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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Ambac’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Such estimates that are particularly susceptible to change are used in connection with certain fair value measurements, the evaluation of other than temporary impairments on investments, loss reserves for non-derivative insurance policies, the evaluation of the need for an impairment of goodwill or valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset, any of which individually could be material. Reorganization: Entities operating in bankruptcy and expecting to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code are subject to the additional accounting and financial reporting guidance under the Reorganization Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC”). While the Reorganization Topic of the ASC provides specific guidance for certain matters, other portions of GAAP continue to apply so long as the guidance does not conflict with the Reorganization Topic of the ASC. This accounting literature provides guidance for periods subsequent to a Chapter 11 filing, among other things, the presentation of liabilities that are and are not subject to compromise pursuant to the bankruptcy proceedings, as well as the treatment of interest expense and presentation of costs associated with the proceedings. For the purpose of presenting an entity’s financial condition, the financial statements for periods including and after filing the Chapter 11 petition shall distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Under the Reorganization Topic of the ASC, the Company determined that fresh start financial statement reporting was to be applied upon our emergence from Chapter 11 because (i) the reorganization value (further described in Note 3. Fresh Start Financial Statement Reporting) of the emerging entity was less than total post-petition liabilities and allowed claims, and (ii) the holders of existing voting shares immediately before the confirmation of the Reorganization Plan received less than 50% of the voting shares of the emerging entity. Specifically, fresh start reporting was applied upon confirmation of the Reorganization Plan by the Bankruptcy Court and the satisfaction of the remaining material contingencies necessary to complete implementation of the Reorganization Plan. All conditions required for the adoption of fresh start reporting were satisfied by the Company on April 30, 2013 (“Fresh Start Reporting Date”) when Ambac executed a closing agreement with the United States Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") to conclude the settlement of a dispute. As such, fresh start financial statement reporting ("Fresh Start") was adopted by the Company on April 30, 2013, incorporating, among other things, the discharge of debt obligations, issuance of new common stock and fair value adjustments. Adopting Fresh Start results in a new reporting entity with no beginning retained earnings or accumulated deficit. For periods after the Fresh Start Reporting Date, the Company will be referred to as Successor Ambac, whereas for all periods as of and preceding the Fresh Start Reporting Date, the Company will be referred to as Predecessor Ambac. Presentation of information for Successor Ambac represents the financial position and results of operations of Successor Ambac and is not comparable to Predecessor Ambac financial statements. The implementation of fresh start reporting is further described in Note 3. Fresh Start Financial Statement Reporting. Reorganization items: Professional advisory fees and other costs directly associated with our reorganization are reported separately as reorganization items pursuant to the Reorganizations Topic of the ASC. Reorganization items also include adjustments to reflect the carrying value of certain pre-petition liabilities at their allowable claim amounts, gain on the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise and fresh start reporting adjustments. The reorganization items in the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) consisted of the following items:
| Successor Ambac |  |  | Predecessor Ambac
|  |  |  |  | Period from May 1 |  |  | Period from Jan 1
| Year Ended December 31, |  | through |  |  | through
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | December 31, 2013 |  |  | April 30, 2013
U.S. Trustee fees | $ | — |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | $ | 33 |  |  |  | $ | 23 |
Professional fees | — |  |  | 204 |  |  | 460 |  |  |  | 4,483 |
Gain from cancellation and satisfaction of Predecessor Ambac debt | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  | (1,521,435 | )
Fresh start reporting adjustments | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  |  | (1,228,251 | )
Total reorganization items | $ | — |  |  | $ | 211 |  |  | $ | 493 |  |  |  | $ | (2,745,180 | )
Ambac Unconsolidated Financial Information: Financial information of Ambac is presented in Schedule II to this Form 10-K as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ambac and all other entities in which Ambac (directly or through its subsidiaries) has a controlling financial interest, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which Ambac or an Ambac subsidiary is deemed the primary beneficiary in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist in entities, such as VIEs, through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has both the following characteristics: a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. An entity that is deemed the primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. A VIE is an entity: a) that lacks enough equity investment at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties; or b) where the group of equity holders does not have: (1) the power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (2) the obligation to absorb the entity’s expected losses; or (3) the right to receive the entity’s expected residual returns. The determination of whether a variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary involves performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE that includes, among other factors, its capital structure, contractual terms including the rights of each variable interest holder, the activities of the VIE, whether the variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, whether the variable interest holder has the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. Refer to Note 4. Special Purpose Entities, Including Variable Interest Entities, for a detailed discussion of Ambac’s involvement in VIEs, Ambac’s methodology for determining whether Ambac is required to consolidate a VIE and the effects of VIEs being consolidated. Goodwill: At the Fresh Start Reporting Date, we revalued our assets and liabilities to current estimated fair value. The excess reorganization value which could not be attributed to the fair value of specific identified tangible and intangible assets ("fair value of net assets") was recorded as goodwill. Pursuant to the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment testing. We test goodwill for impairment as of October 1 st of each year. Goodwill is also tested more frequently if indicators of impairment exist for each reporting unit. The Company has an option to first assess qualitative factors, in their totality, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a goodwill impairment test. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is required to perform the goodwill impairment test. Alternatively, we may bypass this qualitative assessment and perform step one of the goodwill impairment test described below. Goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step approach. In step one of the goodwill impairment test, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value is in excess of the carrying amount, including goodwill, the reporting unit’s goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If the carrying amount, including goodwill, of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In step two of the goodwill impairment test, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination and is defined as the excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the fair value of the net assets of a reporting unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess. If the carrying amount of goodwill is less than its implied fair value, no goodwill impairment is recognized. