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Background and Basis of Presentation | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012
Background and Basis of Presentation | 1. Background and Basis of Presentation These unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (“Ambac” or the “Company”), headquartered in New York City, is a financial services holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware. Ambac was incorporated on April 29, 1991. On November 8, 2010, 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 Fifth Amended Plan of Reorganization on March 12, 2012 (such Fifth Amended Plan of Reorganization, as it may be amended, the “Reorganization Plan”). The Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Reorganization Plan on March 14, 2012. Under the Reorganization Plan, Ambac’s debt holders and other creditors will receive all of the equity in the reorganized company. Therefore, if the Reorganization Plan is consummated, our existing common stock will be cancelled and extinguished and the holders thereof would not be entitled to receive, and would not receive or retain, any value on account of such equity interests. 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. Segregated Account of Ambac Assurance Corporation Ambac Assurance Corporation (“Ambac Assurance”) is Ambac’s principal operating subsidiary. Ambac Assurance is a financial guarantee insurer that 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 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. Net par exposure as of September 30, 2012 for policies allocated to the Segregated Account was $30,450,626. Ambac Assurance is not, itself, in rehabilitation proceedings. In 2010, Ambac Assurance issued a $2,000,000 secured note due in 2050 (the “Secured Note”) to the Segregated Account. Interest on the Secured Note accrues at the rate of 4.5% per annum, and accrued interest will be added to principal quarterly. 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 $897,248 at September 30, 2012, 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 less than $100,000 (the “Minimum Surplus Amount”). As long as the surplus as regards to policyholders is not less than the Minimum Surplus Amount, payments by Ambac Assurance to the Segregated Account under the Reinsurance Agreement are not capped. 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 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 in conjunction with the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Proceedings, 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. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreement, Ambac Assurance has agreed to pay Segregated Account Policy Cash Payments, any cash interest or principal payment under any Segregated Account Surplus Notes 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. On October 8, 2010, the Rehabilitator filed a plan of rehabilitation for the Segregated Account (the “Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan”) in the Circuit Court of Dane County, Wisconsin in which the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Proceedings are pending (the “Rehabilitation Court”). The Rehabilitation Court confirmed the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan on January 24, 2011. The confirmed Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan also makes permanent the injunctions issued by the Rehabilitation Court on March 24, 2010. The Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan has not been made effective and is subject to modification. The Rehabilitator may seek to effectuate the current Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan or modify such Plan, or may seek orders from the Rehabilitation Court to allow for the payment of policy claims in such manner and at such times as the Rehabilitator determines to be in the best interest of policyholders. Effective as of March 24, 2010 claims payments on policies allocated to the Segregated Account had been enjoined pursuant to an order of the Rehabilitation Court. However, on May 16, 2012, the Rehabilitator filed a motion seeking approval from the Rehabilitation Court to make partial interim policy claim payments to Segregated Account policyholders. A hearing in the Rehabilitation Court relating to such motion was held on June 4, 2012, and on that date the Rehabilitation Court approved the motion. On August 1, 2012, the Rehabilitator promulgated Rules Governing the Submission, Processing and Partial Payment of Policy Claims in Accordance with the June 4, 2012 Interim Cash Payment Order (the “Policy Claim Rules”), and filed such document with the Rehabilitation Court, to inform Segregated Account policyholders as to the process governing the submission and approval of policy claims. In accordance with the Policy Claim Rules, with effect from August 1, 2012, holders of policies allocated to the Segregated Account were, and are, allowed to submit policy claims for review and partial payment equating to 25% of the permitted policy claim amount. The Rehabilitator has also filed with the Rehabilitation Court special policy claim rules regarding the policy insuring the bonds issued in connection with the Las Vegas Monorail project. No decision has been announced with respect to effectuating or amending the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan or whether surplus notes will be issued with respect to the remaining balance of unpaid claims. The Rehabilitator has previously announced that more specific information regarding the status of the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan, including possible modifications, will be provided as soon as appropriate. If surplus notes