 10 percentage points or increase by as much as 10 percentage points the resulting percentage (the “Bonus Pool Percentage”), but the Bonus Pool Percentage will not exceed 100%.
A bonus pool is established equal to the sum of the maximum bonus of each executive officer (in the case of the CEO, for example, three times his base salary) multiplied by the Bonus Pool Percentage. The resulting bonus pool is allocated to each executive officer as approved by the Committee, except that an individual executive officer’s bonus may not exceed his maximum bonus. The entire bonus pool need not be awarded.
The individual financial performance goals, as generally described, and their weightings are: ROE (calculated as adjusted net operating income divided by beginning shareholders’ equity excluding Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (60%); and new insurance written (40%), except that new insurance written during any month is included only to the extent such volume is projected to generate, as of such month in which it is written, a lifetime return that exceeds our hurdle rate in effect at the time. The subjects addressed by the business performance objectives are: preserving and expanding the role of MGIC and mortgage insurance in housing finance policy, managing and deploying capital to optimize creation of shareholder value, and expanding and developing the talents of co-workers.



Exhibit


Exhibit 10.12

AGREEMENT NOT TO COMPETE


As a condition to and in consideration of the award by MGIC Investment Corporation (the “Company”) of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) pursuant to the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan, to the individual signing or otherwise agreeing to this Agreement Not to Compete (“Employee”), Employee agrees as follows:

1.    Employee shall not render services or assistance to any Competitor (as defined below) of the Company or of any present or future parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company (collectively, “Affiliate”) (a) during the term of Employee’s employment with the Company or with any Affiliate, and (b) for a period of one year after the termination of such employment if such post-employment services or assistance to a Competitor involve any of the following:

(i) for an Employee whose principal business function for the Company or any Affiliate during the one year prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company or such Affiliate (“the Relevant Period”) is sales or marketing directly to customers of the Company or such Affiliate, selling, marketing products or services competitive with those Employee sold or marketed on behalf of the Company or Affiliate for whom Employee worked, to any of the Company’s or such Affiliate’s customers for which Employee had responsibility or with which Employee had regular contact, whether in person or through any communications technology, at any time during the Relevant Period;

(ii) for an Employee who during the Relevant Period supervises other employees who sell or market directly to customers, selling, marketing, or supervising the sale or marketing of, products or services competitive with those within Employee’s supervision, to any of the Company’s or such Affiliate’s customers who, at any time during the Relevant Period, were served by employees Employee supervised and were either customers about which Employee received confidential information of Company or such Affiliate or customers with which Employee had regular contact whether in person or through any communications technology; or

(iii) for an Employee who during the Relevant Period serves the Company or any Affiliate in a capacity not described in subsections (i) or (ii), providing services to a Competitor of the Company or such Affiliate in any capacity in which confidential information of the Company or such Affiliate which Employee learned during the Relevant Period, would reasonably be considered useful to the Competitor.

2.    Employee shall not directly or indirectly, during the term of Employee’s employment with the Company or with any Affiliate and for a period of one year after termination of such employment, solicit or induce, or assist in any manner in the solicitation or inducement of any employee of the Company who was subject to Employee’s direct supervision or about whom Employee received any Confidential Information, in either event during any part of the last year of Employee’s employment with the Company or Affiliate, to accept any employment, consulting, contracting or other confidential relationship with a Competitor.

3.    For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Competitor” means any company (regardless of the form of its organization), including a proprietorship (a) engaged in or preparing to engage in the business of guaranteeing or insuring mortgages on property in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam, or (b) engaged in or preparing to engage in competition with any other business in which the Company or any Affiliate is engaged, in any state or territory of the United States in which the Company or any Affiliate is so engaged, but only if such business accounted for at least 10% of the revenues of the Company and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, during the Relevant Period.

4.    The provisions of this Agreement shall bind the Employee and inure to the benefit of the Company and its Affiliates, notwithstanding: (a) any termination of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement associated with this Agreement, or any forfeiture of the related RSUs, or (b) any issuance of cash or shares to the Employee in settlement of any RSU.





5.    The Employee acknowledges that the Company and each Affiliate are third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and each one is entitled to enforce the provisions of this Agreement by an action for injunction, damages or both, and such other relief as may be proper.

6.    Any dispute arising out of or related to Employee’s employment with Company or any Affiliate, or arising out of or related to this Agreement, or any breach or alleged breach hereof (“a Covered Dispute”), shall be decided exclusively by a state court sitting without a jury in the Wisconsin Circuit Court for Milwaukee County. Employee irrevocably waives Employee’s right, if any, to have any Covered Dispute decided in any jurisdiction or venue other than the Wisconsin Circuit Court for Milwaukee County, and Employee irrevocably waives the right to remove or transfer any action commenced in the Wisconsin Circuit Court for Milwaukee County, to any other court or venue. Employee irrevocably waives Employee’s right, if any, to have any Covered Dispute decided by a jury.

7.    All terms capitalized in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth in the associated Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein. This Agreement does not supersede or modify any other agreement regarding non-competition of which the Company has the benefit.


    
Dated: As of the 22nd day of January 2018.
Signature:______________________________

Name:______________________________




Exhibit


Exhibit 10.2.20

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT


THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the date indicated on the signature page under “Date of Agreement” by and between MGIC Investment Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), and the employee of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (“MGIC”), or one of its subsidiaries, whose signature is set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Employee”).

INTRODUCTION

The Company is awarding restricted stock units to the Employee under the MGIC Investment Corporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (such plan as it appears as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated March 24, 2015 is referred to as the “Plan”) and this Agreement. The Company may also make cash incentive awards to the Employee under the Plan, which along with such Restricted Stock Units may be recovered in certain circumstances.

This Agreement consists of this instrument and the Incorporated Terms dated as of January 22, 2018 to Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Incorporated Terms”), which although not attached to this instrument, are part of this Agreement and were provided to the Employee as indicated in Section 1(b) below.

The parties mutually agree as follows:

1.    Award of RSUs; Incorporated Terms.

(a)    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company is confirming the award to the Employee of the number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) set forth in the document entitled “Executive Compensation” that was delivered to the Employee by the Company in January or February 2018 to notify the Employee of the award of RSUs. The Employee agrees if there is any difference between the number of RSUs determined by (i) such document, as delivered to the Employee, and (ii) the number of RSUs awarded by the Committee, as reflected in the records of the Committee, the number of RSUs reflected in the records of the Committee shall control.

(b)    The Incorporated Terms are incorporated in this instrument with the same effect as if they were physically set forth in this instrument. The Incorporated Terms and this instrument constitute a single agreement which is referred to as “this Agreement.” The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “above” and similar terms used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole. The Incorporated Terms were made available to the Employee with this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

        





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized signer, and the Employee has executed this Agreement, all as of the day and year set forth below.



Date of Agreement:
As of January 22, 2018
 
 
 
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

By:
Title: Authorized Signer
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
* * * *
 
 
 
 
 
Certain Terms of the RSUs:
 
RSUs Release Date: February 28, 2021
 
RSUs Vesting Metric:
 
Dividend Start Date: January 22, 2018




Exhibit




Exhibit 10.2.21

INCORPORATED TERMS
DATED AS OF JANUARY 22, 2018
TO
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT


The following are the “Incorporated Terms” referred to in the instrument entitled “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” which refers to these Incorporated Terms and which has been signed by the Company and the Employee (the “Base Instrument”). The Incorporated Terms and the Base Instrument constitute a single agreement. The Incorporated Terms dovetail with the Base Instrument; because the last section of the Base Instrument is Section 1, the Incorporated Terms begin with Section 2.

2.    Release Date.

(a)    (i)    The “Release Date” is generally the date on which the property underlying RSUs shall be released and settled. The number of RSUs for which a Release Date will occur on the date set forth or contemplated after “RSUs Release Date” in the Base Instrument shall be the product of (I) the Number of RSUs Granted and (II) the Vesting Percentage. Such number of RSUs shall be rounded down to the nearest whole RSU.

(ii)    As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

(A)    “Adjusted Book Value Per Share” as of a particular year-end means the Preliminary Adjusted Book Value Per Share, adjusted to eliminate: (I) the net of tax effect on book value per share resulting from repurchases of convertible debt; and (II) the effect on book value per share resulting from any purchase of the Company’s common stock (“Stock”), except that for shares repurchased that do not exceed the number of shares issued in a repurchase of convertible debt, the change shall be limited to the difference between the average share repurchase price and the average value under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) of the shares issued in the repurchase.

(B)    “Beginning Adjusted Book Value Per Share” means the number specified as such in the Base Instrument.

(C)    “Cumulative Adjusted Book Value Per Share Growth Target” means the number specified as such in the Base Instrument.

(D)    “Cumulative Growth” means with respect to the date set forth or contemplated after “RSUs Release Date” in the Base Instrument, the Adjusted Book Value Per Share at the end of the immediately prior fiscal year of the Company minus the Beginning Adjusted Book Value Per Share. If such difference is less than zero, then the Cumulative Growth shall be equal to zero.

(E)    “Cumulative Growth Achievement Percentage” means the quotient of (I) the Cumulative Growth divided by (II) the Cumulative Adjusted Book Value Per Share Growth Target.

(F)    “Number of RSUs Granted” means the number referred to in Section 1(a) in the Base Instrument.
        