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level. We have identified two reporting units of Ambac: (1) Financial Guarantee, which provides financial guarantees (including credit derivatives) for public finance, structured finance and other obligations; and (2) Financial Services, which provides investment agreements, funding conduits, and interest rate swaps, principally to clients of the financial guarantee business. These reporting units are also the sole operating segments which make up the Financial Guarantee and Financial Services reportable segments, respectively, as further described in Note 19. Segment Information. We have assigned assets and liabilities to each reporting unit based on specific identification. In evaluating which reporting units should be assigned goodwill, we considered the sources of Ambac’s estimated enterprise value at the Fresh Start Reporting Date, as further described in Note 3. Fresh Start Financial Statement Reporting. Based on that analysis, we have assigned all goodwill recorded at the Fresh Start Reporting Date to the Financial Guarantee reporting unit. During the September 30, 2015 reporting period, Ambac determined sufficient indicators of potential impairment existed to perform an interim goodwill impairment evaluation. These indicators included the recent trading values of Ambac stock and changes in Ambac credit spreads. In conducting the goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2015, we performed step one of the goodwill impairment test for the Financial Guarantee reporting unit. We estimated the fair value of the Financial Guarantee reporting unit using a market approach, which is derived using: i) Ambac’s common stock and warrant market capitalization, ii) fair value estimates of Ambac Assurance preferred shares (reported as noncontrolling interests on Ambac's balance sheet) and iii) an estimated control premium. Step one of the impairment test indicated the Financial Guarantee reporting unit's carrying value exceeded its fair value. Accordingly, Ambac performed step two of the impairment test as of September 30, 2015, which indicated the implied fair value of goodwill was zero. This was the result of substantial decreases in the Financial Guarantee reporting unit's fair value and substantial increases in the fair value of its net assets. The fair value of the Financial Guarantee reporting unit decreased significantly due to a material decrease in Ambac's market capitalization components (described above). The Financial Guarantee reporting unit's fair value of net assets increased significantly primarily as a result of a decrease in the estimated fair value of financial guarantee liabilities and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in the fair value of long-term debt. The fair value decrease in financial guarantee liabilities, which is a Level 3 estimate, was primarily driven by wider Ambac credit spreads and positive loss and loss expense reserves development. Please refer to Note 10. Fair Value Measurements for further discussion on the fair value model for financial guarantee liabilities. The fair value decrease in long-term debt was driven by lower market pricing on surplus notes and junior surplus notes. As a result, the Company recorded a full non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge of $514,511 at September 30, 2015. The following is a summary of activity in goodwill that was all assigned to the Financial Guarantee reporting unit:
December 31 | 2015 |  | 2014
Beginning balance | $ | 514,511 |  |  | $ | 514,511 |
Impairment loss | (514,511 | ) |  | — |
Ending balance | $ | — |  |  | $ | 514,511 |
Restricted Cash: Cash that we do not have the right to use for general purposes is recorded as restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheets. Restricted cash includes consolidated variable interest entity cash restricted to fund the obligations of the consolidated VIEs. Net Income Per Share: Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, inclusive of unsettled vested restricted stock units. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. All dilutive potential common shares outstanding consider common stock deliverable pursuant to warrants issued under the Reorganization Plan and those pursuant to stock options and non-vested restricted and performance stock units. Net Premiums Earned: Gross premiums are received either upfront (typical of public finance obligations) or in installments (typical of structured finance obligations). For premiums received upfront, an unearned premium revenue (“UPR”) liability is established, which is initially recorded as the cash amount received. For installment premium transactions, a premium receivable asset and offsetting UPR liability is initially established in an amount equal to: (i) the present value of future contractual premiums due (the “contractual” method) or (ii) if the underlying insured obligation is a homogenous pool of assets which are contractually prepayable, the present value of premiums to be collected over the expected life of the transaction (the “expected” method). An appropriate risk-free rate corresponding to the weighted average life of each policy and currency is used to discount the future premiums contractually due or expected to be collected. For example, U.S. dollar exposures are discounted using U.S. Treasury rates while exposures denominated in a foreign currency are discounted using the appropriate risk-free rate for the respective currency. The weighted average risk-free rate at December 31, 2015 and 2014, was 2.7%. and 2.7%, respectively, and the weighted average period of future premiums used to estimate the premium receivable at December 31, 2015 and 2014, was 9.2 years and 10.1 years, respectively. Insured obligations consisting of homogeneous pools for which Ambac uses expected future premiums to estimate the premium receivable and UPR include residential mortgage-backed securities. As prepayment assumptions change for homogenous pool transactions, or if there is an actual prepayment for a “contractual” method installment transaction, the related premium receivable and UPR are adjusted in equal and offsetting amounts with no immediate effect on earnings using new premium cash flows and the then current risk-free rate. For both upfront and installment premium policies, premium revenues are earned over the life of the financial guarantee contract in proportion to the insured principal amount outstanding at each reporting date (referred to as the level-yield method). For installment paying policies, the premium receivable discount, equating to the difference between the undiscounted future installment premiums and the present value of future installment premiums, is accreted as premiums earned in proportion to the premium receivable balance at each reporting date. Similar to gross premiums, premiums ceded to reinsurers are paid either upfront or in installments. For premiums paid upfront, a deferred ceded premium asset is established which is initially recorded as the cash amount paid. For installment premiums, a ceded installment premiums payable liability and offsetting deferred ceded premium asset are initially established in an amount equal to: i) the present value of future contractual premiums due or, ii) if the underlying insured obligation is a homogenous pool of assets which are contractually pre-payable, the present value of expected premiums to be paid over the life of the transaction. An appropriate risk-free rate corresponding to the weighted average life of each policy and exposure currency is used to discount the future premiums contractually due or expected to be collected. Premiums ceded to reinsurers reduce the amount of premiums earned by Ambac from its financial guarantee insurance policies. For both up-front and installment premiums, ceded premiums written are primarily recognized in earnings in proportion to and at the same time as the related gross premium revenue is recognized. For premiums paid to reinsurers on an installment basis, Ambac records the present value of future ceding commissions as an offset to ceded premiums payable, using the same assumptions noted above for installment premiums. When a bond issue insured by Ambac Assurance has been retired, including those retirements due to refundings or calls, any remaining UPR is recognized at that time to the extent the financial guarantee contract is legally extinguished, causing accelerated premium revenue. For installment premium paying transactions, we offset the recognition of any remaining UPR by the reduction of the related premium receivable to zero (as it will not be collected as a result of the retirement), which may cause negative accelerated premium revenue. Certain obligations insured by Ambac have been legally defeased whereby government securities are purchased by the issuer with the proceeds of a new bond issuance, or less frequently with other funds of the issuer, and held in escrow (a pre-refunding). The principal and interest received from the escrowed securities are then used to retire the Ambac-insured obligations at a future date either to their maturity date or a specified call date. Ambac has evaluated the provisions in certain financial guarantee insurance policies issued on legally defeased obligations and determined those insurance policies have not been legally extinguished and, therefore, premium revenue recognition has not been accelerated. For policies with refunding securities, premium revenue recognition is not impacted as the escrowed maturity date is the same as the previous legal maturity date. For policies with pre-refunding securities, the maturity date of the pre-refunded security has been shortened from its previous legal maturity. Although premium revenue recognition has not been accelerated in the period of the pre-refunding, it results in an increase in the rate at which the policy's remaining UPR is to be recognized. Loss Reserves: The loss and loss expense reserve (“loss reserve”) policy for financial guarantee insurance relates only to Ambac’s non-derivative insurance business for insurance policies issued to beneficiaries, including unconsolidated VIEs. Loss reserves are based upon estimates of the ultimate aggregate losses inherent in the non-derivative financial guarantee portfolio as of the reporting date. The policy for derivative contracts is discussed in the “Derivative Contracts” section below. A loss reserve is recorded on the balance sheet on a policy-by-policy basis. Loss reserve components of an insurance policy include (a) unpaid claims and (b) the present value ("PV") of estimated expected future losses, net of expected future recoveries, required to be paid under an insurance contract, further described below:
• | Unpaid claims represent the sum of (i) claims not yet paid for policies allocated to the Segregated Account, including Deferred Amounts (as defined in Note 1. Background and Business Description) and (ii) accrued interest on Deferred Amounts (generally at an effective rate of 5.1%.) as required by the amended Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan that became effective on June 12, 2014. Refer to Note 1. Background and Business Description for further discussion of the amended Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan. Unpaid claims are measured based on the cost of settling the claims, which is principal plus accrued interest.