were eliminated from the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan (and other securities or instruments were not issued in their place), then the portion of permitted claims on policies allocated to the Segregated Account that have not been paid in cash would remain unsatisfied obligations of the Segregated Account. Such obligations may or may not accrue interest according to the terms of the modified Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan. If the portion of permitted claims on policies allocated to the Segregated Account that have not been paid in cash was left unsatisfied, then such a change with respect to the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan could result in a material change in our financial results. On August 17, 2012, the Rehabilitator filed two motions with the Rehabilitation Court relating to policies allocated to the Segregated Account and issued in connection with residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). The first motion (the “Injunction Scope Motion”) sought to confirm the scope of the relief issued by the Rehabilitation Court under its March 24, 2010 Order for Temporary Injunctive Relief, as supplemented by its November 8, 2010 Order for Temporary Supplemental Injunctive Relief and made permanent by its January 24, 2011 Decision and Final Order Confirming the Rehabilitator’s Plan of Rehabilitation (the “Injunction”). On September 12, 2012, the Rehabilitation Court approved by order the Injunction Scope Motion, confirming that one of the effects of the Injunction is to prevent Ambac Assurance and the Segregated Account from losing any rights to obtain relief for counterparties’ breaches of the transaction documents relating to RMBS and to prohibit counterparties to such transaction documents from taking any actions to prevent or attempt to prevent Ambac Assurance and/or the Segregated Account from exercising or enforcing any rights (including the right to demand repurchases of certain non-compliant loans), interests and/or claims pursuant to these transaction documents due to the existence of the rehabilitation proceedings and/or the occurrence of any acts taken or not taken or authorized to be taken pursuant thereto. The second motion (the “RMBS Settlement Motion”) sought the Rehabilitation Court’s approval of the process that the Rehabilitator intends to use in connection with evaluating and approving possible settlements of existing and potential claims and lawsuits of the Segregated Account and/or Ambac Assurance in connection with Segregated Account policies relating to RMBS (“RMBS Remediation Claims”). On October 5, 2012, the Rehabilitation Court approved by order the RMBS Settlement Motion, confirming, among other things, that the Rehabilitator and the Segregated Account are authorized to enter into and effectuate settlements of RMBS Remediation Claims without requiring Rehabilitation Court prior approval, in accordance with the Rehabilitator’s broad powers and discretion under Wisconsin insurance statute. At September 30, 2012, insurance liabilities for policies allocated to the Segregated Account were $6,596,843. At September 30, 2012, Ambac Assurance’s surplus as regards to policyholders is at the Minimum Surplus Amount and therefore $296,018 of the Segregated Account’s insurance liabilities were not assumed by Ambac Assurance under the Reinsurance Agreement. In the event that Ambac Assurance does not generate future surplus in the amount of insurance liabilities not assumed under the Reinsurance Agreement because of the applicability of the Minimum Surplus Amount, the Segregated Account would experience a shortfall in funds available to pay its liabilities to the extent that such liabilities exceed amounts available under the Secured Note and Reinsurance Agreement. This shortfall will be a consideration for the Rehabilitator in the determination of whether any changes to the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan and/or the amount of partial policy claim payments are necessary or appropriate, or whether to institute general rehabilitation proceedings against Ambac Assurance. The deterioration of Ambac Assurance’s financial condition resulting from losses in its insured portfolio caused downgrades, and ultimately withdrawals 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. 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, the terms of its Auction Market Preferred Shares (“AMPS”) and by the terms of the Settlement Agreement entered into on June 7, 2010 by Ambac, Ambac Assurance, Ambac Credit Products, LLC (“ACP”) and counterparties to outstanding credit default swaps with ACP (the “Settlement Agreement”). Based on such restrictions and circumstances, it is highly unlikely that Ambac Assurance will be able to make dividend payments to Ambac for the foreseeable future. Chapter 11 Reorganization The Reorganization Plan 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 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. 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. Pursuant to the Amended Plan Settlement, (i) the Company, Ambac Assurance and certain affiliates entered into an amended and restated tax sharing agreement (the “Amended TSA”), (ii) the Company, Ambac Assurance and certain affiliates entered into an expense sharing and cost allocation agreement (the “Cost Allocation Agreement”) and (iii) the Company, Ambac Assurance, the Segregated Account and OCI entered into an amendment (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 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. The Cost Allocation Agreement provides for the allocation of costs and expenses among the Company, Ambac Assurance and certain affiliates. 