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Background And Basis Of Presentation | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Background And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract] |
Background And Basis Of Presentation | 1 BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Ambac Financial Group, Inc. ("Ambac" or the "Company"), headquartered in New York City, is a holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware. Ambac was incorporated on April 29, 1991. On November 8, 2010 (the "Petition Date"), Ambac filed a voluntary petition for relief (the "Bankruptcy Filing") under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code ("Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York ("Bankruptcy Court"). Ambac has continued to operate in the ordinary course of business as "debtor-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company, as debtor and debtor-in-possession, filed a Plan of Reorganization on July 6, 2011, a First Amended Plan of Reorganization on September 21, 2011, a Second Amended Plan of Reorganization on September 30, 2011, a Third Amended Plan of Reorganization on February 24, 2012, a Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization on March 9, 2012, and a Fifth Amended Plan of Reorganization on March 12, 2012 (such Fifth Amended Plan of Reorganization, as it may be further amended, the "Reorganization Plan"). The Reorganization Plan also reflects a resolution of certain issues (the "Amended Plan Settlement") among the Company, the statutory committee of creditors appointed by the United States Trustee on November 17, 2010 (the "Creditors' Committee"), Ambac Assurance Corporation ("Ambac Assurance"), the Segregated Account (as defined below) and OCI (as defined below) (as regulator of Ambac Assurance and as Rehabilitator (as defined below) of the Segregated Account) related to (i) the net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") of the consolidated tax group of which the Company is the parent and Ambac Assurance is a member (the "Ambac Consolidated Group"), (ii) certain tax refunds received in respect thereof (the "Tax Refunds") and (iii) the sharing of expenses between the Company and Ambac Assurance. The terms of the Amended Plan Settlement are memorialized in that certain Mediation Agreement dated September 21, 2011 (the "Mediation Agreement") among such parties. Ambac's common stock trades on the over-the-counter market under the symbol ABKFQ. Ambac Assurance is Ambac's principal operating subsidiary. Ambac Assurance is a financial guarantee insurer which provided financial guarantees and financial services to clients in both the public and private sectors around the world. In March 2010, Ambac Assurance established a segregated account pursuant to Wisc. Stat. §611.24(2) (the "Segregated Account") to segregate certain segments of Ambac Assurance's liabilities. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Wisconsin ("OCI" (which term shall be understood to refer to such office as regulator of Ambac Assurance and to refer as well to the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Wisconsin as rehabilitator of the Segregated Account (the "Rehabilitator"), as the context requires)) commenced rehabilitation proceedings with respect to the Segregated Account (the "Segregated Account Rehabilitation Proceedings") in order to permit the OCI to facilitate an orderly run-off and/or settlement of the liabilities allocated to the Segregated Account pursuant to the provisions of the Wisconsin Insurers Rehabilitation and Liquidation Act. The Rehabilitator is Theodore Nickel, the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin. The deterioration of Ambac Assurance's financial condition resulting from losses in its insured portfolio caused downgrades of Ambac Assurance's financial strength ratings from the independent rating agencies. These losses have prevented Ambac Assurance from being able to write new business. On April 7, 2011, at Ambac Assurance's request, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. withdrew its ratings of Ambac Assurance and each of its affiliates. As a result, as of April 7, 2011, Ambac Assurance is no longer rated by any of the independent rating agencies. An inability to write new business has and will continue to negatively impact Ambac's future operations and financial results. Ambac Assurance's ability to pay dividends, and as a result Ambac's liquidity, have been significantly restricted by the deterioration of Ambac Assurance's financial condition, by the rehabilitation of the Segregated Account and by the terms of the Settlement Agreement (as hereinafter defined). It is highly unlikely that Ambac Assurance will be able to make dividend payments to Ambac for the foreseeable future. Refer to "2010, 2011 and Recent Events" below for further discussion of Ambac's bankruptcy, the creation and rehabilitation of the Segregated Account and the Settlement Agreement with the counterparties of CDO of ABS transactions. Ambac's principal business strategy is to reorganize its capital structure and financial obligations through the bankruptcy process and to increase the residual value of its financial guarantee business by mitigating losses on poorly performing transactions (via the pursuit of recoveries in respect of paid claims, commutations of policies, purchases of Ambac-insured obligations, and repurchases of surplus notes issued by Ambac Assurance or the Segregated Account) and maximizing the return on its investment portfolio. The execution of such strategy with respect to liabilities allocated to the Segregated Account is subject to the authority of the Rehabilitator to control the management of the Segregated Account. In exercising such authority, the Rehabilitator will act for the benefit of policyholders, and will not take into account the interests of Ambac. Similarly, by operation of the contracts executed in connection with the establishment, and subsequent rehabilitation, of the Segregated Account, the Rehabilitator retains rights to oversee and approve certain actions taken in respect of Ambac Assurance. This oversight by the Rehabilitator could impair Ambac's ability to execute the foregoing strategy. As a result of uncertainties associated with the aforementioned factors, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company's financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are prepared assuming the Company continues as a going concern and do not include any adjustment that might result from its inability to continue as a going concern. Ambac's liquidity and solvency are largely dependent on its current cash and investments of $35,395 at December 31, 2011 (excluding $2,500 of restricted cash), consummation of the Reorganization Plan, and on the residual value of Ambac Assurance. The principal uses of liquidity are the payment of operating expenses, professional advisory fees incurred in connection with the bankruptcy and expenses related to pending litigation. While management believes that Ambac will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy its needs until it emerges from the bankruptcy proceeding, no assurance can be given as to the timing or certainty of such emergence. If its cash and investments run out prior to emergence from bankruptcy, a liquidation of Ambac pursuant to Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code will occur. 