• | The PV of expected future losses, net of expected future recoveries, are impacted by: (i) expected future claims under an insurance contract, including the impact of potential settlement outcomes upon future installment premiums, (ii) expected recoveries from contractual breaches of RMBS representations and warranties by transaction sponsors, (iii) excess spread within the underlying transaction's cash flow structure, and (iv) other subrogation recoveries. Expected receipts from third parties within the underlying transaction's cash flow structure relating to contractual breaches in non-RMBS securitizations may also reduce expected future claims. Ambac’s approach to resolving disputes involving contractual breaches by transaction sponsors or other third parties has included negotiations and/or pursuing litigation. Ambac does not include potential recoveries from litigation attributed solely to fraudulent inducement claims in our estimate of subrogation recoveries, since any remedies under such claims would be non-contractual.
Net cash outflow policies represent contracts where the sum of unpaid claims plus the PV of expected future losses are greater than the PV of expected future recoveries. For such policies, a “Loss and loss expense reserves” liability is recorded for the sum of these net cash outflows in excess of UPR. Net cash inflow policies represent contracts where losses have been paid, but not yet recovered, such that the PV of expected recoveries are greater than the sum of unpaid claims plus the PV of expected future losses. For such policies, a “Subrogation recoverable” asset is recorded for the sum of these net cash inflows. The approaches used to estimate expected future losses and recoveries considers the likelihood of all possible outcomes. The evaluation process for determining expected losses is subject to certain judgments based on our assumptions regarding the probability of default by the issuer of the insured security, probability of settlement outcomes (which may include commutation settlements, refinancing and/or other settlement outcomes) and expected severity of credits for each insurance contract. Ambac’s loss reserves are based on management’s on-going review of the financial guarantee credit portfolio. Active surveillance of the insured portfolio enables Ambac’s Portfolio Risk Management ("PRM") group to track credit migration of insured obligations from period to period and update internal classifications and credit ratings for each transaction. Non-adversely classified credits are assigned a Class I or Survey List (“SL”) rating while adversely classified credits are assigned a rating of Class IA through Class V. The criteria for an exposure to be assigned an adversely classified credit rating includes the deterioration of an issuer’s financial condition, underperformance of the underlying collateral (for collateral dependent transactions such as mortgage-backed or student loan securitizations), poor performance by the servicer of the underlying collateral and other adverse economic events or trends. The servicer of the underlying collateral of an insured securitization transaction is a consideration in assessing credit quality because the servicer’s performance can directly impact the performance of the related issue. For example, a servicer of a mortgage-backed securitization that does not remain current in its collection loss mitigation efforts could cause an increase in the delinquency and potential default of the underlying obligation. Similarly, loss severities increase when a servicer does not effectively handle loss mitigation activities such as (i) the advancing of delinquent principal and interest and of default related expenses which are deemed to be recoverable by the servicer, (ii) pursuit of loan charge-offs which maximize cash flows from the mortgage loan pool, and (iii) foreclosure and real estate owned disposition strategies and timelines. All credits are assigned risk classifications by the Surveillance Group using the following guidelines: CLASS I - “Fully Performing - Meets Ambac Criteria with Remote Probability of Claim” - Credits that demonstrate adequate security and structural protection with a strong capacity to pay interest, repay principal and perform as underwritten. Factors supporting debt service payment and performance are considered unlikely to change and any such change would not have a negative impact upon the fundamental credit quality. SURVEY LIST - “Investigation of Specific Condition or Weakness Underway” - Credits that require additional analysis to determine if adverse classification is warranted. These credits may lack information or demonstrate a weakness but further deterioration is not expected. CLASS IA - “Potential Problem with Risks to be Dimensioned” - Credits that are fully current and monetary default or claims-payment are not anticipated. The payor’s or issuer’s financial condition may be deteriorating or the credits may lack adequate collateral. A structured financing may also evidence weakness in its fundamental credit quality as evidenced by its under-performance relative to its modeled projections at underwriting, issues related to the servicer’s ability to perform or questions about the structural integrity of the transaction. While these credits may still retain an investment grade rating, they usually have experienced or are vulnerable to a ratings downgrade. Further investigation is required to dimension and correct any deficiencies. A complete legal review of documents may be required. An action plan should be developed with triggers for future classification changes upward or downward. CLASS II - “Substandard Requiring Intervention” - Credits whose fundamental credit quality has deteriorated to the point that timely payment of debt service may be jeopardized by adversely developing trends of a financial, economic, structural, managerial or political nature. No claim payment is currently foreseen but the probability of loss or claim payment over the life of the transaction is now existent (generally 10% or greater probability). Class II credits may be border-line or below investment grade (BBB- to B). Prompt and sustained action must be taken to execute a comprehensive loss mitigation plan and correct deficiencies. CLASS III - “Doubtful with Clear Potential for Loss” - Credits whose fundamental credit quality has deteriorated to the point that timely payment of debt service has been or will be jeopardized by adverse trends of a financial, economic, structural, managerial or political nature which, in the absence of positive change or corrective action, are likely to result in a loss. The probability of monetary default or claims paying over the life of the transaction is generally 50% or greater. Full exercise of all available remedial actions is required to avert or minimize losses. Class III credits will generally be rated below investment grade (B to CCC). CLASS IV - “Imminent Default or Defaulted” - Monetary default or claim payments have occurred or are expected imminently. Class IV credits are generally rated D. CLASS V - “Fully Reserved” - The credit has defaulted and payments have occurred. The claim payments are scheduled and known, reserves have been established to fully cover such claims, and no claim volatility is expected. The population of credits evaluated in Ambac’s loss reserve process are: (i) all adversely classified credits (Class IA through V) and ii) non-adversely classified credits (Class I and SL) which had an internal Ambac rating downgrade since the transaction’s inception. One of two approaches is then utilized to estimate losses to ultimately determine if a loss reserve should be established. The first approach is a statistical expected loss approach, which considers the likelihood of all possible outcomes. The “base case” statistical expected loss is the product of: (i) the par outstanding on the credit; (ii) internally developed historical default information (taking into consideration internal ratings and average life of an obligation); (iii) internally developed loss severities; and (iv) a discount factor. The loss severities and default information are based on rating agency information, are specific to each bond type and are established and approved by senior officers of the PRM group. For certain credit exposures, Ambac’s additional monitoring, loss remediation efforts and probabilities of potential settlement outcomes may provide information relevant to adjust this estimate of “base case” statistical expected losses. Analysts may accept the “base case” statistical expected loss as the best estimate of expected loss or assign multiple probability weighted scenarios to determine an adjusted statistical expected loss that better reflects management’s view of a given transaction’s expected losses, as well as the potential for additional remediation activities (i.e. commutations). The second approach entails the use of cash-flow based models to estimate expected losses (future claims, net of potential recoveries, expected to be paid to the holder of the insured financial obligation). Ambac’s PRM group will consider the likelihood of all possible outcomes and develop appropriate cash flow scenarios. This approach can include the utilization of internal or third party models to project future losses and