(G)    “Preliminary Adjusted Book Value” as of a particular year-end means the shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP and reported in the Company’s balance sheet in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, adjusted as follows: (I) to eliminate the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reflected on the GAAP balance sheet; and (II) with respect to litigation accruals and payments, to eliminate the net of tax impact to shareholders’ equity related to the establishment of an accrual, an increase in an accrual or payment for unaccrued litigation items that have





been disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless the Committee determines to include such amounts in whole or in part because the exercise of such discretion will result in a lower Adjusted Book Value; and if a decrease in an accrual increased shareholders’ equity, the Committee may determine to eliminate in whole or in part the net of tax impact of such decrease in accrual.

(H)    “Preliminary Adjusted Book Value Per Share” as of a particular year-end means the quotient of (I) the Preliminary Adjusted Book Value at such year-end divided by (II) the number of Company common shares outstanding at such year-end as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(I)    “Vesting Percentage” means the lesser of (a) one (1), and (b) the Cumulative Growth Achie    vement Percentage.

(iii)    The foregoing notwithstanding, the Release Date shall not occur earlier than the date on which the Committee (as defined in Section 5) approves the Vesting Percentage. The Committee shall approve the Vesting Percentage no later than the March 31st following the close of the year for which the Vesting Percentage is calculated and the Release Date shall occur reasonably promptly (but in no event more than 15 days) after the Vesting Percentage is approved.

(b)    The foregoing notwithstanding, if the Release Date falls on a day other than a business day (which for purposes of this Section 2(b) shall mean a day that the Company and its transfer agent are open for business), then the Release Date shall occur on the next following business day.

3.    Transfer After Release Date; Securities Law Restrictions; Holding Period.

(a)    Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, the Employee agrees and acknowledges with respect to any Stock delivered in settlement of RSUs that has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and that, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, absent such registration cannot be publicly sold or otherwise disposed of, (i) he will not sell or otherwise dispose of such Stock except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act and any applicable state securities laws, or in a transaction which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, is exempt from such registration, and (ii) a legend may be placed on the certificates or other evidence for the Stock delivered in settlement of the RSUs to such effect.

(b)    The Employee agrees that, during the Holding Period, the Employee will not make a Sale of the Holding Period Shares. “Holding Period” means a period beginning on the Release Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the Release Date and (ii) the first date on which the Employee is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“1934 Act”), if applicable. “Holding Period Shares” means a number of shares of Stock for which a Release Date shall occur that are released on such Release Date equal to the lesser of (1) 25% of the aggregate number of RSUs that are released on the Release Date and (2) 50% of the difference between (i) the aggregate number of RSUs that are released on the Release Date and (ii) the aggregate number of shares that are withheld to satisfy withholding tax requirements under Section 8(b) of this Agreement. “Sale” means a transfer for value, except that an involuntary transfer, including Holding Period Shares converted in a merger, is not a Sale; and it is understood that a gift, including to an entity in which the Employee has an interest (provided that in the case of such an entity, such entity does not make a Sale for the remainder of the Holding Period), is not a transfer for value. At the option of the Company, an appropriate legend may be placed on certificates or other evidence for Stock delivered in settlement of RSUs noting the requirements to hold such Stock imposed by this subsection. When such requirements terminate, the Employee shall be entitled to have the foregoing legend removed from such certificates or other evidence for Stock delivered.

4.    Termination of Employment Due to Death. If the Employee’s employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries is terminated because of death prior to the RSUs Release Date, the Release Date for all RSUs shall occur as soon as reasonably practicable after such death.






5.    Forfeiture of RSUs.

(a)    If the Employee’s employment with the Company and all of its subsidiaries is terminated prior to the RSU Release Date for any reason (including without limitation, disability or termination by the Company and all subsidiaries thereof, with or without cause) other than death, all RSUs shall be forfeited to the Company on the date of such termination unless otherwise provided in subsection (b) below, or unless the Management Development, Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors or one or more members of such committee to whom such committee delegates specified functions (collectively, the “Management Development Committee”) or other Committee of such Board administering the Plan (the Management Development Committee or such other Committee is herein referred to as the “Committee”) determines, on such terms and conditions, if any, as the Committee may impose, that all or a portion of the RSUs shall continue to vest under the terms of Section 2 as if the Employee’s employment had not terminated. Absence of the Employee on leave approved by a duly elected officer of the Company, other than the Employee, shall not be considered a termination of employment during the period of such leave.

(b)    If the Employee’s employment with the Company and all of its subsidiaries terminates by reason of retirement after reaching age 62 and after having been employed by the Company or any subsidiary thereof for an aggregate period of at least seven years, such retirement shall not result in forfeiture of any RSUs if (1) the Employee’s employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries continues for no less than one year after the date of this Agreement, and (2) no later than the date on which employment terminates, the Employee enters into an agreement with the Company (which agreement shall be drafted by and acceptable to the Company) under which the Employee agrees not to compete with the Company and its subsidiaries during a period ending one year after the date set forth after “RSUs Release Date” in the Base Instrument, and the Employee complies with such agreement. If the Employee enters into such a non-competition agreement and thereafter breaches the terms thereof, the RSUs shall be forfeited; the Employee shall return to the Company any cash or Stock, as applicable, awarded under this Agreement that was delivered to the Employee after the date on which such non-competition agreement was entered into; and the Company may seek other remedies as contemplated in such non-competition agreement. If the conditions in the second preceding sentence are satisfied and the Employee complies with the terms of such agreement, the Release Date for the RSUs shall be determined as provided in Section 2, however, upon the Employee’s death, the provisions of Section 4 shall apply as if the Employee’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries terminated because of such death.

(c)    Any RSUs for which a Release Date has not occurred by the date set forth after “RSUs Release Date” in the Base Instrument (as such date may be extended under Section 2 hereof) shall be forfeited to the Company, unless the Committee determines otherwise as contemplated in subsection (a) above.

6.    Beneficiary.

(a)     The Beneficiary (defined below) shall be entitled to receive the Stock to be delivered in settlement of RSUs under Section 4 as a result of the death of the Employee. The “Beneficiary” is the person(s) who at the time of the Employee’s death is designated as such in the Company’s Shareworks portal, or in any successor system used by the Company for purposes of allowing the Employee to designate a beneficiary in connection with RSUs (the “Beneficiary System”). The Employee may from time to time revoke or change his Beneficiary without the consent of any prior Beneficiary by making a new designation in the Beneficiary System. The last such designation made shall be controlling; provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Beneficiary System prior to the Employee’s death, and in no event shall any designation be effective as of a date prior to such receipt.

(b)    If no such Beneficiary designation is in effect at the time of an Employee’s death, or if no designated Beneficiary survives the Employee or if such designation conflicts with law, upon the death of the Employee, the Employee’s estate shall be entitled to receive the Stock to be delivered in settlement of RSUs. If the Committee is in doubt as to the right of any person to receive such property, the Company may retain the same and any distributions thereon, without liability for any interest thereon, until the Committee determines the person entitled thereto, or the Company may deliver such property and any





distributions thereon to any court of appropriate jurisdiction and such delivery shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Company therefor.

7.    Settlement; Voting Rights; Dividends and Other Distributions; Rights of RSUs.

(a)    Settlement. Except to the extent forfeited as provided herein, on, or reasonably promptly after, the Release Date set forth in the Base Instrument or determined herein, RSUs shall be settled by the issuance (or transfer from treasury) of shares of Stock equal to the number determined in Sections 2, 4 or 10, as applicable. Such issuance or transfer may be accomplished by issuance of certificates for such Stock, by a credit into a direct registration account with the Company’s transfer agent, or by an electronic transfer of shares to an account maintained with a broker/dealer. Such issuance or transfer shall be made to the Employee, or in the case of his death, to his Beneficiary.

(b)    Voting and Other Rights of RSUs. RSUs represent only the right to receive Stock, on the terms provided herein. The Employee with respect to RSUs shall have no rights as a holder of Stock, including the right to vote or to receive dividends, until certificates or other evidence for such Stock are actually delivered in settlement.

(c)    Dividend Rights. Notwithstanding the preceding subsection, to the extent RSUs are settled on a Release Date, the Company shall make a payment in cash equal to the aggregate amount that would have been paid as dividends on the shares of Stock issued or transferred in settlement (before any reduction for tax withholding) as if such shares had been outstanding on each dividend record date on and after the Dividend Start Date specified in the Base Instrument and prior to the date on which settlement occurs.

8.    Tax Withholding.

(a)    It shall be a condition of the obligation of the Company to deliver Stock in settlement of RSUs, and the Employee agrees, that the Employee shall pay to the Company upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying its liability to withhold federal, state, or local income or other taxes incurred by reason of the award of the RSUs or the delivery of Stock in settlement of the RSUs.

(b)    If the Employee does not satisfy the withholding obligations prior to the Tax Date (as defined below) by paying sufficient cash to the Company or transferring ownership of a sufficient number of other shares of Stock to the Company as provided in Section 8(c), then the withholding tax requirements arising from the settlement of RSUs shall be satisfied through a withholding by the Company of shares of Stock that would otherwise be delivered to the Employee. In such event, the Company shall withhold that number of shares of Stock that would otherwise be delivered in settlement of RSUs, in each case, having a Fair Market Value (as such term is defined in the Plan) on the day prior to the Tax Date equal to the amount required to be withheld as a result of the settlement of RSUs. As used herein, “Tax Date” means the date on which the Employee must include in his gross income for federal income tax purposes the fair market value of the Stock delivered in settlement of the RSUs.