2010, 2011 and Recent Events: Chapter 11 Reorganization Shortly after the Petition Date, Ambac began notifying current or potential creditors of the Bankruptcy Filing. Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Filing automatically enjoined, or stayed, the continuation of any judicial or administrative proceedings or other actions against Ambac. Thus, for example, most creditor actions to obtain possession of property from Ambac, or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against the property of Ambac, or to collect on monies owed or otherwise exercise rights or remedies to a claim arising prior to the Petition Date are enjoined unless and until the Bankruptcy Court lifts the automatic stay. Vendors are being paid for goods furnished and services provided after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business. The Company, as debtor and debtor-in-possession, filed a Plan of Reorganization on July 6, 2011, a First Amended Plan of Reorganization on September 21, 2011, a Second Amended Plan of Reorganization on September 30, 2011, a Third Amended Plan of Reorganization on February 24, 2012, a Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization on March 9, 2012, and a Fifth Plan of Reorganization on March 12, 2012 (such Fifth Amended Plan of Reorganization, as it may be further amended, the "Reorganization Plan"). Simultaneously with the filing of the Second Amended Plan of Reorganization, on September 30, 2011, the Company also filed with the Bankruptcy Court that certain Second Amended Disclosure Statement of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (the "Disclosure Statement"). Under the Reorganization Plan, Ambac's debt holders and other creditors will receive all of the equity in the reorganized company. Additionally, the Reorganization Plan sets forth the revised capital structure of a newly reorganized Ambac and provides for corporate governance subsequent to emergence from bankruptcy. The Reorganization Plan also reflects a resolution of certain issues (the "Amended Plan Settlement") among the Company, the statutory committee of creditors appointed by the United States Trustee on November 17, 2010 (the "Creditors' Committee"), Ambac Assurance, the Segregated Account and OCI (as regulator of Ambac Assurance and as Rehabilitator of the Segregated Account) related to (i) the net operating loss carry forwards ("NOLs") of the consolidated tax group of which the Company is the parent and Ambac Assurance is a member (the "Ambac Consolidated Group"), (ii) certain tax refunds received in respect thereof (the "Tax Refunds") and (iii) the sharing of expenses between the Company and Ambac Assurance. The terms of the Amended Plan Settlement are memorialized in the Mediation Agreement dated as of September 21, 2011 (the "Mediation Agreement"), among such parties. In accordance with the Amended Plan Settlement, the Company shall retain ownership of Ambac Assurance, and except as otherwise approved by OCI, the Company shall use its best efforts to preserve the use of NOLs as contemplated by the Amended Plan Settlement, including but not limited to refraining from taking any action that would result in, and taking such affirmative steps as are appropriate to avoid, any event that results in neither Ambac Assurance nor any entity that succeeds to the tax attributes of Ambac Assurance being characterized as an includible corporation with the affiliated group of corporations of which Ambac (or any successor thereto) is the common parent (the "Ambac Consolidated Group"), all within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (a "Deconsolidation Event"). Additionally, the Amended Plan Settlement contemplates (i) the execution of the Amended TSA (as defined below), Cost Allocation Agreement (as defined below), and Cooperation Agreement Amendment (as defined below), (ii) the settlement of certain claims among the Company and Ambac Assurance, OCI (as regulator of Ambac Assurance and as Rehabilitator of the Segregated Account) and the Segregated Account, and (iii) broad releases of the Company, Ambac Assurance, the Segregated Account, OCI, the board of directors and board committees of the Company and Ambac Assurance, all current and former individual directors, officers, or employees of the Company and Ambac Assurance, the Creditors' Committee and the individual members thereof, and certain other released parties. Pursuant to the Mediation Agreement, the Company and Ambac Assurance agreed to, and agreed to cause their affiliates to, enter into an amended and restated tax sharing agreement (the "Amended TSA"), as of the later of (a) the date on which an order is entered by the Bankruptcy Court confirming Ambac's Reorganization Plan (the "Confirmation Date" and such order, the "Confirmation Order") and (b) the date on which a non-stayed order is entered by the Circuit Court of Dane County, Wisconsin in which the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Proceedings are pending (the "Rehabilitation Court") approving the transactions contemplated by the Mediation Agreement (such date, the "Plan Settlement Effective Date"). The Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Reorganization Plan on March 14, 2012. The Rehabilitation Court entered an order on November 10, 2011 authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Mediation Agreement. Such order of the Rehabilitation Court has been appealed, and such appeals remain pending, but such order remains unstayed. Therefore, the Plan Settlement Effective Date occurred on March 14, 2012. The Amended TSA replaces, supersedes and nullifies in its entirety the existing tax sharing agreement among the Company and its affiliates. The Amended TSA addresses certain issues including, but not limited to, the allocation and use of NOLs by the Company, Ambac Assurance and their respective subsidiaries. Under the Amended TSA, the Ambac Assurance Subgroup (as defined below) is treated as a separate affiliated group for purposes of the allocation and utilization of certain NOLs. The Amended TSA provides that any NOLs generated by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup determined on a separate company tax basis after September 30, 2011 (the "Determination Date") will be available for use by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup at no cost. In general, under the Amended TSA, any NOLs generated by Ambac's affiliated group (including Ambac Assurance) for federal tax purposes on or prior to, and existing on, the Determination Date shall be available for use by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup subject to certain NOL usage payments by Ambac Assurance to Ambac provided for in the Amended TSA. In general, pursuant to the Amended TSA, unless and until a Deconsolidation Event occurs, a specified amount of NOLs generated by Ambac's affiliated group for federal tax purposes