resultant claim payment estimates. We utilize cash flow models for residential mortgage-backed (RMBS), student loan, and other exposures. RMBS and student loan models use historical performance of the collateral pools in order to then derive future performance characteristics, such as default and voluntary prepayment rates, which in turn determine projected future claim payments. In other cases, such as many public finance exposures including our Puerto Rico exposures, we do not specifically forecast resources available to pay debt service in the cash flow model itself. Rather, we consider the issuers’ overall ability and willingness to pay, including the fiscal, economic, legal and political framework. In this approach a probability-weighted expected loss estimate is developed based on assigning probabilities to multiple claim payment scenarios and applying an appropriate discount factor. Additionally, we assign a probability to the issuer’s ability to refinance an insured issue and/or Ambac’s ability to execute a potential settlement (i.e. commutation) of the insurance policy, including the impact on future installment premiums. The commutation scenarios and the related probabilities of occurrence vary by transaction, depending on our view of the likelihood of negotiating such a transaction with issuers and/or investors. The estimated expected recovery component of expected losses include: (i) recoveries related to contractual breaches of RMBS representations and warranties by transaction sponsors, which is discussed further in the “RMBS Representation and Warranty Subrogation Recoveries” section below, (ii) excess spread within an RMBS underlying transaction's cash flow structure, and (iii) other recoveries, including other litigation recoveries. Ambac does not include expected recoveries from litigation attributed solely to fraudulent inducement claims in our estimate of representation and warranty subrogation recoveries, since any remedies under such claims would be non-contractual. The discount factor applied to the statistical expected loss approach is based on a risk-free discount rate corresponding to the remaining expected weighted-average life of the exposure and the exposure currency. For the cash flow scenario approach, discount factors are applied based on a risk-free discount rate term structure and correspond to the date of each respective cash flow payment or recovery and the exposure currency. Discount factors are updated for the current risk-free rate each reporting period. Ambac establishes loss expense reserves based on our estimate of expected net cash outflows for loss expenses, such as legal and consulting costs. RMBS Representation and Warranty Subrogation Recoveries: Ambac records as a component of its loss reserve estimate, subrogation recoveries related to securitized loans in RMBS transactions that breached certain representations and warranties described herein. Generally, the sponsor of an RMBS transaction provided representations and warranties with respect to the securitized loans, including representations with respect to the loan characteristics, the absence of borrower fraud in the underlying loan pools, or other misconduct in the origination process and attesting to the compliance of loans with the prevailing underwriting policies. In such cases, the sponsor of the transaction is contractually obligated to repurchase, cure or substitute collateral for any loan that breaches the representations and warranties. Ambac or its counsel have engaged consultants with significant mortgage underwriting experience to review the underwriting documentation for mortgage loans underlying certain insured RMBS transactions which exhibited exceptionally poor performance. Factors which Ambac believes to be indicative of poor performance include (i) increased levels of early payment defaults, (ii) significant numbers of loan liquidations or charge-offs and resulting high levels of losses, and (iii) rapid elimination of credit protections inherent in the transactions’ structures. With respect to item (ii), “loan liquidations” refers to loans for which the servicer has liquidated the related collateral and the securitization has realized losses on the loan; “charge-offs” refers to loans which have been written off as uncollectible by the servicer, generating no recoveries to the securitization, and may also refer to the unrecovered balance of liquidated loans. In either case, the servicer has taken actions to recover against the collateral, and the securitization has incurred losses to the extent such actions did not result in full repayment of the borrower’s obligations. Generally, subsequent to the forensic exercise of examining loan files to ascertain whether the loans conformed to the representations and warranties, we submit nonconforming loans for repurchase to the contractual counterparty bearing the repurchase obligation, which is typically the transaction sponsor. To effect a repurchase, depending on the transaction, the sponsor is obligated to repurchase the loan at (a) for loans which have not been liquidated or charged off, either (i) the current unpaid principal balance of the loan, (ii) the current unpaid principal balance plus accrued unpaid interest, or (iii) the current unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest plus unreimbursed servicer advances/expenses and/or trustee expenses resulting from the breach of representations and warranties that trigger the repurchase, and (b) for a loan that has already been liquidated or charged-off, the amount of the realized loss (which in certain cases may exclude accrued unpaid interest). In cases where loans are repurchased by a sponsor, the effect is typically to offset current period losses and then to increase the over-collateralization of the securitization, depending on the extent of loan repurchases and the structure of the securitization. Specifically, the repurchase price is paid by the sponsor to the securitization trust which holds the loan. The cash becomes an asset of the trust, replacing the loan that was repurchased by the sponsor. On a monthly basis the cash received related to loan repurchases by the sponsor is aggregated with cash collections from the underlying mortgages and applied in accordance with the trust indenture payment waterfall. This payment waterfall typically includes principal and interest payments to the note holders, various expenses of the trust and reimbursements to Ambac, as financial guarantor, for previously paid claims. Notwithstanding the reimbursement of previous claim payments, to the extent there continues to be insufficient cash in the waterfall in the current month to make scheduled principal and interest payments to the note holders, Ambac is required to make additional claim payments to cover this shortfall. Ambac may also receive payments directly from transaction sponsors in settlement of their repurchase obligations pursuant to negotiated settlement agreements or otherwise as a result of related litigation. Ambac’s approach in estimating subrogation recoveries is a function of the population of loan files the sponsor makes available for review. In transactions where Ambac has been provided access to loans files for all loans in the original loan pool, we utilize a “random sample” approach to estimate subrogation recoveries. Prior to the June 30, 2014 reporting period, in transactions where Ambac had only obtained loan files for seriously delinquent or defaulted loans, we utilized an “adverse sample” approach to estimate subrogation recoveries. Beginning with the June 30, 2014 reporting period, as a result of gaining further access to loan files, the random sample approach has been utilized for all transactions which were previously evaluated using the adverse sample approach. Both approaches are described in further detail below. We do not include estimates of damages attributed solely to fraudulent inducement claims in our estimate of subrogation recoveries under either approach. While the obligation by sponsors to repurchase loans with material breaches is clear, generally the sponsors have not yet honored those obligations without actual or threatened litigation. Ambac has utilized the results of the above described loan file examinations to make demands for loan repurchases from sponsors or their successors and, in certain instances, as a part of the basis for litigation. Ambac’s approach to resolving these disputes has included negotiating with individual sponsors at the transaction level and in some cases at the individual loan level and has resulted in the repurchase of some loans. Ambac has initiated and will continue to pursue lawsuits seeking compliance with the repurchase obligations in the securitization documents. Ambac has performed the above-mentioned, detailed examinations on a variety of second-lien and first-lien transactions that have experienced exceptionally poor performance. However, the loan file examinations and related estimated recoveries we have reviewed and recorded to date have been limited to only those transactions whose sponsors (or their successors) are subsidiaries of large financial institutions, all of which carry an investment grade rating from at least one nationally recognized rating agency, or are otherwise deemed to have the financial wherewithal to