(c)    If the Employee desires to use cash or other shares of Stock to satisfy the withholding obligations set forth above, the Employee must: (i) make an election to do so in writing on a form provided by the Company, (ii) deliver such election form to the Company by the deadline specified by the Company, and (iii) deliver to the Company the required cash or other shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value on the Tax Date (as defined above) equal to the amount required to be withheld.

(d)    To the extent provided in the resolutions of the Committee awarding RSUs subject to this Agreement, and subject to applicable law, the Employee shall be entitled to have amounts withheld in excess of the minimum amount required to be withheld by the Company.

9.    Adjustments in Event of Change in Stock or Fiscal Year. In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Stock (“capital adjustment”) for any reason, including but not limited to, any stock splits, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination or exchange of shares or other similar event which, in the judgment of the Committee, could distort the implementation of the award of RSUs or the realization of the objectives of such award, the Committee





shall make such adjustments in the RSUs, or in the terms, conditions or restrictions of this Agreement as the Committee deems equitable, except that in the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Stock that occurs after the date of this Agreement (collectively, “future capital adjustment”), the number of RSUs shall be proportionally adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares resulting from such future capital adjustment, any such adjustment rounded down to the next lower whole share. In addition, if the Company changes its fiscal year from a year ending December 31, the Committee may make such adjustments in the RSUs Release Date as set forth in the Base Instrument as the Committee deems equitable. The determination of the Committee as to any such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of this Agreement.

10.    Change in Control. The provisions of Section 6 of the Plan that are applicable to Restricted Stock Units shall apply to the RSUs. Neither the immediately preceding sentence nor the provisions of such Section 6 shall affect any vesting that occurs under Section 9(b)(vi) of the Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement (filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).

11.    Powers of Company Not Affected; No Right to Continued Employment.

(a)The existence of the RSUs shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any combination, subdivision or reclassification of the Stock or any reorganization, merger, consolidation, business combination, exchange of shares, or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any issue of bonds, debentures or stock having rights or preferences equal, superior or affecting any property to be issued in settlement of RSUs or the rights thereof, or dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

(b)Nothing herein contained shall confer upon the Employee any right to continue in the employment of the Company or any subsidiary or interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any subsidiary to terminate the Employee’s employment at any time, subject, however, to the provisions of any agreement of employment between the Company or any subsidiary and the Employee. The Employee acknowledges that a termination of his or her employment could occur at a time before which the Release Date occurs, resulting in the forfeiture of the RSUs by the Employee, unless otherwise provided herein. In such event, the Employee will not be able to realize the value of the property that underlies the RSUs nor will the Employee be entitled to any compensation on account of such value.

12.    Interpretation by Committee. The Employee agrees that any dispute or disagreement which may arise in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and that any interpretation by the Committee of the terms of this Agreement or the Plan and any determination made by the Committee under this Agreement or the Plan may be made in the sole discretion of the Committee and shall be final, binding, and conclusive. Any such determination need not be uniform and may be made differently among Employees awarded RSUs.

13.    Clawback. If and to the extent the Management Development Committee deems it appropriate for such payment to be made, each Covered Employee shall pay the Company an amount equal to the Excess Compensation. If the Excess Compensation is related to Income from vesting of equity awards and if the Covered Employee continues to hold the shares of Company equity received in connection with such Income, then to the extent allowed by the Management Development Committee, such Excess Compensation may be paid to the Company by surrendering to the Company a number of shares of Company equity equal to the amount of Excess Compensation divided by the Fair Market Value on the day prior to the payment date.

“Covered Employee” means a current or former employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company who was a Section 16 Filer at an Affected Date regardless of whether such employee ceased to be a Section 16 Filer thereafter.

“Section 16 Filer” is a person who is required to file reports under Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act, as amended, as such requirement to so file is in effect at each Affected Date.






“Affected Date” means (1) each Release Date on which, had a Financial Restatement that was made after such Release Date been in effect at such Release Date, the number of shares of Company equity delivered in settlement on account of the vesting of an equity award would have been lower, and (2) each Payment Date on which, had a Financial Restatement that was made after such Payment Date been in effect at such Payment Date, the amount of cash paid on account of incentive compensation would have been lower.

“Release Date” for purposes of this Section 13 only means the date on which an award of Company equity vests.

“Payment Date” means the date on which cash incentive compensation is paid.

“Excess Compensation” means (i) the difference between the Income that was recognized by the Covered Employee on an Affected Date and the Income that would have been recognized had the Financial Restatement referred to in the definition of Affected Date then been in effect, plus (ii) the value of any income tax deduction or credit to which the Covered Employee is entitled on account of the payment to the Company required by this Section 13. The foregoing notwithstanding, Excess Compensation will be deemed to be zero for each Affected Date prior to the date on which Covered Employee was a Section 16 Filer.

“Income” means income determined for federal income tax purposes minus the amount of federal, state and local income taxes and, to the extent applicable, the employee portion of Social Security and Medicaid payroll taxes, payable on account of such income. The amount of federal, state and local income taxes and the value of any deduction or credit contemplated by clause (ii) in the definition of Excess Compensation shall be computed by assuming that Income is taxed at the highest marginal rate, with such rate for any state and local income taxes appropriately adjusted to reflect the benefit of an itemized federal deduction for such taxes (if in the case of local taxes, such taxes are eligible for such a deduction), which adjustment shall be made by assuming that no reduction in such deduction on account of the Covered Employee’s adjusted gross income applies.

“Financial Restatement” means any accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities laws.

The interpretation of this Section 13 and all computations under it shall be made by the Management Development Committee and shall not be reviewable or subject to challenge by any other person.

14.    Miscellaneous.

(a)This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein between residents thereof.

(b)The waiver by the Company of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or waiver of any other provision hereof.    

(c)The RSUs shall be deemed to have been awarded pursuant to the Plan and the action of the Committee authorizing such awards; as a result, such awards are subject to the terms and conditions thereof. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the provisions of the Plan or such authorization, the provisions of the Plan (to such extent) and/or such authorization shall prevail. Any and all terms used herein, unless specifically defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan. A copy of the Plan is available on request of the Employee made in writing (including by e-mail) to the Company’s Secretary.

(d)Any notice, filing or delivery hereunder or with respect to RSUs shall be given to the Employee at either his usual work location or his home address as indicated in the records of the Company, and shall be given to the Committee or the Company at 250 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee 53202, Attention: Secretary. All such notices shall be given by first class mail, postage pre‑paid, or by personal delivery.






(e)This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Employee, the Beneficiary and the personal representative(s) and heirs of the Employee, except that the Employee may not transfer any RSUs or any interest in any RSUs.

(f)As a condition to the grant of the RSUs, the Employee must execute an agreement not to compete in the form provided to the Employee by the Company.

The end of Section 14 is the end of the Incorporated Terms. The remainder of the Agreement is contained in the Base Instrument.



Exhibit


Exhibit 10.11.3

KEY EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the ____ day of _____, 2018, by and between MGIC Investment Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), and the person whose name appears on the signature page hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company and/or a subsidiary of the Company (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Employer”) in a key executive capacity and the Executive’s services are valuable to the conduct of the business of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to attract and retain dedicated and skilled management employees in a period of actual and potential industry consolidation and changes in regulatory barriers regarding the ownership of insurance companies, consistent with achieving a transaction in the best interests of its shareholders in any change in control of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that circumstances may arise in which a change in control of the Company occurs, through acquisition or otherwise, thereby causing a potential conflict of interest between the Company’s needs for the Executive to remain focused on the Company’s business and for the necessary continuity in management prior to and following a change in control, and the Executive’s reasonable personal concerns regarding future employment with the Employer and economic protection in the event of loss of employment as a consequence of a change in control;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive are desirous that any proposal for a change in control or acquisition of the Company will be considered by the Executive objectively and with reference only to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Executive will be in a better position to consider the Company’s best interests if the Executive is afforded reasonable economic security, as provided in this Agreement, against altered conditions of employment which could result from any such change in control or acquisition;
WHEREAS, the Executive possesses intimate knowledge of the business and affairs of the Company and has acquired certain confidential information and data with respect to the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to insure, insofar as possible, that it will continue to have the benefit of the Executive’s services and to protect its confidential information and goodwill; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement consists of this instrument and the Incorporated Terms dated as of July 16, 2018 to Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement (the “Incorporated Terms”), which although not attached to this instrument, are part of this Agreement and were provided to the Employee as indicated in Paragraph 1(b) below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree as follows:

1.    Definition of KEESA Multiplier; Incorporated Terms.

(a)    The term “Multiplier” means two less, if the Termination Date occurs more than three months after the date of Change in Control of the Company, the portion of the Employment Period that has elapsed at the Termination Date (measured by the number of months that have elapsed from the date of the Change in Control of the Company to the Termination Date divided by 33.