prior to the Determination Date ("Pre-Determination Date NOLs") shall be available for use by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup (the "Allocated NOL Amount"). The Allocated NOL Amount generally will be equal to the lesser of (a) $3.65 billion and (b) the total amount of Pre-Determination Date NOLs, less certain amounts of cancellation of indebtedness income realized and interest disallowed for federal tax purposes in connection with the consummation of the Reorganization Plan, less the amount of NOLs reduced pursuant to the IRS Settlement (as defined in Note 17). Under the terms of the Amended TSA, the Ambac Assurance Subgroup generally may utilize the Allocated NOL Amount in exchange for certain NOL usage payments that are calculated using a notional federal tax amount based on the amount of federal tax liability that would have been imposed on the Ambac Assurance Subgroup if such NOLs were not available for its use. The amounts due from Ambac Assurance to Ambac for the use of such NOLs are determined as a percentage of this notional federal tax liability. The applicable percentage varies based on the amount of NOLs utilized by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup and is reflected in the following table:
NOL Usage Tier |  | Allocated NOL Amount |  | Applicable Percentage
A |  | The first $0.479 billion |  | 15%
B |  | The next $1.057 billion after NOL Usage Tier A |  | 40%
C |  | The next $1.057 billion after NOL Usage Tier B |  | 10%
D |  | The next $1.057 billion after NOL Usage Tier C |  | 15%
The Amended TSA further provides that the Ambac Assurance Subgroup generally may utilize Pre-Determination Date NOLs in excess of the Allocated NOL Amount beginning on the fifth anniversary of the Plan Settlement Effective Date in exchange for tolling payments pursuant to the Amended TSA in an amount equal to 25% of the aggregate amount of the Ambac Assurance Subgroup's federal income tax liability for the taxable year in which the NOLs are utilized that otherwise would have been paid by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup if such NOLs were not available for its use. Under the Amended TSA, Ambac and its subsidiaries, other than those included in the Ambac Assurance Subgroup (the "AFG Subgroup"), generally may utilize NOLs otherwise allocable to the Ambac Assurance Subgroup in exchange for payments to Ambac Assurance in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the tax liability that would have been imposed on the AFG Subgroup but for the use of such NOLs. The Amended TSA provides for similar tolling payments from Ambac Assurance to Ambac for the use of NOLs used to determine the Ambac Assurance Subgroup's alternative minimum tax ("AMT") liability using a similar schedule provided for the use of the Allocated NOL Amount. However, the tolling payments for the use of NOLs for AMT purposes shall be subject to certain credits that may be used to offset the amounts due from Ambac Assurance for the use of such AMT NOLs under the Amended TSA. These credits may be carried forward into future taxable periods to offset future payments under the Amended TSA. The sum of such credits used by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup to offset tolling payments for AMT NOLs during the term of the Amended TSA may not exceed, in the aggregate, $60 million. Amounts payable by Ambac Assurance under the Amended TSA shall be paid no later than the date on which the applicable tax return is filed, provided that any such amounts due prior to the Plan Settlement Closing Date (as defined below) shall be deposited in an escrow account and transferred to the Company on the Plan Settlement Closing Date. Upon the occurrence of a Deconsolidation Event, Ambac generally is required to take all actions permitted by law such that the NOLs of the Ambac Assurance Subgroup that exist immediately following the Deconsolidation Event will be equal to the NOLs generated and unutilized by the Ambac Assurance Subgroup following the Determination Date and a specified amount of Pre-Determination Date NOLs allocated to the Ambac Assurance Subgroup pursuant to the Amended TSA. In addition, Ambac is required to take all actions permitted by law such that no reduction in the tax basis of any asset of the Ambac Assurance Subgroup will be required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-36(d)(4)(i)(D), and no reduction in the amount of any deferred deduction will be required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-36(d)(4)(i)(C). The Mediation Agreement further provides for the Company, Ambac Assurance and their affiliates to enter into an expense sharing and cost allocation agreement (the "Cost Allocation Agreement") as of the Plan Settlement Effective Date. The Cost Allocation Agreement provides for the allocation of costs and expenses among the Company, Ambac Assurance and their affiliates. Additionally, the Cost Allocation Agreement requires Ambac Assurance to reimburse reasonable operating expenses incurred by the Company, subject to an annual $5,000 cap, which, following the fifth anniversary of the Plan Settlement Effective Date shall be reduced to a $4,000 per year cap, only with the approval by the Rehabilitator. Such reimbursements are expected to cover all or a substantial portion of operating expenses of Ambac subsequent to emergence from bankruptcy. The Mediation Agreement also provides for sharing by the Company and Ambac Assurance of the expenses incurred since November 1, 2010 in connection with the litigation with the IRS described in Note 17. As part of the Amended Plan Settlement, the Company, Ambac Assurance, the Segregated Account and OCI (as Rehabilitator of the Segregated Account) also agreed, pursuant to the Mediation Agreement, to enter into an amendment, as of the Plan Settlement Effective Date (the "Cooperation Agreement Amendment"), of that certain Cooperation Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2010, by and between the Segregated Account and Ambac Assurance (the "Cooperation Agreement"). The Cooperation Agreement Amendment provides for the Rehabilitator to have certain rights with respect to (a) the tax positions taken by the Company in its consolidated tax return; (b) the acceptance by Ambac Assurance of the repayment of intercompany loans or the modification of the terms thereof; (c) changes by Ambac Assurance in the assumptions or vendors utilized in determining loss reserves determined in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles; and (d) changes to Ambac Assurance's investment policy and transfer of the investment management function for Ambac Assurance's investment portfolio. The Mediation Agreement provides for Ambac Assurance to transfer $30,000 to an escrow account on the Plan Settlement Effective Date (the "Cash Grant"), and further provides that such amount shall be released from escrow to the Company on the "Plan Settlement Closing Date," which is defined in the Mediation Agreement as a date that shall occur no later than ten business days following the date on which each of the following conditions has been satisfied or waived by each of the parties to the