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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Investments
Our fixed maturity and short-term investments are classified as available for sale as we may sell securities from time to time to provide liquidity and in response to changes in the market. Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses on these securities reported in other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. See Note 15 for a description of the valuation methods for investments available for sale.
We monitor our fixed maturities for unrealized losses that appear to be the result of credit losses. A fixed maturity security is considered to be impaired when the security's fair value is less than its amortized cost basis and 1) we intend to sell the security, 2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the security's amortized cost basis, or 3) we believe we will be unable to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security (i.e., a credit loss has occurred). When we determine that a credit loss has been incurred, but we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the security's amortized cost basis, the unrealized loss is separated into the portion of the impairment that is credit related and the portion of the impairment that is due to other factors. For those fixed maturities for which a credit loss has occurred, the impairment amount is calculated as the difference between the amortized cost and the present value of future expected cash flows, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Estimates of expected future cash flows consider among other things, macroeconomic conditions as well as the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects for the issuer, and the likelihood of the recoverability of principal and interest. Credit losses are recognized through an allowance account subject to reversal. Declines in value attributable to factors other than credit are reported as an unrealized loss in other comprehensive income while the allowance for credit loss is record a realized loss in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
We recognize purchase premiums and discounts in interest income using the interest method over the securities' estimated holding periods, until maturity, or call date, if applicable. Gains and losses on the sales of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
Short-term investments are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments, both readily convertible to cash and having maturities at acquisition of twelve months or less.
Other invested assets are principally comprised of limited partnership interests which are generally accounted for under the equity method of accounting or fair value using net asset value (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient, with changes in value reported in income from other invested assets. In applying the equity method or fair value using net asset value (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient, these investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of the partnership or changes in fair value. We have elected to classify distributions received from these investments using the cumulative earnings approach for purposes of classification in the statements of cash flows. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.
Long-Lived Assets
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Estimated useful lives are 5 years for furniture and fixtures and 2 to 3 years for equipment, computer hardware and purchased software. Certain costs associated with the acquisition or development of internal-use software are capitalized. Once the software is ready for its intended use, these costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the software's expected useful life, which is generally 3 years. We amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives of the leases or estimated service lives of the leasehold improvements. The balances by type were as follows at December 31:
 20242023
(In thousands)CostAccumulated
Depreciation/
Amortization
CostAccumulated
Depreciation/
Amortization
Furniture and fixtures$5,715 $(3,054)$4,244 $(2,463)
Office equipment2,094 (1,327)1,672 (982)
Computer hardware12,202 (11,873)12,556 (11,273)
Purchased software38,028 (37,111)40,266 (39,271)
Costs of internal-use software13,785 (13,418)13,785 (12,593)
Leasehold improvements12,305 (5,487)7,708 (4,586)
Total$84,129 $(72,270)$80,231 $(71,168)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
We defer certain personnel costs and premium tax expense directly related to the successful acquisition of new insurance policies and amortize these costs over the period the related estimated gross profits are recognized in order to match costs and revenues. We do not defer any underwriting costs associated with our contract underwriting services. Costs related to the acquisition of mortgage insurance business are initially deferred and reported as deferred policy acquisition costs. Consistent with industry accounting practice, amortization of these costs for each underwriting year book of business is recognized in proportion to estimated gross profits. Estimated gross profits are composed of earned premium, interest income, losses and loss adjustment expenses. The deferred costs are adjusted as appropriate for policy cancellations to be consistent with our revenue recognition policy. We estimate the rate of amortization to reflect actual experience and any changes to persistency or loss development. Deferred policy acquisition costs are reviewed periodically to determine that they do not exceed recoverable amounts, after considering investment income. Policy acquisition costs deferred were $2.0 million, $2.6 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs totaled $3.7 million, $4.4 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was included in other underwriting and operating expenses on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill is an asset representing the estimated future economic benefits arising from the assets we have acquired that were not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite useful life and is subject to review for impairment annually, or more frequently whenever circumstances indicate potential impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit represents a business for which discrete financial information is available. We generally perform our annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of each year to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is recognized for any excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount over the reporting unit’s estimated fair value, up to the full amount of the goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
The following table shows the rollforward of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
 Year Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20242023
Beginning Balance
$50,008 $— 
Goodwill resulting from acquisitions
— 38,331 
Measurement period adjustments
(1,247)11,677 
Impairment charges
— — 
Ending Balance
$48,761 $50,008 
Our acquired intangible assets, other than goodwill, primarily consist of customer relationships and represent the value of the specifically acquired customer relationships. For financial reporting purposes, intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their applicable estimated useful lives in a manner that approximates the pattern of expected economic benefit from each intangible asset. Other acquired intangible assets also include title plants and records, which are carried at original cost. Such values represent the cost of producing or acquiring interests in title records and indexes and the appraised value of purchased subsidiaries' title records and indexes at dates of acquisition. The cost of maintaining, updating, and operating title
records is charged to income as incurred. Title records and indexes are not amortized unless events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the capitalized costs may not be recoverable. Title plants and records were $10 million as of December 31, 2024. We did not own any title plant or records as of December 31, 2023.