(b)    The Incorporated Terms are incorporated in this instrument with the same effect as if they were physically set forth in this instrument. The Incorporated Terms and this instrument constitute a single agreement which is referred to as “this Agreement.” The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “above” and similar terms used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole. The Incorporated Terms were provided to the Executive along with this instrument. The Company is hereby advising the Executive to retain a copy of the Incorporated Terms. The Executive agrees if there is any difference between the text of the Incorporated Terms obtained as indicated above and the text of the Incorporated Terms retained by the Company’s Secretary, the text of the copy retained by the Secretary will control.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION

By:                            
Name:    
Title:    


EXECUTIVE:

                            


Address:                        
                            




Exhibit


Exhibit 10.11.4

INCORPORATED TERMS
DATED AS OF _________, 2018
TO
KEY EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
The following are the “Incorporated Terms” referred to in the instrument entitled “Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement” which refers to these Incorporated Terms and which has been signed by the Company and the Employee (the “Base Instrument”). The Incorporated Terms and the Base Instrument constitute a single agreement and that agreement consists of the Base Instrument and the Incorporated Terms. The Incorporated Terms dovetail with the Base Instrument; because the last section of the Base Instrument is Section 1, the Incorporated Terms begin with Section 2.

2.Definitions.
(a)409A Affiliate. Each entity that is required to be included in the Company’s controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code, or that is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code; provided, however, that the phrase “at least 50%” shall be used in place of the phrase “at least 80%” each place it appears therein or in the regulations thereunder.
(b)Act. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(c)Affiliate and Associate. The terms “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule l2b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act.
(d)Beneficial Owner. A Person shall be deemed to be the “Beneficial Owner” of any securities:
(i)which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights issued pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, effective as of August 1, 2018, between the Company and Equiniti Trust Company, as amended from time to time (or any successor to such Rights Agreement), at any time before the issuance of such securities;
(ii)which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of or has “beneficial ownership” of (as determined pursuant to Rule l3d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act), including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under this Subsection 2(d) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security if the agreement, arrangement or understanding: (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Act and (B) is not also then reportable on a Schedule l3D under the Act (or any comparable or successor report); or





(iii)which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as described in Subsection 2(d)(ii) above) or disposing of any voting securities of the Company.
(e)Cause. “Cause” for termination by the Employer of the Executive’s employment shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be limited to (i) the engaging by the Executive in intentional conduct not taken in good faith which has caused demonstrable and serious financial injury to the Employer, as evidenced by a determination in a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion or lapse of all rights of appeal, in an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative; (ii) conviction of a felony (as evidenced by binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, in effect after exhaustion of all rights of appeal) which substantially impairs the Executive’s ability to perform his duties or responsibilities; and (iii) continuing willful and unreasonable refusal by the Executive to perform the Executive’s duties or responsibilities (unless significantly changed without the Executive’s consent)
(f)Change in Control of the Company. The occurrence of any one of the following events:
(i)any Person (other than (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock in the Company (“Excluded Persons”)) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates after January 1, 2011, pursuant to express authorization by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) that refers to this exception) representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or
(ii)the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of the Company then serving: (A) individuals who, on January 1, 2011, constituted the Board and (B) any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company), whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on January 1, 2011, or whose initial appointment, election or nomination for election as a director which occurred after January 1, 2011 was approved by such vote of the directors then still in office at the time of such initial appointment, election or nomination who were themselves either directors on January 1, 2011 or initially appointed, elected or nominated by such two-thirds (2/3) vote as described above ad infinitum (collectively the “Continuing Directors”); provided, however, that individuals who are appointed to the Board pursuant to or in accordance with the terms of an agreement relating to a merger, consolidation, or share exchange involving the Company (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company) shall not be Continuing Directors for purposes of this Agreement until after such individuals are first nominated for election by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the then Continuing Directors and are thereafter elected as directors by the shareholders of the Company at a meeting of shareholders held following consummation of such merger, consolidation, or share exchange; and, provided further, that in the event the failure of any such persons appointed to the Board to be Continuing Directors results in a Change in Control of the Company, the subsequent qualification of such persons as Continuing Directors shall not alter the fact that a Change in Control of the Company occurred; or





(iii)a merger, consolidation or share exchange of the Company with any other corporation is consummated or voting securities of the Company are issued in connection with a merger, consolidation or share exchange of the Company (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company), other than (A) a merger, consolidation or share exchange which would result in the voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors outstanding immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or share exchange continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or any parent thereof entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of such entity or parent outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or share exchange, or (B) a merger, consolidation or share exchange effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than an Excluded Person) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its Affiliates after January 1, 2011, pursuant to express authorization by the Board that refers to this exception) representing at least 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or
(iv)the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (in one transaction or a series of related transactions within any period of 24 consecutive months), other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity of which at least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately after such sale are owned by Persons in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
(g)Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any amendments thereto or successor tax codes thereof.
(h)Company. Subject to Section 18(a) hereof, “Company” has the meaning given to it in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(i)Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors of the Company, an appropriate committee thereof or a committee comprised of members of management of the Employer, in each case, in accordance with the Company’s practice prior to the Change in Control of the Company with respect to executives of comparable position to the Executive.
(j)Covered Termination. Subject to Subsection 3(b) hereof, any Termination of Employment during the Employment Period where the Notice of Termination is delivered on, or the Termination Date is, any date prior to the end of the Employment Period.
(k)Effective Date. The date shown on the first page of the Base Agreement as the effective date on which this Agreement was entered into.
(l)Employment Period. Subject to Subsection 3(b) hereof, a period commencing on the date of a Change in Control of the Company, and ending at 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the third anniversary of such date.
(m)Employer. “Employer” has the meaning given to it in the second paragraph of this Agreement.
(n)Excess Parachute Payment. “Excess Parachute Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 280G of the Code and shall be valued as provided therein. Present value for purposes of this Agreement shall be calculated in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code and the regulations thereunder (or any successor provisions thereto).
(o)Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall have “Good Reason” for Termination of Employment in the event of:





(i)A material diminution in the Executive’s annual base salary;
(ii)A material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(iii)A material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Executive is required to report, including a requirement that the Executive report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Employer.
(iv)A material diminution in the budget over which the Executive retains authority.
(v)Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Employer of this Agreement.
Good Reason shall not exist for a Termination of Employment unless the Executive provides notice to the Employer of the existence of the condition described in (i) through (v) above within a period not to exceed 90 days of the initial existence of the condition, upon which the Employer has thirty days during which it may remedy the condition and not be required to pay the Termination Payment.
(p)MGIC. Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation.
(q)Multiplier. The number specified in Section 1 to this Agreement.
(r)Parachute Payment. “Parachute Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 280G of the Code and shall be valued as provided therein. Present value for purposes of this Agreement shall be calculated in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code and the regulations thereunder (or any successor provisions thereto).
(s)Person. Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a group of any of the foregoing acting in concert.
(t)Prime. The rate of interest announced by U.S. Bank, National Association, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from time to time as its prime or base lending rate, such rate to be determined on the Termination Date.
(u)Restricted Stock Award. A grant of shares of restricted stock or a grant of a right to receive shares of stock (or a cash payment based upon the fair market value of a share of stock) in the future.
(v)Section 409A Tax. Interest charges and taxes imposed by Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code, or any state, local, or foreign taxes of a similar nature, or any interest charges or penalties with respect to such taxes.
(w)Termination Date. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection 3(b), Subsection 11(b), and Subsection 18(a) hereof, the term “Termination Date” means (i) if the Executive’s Termination of Employment is by the Executive’s death, the date of death; (ii) if the Executive’s Termination of Employment is by reason of voluntary early retirement, as agreed in writing by the Employer and the Executive, the date of such early retirement which is set forth in such written agreement; (iii) if the Termination of Employment is by reason of disability pursuant to Section 13 hereof, the earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period; (iv) if the Termination of Employment is by the Executive voluntarily (other than for Good Reason), the date the Notice of Termination is given; (v) if the Termination of Employment is by the Employer for Cause, the earlier of ten days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period; and (vi) if the Executive’s Termination of Employment is by the Employer (other than for Cause or by reason of disability pursuant to Section 13 hereof) or by the Executive for Good Reason, the earlier of thirty days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing,