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 United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) described in Note 12. The Cooperation Agreement Amendment provides for the Rehabilitator to have certain rights with respect to the tax positions taken by the Company as well as the loss reserves, investments and operating actions of Ambac Assurance. The Amended Plan Settlement, Mediation Agreement, Amended TSA, Cost Allocation Agreement and Cooperation Agreement Amendment collectively memorialize the settlement of certain claims among the Company and Ambac Assurance, OCI and the Segregated Account, and contain 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. 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 12) shall have become effective; (vii) the terms of the IRS Settlement (as defined in Note 12) 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) $30,000 shall have been paid or paid into escrow by Ambac Assurance 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. Of the conditions enumerated above, the following have been satisfied: (i); (vi); (x); (xi); (xii) and (xiii). Furthermore, on June 14, 2012, the Rehabilitation Court entered an order authorizing the Rehabilitator and the Segregated Account to proceed with the IRS Settlement. There can be no assurance about whether or when the remaining conditions will be met. On September 27, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “NOL Order”), amending and restating an order entered on November 30, 2010, establishing procedures for certain transfers or acquisitions of equity interests in and claims (including debt securities) against the Company to maximize the possibility that the “ownership change” as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (an “Ownership Change”) that will occur upon consummation of the Reorganization Plan will qualify for the special exception to the limitations under Section 382(a) for Ownership Changes occurring as a result of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization (the “Section 382(l)(5) Plan Exception”). Ambac’s ability to use its NOLs could be substantially limited if there were an Ownership Change that does not qualify for the Section 382(l)(5) Plan Exception. 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 (including to creditors under the Reorganization Plan), merger and acquisition activity or normal market trading. The NOL Order generally restricts investors from acquiring Ambac stock if after any such acquisition a holder would beneficially own at least 13,500,000 shares of Ambac stock. The NOL Order also generally restricts investors from transferring or acquiring claims (including debt securities) if after any such transfer or acquisition a holder would beneficially own claims that could result in such holder receiving stock in reorganized Ambac pursuant to the terms of the Reorganization Plan with a value equal to or greater than 4.5% of the value of the stock of reorganized Ambac. Pursuant to the NOL Order, Ambac may obtain one or more orders from the Bankruptcy Court to enforce these restrictions by requiring investors to sell their stock or claims so that their holdings comply with the limitations imposed by the NOL Order. The NOL Order also contains equity forfeiture provisions that will limit stock distributions to be made upon effectiveness of the Reorganization Plan to any claimholder that fails to adhere to the NOL Order and the restrictions prescribed therein. The Bankruptcy Court will retain jurisdiction to enforce the NOL Order after Ambac emergences from its Chapter 11 proceeding. Furthermore, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company that will take effect upon emergence contains similar provisions restricting stock transfers to mitigate the possibility of an Ownership Change. On October 25, 2012, the Company received an IRS private letter ruling confirming that, based on the procedures and limitations imposed by the NOL Order (including the equity forfeiture provisions) and on the other facts and representations set forth therein, the Ownership Change that will occur upon consummation of the Plan of Reorganization qualifies for the Section 382(l)(5) Plan Exception. 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 transfer of servicing on transaction collateral, 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. Ambac is also exploring the possibility of entering into new businesses, apart from Ambac Assurance and Everspan Financial Guarantee Corp., as it prepares to emerge from bankruptcy. The execution of Ambac’s principal 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 September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 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 $31,459 at September 30, 2012 (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. Management believes that Ambac will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy its needs until it emerges from the bankruptcy proceeding; however, no assurance can be given regarding 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.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the business description and basis of presentation concepts. Business description describes the nature and type of organization including but not limited to organizational structure as may be applicable to holding companies, parent and subsidiary relationships, business divisions, business units, business segments, affiliates and information about significant ownership of the reporting entity. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). + References No definition available. + Details
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