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our customer relationship intangible assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $22.9 million and $2.1 million and $23.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
Insurance Premium Revenue Recognition
Mortgage guaranty insurance policies are contracts that are generally non-cancelable by the insurer, are renewable at a fixed price, and provide for payment of premium on a monthly, annual or single basis. Upon renewal, we are not able to re-underwrite or re-price our policies. Consistent with industry accounting practices, premiums written on a monthly basis are earned as coverage is provided. Monthly policies accounted for approximately 93% of earned premium in 2024. Premiums written on an annual basis are amortized on a pro rata basis over the year of coverage. Primary mortgage insurance written on policies covering more than one year are referred to as single premium policies. A portion of the revenue from single premium policies is recognized in earned premium in the current period, and the remaining portion is deferred as unearned premium and earned over the expected life of the policy. If single premium policies related to insured loans are cancelled due to repayment by the borrower, and the premium is non-refundable, then the remaining unearned premium related to each cancelled policy is recognized as earned premium upon notification of the cancellation. The Company recorded $5.4 million and $6.3 million of earned premium related to policy cancellations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Unearned premium represents the portion of premium written that is applicable to the estimated unexpired risk of insured loans. Rates used to determine the earning of single premium policies are estimates based on an analysis of the expiration of risk.
Revenues from title policies issued by agents are recorded when notice of issuance is received from the agent, which is generally when cash payment is received by the Company.
A significant portion of our premium revenue relates to master policies with certain lending institutions. For the year ended December 31, 2024 one lender represented approximately 17% of our total revenue. The loss of this customer could have a significant impact on our revenues and results of operations.
Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
We establish mortgage insurance reserves for losses based on our best estimate of ultimate claim costs for defaulted loans using the general principles contained in ASC No. 944, in accordance with industry practice. However, consistent with industry standards for mortgage insurers, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans which are not currently in default. Loans are classified as in default when the borrower has missed two consecutive payments. Once we are notified that a borrower has defaulted, we will consider internal and third-party information and models, including the status of the loan as reported by its servicer and the type of loan product to determine the likelihood that a default will reach claim status. In addition, we will project the amount that we will pay if a default becomes a claim (referred to as "claim severity"). Based on this information, at each reporting date we determine our best estimate of loss reserves at a given point in time. Included in loss reserves are reserves for incurred but not reported ("IBNR") claims. IBNR reserves represent our estimated unpaid losses on loans that are in default, but have not yet been reported to us as delinquent by our customers. We will also establish reserves for associated loss adjustment expenses, consisting of the estimated cost of the claims administration process, including legal and other fees and expenses associated with administering the claims process. Establishing reserves is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Our estimates of claim rates and claim sizes will be strongly influenced by prevailing economic conditions, such as the overall state of the economy, current rates or trends in unemployment, changes in housing values and/or interest rates, and our best judgments as to the future values or trends of these macroeconomic factors. Losses incurred are also generally affected by the characteristics of our insured loans, such as the loan amount, loan-to-value ratio, the percentage of coverage on the insured loan and the credit quality of the borrower.
Our reserve for title insurance claim losses includes reserves for known claims as well as for losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to us (“IBNR”), net of recoupments. We reserve for each known claim based on our review of the estimated amount of the claim and the costs required to settle the claim. Reserves for IBNR claims are estimates that are established at the time the premium revenue is recognized and are based upon historical experience and other factors, including industry trends, claim loss history, legal environment, geographic considerations, and the types of policies written. We also reserve for losses arising from closing and disbursement functions due to fraud or operational error.