(i)If termination is for Cause pursuant to Subsection 2(e)(iii) of this Agreement and if the Executive has cured the conduct constituting such Cause as described by the Employer in its Notice of Termination within such ten-day or shorter period, then the Executive’s employment hereunder shall continue as if the Employer had not delivered its Notice of Termination; provided, however, the right of the Executive to cure such conduct shall apply only to the first Notice of Termination indicating that the termination is for Cause.
(ii)If the party receiving the Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination within the appropriate period following receipt thereof and it is finally determined that the reason asserted in such Notice of Termination did not exist, then (i) if such Notice was delivered by the Executive, the Executive will be deemed to have voluntarily terminated his employment and the Termination Date shall be the earlier of the date fifteen days after the Notice of Termination is given or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period and (ii) if delivered by the Company, the Company will be deemed to have terminated the Executive other than by reason of death, disability or Cause.
(x)Termination of Employment. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s Termination of Employment shall be presumed to occur (A) when the Company and Executive reasonably anticipate that no further services will be performed by the Executive for the Company and its 409A Affiliates or that the level of bona fide services the Executive will perform as an employee of the Company and its 409A Affiliates will permanently decrease to no more than 20% of the average level of bona fide services performed by the Executive (whether as an employee or independent contractor) for the Company and its 409A Affiliates over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or such lesser period of services) or (B) when the Company determines in good faith based on the facts and circumstances in accordance with Code Section 409A, upon a decrease in services by the Executive to more than 20% of such average level of bona fide services but less than 50%, that a Termination of Employment has occurred. The Executive’s Termination of Employment shall be presumed not to occur where the level of bona fide services performed by the Executive for the Company and its 409A Affiliates continues at a level that is 50% or more of the average level bona fide services performed by the Executive (whether as an employee or independent contractor) for the Company and its 409A Affiliates over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or such lesser period of service). No presumption applies to a decrease in services that is more than 20% of such average level of bona fide services but less than 50%, and in such event, whether the Executive has had a Termination of Employment will be determined in good faith by the Company based on the facts and circumstances in accordance with Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive takes a leave of absence for purposes of military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, the Executive will not be deemed to have incurred a Termination of Employment for the first six months of the leave of absence, or if longer, for so long as the Executive’s right to reemployment is provided either by statute or by contract, including this Agreement; provided that if the leave of absence is due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such impairment causes the Executive to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, the leave may be extended for up to twenty-nine months without causing a Termination of Employment. The foregoing notwithstanding, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to have occurred under this Agreement unless there has been a “separation from service” as defined under Code Section 409A and Termination of Employment shall be construed to mean “separation from service” as so defined.
3.Termination or Cancellation Prior to Change in Control.
(a)Subject to Subsection 3(b) hereof, the Employer and the Executive shall each retain the right to terminate the employment of the Executive at any time prior to a Change in Control of the Company. Subject to Subsection 3(b) hereof, in the event the Executive’s employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control of the Company, this Agreement shall be terminated and cancelled and of no further force and effect, and any and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease.
(b)Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change in Control of the Company occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Employer is terminated (other than a termination due to the Executive’s death or as a result of the Executive’s disability) during the period





of 90 days prior to the date on which the Change in Control of the Company occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control of the Company or (ii) was by the Executive for Good Reason or was by the Employer for other than Cause and otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control of the Company, then for all purposes of this Agreement such termination of employment shall be deemed a “Covered Termination,” “Notice of Termination” shall be deemed to have been given, and the “Employment Period” shall be deemed to have begun on the date of such termination which shall be deemed to be the “Termination Date” and the date of the Change in Control of the Company for purposes of this Agreement.
4.Employment Period; Vesting of Certain Benefits. If a Change in Control of the Company occurs when the Executive is employed by the Employer, the Employer will continue thereafter to employ the Executive during the Employment Period, and the Executive will remain in the employ of the Employer in accordance with and subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The foregoing notwithstanding, an Executive may terminate his or her employment for any or no reason during the Employment Period. Payments under this Agreement upon a voluntary termination of employment by the Executive other than for Good Reason shall be as provided in Section 8. Any Termination of Employment of the Executive during the Employment Period, whether by the Company or the Employer, shall be deemed a Termination of Employment by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.
5.Duties. During the Employment Period, the Executive (a) shall devote the Executive’s best efforts and all of the Executive’s business time, attention and skill to the business and affairs of the Employer and (b) shall be entitled to materially the same job function as held by the Executive at the time of the Change in Control of the Company or in such other job function or functions as shall be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Executive and the Employer from time to time. The services which are to be performed by the Executive hereunder are to be rendered in the same metropolitan area in which the Executive was employed at the date of such Change in Control of the Company, or in such other place or places as shall be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Executive and the Employer from time to time. Any travel incident to the Executive’s job function shall not be deemed to result in a breach of the immediately preceding sentence by the Company.
6.Compensation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be compensated as follows:
(a)The Executive shall receive, at reasonable intervals (but not less often than monthly) and in accordance with such standard policies as may be in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, an annual base salary in cash equivalent of not less than the Executive’s highest annual base salary in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, or if prior to the Change in Control of the Company, the Employer had approved an increase in such base salary to take effect after the Change in Control of the Company, at such higher rate beginning on the date on which such increase was to take effect (determined prior to any reduction for amounts deferred under Section 401(k) of the Code or otherwise, or deducted pursuant to a cafeteria plan or qualified transportation benefit under Sections 125 and 132(f) of the Code), subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided in Section 7 (such salary amount as adjusted upward from time to time is hereafter referred to as the “Annual Base Salary”).
(b)The Executive shall be reimbursed, at such intervals and in accordance with such standard policies that were in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, for any and all monies advanced in connection with the Executive’s employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Employer, including travel expenses.
(c)The Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be included, to the extent eligible thereunder (which eligibility shall not be conditioned on the Executive’s salary grade or on any other requirement which excludes persons of comparable status to the Executive unless such exclusion was in effect for such plan or an equivalent plan at any time during the 90-day period immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company), in any and all plans providing benefits for the Employer’s salaried employees in general, including but not limited to group life insurance, hospitalization, medical, dental, pension, profit sharing and stock-based compensation.





(d)The Executive shall annually be entitled to not less than the amount of paid vacation and not fewer than the highest number of paid holidays to which the Executive was entitled annually at any time during the 90-day period immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company.
(e)The Executive shall be included in all plans providing additional benefits to executives of the Employer of comparable status and position to the Executive, including but not limited to deferred compensation, supplemental retirement, stock-based compensation, and similar or comparable plans, and shall receive fringe benefits made available to executives of the Employer of comparable status and position to the Executive; provided, that the Employer’s obligation to include the Executive in bonus or incentive compensation plans shall be determined by Subsection 6(g) hereof.
(f)The aggregate annual value of the benefits made available to the Executive pursuant to Subsections 6(c) and (e) shall not be less than 75% of the highest aggregate annual value of the benefits of the type referred to in such Subsections that were made available to the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company, except that if executives based in the United States of Affiliated Companies whose status and position with such Companies are approximately comparable to the Executive do not generally receive stock options, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation, during any period in which the Executive does not receive such benefits, (i) the highest aggregate value of the benefits during such 90-day period shall be computed without regard the value of stock options, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation, and (ii) the percentage in the preceding portion of this sentence shall be increased to 100% from 75%. The term “Affiliated Companies” means companies that become Affiliates of the Employer as a result of the Change in Control of the Company.
(g)(i)    To assure that the Executive will have an opportunity to earn annual incentive compensation after a Change in Control of the Company, the Executive shall be included in a bonus plan of the Employer which shall satisfy the standards described below (such plan, the “Post-Change Bonus Plan”). Bonuses under the Post-Change Bonus Plan shall be payable annually with respect to achieving such annual financial or other goals reasonably related to the business of the Employer (or, in the case of an Executive whose primary responsibility is sales of the products of the Employer or an Affiliate, to the extent so provided by the Employer or the Affiliate, reasonably related to such sales) as the Employer shall establish (the “Goals”), all of which Goals that are determinable under objective standards shall be attainable on an annual basis with approximately the same degree of probability as the comparable goals under the Employer’s bonus plan or plans as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company (whether one or more, the “Pre-Change Company Bonus Plan”) and in view of the Employer’s existing and projected financial and business circumstances applicable at the time. The determination of whether any of the Goals that are determinable under subjective standards has been achieved shall be made by the Compensation Committee. In the event a majority of the members of the Compensation Committee are not persons who were on the Compensation Committee or were officers of MGIC during the 90-day period prior to the date of the Change in Control of the Company or the highest ranking member of the Compensation Committee is not a person who was on the Compensation Committee during such 90-day period, none of the Goals shall be subjective.
(ii)    The maximum amount of the bonus (the “Bonus Amount”) that the Executive is eligible to earn under the Post-Change Bonus Plan shall be no less than the product of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary multiplied by a percentage that is at least 75% of the percentage that determined the Executive’s maximum award provided in the Pre-Change Company Bonus Plan (such maximum bonus amount herein referred to as the “Targeted Bonus”), and in the event the Goals (other than any objective Goal) are not achieved such that the entire Targeted Bonus is not payable, the Bonus Plan shall provide for a payment of a Bonus Amount equal to a portion of the Targeted Bonus reasonably related to that portion of the Goals which were achieved. The Bonus Amount earned shall be paid within 75 days after the end of the related fiscal year; at the option of the Employer, up to one-third of the Bonus Amount may be paid in restricted stock if the class of stock of which such restricted stock is a part is publicly-traded in an active market in the United States and such stock becomes fully vested by continued employment for a period of not more than one year after the date on which the Bonus Amount is paid.
7.Annual Compensation Adjustments. During the Employment Period, the Compensation Committee will consider and appraise, annually, the contributions of the Executive to the Company, and in accordance with the Company’s practice prior to the Change in Control of the Company,