Amended Plan Settlement: (i) entry of a final order by the Rehabilitation Court approving the transactions contemplated by the Amended Plan Settlement; (ii) entry of a final, nonappealable Confirmation Order by the Bankruptcy Court; (iii) resolution of the matters that are the subject of the adversary proceeding initiated by Ambac in the Bankruptcy Court against the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") captioned Ambac Financial Group, Inc. vs. United States of America, Case No. 10-04210 (the "IRS Dispute") without (A) any member of the Ambac Assurance Subgroup (as defined below) having to make a payment to the IRS of more than $100,000 and (B) a reduction of the NOLs allocated to the Ambac Assurance Subgroup pursuant to the Amended TSA by more than 10%; and (iv) a determination that neither an Ownership Change (as defined below) with respect to Ambac Assurance nor a Deconsolidation Event occurred during the 2010 taxable year. Pursuant to the Amended TSA, in consideration of the payment of the Cash Grant, Ambac Assurance shall receive credits of up to $15,000 against certain payments due to the Company with respect to the utilization of NOLs. As used herein, "Ambac Assurance Subgroup" means Ambac Assurance and any direct or indirect subsidiary of Ambac Assurance that would be treated as an includable corporation of an affiliated group of corporations under the Internal Revenue Code if Ambac Assurance were the common parent of such affiliated group. The Cash Grant was funded into escrow on March 15, 2012. The Mediation Agreement further provides that the Segregated Account shall issue $350,000 of junior surplus notes to the Company on the Plan Settlement Closing Date and that Ambac Assurance commits to undertake commercially reasonable efforts to transfer to the Company a more than insignificant amount of an active trade or business, subject to (a) OCI's determination that such a transfer does not violate the law, is reasonable and fair to the interests of Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account, and protects and is equitable to the interests of Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account policyholders generally, and (b) the Company's receipt of a tax opinion stating that it is at least more likely than not that such transfer satisfies the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 269. Additionally, in accordance with the Amended Plan Settlement, upon the reasonable request of Ambac Assurance at any time on or after the Plan Settlement Closing Date, OCI commits to allow Ambac Assurance to repurchase surplus notes, preferred stock or other securities or other consideration issued pursuant to the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan (as defined below) (whether issued by Ambac Assurance or the Segregated Account) subject to OCI's determination in its sole and absolute discretion that such repurchases do not violate the law, are reasonable and fair to the interests of Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account, and protect and are equitable to the interests of Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account policyholders generally. The Reorganization Plan provides for broad releases of the Company, Ambac Assurance, the Segregated Account, OCI (as regulator and Rehabilitator), the board of directors and board committees of the Company and Ambac Assurance, all current and former individual directors, officers or employees of the Company and Ambac Assurance, the Creditors' Committee and the individual members thereof, the trustees under the indentures governing Ambac's debt securities, the ad hoc group of creditors represented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP in connection with the Reorganization Plan and the individual members thereof, and each of their respective representatives (each of the foregoing in its individual capacity as such). Additionally, pursuant to the Amended Plan Settlement, effective as of the Plan Settlement Closing Date, the Company and the Creditors' Committee shall provide an unconditional, full and complete release of OCI (as regulator and Rehabilitator), Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account from all claims and causes of action arising prior to the Plan Settlement Closing Date, and Ambac Assurance, OCI (as regulator and Rehabilitator) and the Segregated Account shall provide an unconditional, full and complete release of the Company and members of the Creditors' Committee from all claims and causes of action arising prior to the Plan Settlement Closing Date. The Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Reorganization Plan on March 14, 2012. It is possible that one or more appeals may be taken from entry of the confirmation order. Consummation of the Reorganization Plan is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions: (i) the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered an order confirming the Reorganization Plan and such order shall have become final in accordance with the Reorganization Plan; (ii) the Bankruptcy Court shall have approved any supplement filed with respect to the Reorganization Plan; (iii) new organizational documents of the Company shall have been effected; (iv) the Company shall have executed and delivered all documents necessary to effectuate the issuance of the common stock and warrants (if applicable) pursuant to the Reorganization Plan; (v) all authorizations, consents and regulatory approvals required, if any, in connection with the consummation of the Reorganization Plan shall have been obtained; (vi) the Stipulation (as defined in Note 17) shall have become effective; (vii) the terms of the IRS Settlement (as defined in Note 17) shall have been approved by OCI, the United States, the Rehabilitation Court, and the Creditors' Committee, and all conditions to the effectiveness of the IRS Settlement shall have been satisfied; (viii) the IRS Settlement and all transaction documents relating thereto shall have been executed by the parties thereto; (ix) the Bankruptcy Court shall have entered an order pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 approving the IRS Settlement; (x) the aggregate face amount of allowed and disputed general unsecured claims shall be less than $50,000,; (xi) the Rehabilitation Court shall have approved the transactions contemplated by the Mediation Agreement, the Amended TSA, the Cost Allocation Agreement, and the Cooperation Agreement Amendment; (xii) the Cash Grant shall have been paid or paid into escrow as provided in the Mediation Agreement; (xiii) the Amended TSA, the Cooperation Agreement Amendment and the Cost Allocation Agreement shall have been executed; and (xiv) all other actions, documents, certificates and agreements necessary to implement the Reorganization Plan shall have been effected or executed and delivered to the required parties and, to the extent required, filed with applicable governmental units in accordance with applicable laws. A significant consideration for any restructuring or reorganization is the impact, if any, on Ambac's estimated $7,150,893 U.S. federal net ordinary operating loss