live up to their repurchase obligations. While our contractual recourse is generally to the sponsor/subsidiary, rather than to the parent, each of these large institutions has significant financial resources and may have an ongoing interest in mortgage finance, and we therefore believe that the financial institution/parent would ultimately assume financial responsibility for these obligations if the sponsor/subsidiary is unable to honor its contractual obligations or pay a judgment that we may obtain in litigation. Additionally, in the case of successor institutions, we are not aware of any provisions that explicitly preclude or limit the successors’ ability to honor the obligations of the original sponsor. Certain successor financial institutions have made significant payments to certain claimants to settle breaches of representations and warranties perpetrated by sponsors that have been acquired by such financial institutions. In addition, Ambac received a significant payment in 2016 from JP Morgan to settle RMBS-related litigation. Refer to Note 1. Background and Business Description for further discussion of this settlement. As a result of these factors, we did not make significant adjustments to our estimated subrogation recoveries with respect to the credit risk of these sponsors or their successors. We believe that focusing our loan remediation efforts on large financial institutions first will provide the greatest economic benefit to Ambac. Ambac retains the right to review other RMBS transactions for representations and warranties breaches and management continues to review transactions for inclusion in this effort. As part of this effort, there have been limited cases for certain smaller transactions where Ambac has successfully negotiated recoveries for breaches of representations and warranties without a detailed examination of the respective loan files. Our ability to recover the RMBS subrogation recoveries is subject to significant uncertainty, including risks inherent in litigation, collectability of such amounts from counterparties and/or their respective parents and affiliates, timing of receipt of any such recoveries, intervention by OCI which could impede our ability to take actions required to realize such recoveries, and uncertainties inherent in the assumptions used in estimating such recoveries. Random sample approach: The random sample approach to estimate subrogation recoveries is based on obtaining a random sample of the original loans in the pool, using a protocol developed by a statistical expert. In this approach, the ratio of: (a) loans identified in the sample as having materially breached representations and warranties to (b) the total loan sample size, is applied (extrapolated) to the sum of realized and estimated future collateral pool losses to determine an estimated repurchase obligation. We limit the estimated repurchase obligation by ever-to-date incurred losses, with respect to the remaining steps in this approach. Multiple probability-weighted scenarios were then developed by applying various realization factors to the estimated repurchase obligation. The realization factors in these scenarios were developed using Ambac’s own assumptions about the likelihood of outcomes based on all the information available to it including, but not limited to, (i) discussions with external legal counsel and their views on ultimate settlement and/or litigation outcomes, (ii) experience with loan put back negotiations where the existence of a material breach was debated and negotiated at the loan level, (iii) the pervasiveness of the breach rates and (iv) experience in settling similar claims. The probability weightings are developed based on the unique facts and circumstances for each transaction. The sum of these probability-weighted scenarios represents the undiscounted subrogation recovery, which is then discounted using a factor derived from a risk-free discount rate term structure that corresponds to the date of each respective recovery. Discount factors are updated for the current risk-free rate each reporting period. Adverse sample approach: The adverse sample approach was used in transactions where Ambac was only given access by the sponsor to impaired loan files, meaning loans greater than 90 days past due, charged off, or in foreclosure, REO or bankruptcy. This limitation precluded us from selecting a valid random sample from the entire loan pool. Consequently, the adverse sample approach utilized the following subsets of loans to estimate a repurchase obligation: (i) loans identified as breaching representations and warranties (i.e. adverse loans) taken from a sample of impaired loans and (ii) transactions identified where the underlying loans have similar attributes, including but not limited to type, vintage and composition, to loans that were included in RMBS settlements between the same sponsor and other parties, and where the transactions had substantially similar representations and warranties (i.e. “prototype transactions”). The calculation of subrogation recovery with respect to the adverse loan subset was based on the original principal balance of the loans in the adverse sample. Multiple probability-weighted scenarios were then developed by applying various realization factors to the estimated repurchase obligations under both subsets of loans. The realization factors in these scenarios were developed using assumptions similar to those discussed in the random sample approach above, as well as an internal analysis of the RMBS settlements discussed above. The sum of these probability-weighted scenarios represents the undiscounted subrogation recovery, which is then discounted using a factor derived from a risk-free discount rate term structure that corresponds to the date of each respective recovery. Discount factors are updated for the current risk-free rate each reporting period. Intangible Assets: Insurance intangible: At the Fresh Start Reporting Date, an insurance intangible asset was recorded which represented the difference between the fair value and aggregate carrying value of the financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance assets and liabilities. The carrying values of our financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts will continue to be reported and measured in accordance with existing accounting policies. Pursuant to the Financial Services-Insurance Topic of the ASC, the insurance intangible is to be measured on a basis consistent with the related financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts. The insurance intangible asset will be amortized using a level yield method based on par exposure of the related financial guarantee insurance or reinsurance contracts and will be applied to groups of contracts with similar characteristics. The weighted-average amortization period at Fresh Start Reporting Date was 9.4 years. VIE intangible: Effective April 30, 2013, Ambac consolidated a VIE which had assets that included finite lived intangible assets associated with its operations. The intangible assets were recorded at their fair value on the consolidation date in the amount of $164,520 and were considered held for use. Pursuant to the Intangible - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC, finite lived intangibles held for use are amortized over their useful lives. The useful lives are determined after considering the specific facts and circumstances including, contractual term of any agreement, the long-term strategy for the use of the asset and other economic factors. A VIE intangible held for use is tested for impairment if conditions exist that might indicate the carrying amount of the intangible is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Such conditions may include an economic downturn in a geographic market or a change in the assessment of future operations. If such conditions are present, a two-step impairment evaluation is performed. In the first step, a recoverability test is performed by comparing the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, the second step of the test is performed to measure the impairment amount, if any. In the second step, an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the intangible exceeds its fair value. In the period an intangible asset is classified as held for sale, the asset is reported at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell, with the adjustment reported as a loss through earnings. In subsequent periods, a loss is recognized for any further reduction in fair value less cost to sell. A gain is recognized for any subsequent increase in fair value less cost to sell, but not in excess of the cumulative loss previously recognized. During 2013, management approved plans to sell the VIE intangible assets and such assets were reclassified as held for sale, resulting in a loss from the reduction of their carrying value to fair value less costs to sell in the eight months ended December 31, 2013. The sale of the intangible assets was completed in 2014. Refer to Note 4. Special Purpose Entities, Including Variable Interest Entities for further discussion of the VIE intangibles and their impact on the consolidated financial statements. Deferred Acquisition Costs: Financial guarantee insurance costs that vary with and are primarily related to the production of business had been deferred. These costs included compensation of certain employees, premium taxes, ceding commissions payable on assumed business and certain other underwriting expenses, net of ceding commissions receivable on ceded business. Certain future costs associated with installment premium contracts, such as premium taxes and reinsurance ceding commissions, are estimated and present valued using the same assumptions used to estimate the related premiums receivable described in the “Net Premiums Earned” section above. Premium taxes and reinsurance commissions were deferred in their entirety. Ambac has not undertaken any new business since 2008; accordingly, we have not deferred any costs in the periods presented, except for changes in estimates for premiums taxes and ceding commissions. Costs associated with credit derivatives are expensed as incurred. Prior to the Fresh Start Reporting Date, deferred acquisition costs were expensed in proportion to premium revenue recognized. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs is adjusted to reflect acceleration of premium revenue due to refunding or calls and to reflect changes in the estimated lives of certain obligations. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs amounted to $6,480 for the four months ended April 30, 2013. A premium deficiency exists if the sum of: (i) unearned premium, and (ii) losses and loss expense reserve, net of reinsurance and subrogation recoveries, recognized as of the balance sheet date, is less than the sum of: (i) the present value of expected loss and loss expenses, (ii) present value of future expected servicing and maintenance costs, and (iii) unamortized deferred acquisition costs. The present value of the expected loss and loss expenses and future expected servicing and maintenance costs are discounted at the rate of return on Ambac’s investment portfolio. If a premium deficiency were to exist, unamortized deferred acquisition costs would be reduced by a charge to expense and a liability would be established for any remaining deficiency. The remaining deferred costs at the Fresh Start Reporting Date were reduced to their fair value of zero; refer to Note 3. Fresh Start Financial Statement Reporting for further information. Investments: The Investments - Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC requires that all debt instruments and certain equity instruments be classified in Ambac’s Consolidated Balance Sheets according to their purpose and, depending on that classification, be carried at either cost or fair market value. Ambac’s non-VIE investment portfolio is accounted for on a trade-date basis and consists primarily of investments in fixed income securities that are considered available-for-sale as defined by the Investments - Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. Available-for-sale securities are reported in the financial statements at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Stockholders’ Equity and computed using amortized cost as the basis. For purposes of computing amortized cost, premiums and discounts are accounted for using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the securities. For securities that are not structured securities with a large underlying pool of homogenous loans, such as corporate and municipal bonds, premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the remaining term of the securities even if they are callable. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are adjusted for the effects of actual and anticipated prepayments on a retrospective basis. Ambac’s investment portfolio also included equity interests in pooled investment funds. Such equity interests in the form of common stock or in-substance common stock are classified as trading securities. Equity interests in pooled funds organized as limited liability companies are recorded under the fair value option. Investments classified either as trading or fair value option securities are reported as Other investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value with changes in fair value reported through Net investment income on the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Investments in pooled funds have been classified as trading or fair value option securities so that any undistributed earnings of the funds may be reflected in Net investment income as they occur. Fair value is based primarily on quotes obtained from independent market sources. When quotes are not available or cannot be reasonably corroborated, valuation models are used to estimate fair value. These models include estimates, made by management, which utilize current market information. The quotes received or modeled valuations could differ materially from amounts that would actually be realized in the market. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification. VIE investments in fixed income securities are carried at fair value under the fair value option in accordance with the Financial Instruments Topic of the ASC Topic 825. For additional information about VIE investments, including fair value by asset-type, see Note 4. Special Purpose Entities, Including Variable Interest Entities. Ambac has a formal impairment review process for available for sale securities in its investment portfolio. Ambac conducts a review each quarter to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment that is other than temporary in accordance with the Investments - Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. Factors considered when assessing impairment include: (i) fair values that have declined by 20% or more below amortized cost; (ii) market values that have declined by 5% or more but less than 20% below amortized cost for a continuous period of at least six months; (iii) recent downgrades by rating agencies; (iv) the financial condition of the issuer and financial guarantor, as applicable, and an analysis of projected defaults on the underlying collateral; (v) scheduled interest payments are past due; (vi) whether Ambac has the intent to sell the security; and (vii) whether it is more likely than not that Ambac will be required to sell a security before the anticipated recovery of its amortized cost basis. If we believe a decline in the fair value of a particular investment is temporary, we record the decline as an unrealized loss net of tax in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Stockholders’ Equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. If management either: (i) has the intent to sell its investment in a debt security or (ii) determines that the Company more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery of the amortized cost basis less any current period credit impairment, then an other-than-temporary impairment charge must be recognized in earnings, with the amortized cost of the security being written-down to fair value. If these conditions are not met, but it is determined that a credit loss exists, the credit impairment loss is recognized in earnings, and the other-than-temporary amount related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. For fixed income securities that have other-than-temporary impairments in a period, the previous amortized cost of the security less the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment recorded through earnings becomes the investment’s new cost basis. Ambac accretes the new cost basis to par or to the estimated future cash flows to be recovered over the expected remaining life of the security. The evaluation of securities for impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether, and to what extent, declines in the fair value of investments should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s or guarantor’s financial condition and/or future prospects, the effects of regulatory actions on the investment portfolio, the performance of the underlying collateral, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the expected recovery period. With respect to all Ambac insured securities owned, future cash flows used to measure credit impairment represents the sum of (i) the bond’s intrinsic cash flows and (ii) the estimated Ambac Assurance claim payments. For Ambac-insured securities owned guaranteed under policies allocated to the Segregated Account, the estimate of Ambac Assurance claim payments includes interest on Deferred Amounts. Ambac estimates the timing of claim payment receipts on all Ambac-insured securities owned, but the actual timing of such amounts for Segregated Account securities are at the sole discretion of the Rehabilitator. Further modifications to the Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan or to the rules and guidelines promulgated thereunder, orders from the Rehabilitation Court or actions by the Rehabilitator with respect to the form, amount and timing of satisfying permitted policy claims, or making payments on Deferred Amounts or surplus notes, may have a material effect on the fair value of Segregated Account securities and future recognition of other-than-temporary impairments. Refer to Note 1. Background and Business Description for information relating to the amended Segregated Account Rehabilitation Plan. Ambac’s assessment about whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary reflects management’s