good faith consideration shall be given to the upward adjustment of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary, annually.
8.Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason. If there is a Covered Termination for Cause or due to the Executive’s voluntarily terminating his or her employment other than for Good Reason (any such terminations to be subject to the procedures set forth in Section 14 hereof), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive only Accrued Benefits pursuant to Subsection 10(a) hereof.
9.Termination Giving Rise to a Termination Payment.
(a)If there is a Covered Termination by the Executive for Good Reason, or by the Company other than by reason of (i) death, (ii) disability pursuant to Section 13 hereof, or (iii) Cause (any such terminations to be subject to the procedures set forth in Section 14 hereof), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall promptly pay, Accrued Benefits and, in lieu of further Annual Base Salary for periods following the Termination Date, as liquidated damages and additional severance pay and in consideration of the covenant of the Executive set forth in Subsection 15(a) hereof, the Termination Payment pursuant to Subsection 10(b) hereof.
(b)If there is a Covered Termination and the Executive is entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, then the Company shall provide to the Executive the following additional benefits:
(i)The Executive shall receive until the end of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive’s Termination of Employment occurs, at the expense of the Company, outplacement services, on an individualized basis at a level of service commensurate with the Executive’s status with the Company immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control of the Company (or, if higher, immediately prior to the Executive’s Termination of Employment), provided by a nationally recognized executive placement firm selected by the Company; provided that the cost to the Company of such services shall not exceed 10% of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary.
(ii)Until the earlier of the end of the Employment Period or such time as the Executive has obtained new employment and is covered by benefits which in the aggregate are at least equal in value to the following benefits, the Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the same or equivalent life insurance, hospitalization, medical and dental coverage as was required hereunder with respect to the Executive immediately prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given, subject to the following:
(A)If applicable, following the end of the COBRA continuation period, if such hospitalization, medical or dental coverage is provided under a health plan that is subject to Section 105(h) of the Code, benefits payable under such health plan shall comply with the requirements of Treasury regulation section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv)(A) and (B) and, if necessary, the Company shall amend such health plan to comply therewith.
(B)During the first six months following the Executive’s Termination Date, the Executive shall pay the Company for any life insurance coverage that provides a benefit in excess of $50,000 under a group term life insurance policy. After the end of such six month period, the Company shall make a cash payment to the Executive equal to the aggregate premiums paid by the Executive for such coverage, and thereafter such coverage shall be provided at the expense of the Company for the remainder of the period.
If the Executive is entitled to the Termination Payment pursuant to Subsection 3(b), within ten days following the Change in Control of the Company, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for any COBRA premiums the Executive paid for his or her hospitalization, medical and dental coverage under COBRA from the Executive’s Termination Date through the date of the Change in Control of the Company.





(iii)The Company shall cause the Executive to be fully and immediately vested in his or her accrued benefit under any supplemental executive retirement plan of the Employer providing benefits for the Executive (the “SERP”) and in any restricted stock paid as part of the Executive’s Bonus Amount as contemplated by Subsection 6(g)(ii).
(iv)If the Executive is not fully vested in all accrued benefits under any defined contribution retirement plan of the Employer, the Company shall make a lump sum payment to the Executive in an amount equal to the difference between the fully vested amount of the Executive’s account balances under such plan at the Termination Date and the vested amount of such balances at such time.
(v)The Company shall reimburse the Executive for up to an aggregate of $10,000 in (A) tax preparation assistance fees for the tax year in which the Termination Payment is made and (B) fees and expenses of consultants and/or legal or accounting advisors engaged by the Executive to advise the Executive as to matters relating to the computation of benefits due and payable under Subsection 10(b).
(vi)The Company shall cause all restrictions on Restricted Stock Awards held by the Executive upon the Termination Date to lapse such that the Executive is fully and immediately vested in his or her restricted stock or restricted stock units and shall cause all unexercised stock options held by the Executive upon the Termination Date to be fully vested and exercisable in full.
10.Payments.
(a)Accrued Benefits. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s “Accrued Benefits” shall include the following amounts, payable as described herein: (i) all Annual Base Salary for the time period ending with the Termination Date; (ii) reimbursement for any and all monies advanced in connection with the Executive’s employment for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Employer for the time period ending with the Termination Date; (iii) any and all other cash earned through the Termination Date and deferred at the election of the Executive or pursuant to any deferred compensation plan then in effect; (iv) a lump sum payment of the bonus or incentive compensation otherwise payable to the Executive with respect to the year in which termination occurs under all bonus or incentive compensation plan or plans in which the Executive is a participant, but subject to any deferral election then in effect; and (v) all other payments and benefits to which the Executive (or in the event of the Executive’s death, the Executive’s surviving spouse or other beneficiary) may be entitled as compensatory fringe benefits or under any benefit plan of the Employer, excluding severance payments under any Employer severance policy, practice or agreement in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company. Payment of Accrued Benefits shall be made promptly in accordance with the Company’s prevailing practice with respect to Subsections 10(b)(i) and (ii) or, with respect to Subsections 10(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), pursuant to the terms of the benefit plan or practice establishing such benefits.
(b)Termination Payment and Other Payments.
(i)The Termination Payment shall be an amount equal to (A) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary (as defined in Subsection 6(a) and determined as of the time of the Change in Control of the Company or, if higher, immediately prior to the date the Notice of Termination is given) plus (B) an amount equal to the greater of the Executive’s Targeted Bonus for the year in which the Termination Date occurs or the bonus the Executive received (w) for the year in which the Change in Control of the Company occurred or (x) for the year prior to the year in which the Change in Control of the Company occurred (each year described in clauses (w) and (x) is herein referred to as a “Prior Year”) plus (C) an amount equal to the “actuarial equivalent” (as defined in the Company’s defined benefit pension plan on the determination date) of the Executive’s benefit accruals under the pension plan and the SERP for, whichever is greater, the year in which the Termination Date occurs or a Prior Year plus an amount equal to the Company’s matching contribution and profit sharing contribution under the Company’s defined contribution profit sharing and savings plan for, whichever is greater, the year in which the Termination Date occurs or a





Prior Year (the aggregate amount set forth in (A), (B) and (C) hereof shall hereafter be referred to as “Annual Cash Compensation”), times (D) the Multiplier); provided, however, that such amount shall not be less than the severance benefits to which the Executive would have been entitled under the Company’s severance policies and practices in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control of the Company.
The Termination Payment shall be paid to the Executive in cash equivalent in two lump sums if any stock of the Company or any Affiliate is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise at the time of the Executive’s Termination of Employment. The first lump sum shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Executive’s Termination Date and shall equal the amount that (aa) does not exceed the Termination Payment amount and (bb) is the lesser of two times (y) the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the taxable year of the Executive preceding the taxable year in which the Executive has a Termination of Employment or (z) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17) for the year in which the Executive has a Termination of Employment. The second lump sum payment shall be equal to the difference between the amount calculated under the first sentence of this paragraph and the amount calculated under the second sentence of this paragraph, and such amount shall be paid six months and one day after the Executive’s Termination Date. Each lump sum payment shall be deemed a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. If the Company or any Affiliate has no publicly traded stock, as described above, at the Executive’s Termination of Employment, then the entire Termination Payment shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the Executive’s Termination Date. Any Termination Payment amount paid six months and one day after the Executive’s Termination Date shall be accompanied by a payment of interest calculated at Prime, compounded quarterly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Executive’s Termination Date is pursuant to Subsection 3(b), the Termination Payment shall be paid within ten (10) business days after the date of the Change in Control of the Company (as defined without reference to Subsection 3(b)), without interest. The Termination Payment shall not be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of the Termination Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive securing other employment or for any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in lieu of, and acceptance by the Executive of the Termination Payment shall constitute the Executive’s release of any rights of Executive to, any other severance payments under any Company severance policy, practice or agreement.
(ii)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any portion of any payment or benefit under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with or plan of the Employer, including payments that may be deemed to have occurred on account of accelerated vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units or stock options (in the aggregate “Total Payments”), would constitute an Excess Parachute Payment, and would, but for this Subsection 10(b)(ii), result in the imposition on the Executive of an excise tax under Code Section 4999 (the “Excise Tax”), in each case, as determined by National Tax Counsel as provided for in Subsection 10(b)(iii), then the Total Payments to be made to the Executive shall be adjusted as follows:
(A)If the Executive is 62 years old or older on the date of a Change in Control of the Company and/or the Effective Date of this Agreement is on or after October 23, 2014, then the Total Payments shall be reduced such that the value of the Total Payments that the Executive is entitled to receive shall be One Dollar ($1) less than the maximum amount that the Executive may receive without becoming subject to the Excise Tax;
(B)If the Executive is less than 62 years old on the date of a Change in Control of the Company and the Effective Date of this Agreement is before October 23, 2014, then the Total Payments shall be reduced as provided in Subsection 10(b)(ii)(A) only if the after-tax value to the