tax carry forward as of December 31, 2011. Ambac considers the NOLs to be a valuable asset. However, Ambac's ability to use the NOLs could be substantially limited if there were an "ownership change" as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (an "Ownership Change"). In general, an Ownership Change would occur if shareholders owning 5% or more of Ambac's stock increased their percentage ownership (by value) in Ambac by 50% or more, as measured generally over a rolling three year period beginning with the last Ownership Change. These provisions can be triggered by new issuances of stock, merger and acquisition activity or normal market trading. On February 2, 2010, Ambac entered into a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan to reduce the risk of an Ownership Change resulting from the trading of Ambac's stock. Moreover, on November 30, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order restricting certain transfers of equity interests in, and claims against, Ambac in order to mitigate the possibility of an Ownership Change occurring upon consummation of the Reorganization Plan and to increase the likelihood that Ambac will be able to utilize a special exception under Section 382 of the Code for Ownership Changes occurring as a result of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization. On July 21, 2011, the Company filed a notice (the "Reporting Notice") requiring that any entity holding claims against the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds $55,000 (each, a "Substantial Claimholder") to serve upon the Company and its counsel a "Substantial Claimholder Notice" in the form attached to the Reporting Notice. On January 6, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the "Claims Acquisition Notice Order") providing that (i) any entity that served a Substantial Claimholder Notice proposing to acquire additional claims against Ambac and any entity that would become a Substantial Claimholder by virtue of a proposed acquisition of claims against Ambac must provide advance written notice of such transaction to Ambac (a "Proposed Claims Acquisition Notice"); (ii) upon receipt of a Proposed Claims Acquisition Notice Ambac shall have ten business days to object to any transaction described in such notice; (iii) any entity that acquired claims against Ambac as to which a Proposed Claims Acquisition Notice would have been required, but for the fact that such acquisition occurred prior to entry of the Claims Acquisition Notice Order, shall serve a Proposed Claims Acquisition Notice upon Ambac with respect to such claims and Ambac may order such entity to sell such claims, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the order establishing procedures for certain transfers of equity interests in and claims against Ambac, entered by the Bankruptcy Court on November 30, 2010 (the "Trading Order"); and (iv) the "Equity Forfeiture Provisions" set forth in the Trading Order shall apply to any entity that fails to comply with the Claims Acquisition Notice Order or the Trading Order (including any entity that failed to serve a Substantial Claimholder Notice upon Ambac following the filing of the Reporting Notice, in accordance with the Trading Order). See Note 17 for additional information about potential changes to the amount of NOLs. Segregated Account Pursuant to the Plan of Operation for the Segregated Account, Ambac Assurance has allocated to the Segregated Account (1) certain policies insuring or relating to credit default swaps; (2) residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") policies; (3) certain Student Loan Policies; and (4) other policies insuring obligations with substantial projected impairments or relating to transactions which have contractual triggers based upon Ambac Assurance's financial condition or the commencement of rehabilitation, which triggers are potentially damaging (collectively, the "Segregated Account Policies"). The policies described in (4) above include (a) certain types of securitizations, including commercial asset-backed transactions, consumer asset-backed transactions and other types of structured transactions; (b) the policies relating to Las Vegas Monorail Company; (c) policies relating to debt securities purchased by, and the debt securities issued by, Juneau Investments, LLC and Aleutian Investments, LLC, which are both finance companies owned by Ambac Assurance; (d) policies relating to leveraged lease transactions; and (e) policies relating to interest rate, basis, and/or currency swap or other swap transactions. Claims on Segregated Account Policies remain subject to a payment moratorium until the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan (as defined below) becomes effective. Insurance claims presented during the moratorium of $2,768,627 for policies allocated to the Segregated Account have not yet been paid. Net par exposure as of December 31, 2011 for policies allocated to the Segregated Account is $34,818,201. Ambac Assurance also allocated the following to the Segregated Account: (i) all remediation claims, defenses, offsets, and/or credits (except with respect to recoveries arising from remediation efforts or reimbursement or collection rights), if any, in respect of the Segregated Account Policies, (ii) Ambac Assurance's disputed contingent liability under the subsequently settled long-term lease with One State Street, LLC ("OSS"), and its contingent liability (as guarantor), under the subsequently terminated Ambac Assurance UK Limited ("Ambac UK") lease with British Land, (iii) Ambac Assurance's limited liability interests in Ambac Credit Products, LLC ("ACP"), Ambac Conduit Funding LLC, Aleutian Investments, LLC ("Aleutian") and Juneau Investments, LLC ("Juneau") and (iv) all of Ambac Assurance's liabilities as reinsurer under reinsurance agreements (except for reinsurance assumed from Everspan). Effective November 7, 2010, the Plan of Operation for the Segregated Account was amended for the purpose of allocating to the Segregated Account (i) any and all liabilities (including contingent liabilities) it has or may have, now or in the future, to Ambac, or any successor to Ambac, in regard to, or respecting, tax refunds and/or the July 18, 1991 Tax Sharing Agreement, as amended (other than any liability to Ambac pertaining to any possible misallocation of up to $38,486 of tax refunds received by Ambac Assurance in September 2009 and February 2010), (ii) any and all liabilities (including contingent liabilities) it has or may have, now or in the future, to the IRS and/or the United States Department of the Treasury (the "U.S. Treasury") in regard to, or in respect of, taxes imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Federal Taxes"), for taxable periods ending on or prior to December 31, 2009 and, (iii) to the extent not described in clause (ii), any and all liabilities (including contingent liabilities) Ambac Assurance has or may have, now or in the future, to the IRS and/or the U.S. Treasury in regard to, or respect of, any Federal Tax refunds that were received prior to November 7, 2010 by Ambac Assurance, Ambac or their