current judgment regarding facts and circumstances specific to a security and the factors noted above, including Ambac's intention to sell securities and ability to hold temporarily impaired securities until recovery. If that judgment changes, Ambac may ultimately record a charge for other-than-temporary impairment in future periods. Derivative Contracts: The Company has entered into derivative contracts both for trading purposes and to hedge certain economic risks inherent in its financial asset and liability portfolios. Derivatives for trading include credit derivatives, interest rate swaps and futures contracts. None of Ambac’s derivative contracts were designated as hedges under the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC. Ambac’s credit derivative contracts are accounted for at fair value since they do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC. Changes in fair value of credit derivatives are recorded in Net change in fair value of credit derivatives on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Ambac provides interest rate swaps principally to states, municipalities and their authorities and asset-backed issuers in connection with their financings. Ambac also maintains interest rate derivatives to mitigate exposure to floating rate insured obligations in the financial guarantee portfolio. Changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives are recorded in Derivative product revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). VIEs consolidated under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC entered into derivative contracts to meet specified purposes within their securitization structure. Changes in fair value of consolidated VIE derivatives are included within Income (loss) on variable interest entities on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). All derivatives are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a gross basis; assets and liabilities are netted by customer only when a legal right of offset exists. Ambac has determined that the amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral may not be used to offset amounts due under the derivative instruments in the normal course of settlement. Therefore, such amounts are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. Refer to Note 12. Derivative Instruments for further discussion of the Company’s use of derivative instruments and their impact of the consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 10. Fair Value Measurements for further description of the methodologies used to determine the fair value of derivative contracts, including model inputs and assumptions where applicable. Loans: Loans are reported at either their outstanding principal balance less unamortized discount or at fair value. For loans reported at their outstanding principal balance less unamortized discount (non-VIE loans), interest income is earned using the effective interest method based upon interest accrued on the unpaid principal balance adjusted for accretion of discounts. A loan is considered impaired when, based on the financial condition of the borrower, it is probable that Ambac will be unable to collect all principal and interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans held by VIEs consolidated as required under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in Income (loss) on variable interest entities on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Long-Term Debt: Long-term debt issued by Ambac is carried at par value less unamortized discount. Accrued interest and discount accretion on long-term debt is reported as Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). To the extent Ambac repurchases its long-term debt or the Rehabilitator redeems Segregated Account surplus notes, which may also trigger a proportionate redemption in General Account surplus notes, such repurchases or redemptions may be settled for an amount different than the carrying value of the obligation. Any difference between the settlement payment and carrying value of the obligation is reported in Net realized gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Long-term debt issued by VIEs for which Ambac is not primarily liable, is carried at fair value with changes in fair value recorded as Income (loss) on variable interest entities on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Refer to Note 14. Long-Term Debt for further discussion. Obligations under Investment Agreements: Ambac provides investment agreements principally to asset-backed and structured finance issuers, states, municipalities and municipal authorities, whereby Ambac agrees to pay an agreed-upon rate of interest based on funds deposited. Proceeds from these investment agreement and investment repurchase agreement obligations were used to invest in fixed income investments. Interest income from these investments is included in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Obligations under investment agreements are reported as liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their principal value less unamortized discount. The carrying value of these obligations is adjusted for principal paid and interest credited to the account. Interest expense is computed based upon daily outstanding liability balances at rates and periods specified in the agreements adjusted for accretion of discount. Subject to a negotiation among the parties, investment agreements may be settled for an amount different than the carrying value of the obligation. Any difference between the settlement payment and carrying value of the terminated investment agreement obligation is reported in Net realized gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Income Taxes: Ambac files a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. Ambac UK files tax returns in both the United Kingdom and Italy (for its Milan branch). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Ambac evaluates our deferred income taxes quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. The Income Taxes Topic of the ASC requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a ‘more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The level of deferred tax asset recognition is influenced by management’s assessment of future profitability, which depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (ordinary vs. capital) within the carry back or carry forward periods available under the tax law. In the event that we determine that we would not be able to realize all or a portion of our deferred tax assets in the future, we would reduce such amounts through a charge to the Statement of Total Comprehensive Income in the period in which that determination is made. The Income Taxes Topic of the ASC provides a framework to determine the appropriate level of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions. This framework prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Ambac also accrues interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits: Ambac provides postretirement and postemployment benefits, including health and life benefits covering employees who meet certain age and service requirements. Ambac accounts for these benefits under the accrual method of accounting. Amounts related to the postretirement health benefits liability are established and charged to expense based on actuarial determinations. Long Term Incentive and Stock Compensation Plans: The Ambac 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Equity Plan”) provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted and performance units and other awards that are valued or determined by reference to Ambac's common stock to employees and directors. In March 2014, Ambac developed a long term incentive compensation plan (“LTIP”) as a sub-plan of the 2013 Plan. This LTIP allows for both cash and equity performance awards to US employees. In 2015, Ambac UK 's Board of Directors adopted a long term incentive plan which provides cash based performance awards to Ambac UK employees. Ambac recognizes compensation costs for all equity classified awards granted at fair value with an estimation of forfeitures for all unvested shares. Stock options and restricted stock units granted only require future service and accordingly the respective fair value is amortized over the relevant service period. Performance stock units granted and performance cash awards require both future service and achieving specified performance targets to vest and accordingly compensation costs are only recognized when the achievement of the performance conditions are considered probable. Once deemed probable, such compensation costs are amortized over the relevant service period. Compensation costs are initially based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions and adjusted for subsequent changes in the estimated or actual outcome each reporting period as necessary. Changes in the estimated or actual outcome of a performance condition are recognized by reflecting a retrospective adjustment to compensation cost in the current period. Depreciation and Amortization: Depreciation of furniture and fixtures and electronic data processing equipment is charged over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, ranging from three to five years, using the straight-line method. Amortization of leasehold improvements is charged over the remaining term of the respective operating lease using the straight-line method. Foreign Currency: Financial statement accounts expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with the Foreign Currency Matters Topic of the ASC. Functional currency assets and liabilities of Ambac’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and the related translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes, are included as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Stockholders' Equity. Functional currencies are generally the currencies of the local operating environment. Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) accounts expressed in functional currencies are translated using average exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from investment impairments are reflected in Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from sales of foreign denominated investment securities are reflected in Net realized investment gains. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from cash denominated in non-functional currencies as well as the re-measurement of non-functional currency premium receivables are reflected in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). The Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) include pre-tax gains (losses) from such foreign exchange items of $3,836 and $1,326 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, $(12,372) for the eight months ended December 31, 2013 and $8,694 for the four months ended April 30, 2013. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from the re-measurement of non-functional currency loss reserves are included within losses and loss expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss). Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' amounts to conform to the current year's presentation. Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards: Adopted: Effective January 1, 2015, Ambac adopted ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) - Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The objective of this ASU is to limit discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. Under previous U.S. GAAP, many disposals, some of which may be routine in nature and not a change in an entity's strategy, were reported in discontinued operations. The ASU also requires certain expanded disclosures for discontinued operations and disclosure of the pre-tax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on Ambac's financial statements. Issued: In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This ASU makes changes to the VIE model and voting interest ("VOE") model consolidation guidance. The main provisions of the ASU include the following: i) adding a requirement that limited partnerships and similar legal entities must provide partners with either substantive kick-out rights or substantive participating rights over the general partner to qualify as a VOE rather than a VIE; ii) eliminating the presumption that the general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; iii) eliminating certain conditions that need to be met when evaluating whether fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are considered a variable interest; iv) excluding certain fees paid to decision makers or service providers when evaluating which party is the primary beneficiary of a VIE; and v) revising how related parties are evaluated under the VIE guidance. Lastly, the ASU eliminates the indefinite deferral of FAS 167, which allowed reporting entities with interests in certain investment funds to follow previous guidance in FIN 46 (R). However, the ASU permanently exempts reporting entities from consolidating registered money market funds that operate in accordance with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The ASU is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply this ASU either using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning period of adoption or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is also permitted provided that the ASU is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Ambac will adopt ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 and it is is not expected to have a material impact on Ambac's financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30). This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The ASU is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is also permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. Upon adoption, the ASU must be retrospectively applied to all prior periods presented. Ambac will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on Ambac's financial statements. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). Reporting entities are permitted to use net asset value ("NAV") as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of certain investments. Under current U.S. GAAP, investments that use the NAV practical expedient to measure fair value are categorized within the fair value hierarchy as level 2 or level 3 investments depending on their redemption attributes, which has led to diversity in practice. This ASU will remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments that use the NAV practical expedient for fair value measurement purposes. Furthermore, the ASU will remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the NAV practical expedient. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods with those fiscal years. The ASU must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. Ambac will adopt ASU 2015-07 on January 1, 2016. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on Ambac's financial statements. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASC 2015-09, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944) - Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The primary objective of this ASU is to improve disclosures for insurance entities which issue short-duration contracts. The ASU made significant amendments to the Short-Duration Contract disclosure section and limited amendments affecting the General disclosure section of Topic 944. Ambac, as a provider of financial guarantee contracts, is subject to the General sections but not the Short-Duration Contract sections of Topic 944. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Ambac will adopt ASU 2015-09 on December 31, 2016. The limited amendments made to the General disclosure section are not expected to have a material impact on Ambac's financial statement disclosures. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASC 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The ASU makes the following targeted changes for financial assets and liabilities: i) requiring equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in net income; ii) simplifying the impairment assessment of equity securities without readily determinable fair values using a qualitative approach; iii) eliminating disclosure of the method and significant assumptions used to fair value instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; iv) requiring use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of instruments for disclosure purposes; v) for financial liabilities where the fair value option has been elected, requiring the portion of the fair value change related to instrument-specific credit risk (which includes a Company's own credit risk) to be separately reported in other comprehensive income; vi) requiring the separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (liability) on the balance sheet or accompanying notes; and vii) clarifying that the evaluation of a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities should be performed in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years Early adoption of item (v) above is permitted for financial statements (both annual and interim periods) that have not yet been issued. We have not determined when we will adopt item (v) above of this ASU. We will adopt the remaining provisions of the ASU on January 1, 2018. We are evaluating the impact of this ASU on Ambac's financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The main difference between current U.S. GAAP and this ASU is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases. For operating leases, a lessee is required to: 1) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the balance sheet, 2) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost is allocated over the lease term generally on a straight-line basis and 3) classify all cash payment within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The transition guidance requires lessees to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach which include a number of optional practical expedients. We will adopt ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2019. We are evaluating the impact of this ASU, including the transitional practical expedients, on Ambac's financial statements.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the basis of presentation and significant accounting policies concepts. 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). Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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