Executive if the Total Payments are so reduced is greater than the after-tax value to the Executive of the Total Payments if they are not so reduced;
in each case as determined by National Tax Counsel as provided for in Subsection 10(b)(iii).
For purposes of the calculations required pursuant to this Subsection 10(b), the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income tax and employment taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income and employment taxation (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the tax imposed by Code Section 4999 to the extent applicable) on the date on which the applicable payment is made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s domicile for income tax purposes on the date on which the applicable payment is made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes that may be obtained from the deduction of such state and local taxes.
(iii)Promptly following notice by the Company or the Executive to the other of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due the Executive which, if not reduced in accordance with Section 10(b)(ii)(A), will result in an Excess Parachute Payment, the Executive and the Company shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of nationally recognized tax counsel (“National Tax Counsel”) selected by the Company’s independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (which may be regular outside counsel to the Company), which opinion sets forth (A) the amount of the Base Period Income, (B) the amount and present value of Total Payments before any reduction, (C) the amount and present value of any Excess Parachute Payments, (D) the Excise Tax on any Excess Parachute Payment, (E) payments or benefits to be included in Total Payments, and (F) for Executives described in Subsection 10(b)(ii)(B),(1) the after-tax value of the Total Payments if the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under Subsection 10(b)(ii)(A) did not apply, and (2) the after-tax value of the Total Payments taking into account the reduction in Total Payments contemplated under Subsection 10(b)(ii)(A). As used in this Agreement, the term “Base Period Income” means an amount equal to the Executive’s “annualized includible compensation for the base period” as defined in Section 280G(d)(1) of the Code. For purposes of the opinion of National Tax Counsel, the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Section 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code (or any successor provisions), which determination shall be evidenced in a certificate of such auditors addressed to the Company and the Executive. The opinion of National Tax Counsel shall be addressed to the Company and the Executive and shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
Any reduction in Total Payments required by Section 10(b)(ii) shall apply to the Total Payments so that, under the bases of calculations set forth in such opinion, there will be no Excess Parachute Payment. In such event, payments or benefits included in the Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated by applying the following principles, in order: (1) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the Parachute Payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (2) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (3) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Code Section 409A, then the reduction shall be made in whatever manner complies with Code Section 409A, as determined by National Tax Counsel. If such National Tax Counsel so requests in connection with the opinion required by this Subsection 10(b), the Executive and the Company shall obtain, at the Company’s expense, and the National Tax Counsel may rely on, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by the Executive solely with respect to its status under Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(iv)Clauses (ii)-(v) of this Subsection 10(b) shall be amended to comply with any amendment or successor provision to Sections 280G or 4999 of the Code.





If such provisions are repealed without successor, then clauses (ii)-(v) of this Subsection 10(b) shall be cancelled without further effect.
(v)The Company agrees to bear all costs associated with, and to indemnify and hold harmless, the National Tax Counsel of and from any and all claims, damages, and expenses resulting from or relating to its determinations pursuant to this Subsection 10(b), except for claims, damages or expenses resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such firm.
(vi)Intentionally omitted.
(vii)Executive agrees that this Agreement and any other agreements which may give rise to any Section 409A Tax may be amended by the Company on one or more occasions without the consent or approval of the Executive if in the determination of the Compensation Committee such amendment is necessary or appropriate to conform the provisions of such agreement to Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1 et seq. or any position published by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The right of the Company to make such an amendment does not depend on whether the applicable agreement is subject to such Section but will enable the Company to have uniform provisions among all agreements having provisions such as the one being amended, including those under which compensation is subject to such Section. Any such amendment will become effective upon notice to the Executive. The Company will seek to give the Executive notice of an amendment with reasonable promptness after the Compensation Committee has approved the amendment.
11.Death.
(a)Except as provided in Subsection 11(b) hereof, in the event of a Covered Termination due to the Executive’s death, the Executive’s estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall receive all the Executive’s Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date.
(b)In the event the Executive dies after a Notice of Termination is given (i) by the Company or (ii) by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive’s estate, heirs and beneficiaries shall be entitled to the benefits described in Subsection 11(a) hereof and, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to such Termination Payment as the Executive would have been entitled to had the Executive lived, except that the Termination Payment shall be paid within 90 days following the date of the Executive’s death, without interest thereon. For purposes of this Subsection 11(b), the Termination Date shall be the earlier of thirty days following the giving of the Notice of Termination, subject to extension pursuant to the definition of Termination of Employment, or one day prior to the end of the Employment Period.
12.Retirement. If, during the Employment Period, the Executive and the Employer shall execute an agreement providing for the early retirement of the Executive from the Employer, or the Executive shall otherwise give notice that he is voluntarily choosing to retire early from the Employer, the Executive shall receive Accrued Benefits through the Termination Date; provided, that if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company other than by reason of death, disability or Cause and the Executive also, in connection with such termination, elects voluntary early retirement, the Executive shall also be entitled to receive a Termination Payment pursuant to Subsection 9(a) hereof.
13.Termination for Disability. If, during the Employment Period, as a result of the Executive’s disability due to physical or mental illness or injury (regardless of whether such illness or injury is job-related), the Executive shall have been absent from the Executive’s duties hereunder on a full-time basis for a period of six consecutive months and, within thirty days after the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it intends to terminate the Executive’s employment (which notice shall not constitute the Notice of Termination contemplated below), the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder on a full-time basis, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for purposes of this Agreement pursuant to a Notice of Termination given in accordance with Section 14 hereof. If the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of the Executive’s disability in accordance with this Section, the Executive shall receive Accrued Benefits in accordance with Subsection 10(a) hereof and shall remain eligible for all benefits provided by any long term disability programs of the Company in effect at the time of such termination.





14.Termination Notice and Procedure. Any Covered Termination by the Company or the Executive (other than a termination of the Executive’s employment that is a Covered Termination by virtue of Subsection 3(b) hereof) shall be communicated by a written notice of termination (“Notice of Termination”) to the Executive, if such Notice is given by the Company, and to the Company, if such Notice is given by the Executive, all in accordance with the following procedures and those set forth in Section 25 hereof:
(a)If such termination is for disability, Cause or Good Reason, the Notice of Termination shall indicate in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances alleged to provide a basis for such termination.
(b)If the Notice is given by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive may cease performing his duties hereunder on or after the date fifteen days after the delivery of Notice of Termination and shall in any event cease employment on the Termination Date. If the Notice is given by the Company, then the Executive may cease performing his duties hereunder on the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination, subject to the Executive’s rights hereunder.
(c)To the extent provided by Subsection 2(w)(1), the Executive shall have ten days, or such longer period as the Company may determine to be appropriate, to cure any conduct or act, if curable, alleged to provide grounds for termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause under this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 2(e)(iii) hereof.
(d)The recipient of any Notice of Termination shall personally deliver or mail in accordance with Section 25 hereof written notice of any dispute relating to such Notice of Termination to the party giving such Notice within fifteen days after receipt thereof; provided, however, that if the Executive’s conduct or act alleged to provide grounds for termination by the Company for Cause is curable, then such period shall be thirty days. After the expiration of such period without a dispute, the contents of the Notice of Termination shall become final and not subject to dispute.
15.Further Obligations of the Executive.
(a)Competition. The Executive agrees that, in the event of any Covered Termination where the Executive is entitled to Accrued Benefits and the Termination Payment, the Executive shall not, for a period expiring twelve months after the Termination Date, without the prior written approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, participate in the management of, be employed by or own any business enterprise at a location within the United States that engages in substantial competition with MGIC, where such enterprise’s revenues from any such competitive activities amount to 10% or more of such enterprise’s net revenues and sales for its most recently completed fiscal year; provided, however, that nothing in this Subsection 15(a) shall prohibit the Executive from owning stock or other securities of a competitor amounting to less than five percent of the outstanding capital stock of such competitor.
(b)Confidentiality.
(i)General. During and following the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive shall hold in confidence and not directly or indirectly disclose or use or copy or make lists of any confidential information or proprietary data of the Company (including that of the Employer), except to the extent authorized in writing by the Board of Directors of the Company or required by any court or administrative agency, other than to an employee of the Company or a person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by the Executive of duties as an executive of the Company. Confidential information shall not include any information known generally to the public or any information of a type not otherwise considered confidential by persons engaged in the same business or a business similar to that of the Company. All records, files, documents and materials, or copies thereof, relating to the business of the Company which the Executive shall prepare, or use, or come into contact with, shall be and remain the sole property of the Company and shall be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of employment with the Company.
(ii)Exceptions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:





(A)Nothing in this Agreement will prohibit, interfere with or discourage a good faith disclosure by Executive of any confidential information to any governmental entity related to a suspected violation of the law.
(B)Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for disclosing otherwise protected trade secrets and/or other confidential information as long as the disclosure is made in (I) confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, directly or indirectly, or to an attorney and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (II) a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, as long as such filing is made under seal.
(C)The Company will not retaliate against Executive in any way for a disclosure made in accordance with applicable law.
(D)If Executive makes a disclosure of any Company trade secret or other confidential information in accordance with applicable law and Executive subsequently files a lawsuit against the Company alleging that the Company retaliated against the Executive because of its disclosure, the Executive may disclose the relevant trade secret or other confidential information to the Executive’s attorney and may use the same in the court proceeding only if (i) the Executive ensures that any court filing that includes the trade secret or confidential information at issue is made under seal; and (ii) the Executive does not otherwise disclose the trade secret or confidential information except as required by court order.
16.Expenses and Interest. If, after a Change in Control of the Company, (i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive’s rights under this Agreement, (ii) any arbitration proceeding shall be brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained herein or to recover damages for breach hereof, or (iii) any legal proceeding shall be brought with respect to the arbitration provisions hereof, in each case so long as, and to the extent that, the Executive prevails in such proceeding, the Executive shall recover from the Company the reasonable attorneys’ fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred as a result of the dispute, arbitration or legal proceeding as to which the Executive has prevailed (“Expenses”), and prejudgment interest on any arbitration award obtained by the Executive calculated at Prime from the date that payments to him or her should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days after the Executive’s written request therefor (but in no event later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such Expense is incurred), the Company shall reimburse the Executive, or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the Company, the Expenses. Any dispute as to the reasonableness of the Expenses incurred, or the extent to which the Executive has prevailed, shall be resolved by the arbitrator.
17.Payment Obligations Absolute. The Company’s obligation during and after the Employment Period to pay the Executive the amounts and to make the benefit and other arrangements provided herein shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against him or anyone else. Except as provided in Subsection 10(b) and Section 16 of this Agreement, all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be paid without notice or demand. Each and every payment made hereunder by the Company shall be final, and the Company will not seek to recover all or any part of such payment from the Executive, or from whomsoever may be entitled thereto, for any reason whatsoever.
18.Successors.
(a)If the Company sells, assigns or transfers all or substantially all of its business and assets to any Person or if the Company merges into or consolidates or otherwise combines (where the Company does not survive such combination) with any Person (any such event, a “Sale of Business”), then the Company shall assign all of its right, title and interest in this Agreement as of the date of such event to such Person, and the Company shall cause such Person, by written agreement (an