affiliates (each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the "Allocated Disputed Contingent Liabilities"). In addition, on November 8, 2010, the Rehabilitation Court issued an order for temporary supplemental injunctive relief (the "State Court Injunction") enjoining Ambac, any successor-in-interest, any state court receiver of Ambac, all persons purporting to be creditors of Ambac, the IRS and all other federal and state governmental entities from commencing or prosecuting any actions, claims, lawsuits or other formal legal proceedings relating to the Allocated Disputed Contingent Liabilities. Ambac Assurance issued a $2,000,000 secured note due in 2050 (the "Secured Note") to the Segregated Account. The Segregated Account has the ability to demand payment from time to time to pay claims and other liabilities. The balance of the Secured Note is $1,670,209 at December 31, 2011, inclusive of capitalized interest since the date of issuance. In addition, once the Secured Note has been exhausted, the Segregated Account has the ability to demand payment from time to time under an aggregate excess of loss reinsurance agreement provided by Ambac Assurance (the "Reinsurance Agreement") to pay claims and other liabilities. Ambac Assurance is not obligated to make payments on the Secured Note or under the Reinsurance Agreement if its surplus as regards to policyholders is (or would be) less than $100,000, or such higher amount as the OCI permits pursuant to a prescribed accounting practice (the "Minimum Surplus Amount"). As long as the surplus as regards to policyholders is not less than the Minimum Surplus Amount, payments by the general account of Ambac Assurance (the "General Account") to the Segregated Account under the Reinsurance Agreement are not capped. There is no Wisconsin insurance fund available to pay claims. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Operation for the Segregated Account, assets and investments, if any, allocated to the Segregated Account will be available and used solely to satisfy costs, expenses, charges, and liabilities attributable to the items allocated to the Segregated Account. Such assets and investments, if any, will not be charged with any costs, expenses, charges, or liabilities arising out of any other business of Ambac Assurance, except as otherwise provided in the Secured Note or the Reinsurance Agreement. Likewise, assets and investments in the General Account will ultimately not be charged with any costs, expenses, charges, or liabilities arising out of the direct business allocated to the Segregated Account, except as otherwise provided in the Secured Note or the Cooperation Agreement. The Secured Note is subject to mandatory prepayment on demand in an amount equal to (i) the cash portion of claim liabilities, loss settlements, commutations and purchases of Segregated Account Policies (or related insured obligations) due and payable by the Segregated Account ("Segregated Account Policy Cash Payments"), amounts due and payable by the Segregated Account arising out of the non-policy obligations allocated thereto, and any cash interest payment and cash principal repayment under any surplus notes issued by the Segregated Account ("Segregated Account Surplus Notes") in connection with any of the foregoing, provided in each case such amounts due and payable are in accordance with the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan (as defined below) and not otherwise disapproved by the Rehabilitator plus (ii) amounts due and payable by the Segregated Account in respect of specified administrative expenses of the Segregated Account plus (iii) other amounts directed to be paid by the rehabilitator of the Segregated Account in conjunction with the rehabilitation proceeding, minus (iv) the amount of the Segregated Account's liquid assets as determined by the Segregated Account. In addition, if an event of default occurs under the Secured Note, the Segregated Account is entitled to accelerate the outstanding principal amount due under the Secured Note. Interest on the Secured Note accrues at the rate of 4.5% per annum, and accrued interest will be added to principal quarterly. Ambac Assurance has secured its obligations under the Secured Note and the Reinsurance Agreement by granting to the Segregated Account a security interest in all of Ambac Assurance's right, title and interest in installment premiums received in respect of the Segregated Account Policies; reinsurance premiums received in respect of assumed reinsurance agreements with respect to which the liabilities of Ambac Assurance have been allocated to the Segregated Account; recoveries under third party reinsurance agreements in respect of the Segregated Account Policies; and any recoveries arising from remediation efforts or reimbursement or collection rights with respect to policies allocated to the Segregated Account, which amounted to $335,178 at December 31, 2011. Pursuant to the Secured Note, Ambac Assurance has made certain covenants to the Segregated Account, including covenants that Ambac Assurance will not, (i) without the Segregated Account's consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), amend its investment policies if doing so would have a material adverse effect on Ambac Assurance's ability to perform its obligations under the Secured Note, the Reinsurance Agreement and the documents relating thereto or under any other material agreement to which it is a party, (ii) without the prior approval of the OCI, directly or indirectly make any distribution to its shareholder or redeem any of its securities and, (iii) without the Segregated Account's consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), enter into any transaction other than pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Ambac Assurance's business and which Ambac Assurance reasonably believes are fair and reasonable terms and provisions. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreement, Ambac Assurance has agreed to pay Segregated Account Policy Cash Payments, any cash interest payment and cash principal repayment under any Segregated Account Surplus Notes in connection with any of the foregoing and other amounts directed to be paid by the Rehabilitator, minus the amount of the Segregated Account's liquid assets as determined by the Segregated Account. Ambac Assurance's liability under the Reinsurance Agreement attaches only after all principal under the Secured Note has been paid. The Reinsurance Agreement contains the same covenants for the benefit of the Segregated Account as those that appear in the Secured Note, as described in the preceding paragraph. Policy obligations not allocated to the Segregated Account remain in the General Account, and such policies in the General Account are not subject to and, therefore, will not be directly impacted by the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan (as defined below). Ambac Assurance is not, itself, in rehabilitation proceedings. On October 8, 2010, the Rehabilitator filed a plan of rehabilitation for the Segregated Account (the "Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan") in