Premium Deficiency Reserve
We are required to establish a premium deficiency reserve if the net present value of the expected future losses and expenses for a particular group of policies exceeds the net present value of expected future premium, anticipated investment income and existing reserves for that specified group of policies. We reassess our expectations for premium, losses and expenses of our mortgage insurance business periodically and update our premium deficiency analysis accordingly. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we concluded that no premium deficiency reserve was required to be recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative instruments, including embedded derivative instruments, are recognized at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of monthly reinsurance premiums ceded under our reinsurance contracts will fluctuate due to changes in one-month SOFR and changes in money market rates. As the reinsurance premium will vary based on changes in these rates, we concluded that these reinsurance agreements contain embedded derivatives that are accounted for separately like freestanding derivatives.
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments at the grant date of the award using a fair value based method. Quoted market prices are used for the valuation of common shares granted that do not contain a market condition under ASC 718. The performance-based share awards granted beginning in 2021 contain a market condition and were valued based on analysis provided by a third-party valuation firm using a risk neutral simulation and considering the vesting conditions of the grant. We recognize compensation expense on nonvested shares over the vesting period of the award. Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with share-based payments are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement and treated as discrete items in the reporting period.
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (balance sheet) method. Under this method, we determine the net deferred tax asset or liability based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various assets and liabilities and give current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. Changes in tax laws, rates, regulations and policies, or the final determination of tax audits or examinations, could materially affect our tax estimates. We evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax asset and recognize a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax asset, we consider estimates of expected future taxable income, existing and projected book/tax differences, carryback and carryforward periods, tax planning strategies available, and the general and industry specific economic outlook. This realizability analysis is inherently subjective, as it requires management to forecast changes in the mortgage market, as well as the related impact on mortgage insurance, and the competitive and general economic environment in future periods. Changes in the estimate of deferred tax asset realizability, if applicable, are included in income tax expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
ASC No. 740 provides a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In accordance with ASC No. 740, before a tax benefit can be recognized, a tax position is evaluated using a threshold that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. When evaluating the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, ASC No. 740 provides that a company should presume the tax position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. If the tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
As described in Note 12, we purchase non-interest-bearing United States Mortgage Guaranty Tax and Loss Bonds ("T&L Bonds") issued by the Treasury Department. These assets are carried at cost and are reported as prepaid federal income tax on the consolidated balance sheets.
It is our policy to classify interest and penalties as income tax expense and to use the aggregate portfolio approach to release income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per common share amounts are calculated based on income available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per common share amounts are calculated based on income available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Potential common shares, composed of the incremental common shares issuable upon vesting of unvested common shares and common share units, are included in the earnings per share calculation to the extent that they are dilutive.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Adopted During the Period
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. This update clarifies the guidance in ASC 820 on the fair value measurement of an equity security that is subject to a contractual sale restriction and requires specific disclosures related to such an equity security. The update clarifies that a contractual sale restriction prohibiting the sale of an equity security is a characteristic of the reporting entity holding the equity security and is not included in the equity security's unit of account. Accordingly, an entity should not consider the contractual sale restriction when measuring the equity security’s fair value. The update also requires specific disclosures related to equity securities that are subject to contractual sale restrictions, including (1) the fair value of such equity securities reflected in the balance sheet, (2) the nature and remaining duration of the corresponding restrictions, and (3) any circumstances that could cause a lapse in the restrictions. The ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated operating results or financial position.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. The ASU requires that public entities disclose significant expense categories and amounts for each reportable segment, which are derived from expenses that are 1) regularly reported to an entity’s chief operating decision-maker ("CODM") and 2) included in a segment’s reported measures of profit or loss. Public entities must also disclose an amount for “other segment items,” representing the difference between 1) segment revenue less significant segment expenses and 2) the reportable segment’s profit or loss measures. A description of the composition of “other segment items” also is required as well as the title and position of the CODM and entities must explain how the CODM uses the reported measures of profit or loss to assess segment performance. The ASU also requires interim disclosure of certain segment-related disclosures that previously were required only on an annual basis and clarifies that entities with a single reportable segment will be subject to both new and existing segment reporting requirements under Topic 280. It also clarifies that an entity is permitted to disclose multiple measures of segment profit or loss, provided that certain criteria are met. The ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Entities must adopt the changes to the segment reporting guidance on a retrospective basis. Upon the adoption of the accounting standard, the Company has disclosed required segment information with Footnote 18: Segment Reporting.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The standard requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid, including taxes paid by jurisdiction. The ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”) and in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-01, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date, which clarified the effective date of ASU 2024-03. ASU 2024-03 will require the Company to disclose the amounts of purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization, as applicable, included in certain expense captions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as well as qualitatively describe remaining amounts included in those captions. ASU 2024-03 will also require the Company to disclose both the amount and the Company’s definition of selling expenses. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.