“Assumption Agreement”), to expressly assume and agree to perform from and after the date of such assignment all of the terms, conditions and provisions imposed by this Agreement upon the Company, and the Assumption Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive (but if at the time of a Sale of Business, the chief executive officer of the Company or any officer of Company who is among the next four highest ranking officers of the Company has a Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement, and any of such officers approves the Assumption Agreement, the Executive, if not one of such five officers, shall be deemed to have approved the Assumption Agreement). Failure of the Company to obtain an Assumption Agreement prior to the effective date of such Sale of Business shall be a breach of this Agreement constituting “Good Reason” hereunder, except that for purposes of implementing the foregoing the date upon which such Sale of Business becomes effective shall be deemed the Termination Date. In case of such assignment by the Company and of assumption and agreement by such Person, as used in this Agreement, “Company” shall thereafter mean such Person which executes and delivers the Assumption Agreement or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, such Person. The Executive shall, in his or her discretion, be entitled to proceed against any or all of such Persons, any Person which theretofore was such a successor to the Company and the Company (as so defined) in any action to enforce any rights of the Executive hereunder. Except as provided in this Subsection 18(a), this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Company. This Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the Company.
(b)This Agreement and all rights of the Executive shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs and beneficiaries. All amounts payable to the Executive under Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 hereof if the Executive had lived shall be paid, in the event of the Executive’s death, to the Executive’s estate, heirs and representatives; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to modify any terms of any benefit plan of the Employer, as such terms are in effect on the date of the Change in Control of the Company, that expressly govern benefits under such plan in the event of the Executive’s death.
19.Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be regarded as divisible, and if any of said provisions or any part hereof are declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the remainder of such provisions or parts hereof and the applicability thereof shall not be affected thereby.
20.Contents of Agreement; Waiver of Rights; Amendment. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and the Executive hereby waives all rights under any prior or other agreement or understanding between the parties with respect to such subject matter. Any implication to the contrary in the preceding sentence notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not affect the Executive’s obligations under non-competition or confidentiality agreement with the Company, the Employer or MGIC. This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any time except by written instrument executed by the Company and the Executive, provided, however, the Company may, on one or more occasions without the approval of the Executive, amend this Agreement with the approval of the Board to the extent the Company determines such amendment is necessary to comply with the provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 or any regulation or program issued or established thereunder. Any such amendment will become effective upon notice to the Executive. The Company will seek to give the Executive notice of an amendment with reasonable promptness after the Board has approved the amendment.
21.Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts to be paid to the Executive hereunder any federal, state or local withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to withhold; provided that the amount so withheld shall not exceed the minimum amount required to be withheld by law. In addition, if prior to the date of payment of the Termination Payment hereunder, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax imposed under Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2), where applicable, becomes due with respect to any payment or benefit to be provided hereunder, the Company may provide for an immediate payment of the amount needed to pay the Executive’s portion of such tax (plus an amount equal to the taxes that will be due on such amount) and the Executive’s Termination Payment shall be reduced accordingly. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of the National Tax Counsel if any question as to the amount or requirement of any such withholding shall arise.





22.Additional Section 409A Provisions.
(a)If any payment amount or the value of any benefit under this Agreement is required to be included in an Executive’s income prior to the date such amount is actually paid or the benefit provided as a result of the failure of this Agreement (or any other arrangement that is required to be aggregated with this Agreement under Code Section 409A) to comply with Code Section 409A, then the Executive shall receive a distribution, in a lump sum, within 90 days after the date it is finally determined that the Agreement (or such other arrangement that is required to be aggregated with this Agreement) fails to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; such distribution shall equal the amount required to be included in the Executive’s income as a result of such failure and shall reduce the amount of payments or benefits otherwise due hereunder.
(b)The Company and the Executive intend the terms of this Agreement to be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the maximum extent permissible, any ambiguous terms of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner which avoids a violation of Section 409A of the Code and, subject to mutual written consent of the Executive and the Company, payments may be deferred hereunder to comply with Code Section 409A requirements.
(c)The Executive acknowledges that to avoid an additional tax on payments that may be payable or benefits that may be provided under this Agreement and that constitute deferred compensation that is not exempt from Section 409A of the Code, the Executive must make a reasonable, good faith effort to collect any payment or benefit to which the Executive believes the Executive is entitled hereunder no later than 90 days after the latest date upon which the payment could have been made or benefit provided under this Agreement, and if not paid or provided, must take further enforcement measures within one 180 days after such latest date.
23.Certain Rules of Construction. No party shall be considered as being responsible for the drafting of this Agreement for the purpose of applying any rule construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise. No draft of this Agreement shall be taken into account in construing this Agreement. Any provision of this Agreement which requires an agreement in writing shall be deemed to require that the writing in question be signed by the Executive and an authorized representative of the Company. This Agreement supersedes any prior Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between the Executive and the Company.
24.Governing Law; Resolution of Disputes. This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin applicable to contracts made therein between residents thereof. Any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall be determined by arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The venue for the arbitration (and any legal action to enforce the foregoing obligation to arbitrate) shall be Milwaukee, Wisconsin or, if the Executive is not then residing or working in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area, in the judicial district encompassing the city in which the Executive resides; provided, that, if the Executive is not then residing in the United States, the election of the Executive with respect to such venue shall be either Milwaukee, Wisconsin or in the judicial district encompassing that city in the United States among the thirty cities having the largest population (as determined by the most recent United States Census data available at the Termination Date) which is closest to the Executive’s residence. For purposes of any legal action to enforce the foregoing obligation to arbitrate, the parties consent to personal jurisdiction in each trial court in the selected venue having subject matter jurisdiction notwithstanding their residence or situs, and each party irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided hereunder for the giving of notices.
25.Notice. Notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and, except as otherwise provided by Subsection 14(d) hereof, shall be deemed given when actually received by the Executive or actually received by the Company’s Secretary or any officer of the Company other than the Executive. If mailed, such notices shall be mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressee only, postage prepaid, if to the Company, to MGIC Investment Corporation, Attention: Secretary (or President, if the Executive is the Secretary), 250 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or if to the Executive, at the address set forth below the Executive’s signature to this Agreement, or to such other address as the party to be notified shall have theretofore given to the other party in writing.





26.No Waiver. No waiver by either party at any time of any breach by the other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or any prior or subsequent time.
27.Headings. The headings herein contained are for reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.



Exhibit


Exhibit 21
MGIC INVESTMENT CORPORATION
DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES(1)
1.
MGIC Assurance Corporation
2.
MGIC Credit Assurance Corporation
3.
MGIC Indemnity Corporation
4.
MGIC Insurance Services Corporation
5.
MGIC Investor Services Corporation
6.
MGIC Mortgage and Consumer Asset I, LLC(2)
7.
MGIC Mortgage and Consumer Asset II, LLC(2)
8.
MGIC Mortgage Services, LLC
9.
MGIC Reinsurance Corporation of Vermont(3)
10.
MGIC Reinsurance Corporation of Wisconsin
11.
Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation

The names of certain entities that would not in the aggregate be a significant subsidiary are omitted.
(1) 
Except as otherwise noted in a footnote, all companies listed are 100% directly or indirectly owned by the registrant and all are incorporated in Wisconsin.
(2) 
Organized under Delaware law.
(3) 
Organized under Vermont law.



Exhibit

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-101621; 333-123777; and 333-207868) and the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-211240) of MGIC Investment Corporation of our report dated February 22, 2019 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 22, 2019
 


Exhibit


Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Patrick Sinks, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of MGIC Investment Corporation;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 Date:  February 22, 2019
/s/ Patrick Sinks
Patrick Sinks
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)



Exhibit


Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Timothy J. Mattke, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of MGIC Investment Corporation;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 Date:  February 22, 2019
/s/ Timothy J. Mattke
Timothy J. Mattke
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)



Exhibit


Exhibit 32

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS 

The undersigned, Patrick Sinks, Chief Executive Officer of MGIC Investment Corporation (the “Company”), and Timothy J. Mattke, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, that to our knowledge:

(1)
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:
February 22, 2019
/s/ Patrick Sinks
Patrick Sinks
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Timothy J. Mattke
Timothy J. Mattke
Chief Financial Officer