the Rehabilitation Court. The Rehabilitation Court confirmed the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan on January 24, 2011. The effective date of the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan will be determined by the Rehabilitator. The Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan also makes permanent the injunctions issued by the Rehabilitation Court on March 24, 2010. The confirmed Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan provides that holders of permitted policy claims will receive 25% of their permitted claims in cash and 75% in surplus notes issued by the Segregated Account. The issuance of surplus notes by both Ambac Assurance, and by the Segregated Account as contemplated by the current Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan, could subject Ambac Assurance to the risk of deconsolidation from Ambac for tax purposes, which may also result in a Section 382 limitation with respect to Ambac Assurance's NOLs or an attribution of NOLs to Ambac, or could subject Ambac Assurance to the risk of recognizing significant cancellation of indebtedness income ("CODI"). Any of these consequences would likely have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account. As such, the Rehabilitator is considering substantial amendments to the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan and/or the initiation of rehabilitation proceedings with respect to Ambac Assurance. Such amendments to the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan (and, presumably, any rehabilitation plan with respect to Ambac Assurance) could include the elimination of the issuance of surplus notes by the Segregated Account and/or the imposition of transfer restrictions on any surplus notes issued by the Segregated Account. At December 31, 2011, the Segregated Account had outstanding Segregated Account Surplus Notes in an aggregate par amount of $53,000 ($50,000 issued in 2010 and $3,000 issued in March 2011), which have a scheduled maturity of June 7, 2020. These Segregated Account Surplus Notes were issued in connection with the commutation of insurance policies allocated to the Segregated Account. Interest on the Segregated Account Surplus Notes is payable annually in June at the rate of 5.1% on the unpaid principal balance outstanding. All payments of principal and interest on the Segregated Account Surplus Notes are subject to the prior approval of the OCI. If the OCI does not approve the payment of interest on the Segregated Account Surplus Notes, such interest will accrue and compound annually until paid. The Segregated Account Surplus Notes were issued pursuant to a fiscal agency agreement entered into with The Bank of New York Mellon, as fiscal agent. To the extent that interest payments are deferred for more than five years, a portion of the deferred interest may not be a tax deduction until paid or may be disallowed under the applicable high yield debt obligation provisions of the Code. In May 2011, the Segregated Account issued Segregated Account Junior Surplus Notes with a par value of $36,082 in connection with a settlement agreement (the "OSS Settlement Agreement") to terminate Ambac's existing headquarters office lease with OSS. The Junior Surplus Notes have a scheduled maturity of June 7, 2020. Interest on the Segregated Account Junior Surplus Notes is payable annually in June at the rate of 5.1% on the unpaid principal balance outstanding. No payment of interest on or principal of the Junior Surplus Notes may be made until all existing and future indebtedness of the Segregated Account, inclusive of Segregated Account Surplus Notes, policy claims and claims having statutory priority have been paid in full. All payments of principal and interest on the Segregated Account Junior Surplus Notes are subject to the prior approval of the OCI. If the OCI does not approve the payment of interest on the Segregated Account Junior Surplus Notes, such interest will accrue and compound annually until paid. The OSS Settlement Agreement settled all claims among Ambac, Ambac Assurance, the Segregated Account of Ambac Assurance and OSS relating to the terminated lease. Additionally, Ambac Assurance entered into a new lease (the "New Ambac Assurance Lease") with OSS for an initial term commencing on May 19, 2011 through December 31, 2015. The New Ambac Assurance Lease provides for the rental of a reduced amount of space at Ambac's current location, One State Street Plaza. The OSS Settlement Agreement also provides that OSS will have an allowed general unsecured claim in Ambac's bankruptcy case for approximately $14,000 (the "AFG Payment"). The AFG Payment will be made by Ambac in the same form as payment is made to Ambac's other creditors. Settlement Agreement On June 7, 2010, Ambac Assurance entered into a Settlement Agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") with the counterparties (the "Counterparties") to outstanding credit default swaps with Ambac Credit Products, LLC ("ACP") that were guaranteed by Ambac Assurance. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, in exchange for the termination of the Commuted CDO of ABS Obligations (as defined below), Ambac Assurance paid to the Counterparties in the aggregate (i) $2,600,000 in cash and (ii) $2,000,000 in principal amount of newly issued surplus notes of Ambac Assurance (the "Ambac Assurance Surplus Notes"). In addition, effective June 7, 2010, the outstanding credit default swaps with the Counterparties remaining in the General Account of Ambac Assurance have been amended to remove certain events of default and termination events, as set forth in the Settlement Agreement. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Ambac Assurance filed an amendment to its articles of incorporation. Under such amendment, at least one-third (and, in any event, not less than three members) of the board of directors of Ambac Assurance must be Unaffiliated Qualified Directors (as defined in the Settlement Agreement). If at any time Ambac Assurance does not have the requisite number of Unaffiliated Qualified Directors, Ambac Assurance has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to find additional Unaffiliated Qualified Directors. The Settlement Agreement includes covenants that remain in force until the Ambac Assurance Surplus Notes have been redeemed, repurchased or repaid in full. These covenants generally restrict the operations of Ambac Assurance and its subsidiaries to runoff activities. Certain of these restrictions may be waived with the approval of a majority of the Unaffiliated Qualified Directors and/or the OCI. However, other restrictions may only be waived with the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Ambac Assurance Surplus Notes (excluding any notes held by Ambac Assurance or its affiliates) that cast a ballot and, in certain cases, with the approval of all of the Counterparties. Pursuant to a commutation agreement entered into with each of the Counterparties that is a party to credit default swaps written by ACP with respect to certain CDO of ABS obligations and related financial guarantee insurance policies written by Ambac Assurance with respect to ACP's obligations thereunder, Ambac Assurance and ACP commuted all of such obligations (the "Commuted CDO of ABS Obligations"), totaling $16,542,575 of par. In addition to the commutation of the Commuted CDO of ABS Obligations, in 2010, Ambac Assurance has also commuted for $96,518 of cash certain additional obligations, including certain non-CDO of ABS obligations, to the Counterparties with par or notional amounting to $1,406,544. Ambac Assurance commuted another CDO of ABS transaction in 2010 in an amount equal to its remaining par value of $90,000. Each of the Counterparties, in the aggregate and Ambac Assurance, ACP and Ambac, in the aggregate, have released the other party from any claims relating to any credit default swaps or financial guarantee insurance policies commuted pursuant to the Commutation Agreements. In addition, Ambac Assurance, ACP and Ambac, in the aggregate, and a Counterparty have generally released the other parties from any claims relating to actions taken or omitted to be taken prior to June 7, 2010, subject to certain exceptions. Impact of Settlement Agreement and Segregated Account Rehabilitation Proceeding on Ambac Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Ambac Assurance issued Ambac Assurance Surplus Notes to the Counterparties. In addition, the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan, which has been confirmed by the Rehabilitation Court but is not yet effective and remains subject to change, contemplates that the Segregated Account will issue Segregated Account Surplus Notes (together with the Ambac Assurance Surplus Notes, the "Surplus Notes") to pay a portion of the claims of the Segregated Account. The aggregate par value of the Surplus Notes issued by Ambac Assurance is substantial and will be substantially greater if Segregated Account Surplus Notes are issued under the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan. The Surplus Notes rank senior to Ambac's equity investment in Ambac Assurance. There is residual value to Ambac in Ambac Assurance only to the extent that funds remain at Ambac Assurance after the payment of claims under outstanding financial guarantee policies and the redemption, repurchase or repayment in full of the Surplus Notes, Ambac Assurance's auction market preferred shares and any junior surplus notes issued by the Segregated Account. The value of Ambac's equity investment in Ambac Assurance is difficult to estimate, and will primarily depend on the performance of Ambac Assurance's insured portfolio (i.e., the ultimate losses therein relative to its claims paying resources), ongoing remediation efforts of Ambac Assurance with respect to policies allocated to the Segregated Account, including those relating to residential mortgage-backed securities, and on other factors, including Ambac Assurance's ability to repurchase Surplus Notes and its auction market preferred shares at less than their face value. In addition, the Rehabilitator of the Segregated Account retains significant decision-making authority with respect to the Segregated Account and has the discretion to oversee and approve certain actions taken by Ambac Assurance in respect of assets and liabilities which remain in Ambac Assurance, and such decisions will be made by the Rehabilitator for the benefit of policyholders and the Rehabilitator will not take into account the interests of securityholders of Ambac. Actions taken by the Rehabilitator could further reduce the equity value of Ambac Assurance. Tax Treatment of Surplus Notes It is possible that the Surplus Notes may be characterized as equity of Ambac Assurance for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Surplus Notes are characterized as equity of Ambac Assurance and it is determined the Surplus Notes represent more than 20% of the total value of the stock of Ambac Assurance, Ambac Assurance may no longer be characterized as an includable corporation that is affiliated with Ambac. As a result, Ambac Assurance may no longer be characterized as a member of the U.S. federal income tax consolidated group of which Ambac is the common parent (the "Ambac Consolidated Group") and Ambac Assurance would be required to file a separate consolidated tax return as the common parent of a new U.S. federal income tax consolidated group including Ambac Assurance, as the new common parent, and Ambac Assurance's subsidiaries (the "Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group"). To the extent Ambac Assurance is no longer a member of the Ambac Consolidated Group, the Ambac Assurance NOL (and certain other available tax attributes of Ambac Assurance and the other members of the Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group) may no longer be available for use by Ambac or any of the remaining members of the Ambac Consolidated Group to reduce the U.S. federal income tax liabilities of the Ambac Consolidated Group. This could result in a material increase in future tax liabilities of Ambac Consolidated Group. In addition, certain other benefits resulting from U.S. federal income tax consolidation may no longer be available to the Ambac Consolidated Group, including certain favorable rules relating to transactions occurring between members of the Company Consolidated Tax Group and members of the Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group. If the Surplus Notes are characterized as equity of Ambac Assurance and it is determined the Surplus Notes represent more than 50% of the total value of the stock of Ambac Assurance, the Ambac Assurance NOL (and certain other tax attributes or tax benefits of the Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group) may be subject to limitation, including the limitation provided by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If Section 382 were applicable with respect to the Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group, in general, the Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group annual use of the group's NOL may be limited to an amount equal to the product of (i) the value of the Ambac Assurance Consolidated Tax Group's stock and (ii) the applicable federal long-term tax exempt interest rate. However, certain exemptions to the Code Section 382 limitation may be applicable. Ambac UK Pursuant to the Amended and Restated 1997 Reinsurance Agreement between Ambac UK and Ambac Assurance (the "AUK Reinsurance Agreement"), Ambac Assurance reinsured substantially all of the liabilities under policies issued by Ambac UK. On March 24, 2010, Ambac Assurance's liabilities under the AUK Reinsurance Agreement were allocated to the Segregated Account. On September 28, 2010, Ambac Assurance entered into a Commutation and Release Agreement (the "AUK Commutation Agreement") with Ambac UK and the Special Deputy Commissioner of OCI, pursuant to which the AUK Reinsurance Agreement was commuted and other capital support arrangements between Ambac Assurance and Ambac UK were terminated. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods' amounts to conform to the current period's presentation.

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